Elkin Isla, the knight of the Pendragon Duchy, always gets up early. He gets up so early that his day already begins before the dawn bell signals for the maids and servants to do their morning stretch.

Today, Isla once again started his day before the bell rang. He sat on the hard floor undressed and meditated deep thoughts with his eyes closed. It was one of his old habits. He maximized his senses through meditation in order to engage his body and mind as if they were in action. It was all done to prepare himself for the morning training.

The morning bell rang, and Isla’s eyes opened.

“Whoo…”

Isla let out a long breath after a period of short, controlled breaths. His lengthy breath condensed into a small, misty cloud. A calm chill was soon expressed in his dark, blue eyes, which had been flashing sharply until now.

He slowly rose from the floor with leather armor and a sheath hanging over the shoulder of his topless body. After gathering his things, he left his residence.

“Good morning, Sir Isla.”

The servants and maids that ran into Isla greeted him before bowing politely and making way. But unlike the servants who immediately resumed their work after he passed, the maids continued to steal glances until he disappeared.

Isla was popular with the maids...