I am Just an Average Tamer

As the cave began to lose its chill under the rise of the morning sun, the group gathered their things, readying themselves to depart.

The moment was quiet, peaceful, until Theron broke it with a curious tone.

"Wait… you going to an academy?"

Kai, adjusting the leather straps of his shirt and, glanced sideways at him with a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Yeah. Azurean Academy."

Kai straightened and turned toward them, one hand resting casually on Stormeon's back as the little drakelet prowled beside him.

"It's one of the best academies in the whole Empire," he began, voice holding a certain pride.

"Not just for humans either. Elves, Beastkin, Dwarves, all these races also enroll there. Azurean doesn't care about the kingdom disputes—only potential and results. Even the Royal Solarian Academy doesn't compare to it on a pure merit level."

Theron raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Better than the Royal Academy?"

Kai nodded. "The royals may have the prestige, but Azurean has something better—freedom. Resources. Professor's who actually challenge you. It's where the Empire grooms real monsters."

Raven blinked slowly, her expression thoughtful, almost unreadable.

"So… you're going there?"

Kai tilted his head slightly at her tone.

"Yeah. Trails will start tomorrow."

She hesitated, then quietly asked, "So does that mean you'll leave us?"

Kai blinked. Then he let out a short laugh. "No, no. I'm not dumping you two in the woods and walking into golden gates alone."

Raven didn't smile, but her shoulders eased. Her brother, however, narrowed his eyes.

"Then what?"

Kai turned, starting to walk toward the mouth of the cave, motioning for them to follow.

"Like I said earlier, Azurean accepts exchange students from different races. It's not just a human academy. There's even a separate batch entirely dedicated to interspecies diplomacy. There are Professors from different races too, so they might help us solve your problem."

Raven then raised a brow, "Can we really trust them?"

Kai chuckled, putting his hands back in his pocket, "I don't know."

Then Theron gave him a stern glare, "Then why the hell are you even suggesting this kind of thing."

Kai then glanced over his shoulder and said, "Don't worry, they probably wouldn't care less for beings like you."

After walking for a while.

The trio exited the forest path, sunlight trickled through the canopy.

With Stormeon trailing behind and Vex gliding silently in the shadows, they crossed the final ridge and finally caught sight of it—Auralian City.

Sprawling along a riverbank and enclosed within high stone walls, the city shimmered with life.

Ivory spires rose from its heart, tapering like fingers reaching toward the sky.

Banners fluttered atop towers, painted in vibrant hues of blue and silver, the crest of the city glinting under the sun.

"Finally," Kai muttered with a half-smile.

He glanced at the siblings. Raven's golden eyes were wide, scanning everything with quiet awe.

While Theron, ever wary, wore his habitual frown but slowed his pace to take it all in.

Auralian's gates were crowded, with merchants, adventurers, and travelers moving through its checkpoints.

Kai motioned for the two to follow his lead, navigating through the throng with practiced ease.

Once inside, the city unfolded like a dream.

Cobbled streets spread between elegant buildings carved of stone and wood, their windows lined with planters blooming in spring colors.

The distant sound of a bard's lute played softly somewhere down the avenue, mixing with the clatter of hooves and cheerful chatter.

Kai led them to a mid-tier inn near the market district.

It was clean, quiet, and not too close to the noisy parts of town.

He booked two rooms and handed a key to Raven.

"Rest if you want," he said. "I'll go sort out a few things for the academy. Meet back here by sunset."

But Raven shook her head. "We want to look around."

Theron grunted. "Yeah. Too cramped inside."

Kai raised a brow, amused.

"Suit yourselves. Just don't get into trouble."

They set out again, this time moving steadily through the streets.

Market stalls lined the main plaza, offering everything from spirit herbs to enchanted pendants.

Raven paused at a stall selling finely wrought daggers, her fingers ghosting over the hilts.

Theron stood guard nearby, his sharp gaze constantly scanning.

Raven kept doing this, stopping one stall then another, until-

They passed a fountain surrounded by flowerbeds when someone suddenly called out, "Raven? Theron?"

Both siblings froze.

A man in his early thirties approached, tall and sun-kissed with shoulder-length auburn hair and amber eyes that sparkled with familiarity.

He wore the travel-worn robes of a scholar, and across his chest gleamed the insignia of the Crescent Flame.

"By the heavens, it really is you," he said, slowing as he took them in. "I never thought I'd see you again."

Raven's eyes widened, her voice nearly a whisper. "Elias?"

The man laughed, a sound full of disbelief and joy.

"Gods, you've grown. Both of you."

Kai stepped beside them, arms crossed loosely. "Friends of yours?"

Elias turned toward Kai and gave him a short, respectful nod. "Yes. I helped raise them back home… before…"

He didn't need to say it.

Raven's expression softened. Theron, ever stiff, gave a quiet grunt but didn't object when Elias pulled him into a one-armed hug.

"I heard rumors," Elias said.

"That some survived. I left for the western continent just days before it all happened. I never forgave myself."

Kai said nothing, watching the reunion in silence. Elias's voice held a warmth that wasn't faked.

The man's emotions were real.

"Thank you," Elias said suddenly, turning to Kai. "For protecting them. Truly."

Kai shrugged. "They're capable enough. I just gave them a path."

Elias smiled. "Even so. You've no idea what it means to know they're alive."

He looked at Raven and Theron again, visibly struggling to rein in his emotions.

"Come. You must stay with me. I'm stationed here now, working in the Auralian Archives. It's safe, and I have space."

Theron looked hesitant. Raven bit her lip, then looked at Kai.

Then she exchanged a look with her brother.

After a pause, Theron gave a slow nod.

"Alright," Raven said. "We'll go with you."

Elias grinned and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Then he turned to Kai. "Again… thank you, young man."

Kai nodded once and turned away, disappearing into the crowd with Stormeon trailing behind him, the drakelet glancing back once before following his master.

Elias led Raven and Theron through the winding streets of Auralian City, his hand occasionally resting on their shoulders as though to assure himself they were real.

The siblings walked close to him, their steps light but hesitant, like they were still waking from a long, cruel dream.

They passed a flower-draped fountain tucked in a quiet square.

Lanterns had begun to flicker to life along the paths, painting the cobblestone streets in gold.

"You've no idea how much I've searched," Elias said, glancing between the two.

"After the fall… I thought everyone was gone. I even combed through the refugee camps in eastern Caldrin. But I never found a single trace."

"We had to stay hidden," Theron murmured.

Elias gave a sad nod. "I know. You did what you had to. And you survived."

He slowed as they approached a quiet district near the archives, where thick-rooted trees grew between buildings and ivy climbed stone balconies.

"My place is just ahead," he said. "It's nothing grand, but it's safe. And there's always tea."

That earned a small smile from Raven.

Theron, however, glanced behind them, toward the direction Kai had gone.

Then he quietly led the trio ahead.

Meanwhile…

Kai strolled down the lamp-lit avenue, hands in his pockets and gaze lazily tracking the skyline.

Vex padded beside him.

He passed street vendors packing up for the night, their laughter soft and distant. Couples whispered under glowing lanterns.

Musicians played mellow tunes at the edge of plazas. It was calm… uncharacteristically so.

For once, no blades in the dark. No cries. No blood on his boots. Just a city.

Calm.

He paused at a bakery window, the warmth from within fogging the glass.

Inside, a young girl grinned as her father handed her a sweetroll.

Kai watched for a moment, the corner of his lips twitching.

Peace. It always felt foreign on his skin.

Like something borrowed. Something temporary.

Vex nuzzled his thigh gently.

"…Yeah, I know," he muttered.

He walked again, slower now, letting the moment stretch.

As he reached a bridge overlooking the gentle river running through Auralian's heart, he leaned against the railing and looked out at the shimmering water.

The stars blinked faintly above.

A breath escaped him. Light. Easy.

"For now," he murmured. "This ain't bad."

******

Somewhere in a quiet, grand chamber.

Orange light of evening sun spilled through the ornate window, shadows stretching along the marble walls.

On a velvet sofa, sat a lone figure, no older than 17.

Silver-platinum har tied in loose braids, sharp emerald eyes scanning through the wrinkled scrolls in her hands.

Knock! Knock!

"Enter." She said, not even bothering to lift her head.

The door creaked opened and a middle-aged man, dressed in buttler attire came in.

He bowed his head respectfully and said, "Young Lady, My Lord whishes your presence. The carriage is ready to depart."

She nodded.

"Alright, I'll be there in five minutes."

Butter bowed once again and left, closing the door behind.

The girl put the scrolls aside and rubbed her eyes, yawning.

She then stood up with grace, a silver chained pendant with blue Bird ornament swayed around her neck.

"So, the chaos begins tomorrow."