The Mechanical Era



4th of Hiems, 5018. 

The snow on the roads of the new 'Discovery Plaza' were being cleared out by a bunch of mages using a heating spell, to slowly turn the ice-cold snow into water. This water would then go down the drains to the sewers, where it will be transported to the purifiers to be disposed of.

After the snow had melted away, the important roads were salted, using a steam-powered machine, to ensure that they won't be covered in snow. It would allow vehicles, such as carriages, and trams, to be able to move properly in and out of the district. 

The salt was bought from the 'HIKO SeaSalt Company', started by a bunch of mages and artisans. As their name implies, they boil seawater to get salt from the sea. While the artisans built and maintained the machinery used, the mages were responsible for helping boil the water, to reduce energy wastage. 

The Discovery Plaza was not intended to be a separate district, at least originally. It was meant to be an area where the HISAR building was located, along with the homes of the researchers surrounding it. However the departments located downtown, with the approval of the king, decided that it would be better if the place was marked as a separate distinct. 

The district was connected to the rest of the city through lower Middletown, where a bunch of roads and a tram were connected to it, allowing its residents to move freely. It was recorded to be the smallest district out of all the others. 

Passing through these salted roads inside a black carriage, was Kant Maybale himself. Yesterday, Kant had been informed that the project has been completed 1 day ahead of schedule, and was invited to be given a tour of the new building. 

As the carriage was moving along the road, Kant takes a look outside his carriage window to observe this new tiny district. The place was fitted with tall buildings, averaging 6 stories in height, fitted closely with each other. 

The buildings all used the Arteco architectural styling, with all featuring 'cheap' glass windows and multiple chimneys. While some were purely for residential, a lot of them were mixed-use. He can see many people already moving into their new homes. 

The carriage soon arrives at the center of the Discovery Plaza, where the giant HISAR building is present. The HISAR building was massive! With 4 stories and 1/5 the size of a football field. It was truly impressive for a building that large to take only a few months. 

The carriage soon stops at the entrance, where Kant drops off. Kant walks up the stairs to the doorway, where he met a trio of familiar-looking faces; Decan, Melor, and Lenin! The three bow down before Kant, before shaking hands with him.

"Welcome, your majesty! We are here to give you a tour of this wonderful building we had a part in building. We would like to thank you for giving us this amazing opportunity to be a part of this building," Decan spoke. 

"You are welcome, Mr. Hurst. Anyways, can you present me with the tour? I would like to witness your work with my own eyes," Kant replied.

"Very well, your majesty. Please, follow us."

The three of them opened up the front door of the building. Kant walks inside the place and looks around. The interior walls had all been coated in white paint. The floor, just like Kant had desired, was all tiled with polished marble. 

Kant noticed that the place was rather warm. It appears that the architects have placed in a chimney, to allow all the rooms to be heated so that the researchers won't have to worry about feazing to death. As a result, Kant took off his coat, before continuing on. 

Kant then walks up to the receptionist's desk. There, he spots some writing on the walls. Written in a Times New Roman Font, it read "Hoverdam Institute of Scientific Advancement & Research" underneath what appears to be a symbol of an Atom, with 8 electrons surrounding it. 

"What do you think sir?" Melor asks Kant, pointing at the symbol and the letters on the wall.

"It looks good. I like it," Kant commented. He took a minute to look onward at the wall, before moving on. The trio led him throughout the halls of the complex, showing off all its rooms, and floors.

The place was rather well let, using the placement of lanterns very carefully. to maximize brightness and illumination. In a place like this, it was bound that some places don't have enough lighting.

Kant was first taken to its libraries. They were all fitted with gigantic bookcases, with labels for each row to determine and sort where any books would go. There were also large seating areas, where people can sit around and read anything that was on the shelves. 

Afterward, he was then taken to its laboratories, which were given a lot of space to conduct research and experiments. To help deliver large objects, there was even a back door to transport them inside. 

The tour went on for hours as they continued to show Kant all the ins and outs of the building. Soon after, even a few researchers had arrived, to take a look at the building they were going to work in. 

It was clear to everyone that the architects have put a lot of thought into planning, as well as the civil engineers how dedicated they were to constructing and finishing the building according to the plan.

After the tour had been conducted, they went back to the receptionist's desk, where they ended it. Decan asked Kant what he thought about the building. Kant, after giving a few minutes to think, replies...

"I am truly impressed with what you have constructed here. I believe this place would be able to facilitate any experiments being conducted." Kant replies. The answer satisfies the three, leaving them with a big smiles.

"Thank you, your majesty. We are truly honored."