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.

humans

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

like they are

caught a glimpse

like famous celebrities surrounded by a

however. After all, not only were they extremely good-looking, but their talents

they were the future pillars

my lips as I witnessed this

just never

had

they had all grown up and were entirely different people from the past, their shine never disappeared. In fact, they shone

now...where are

around the crowd and looked for Waylan and the

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 appeared that she was a

being slow at changing was just a

'I see them.'

spot the others. Standing at the far corner of the human section I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. It was Douglas. Behind him were

currently

identity were Waylan and me. The others not so

my clothes, I headed

"You're finally here."

had

my training session was a lot longer than

fine. We're not

the same

to greet the others. Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan who weren't planning on

ago they were brimming with confidence. But as they stared at the people around them, their previous confidence

understood where their worries came from. After all, there were a lot of talented people present today, and everyone here was

me as

was also aiming for the top

could get and with it,

"…hm?"

in thought, raising my head, I suddenly noticed Melissa and the others heading in my direction. I deeply sighed at

definitely

and she was definitely coming to me knowing that

they stopped, I suddenly felt hundreds of eyes

rolling my eyes, I asked in an

are you doing

I didn't hide the displeasure in my voice as I tried to make it

"…Doing what?"

and pretended to not have understood the implications

"Here."

hand, Melissa handed me a set of cards. Lifting her head, she

you will need it, I believe that your friends

obviously referring to

I'll take you up on

her. Then, turning around, I

spent the next

head sideways, and staring behind Melissa

way, have you guys seen

the type

absence kind of felt weird. Or maybe I was just overthinking things? Could

"They're over there."

I was wondering about Kevin's whereabouts, Amanda suddenly spoke as she

"Where?"

"There."

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."

Emma looked like her usual self, but

sick

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 be in no state to participate

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

"…hm?"