Rust was an alchemist working for the Alchemist Association, dedicated to fundamental research. However, the new president, a former bureaucrat, didn’t see the value in his department and drastically cut its funding. Worse, Rust was forced to spend his time producing basic materials for other divisions. When his budget was completely eliminated and his department dissolved, he saw no reason to stay.
That same day, an old academy friend offered him a chance to help develop her newly claimed territory on the frontier. With nothing left for him at the association, Rust left without hesitation.
What the association didn’t realize was that Rust was one of the most skilled alchemists in the world. The materials he created were unmatched in quality—irreplaceable, in fact. His departure left a massive void, throwing the association into chaos.
Free at last, Rust embraced his new life on the frontier, working with passion and energy he hadn’t felt in years.
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