Sophia studied Joe for a moment, her mind deep in thought after what she just witnessed. “This boy sure is something. Taking down 4 party leaders all by himself, sure they're are on the weaker side of the Guild but it's still impressive. If an Outsider like him continues to grow who knows what may happen in the future. And those eyes of his, I swear I've seen them before…”

“Sophia?” Joe asked, trying to make sure Sophia was still with them. Her mind seemed to have wondered for a moment.

“Sorry about that.” Sophia apologized, her mind finally snapped back to reality. “What were you asking me again?”

“Oh, I wasn't asking. I was just saying I'm ready to form my party.”

“Let's get your party registered then.” Sophia said with a smile. She weaved her hand through the air once again, and the same screen from before hovered in front of her. With the pen in hand, she started jotting things down on the screen. After a few seconds her gaze shifted to Shelly. “Would you mind if I see your license as well? I need it to ensure that I register you as part of the Silver Phoenix Guild.”

The shimmering silver card manifested in between Shelly's fingers. “Oh? I've already registered, but it was with another guild.” She explained, handing over the card.

Sophia reached out with her free hand, and got her fingers on Shelly's license. “For your party to be registered with this Guild. At least two members must be registered with the Silver Phoenix Guild. The party could still be formed even if you're from different Guilds, it's just more troublesome that way.” Sophia explained.

When she looked at Shelly's license she noticed something peculiar, it was unlike the other licenses she was used to. From afar it could pass as a regular license but when you examine it carefully, you notice a few differences. Everything clicked when she read the personal information detailed on the card.

She glanced at Shelly again before asking, “You feel comfortable with me doing this right? You don't have any personal attachments to your previous Guild? Your achievements or quests completed will still be recorded. You'll just be operating under a different Guild.”

“It's fine go ahead.” Shelly said without hesitation, giving her consent.

Sophia continued with her work and after around 30 seconds, she gave Shelly back her license. ”Have you thought about the name of the party yet.” She asked in passing, still absorbed in whatever she was writing on the screen.

“That's right! We need a name!” Joe's face lit up. He turned to Shelly with a wide grin on his face.

Before Shelly could say anything, Joe blurted out his idea for a name. “I think we should go with Mad Dogs!”

“Mad Dogs?” Shelly titled her head, confusion written all over her face.

“Yeah! We can put some heads of savage beasts as our logo. Our party name alone should strike fear into the hearts of the other parties.”

Shelly didn't look convinced.

“Ok let's go with, Death Chain!” He said with conviction. “it's simple, it's catchy and best of all. It's horrifying.”

“I was thinking of something different.” Shelly said, her eyes falling to the counter.

“Oh yeah? Joe leaned closer, unable to hide his enthusiasm. The fact that Shelly was participating in this and even thought of a name made him very excited for some reason.

Shelly pressed her index fingers together, “I was thinking of naming the party Rising Stars. You know how my previous party with Kite and the others was called Red Stars? I wanted something to honor them. So I came up with the name Rising Stars. “

“That sounds awesome!” Joe said out loud.

Shelly looked at him with widened eyes.

“I think it's a great name. Sure it's not the coolest or the scariest but I think it fits our Party the most. We are the Rising Stars aiming for number 1. Let's do it, Shelly.” Joe extended a clenched fist looking to receive a fist pump.

Shelly reciprocated with a smile on her face.

Joe turned to Sophia. “That's the name Sophia. We're going with Rising Stars.”

Sophia smiled, as she continued writing something down.

Joe and Shelly waited for over two minutes before Sophia was finally done. “There! Your party has been officially registered. Welcome to the Silver Phoenix Guild, Rising Stars.”

Joe and Shelly turned to each other, smiles all over their faces.

A blue light submerged them both without warning. Joe shrieked in surprise, but the light didn't seem to be anything harmful. It only lasted a few seconds before it retreated. That's when Joe noticed something had changed.

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His cloak had a new badge attached to it. The badge consisted of 5 red stars shooting upwards, to what looked like a blue sky. Joe couldn't stop smiling and touching his cloak.

From his rear, the badge was much more pronounced. Taking king over his entire spine, it had the name Rising Stars written in bold crimson letters.

The same outfit change happened for Shelly. Her previous badge was replaced and the new Rising Stars logo and name were displayed proudly on her dress.

Joe still couldn't believe he did it, he established his very own party.

[Registeration Confirmed. The Rising Stars Party Has Been Successfully Registered.]

[Party Information]

▪︎ Name: Rising Stars

▪︎ Guild Of Establishment : Silver Phoenix

▪︎ Affiliations: None

▪︎ Party Members: 2

▪︎ Party Ranking: D

[Achievement Unlocked: Party Leader]

▪︎ Condition: Establish Your Own Party.

▪︎ Reward: +2 Additional Attribute Points.

Syr sent a few notifications Joe's way and his eyes drifted down the screen as he read the information presented. What caught his attention first was the party ranking. “Hey Sophia? Is it low to have a party ranked at D?” He asked out of curiosity.

“It's low, but it's normal considering your party has just been established. Quite a few things go into calculating a party's ranking. Duration, Quests Completed, The Levels Of Each Member. These Things and many other factors are considered. I wouldn't worry about the ranking too much. As long as you guys are active and continue to grow stronger, your party will also rise up the rankings.”

Sophia had just told him not to worry about the rankings but Joe still couldn't help but ask, “Say Sophia. What's the highest rank do we have to achieve for our party to be acknowledged as the number 1 in the whole world?”

“The highest rank would be S Rank. But not many parties even come close to that rank. Most average around B rank with a few rare ones reaching A rank.”

“Then it's decided. The Rising Stars will reach S Rank and be the best in the world!”

Joe's stomach rumbled again after his declaration forcing him back to his chair. His face was red and he heard Shelly trying to hide a giggle.

“I guess you can't be number one with an empty stomach.’ Shelly said, still giggling to herself.

“Can we please have something to eat Sophia. “ Joe said, in a low voice. He cursed his body for betraying him in such a crucial moment.

“Sure, what would you like to eat?” Sophia asked, with the blue glowing screen still in front of her.

“I'll have a loaf of bread and something to drink.” Joe didn't take long to make his decision.

“I'll just have goblin meat, and something to drink.” Shelly said in response.

Joe was surprised to hear goblin meat was a thing. But considering what had seen in just the past 2 days, he really shouldn't have been that surprised.

“Great, that will be 10,000 gold pieces for you kid and for the girl that will be 20,000 gold pieces. “

“Are you insane?” Joe's voice echoed the room, going as far as disturbing some adventures who were blissfully enjoying their meals. “10,000 just for some bread and a drink?’” Joe couldn't belive what he just heard.

“This isn't some poor restaurant kid.” Sophia responded. “This Is an Adbenture's Guild, it's a place for adventures. You guys earn hundreds of thousands on a good week, 10,000 is nothing. Pay up and stop being baby about it.” Sophia's tone shifted when money became the topic of discussion. She stared daggers into Joe, refusing to flinch.

“Come on Sophia, have a heart. I'm broke right now, can't you give me at half the price?”

“I can take it down to by 3,000 for you both but that's it. I'm only doing this as a favor because I find you kids interesting.”

Joe turned to Shelly.

She sighed, “It's fine I'll pay for it, but you owe me for this.”

“And that's why you're my favorite healer in the world.”

“I expect my money to be returned at double the price I borrowed you. That's not too much to ask right?” Shelly gave him a twisted smirk.

“I take it back, you're a demon.”

Joe's counter glowed as a blue light lit up its surface. It lasted a few seconds, when the light vanished, 2 plates of food manifested before them.

Joe pulled his plate close to him and Shelly did the same. The plates were made of colorful glass, for Joe it was green glass and for Shelly it was red. But Joe was more interested in the bread, when he tore it open with his fingers it was still soft and fresh.

He noticed that Sophia conjured the food using that blue screen of hers and was a little surprise that it could store food and keep it fresh. But considering Syr could store weapons, storing food didn't seem that much of a stretch. Joe couldn't help but wonder what other things Sophia's screen was capable of, but that would have to wait.

When Sophia placed a bottle in front of him, Joe immediately devoured the bread. He poured the red wine down his throat to make sure he didn't choke and the taste was actually not bad. When combined they were actually pleasant to eat. It took him only 2 minutes before he placed down his bottle. He released an unhinged burp, his plate clean without a piece of bread on sight.

“Yeah… that hit the spot.” He was tempted to rub his belly but that felt like going too far.

He glanced at Shelly who was still taking it easy with her plate.

“Hey kid, you're said you're looking for family. Who are you looking for exactly? Maybe I can ask around for you. I know a few people.” Sophia offered, as he took Joe's plate and bottle.

“It's my sister. I want to find my sister Chloe and my mother Grace.”

“I'm sorry i don't think I've heard of a Grace before, but Chloe…” Sophia looked to be thinking as the plate and bottle vanished into fragments of light. “Do you mean Chloena?”

Joe jumped from his chair, “you know my sister Chloe?”

“I don't know anyone called Chloe but I do know someone called Chloena. She's one of the most powerful adventures in all Grisha there's not a single person who does not know that name.”

“Chloena? It's her! It has to be.”

Joe asked with urgency. “Does she have golden hair and blue eyes?”

“Now that I think about it, yeah. That describes her perfectly.”

“Where? Where can I find her?”

“You're in luck, because there's a good chance she'll participate in The Hunt this year.”

“The Hunt?”

“It's an event that takes place annually in the capital of Tania. It's a competition where adventures all over the world compete for the King’s treasures. Chloena actually participated a few years back. Considering the prizes up for grabs this year, there's a good chance she'll return. If you want to find her, that's where she'll be.”

Joe's heart pounded with excitement, finally he got a lead. Something that will take him to his sister.