The Hall of Heroes, despite its name, was not so much a grand hall but rather the size of your average living room, only octagonal. The tapestries adorning the sections of walls on either side of the room were decorated with the kingdom's crest showing some vague angel-like figure and the Lumerian flag along with imagery of heroes besting foes. It appeared that Lumeria mostly stuck to a palette of red and gold, as one might expect from a typical fantasy kingdom.
The hall was bare, its only furniture were two bookshelves covering the sections on either side of the door. In the center of the room, on a raised platform only a step high, stood a pedestal. On top, resting on a ceremonial, red, satin pillow with a gold trim and golden tassels lay a blue orb roughly the size of a bowling ball with swirls of various shades of blue on the inside. Lyra walked up beside the orb and faced the five Blessed Ones.
“This is the Hall of Heroes. It is where the heroes of old were brought for their inspections,” she said.
While Sebastian, Josh, and Martin moved around the room and admired the tales depicted on the tapestries, Mike stood firm and addressed Lyra. “You’ve talked about this ‘inspection’ and how it makes the ‘System’ touch us, but what exactly does that mean?”
“Natives of this world inherently have access to the [System], and they can see their own Status by simply willing it in their mind. Blessed Ones like yourselves, however, have only just come into contact with the [System] during the summoning, but not yet felt its touch. The inspection helps make that final connection, allowing you to also see your own Status whenever you want and to draw upon the [System]’s might.” She smiled as she allowed the Blessed Ones a moment to take it all in before drawing their attention. “So, who's up first?”
Martin didn’t hesitate and volunteered as soon as Lyra asked. He walked up, and under Lyra’s guidance he placed his hand on the orb.
Now that they were finally about to see this [System] in action and have their first up-close taste of actual magic for themselves, besides being dragged into a mind-wrenching vortex, everyone perked up and paid attention. The tension among all five earthlings could be cut with a knife as they all expected some grand display of magic. What they got was somewhat anti-climatic. Martin didn’t really react at all, beyond maybe a sting or a tingle based on the small bit of his expression that Sebastian could see from his angle, but that was pretty much it.
A big, blue screen appeared on the back wall, behind the orb. It looked almost like a modern projector screen, except there was no projector to be found. Everyone, earthlings and native alike, stared at the screen with excitement as the Status was gradually revealed. The earthlings tried to make sense of what they were seeing. Lyra, on the other hand, stared at the screen intensely with an almost anxious frown. As if she was trying to determine if their effort of summoning them had been worth it.
The layout was surprisingly simple and self-explanatory but it still took slightly longer than expected for Sebastian to properly make sense of the Status. His excuse was simple, having been suddenly abducted by a magical vortex-portal just as you come home from a botched job interview, and then taken on a tour around a fantasy castle, doesn’t quite leave you in the best frame of mind.
At the top of the screen was Martin’s name followed by his level, which was 0. Sebastian had expected it to be 1 but apparently that wasn’t how this particular System worked. Right next to his level was another number, 100, which Sebastian wasn’t entirely sure what it meant. Below his level was his Title, which more than likely was the same for all of them, [Blessed]. He also had a Talent called [Bedrock] and an Inherent Skill called [Wallbreaker], what they meant or did was anyone’s guess at this point.
“A limit of 100, that's spectacular!” Lyra’s eyes beamed with joy and her fists clenched in triumph. For a moment, just the briefest of moments, the air in the room shivered. “Most people have a limit somewhere between 20 and 40. Only the most legendary of prodigies, with the greatest potential, can reach level 100. According to records, most Blessed Ones even have their limits in the high nineties. It might also interest you to know that the average native citizen of Lumeria is about level 5 to 8, so you can understand just how impressive it is to have a limit of 100.”
“Hell yeah!” Martin shouted. “What does my Talent do, and what's that Skill?” He couldn’t restrain his excitement.
“The inspection doesn't give a full description of all Talents and Skills, you'll have to look into those details on your own,” Lyra responded. “That said, based on other Talents and Skills with similar names, I would venture a guess that [Bedrock] allows you to fuse with the ground somehow, making you extremely difficult to move. The [Wallbreaker] Skill might to be some sort of tackle that can break through walls and formations.”
“I must have gotten some powers based on my college football days, sweet!” Martin speculated, and Sebastian suspected that he was right.
Martin stepped back with a proud smile on his face, as though he had just won the jackpot. If Lyra were to be believed, maybe he had.
“Next!” Lyra gestured toward the orb.
Two of the others went up one by one to be inspected. First Kevin, followed by Josh. They both went pretty much the same, with no big light show or anything for either of them. Kevin also had a limit of 100 while Josh’s limit was just under, at 98. Despite being the only one under 100 so far, he didn't seem very upset.
I’m up next. I really want to get some kind of magic power. Please be magic!
Sebastian walked up and, just like others, placed his hand on the orb. There was a slight sting, like a weak static shock or perhaps some strange vibration, and then it was done.
Wh— What the fuck is that!
Name: Sebastian Moore
Level: 0/5
Exp: 0%
Title
- Blessed
Talent
- Akashic Connection
What is this? Why don’t I have any Skills, and what with that limit? 5? Fucking 5?! This has to be some cosmic joke. Did some bored, magic-world, asshole god decide to shaft specifically me for— for fucking what!?
“Well... That's unfortunate, but I'm sure there will be plenty of ways for you to help, even with your usel— *ahem* humble Status,” Lyra said, clearly pretending to be consolatory. However, Sebastian could swear he caught a glimpse of… something, flashing in her eyes. Not disgust, per se, but disappointment followed by indifference, as if he no longer mattered the moment his Status was revealed.
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As he walked back to the others, some gave sympathetic looks while others seemed too focused on themselves to care about Sebastian’s disaster of a Status beyond the initial surprise.
“No worries, man. I'm sure there's something that can be done,” Martin said.
A few kind words and a comforting pat on the shoulder wasn’t much, but it did help a little. Sebastian put on a polite smile and responded, “It’s fine, I’ll figure it out.”
After that, he didn’t really pay much attention to the last one to be inspected beyond noting that Mike had a limit of 99.
“Congratulations to all of you for completing your inspections and activating your connection to the [System]!” Lyra announced. “This has been a lot to handle, and I'm sure you're all tired. We've arranged bedchambers for each of you where you can clean up and rest. Tomorrow, first thing in the morning, you will be called to choose your path moving forward, and to begin your training.”
During the inspection, several servants had arrived without making a single sound, as if they simply blended into the background. Whether that was due to regular old training to not take up space in the castle or because of some magical Skill wasn’t clear. The servants led all five earthlings to their rooms; one thing was certain though, Sebastian was led farther down the corridors than the others.
One by one, they said their goodbyes as they entered their rooms. When Sebastian arrived to the room assigned to him, it was obvious that his room was quite a bit smaller than the others’. At least based on what little he saw of their rooms along the way. As he entered his room, he was met with stale air and a level of dust that seemed almost intentional. Not so much that it felt abandoned but clearly below the standard that had been displayed thus far, and could be expected in a world of magic.
Whatever, I’m not gonna let it get to me. I’m here now and I’m gonna have to make the best of the hand I’ve been dealt.
The room wasn’t actually bad—a decent bed, a couch, a wardrobe, a desk with a little chair, and a generic painting hanging on the wall over the desk. Although the view did leave something to be desired; the one window was pointed directly at a castle wall with only the slightest bit of green visible from an uncomfortable angle. Other than the one painting, the only thing on the walls was a mirror by the wardrobe.
Sebastian sat on the bed in the dark room and looked through his Status in an attempt to figure out what to do next. It was surprising how natural it felt to check on your own Status, a mere thought and a detailed image appeared in his mind without blocking his actual vision, as though it existed in some other plane of existence, whatever that meant.
I told myself to make the best of it, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do!
The first thing he noticed was his Talent [Akashic connection], he had no idea what it meant but currently it was his best, and only option. By focusing on the Talent, a new ‘window’ opened in his mind with a description of the Talent.
Talent: Akashic Connection
An inherent connection with the Akashic System.
Helpful, that’s... really helpful. Goddammit, what am I supposed to do with that? Ok, [System], if I have an inherent connection with you, please tell me what the hell you were thinking in giving me this shitshow of a Status?
Sebastian waited a while in hopes that his plea might actually get an answer. Sometimes, in the stories he read back home, the System actually did respond so it was worth a try at least. But no, nothing answered. Next he looked at his Title, [Blessed]. Lyra had explained that the Blessed Ones were supposed to gain more experience than normal people so maybe there was something to be done there.
Title: Blessed
A title bestowed upon those who have crossed the void between worlds, those untouched by the System. As their spirits are fully matured upon their first contact with the System, the connection is far stronger than that of the natives of this world.
That’s not a lot of information. Where are the numbers, the stats? Sebastian sighed. Ok, so if I’m interpreting this correctly, those who are summoned to this world make their first connection to the [System] once their spirit is fully grown as opposed to newborn. Because of that the connection is stronger for some reason and we can absorb more of this spirit energy, thus leveling faster.
I also have a Talent which specifically states that I have an inherent connection with the [System], does that mean that I can absorb even more than the others, level faster than them? Well that’s just great, maybe I can get to level 5 first, whoop-de-doo.
Feeling a level of frustration that he had never quite experienced before, Sebastian realized that there was nothing more for him to do for now. He would have to ask the native experts for help in how to overcome this. Sebastian did his best to calm down and finally fell asleep, in spite of his mind continuously replaying everything that had happened.
Morning came by fast, but it barely felt like he had slept at all. The streams of sunlight beaming in through the window washed away any doubt that a new day had arrived, and that it was all real. It wasn’t just a strange dream, he truly was in a new world, a world of magic. Except, he fell short of his fellow Blessed Ones, by a wide margin.
Comfortable as it was to just lay there in bed for a while, staring up at the ceiling, Sebastian pulled himself up and got dressed. Beige slacks and a teal button-up didn’t exactly scream ‘Fantasy adventure’, but it was all he had available.
He opened the window to get some fresh air, and to feel the cool breeze across his face to help wake up. The castle wall opposite his window wasn’t very inspiring so he leaned out to catch a glimpse of the fields of grass and the trees. There was some movement, people walking around doing work on the grounds, but he couldn’t see much from his awkward angle.
A deep breath helped him prepare his mind for the elephant in the room. A half-decent view wasn’t enough to erase those memories, or the accompanying anxiety.
There has to be something they can do, I can’t just be stuck here with a limit of fucking 5. Although, Lyra looked really disappointed so maybe your level limit is a big deal. Whatever, even if they don’t have any way around it, I’ll find it. Somehow… But first, let’s see what this place has to offer in terms of breakfast, he thought before closing the window and walking out of his room.
The hallway was empty, quiet.
“Hello?” he called out, hoping to find some servant or worker, or anybody really. Nobody answered.
Retracing his steps from yesterday, he ventured down the series of hallways looking for any sign of life. After his third corner, he finally found someone. A young woman, a maid if her brown shift dress and white headpiece was anything to go by.
“Excuse me,” Sebastian said as he cautiously approached.
She straightened her back and curtsied. “My lord.”
“Uhm… I was hoping to maybe find something to eat. And have you seen the others? There are four others I came here with.”
With a polite nod, she said, “Of course, my lord. The kitchen is at the end of this hallway, down the bottom of the stairs and then take a left. As for your companions, they are at the courtyard lounge, with Her Ladyship, Auditor Florís, and Sir Taric.”
Taken aback, Sebastian blinked. “Uh… Okay? So, they’re all together, and no one woke me up?”
“They were summoned by Her Ladyship, my lord.”
He was stunned, and not just a little offended, but didn’t want to take it out on a maid. “So where is this courtyard lounge?”
The maid gave clear directions, treating the whole thing like it was perfectly natural. She didn’t question, she only did as she was told. If Lyra asked the others to be summoned, they were summoned. If a guest asks questions or asks for directions, she answered to the best of her ability. Although she smiled as she interacted with Sebastian, he couldn’t help but notice that her smile didn’t extend to her eyes.
He let her get back to her work and went off to find the others. It didn’t take too long, a brisk 10 minute walk through the castle and the sounds of somewhat familiar voices and wood hitting wood came into earshot.
Pushing open the wooden double doors to the courtyard lounge, Sebastian found the other four earthlings.
The courtyard lounge was a large room with bookshelves along the left side, a collection of seating groups with couches and tables in the center with all kinds of food prepared. Opposite the bookshelves was an arcade wall, open archways leading to a courtyard.
Josh and Kevin sat with Lyra on the sofas, enjoying some tarts, cakes, and other luxurious foods, while Martin and Mike were out in the courtyard with a man, a warrior of some sort. Sir Taric, Sebastian inferred.
Lyra spotted Sebastian as soon as he walked in. Her expression soured before a practiced polite smile emerged. “Oh, you made it. How lovely. Good morning, Mr. Moore.”