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.

numerous dwarves, elves, orcs, and humans alike gathered

human wore an expression of nervousness and excitement. This was understandable however as the tournament held a lot more meaning to them

like they are already

distance, I caught a glimpse of Amanda, Melissa,

celebrities surrounded by a bunch of fans, all trying to curry

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

a doubt, they were the

appeared on my lips as I witnessed this scene from

things just never

had seen it multiple

grown up and were entirely different people from the past, their shine never disappeared. In fact, they shone more brilliantly than ever

are the

glanced around the

my training session I decided to

slow at changing was

'I see them.'

the far corner of the human section I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. It was

currently not wearing

Waylan and me. The others not so

my clothes, I headed

"You're finally here."

greeted by Douglas who had

my training session was a lot longer

We're not in a hurry.

the

Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan who weren't

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

lot of talented people

included me

aiming

get at all costs. It was the item that only the winner could get and with it, I would have no trouble breaking through to rank in half of the time that

"…hm?"

I suddenly noticed Melissa and the others heading in my direction.

definitely Melissa's

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

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

eyes, I asked in an annoyed

you doing this

my voice as I tried to

"…Doing what?"

Melissa feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood the implications behind my

"Here."

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

I don't think you will need it, I believe that your friends might need

obviously referring to Hein and

take you up on the

turning around, I handed them to Hein and

cards did as he saw me use them against John not too long ago, but Ava didn't so I spent the

behind Melissa and the others, I wondered

guys

wasn't really the type to

overthinking things? Could just be that he was hanging out with

"They're over there."

was wondering about Kevin's whereabouts,

"Where?"

"There."

where she pointed, but my vision wasn't as good as hers so it took me a while

it didn't take long for me to

"Oh, I see them."

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

he sick

at the sight. Not only was his aura weird, but his hair was disheveled and his overall complexion looked extremely pale.

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

"…hm?"