The Author's POV

Ci Clank—!

Closing the door behind him, Kevin got out of his apartment. Taking a deep breath, he stared at the scenery before him with lethargic eyes.

Closing his eyes for a brief moment of time, he soon opened them again and proceeded to head down.

"There you are, Kevin."

Waiting for him below was Emma who waved her hand in his direction.

Kevin's feet came to a pause. Staring at Emma who was waiting for him from below, Kevin's unfocused eyes became a little bit more focused.

'Emma...she's alive.'

Faint fragments of the vision replayed in his mind as he stared at her. Each time recollection resulted in a stinging sensation inside of his heart.

Smiling weakly, he nodded his head and greeted her back.

"Yeah...I'm here."

His voice was rather weak, but it was loud enough for Emma to hear. Of course, Emma was able to notice that something was wrong as her brows knit together.

"What is up with you? Are you okay?"

"...I'm good."

Kevin gave a short reply. Then, placing his hand on the handrail, he walked down the stairs of the building.

Not convinced by Kevin's words, Emma leaned forward. A worried look flashed across her face.

"…You don't seem to be okay? Should we have you checked?"

"I'm really fine."

Kevin raised his head and met Emma's eyes. They stared off for a good minute before Emma eventually relented.

"Alright, if you say so."

Staring into the distance, she flipped her hat backward.

"Let's go then. The others are probably already waiting for us."

Rummaging through her pockets, Emma took out a pack of gums. Taking one of the gums she placed it in her mouth and started chewing.

"Munch…munch…want one?"

Extending her hand, she offered one to Kevin. Raising his hand, Kevin politely refused.

"No thank you."

"Munch…munch…suit yourself."

Putting the pack of gums away, Emma blew a bubble gum and proceeded to head towards the center of the Issanor.

Pop—

"Ukeh!"

But just as she took two steps, her bubble burst apart and the gum splattered all over her face.

***

Today was the day of the conference tournament.

As the sun slowly rose from the horizon the atmosphere in Issanor became extremely lively and filled with excitement.

This was the event that everyone was eagerly awaiting.

Not just for the prizes, but for its meaning as well. It was the event that decided the fate of the alliance between the three races.

When I arrived at the main tournament square, the place was already boiling with noise.

and humans alike

races who were fairly relaxed, every human wore an expression of nervousness and excitement. This was understandable however

like they are

a glimpse of Amanda, Melissa, and

attention. They looked like famous celebrities surrounded by a bunch of fans, all trying to curry favor from

were they extremely good-looking, but their talents and

they were

faint smile appeared on my lips as I witnessed this scene

just never

was quite familiar as I had seen it multiple times back at the

were entirely different people from the past, their shine never disappeared. In fact, they shone more

now...where are

eyes away from them, I glanced around the crowd

place, but since I didn't want to skip my training session I decided to just go

stereotype of girls being slow at changing was

'I see them.'

corner of the human section I caught a

me, everyone was currently not wearing

hide his identity were Waylan and me. The others

clothes, I headed

"You're finally here."

who had a calm

was a lot longer than I

not in

the

around I proceeded to greet the others. Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan who weren't planning on participating, Ava and Hein had nervous looks on their

long ago they were brimming with confidence. But as they stared at the people around

there were a lot of

me

also aiming

that only the winner could get and with it, I would have no trouble breaking through to

"…hm?"

raising my head, I suddenly noticed Melissa and the others

definitely Melissa's

and she was definitely coming to me

As they stopped, I suddenly

my eyes, I asked in an annoyed

you doing this

in my voice as I tried to make it as evident as

"…Doing what?"

feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood the implications behind my words. I

"Here."

cards. Lifting her

think you will need it, I believe

obviously referring to Hein and

you up on the

took the cards from her. Then, turning around, I

spent the next couple of minutes explaining to them how the cards worked. Once I was done, the both of them looked at Melissa with

and staring behind Melissa and the others,

you guys seen

wasn't really the type to be

things? Could

"They're over there."

wondering about Kevin's

"Where?"

"There."

to look in the direction of where she pointed, but my vision wasn't as good as hers so

long for me to finally

"Oh, I see them."

with Emma next to him, Kevin's head hung low. Emma looked like her usual self, but Kevin looked a bit different

sick

disheveled and his overall complexion looked extremely pale.

looking at Kevin in the distance, seemingly having noticed my stare, Kevin raised his head

"…hm?"