Chapter 528: Adventurer Teams

The celebration of Leon Drakar’s advancement to Platinum Adventurer Rank had barely concluded when Sage Alistair received another unexpected surprise.

He was sitting inside his private office at the Royal Capital Headquarters, examining the final reports from the previous day’s ceremony, when a familiar notification appeared before his eyes.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations, Host!]

[The Adventurer Guild has successfully produced its first Platinum Rank Adventurer.]

[The conditions for unlocking a new Guild Function have been fulfilled.]

[New Function Unlocked: Adventurer Team Registration.]

Sage stopped turning the pages.

He leaned back in his chair and examined the translucent notification hovering before him.

It had been some time since the Guild System had presented him with a major new function, and the timing immediately caught his attention.

Leon had spent nearly five months completing missions with extraordinary dedication, finally becoming the Guild’s first Platinum Adventurer.

Apparently, his accomplishment had opened another avenue for the Guild’s development.

Sage placed the documents aside and opened the newly available information.

---

[Guild Function: Adventurer Team Registration]

[Description: Allows qualified Adventurers to establish officially recognized Adventurer Teams under the Adventurer Guild.]

[Founding Requirement: Platinum Rank Adventurer or higher.]

[The founding Adventurer shall become the registered Team Leader.]

[Each Adventurer Team shall possess an independent Team Rank determined by its collective accomplishments.]

[Adventurer Team Ranks:]

[Bronze → Silver → Gold → Platinum → Diamond → Adamantite → Eternal]

[Note: Adventurer Team Rank is independent of Individual Adventurer Rank and Warrior Rank.]

Sage read the information twice.

Then a slow smile appeared upon his face.

"Well, Leon," he murmured, tapping the desk thoughtfully, "it seems your ridiculous dedication has accomplished something even more useful than earning yourself a new identification."

He continued examining the function.

The implications were considerable.

Until now, Adventurers had been free to cooperate during missions, form temporary parties, and undertake expeditions together. Many experienced companies already operated with established members and their own internal arrangements.

However, the Guild had never possessed a formal system for registering and recognizing such groups as independent Adventurer Teams.

That was about to change.

---

Sage examined the requirements more carefully.

Only an Adventurer who had personally reached Platinum Rank could establish an officially recognized team.

The requirement immediately explained why the function had remained unavailable until Leon’s advancement.

A Team Leader would need to demonstrate substantial experience, reliability, and commitment to the Guild before receiving permission to establish a recognized organization.

Combat strength alone would not qualify someone.

A 6-Star Grandmaster Knight who possessed insufficient Guild accomplishments could not establish an Adventurer Team, while a Platinum Adventurer who had earned the necessary recognition through legitimate missions could.

Sage considered that distinction important.

The Guild already contained numerous powerful Warriors, but its long-term development required individuals who understood its procedures and responsibilities.

An officially recognized Team Leader would represent more than personal ambition.

Their decisions could affect the safety, reputation, and accomplishments of everyone registered beneath their leadership.

Sage continued reading until he reached the section concerning Team Ranks.

Seven ranks.

Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Adamantite, and Eternal.

He smiled.

The names alone would probably be enough to send ambitious Adventurers into a frenzy.

---

The new ranking system also introduced an important distinction.

An Adventurer Team’s rank would reflect the collective achievements of its registered members rather than the individual strength of its leader.

A Platinum Adventurer could establish a team, but that team would not automatically receive Platinum Team Rank.

It would begin at Bronze.

From there, advancement would depend upon the team’s accomplishments, successful assignments, contributions, and overall record.

Similarly, possessing several powerful Warriors would not guarantee rapid promotion.

The team would need to demonstrate its capabilities through actual work.

Sage rested his chin upon his hand.

The arrangement would encourage experienced Adventurers to build reliable groups rather than simply gather the strongest individuals they could find.

It would also provide another reason for established companies to cooperate with the Guild.

After all, individual accomplishments could bring recognition to a single Adventurer.

Team accomplishments could establish a reputation shared by an entire organization.

And reputation was something Warriors valued tremendously.

---

Later that morning, Sage summoned Boren and Garran Holt to his office.

Both men arrived carrying documents, apparently expecting another discussion concerning Greyfen’s growing administrative requirements.

Instead, Sage greeted them with an announcement.

"I’ve been considering a new service for the Guild," he began, gesturing toward the chairs opposite his desk. "Official Adventurer Team Registration."

Boren paused while taking his seat. "Team Registration, Guildmaster?"

Garran looked interested. "Do you mean allowing existing parties to register under a permanent name?"

"Something more comprehensive," Sage explained. "Adventurers already cooperate in groups, but those groups currently possess no independent standing within the Guild. I want to establish a formal structure through which qualified members can create recognized teams."

Boren considered the proposal. "That could simplify several administrative matters. We frequently receive reports from the same parties, but their membership and leadership arrangements aren’t always clear."

"Exactly," Sage replied. "Formal registration would allow us to maintain proper records of their accomplishments and identify the individuals responsible for their activities."

Garran leaned forward. "Would every Adventurer be permitted to establish one?"

Sage shook his head. "No. Founding an official Adventurer Team will require Platinum Adventurer Rank. The founder becomes its registered Team Leader."

Both men looked surprised.

---

"Platinum?" Garran repeated, raising his eyebrows. "Then Captain Drakar would currently be the only eligible founder."

"For the moment," Sage confirmed. "Others will become eligible as they advance."

Boren examined the proposal thoughtfully. "That requirement should prevent inexperienced Adventurers from establishing teams merely because they like the sound of having followers."

Sage smiled. "Precisely. A recognized Team Leader should already possess a substantial record of accomplishments."

Garran considered the administrative implications. "What about existing companies? Some have operated together for years."

"They can continue operating as they always have," Sage replied. "But if they want official Adventurer Team recognition, their founder must satisfy the requirements. We aren’t forbidding ordinary parties or independent companies."

That distinction was essential.

Sage had no intention of disrupting the cooperation already taking place throughout the Guild.

Adventurers would remain free to travel together, share rewards, and undertake missions in whatever lawful arrangements suited them.

Official Team Registration would simply provide an additional structure for those seeking greater recognition.

---

Sage then introduced the separate Team Ranking system.

He wrote the seven ranks upon a sheet of parchment and passed it across the desk.

Garran examined the list with growing interest.

"Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Adamantite, and Eternal," he read aloud. "Seven ranks, entirely separate from an Adventurer’s personal standing?"

"Correct," Sage answered. "A Team Leader might be Platinum individually, but the team itself begins at Bronze. Its rank increases according to verified collective accomplishments."

Boren studied the final designation. "Eternal Team Rank. That’s certainly an ambitious title."

"Something for future generations to pursue," Sage replied. "I doubt we’ll be handing out that recognition anytime soon."

Garran nodded slowly. "We’ll need separate records for team missions, participating members, completed assignments, and changes in membership."

"Which is why I wanted your department involved from the beginning," Sage explained. "Prepare the procedures carefully. I don’t want confusion between personal achievements and team accomplishments."

The meeting continued as they discussed registration documents, recordkeeping, and the responsibilities of Team Leaders.

By the time they finished, the new service had begun taking practical shape.

---

Over the following days, Mission Administration prepared the necessary registration procedures.

Separate ledgers were established for officially recognized teams, while clerks received instructions concerning the distinction between individual Adventurer Rank, Team Rank, and personal combat strength.

Garran also arranged for information notices to be distributed throughout the Headquarters.

The announcement attracted immediate attention.

Several experienced Adventurers gathered before the newly posted notices, examining the requirements with considerable interest.

A young Warrior pointed toward the list of Team Ranks.

"Eternal?" he asked his companion, staring at the final designation. "What sort of accomplishments would a team need to reach that?"

His companion shook his head. "Considering nobody has even registered a Bronze Team yet, I imagine we’ll be waiting quite a while to find out."

Nearby, another Adventurer frowned upon discovering the founding requirement.

"Platinum Rank just to establish a team?" he complained. "That’s going to take years for some of us."

An older Warrior beside him shrugged. "Then perhaps the Guild wants Team Leaders who actually know what they’re doing."

The discussions spread quickly.

---

Sage formally introduced the new service during an assembly inside the Grand Guild Hall.

Adventurers gathered beneath the high ceiling, while several Guild employees stood near the registration counters.

"From today onward," Sage announced, addressing the assembled members, "the Adventurer Guild will recognize officially registered Adventurer Teams. These teams will possess their own names, records, and ranks, allowing their collective accomplishments to be recognized separately from those of individual members."

He explained the founding requirements and the seven Team Ranks, emphasizing that ordinary parties would remain unaffected.

"An Adventurer’s personal rank reflects individual accomplishments," Sage continued. "A Warrior’s strength reflects their combat abilities. Team Rank will represent what a registered group achieves together. These are three different measures, and none should be confused with another."

The announcement drew considerable discussion.

For experienced companies, official recognition offered an opportunity to establish lasting reputations.

For younger Adventurers, the possibility of eventually joining a renowned team provided another ambition worth pursuing.

And for the Guild, the new system represented an entirely different stage of development.

---

Leon Drakar was among those listening.

When Sage concluded the announcement, the captain approached him with unmistakable interest.

"Guildmaster Sage," Leon began, smiling broadly, "am I correct in understanding that I’m currently the only Adventurer qualified to establish one of these teams?"

Sage examined his expression.

He already disliked where this conversation appeared to be heading.

"Yes, Leon," he answered cautiously. "At present, you’re the only Platinum Adventurer."

Leon folded his arms thoughtfully. "Interesting. Very interesting."

Sage narrowed his eyes. "Please tell me you’re not about to begin another five-month campaign."

Leon laughed. "Nothing of the sort, Guildmaster. I’m simply considering the possibilities."

Nearby, Lucan had overheard the exchange.

His expression darkened immediately.

"Of course," Lucan muttered, looking toward Leon. "As though reaching Platinum first wasn’t irritating enough."

Leon turned toward him with an innocent smile. "Something troubling you, Lucan?"

Lucan returned the smile without warmth. "Not at all. I’m merely wondering how long you’ll continue enjoying your temporary advantage."

---

Mina, who had been listening nearby, immediately burst into laughter.

"Uncle Sage!" she exclaimed, hurrying toward him. "Does this mean Leon can become a Team Leader while Lucan can’t?"

Sage sighed. "For now, yes."

Mina looked toward Lucan with obvious delight.

"Then you really are losing!"

Lucan closed his eyes. "Mina, I would appreciate it if you stopped announcing that every time we meet."

Leon laughed heartily, while Sage shook his head in amusement.

The Guild had barely introduced Adventurer Teams, yet its first eligible founder was already provoking another round of competition.

Sage suspected the coming months would be entertaining.

More importantly, he could already imagine what might emerge once additional Platinum Adventurers began establishing their own teams.

Distinct organizations, each developing its own reputation, traditions, and achievements under the Guild’s recognition.

The Adventurer Guild was no longer merely a place where Warriors accepted missions.

It was gradually becoming the foundation of an entirely new Adventurer culture.