"Conter!"
Cyclone and Balm were both excited, staring at the man with shining eyes. Conter was startled by the reaction.
"W... what?"
"Conter, we are big fans!"
Silver Blade let out an exasperated sigh. Luckily Conter was quite the amiable character, answering with a smile:
"I feel quite honoured. But there is no need to be like this, right? You are after all quite famous yourselves."
"Are we?"
"Of course. Dream Avenue's name has reached the central star system. Coming from Falva Star this is quite the feat. Our Libra Legion even prepared some strategies for you."
At first Cyclone and Balm felt ecstatic hearing that they were known in the central system but when Conter revealed that Libra Legion prepared to face Dream Avenue, their hearts sank.
Libra Legion was the guild to which Conter belonged. It was founded even before the current generation was alive. The best friend of Conter had inherited it and together they made sure that the guild wouldn't lose its prominent status.
A few others stood behind Conter, all of them members of Libra Legion, looking at Dream Avenue neither humbly nor arrogantly. But glancing at them, Cyclone suddenly noticed that their founder wasn't among them.
She quickly asked Conter:
"Is Measured Might not here yet?"
"I'm sure he will come any second."
Just as Conter answered, movement came into the audience stands. The leaves moved further apart, and a new one appeared out of thin air. A light flashed and a group of people arrived.
Immediately a boisterous voice spread:
"Conter! I thought you would come to me, but it seems you are stuck here gossiping. Haha."
A dwarf stepped forward drawing everyone's attention. He was surprisingly tall, probably approaching the limit of his race. His long, braided beard proudly shook as he laughed happily. An honest light lay in his large eyes.
Conter smiled as he heard his best friend's voice:
"We were just talking about you."
"I knew it. Talking behind my back again. Who is so nosy?"
Measured Might turned his head and instantly recognized everyone.
"So it's Silva and Felix! Damn, I haven't seen you in ages!"
The dwarf's eyes lit up as he stepped forward and quickly hugged the siblings, who also smiled joyfully after meeting an old friend.
But Measured Might wasn't done yet, even greeting Liam and the other friends, shaking everyone's hands.
"The famous Hotpot! And all of Dream Avenue! Nice to meet you. I'm looking forward to facing you in the tournament."
The friends were somewhat surprised by the man's enthusiasm, but they responded positively, exchanging pleasantries.
But suddenly the great mood was disturbed as two of the people who arrived together with Measured Might stepped forward and spoke discordantly:
"Look, the escaped dog has returned."
"He even found a new master."
Everyone frowned as those people spewed insults immediately after arrival. Silent Acacia and Quickstep looked over and instantly gritted their teeth, their eyes blazing with anger.
"Lenvia! TripleTurn! I didn't think you had time to come. Aren't you busy with licking boots?!"
Liam and his friends looked at Quickstep in shock as she retaliated with clear hatred. They easily guessed that these people must be members of Silent Acacia's and Quickstep's old team.
Lenvia, a female undead skeleton wearing a tight black armor, and clearly a member of the chaos faction, looked mockingly at her former teammates:
"Still pretending that you have been treated unfairly? Haha, go crying to your mother. You can't accept that you just weren't good enough."
TripleTurn, a male demon, didn't say more and only grinned mockingly.
Before Silent Acacia and Quickstep could retort, Measured Might quickly stepped between the two fronts.
"Guys, guys. Is there a need to argue now? Isn't this a joyous occasion? For the first time all players have the opportunity to gather. Whether Falva Star or central star system. Isn't this magical? Let's not argue, and instead get to know each other, right?"
Suddenly a light flashed, and more players arrived. One of them heard Measured Might's speech and agreed with a laugh:
"Wise words. I, too, would like to take the opportunity to get to know the new rising stars."
Everyone glanced at the newcomers. Instantly Cyclone and Balm froze. They stiffly turned their heads, looking at each other, sharing their shock:
"P... P... Prime...!"
A woman stood in front of a group of newcomers. She was of the demon race as well. As her intelligent eyes swiped over the scene one got the feeling that she instantly analysed the situation, seeing through everyone's skills.
She wore a gentle smile, stopping on Cyclone and Balm.
The two young women felt that this was the best day of their lives. They met all their idols one after another. Getting rid of their shock they ignored everyone else and jumped towards Prime, asking for a signature.
Now it was Prime's turn to be surprised. This was not the reaction she expected from the guild leaders of a rising guild like Dream Avenue. She answered enthusiasm with steadiness.
As the attention suddenly shifted, Lenvia and TripleTurn snorted, turned around, and joined some of their team members around.
Measured Might sighed. He took the opportunity to introduce the people who came with him and those who came with Prime.
They were all players famous throughout the federation. Some politely greeted Dream Avenue. Others only cared for Silver Blade and Final Fend, whom they considered of a high status. A small part arrogantly looked away, not acknowledging anyone not from the central star system.
Over the next minutes more lights flashed. Somehow this arena became a gathering spot for a large part of the outstanding players.
Observing the various interactions in became apparent that this seemed to be because of Measured Might's influence. The dwarf apparently had vast connections and was on friendly terms with people from all over the Federation.
Even if he didn't know someone it didn't take long until he held a pleasant conversation, treating everyone like an old friend.
Liam marvelled at the man's ability to create a comfortable mood by himself even though there were many players with enmities present.
Even Dream Avenue, which only existed for two months, was faced with two enemies. Apart from Silent Acacia's old teammates Star Gazer also appeared with a few of his guild members.
However, as this place slowly resembled a social gathering Star Gazer showed a polite smile and didn't show any enmity towards Dream Avenue on the surface.
As the countdown slowly approached zero another group of people suddenly appeared.
A laid-back voice drew everyone's attention:
"Wow, all the bigshots are gathered here, hm?"
The newcomer was swiftly recognized by everyone. Even Liam knew him form the news. The man kept his long, slightly dishevel hair in the game even as he played a dark elf. It was the newly appointed Minister of virtual reality Lucas Kidd.
"Greetings, minister."
"Minister, did you come to watch or are you here to participate?"
All the players immediately greeted the man with smiling faces. It didn't hurt to be on the minister's good side after all.
"Okok, you can calm down. I only came to watch the tournament together with some familiar faces."
"Of course. You can have this seat."
"Here, no one's sitting here."
"Join us, minister."
The players seemingly didn't get the message, still trying to win the minister over to their side.
Kidd rubbed the bridge of his nose, rather annoyed by everyone's enthusiasm. With a sigh he flashed and left again together with his subordinates.
"Well done, you chased away the minister!"
"Me? I was only polite. You better take a look at a mirror!"
"Guys, don't you know that the minister is not the enthusiastic type?"
Some of the players, especially those not quite at the top, blamed each other for the missed opportunity.
Liam only sighed. He sat down together with Serena and his friends, rather speculating about the tournament. Silver Blade and Final Fend continued conversing with some of the people they knew while Cyclone and Balm fawned over all their idols.
Suddenly a notification appeared in front of everyone.
[The federation tournament will begin in 00:00:30]
With this one could feel the entire arena calming down. Cyclone and Balm returned, sitting next to Liam.
"Look!"
Cyclone smiled brightly as she showed Liam a piece of paper.
"What is this?"
"These are all the signatures we gathered...", answered Balm.
Liam looked at the two guild leaders and shook his head with a chuckle. Yet Cyclone completed the sentence:
"... and it's a list of all those we need to beat to reach the top!"
Cyclone spoke just loud enough for all her friends to hear here. Multiple pairs of eyes focused on her, showing surprise and appreciation.
"One day all these people will admire us just as much as I admire them! And this will be the day when Dream Avenue truly reaches the top of the federation!"
A heroic spirit emanated from the friends as the entire world slowly darkened.