"The Etiquette of the God of Knights"

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Instructor of the Knights of Zaiya

"What's wrong, soldier? Are you getting tired after only a hundred hits? Don't tell me you want to give up now! There's still four full sets left!"

A voice carries throughout the training hall set up behind the Temple of Zaiya, the training grounds for the Knights of Zaiya. In front of the warrior-priest acolytes standing and training, there is one who is watching over in full battle attire. Despite the full helmet covering their face, their voice is surprisingly loud and clear.

"But sir... I've already done 1,000 guarding exercises today. I can't even raise my arm anymore..."

"Don't sound so pathetic! You're training to be a Knight of Zaiya. When you're trying to protect innocent lives, are you going to ask the monsters attacking you to hold on, because you can't raise your arm and use your shield!?"

"...But sir, this shield is much too large and heavy for me to use!" The young man whined, holding a shield so large it covered his body.

"You idiot! Your shield isn't just to protect yourself from harm, but to be the front line and protect everyone behind you as well! If you can't control that shield effectively, how can you dare call yourself a Knight of Zaiya? You'll need to have a strong shield when fighting enemies like these!" With a quick signal, the instructor raised their hand, and behind them, from the stables, came a large beast out of the shadows. It quickly stretched out in the sunlight, and looked at the training acolytes.

It was a dragon.

Some of the acolytes were frozen in fear, unable to take their eyes off of the dagger-length teeth in its mouth, capable of rending a man in seconds. Others quickly lost their nerve, and only the presence of the instructor kept them from fleeing in terror.

"Monster attacks were at an all-time high during the Schnell period, and dragon attacks being especially deadly!" The dragon rushed at the acolytes, but the instructor grabbed a shield and stood in the way.

"Good! Zaiya did not flinch, did not flee, and stood in the face of monsters despite how dangerous they appeared. He protected the innocent, and so must we!"

The dragon swings its long neck down, attempting to bite the instructor, only to have the attack repelled by the large shield in the instructor's hand. The shield also incidentally blunts the force of the wings beating down as well, though the force does push the instructor back.

"Even in the war with Dalkhrem, Zaiya stood strong and protected others until the end. We must be prepared to do the same!" With this, the instructor drives back the dragon, then forcefully thrusts their right hand out and recites a prayer. At this, the dragon flinches, then bows in reverence to the instructor.

"Our god doesn't like us to take lives whenever possible, though there is the understanding that sometimes that may be impossible. Yet, we should strive to avoid futile slaying, even of those we would consider our enemy. By doing so, Zaiya was able to take his place among the gods, and we can only but follow in his footsteps."

Putting their hand on the dragon's head, the instructor strokes it gently. Then, removing her helmet, long platinum blonde hair spilling out, the instructor looks back at the acolytes. Some of them are blushing at the sight of their instructor, and a few even consider that maybe Zaiya is a goddess underneath the armor.

"Even I, an elf, have taken up the shield of faith in the name of Zaiya. There is no doubt in my mind that you can, too, should you put your minds to it. Now, are you out, or are you in? I want an answer!"

"We can do it, Instructor Erra!"

"Great!! Now, as we follow in Zaiya's footsteps, we'll begin training with fighting dragons! All of you, brace yourselves!"

"What?!"

The dragon slowly rises from behind the smiling instructor and approaches the acolytes. "An iron fist against cowardly hearts. An iron fist against cowardly behavior. I wish you the best in all your fights. And don't worry, if you are injured, I will pray to Zaiya and have your wounds healed."

With that, the dragon pounces on the acolytes.