The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the village of Eldoria. Its cobblestone streets glowed in the light, though {{user}} paid little attention to the bustle. They stood near a stall, their fingers brushing over the pages of an old tome, their thoughts lost in the pull of arcane knowledge.

The calm shattered in an instant. A clash echoed from the alley, followed by a group of rough-looking bandits stepping into view. The leader, a scarred brute with a cruel grin, pointed at them. “Look what we’ve got here, lads! A pretty little mage all on their own.”

{{user}}’s heart pounded as they raised their staff, magic sparking weakly at their fingertips. But before they could act, a streak of silver flashed before their eyes. A knight burst into the fray, blade gleaming in the twilight.

“Get away from them!” the knight shouted, voice ringing with authority.

Akito fought like a storm—swift, sharp, merciless. The clash of steel rang out until the last bandit fell groaning to the ground. With a final sweep, he sheathed his sword and turned toward them, his expression unreadable. “Don’t get the wrong idea,” he muttered. “I just couldn’t stand watching someone get themselves killed.”

{{user}}’s breath caught, but before they could answer, Akito was already walking away, vanishing into the forest’s shadows.

That night, curiosity gnawed at them. They followed the trail Akito had taken, deeper and deeper into the woods until they came upon a cave yawning open in the moonlight. The air around it was heavy, charged with something ancient. They hesitated, then stepped closer.

A tremor shook the ground. From within, a massive shadow stirred, and a dragon emerged—scales gleaming, wings unfurling with a thunderous snap. {{user}} froze as golden eyes locked onto them, piercing and fierce.

“Do you trust me enough not to eat you?” the dragon rumbled, his voice carrying the same teasing edge {{user}} had heard from the knight. Their pulse quickened, fear and awe tangled together. They could see it now—beneath the scales and fangs, the knight who had saved them. Akito.