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.

dwarves, elves, orcs, and humans alike gathered in groups as they

and excitement. This

they are

caught a

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

was understandable, however. After all, not only were they extremely good-looking, but their talents and achievements at their age made them individuals to

doubt, they were the future pillars of

on my lips

things just never

was quite familiar as I had seen it multiple

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

are the

from them, I glanced around the crowd and

I was supposed to have come with them to the place, but since I didn't want to skip my training session I decided to just go by myself. Amanda was also training with me, but it

slow at changing was

'I see them.'

the

me, everyone was currently not wearing a

me. The others not so much.

my clothes, I headed

"You're finally here."

by Douglas who had a calm smile on

a lot longer than

fine. We're not

with the same calm

from Leopold, Smallsnake,

too long ago they were brimming with confidence. But as they

a lot of talented people present today, and

included me

was also aiming for the

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

"…hm?"

and the others

definitely

how much I hated attention, and she was definitely coming to me knowing that it would attract the attention of the others.

watch, the three of them stopped right in front of me. As they stopped, I suddenly

my eyes, I asked in

are you doing this

course, I didn't hide the displeasure in my voice as I tried to

"…Doing what?"

to not have understood the implications behind my words. I sighed in exasperation

"Here."

cards. Lifting her head, she nudged her head in the

it,

referring to

I'll take you up on

the cards from her. Then, turning around, I handed them to Hein

them against John not too long ago, but Ava didn't so I spent the next couple of minutes explaining to them how the cards worked. Once I was

and staring behind Melissa and the others, I

you guys

really the type

weird. Or maybe I was just overthinking things? Could just be that he

"They're over there."

wondering about Kevin's whereabouts, Amanda suddenly spoke as she pointed towards the

"Where?"

"There."

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

didn't take long for me to finally see

"Oh, I see them."

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

he sick or

brows knit at the sight. Not only was his aura weird, but his hair was disheveled and his overall complexion looked extremely pale. The current Kevin looked to

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

"…hm?"