Machina Arcanis: Two Worlds Collided
Chapter 136. Lyra at Administrative Pantheon

136. Lyra at Administrative Pantheon

The black sports car pulled up in front of the 50-metre-high building, located directly opposite the tallest central tower.

Cubie steered into the roundabout, heading for the passenger drop-off zone. At the centre of the circle stood a giant statue of Pallas Athena in all her glory — the goddess of civilisation, and even more so, of inspiring wisdom.

The 20-metre-tall Athena gazed out over the horizon with a regal and composed expression. Her crested helmet shimmered in a dull gold hue against her otherwise ivory skin. Her flowing hair and robe had been carved with masterful precision, giving the illusion they fluttered in the wind, perhaps a clever optical illusion.

She held a golden shield etched with an intricate image of Medusa on her left arm, while her right hand lifted a golden spear high in triumph.

It was a grand and majestic spectacle, much like the rest of the architecture in the area.

The Administrative Pantheon loomed ahead, a massive dome crowned with a bold rectangular sign. The dome was supported by colossal columns visible from outside, each crafted by masterful artists of the era.

Its arched walls were clad in ivory, echoing the bold yet elegant design motif.

Zetius and company stepped out of the car onto the white brick-lined road, matching the colour scheme of the administration building.

The short flight of stairs leading up to the entrance was made of sleek marble, warm to the touch.

Cubie darted back and forth in awe, inspecting the architecture with genuine curiosity.

“It’s been forever since I visited to this Pantheon,” Aurelia gasped in awe, cupping her mouth.

“Yeah…” Zetius murmured, walking just behind her, his pace aligning with Friederich’s.

The elven friend clasped his shoulder. “There’s a Colosseum next to this building. How about we visit it afterwards?” he suggested with a grin, resting his right hand on the sheath at his hip.

“Of course, of course,” Zetius nodded with anticipation.

Aurelia led the group through the grand entrance. There were quite a few arcanists present, judging by their attire and the arc weapons and armour they carried.

Inside the reception area stood a large oak round table with multiple receptionists assisting various visitors at once. Behind it, a glamorous staircase branched to both sides, leading to mezzanine floors beneath a high ceiling.

Glancing up at the curved ceiling, divided into four quadrants, two massive paintings were visible from where Zetius stood.

The first depicted Warmongering arcanists locked in a full-scale battle against mythical beasts. Fireballs, ice blasts, and elemental projectiles surged across the canvas, hurtling toward monstrous black silhouettes on the opposing side.

The second painting contrasted sharply, showcasing Renaissance arcanists performing restorative arts. They were seen healing peasants, lifting boulders to aid in construction, carving statues, and more. An ode to creation over destruction.

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These two murals captured the duality of arcanists perfectly, reflecting both the martial and civil aspects of mage society and its culture.

On the interior, Oil paintings adorned the granite walls, portraits of founding members and notable Celestius mages from the Zodiac Councils.

Zetius noticed one painting was missing — his former master, Ignius Lux Draconus, had been removed. He assumed that Ignius was no longer a Celestius the moment he betrayed the Zodiac Council and the Osten Empire.

At the centre of the reception stood a tall elven woman in a sharply tailored, hourglass-shaped blazer with an extended hem. She wore a faint smile as Aurelia approached. Her gaze was stern, but her face strikingly beautiful. Her long hair was tied into a high ponytail with grace.

Even from afar, she appeared taller than Zetius, possibly rivalling Friederich's height at some 190 centimetres.

“Welcome to the Administrative Pantheon, Princess Aurelia Sol Solara. How may I assist you today?” the woman asked pleasantly, though her smile soon faded.

“Hi, umm, Lyra,” Aurelia said, squinting at the name badge pinned above her chest. “Would you mind sorting this out for my friend here? I booked it under Zetius’s name.”

Lyra nodded and checked the schedule on her screen.

“Oh, right! The Arcana registration for Zetius Zel Celerius,” she repeated, confirming the appointment. Her eyes scanned him from head to toe, a smile curling at her lips.

“I think she likes me,” Zetius whispered to Friederich, who promptly rolled his eyes in annoyance.

“Right this way, Zetius,” Lyra said, stepping out of the administrative area and motioning for them to follow her up the right staircase.

After a few minutes walking through the corridor, Lyra led them to a dimly lit room, where a strange orb sat in the centre.

They called it the Philosophy Orb — an arcane device used to analyse and assess the current potential of an arcanist. Zetius had gone through this ritual once before, back when he was much younger.

“Princess and Prime Guardian, please step aside while we perform the Epopteia ritual,” Lyra instructed firmly. She then turned and gripped Zetius’s shoulder, guiding him into position in front of the orb. A candy-like fragrance wafted from her, tickling his nose. He wiggled it slightly in response.

Aurelia, Friederich, and Cubie stood a few paces back, watching intently.

Lyra moved to the opposite side of the orb. As she hovered her fingers over it, the light intensified. Zetius noted her long, meticulously manicured pink nails.

“Well, Zetius, are you ready for the inspection?” she asked sternly, her dark eyes catching the orb’s glow.

“Wait, wait!” Zetius said, turning to Cubie in Aurelia's palms, “Cubie, into the slot!”

She complied without hesitation. The irregular cube dove into his chest cage and vanished.

Lyra raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. In her years at the institute, she had seen stranger things.

The ritual began as Zetius hovered his palms over the orb. The air vibrated erratically around it.

Lyra closed her eyes and focused. “Zetius, now repeat ‘Epoptia’ with me,” she instructed, her voice calm and steady.

Together they chanted, “Epoptia!”

A low whir echoed through the room. The orb pulsed with energy before projecting a ray of light onto the far wall.

A large runic circle materialised on a blank canvas, with glyphs swirling around it like a swarm of butterflies, vivid and lively.

This ritual allowed observers to examine Zetius’s essence and slot system, ensuring complete transparency. Aurelia and Friederich studied the intricate sigils and the twelve slots arrayed around the circle’s circumference.

Typically, most arcanists possessed only six to eight slots as part of their innate trait — twelve was a number reserved for the rarest of individuals.

Lyra stepped closer to the circle and observed that only four slots were filled. She rubbed her lips with her thumb, contemplating, then leaned in.

Zetius stared mournfully at the empty slots. Once filled with god-like essence, they were now hollow.

A rush of thoughts crossed his mind, everything he had lost over the past year. But more than the power stripped from him, what he missed most was the love of his life, Lupus Hoffmann.

He exhaled sharply and stepped forward to join Lyra at the forefront of the inspection.

“Alright, gentleman,” she said with renewed focus. “Let’s begin the proper evaluation.”