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.

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

of the other races who were fairly relaxed, every human wore an expression of nervousness and excitement. This was understandable however as the tournament held a lot more meaning to them than the

like they are

the distance, I caught a

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

only were they extremely good-looking, but their

a doubt, they were the future

my lips as I witnessed this

things just

familiar as I had seen it multiple

that they had all grown up and were entirely different people from the past, their shine never disappeared. In fact, they shone more

are the

my eyes away from them, I glanced around

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 a lot faster than

the stereotype of girls being slow

'I see them.'

me too long to spot the others. Standing at the far corner of the

everyone was currently not wearing a

didn't need to. The only ones that had to hide his identity were Waylan and me. The others not

my clothes, I headed in

"You're finally here."

I was immediately greeted by Douglas who had

training session was a

not in

the same

I proceeded to greet the others. Apart from Leopold,

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

there were a lot of talented people present today, and everyone here was

me as

was also aiming for the

winner could get and

"…hm?"

the others heading in my direction.

is definitely Melissa's

hated attention, and she was definitely coming to me knowing that it

of them stopped right in front of me. As they stopped, I suddenly felt hundreds of eyes directed in my direction and my

my eyes, I

are you doing this to

in my voice as I tried to

"…Doing what?"

feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood the

"Here."

me a set of cards. Lifting her head, she nudged her head in the direction of the

need it, I believe that

obviously referring to Hein

take you

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

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 done, the both of them looked at Melissa with grateful looks on their

staring behind Melissa and the

way, have you guys

really the

maybe I was just overthinking things? Could just be that he

"They're over there."

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

"Where?"

"There."

in the direction of where she pointed, but my vision wasn't as

it didn't take long for me to finally see

"Oh, I see them."

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

sick or

his hair was disheveled and his overall complexion

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

"…hm?"