For now, Silva's and Liam's trip didn't have much of an impact. Over the next few days, the friends, especially Cynthia, Mel, and Rachel fished for information but were soon distracted by the impending opening of the guild house. As the day came closer there were many small things keeping everyone busy. Making sure they would have enough food, preparing the merchandise, fixing small technical issues with the theatre. Cynthia, Mel, but also Sun's Knight and his team were left with almost no room to breathe.
Three days passed in a flash. Finally, the big day had arrived. There was a certain building at the edge of the upper district carrying Dream Avenue's name. Usually, the area around the building was not that busy but at this day a crowd formed. The first people arrived early in the morning, not minding a four-hour wait just to be the first to enter the sacred halls. These were Dream Avenue's hardcore fans who had rooted for the guild from the very first second.
"Finally, the guild house is opening!"
"I'm about to see my idols!"
"I once travelled on a horse cart together with Bleary Mirage. I wonder if he still recognizes me!"
The fans were chattering excitedly, easily connecting over their favourite topic. Some people saw each other for the first time after only talking online and their friendship immediately deepened. Some groups discussed who their favourite member of Dream Avenue was, almost coming to blows. All in all, the scene was quite lively.
Time passed slowly and the crowd kept increasing. Fortunately, after what happened to Silva and Liam, Dream Avenue was already prepared. They had hired professional security who managed the crowd outside. In agreement with the city a part of the street outside has been closed for cars. Since this was handled by a small unit of soldiers no one dared to make trouble.
Within the guild house everyone eating breakfast were looking down on the crowd feeling various emotions. Cynthia was so nervous that she had barely slept and yet she was even livelier than usual. Compared to her, Mel was rather calm, confident that their preparations were enough. Rachel was filming everything, intending to make a video about the opening. Simultaneously she was talking to a serious, tall woman next to her. This was Sophie Carter, a marketing expert hired by Dream Avenue, who had worked with Rachel in the past.
The others were still eating, trying to stay unaffected. Only Serena was swaying excitedly on her chair. She was quite happy watching all the people celebrating her brother. In her mind this was the level of admiration Liam deserved.
Soon everyone was done, and they left to get ready. Liam and Serena returned to their apartment, choosing clothes for the day. Under Miss Carter's suggestion everyone would wear at least one piece of merchandize. Thus, Liam put on a short with Dream Avenue's logo and a pair of trousers he bought together with Silva. His sister also wore something similar.
Afterwards the siblings went down into the lobby. Immediately, excited cheers came from outside as people spotted them through the glass doors. A few other guild members were already around but Liam was the first member of Hotpot to arrive causing the fervour outside to reach another level.
"Really, it's good that we have enough security…"
Liam and Serena didn't have to wait long as their friends arrived one by one. When he saw Silva, Liam couldn't help but smile as she wore the skirt he had chosen for her. Finally, all of Hotpot were gathered. They talked among themselves and waited for a while longer, giving more of Dream Avenue's members a chance to arrive.
Cynthia had naturally invited all members of Dream Avenue to come today but not everyone was free. Some even lived in other cities and decided not to hurry over knowing that the place would be quite crowded anyways. Thus, after a while only about a hundred and twenty members of Dream Avenue gathered including the ones who were living in the guild house. Among them were prominent members like Melodious Edelweiss and Braag but surprisingly Final Fend was absent.
"Ok guys, I think it's time. We can't let the fans wait any longer."
"Yeah."
"Ok."
"Let's go!"
Cynthia took a deep breath, nodded to her friends, and opened the door. Instantly chaotic screams hit her like a wave. People were calling for Dream Avenue, Hotpot, and more. Especially the core fans were eager for attention even if it was only a smile or a wave of a hand. For a second Cynthia froze in place, overwhelmed by the scene. But when she felt Mel's hand on her shoulder, she gathered her courage and stepped outside.
There was a small stage in front of the building. Cynthai, Mel, and the rest of the friends climbed it, observing the cheering fans below, taking in the scene. Finally, Cynthia picked up a microphone and began to speak:
"Thank you! Thank you everyone!"
"Thank all of you so much!", said Mel as well.
The cheers which had just slowed down immediately picked up again. The fans could tell how deeply the two guild leaders were touched and only became even more eager to support them.
"It is our honour to have so many of you here today! You are making one of our biggest dreams come true. Thank you for supporting Dream Avenue!"
"Dream Avenue has only existed for such a short time, but we are very grateful to have already formed such a great community."
Cynthai and Mel alternated as they delivered a brief speech to thank their fans and everyone else who supported Dream Avenue on their path. Finally, when some people were already becoming slightly impatient, the two guild leaders finished. Together with their friends they left the stage and approached a red ribbon which was symbolically placed nearby. Under the watch of a few journalists and hundreds of fans Cynthia and Mel raised a sword modelled after an in-game item and used the sharp blade to cut through the red ribbon.
Loud cheers came from all sides and the friends smiled proudly while countless pictures were taken.
Afterwards they went back inside, coming to an area which had been specially prepared for a meet and greet with the fans.
Dominic was quite exhilarated. For him it was a novel experience meeting so many fans. Finally, he could hold his head high in front of his old college buddies who at the very beginning refused to believe that he was Radiant Shield, doubting his accomplishments. However, while Dominic stood straight and with a chest brimming with pride, he noticed Quiana's and Adrian's slumping shoulders and couldn't help but say:
"Guys, what's with the long faces? We are seeing our fans today! Shouldn't you be excited?"
"We are, we are...", murmured Quiana although her voice didn't sound convincing. Adrian let out a light laugh looking at Dominic:
"It's good to be excited. You should savour the feeling as long as you still can."
"What do you mean by that?", asked Kel from the side.
"What I mean is that dealing with fans can be insanely exhausting."
"It can't be that bad, right? Rachel, what do you think?"
"Adrian's not wrong. But it can also be gratifying. However, today we will do an hours-long meet and greet. It will definitely be exhausting. If you can remain positive throughout all of it, well, keep it up!"
Dominic and Kel looked at each other, not quite sure what to expect. However, they would see soon, as at this moment the security stepped aside and allowed the first batch of fans to enter. Their excited chatter immediately echoed through the entire floor. They swarmed into the experience centre and started exploring everything.
Some fans directly rushed towards the meet and greet area, eager to be the first to talk to their idols. Others headed for the merchandize shop, afraid that it would run out of stock if they waited too long.
"Limited edition?!"
A surprised shout suddenly drew the attention of everyone around. Even some of the people heading for the meet and greet area turned around on the spot and rushed towards the shop.
In order to celebrate the day, Dream Avenue had prepared limited edition merch which would only be available today and never again. Everyone was only allowed to buy two pieces at most. It was a simple but extremely effective marketing trick. The merchandize shop was immediately overrun, the staff barely able to keep up with the customers. Word quickly spread that before you did everything else you had to go to the merchandize shop first. After all, if you met others in the future and didn't have all the limited-edition merch, could you even call yourself a real fan?
The situation at the merchandize store was quite stressful for the workers, some of whom came from Liam's old community. But luckily, they had an experienced manager who handled everything calmly. After the manager reassured everyone that they had enough limited-edition merch in stock the situation calmed down and the fans gradually began to scatter and explore elsewhere.