“Welcome to the Hall of Heroes!”, exclaimed Inurol’ah, her four arms opened wide.

“Here, the Forum of All Knowledge honors those who accomplished achievements worth remembering. From defending horrifying dungeon breaks to deciding entire wars by themselves!”

Tepo and Yerive couldn’t hide the amazement in their eyes. Having one’s name immortalized in such a building was every warrior’s dream.

“Should we go in?”

The two young men nodded almost somewhat too eagerly.

Inurol’ah remembered her first visit to the Hall of Heroes, bringing a faint smile to her face. She led the way with big steps, passing one of the wide open, inviting gates.

A grand sight excited the trio’s senses. They stepped on the smooth, white stone floor, their eyes scanning the walls lined with golden framed portraits.

Long stories were written on the walls in black letters, surrounding each painting. The text was obviously carefully handwritten, matching the building’s opulent aesthetic.

Crowds gathered in front of every portrait, admiring the heroes. At first glance it was obvious that not only the forum’s members had access to the Hall of Heroes.

The trio scattered a bit. Yerive was immediately drawn by the portrait of a valiant swordsman while Yerive was more interested in a woman who didn’t match the image of a warrior.

Who’s this? Ouriane Harin, discoverer of the Harinium. An alloy used in all kinds of engines for its great force conductivity.

She is even a senior researched of this forum. So, it’s not only warriors who get honored here!

Tepo’s eyes showed his deep respect. In his old life researchers were highly valued.

After the outsiders pushed humanity back, it was these researchers who came up with new methods of communication and warfare, allowing humanity to build up a resistance.

“Hey, you’re one of the new students, right?”

Suddenly a friendly male voice addressed Tepo. The young man turned his head, looking at an athletic human with short black hair. He wore a white robe every student received, observing Tepo with strange bluish eyes.

“Yes. Hi, my name is Tepmodus, or Tepo if you want.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ewanur.

You don’t have to look at my eyes like that, I can tell you directly that they are artificial.”

Ewanur chuckled upon noticing the surprise on Tepo’s face.

“How can eyes be artificial?”

“Hehe, if you want to know we can teach you. But only if you join the civilian artifact research center.”

Tepo rose a brow. He glanced at the portrait of a confident woman not far away.

“Are you sent by your teacher to recruit people interested in her portrait?”

Ewanur kept his friendly smile as he replied:

“No. Teacher Harin isn’t that desperate. But I owe her too much. When I saw you come in with Inurol’ah and even being interested in teacher, I couldn’t let go of this chance.”

“Desperate? Is your research center in trouble?”

“Well, it’s an open secret that the civilian research center is looked down upon by the many military ones. Sometimes its difficult gathering funds. But overall, it’s still alright thanks to the Harinium.

Oh, your guide is coming. I guess that’s my cue to leave. But I’d be delighted if you consider joining our center. Bye!”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Bye.”

As Ewanur disappeared into the crowd, Inurol’ah arrived next to Tepo. She looked at the man’s back, letting out a conflicted sigh.

“Did Ewanur try to recruit you?”

“Yes. He hopes I join the civilian artifact research center.

What do you think?”

“Simply the fact that they would reach out to randomly recruit new students should tell you everything you need to know.”

Tepo nodded with a noncommittal attitude.

“Well, that’s a concern for later. Let’s continue our tour.”

“Sound good.”

Tepo and Inurol’ah went to collect Yerive. The young man was still engrossed in the tales of a famous swordsman. Tepo was just about to pull Yerive’s by his ears before the latter reluctantly followed.

Pushing through the crowd the trio observed a few more paintings before entering another room. They students immediately noticed the quiet and respectful mood in this place. Everyone wore solemn faces, staring at a single wall filled with names.

“This is the wall of fallen pioneers.”, whispered Inurol’ah. “It is special to the World of Nine Suns, remembering all the brave souls who fell in the process of colonizing this world.”

Inurol’ah didn’t dare to speak more, but Tepo already felt like he understood a lot from this description. He also observed the wall with respect.

But a faint frown found its way to his face. He noticed a few names which sounded familiar.

Redswan and Gold…

The trio didn’t stay long. Inurol’ah was eager to show the new students the next room.

They passed another large arc, arriving in a grand hall with a door connecting towards the city outside. People went in and out the Hall of Heroes at all times.

But Tepo and Yerive only had eyes for the large swirling vortex close to the wall.

“Haha, impressive, isn’t it?”

Tepo wrinkled his brows. He wasn’t certain what he was looking at. What he was seeing didn’t match with the image of portals he was used to. It was too large, and its colors…

“Why is it so murky?”, asked Yerive at the prefect moment.

“That’s why it’s so impressive! Behold, ignorant souls, for you are looking at an artificial portal!”

Inurol’ah obviously found a lot of fun in her role as a guide. Especially as she dropped such a bombshell.

Tepo’s eyes opened wide. His mind raced, his imagination running wild as he processed the significance of artificial portals.

“Caught your tongue? Rightfully so! Artificial portals are the proudest inventions of this very forum you just joined!

The genius honorary director Ritton R. Porter was promoted to vice-headmaster by the headmaster personally after publishing this invention!”

A look of awe and respect could be seen in Inurol’ah’s eyes. Obviously, the vice-headmaster was an idol for many students.

“I have to admit that this sounds amazing. But what can artificial portals do exactly?”

The trio had to take a step to the side as a big group of people passed them before Inurol’ah could explain:

“Artificial portals are amazing! They can connect to existing dungeons, giving more ways in an out.

Imagine if a dungeon only allows one person in. With artificial portals you can open another entrance and send reinforcements. Although the expenditure is a bit much…

Obviously the Hub City Alliance is very interested as well but as far as I know they are still negotiating.”

Tepo nodded faintly, amazed that this world obviously not only offered brutish warriors but also had a place for intelligent researchers as well.

“If you don’t have any more questions, let’s go! I will show you the heart of the Hall of Heroes!”

Yerive and Tepo wore curious faces as Inurol’ah led them to enter the portal.

Suddenly they found themselves in a mysterious world. Darkness dominated the place, but strangely it wasn’t frightening, but rather inviting like the darkness one experienced when sinking into a relaxing sleep.

Dots of light were sprinkled on the black canvas. Tepo was somewhat surprised as the sight reminded him of the Starlight World Orbs.

The gentle light was pleasing to the eye, illuminating a group of numerous rocks floating in the empty space. They were connected by broad stairs, offering lots of space for the crowds filling the dungeon.

Arriving on one of the large rocks, the trio could see a huge group of warriors which just entered as well. They were huddled together, discussing something before splitting up.

“Hmm. What are they doing?”, asked Yerive in confusion.

“They are probably here to clear the dungeon.”

“What?!”

Just as Tepo exclaimed in surprise, a voice entered his mind.

[Remember the stars of their might!]

Immediately Yerive and Tepo stared at their surroundings in confusion. Just like Tepo in the beginning, Yerive didn’t even understand the concept of stars, which didn’t exist in the Carrying Winds World.

Noticing the two friends’ faces, Inurol’ah figured that they just received the quest.

“Confusing, right? It is said that this dungeon was activated by the headmaster. There was never any danger here, but still, even the headmaster didn’t manage to solve the dungeon.

Eventually he asked the Hub City Alliance to move the portal into the Hall of Heroes and opened it to the public.

Some speculate that this was also an attempt to accomplish the quest but who knows. The headmaster proclaims that he did this because this dungeon’s beauty should shine brightly.

In the end the dungeon wasn’t solved until today and the headmaster stated that however could satisfy his curiosity by solving the dungeon can request one thing form him!”

Inurol’ah explained with the face of a child retelling their favorite fairy tale. Tepo was intrigued, having a lot of praise for the clever headmaster.

“And let me guess…”, said the young man with a confident smile. “… since then, a lot of people come here every day to solve the dungeon. And as a nice bonus they will talk about the headmaster and the many immortalized heroes.

Coincidentally the bravest and strongest warriors have their achievements enshrined in this dungeon, rather than in the Hall of Heroes outside.”