Machina Arcanis: Two Worlds Collided
Chapter 138. Friendly Competition

The grand colosseum had giant arched entrances in four major directions. From the exterior, three tiers of arched accessways wrapped around the entire perimeter, a bold and functional design, devoid of ornamental excess. It projected the courage of the Warmongering arcanists who entered this arena, as well as the harsh truth of battle.

Glancing up at the second and third floors, another set of arches came into view. But unlike the functional accessways, each one displayed life-sized statues of arcanists who had once entered and conquered the contests of might, agility, wit, and battle intellect.

Surely, the Olympian mages must also be honoured in this hall of fame. Although Friederich hadn’t explicitly explained his reason for visiting the arena, Zetius now understood why.

In truth, Zetius was grateful his friend had brought him here.

He cast his gaze along each archway. Eventually, on the third floor, he spotted Bunny Wildren in her victorious pose, one hand on her hip, the other extended upward with fingers splayed. Her hair flowed elegantly down to her lower back.

“There she is…” Aurelia whispered softly, brushing her fingers over his upper arm as she joined him. In response, Zetius nodded somberly, his gaze returning to the statue as they stepped closer.

Carved from arcane-imbued marble built to withstand the test of time, her eyes brimmed with joy, her lips parted in a wide smile. Even her small fang was perfectly rendered. The Arc boots were overlaid with a glassy gold sheen, mimicking the authentic pair she’d worn in battle.

So magnificent. She was the most beautiful person in his eyes.

“Zetius… Who’s she?” Cubie asked, noticing his sudden silence. Meanwhile, Friederich squeezed his shoulder in quiet consolation. Though usually nonchalant, Friederich knew his friend was still mourning his wife. He could only offer his presence, and that, he knew, was enough.

“She’s the love of my life,” Zetius muttered quietly, his faint smile tinged with sorrow.

Behind him, Aurelia pressed her lips into a thin line, hiding her jealousy of the martyr. But she reminded herself, she had

to be better than that. She banished the ugly emotion at once.

“I didn’t know that,” Cubie whispered, mirroring his emotion. Even a faceless cube could express sorrow. It stemmed from ignorance, the story Zetius had never shared. Now, she felt unworthy of such trust.

Sensing her distress, Zetius spoke gently. “Maybe I’ll tell you her story one day.” He didn’t say it outright, but it was clear he cared deeply about Cubie’s feelings.

“Really?!” Cubie exclaimed, her mood visibly lifting with a cheerful bounce.

“Really. I think you deserve to know. It’s, um… not your fault I never told you about Lupus. It’s just… hard to put into words,” he admitted, his voice steady.

Cubie floated gently up and down, as though she was nodding.

Soon, a group of mages in vibrant red cloaks appeared behind them. Zetius recognised the leader instantly.

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“Astrid Ember Lorne…” he muttered. The air thickened with tension.

A dull, golden-crested helm adorned her feminine face, her light ruby eyes locked onto Zetius. Her curly crimson hair fluttered boldly and elegantly as she approached. Her red cloak bore a golden sigil across its back and gold-seamed edges; its hemline cascaded to her ankles. She wore full plate armour beneath, sculpted into a refined breastplate and defined abdominal muscles. The proud sigil of Aries was pinned to her shoulder guard.

It seemed she still pledged allegiance to Aries. How bold.

“Well, here’s the dead boy,” she greeted in a deep voice, glancing back at her group. They chuckled quietly in response.

“Straight-up rude,” Cubie hissed, floating between Zetius and Astrid.

The defiant girl stood tall, shoulders squared, exuding the air of a fearless warrior. Her eyes flicked to Zetius.

“Does this construct speak for you, Zeta?” she asked, grinning mockingly.

Zetius stepped forward, his black Arc coat flaring like a majestic wing. “Astrid. Long time no see. I take it you're here for a match?” he said, smiling amicably.

“Oh, how mature and polite of you, Zeta. I almost mistook you for someone else.” Astrid mocked, prompting laughter from her comrades. “Where’s that conceited boy gone?” she continued, flexing her gloved fingers and deliberately showing off her Stellius ring.

Zetius exhaled calmly, unmoved. “Then I bid you luck in your upcoming fight,” he replied, stepping aside to let the group pass.

“Zeta!” Aurelia whispered, clearly unimpressed with his passive response. But Zetius waved her off.

Astrid’s eyes dropped to the bronze ring on his finger. “Heh. You’re not the Zeta I knew. Just a shadow, might as well just stay dead,” she scoffed before spitting on the ground and striding off, her mages marching in unison against the brick-lined floor.

“Ughhhhh! I’m so mad!” Cubie groaned as they disappeared into the stadium, and Aurelia nodded vigorously. They were like a real mother and a child in that sense.

“That went well,” Zetius smiled, scratching his cheek.

“Maybe Astrid is right. I’m not fighting to win anymore.

No glory. Definitely no pride.

Each step I take, each strike I make, carries the weight of something I can no longer afford to lose.

I’m not the warrior they made me to be, nor someone chasing victory.

I’m a man who knows the cost of loss—

And I’ll do everything in my power to stop it from happening again.

Yes... I’m not a fighter. I’m a protector.” Zetius closed his eyes in a quiet contemplation.

“Really, Zeta. You should’ve wiped the smirk off that girl’s face!” Aurelia huffed, folding her arms.

“Let’s be civil, Aurelia. No need to cause a scene,” Friederich said calmly, exchanging a knowing nod with Zetius.

“C’mon! Not you too. What’s her problem, though?” Aurelia whined, exasperated.

Zetius stared toward the horizon, as if recalling his past, then turned back to Friederich. “Remember when Master Ignius named me his Prime Disciple?”

Friederich nodded, eyes closed, as he relished the memory.

“There was someone else who wanted that title even more, Astrid,” Zetius explained with a shrug.

“So, you knew her well?” Cubie asked, floating closer.

“Correct. We sparred more times than I can count. Not with words, but through exchanged blows. She always favoured brute strength over strategy. That’s why she always lost to me,” Zetius said with a quiet laugh.

Zetius looked around at their faces. “Anyway, we’ll see soon enough. Let’s head in and find some seats, shall we?” he suggested, and they nodded in agreement.

“I hope someone knocks that smug grin off her face!” Aurelia muttered, slamming her fist into her palm.

Her frustration was oddly adorable, and it made Zetius chuckle.

Together, the trio and Cubie walked through the towering arched gate.