The sound of clanging bells is not the first anyone had in mind to wake-up early in the morning. The blunt clashing sound of brass metal is irritating to the ears, but not for Prince Arterius who wakes up enthusiastically to this earful assault.

He stretched his body under the cozy, warm blanket that he could adjust temperatures with. It was a new invention he made along with his team at the Alchemical Research in Technology, Environment, Rediscoveries, Inventions and Usage of Systems or A.R.T.E.R.I.U. S in short.

He was so proud he came up with that name, even if it caused an uproar in the Senate when he first proposed it. This prompted to a confrontation between him and one of his staunch critics.

" Who names a facility with their own name?!" mocked Senator Ordus.

" Think of it this way, Senator Ordus. Establishing this new facility is like making a new home or establishing a new House. If I were to follow your logic, I guess it's absurd to name your villa Ordusville. I mean, it does sound narcissistic, isn't it?" Prince Arterius sarcastically replied.

He cannot forget that day, as the entire Senate howled in laughter at the expense of Senator Ordus, who sat down red-faced glaring at him. He also cannot forget that day because, it was the first time, his father, Imperatur Severus, laughed at this joke.

It was the first and last time he saw his father delighted at what he did. Most of the time, he often gets a scowling face of disapproval or disgust from his old man. It could be because, he was never as strong and as good of a fighter like his brother, Veritus.

That brute, of a man, could take down warriors twice his size. It was said during the subjugation of an uprising at the eastern Elven kingdom of Nohl'Reim, his brother took out an two-headed cyclops all on his own. His strength rivaled that of the monster and his affinity to exousia-based magic second to none.

He disposed the monster with one swing of his sword, completely exploding the monster to bits and pieces. After that, the rebels surrendered. Prince Veritus came home, a victor and a hero, beloved by its people and welcomed by his father, who was never been prouder.

Prince Arterius shook off those negative thoughts on his mind and started the day by turning off the aetherite-filled, clear glass bauble that he installed in his room. The weird spheres are attached to a synthetic form of insulator that helps in regulating the heat, preventing the glass in exploding. It's then connected to a regulating knob that turns the machine on or off with a twist of the knob.

He opened up his window and welcomed the sun peeking through the clouds at the Arterian sky. It was already at the highest level of Obura when he got out of his room after he finished preparing for the day.

He always skipped breakfast as he finds himself too busy to be bothered by such. He mostly ate during lunch, and ate small meal portions throughout the day. But this time, his stomach grumbled too much that he bothered himself to eat breakfast first.

He hesitantly went to the dining hall, hoping that his father or his brother is not around to see him. He started peeking at the side of the doorway when he was startled by a tap on his shoulder. It's was his brother, Prince Veritus.

" Big brother, why are you lurking there?"

" Ah! Brother, what a...pleasant surprise!" He awkwardly smiled, " I was just trying looking for--" his stomach gurgled audibly.

" Food? Why not join us?" Prince Veritus, wrapped his muscular arm on his shoulder and walked inside the dining hall, dragging him in the process.

" Father! Such a pleasant morning today!" he exclaimed at the Imperatur who sat alone in the dining table.

" How many times do I have to tell you never to--"

" But father, we have a special guest today!" Veritus enthusiastically announced, " See, big brother is here! It's been ages since we ate together for breakfast!" He grabbed a chair for himself and Aterius.

The dining table was awkwardly silent, even with all the most delectable food and delicacies the Principalia can offer, the meal was bland and distasteful for Prince Arterius. His father silently scowling at him while eating his bread with butter, and his brother gobbling the meat and bread like there was no tomorrow, not giving a care about the awkwardness in the air.

After barely touching his bread and some ham, Prince Arterius decided to excuse himself.

" Where are you going, Arterius?" the emperor asked.

" Father, I am going now to the research institute to finish my recent--"

" Research, of what? Those glowing glasses of aetherite?"

" Y-yes, It's a breakthrough now! We somehow managed to control the light by means of--"

" Look, Arterius," the emperor sighed. " The Senate and I funded your hobby because, of those promises, you told us. A new way to use Aetherite! We didn't fund you to make light in the night just because you are scared of the dark! We want you to make it so that we can use it for our conquests!"

Arterius, averted his father's gaze and tried to calm himself down.

" F-father, I-I made progress with it," he stammered as his anxiety slow rises. " You see that's the first step to the second phase we are currently doing!" He bragged.

" Of what? Blinding us all to death with it?" The Imperatur chortled, " The Senate had already doubted your project since day one. If it wasn't for me, you could've followed your insane mentor out in the mines!"

" I-I am truly grateful, but you the next phase you will never regret."

" Oh? I hope so," the Emperor rose from his seat after wiping his mouth with the napkin. " Pfft. Arterius… I should've given that name to your brother instead!" He walked out of the hall.

It broke his heart hearing it. Prince Arterius bit his lip holding in the tears that welled in his eyes. He breathe in and looked at his brother, Veritus, who looked as stunned as he was.

He stormed out of the dining hall and went straight to his facility located three ildwyrms away at the eastern gate of the palace grounds. The last words from his father might have hurt him, but at the same time, it was just the right push he needed to finally finish the weapon he designed.