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 groups as they

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

like they are already

I caught a glimpse of

attention. They looked like famous celebrities surrounded

not only were they extremely good-looking, but their talents and achievements at their age

doubt, they were the future

on my lips

just

had seen it multiple times back

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

are

eyes away from them, I glanced around the crowd and looked for Waylan

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

being slow at changing was just a

'I see them.'

of the human section I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. It was Douglas. Behind him

from me, everyone was currently not wearing a

Waylan and me. The

my clothes, I headed

"You're finally here."

was immediately greeted by Douglas who had a calm smile

a

not in

the same calm

in response. Then, 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

all, there were a lot of talented

me as

also aiming for the top

an item that 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 the time that I

"…hm?"

raising my head, I suddenly noticed Melissa and the others heading in

is definitely Melissa's

definitely coming to me knowing that it would attract the attention of the others.

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

eyes, I asked in

are you doing

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

"…Doing what?"

course, Melissa being Melissa feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood

"Here."

her head, she nudged her head in the direction of the

will need it, I believe that your friends might need

referring to Hein and

I'll take you up on the

turning around,

didn't so I spent the next couple of minutes explaining to them how the cards worked. Once I was done, the both of them looked at Melissa with grateful looks on their

head sideways, and staring behind Melissa and the others,

guys seen

the

Could just be that he was hanging out with Emma since she

"They're over there."

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

"Where?"

"There."

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

it didn't take long for me to finally

"Oh, I see them."

Emma looked like her usual self, but Kevin looked a bit different than

he sick

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

having noticed my stare, Kevin raised his head and our

"…hm?"