Machina Arcanis: Two Worlds Collided-Chapter 240. Artimas

240. Artimas

Later that night, Zetius trained in the rejuvenation chamber, awaiting the empress’s arrival. The perpetual thumping, like a distant heartbeat, drifted into his ears.

Lightning bolted from his fingertips, striking the head of the target Armatus. The glowing projection shattered into specks of light.

“Bullseye!” Cubie chirped, floating overhead. She had returned to her cube form for the training session. According to her, she felt more comfortable that way. Zetius didn’t object; he even endorsed it. The smaller the target, the less likely she’d be hit by a stray spell.

Zetius glanced down at his red palm as the skin gradually healed to its natural colour. He understood his power better now. It was never his aim that was terrible; how could it be, when he could strike enemies hundreds of metres away with an Empyrion blast with sniper-like precision?

It was the pain. Even the slightest flicker of it was enough to shatter his concentration, throwing his aim wide.

“I’m afraid it’s only working in this room,” Zetius exhaled sharply. “Because I’m not flinching from the pain of unleashing Astrapyion.”

“Oh, I see.” Cubie’s light dimmed with disappointment.

Zetius sighed, resting his hands on his hips. “I feel like I’ve hit another plateau. My dual-casting technique is improving bit by bit, but it still can’t penetrate Nyrethein’s defence.”

“Dare I say, she’s got a thick skin?” Cubie asked. The question wasn't intended as sarcasm, but it earned a chuckle from Zetius nonetheless.

Feeling thirsty, Zetius walked over to the catering section and took out a bottle of water. Twisting the cap off, he poured it down his throat. It was refreshing. He wiped his lips with his sleeve.

“She’s late today,” Zetius grumbled, looking at the clock high on the wall. Its ticking hands moved with mechanical precision, revealing it was well past midnight.

“Should we bail?” Cubie floated next to him.

Zetius shook his head. “Let’s practise dual-casting a bit more.”

Lost in thought, Zetius watched the gentle, glowing leaves drifting through the still air. I wonder if everyone is doing okay. He couldn’t help but think of his friends in different corners of the world.

“What’s on your mind?” Cubie asked.

“Nothing much. Still trying to solve this issue, get stronger, and all that.” Zetius sighed again, having already lost count of how many times he had. “The world rarely stops to let me grow. I just can’t sit by and let others shoulder the burden, can I?”

Zetius was known to be a patient man, but this time, his patience was wearing thin.

The sound of faint footsteps shattered the stillness of the spacious room. Zetius glanced towards the double doors. Celestius Vivian led the way, two Virgo mages wheeling a cart behind her. They all wore faint, regal smiles.

Huh? She’s not returning to Porand? The question loomed in his mind.

“Zetius! How are you?” Vivian began in her velvet tone. “Little Cubie, you’re a cube again! Aw—How adorable!” She turned to wave at her.

“We’re okay,” Cubie said, shifting back into her human form.

“Come here!” Vivian rushed to hug her with a motherly embrace, and a few gasps of joy were exchanged before they parted.

“Are you still mad at me, Zetius?” Vivian glanced up at him with innocent, doe-like eyes.

She is far from innocent, he thought, the corner of his lip twisting.

“No,” Zetius clipped, keeping his tone neutral.

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“You definitely are,” Vivian pressed, stepping closer than he’d have liked. “I’m guilty as charged.” She swayed her clasped hands.

“I’m not petty—”

“Ahem.” Aurora appeared in the entrance, making her presence known. She wore her full business attire — a sleek black blazer and trousers — as if she had just finished a social event, or more likely, an important meeting.

“Oh! Empress!” Vivian greeted her with upturned eyes. Her Virgo mages dipped their heads in a reverent bow.

“Empress.” Zetius straightened his back in a gesture of grace and gave a small nod.

“My apologies for my tardiness, everyone,” Aurora said as she strode over and stopped in front of the cart. Zetius hadn’t realised it earlier, but it was not a medical cart, but a lavish trove — one that screamed ‘I contain something precious’.

“I have only just arrived myself, so…” Vivian chimed in.

“The state of the world is upside down, and chaos fills the streets. It’s barely safe to walk at night in any outskirt of town,” Aurora exhaled sharply. “Anyway, this is it, right?”

“Yes, the Artimas is completed!” Vivian presented, signalling the Virgo mages to open the trove.

“Artimas?” Zetius raised his brows and exchanged a look with Cubie.

Intrigued, Zetius and Cubie peeked in as the heavy lid swung open with a soft creak. Nestled on a soft, red velvet cushion was a metal glove attached to a long, articulated spine. Its body, fashioned from interlocking metallic scales, resembled that of a serpent along the arm length. Intricate red symbols etched along its back gave away that this was one of the arc tools.

“It’s named after the goddess of the moon due to its colour,” Vivian explained, her eyes sweeping across the people in the room.

“The Artemis’s Himas… Together, they form Artimas. That has quite a nice ring to it,” Aurora remarked, picking it up to inspect closely. The spine wasn’t as rigid as Zetius had thought, as it dangled with the pull of gravity.

“Right?” Vivian beamed. “Caelia has a knack for naming, especially for her crafts.”

“I appreciate it. Please tell Caelia that I am much pleased,” Aurora said.

“I will relay your kind words without fail,” Vivian replied, dipping her head.

“Is that an arc gauntlet?” Zetius interjected, rubbing his chin.

“Now,” Aurora made her way toward Zetius, presenting the Artimas with her palms. “I would like to bestow this upon you, Zetius Zel Celerius.”

Surprised, he stumbled back, pointing at his own sternum. “Me?”

“Yes. I had Vivian liaise with Celestius of Taurus to custom-make this arc tool for you,” Aurora explained, her voice almost motherly.

“Take it, Zetius!” Vivian encouraged, pushing his shoulders with a chuckle.

“Th~thank you, Empress,” Zetius said, extending his right hand and letting the Empress attach the metal glove to the back of it.

“No, I thank you for your service,” the empress spoke firmly. “That’s the least I could do for you.”

With an arcanical whir, the gauntlet’s spine latched itself along his arm up to his elbow, its flaps flicking inward to clasp onto his inner arm, fully covering it in metallic, moon-coloured scales. It looked both striking and intimidating.

Zetius held up his hand. It was impossibly light; his fingers moved as though he were wearing nothing at all. “It feels odd.”

“Any discomfort?” Vivian asked. “I gave Caelia your precise measurements, down to the millimetre.” She winked playfully.

She just wanted to justify her experiment. That’s handy, at least.

“Not at all. It’s very comfortable. It’s not like wearing a glove at all,” Zetius explained, still inspecting the arc gauntlet with his awe-sparked eyes.

“It looks cool, but—” Cubie tilted her head and touched her lip. “What does it do?”

“It’s supposed to harness your lightning power—the one you struggle with the most,” Aurora said, resting a hand on her hip.

“Oh…” Zetius’s lips parted. So that’s what she’s been doing in the background. Testing me for the past week and finally finding a solution to my weakness. Her foresight is extremely remarkable.

“But I must let you know that the real training will begin soon.” Aurora’s gaze met his, and she found his unwavering resolve. “I will be the one personally delivering it. You’ll need to master a new technique to fully utilise this arc gauntlet.”

“Yes, Empress. I’m more than ready!” Zetius declared, feeling the fire of passion roaring in his heart.

“Excellence.“ She clipped.

“Fufufu!” Vivian chuckled, cupping her lips ever so demurely. “That’s the spirit for the Champion of Gaia!”

“We’ll begin tomorrow,” Aurora’s glance swept the room. “Everyone, let’s call it a night.” 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

“Yes, Empress,” Zetius bowed with grace.

“Good night, Empress,” Cubie dipped her head low.

“Zetius, Cubellina,” she clipped, before waving Celestius Vivian to her side and striding off. “Vivian, I need to discuss further matters with you regarding your country…” Their conversation faded as they departed, leaving Zetius and Cubie alone.

Zetius dismissed the gauntlet into his slot. “Whoa, it just works?!”

“That’s quite a sophisticated arc stuff,” Cubie remarked as Zetius summoned it back and forth, testing his new item.

“I’m so fired up! Let’s do a couple more runs of our own!” Zetius’s voice rose with excitement.

“Happily!” Cubie chuckled; she was delighted to see his gloominess melt away.