Machina Arcanis: Two Worlds Collided
Chapter 170. Frain With Braids

From the bronze ring, a ray of light projected the holographic screen into the still air. Zetius sat idly on his ergonomic chair inside his bedchamber, which was far more spacious than he needed. However, due to Ryusei Sol Solara's influence, Lyra from the administrative Pantheon had been obliged to provide impressive suites for him and Frain. His hands brushed against the thick pages of Arcana 101, the very book Lupus had given him.

The screen showed the message box, containing his attempt to contact the mean, gothic individual, Ziyue. She was the assassin mage from Russha, the one who had left without a word of goodbye.

“Hi Ziyue, how’s it going? Hope you’re not too busy as the substitute for your uncle. I hope we’ll get to talk soon. There’s something important I need to talk to you about. I should have contacted you sooner, but… um… Get back to me when you have time, ple~please?”

The recorded line seemed even more awkward now that he thought about it. The timestamp read, "Last received 1 week ago, unread." Zetius bit down on his molars, a pang of frustration striking him.

“Holy Gaia… this isn’t like me at all. Why did I sound so needy?” Zetius muttered, regret evident in his voice.

As much as Zetius wanted to follow his heart and search blindly for Lupus, he was agonised by one hard fact that prevented him from teleporting all over the place.

“I’d rather go find her in person. Perhaps I’d get to learn more about Lupus,” he contemplated. “But in truth… I’m too weak. If I happen to engage in combat, I’ll definitely be under-equipped to finish my opponents. Like last time. I couldn’t even take down that yapping knight of Nyx, or Rhok Wagner.” Painful and hopeless recollections haunted him.

Zetius chuckled bitterly, thinking of the news Aurelia had recently relayed to him about ‘Platinum Knight’ Rhok. “I can’t believe he is still alive, and worse, he is thriving with his aggressive war campaign.”

It seems like… You stray even further from your ideal, Rhok. You are a bloody damn hypocrite. You said you’ll destroy them from within, only to end up reuniting the remaining factions.

Zetius shook his head in regret, lamenting the power he lacked to deliver a reckoning then and there.

Tapping on the cold marble tabletop, Zetius saw his own reflection. The striking red eyes stared back. “I can’t afford to lose again. I’m done being the stupid one who thought I could punch way above my weight. I have to use my brain. Be more strategic.” Zetius pressed his hands over his mouth. This conclusion had led to the start of the training sessions with Frain, Cubie, and the unexpected foe turned friend, Astrid Ember Lorne.

Each required a tailored training regime, with Cubie's being the most unique. Luckily, Astrid was able to supply a decommissioned Armatus mobile suit for Cubie to study.

However, the fundamental principle of the Arcane remained true. Knowledge and creativity went hand in hand for any arcanist attempting a cast, and Cubie was no exception.

Firstly, Zetius had Cubie analyse the mechanical structure of the Armatus. Starting with the arm of the metal giant, Cubie scanned its composite exteriors, the inner frame, and its joints and connectors, just to understand the basics of the machine.

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Once Cubie had a grasp of that, she delved into the instrumentation and the control system. She studied the electrical schematics that transmitted data between the pilot and machine, and its core computational power that assisted the pilot by translating their inputs from the mechanical glove controllers into the machine's movements.

So far, they had barely scratched the surface of the science behind the Armatus suit, but Zetius was confident and believed in Cubie wholeheartedly, like a supportive father figure.

A woman's laughter broke the peaceful atmosphere. Apparently, he wasn’t alone. He hadn't been left alone much lately.

The group of friends was gathered on the semi-circle couch in the centre of his room. “How does it look? Is it too tight?” Astrid asked, panning a small standing mirror toward Frain. The lion Wildren gleefully checked her sidebraid, which led the top half of her hair into a single tail while the rest cascaded freely down her back like a silken sheen of gold.

“In my honest opinion, it’s wonderful!” Cubie chirped as she hovered over Frain’s shoulder.

“Thank you, Cubie!” Frain nodded humbly. “Thank you, Sister Astrid,” she beamed, cupping her puffy cheeks.

Astrid folded her arms and grinned. Then her eyes swept across the room, landing on the gloomy boy staring at his arc comm.

It had been weeks since Zetius and Frain had arrived at this exquisite establishment. Frain hadn’t seen much improvement from her daily physical and arcana training, though she cheekily pondered if her late-night snacks were the real reason.

Abruptly, Astrid pointed at Zetius. “Zeta! Stop brooding! Say something nice!” she ordered sharply. Her own crimson hair was also flanked by two braided tails.

“Zetius! Zetius!” Cubie cheered melodically, bobbing up and down.

Zetius surveyed Frain’s appearance with mock anticipation. She’s cute and a bit chubby, he thought, quickly burying the notion. Instead, he responded with a smile, “You look great! Are those warriors’ braids?”

“Great attention to detail,” Astrid said, raising a finger. She framed Frain’s face with her hands, displaying it more clearly. “With this, we can be glorious, graceful, and beautiful all at the same time in battle.”

Zetius raised his eyebrows. “Really? Aren’t you just a pretty corpse then?” he jested, closing one eye.

“What did you say?!” Astrid blurted, springing to her feet. Her brows furrowed, easily provoked as ever. Zetius couldn’t stop grinning.

“That’s so rude! I want to have warrior’s braids too. They’re pretty!” Cubie groaned, zipping over to his side.

“Ugh, you don’t even have any hair,” Zetius spoke bluntly, shrugging.

“Maybe I’ll braid your hair, Zetius!” Cubie countered, her tone mischievous.

“Zeta, we aren’t just warmongering. We inspire others to fight! So we had better wage war in a graceful manner and with explosive power!” Astrid argued, crossing her arms.

Then, Astrid caught a glimpse of his book, and her expression shifted slightly. “Still reading like a first-grader, heh. With mythic-tier essence…” She paused to glance at Cubie in acknowledgement. “We deal with arcane arts more complex than the lesser or greater ones now,” she sneered, hoping to provoke him in return.

Against the odds, she didn’t get the reaction she hoped for. Zetius closed his book gently and ran his fingers fondly against the etched cover.

“Nothing is ever so complicated that it can’t be led back to basic principles,” Zetius uttered coolly, his words of wisdom staggering her and everyone else in the room.

Feeling her heart suddenly thumping, Astrid snapped her head to the side. “Whatever,” she muttered softly to herself.

Soon, Frain joined her at her side, checking her gauntlets. “I’m ready!” she exclaimed eagerly.

Undoubtedly, Astrid had given her former armour to Frain. As a result, she appeared to be adorned in the classic breastplate and an abdominal section that hid her real belly. Despite that, Frain refused to wear a crimson cape as Astrid did. Unlike them, Zetius wasn’t big on armour, preferring to stick with his arc coat for agility.

“Let’s head over to the training ground then?” Astrid proposed.

Everyone gave her a collective nod.