I am Just an Average Tamer

Liliana led Kai and Elina through the grand iron-wrought gates of the estate, stepping into the heart of Vayhill City.

The morning sun bathed the streets in a golden hue, and a cool breeze carried the scents of freshly baked bread, roasting spices, and the faint perfume of blooming emberleaf trees that lined the cobbled streets.

The city was already bustling.

Merchants shouting prices, beast-drawn carriages rattling past, and hawkers waving handwoven charms and shiny trinkets toward passing crowd.

Kai glanced around.

Liliana grinned, her blue eyes sparkling.

"Welcome to the capital. Don't blink too much, or you'll miss the good parts."

"Wowww…" Elina whispered, holding tightly to Kai's hand with one and waving excitedly with the other.

"So big… and so many people!"

"Wait until we hit the upper district," Liliana said with a proud smile.

"That's where the fun really begins."

They started their tour from Moonveil Plaza, the center of commerce.

The plaza was a sprawling open area where circular market booths were arranged like petals of a flower, each booth representing a different guild or trade house.

Flags and banners of different houses fluttered above the stalls.

One beast-tamer had his drake perched on a stand, breathing small controlled embers into the air to entertain a crowd of children.

"Elina, don't run off too far," Kai muttered as she bounced toward a stall selling candied wyrm-fruit.

"She'll be fine," Liliana waved him off, "That stall is owned by the Flamebell sisters. They're harmless."

"Is that… a talking owl?" Elina asked, watching a tiny creature wearing a monocle and bowtie squawk out deals from atop a merchant's shoulder.

Liliana winked. "Hehehe!"

After Elina got her treat and wiped her sticky hands on Kai's pants.

Much to his horror—they moved on to Warden's Row, a street filled with training grounds, smithies, and beast stables.

Young tamers sparred with wooden weapons, their beasts beside them mimicking their movements.

A Serpent hatchling screeched playfully at Nox, who blinked and turned his head, unimpressed.

Liliana chuckled. "Even Nox has a superiority complex."

"I don't train losers," Kai said, arms crossed.

"Ohhhh?" Liliana teased. "So you're admitting you're a good tamer now?"

"Didn't say that," Kai muttered, but a small smirk tugged his lips.

Elina beamed. "Big brother is the best! And Nox is the coolest!"

They continued uphill toward the Azure Ring, the aristocratic quarter built in spiraling tiers around the Azure Spire, a gleaming tower that held the city's archives, magical observatory, and council chambers.

From the upper ledge, they could see the entire city stretch outward—rooftops, canals, trees, people—and the distant silvery outline of the outer walls.

Liliana leaned against the white stone railing. "I used to sneak up here as a kid whenever I was upset. It felt like the whole world was below me, and all my problems were tiny from up here."

Kai stood beside her, silent for a moment.

Then he said, "It's… a nice view."

Elina stood on her tiptoes, arms spread out like wings. "I feel like I can flyyyy!"

Liliana laughed and pulled her back gently. "Not today, little bird."

From there, they visited The Blooming Gardens, where rare magical flora grew in harmony, crystalvine trees, echo lilies that sang when touched, and floating pollen spheres that shimmered like tiny stars.

Elina ran around in awe, trying to touch everything. Kai, meanwhile, kept a quiet eye on her and the people nearby.

Liliana noticed. "Still on edge?"

"I don't trust anyone," Kai said flatly.

She didn't deny it. "Good. Stay that way. But try to enjoy the moment too, okay?"

By the time the sun began to dip slightly, painting the city in a soft golden glow, they had walked nearly the entire central district.

Elina was exhausted but grinning, Liliana's mood was light, and even Kai looked a bit more relaxed.

Elina yawned. "That was soooo fun…"

Liliana smiled. "Told you Vayhill had its charm."

As they made their way back toward the estate through a quieter part of the city.

An old stone-paved alley lined with antique bookstores and faded potion shops.

Elina suddenly slowed her steps.

Her nose wrinkled, eyes darting around as though something was pulling at her.

Elina suddenly veered left and slipped between two buildings.

"Elina—!" Kai called, instantly tense.

"Hey!" Liliana chased after her.

They turned into the alley she disappeared into, only to find it was unusually narrow, with crooked walls looming above and a strange fog rolling across the cobblestones.

Liliana's eyes narrowed. "This wasn't here before."

At the end of the alley, tucked behind ivy and a half-crumbled archway, sat a small, crooked shop with a sign barely hanging on by one hinge.

"Mirrors, Memories, and Oddities."

Elina stood at the threshold, eyes wide.

"I felt something," she said softly.

Kai stepped in front of her protectively. "You shouldn't have run off."

"I'm sorry… but…It felt like something called me." Elina clutched his sleeve.

Grr!

Kai suddenly glanced down at the little Wyrm, who had tensed.

Nox's eyes were glowing faintly, staring at the shop as though it recognized something.

Liliana walked past them and pushed the creaky door open with a grin. "Well, I'm curious now."

A soft bell chimed.

Inside was dim, the shelves packed high with bizarre objects: sealed jars with floating orbs inside, daggers that shifted color when looked at from different angles, feathers made of stone, maps that updated themselves with glowing lines.

Behind the counter sat an old woman, skin wrinkled, her eyes clouded silver, but very much aware. She tilted her head as they walked in.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop slightly.

Kai stepped forward, instantly cautious. "Who are you?"

The woman ignored him and looked at Elina. "You carry something… child. Something not born from this world."

Liliana blinked. "Okay… what?"

Elina stepped closer to the counter, staring at a softly glowing orb floating above a pedestal.

It pulsed the same way Nox's aura did.

"What is that?" Elina whispered.

The old woman smiled. "A shard of a fallen beast's core. Long dead, yet still dreaming. It called to you."

Kai grabbed Elina's shoulder. "She doesn't need anything from here."

But the woman raised a hand. "Let her look. No amount of coin is needed unless she chooses to claim."

Liliana wandered off, poking at a rotating cube that showed different landscapes on each side.

"Okay, this place is giving me goosebumps—but it's also kind of amazing."

Kai didn't relax.

He didn't trust this shop. Not the magic. Not the old woman. And certainly not the way Nox remained still, eyes fixed on the orb like it was an enemy... Or...

Then Elina turned, eyes still on the shard.

"I want it," she said.

Kai frowned. "No."

The old woman raised her palm slowly. "The shard isn't for sale. It is a gift—though one not freely given. Should she keep it, its burden becomes hers."

Elina, without fear, simply nodded.

Then the shard floated toward her, touched her palm, and vanished into light.

A faint glow shimmered around her chest—then faded.

"What just happened?" Liliana asked, eyes wide.

The old woman chuckled softly. "Fate stirs, little sparks. The future will burn bright… or burn down."

Kai clenched his fists.

But in an instant, a binding light flashed, they covered their face.

When the light vanished and they opened their eyes.

The alley was gone.

Only a blank wall stood there now.