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.

elves, orcs, and humans alike gathered in

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

they are already

distance, I caught a

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

was understandable, however. After all, not only were they extremely good-looking, but their talents and achievements at their age

they were the

on my lips

just

familiar as I had seen it multiple times

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

are

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

the place, but since I didn't want to skip my training session I decided to just go by myself. Amanda was also

being slow at changing was just

'I see them.'

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

from me, everyone was currently not wearing a skin

hide his identity were Waylan and me. The others not so much. I was quite thankful for this. It made the

clothes, I headed in their

"You're finally here."

by Douglas who had

training session was a

We're not

reassured with the same calm

turning around I proceeded to greet the others. Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan who weren't planning on participating, Ava and Hein had nervous looks

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

lot of talented people present today, and everyone here was

me as

aiming for the top

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?"

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

definitely

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

everyone's watch, the three of them stopped right in front of me. As they stopped, I suddenly

eyes, I asked in an

are you doing

in my voice as I tried

"…Doing what?"

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

"Here."

me a set of cards. Lifting her head, she

you will need it, I believe that your friends

referring

I'll take you up on

turning around,

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

head sideways, and staring behind Melissa

you guys seen

really the type

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

"They're over there."

I was wondering about Kevin's whereabouts,

"Where?"

"There."

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

didn't take long for me to finally

"Oh, I see them."

self, but Kevin looked a bit different than usual. There was this weird aura

he sick or

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

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

"…hm?"