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.

orcs, and humans alike gathered in groups as they chatted with

every human wore an expression of nervousness and excitement. This was understandable however as the

they

caught a glimpse of Amanda,

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

good-looking, but their talents

a doubt, they were the future pillars

lips as I witnessed this scene

things just

familiar as I had seen it multiple times

the fact that they had all grown up and were entirely different people from

are the

away from them, I glanced around the

them to the place, but since I didn't want to skip my training session I decided

slow at changing was just a

'I see them.'

the human section I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.

me, everyone was currently not

identity were Waylan and me. The others not so much. I was quite thankful for this. It made the

my clothes, I headed in

"You're finally here."

arriving, I was immediately greeted by Douglas who had a

my training session was a lot longer

fine. We're not in a hurry.

the same calm

turning around I proceeded to greet the others. Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan who weren't

with confidence. But as they stared at the people around them, their previous confidence completely

worries came from. After all, there were a lot of talented people present today, and everyone here was pining for the top

included me as

was also aiming for

had to get at all costs. It was the item that only the winner could get and with it,

"…hm?"

head, I suddenly noticed Melissa and the others

is definitely

she was definitely coming to me knowing that it would attract

of them stopped right in front of me. As they

my eyes, I asked in

are you doing this

in my voice as I tried

"…Doing what?"

being Melissa feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood

"Here."

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

it, I believe

obviously referring to

take you up

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

did as he saw me use them against John not too long ago, but Ava didn't so I spent the next couple of minutes explaining to them how

behind Melissa and the

guys seen

wasn't really the type

absence kind of felt weird. Or maybe I was just overthinking things? Could just be that he was hanging out with Emma

"They're over there."

about Kevin's whereabouts, Amanda suddenly spoke as she

"Where?"

"There."

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

it didn't take long for me to

"Oh, I see them."

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

sick

weird, but his hair was disheveled and his overall complexion looked extremely pale. The

in the distance, seemingly having noticed my stare, Kevin

"…hm?"