Follow along with the Audio Chapter! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrClBFzEOHs&list=UUtE5r7rrdkpWqw4hBHQ9ZXw

Mathgar stood up, and strutted out of the basement, and sealed the bookcase at the top of the stairs after exiting the lower level. He looked around the library, to see if Frederick was taking his sweet time leaving. He had gone to his task, which meant that he could place the original copy of the notes on Spell Weaving back. He slid it back into Frederick's desk drawer, and smiled. Hopefully, Mathgar thought, he never noticed it missing. He slid out of the library, and over to the blacksmith, Yvondurth, to train with him until Frederick got back. Yvondurth welcomed his apprentice back with burly, open arms, and went straight to work on the metal casting.

"You have gotten better at the craft, Mathgar." Yvondurth pointed out. "Here, let's give you something more difficult: Sheersteel." He handed Mathgar a solid bar of faintly glowing steel. "This is a single bar of Sheerstone. It's a beaut, eh?" Mathgar nodded. "This a special type of steel that only I can refine, and I will show you how to do the same." Yvondurth placed his hand on Mathgar's shoulder, and led him over to the furnace.

Mathgar gained several levels into his Blacksmithing skill to raise it into Intermediate Level 2, allowing him to gain the ability to working with stronger metals without penalties. He had learned that leaking mana into the steel while molding it into the bar, would change its composition. This would allow the metal to be a fraction more durable, and allow for easier enchanting. After crafting about 20 bars of Sheersteel, he got a message.

*Ding*

You can now craft Sheersteel freely, with proper materials.

Now, I want to try to make some armor, thought Mathgar. My cloth robes from the church will not be enough to protect myself. He slammed the hammer onto the metal until made the correct shape for the front plate, then set it aside for later. He continued to hammer through the night, and well into the next morning, bending the metal to his iron will. With the armor crafted just to his liking, his set his sights on making the leather straps for connecting the pieces. He grabbed the leather from the workbench, and used the skinning knife to section out the strips for his armor. Tying, weaving, and knotting would have taken as long as hammering out the steel, but with Yvondurth's help, he was able to cut the time down to a small fraction.

With the armor complete, he received the window with a smile.

*Ding*

You have crafted your own armor. Would you like to name it?

"Sure." Mathgar decided to name it based from his class. "The Vestaments of the Armored Philomath."

Name Updated

New Item Received: The Vestaments of the Armored Philomath

Vestaments of the Armored Philomath

Durability: 50/50

Defense: 35

Made entirely of Sheersteel, this suit of armor was crafted with care by an intermediate blacksmith, and skillfully put together. This armor is very durable, and easy to enchant.

Bonuses: +20 STR, +50% chance to enchant, -35% Repair difficulty

Requirements: Philomath class, Level 25+

He hastily put on the armor, wanting to feel its weight, and balance. It was a perfect fit, as if it melted into his skin. He still needed to make some boots, gloves, and maybe a helmet. But, a loud voice rang silently in his ears. "Mathgar," Nemesis said, "I need you to come to the front of the church, for your next task." Mathgar rolled his eyes. I thought I finished her tasks, he thought to himself.

"I'm headed out, Master Yvondurth. Thank you for teaching me again!" Mathgar shouted into the shop as he left. He was dismissed by the stout blacksmith with a bellowing, sobbing farewell. Mathgar sprinted to the church, and stood in front of the doors, expecting to be taken to that alternate plane. But, what surprised him the most, was the knife that became lodged into his back. He didn't even sense it coming. He pulled the blade out of his back, and tossed it to the ground. He surveyed the scene around him. His eyes met with the sword-wielding man, brazenly rushing towards him, sword above his head.

He caught the sword in between his hands, but the tip of the blade cut into his left shoulder, dealing 100 damage. Boy, am I glad I made this armor, Mathgar thanked himself. He dispatched the invader with a swift kick, and grabbed his sword, and snapped the blade in half. "What shoddy craftsmanship." Mathgar was unimpressed by the blade, but surprised that it did as much damage as it did. He raised his hands in front of him, and activated his Blade of Justice skill. The familiar energy surged to his hands, and the blades formed around his outstretched hands. He didn't give his assailant pause; he took his turn to rush at him, with guns blazing.

The young warrior quickly stood up, and pulled two maces out from behind his back, and clashed with Mathgar's hands. The force that the unknown man had was great; Mathgar was knocked onto his back, and his arms pinned underneath the man's boot. He brought the maces up to Mathgar's face, and finally spoke. "I win, evil-doer. You will surrender this church to Nemesis once again!"

Mathgar was dumbstruck. "Huh? What are you talking about? I am a follower of Nemesis!"

"Lies! Only a fool would believe the words of a stranger!" The strange man maintained his posture over him, but Mathgar's struggle proved fruitful. Mathgar threw the mace-wielder off of him, and onto the ground. He then stood up, and proceeded to activate Blade of Justice again. However, a bright light took the two combatants to the antechamber of Nemesis. She was there, in her statue aspect, and promptly increased the gravity of the area to bring the two quarrelsome fighters to their knees.

"Will you stop fighting now? You are both on the same side, and you both serve me." Nemesis sounded irritated. "I did not expect for you to almost kill each other." The statue turned to Mathgar. "I didn't give enough explanation of your task, but I had wanted to gauge this young acolyte's strength." She then turns to the other man. "You were only to DEFEAT HIM, not try to kill him, remember?"

The young acolyte said sheepishly, "Sorry, I wasn't sure if he was evil or not. I didn't want to take the chance."

Mathgar sighed. "Well, at least I got you off when I did. I would have been in real trouble there, had I not done so." Mathgar extended his hand to the acolyte. "Sorry we got off on the wrong foot, I am Mathgar, the Philomath. It is 'nice' to meet you."

The acolyte apprehensively shook his hand. "Likewise. I am Brock, the Weapon Master."

END OF VOLUME ONE

REPLACE VOLUME TWO

COMING SOON!http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=465&t=4676

If you didn't see at the top, follow along with the Audio Chapter! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrClBFzEOHs&list=UUtE5r7rrdkpWqw4hBHQ9ZXw