The familiar sensation of materialization ended, and Mia found herself in a bustling medieval city. Whitehaven, the system informed her—capital of Aldoria, where she pyed the role of a minor noble's daughter.

  As before, NPCs greeted her cheerfully, offering directions and pleasantries. Mia explored methodically, noting the impressive attention to detail in the architecture and culture. By midday, she'd almost decided to try another world when she wandered into the castle's training grounds.

  That's when she saw him.

  Among the knights practicing swordpy, one stood apart. His movements were precise and controlled, his expression focused and distant. Unlike the others who chatted and ughed between bouts, he remained silent, training with single-minded intensity.

  "Who is that?" Mia asked a passing guard.

  "Sir Kael, my dy," the guard replied with a mix of respect and wariness. "The finest swordsman in the kingdom, though not the friendliest. Keeps to himself, that one."

  Intrigued by his solitary nature—so different from the overly friendly NPCs she'd encountered—Mia found herself watching him train. His ice-blue eyes occasionally swept the courtyard but never lingered on anyone.

  When the training session ended, most knights departed in groups. Sir Kael cleaned his sword alone, his movements methodical and precise. As he turned to leave, his gaze finally met Mia's. For a brief moment, something flickered in those cold eyes—curiosity, perhaps, or recognition—before he walked away without a word.

  That night, Mia couldn't stop thinking about the silent knight. Every other NPC had been eager to interact, to fulfill their programmed roles. But Sir Kael had shown actual disinterest, even disdain for social interaction. It felt... real.

  She decided to stay in Aldoria a while longer.