After the surprising reveal of Kyōi's level, the group set off without another word. All of the humans, including the captured bandits, were stunned at how strong Kyōi was. Xey were level 15 or 16, while a normal human kid around xeir age was usually around level 6, maybe a few levels higher if they came from a noble family.
The three adventurers had decided to keep ahold of the bandits that tried to attack and rob them to turn them in to the police once they reached the city. Malak had tied the bandits up carefully and had several spells on hand ready to instacast in case they tried escaping.
Kyōi had taken the opportunity to "borrow" a few of the bandit's smaller weapons. The weapon that caught xeir eye in the end was a dagger that was previously held by the lead bandit. It was fairly simple, without any engraving or emblems. The blade was fairly long, long enough for Kyōi to be able to use it as a short sword. Xey had asked if xey could keep it and attached the sheath to xeir belt once xey received permission from Malak.
As the group continued on their way to the city, Kyōi decided to check xeir stats.
~[Name: {Blank}
~[Species: Phoenix-Young
~[Level: 16
~[HP: 425/425
~[MP: 300/300
~[Strength:15
~[Constitution:15
~[Dexterity:15
~[Intelligence:15
~[Charisma:10
~[Luck:10
~[Unused Stat Points: 5
~[Passive Skills:
~[Fireproof, Rebirth of the Phoenix, Flight, Inspect
~[Active Skills:
~[Fireball, Fire Tornado, Polymorph, Fire Claw, Burning Heal
There was no new skills, but xey had indeed leveled up to 16. After thinking about it, Kyōi decided to save the stat points for use in case of emergencies. Xey still had no idea how to get a name to show up in the stat bar though.
After an hour of walking xey started to become antsy. Xey quickly relayed xeir plan to the adventurers and transformed into their black kite form. Xey took off, soaring upwards.
The plan was the adventurers would continue walking on the path while Kyōi would fly overhead, high enough to be out of sight from anyone on the ground. This way, Kyōi would be able to stretch xeir wings out and the adventurers could speed up their pace. Previously, they were walking slowly so that xey wouldn't get as tired.
Another reason for this plan was that once xey were out of sight, xey would be able to transform into xeir true form so that xey could save the rest of the Polymorph skill. After all, xey only had 12 hours in a different form each day. Xey didn't want to attract a lot of attention once xey reached the city, and a phoenix was definitely not a being that could be considered low-key.
~~~The Crystal City~~~
Right before the city came into view Kyōi had reactivated Polymorph and landed, transforming back into xeir humanoid form. Xey folded xeir wings against xeir back to hide them underneath the cloak xey wore.
Once the group reached the city gates, Leilani flashed a golden badge at the guards standing on duty. Immediately, a small group of the guards stepped forward to take the captured bandits away, presumably to a jail or holding cell to await judgement.
Thanks to the adventurer badges Leilani, Zoryn, and Malak held, they were able to get into the city without any trouble. They paused at a fountain in a plaza to plan out their routes. "I have to head to the guild to claim the quest rewards. Zoryn, you and Malak go take Kyōi to get a visa." Leilani gestured to a tall building with a golden dragon emblazed on the front to point out out. "That's the guild building over there Kyōi. We adventurers go there to accept and compete quests."
"What's a visa?" Xey decided to ask. It was probably some sort of city pass, but xey wanted to make sure. "It's a pass. Since you aren't from here, you will need to get a visa to be able to stay at any of the inns here." Zoryn turned towards Leilani after answering xeir question. "But we need an identity for Kyōi since her flock is now gone so now she doesn't have an official guardian." "She can hide her wings and you can just say she is your daughter or something."
Kyōi tilted xeir head to one side, confused. Apparently, the trio thought xey were a female. Admittedly, xeir hair was fairly long, and xey had deliberately chosen to look androgynous. But being referred to as a female just felt wrong to xem. "Actually, I'm not a girl." Kyōi decided to speak up.
After a couple of minutes of the humans expression their shock and apologizing for the mistake, xey decided to give up on explaining that xey weren't male or female. If this had occurred in xeir previous life, xey would've not let it go. Xey also felt that xey wouldn't like being thought of as male or female when xey were in xeir true form as a phoenix. But for some reason, xey didn't mind being thought of as male when in xeir human form, so xey were fine with pretending to be Zoryn's son when getting a visa. It already felt like the adventurers had decided to adopt xem and take xem under their metaphorical wings, so xey just went with it.
Leilani headed to the guild building as Malak and Zoryn guided Kyōi to a smaller, less impressive building across the street. In a few minutes, they were standing in the office of a clerk who looked absolutely exhausted. Despite his obvious sleep deprivation, the clerk managed a smile before getting down to business. "Welcome, welcome. How may I help you folks today?" Zoryn held up his adventurer's badge and cleared his throat before responding. "Ahem. Well, I'm here to get a visa for my adopted son." The clerk nodded once and took out a large book filled with various forms. "Alright then. May I get your name, adventurer level and class, and can you please show me your ID of citizenship? I will also need your son's name and stats." Zoryn pulled out a small rectangle of metal that was carved with a single rune. "Zoryn Woodsworth, Level 40 Wind Archer. This here is Kyōi. We haven't been to the church yet, so I don't have his exact stats." The clerk wrote down the information before standing up, waving one hand slightly. He grabbed a small sphere that looked like it was made of glass or crystal. "No worries. We have an Observer available. Okay now Kyōi, please put both of your hands on this ball. It will measure your stats." Xey complied, wondering how the Observer worked.
[Item: Observer use detected]
[Would you like to hide or change any information allowed to the Observer?]
After hearing the system begin to speak, xey responded mentally.
[Yes.]
[What information would you like to hide or change?]
[Change species to Avian, Hide all skills and unused stat points, Change name to Kyōi]
As the Observer began to glow, a blue screen similar to xeir own system's status window appeared before xem, with all of the information that wasn't hidden by the system visible. The clerk jotted down the information before taking out a small bronze rectangle. A rune appeared on it as he handed it to xem, who took the visa with a small bow and muttered thanks. Malak thanked the clerk politely as Zoryn began to lead Kyōi back out to the plaza where am excited Leilani was waiting.