Afternoon sunlight streamed through the high windows of the Lord's Hall, casting dappled light upon the beast hide rugs on the floor.
Ed stood to one side, now wearing the Guardian Plate Armor.
Heavy plates of metal covered his body, and the faint shield-shaped rune on the chest plate seemed to complement his composed demeanor.
Although he had yet to see actual combat in it, simply wearing the armor gave off a reassuring sense of sturdiness.
In the Lord's Hall, Raylo had summoned his core members to discuss the impending invasion by the Blood Wolf Corps.
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside the door.
A young figure appeared in the doorway. He wore an ill-fitting gray apprentice's robe, and a pair of goggles, commonly used by alchemists, was perched on his nose.
It was none other than the newly recruited Alchemist Apprentice, Carl.
