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 gathered in

wore an expression of nervousness and excitement.

they are already

a glimpse of Amanda, Melissa, and

doubt the center of attention. They looked like famous celebrities surrounded by a bunch

but their talents and achievements at their age

they were the future

smile appeared on my lips as I witnessed

things just

as I had seen

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

now...where are the

I glanced around

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 appeared that she was

the stereotype of girls being slow at changing was just

'I see them.'

to spot the others. Standing at the far corner of the human section I caught a glimpse of

was currently

need to. The only ones that had to hide his identity were Waylan and me. The others not so much. I was quite thankful for this. It

my clothes, I headed in

"You're finally here."

immediately greeted by Douglas who had a calm smile on his face. I nodded

my training session was a lot

fine. We're not in a hurry.

the same

others. Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and

to me as not too long ago they were brimming with confidence. But

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

me as

was also aiming for the

I absolutely had to 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

"…hm?"

Melissa and the others heading in my direction. I deeply sighed at

definitely Melissa's

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

of me. As they stopped, I suddenly felt hundreds of eyes directed in my

rolling my eyes, I asked in an

you doing

displeasure in my voice as I tried to make it as

"…Doing what?"

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

"Here."

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

think you will need it, I believe

referring to

I'll take you

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

an idea of what the cards 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 the cards worked. Once I was

and staring behind Melissa and the others, I wondered

way, have you guys seen Kevin

the type

was just overthinking things? Could just be that he was hanging out with Emma since she was also

"They're over there."

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

"Where?"

"There."

my eyes, I tried 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

"Oh, I see them."

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

he sick or

disheveled and his overall complexion looked extremely pale. The current Kevin looked to be in no state to participate in

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

"…hm?"