The large interdimensional portal in the City of Caterdel, the holy city of the Dressden continent, was shaped like the grand gate of a gladiatorial stadium. The façade is framed in titanium coated with void matter (a texture similar to rubber but soft and cool to the touch) which is the best protection for titanium.
The portal was placed in the Sanctum's Expedition Portal Hall, which was a rectangular hall with three portals whose dimensional energy had reached a neutral point. They have been confirmed to teleport the object to the intended point without getting lost.
The Expedition Portal Sanctum is shaped like a simple church building, near the main square of the holy city of Caterdel, where merchants, processions and crowds enliven the holy city.
Waiting for so many people, for family, lover, or just the closest people. But that excitement could not yet appear on their faces, except that of anxiety. The problem is, will the people you've been waiting for come back with a myriad of achievements? Or do they return to the creator and write their history on the stone inscription of The Grail Memoria?
Their gazes fell on the central teleportation portal, with the phoenix crest on its gate. Biggest expeditions with less than 30% safety risk.
Currently, the 4th Etherealm Orbital Constellation Expedition, Mebiroth. This expedition is looking for planets around the 4th Etherealm to identify which ones can be stabilized for future use for regular layovers and new civilizations. This expedition took place every year, and each year more and more people grieved.
The dimensional hole vortex which was originally purple in color, is now a white color. The sign of what they were waiting for was getting closer. The church's elite orchestra has sounded. Their hearts were pounding.
Up in 15 minutes…
#tap..tap..tap..
As the right foot stepped out of the teleportation gate's dimensional hole, the procession went into an uproar. Increasingly the faces of the expedition team members became more visible.
The expedition team members stopped on the stage. When the head of the interdimensional expedition security bureau, Caterdel city read out the results, everyone was shocked. All the expedition team's actions were monitored from a distance. Everything is recorded in the documentation.
"FROM 40 MEMBERS, YET ALL 40 MEMBERS RETURNED SAFETY!" the woman said loudly.
The trumpets sounded out of the orchestra, expressing pride, then followed by all the instruments. Colorful party papers were scattered, skycrackers seemed to paint the afternoon light. The hired dancers dance happily. The smiles of the procession looked proud accompanied by proud cries.
The members of the expedition team each ran to approach the people they knew.
With lover...
Mother… Father… even their brothers and sisters…
Of the 39 people, they found someone else's shoulder to hug… except for one.
The man was just standing on the stage. He smiled faintly, but his mind was a little jealous. Being a minority of souls who don't have anyone to miss is a common thing he has felt for years.
"I am very proud of you, Mr. Nerd!” the dark brown skinned woman with a ferocious face now softened. She immediately hugged the glasses man whose body was a bit thin and shorter than a man his age.
“Mrs Nibella…” the glasses man had tears in his eyes.
Nerd Fulbright, since 24 years his arrival in Etherealm, has not had anyone close. Even in the most secure and stable first Etherealm, Hevhulpus, this city of Caterdel.
His temperament is still the same, always smiling sincerely and spreading positive aura to his colleagues who are desperate in the middle of an interdimensional expedition.
Later, Lady Nibella, as the head of the interdimensional division, Caterdel city, announced that this was the first time that a high-class expedition had not claimed any casualties. As many as one hundred percent of the people who took part survived with injuries that were not too serious.
“This feat is fully thanks to the miracle predicted by the higher constellar. And that miracle is this man!” Nibella, shifting Nerd's body to make it public.
The parents, loved ones, and anyone who longs for their loved ones back, flock to Nerd Fulbright. They thanked him profusely, gave Nerd lots of food, fruit and souvenirs.
The nerd was happy and moved. Even after the event is over, Nerd Fulbright's name will be remembered and printed in a new charter.
Nerds have never been this happy and proud of themselves.
***
The dinner was lively. The Caterdel government building which has a conical roof, magnificent terraces, and luxurious carpets and flying candles like a fairy tale.
The tables are set up like an expensive restaurant, round, and each has a 5 liter bottle of wine. The table has 4 chairs.
The spirit race played the violin and the elf race played the harp. Meanwhile, the one holding the mic with a beautiful vocal voice, a beautiful woman from the sea.
The special place accommodates up to 250 people with 250 different types of food and a buffet to suit each other's tastes. From the common human race, to even the sentimental void race.
All seats were filled except for two.
“Hey, this show… really amazing, right?” woman in elite dress, her long ears twitching. She twirled lightly the cambrita glass filled with wine. “I mean… it's lively because of you, Mr. Bright?”
The woman smiled kindly with her cheeks flushed. Her blonde hair was pulled into a ponytail by a professional make-up artist to match her jeweled headband. The woman is in the middle of the seduction process.
“Ah, ahahaha…” Nerd Bright chuckled, but troubled. The noble's daughter's graceful aura approaching him had little effect. Nerds don't really suit her, especially those wearing fancy accessories that are quite dazzling. "So… M-miss Darlorent, what do you do on a daily basis?"
“Just call me, Fleta!” she added. “I love farming! Their manure is very efficient for plants in the garden!”
The other noblewoman behind looked at Fleta Darlorent loathingly. They gossiped about Fleta Darlorent who had an innocent face and pretended to be innocent. Those words were heard by Nerd faintly.
Nerd Fulbright didn't fall for the gossip or the advances. After all, it has been proven from the knick-knacks used by Fleta Darlorent, from head to toe. Subtly convinced Nerd, how could a woman like that like dirt and mud?
The show… lasted until midnight. The final event, award ceremony and prize acceptance. The guests did not leave the slightest and followed the event to the end.
“Mr. Nerd Fulbright, for being an expert in building and using facilities that are effective and efficient. His ability to create things at miraculous speed.” Nibella stuck a badge on the Nerd's right chest position. “Constellar Insignia : Master Inventor!”
The badge is identical in shape to the other constellation badges. With a shield-like base, engraved hammer logo. Underneath it says 'Master Inventor'
The badge was made of an extremely hard and anti-magic material, Mutant Diamond. Special diamonds are about 100,000 times the diamonds that have been encountered in Etherealm.
There are only 100 types of constellation badges. One of them is Master Inventor.
The direction of the gazes of the spectators was fixed on the badge. They cheered and clapped. Tonight's Nerd Fulbright was absolutely the star.
“The Government of Caterdel has a special gift for Mr. Nerd Fulbright! The audience must be amazed by the prizes on offer!” added Nibella, “We asked Sir Fidelius Darlorent for the representative to offer a prize for our star tonight!
The friction of the violin becomes a sentimental and passionate melody.
The man with the long mustache and beard came from the center of the stage. Fidelius Darlorent, around 60 years old, Fleta Darlorent's biological father. He also has long ears like his daughters
(Oi, oi old man how rich you are! Are you a Blue gemstone golem?) thought the Nerd. In fact, from head to toe without any single gap, the gemstone that matched her blue robes, sapphire.
The middle-aged man's preamble was only brief, now Nerd was brought to the thump and thump of his heart.
“Mr. Nerd Fulbright is now a hero! It's not right for me to give a gift that has been determined. Well, at least I have three options for you. You are ready?"
The audience lowered their voices.
"Always ready, sir!"
#Wohoo! <}}
The cheers rose again.
“Well the first prize, you will be made a party of high authority and officially as a noble in Caterdel. You will receive most of the territory to rule. Great wealth… coupled with marrying my daughter!”
#Woooow!~ <}}
The cheers stupefied the audience. The first offer was a target for other male nobles. The most tempting offers that are enough to make those who are jealous bite their fingers.
After all, one could never get permission to marry the most beautiful daughter of the aristocrat, Fleta Darlorent.
The cheers grew louder and filled the room with joy.
Fidelius Darlorent raised his hand, the cheers died down instantly.
“Second offer! Hmm ... this is also not bad. Nerd Fulbright will be given a small island and its resources south of Caterdel! Well, I'm thinking Mr. Nerd Fulbright is also pleased with the natural beauty of this claustrophobic city. Of course he also received his blessing to marry my daughter, Fleta!”
#Woooow!~ <}}
The cheers returned. The second times of Fleta's names were called, the noble young lady laughed sweetly and her cheeks flushed. As red as a noblewoman sitting at the back with envy, but Fleta was the opposite.
“That's a good choice too! An empty island just makes it even more romantic, doesn't it!?” said one of the spectators wearing a well-established dress and an expensive white sling bag.
“KYAAAHH~! That scene is just like in the movies!” replied her friend who was wearing a glamorous dress.
(My gosh… old Fidelius…. Not… a really tempting prize thought. Is it because he's a political old man? Well, at least there's still the latter option.) Nerd muttered, but still forced his smile as the atmosphere forced him. He stroking his cheek with his forefinger as if amazed too.
“And the third one…” Fidelius' hand was raised once again, the audience was paying attention. “The third… well, this might be the last option. Mr. Nerd Fulbright will be granted the right to explore other planets. #Hah… (sighed)” the middle aged man sighed. "To be honest, I don't know if it's a choice. So, for this choice, of course I don't allow my daughter to participate,” Fidelius closed his eyes, as if he closed that choice with complete rejection and the worst option.
Without no surprise, the sound of cheers was not even heard at all. The mindset of the spectators was more or less the same as that of Fidelius Darlorent.
“Hey, I thought Mr. Nerd Fulbright would go first?” said one spectator.
“Huh? Obviously the second one! Mr. Fulbright fully understands romance and the beauty of nature!” replied the other with disappointment.
Since then, the audience was noisy and divided into two choices. They debated between options one and two. The commotion was enough to make Nibella's eyebrows like one-sided scales.
The commotion was still limited to being safe and not too aggressive. Lasts about half an hour.
Until…
“I take the third option, hehe…” Nerd said softly.
“WHAATTTT!!????”
Fidelius Darlorent shook his head slightly while stroking his beard. Nibella slapped her forehead. Princess Fleta Darlorent froze expressionlessly. And most importantly, the procession…
"HEY DON'T JOKE YOU HURT MAN!!!!"
Angry and frustrated because they think, Nerd, like wasting a chance in life that might only come once.
That night…
The audience ended up disappointed.
The audience ended up disappointed. As the name Nerd had just ascended and was likely to be remembered forever, ended up being forgotten on that brief night.
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