"I wasn't arrested!" Moby shrugged, stretching his limbs, walking slowly down the stairs. "It was just a simple interrogation!"
"Keep telling yourself that!" Jayden pouted.
"I've been gone for over a year now! What more is a few more hours?"
"Since when were you so heartless!" Jayden clenched her fists and jumped up towards him.
Moby looked up and was taken aback. From under her dress, he was able to see nearly everything... His face reddened, and his reflexes fell to the point that he had almost forgotten to catch her as she tumbled down on top of him.
"We still haven't even touched outside of VR! Doesn't the real me feel so much better!" She wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him in and giving him a kiss on the lips as he held her by her two legs. His cheeks initially flushed, especially when thinking about all those who were watching, but eventually, he surrendered himself to her grasp and followed it with a hug.
"See, real life is much better..." She brought herself back and blushed.
"I suppose..."
"HEY! Jayden, sugar puff! Stop hogging him to yourself! You already had your way with him in VR! Let us have a turn!"
"WHAT!?" Jayden turned around and blurted in outrage. "I'm not letting you take turns kissing my boyfriend! Especially you dad!"
"Jayden, honey... You know that's not what I meant..."
"He he! Fine!" She gave Moby a final smooch and let go, now tightly holding him instead by the hands.
"Mason Griffith! It's been a while, hasn't it?"
From memory, Mason had barely even changed. The only difference he could even notice where the slight strands of gray sprouting atop his head, but to the naked eye, it was nearly impossible to perceive. He looked as slick and muscular as ever, even further accentuated by the fancy, well-fit suit he wore.
A trait that was actually shared by all of those who had come to see him; they were all dawned in formal attire.
"Huh? Not calling me father-in-law now? You've really matured, haven't you? You look like a new man already!"
"Oh, you give me too much credit. I haven't changed in the slightest. It's been so long that I've forgotten my manners, father-in-law... By the way, what's with the fancy clothing? Am I really that important?"
"Oh, this?" He looked down, feeling his suit and suavely fixing his tie. "Well, you see! I had actually organized a party for your return. But, I had to cancel it! Since, guess who was the only man not in attendance?"
"Thank you so much for saying that!" They refused to raise. "Your matches were always wonderful to spectate. We knew you'd win in the end... I just had to come here to let you personally know this... Since you're creating a new guild... You have my full support! Ask me anything, and I'll do it to the best of my ability!"
"Ahhh— I really don't need anything, but I suppose a little funding won't hurt."
"Consider it done!" He lifted his head, placing both arms on Moby's shoulders and smiling.
"But, if you don't mind, I'd like to begin quick. I'm sure you've already heard about the supreme general's disappearance?"
The joyful crowd suddenly turned sombre upon hearing Moby's words.
"I was trying to avoid that so as to not dampen our reunion..." Mason nervously chuckled.
"Sorry, it's my fault for doing it. But, that's why I need to begin advertising and building my guild as fast as possible to prepare."
"I completely understand." He nodded. "I'll also lend my support."
"I was counting on that actually. I'm also gonna need to borrow Jayden's butler. From what I've heard, he's an expert at this. I'll also need a base of operations, at least a temporary one for now until we can buy a planet and begin construction of a proper base."
"That's very ambitious! But, it can easily be done! You got the hard part out of the way with the guild weapon, leave the rest to us!" Joseph laughed, grabbing Mason with his left.
"Yeah, we'll do our best. I'm sure we'll make back the money quick anyways with you as the leader, we'd make back our investment in no time." He joined his friend in laughter.
"Thank you," Moby smiled. "By the way, if you don't mind me asking. How did you even find me? They said they're not even gonna make my arrest public."
"That would be me," Artorias raised his hands, speaking for the first time. "I used my sensory to make out your mana. At first, I did not want to do it. But eventually, I was dragged into it." He sighed.
"I see," Moby acknowledged, before noticing that someone was missing. Artorias was not the only one who was there for the graduation party...
"By the way, where's Yami? And have you seen any sign of Elizabeth or Regrit?"
When Moby returned to his room earlier, he noticed that all of Regrit's belongings were not there. He was clearly back on earth, yet no matter how much he tried to contact him through mind-link, nothing would come of it. The same went for Elizabeth, and as for Yami, he had yet to even attempt.
Normally, he would go out and seek them, but in his current situation, he could not afford the time. He would first have to prepare his guild before he went out to find the missing members of his group.
"Regrit is probably back at his family mansion along with his brother. But, that's only an assumption. Elizabeth on the other hand, I have no clue about her last whereabouts. I think Hikari was the last person I saw with her. The only person I do know for certain is HikariYami. They are both going to try and see Regrit... At the Fatebringer family manor..."