I am Just an Average Tamer

[Author Note: Hello guys, first of all, I'm very sorry for inconsistent updates and the chapter changes. My exams were going on so I wasn't able to write properly, but now I'm finally free and will start updating regularly.

And a very much thank you for those who still sticked around. And If you guys think that these trials are been stretched, annoying or irritating, please feel free to comment about them. I'll try to not repeat the same mistake again. And again, thank you for reading this far and waiting.

Alright, that's it for today, bye, see you guys soon.]

The moon hung high in the sky, its pale glow casting faint silver outlines across the darkened forest.

Trees loomed like silent sentinels, their shadows stretching long across the undergrowth.

Back at the edge of the trial grounds, the once-boisterous crowd had thinned out. Most spectators had already returned to rest—only a few die-hard enthusiasts remained, still glued to the viewing crystals, eyes flickering with anticipation.

Meanwhile, deep within the forest—

A figure darted through the canopy. A silver blur.

Branches creaked and leaves rustled softly as the girl moved from tree to tree, her silver hair trailing behind like a comet's tail.

'Hmm… It's too calm here,' she thought, her brows drawing together slightly.

Despite moving toward the heart of the forest—the deeper, wilder zone—it felt... lifeless.

No beasts stirred. No birds cawed.

No rustling in the bushes. It was nothing like the outskirts, where danger had practically radiated from every shadow.

Still, she pressed forward.

She didn't slow.

She didn't doubt. But her guard was up, one hand resting lightly on the hilt at her side.

Then—she halted.

Her feet landed soundlessly on a thick branch, gaze locked forward.

There it was.

A clearing stretched ahead, bathed in moonlight—unnaturally still.

And in the center stood an elevated stone stage.

She squinted her eyes.

A faint shimmer rippled across the clearing, almost invisible under the moonlight—but there it was.

A barrier.

Thin and barely noticeable unless you really looked for it, surrounding the entire stage like a dome of glass.

Without hesitation, she stepped off the branch.

Landing softly on the forest floor, she made her way toward the elevated stone stage, boots brushing over fallen leaves and broken twigs.

Her eyes stayed sharp. Her hand didn't leave the hilt.

Then—

'Hmmmm...'

A soft note escaped her lips as she passed through the barrier.

It didn't resist. No pressure. No surge.

Just... a smooth glide, like walking through a thin sheet of mist.

Inside, the air felt stiller. Comforting.

Her gaze shifted—and locked onto a crystal hovering a few feet away near the base of the stage.

It pulsed gently with a faint green glow.

"Safe zone," she muttered, eyes narrowing.

The crystal flickered with that same message, written in soft, translucent script—confirming it wasn't a trap or illusion.

With a soft sigh, she let her guard down for the first time in hours.

Then—

Plop.

She dropped onto her butt right there at the edge of the stage, arms resting loosely on her knees.

"Finally…" she exhaled.

Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a silver-colored token.

It gleamed faintly under the moonlight as she began twirling it between her fingers—absentminded, almost like a habit, smirking.

Then.

She leaned back and stretched out on the cool stone, one hand still playing with the token for a moment longer… before she slipped it back into her pocket.

Her eyes fluttered shut.

The night was quiet. Safe, for now.

And so—she let herself rest.

Crack!

Rudo cracked his neck to the side, shoulders rolling as he stepped forward—slow, deliberate.

His wolf ears twitched, standing tall on either side of his ash-blonde hair.Faint tribal tattoos glowed slightly under the moonlight—etched across his arms, creeping along the side of his head.

He stopped just a few feet away from the grey-haired boy.

Then—without a hint of playfulness—he raised a hand.

"Hand over the token," he said flatly. "Otherwise…"

The boy tilted his head, grinning.

"Otherwise what?"

Rudo smirked. His tail flicked once before straightening behind him, sharp like a drawn blade.

Then without any warning.

He slashed.

A blur of motion.

The boy jerked back, barely evading, but not fast enough.

The claws grazed across his clothes, tearing fabric, leaving faint red lines underneath.

"Tch." The boy clicked his tongue.

Then lunged forward—

His fist driving straight toward Rudo's gut.

But—

Thwack!

Rudo caught it.

With just one hand.

His grip tightened.

And with a flick of his wrist—

Crack.

"Argh!"

The boy grunted, face twisting, yanking his arm back.

He staggered a step.

Eyes sharp now.

Rudo jumped to side and picked up his spear, swirled it once then took a stance.

"..."

"..."

The wind rustled through the treetops, swaying their hairs gently, moonlight breaking through the canopy in silvery beams.

Both figures stood a few meters apart now—silent.

Their eyes locked.

Neither backing down.

Then—

They moved.

Rudo lunged first, spear in hand, the tip gleaming with faint spirit energy. He twisted his body, using the momentum to spin mid-air before swinging downward in a crescent arc.

The boy darted in.

Clang!

Palm met spear. The grey haired boy slapped the incoming attack to the side, the force sliding him a few inches back.

But he didn't stop.

He stepped forward, sliding in low and aiming a kick to Rudo's side.

Thud!

Rudo blocked with his forearm, sliding back on the dirt.

"Tch… fast," Rudo muttered under his breath, tail flicking.

The boy grinned.

"You haven't seen anything yet."

Suddenly, he closed the gap again—two steps forward, pivoting on his heel.

His fists became a blur. Left jab, right hook, elbow strike. C

lean, tight motions—pure martial discipline.

Rudo parried one, dodged the next, but the elbow caught him in the ribs.

His breath hitched.

But he wasn't just any brawler.

His spear twirled behind his back in a smooth arc and jabbed forward. The boy raised his arm to block, but—

Crack!

The spear tip shifted mid-thrust.

Rudo channeled his essence, morphing the tip into a sharp crescent blade.

It grazed the boy's shoulder, tearing into skin.

"Gah—!"

The boy jumped back, blood dripping from his shoulder.

Rudo didn't give him time to recover.

He knelt, touching the ground.

"Come," he muttered.

A silver glow burst beside him.

Fwoosh!

Out of the light, a massive silver wolf formed—ethereal, eyes glowing white, fur like mist. The summoned spirit stood at Rudo's side, snarling low, baring its fangs.

The boy's eyes narrowed.

"You brought your pup to play?"

"No," Rudo replied. "He brought me."

Then the wolf lunged.

The boy stepped aside, but the wolf's body dispersed mid-leap—reforming behind him in a flash of light. Its claws slashed downward.

The boy backflipped, barely escaping the swipe. He landed hard, skidding on one knee.

That opening.

Rudo's spear flew.

Not thrown—guided.

The weapon, infused with summoner's intent, streaked toward him like a silver bolt.

The boy's eyes widened.

He raised his arms, crossed them in front of his face—

BOOM!

The impact sent him flying back into a tree, bark exploding outward. He coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Still, he stood.

Still, he smirked.

"Alright, wolf-boy…" he said, brushing off his cracked knuckles. "Round two."

He stomped forward, aura igniting around him.

Not magical.

Just raw physical power. Every step he took cracked the ground beneath.

Then he vanished.

Rudo's pupils shrank.

'Too fast!'

The boy appeared beside him, foot already swinging.

CRACK!

Rudo was thrown sideways, crashing into the dirt, rolling through leaves and dust. The silver wolf growled, leaping between them, but the boy twisted under its fangs and kicked it square in the ribs.

It dispersed again, body exploding into light.

Rudo pushed himself up, panting.

His cheek was bleeding now.

"You're not just some dumb brawler anymore, huh," he muttered.

The boy grinned. "Finally figured it out?"

Rudo spat blood. Then grinned back.

"But neither am I."

He stabbed his spear into the ground.

'Pack Bond: Phantom Link!'

The ground pulsed.

The wolf reappeared—but this time, it didn't charge.

Instead, it merged into Rudo's body.

Silver fur rippled across his arms. His eyes glowed faintly. His aura doubled.

The boy flinched. "You—what?"

"Soul merge," Rudo said coolly. "Let's dance."

He vanished.

The boy's body tensed.

Too late.

WHAM!

Rudo appeared behind him, spear sweeping his legs. The boy fell—but twisted in air and struck Rudo's chest with his heel.

BOOM!

Rudo flew back—but landed on his feet, sliding to a stop.

The boy coughed again, blood splattering from his mouth.

They stood facing each other—panting.

Bruised.

Wounded.

But not backing down.

Rudo gripped his spear tight, the silver aura coiling around him like mist.

The boy took a fighting stance, blood dripping from his forearm.

"Give up?" Rudo asked, half teasing.

"You wish," the boy smirked. "I was just getting warmed up."

Then both vanished—

One cloaked in wolf-spirit, the other burning with raw martial might.

Clang! Clang!