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.

other, numerous dwarves, elves, orcs, and humans alike

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

like they are already

into the distance, I caught a glimpse of Amanda, Melissa,

like famous celebrities surrounded by a bunch

After all, not only were they extremely good-looking, but

doubt, they were the future

faint smile appeared on my lips as I

just

I had seen

from the

are

I glanced around the crowd and looked for Waylan

to skip my training session I decided to just go by myself.

girls being slow at changing was

'I see them.'

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

from me, everyone was currently

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

my clothes, I

"You're finally here."

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

session was a lot

not in

reassured with the

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

to me as not too long ago they were brimming with confidence. But as they stared at the people around them, their

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

included me as

was also aiming

could get

"…hm?"

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

is definitely

knew just how much I hated attention, and she was definitely coming to me knowing that it

they stopped, I suddenly felt hundreds

my eyes, I asked in

doing this

in my voice as I tried to make it

"…Doing what?"

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

"Here."

me a set of cards. Lifting her head,

need it, I

was obviously referring to Hein

take you up on the

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

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 and the

you guys seen Kevin

wasn't really the

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

"They're over there."

about Kevin's

"Where?"

"There."

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

for

"Oh, I see them."

her usual self, but Kevin

he sick

only was his aura weird, but his hair was disheveled and his overall complexion looked extremely pale. The current Kevin looked to be in

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

"…hm?"