I am Just an Average Tamer

The shorty, Karsen, snapped.

His face turned red with anger as he stepped forward, hand curling into a fist.

"You vulgar little—!"

But before he could even lift his hand, the taller one grabbed his shoulder, pulling him back with a quiet chuckle.

"Well, well... first you don't show respect, and now that mouth?" he said smoothly, his eyes raking over Lina, from head to toe.

"I think you might need a private lesson," he added, bitting his lower lips.

Lina's face didn't flinch, but her posture subtly shifted—legs slightly spaced, center lowered.

The tall noble boy stepped closer, smirking. "Why're you hiding your face? Scared? Or maybe you're not used to men looking your way?"

He reached out, fingers almost brushing the edge of her hood—

But before he could touch her, Kai moved.

Fast.

He grabbed the boy's wrist mid-air.

The sudden silence that followed was deafening.

The crowd held their breath.

"Back off," Kai said coldly, his tone low, like frost edging along steel.

The taller noble's eyes sharpened. He yanked at his wrist, but Kai didn't let go.

"Do you even know who you're touching?" the noble hissed, fury rising.

"Do you even know what you're doing!?"

Kai met his glare with a calm one of his own.

"Do you?"

That single question hung in the air like a blade.

The boy's lips curled as he prepared to retort or lash out.

But—

"Oi! What's the commotion about?!"

A commanding voice cut through the standoff.

From the front gates, four guards strode toward them, armor clinking, their presence heavy.

The crowd began murmuring again, stepping back.

"Tch," Karsen, the mid-get noble, snorted.

"We were just showing these peasants their place. They don't know how to show proper respect to nobility."

The guards exchanged glances, then looked between the two groups.

Their eyes landed on Kai's hand, still gripping the taller noble's wrist—now slightly twisted, the guy wincing with clenched teeth.

One of the guards scowled and stepped forward.

"Do you even understand who you're touching?" he barked at Kai. "That's the heir to House Valkros! You and your companions will be facing severe punishment if you don't let go right now and apologize!"

He began marching forward, one hand on the hilt of his blade.

Kai's jaw clenched.

Great. Just what I needed—this mess.

He let go of the wrist but didn't back down, gaze still locked. Before he could speak—

Fwshhh.

The soft sound of fabric unfurling cut through the tension.

Lina stepped forward, pulling down her hood in one swift motion.

"Oh? Punish us?" she said quietly, voice almost amused.

The guard slowed as he saw the faint silver embroidery glinting under her cloak.

Her leather armor bore a crisp insignia—a stylized crescent over a coiled wyvern. Subtle, but unmistakable.

Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd.

"She's from..."

"Is that the crest of—?"

"Wait, she's... no way..."

Lina held her ground, eyes calm.

"Would you dare?" she added, tilting her head slightly.

The guards froze.

Even the noble trio stiffened—the color draining from the shorty's face as he recognized the symbol.

The guard's mouth opened, but no words came out.

Kai blinked once, then glanced sideways at Lina.

Lina tilted her head, the sly smirk still tugging at her lips.

"What? Not gonna punish us anymore?" she said, her voice light, mocking.

The lead guard visibly stiffened. Then, without missing a beat, he snapped to his men, "Restrain them. All three."

"What—!?" the short noble barked, face contorting. "You dare!?"

The trio tried to resist, but really… what could three pampered boys do against four fully armored, city-forged guards?

One of the guards grabbed the shorty like he was plucking a wild cat off a fencepost. The taller one tried to throw a punch but was caught mid-swing and faceplanted into the dirt.

In just a matter of seconds the delicate princes get manhandled by burly guards. Not that anyone was complaining—except the trio.

"This is madness!" the short one yelled, flailing.

"There will be consequences! You think siding with that girl is a smart move?! I'll tell my father—he'll strip you of your position!"

The guard didn't even blink.

Just stared at him and thought, 'Buddy, I don't have a death wish to go against her for your bratty tantrum.'

Turning away from the squirming nobles, he faced Lina and dropped to one knee with practiced respect.

"Please forgive me, young miss," he said, bowing his head. "I… I failed to recognize your identity."

Kai blinked, then looked at Lina. She was staring at the guard, eyes narrowed—not with anger, but calculation.

She waved her hand lazily.

"I'm not the one you need to grovel to," she said, glancing toward Elina, who was now watching wide-eyed.

"But let me ask—just what exactly is going on in this city?"

Her voice sharpened slightly.

"How are the heirs of these noble houses acting like thugs in the open, pushing people around like this? Is this the face Vayhill shows to outsiders now?"

The guard's shoulders tensed. He didn't dare lift his head.

"There… has been laxity, young miss," he said carefully. "Certain houses have grown bolder in recent months. With the duchess away, some believe they can act unchecked."

Lina narrowed her eyes, "What? Duchess's away? Where is she and when had she gone?"

The guard replied, respectfully, "She had been away for a month, and arrived just yesterday."

Lina's gaze stayed cold, her thoughts already ticking.

"I see, so that's why they have been acting like they own the place."

"Indeed, young miss. Please follow us, I'll take you inside."

Elina piped up, "Big sis, are we still going into the city? Is it safe?"

Lina softened just slightly, brushing Elina's hair back. "Yes. We'll be fine now."

Then with that, the guard stood up, bowed respectfully and moved.

Lina nodded at Kai and followed the guard, tugging Elina with her.

Kai gave a last glance around, the baffled look of the crowd and followed after them.