Machina Arcanis: Two Worlds Collided-Chapter 243. Empyrion-spatha

243. Empyrion-spatha

Friederich’s dazzling visage shimmered on the holographic projection, his calm, articulate words drifting through the air.

“You see… The way to forge the weapon from essence is to understand the very fundamental composition of the weapon in its real-world form. You can’t create a sword without knowing its composition, its metallurgy, and so on and so forth…”

“Hm…” Zetius hummed softly, taking in the information as he flipped through pages from the book about a one-handed sword. “I’ve done exactly what you’ve taught me… But my Empyrion-spatha is just unable to retain its form. Something didn’t add up.”

“No, I think sometimes you just need time and practice. I struggled myself to manifest the katana last year, let alone maintain its form. It’s similar to fuelling Phoros or Magnetos with your mana, but instead of fuelling a spell, you fuel your summon,” Friederich said.

Zetius exhaled deeply. “Yeah, you’re right… Arcane isn’t something that we can just make it up as we go. We aren’t magicians.”

He chuckled at that. Only David called arcanists 'magicians', and Friederich somehow scowled at his choice of words.

“We’re simply young and haven’t got much experience,” Friederich muttered, a shuffling noise in the background as if he was walking somewhere.

Now it was Zetius’s turn to scowl. “Young? Right… I almost forgot I wasn’t a 40-year-old something.”

Friederich smiled. “Act your age, Zetius. Must I remind you that we’re eighteen?”

Zetius chuckled. He needed that reality check sometimes, because his reality was a complete mess.

“Is that Zetius?!” Aurelia’s voice boomed from behind, and Friederich spun sharply.

A moment later, she poked her joyful face into the holo-screen. “Zetius! How are you?” Her voice was suddenly a pitch higher.

“Hi, Aurelia!” Zetius waved with a big smile.

Forcing her out of his screen, “Aurelia, we’re discussing something important,” Friederich excused.

“No, you don’t.” Aurelia pushed him out. “You two are discussing ages like you’re both uncles.” She turned to beam at Zetius.

Zetius giggled to himself. “Well, we actually are talking about a new technique I’m struggling with.”

“Oh! Can you teach me, too!” Aurelia’s eyes sparked. She was overly happy to talk to him, and it showed.

“You need to master your dual-casting technique before anything, Aurelia,” Friederich interjected, and she just snapped her head away in discontent.

“I’d love to, except I’m far from an expert on the subject,” Zetius said, his voice laced with humility. “Matter of fact, Friederich is the master of summoning weapons from his Lampos essence.”

“So you’re learning a weapon-summoning technique? Empyrion-spatha?” Aurelia tilted her head.

“Yes, Empress Aurora called it Omit casting technique,” Zetius said.

“What’s wrong with the martial arts I taught you?” Aurelia puckered her lips.

Zetius brushed his lips for a moment. “There’s nothing wrong with Empyrion-fist. The technique has served me well. However, Astrapyion, on the other hand, is difficult to handle. You already know its setbacks. Long story short, it needs a specialised technique to be efficient.”

“Ahhhhh!” Aurelia nodded along, shifting her shoulders uncomfortably before blurting out, “By the way, you look great!”

Zetius flinched slightly. “I look great?”

“Yeah!” She suddenly felt the need to brush her hair. “I was worried about you for a bit there, you know.”

When Zetius just froze, an empty smile stuck on his face, Friederich interjected. “She meant you appear healthier… and sunnier?” He turned to Aurelia, and she nodded sharply.

“Ahaha! Thanks.” Zetius smiled sheepishly.

There was some noise in the background; someone was speaking to them. Perhaps Lume’s deep voice, if Zetius had to guess. He waited for them patiently, looking at the sword anatomy, committing its parts to heart.

“Oh, break’s over!” Aurelia returned, her voice shrank. Then her lips parted in realisation. “Before I forget, there’s a conference regarding the demonic uprising, right?”

“Yeah, the empress did mention that it’ll happen tomorrow or so, why?” Zetius asked.

“Solis Aeternum got an invite, so Father has delegated Astrid. She will be visiting the castle soon!” Aurelia said.

“I see. Well, I’ll welcome her then.”

“I wanna go…” Aurelia trailed off, chewing on her lips.

“We’ll have our chances,” Friederich added, assuring the princess.

“Don’t worry about me,” Zetius said with a wave. “Take care, you two.”

“Mhm! Talk to you later!” Aurelia smiled faintly.

“You can’t just hijack my call, Jeez—”

The call disconnected before Friederich’s whining finished. Zetius laughed to himself, brushing his brows.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

For a long minute, Zetius cleared his thoughts, fully immersing himself in the technical knowledge of the sword. Once he had memorised its shape and form, he sat in the centre of the rejuvenation chamber. The coldness of the concrete floor seeped through his clothes and chilled his skin.

“Alright! Now, the imaginative part,” Zetius muttered to himself, summoning Artimas. Metallic scales curled up and formed the gauntlet on his right hand. He moved his fingers experimentally to test their range of motion.

Amazing.

Following the ‘apple principle’, he drew the outline of the sword in his mind, starting with the double-sharp edge, the hilt, handle, and pommel.

Then he grunted softly, his brows creased as he dove deeply into the detail. The high-carbon steel-forged blade that glinted in the light, the leather-wrapped wooden handle, the circular pommel that acted as the counterweight.

The one-handed sword, simple as it was, was completely pictured in his mind like a three-dimensional object.

“Aha!” He exclaimed with joy as he spun it around.

Satisfied, he gently extended his arms forward, his left hand clasped on top of his right. The surge of mana rushed through his central body and concentrated at his palms.

He could feel the heat. Perfect, he thought.

“Empyrion-spatha!” Zetius chanted, his voice echoing in the lonely chamber.

His left palm raised upward, and the raging amber flame burst out horizontally, illuminating his blazing irises.

As he fuelled the manifestation, the flame shifted and transformed erratically, until it finally forged into a 1.5-metre-long steel. Its temporal form flickered, red butterflies emerging from the writhing flame.

“Now, we’re talking.” Zetius’s eyes gleamed, his lips curled up. Throttling his mana up a notch, but not too much — he had done this countless times. He knew the exact amount it needed by now.

The flaming sword hummed and floated between his fingers. “I did it!” He couldn’t believe his eyes.

Gently and carefully, Zetius held his right arm and took the hilt. He raised the sword to his eyes, feeling its heat. It was like a bonfire, prickling heat on his face.

“As long as I keep channelling mana, it will stay,” Zetius remarked as he sprang up to his feet.

With a quick swish, he swung his blade around. It remained stabilised, its form sharp and tangible, just like the arc swords on the weapon racks on the far wall.

Zetius fell into the basic stance and began to weave. He started with the diagonal cut; the spatha slashed the air. It was light and easier to manoeuvre than the actual sword. Then, he spun the blade overhead and brought it down with a powerful downward cut.

“Whoa! It stays!” he exclaimed—

“ZETIUS!” Cubie’s voice boomed as the double doors flew open.

Zetius flinched. The blade dissolved into thin air.

“Sheesh…” he hissed, exasperated.

“What’s wrong?” Cubie approached, only seeing his painful smile, which had replaced the merry grin he’d had a minute ago.

“Nothing.” He patted her head endearingly. He couldn’t stay mad for long, not with those innocent eyes. “I’m just trying to summon the spatha. I did have a breakthrough, though.”

“Really? It’s been weeks!” Cubie’s smile widened as she shapeshifted into her cube version and then summoned the massive arm with the ionised blade attached.

“What’re you doing?” Zetius questioned, amused.

She swung her big blade around, and it sent the sharp tempest outward. “We can spar! Our battle will be legendary!”

Her words sent him laughing.

“Excuse me!” a voice echoed from the entrance.

They spotted Triss standing there, her posture reserved and demure.

“Triss.” He waved with an amicable smile.

“Zetius, may I steal you for a moment?” Triss approached them with her light steps. “I told Cubie to fetch you, but it seems…” She trailed off, pretending to cough.

“No, I was about to get to that in a minute,” Cubie grumbled, her body flashing.

Triss planted her fists at her sides and gave Cubie chiding eyes.

Cubie winced with guilt. “Sorry!” She quickly apologised.

“So what’s going on?” Zetius raised his brows.

“It’s Cartier’s first seminar with the Owls,” Triss revealed firmly. “We should give her support.”

“Oh, that’s today?” Zetius blurted, completely slipping his mind.

“Yes, please follow me,” Triss urged, and spun away, the two trailing her obediently.

They exited the rejuvenation building and walked along the cobblestone walkway. Zetius noticed there were more people inside the inner castle walls, livelier than it had ever been since he got confined in this place. They dressed in sophisticated long-sleeved tunics topped with off-white scribe robes and soft leather satchels.

“It’s like the poncho Cartier wears!” Cubie whispered to Zetius, giggling to herself as she perched on his shoulder. Now he couldn’t unsee it.

A short walk along an unfamiliar path took them through the royal garden, brimming with vibrant flowers, and out of the inner castle walls. Passing through narrow rowhouses on both sides, Triss led them to a grand hall that spoke of tradition and history. Its exterior featured large windows with pointed arches and intricate tracery. Its wall was constructed from sand-coloured limestone, timeless. But the most distinctive feature was the towers and pinnacles, which punctuated the roofline in various sizes.

“Here, we are,” Triss introduced and gestured to the building.

“Wow, the hall looks busy with details,” Cubie said in awe. “Look! That’s the statue of Athena!” She caught the obsidian-like marble statue of Athena, with the owl perched on her arm and scrolls in various sizes grasping tightly in her other hand — the goddess exuded an air of scholarly wisdom rather than her usual warrior statue.

“From the look of it, you guys never explore this area behind the royal garden,” Triss chuckled softly as she let them enjoy the spectacular architecture.

“I guess we need a tour guide.” Zetius swept his keen eyes. He had been busy with practice, researching, and training.

“The grand hall of Noctua.” He read the engraving on the stone sign, located on top of the high metal double-door entrance.

Through the carpeted hallway with its high ceiling, the party walked along with the scholars. The people seemed to be going in and out of the auditoriums as they pleased, each one with its designated speaker.

The low discussion and lecturing narration reverberated from all directions until they reached one of the auditoriums.

Triss didn’t have to say anything; he could already hear Cartier’s voice drifting from the inside.

They exchanged a knowing smile before peeking through the hallway.

Undoubtedly, they found Cartier at the podium discussing her findings and gatherings from the Genesis. Her research on the Age of Divinity was the theme of her presentation. The holo-projector flashed with evidence and research. She spoke loud and clear, her tone confident and her words articulated, similar to those of highly intellectual individuals or a certified bookworm.

“Aww, Cartier seems like a grown-up now,” Triss remarked softly, her eyes adoring, cupping her cheeks like a proud mother.

“Yeah, she’s like a different person!” Cubie added, her tone hushed.

Zetius leaned against the doorway, and Cartier eventually met his eyes and smiled sweetly.

“Good luck!” he worded, and she took it with a thankful nod before returning to her topic of Divine Dissonance and later the Divine Finale, which marked the pivotal beginning of the Age of Mortals.

“...And the mad titan was sealed away. However, according to the mythological record of Celestius Gregorius, the gods suffered massive blows and left the mortals to prosper under the new peace.”

To which, Zetius had already learnt about all this during his research time with her, but he just enjoyed the show.