Matthew closed his eyes, letting the wind brush against his arms and legs, sweep his short, chestnut hair. Looking upon the city around him, the leaves turning orange and red, the grass turning brown and tan, and the heat waning, nature was signaling the entrance of Autumn.

After breathing in the fall air, the knight began his morning work: a bevor with spaulders. Sitting on a workbench was a leather skeleton, the leather courtesy of Adriana. Pulling metal from a pot nearby, the metal began to pad over the leather.

“Ahem, I hope I’m not interrupting.”

Jostled, Matt quickly recovered the metal goop before it hit the ground, returning it to its place of origin. Turning around, he saw Edward standing behind him.

“Chancellor, nice to see you again. What brings you here?”

“Master Matthew, I’ve been hearing about your recent interest in crafting armors. I know it may have been assuming, but I thought to call on a man who would be very interested in what you’re doing.”

Behind the chancellor was another man, this one in a dapper black suit, long black pants, and loafers.

“I presume you’re Mr. Baronia? I am Thomas Leopard.” The man shook hands with Matthew, his jolly tone keeping the young man in good spirit after being interrupted.

“If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind demonstrating your skill?”

Without hesitation, he took Leopard’s order, spinning around to resume his session. Covering the leather, spreading the metal thin, but not too thin, fitting the spaulders properly, the teen felt sweat that threatened to encase his entire head.

“I hope it doesn’t look too bad. I’m not used to having an audience.” Making eye contact with the strange new man, Matthew could tell he was quite the expressive type. Earning a large smile and beaming eyes, the knight could feel his heart rise.

“Rough around the edges, but for how quick you produced it, I must say I’m impressed. However, the chancellor hinted that your armor has special properties; is he a big fat fibber or did I read him wrong?”

“When worn, it uses your mana to protect from blows. It’s not like clothes which sort of enhance your defensive mana, this armor goes the whole way!”

Clasping his hands together, Thomas was giddy as though he stepped into a treasury. “If this armor does as you say, we could revolutionize travel around Araponza. All I would need for you to do is move to Coalago.”

Suddenly, Matt had regretted that rising feeling in his heart, as meant it fell further when the eventual bad news hit. “Would it just be me and my girlfriend?”

“Unless your friends are also metal workers, then unfortunately, yes.”

The knight began tapping his fingers against the wooden bench, his mind now brawling with itself. He had made a big stink about abandoning Lumina months ago, yet he would stay when given an out?

“Can I have time to think on this?”

“No and yes. Yes and no. I am a busy man, but I always keep a list of names to go back to. While I can’t stick around all day, I will come back if you’re interested at a later date.”

The knight thought, he pondered, he considered, he slaved, and he came to a conclusion. But then he regressed, and began rethinking again; all the while, he began to worry again, not wanting to make the man impatient. Finally, after much debilitation, Matthew reached a consensus with the many arguments in his brain.

“What?!” Sarah’s eyes widened like the dinner plates she had laid down. “How could you?”

“Sarah, it wasn’t an easy decision. I struggled, and I was put on the spot. I did what I did because of my friends.”

Walking over to the sulking young man, she hugged him, burying his head in her chest. “Matt, I don’t mind that much. It’s ultimately your decision and I understand why. I’m not mad at you, I’m just surprised is all.”

“Do you think I made the right decision to stay?”

“Time will tell honey. Time will tell…”