I am Just an Average Tamer

"Finally."

Lina's eyes softened, her shoulders dropping ever so slightly as the towering gates of Vayhill city came into view.

After the days of travel, the sight ahead was more than welcome.

Kai and Elina, on the other hand, stood completely still, their gazes lifted toward the city that rose from the forest's edge like a monument of forgotten dreams.

"I haven't seen anything like that," Elina muttered, mesmerized by the sight.

Kai nodded, equally stunned "Me neither."

Vayhill wasn't just big—it was beautiful.

Sloped rooftops curved like waves beneath the noon sun, built from pale silverwood and stone that shimmered faintly under light.

Thin waterfalls spilled from high terraces, feeding into quiet canals that ran along the walls.

Beyond the gate, they could see the tops of windmills turning slowly and bridges arching between wide towers, covered in ivy and flowering vines.

Despite the calm design, the air outside was anything but peaceful.

A long line of travelers, merchants, and adventurers stretched out from the gates, each waiting their turn to enter.

Cloaked figures, armored guards, a few locals, and others from the nearby towns—everyone waited under the quiet watch of the Vayhill sentinels posted at the gate.

"Let's go," Lina said, stepping forward.

Kai gave a quick glance around before raising a hand and summoning Nox back to his soul space.

A glowing white circle appeared beneath the little Wyrm, and it vanished in an instant.

Elina's eyes dropped.

Kai sighed and ruffled her hair, "You can play with him later."

Elina gave a dramatic nod, while Lina just giggled.

Then the trio silently joined the back of the line.

Elina, a little wide-eyed, clutched Lina's hand.

"Just stay close," Lina whispered to her, then adjusted the hood of her cloak lower over her head, shadowing her features.

She kept her eyes forward, her lips tightening slightly.

'Hope nothing goes wrong,' she said internally.

Just as the thought formed in her mind—

"Move, peasants."

The words rang out, sharp and smug, slicing through the murmur of the line like a knife.

Lina sighed.

Kai's brow arched as he turned to glance over his shoulder.

A sleek, black-wood wagon rolled up from behind, its wheels lined with steel.

Drawn by two crystal-horned deerbeasts.

The boys riding the wagon looked barely older than Kai—but carried themselves like kings.

One sat reclined with a smug grin, lazily flipping a coin.

Another rested a gloved hand on the hilt of a ceremonial blade—clearly for show more than function.

The third, the loudest of the trio, leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, sneering at the commoners ahead.

"Out of the way," he added, louder this time, his voice tinged with entitlement.

The crowd responded instantly—heads lowered, eyes down, feet stepping back. No one dared meet their gaze.

Kai narrowed his eyes, but didn't move at first.

Then, with a short breath, he stepped aside.

He didn't want trouble. Not here. Not yet.

Elina followed quietly, still holding tightly to Lina's hand.

Lina exhaled through her nose and moved with them, cloak drawn low to keep her face hidden.

But as the wagon rolled past, the boy seated at the edge suddenly paused, his eyes narrowing.

He'd noticed something.

Unlike the others, Kai and his companions hadn't bowed. Hadn't looked down. Hadn't even flinched.

"Tch." He clicked his tongue.

The wagon came to a screeching halt.

He hopped down—short, barely up to Kai's shoulders, but strutting like he ruled the continent.

He walked up and stopped just a few arm's length away, tilting his chin up in a poor attempt to look down on Kai.

He spat to the side.

"You've got some nerve," he said, voice loud and oily. "Too arrogant to bow, huh? Who do you think you are?"

Kai didn't answer. His expression didn't change, but his gaze cooled slightly.

The short noble boy kept rambling, puffing up like a frog trying to look bigger.

[<Ah, a tough guy, I like him.>]

'I always thought opposites attract and like repels like, but I was wrong.'

[<Oi, what you mean?>]

'Nothing.'

Kai amused, bantering with the floating blue panel in front of his eyes, while the noble boy kept bickering.

"People like you should be crawling on your knees when House Varnel passes!"

From the wagon, the other two boys exchanged a look, grinning.

One jumped down and clapped the short one on the shoulder.

"Easy, Karsen. They're probably new here. Just lost puppies who don't know the rules yet."

The third landed behind them.

Crack! Crack!

Cracking his knuckles.

"Maybe we should teach 'em the proper etiquette," he said with a smirk.

"Wouldn't want them embarrassing themselves in front of the nobles."

Their grins widened in sync—sharp and malicious.

The crowd had gone quiet.

Everyone watched, eyes flicking nervously between the noble trio and the outsiders.

Elina tugged on Kai's sleeve and pointed at the boys.

"Big brother, who are they? And what do they mean?"

Kai was about to speak when Lina crouched beside Elina and cupped the girl's cheeks.

"Ah, don't worry about them," she said with a gentle smile, giving Elina's cheeks a soft pinch. The little girl's face puffed up adorably.

"They're just traveling jesters," Lina said with a casual tone, not even sparing the nobles a glance.

"See, they wear those funny little capes and shiny boots, pretending to be someone important."

Elina blinked.

Lina leaned closer, voice still light and playful.

"They're probably just looking for someone to laugh at their act. Poor things. Must've gotten bored yelling at their servants all day, so now they're out here, begging strangers for attention."

The crowd flinched.

Then she stood, brushing off her cloak.

"Let them bark. It's all they're good at."

The trio of noble boys froze.

Their grins vanished, lips pressing in thin line.

Kai let out a slow exhale through his nose, hiding the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

While some from the crowd tried hard to suppress their laughter.