After a tough morning routine, Daiden jogged to a halt near Ironside & Sons. With a deep breath, he regulated his aeter to quickly lift from his fatigue. He hurried to the second floor next, to bathe and change into a fresh set of clothes. He exited a little later, in a rush, grabbing breakfast from an early hawker at Craftsman’s Cross. Daiden used the time to chat with the locals, a few potential customers, and other craftsmen alike. He enjoyed the new habit. Once finished, he strode to his next destination.

As a temporary apprentice to Balder, the employees allowed Daiden to occupy a private room on the second floor of the shop. Inside, the Godvildian trainee separated the raw materials from his finished products on a table. He rubbed his eyes a little, sore from an adjusted daily routine that severely cut back on his sleep. He stretched his back and took a seat, opening a small box with several balls of thread and a set of three needles.

“Come on, come on…you can do this!” thought Daiden, encouragingly. “Eighth time’s the charm…that’s what they say, right? I suppose someone does.”

With a nervous laugh, Daiden hunched over and recalled his work on the skin from the colourless lizard. On his first day, with the production method in hand, he failed from four attempts. On the second, Daiden dedicated hours, following each stitch with a passion. His mind revelled from the challenge, forming a natural bond with his acquired skill. As a Takshakan Tailor, he slowly managed to finish a clean product, then another. He worked without sleep, for over twenty-two hours, eyes glued, in expectation of a quality result. At night, Daiden met with disappointment instead, when Balder refused to acknowledge the three pieces as comparable to his own.

Daiden dedicated his third day to finishing just one piece. He poured in the hours, thinning, and treating the skin with several washes. His fingers moved at a slow, deliberate pace, to flatten the wrinkles, removing the residual, pale, white colour. He stitched the layers for strength and cautiously ironed the result. After waiting for it to cool, Daiden washed and ironed the cloth once more.

“This is someone who started tailoring three days ago?” thought Balder, at the time, agape. “By Ehedus, this is just wrong…the boy is a born tailor. What’s he doing joining the military?”

Daiden rested his eyes from the memory. He scowled when Balder refused to accept even that result. But in his three days as a tailor, he did much more. He often compared against products from the other apprentices in the shop, sometimes with merchants during lunch. And just as he had with his combat potential, Daiden quickly learned to respect his inherited skills from Takshaka.

“I’m better at this than Balder’s best apprentice…” whispered Daiden, leaning back on his chair. “This could certainly be a viable career…but the needle and the sword; I’m not close to an answer at all.”

Daiden lurched his chair forward with a thud. His face mellowed to a warm expression, as he slowly distanced from the sounds, everything else even. His heart thumped in rhythms, matching the pace of his work. Almost mechanically, Daiden moved from one step to the other with relative ease. The colour faded from the cloth, without resistance this time. He polished the skin, treated the rough layers, and ironed the result in a cycle. The sun peaked to noon, and set to an evening orange as well. Around that time, Daiden cut four squares to complete the production process.

“That’s strange,” remarked Daiden, scratching the back of his head. He watched the cloth pieces shimmer with a strange radiance, with an almost blinding aeter effect. It receded eventually. Daiden swallowed a lump in his throat and moved his Mioveroldian Page over the pieces. “Let’s see what we’ve got here.”

[Delicate Cloth of the Colourless Lizard (Epic) x4

An unknown craftsman with great skill finished this product with an absent mind. It’s possible to create a cloth of concealment with this material.]

Daiden focused on the rating of the finished product. He read the word again – epic, his first in eight attempts. He wondered if it meant anything. With a few hours until his promised time with Balder, Daiden used the remaining materials to stitch a pair of running clothes, a leather vest, and leather boots. He refrained from using expensive materials, and relied instead on his ability to produce more from less.

[Three-eyed Rat’s Leather Vest (Normal)

An unknown craftsman with great skill finished this product. It’s very good at absorbing shock, and attacks from blunt weapons. Can be worn underneath armour for more protection.]

[Three-eyed Rat’s Leather Boots (Normal)

An unknown craftsman with great skill finished this product. It’s very good at absorbing shock, and attacks from blunt weapons. Improves the wearer’s turn-rate and evasion.]

Daiden hummed when he moved the page to his running clothes. It didn’t produce a description. He looked out of the window and noticed the sun set. “Maybe one more…” He returned to the table and rummaged the remaining materials to produce a pair of gloves as well.

[Three-eyed Rat’s Leather Gloves (Normal)

…Improves the wearer’s speed of swing.]

[Three-eyed Rat’s Leather Set (Normal)

…Forms a set with three pieces. Effects are improved.]

“My, my…” thought Daiden. “I should make this a regular habit.”

Daiden almost returned to making another piece, but broke from his trance instead, with a soft tap on his shoulder. He turned to find Balder smiling at him.

“You’re an idiot!” exclaimed Balder. “Why didn’t you come find me? You managed to make a set!”

With a weak laugh, Daiden showed the tailor his four pieces of colourless cloth. Balder’s face crumpled at the sight, to a grim expression. He studied the result with care, then some more with his Mioveroldian Page. He leaned onto the table, his nose at the surface, and pushed off after another glance.

“I’ll buy all your pieces, even your failures, for three thousand bloodstones…” said Balder, immediately. “We can negotiate the price if you want.”

Taken aback at first, Daiden slowly shook his head, having ascertained the value of his work. “No, I’m good with three thousand. It covers the materials and nets me a decent profit as well. I couldn’t hope to take more from my teacher. Think about it. I wouldn’t even be here without you!”

Balder nodded his head in a frenzy. He folded his arms and hung to every word, in appreciation of the respect and praise from Daiden. “Why don’t you sell me the set you made from the rat leather as well? I’ll pay eight hundred bloodstones for that. Also, I want to offer you an official apprenticeship.

“Will you accept?”

Daiden shook his head again. “I will always respect and hone my craft with the needle. But I still want to finish my training and join the military…maybe reach a high enough position for autonomy, allowing me to wander and explore these vast Mioveroldian lands!”

“I can respect that,” conceded Balder, a little disappointed. “But I still want to offer you an apprenticeship. I’ll teach you as much as I am able, and in return, I want you to sell anything you don’t use to me. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes,” said Daiden, simply. “I consider it an honour.”

Balder turned away to hide a blush, clearing his throat through the effort. He straightened his back and continued, “Well, Anvi and I should be done in two more days. It’s now time for you to become part of the three-way collaboration. I think you’re ready.”