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 air between them shimmered from heat and fury.

Rudo's chest rose and fell, sweat mixing with dirt and blood across his skin. Silver aura flickered around his arms—faint now, unstable.

The merged spirit within him pulsed weakly, barely holding.

Across him, the boy stood hunched, fists trembling.

His knuckles were cracked and bleeding, one eye already swelling shut. His breath rasped in and out like a wild animal, but his stance remained firm.

"Tired?" Rudo asked, voice hoarse.

The boy smirked, even as his body swayed. "You're asking me that... when you look like you'll drop any second?"

Rudo chuckled, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "Fair."

Then, in unspoken agreement—

They both charged.

No flair. No tricks. Just pure, final blows.

Fists and spear clashed.

Rudo thrust low—aiming for the gut.

The boy jumped, kicking downward with both legs.

WHAM!

Rudo blocked, skidding back. His hands trembled.

The boy landed, knees buckling beneath him—but he still came forward, fists raised.

Crack!

Rudo's spear met his forearm.

Thud!

A punch landed on Rudo's jaw.

Clang!

The spear smacked against the boy's ribs.

They both staggered.

One last time.

Then—

SSSSHHHHH!!

The ground beneath them trembled.

Rudo's eyes snapped wide.

The boy turned, his expression twisting.

From behind the trees, the forest floor cracked.

Lava-red veins spiderwebbed through the earth. Smoke hissed out, followed by a low growl—deep, rumbling, ancient.

Then—

BOOM!

A volcanic serpent burst from the ground.

Its scales were molten rock and glowing magma.

Twin horns curled backward from its skull, and its eyes were like twin furnaces—unblinking, emotionless.

Time slowed.

The serpent opened its jaws.

A stream of molten energy burst forward.

"GET AWAY!" Rudo shouted, instincts flaring.

But it was already too late.

The boy turned, just in time to see the molten beam pierce through his torso.

BOOM!!

The explosion cracked the air.

"GAHHH—!"

The boy's body was engulfed in light, not from fire—but from a summoning circle beneath his feet.

Fwoosh—

In a blink, he vanished—transported out of the trial by the safety barrier's failsafe.

Ash and smoke filled the air.

Rudo stood frozen, the heat brushing against his skin, mind racing.

Then—he saw it.

The silver token.

It fell from where the boy stood moments ago—clinking against the burnt grass.

And before it could hit the ground, the volcanic serpent snatched it with its burning jaws.

Rudo's eyes sharpened. "No you don't."

He kicked off the ground.

BOOM!

His spear gleamed as he jumped, silver energy surging once more.

"Wolf Spirit Art: Lunar Fang!"

He slashed down hard.

CRASH!!

The spear struck the serpent's head, forcing it to stagger.

The token fell from its jaws, clinking onto the ground.

The beast snarled, lava bubbling in its throat.

But Rudo stood between it and the prize, spear pointed forward, chest heaving.

"What the hell are you?" he hissed, staring at the serpent.

It didn't reply.

Didn't move.

Just watched.

Waiting.

Suddenly, the trees behind it shifted.

A sound.

Faint.

Crunch.

Rudo's ears twitched.

He glanced around—eyes narrowed.

"Who's there?" he shouted. "COME OUT!"

Nothing.

Only the sound of wind passing through trees… and the faint hiss of cooling lava.

He clenched his spear tighter, gaze darting through the darkened forest.

"I know someone's watching," he growled, taking slow steps around the token, keeping it guarded.

No answer.

Only silence.

The serpent, now oddly passive, slowly slithered back into the shadows. Its glowing eyes locked onto Rudo as it disappeared into the smoke and trees.

Rudo stood there alone.

Panting.

The moonlight fell on his bloodied form. His spear dripped ash. The token lay beside him.

He didn't move for a long moment.

Rudo kept glancing around, eyes sharp, muscles tense.

Every flicker of movement between the trees had his gaze snapping toward it. His wolf ears twitched, picking up distant rustles, but none close. None human.

Nothing.

Not a goddamn thing.

Just the whisper of wind brushing through the leaves and the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the branches above.

He exhaled hard, breath shaky, and clicked his tongue. "Tch…"

But when he turned—

His body froze.

The token was gone.

So was the Volcanic serpent.

Not even a scorch mark left behind.

"What the…?"

He hurried a step forward, scanning the patch of grass, kicking aside leaves and ash. Empty. Not a single trace.

His brows twitched.

His breath hitched.

And then his voice exploded into the night—raw and laced with fury.

"JUST WHO THE HELL IS FUCKING AROUND WITH ME?!"

His voice echoed through the trees, unanswered.

Only silence replied.

Then—

Thud!

His knees gave out.

He dropped to the ground, hands slamming into the dirt, his chest heaving.

The fight. The power. The spirit merge. The serpent.

Everything hit him at once.

Exhaustion gnawed through his bones like venom.

His arms trembled before they gave up entirely, and he slumped to his side, gasping for air.

"…Dammit…" he muttered under his breath, voice barely above a whisper.

The cool earth met his burning cheek, a bitter contrast.

He blinked slowly, vision blurred, slowly.

Meanwhile, a blonde-haired boy lounged lazily on a thick branch, a few meters above the forest floor, hidden in the dense canopy.

He was reclined like he owned the damn tree, one leg dangling, the other propped.

Just below, not too far from him, lay the unconscious wolf-kin. A wicked grin danced on his lips.

The branch barely rustled when the Volcanic Serpent slithered up beside him, flicking its tongue.

Between its jaws—it held the shimmering silver token.

The boy took it with two fingers, twirling it in the air like a coin, letting it catch the moonlight.

"Well, well… what a bunch of morons," he snickered, voice quiet but dripping with mockery. "They beat each other up... and I walk away with the prize."

He kissed the token dramatically, then tucked it into his pocket like it was just another trinket.

Still chuckling, he pulled out a small brown pouch. From it, he took a crushed herb and held it to his nose.

"Heh. Told ya this would work. Even that wolfy boy couldn't sniff past this."

The herb had a bitter, sharp scent—one that masked his own, even dulled the serpent's. He'd prepared this setup days ago.

Yawn!

Then, he leaned back again, arms behind his head.

The Volcanic Serpent coiled beside him, fangs bared and tongue flicking as it kept watch.

"Wake me up if someone tries to be a hero."

And just like that, his eyes closed, and he drifted into deep slumber.

In the Observation Hall...

Faint flickers from multiple crystal spheres shimmered in a darkened chamber, each orb showing scenes from across the forest.

A few professors sat gathered—murmuring, sipping tea, or watching intently.

One screen showed Rudo collapsed.

Another showed the aftermath.

"That damn bastard… he stole from the Wolf-boy. What a coward—can't even fight properly," Professor Halvar growled, squinting.

His tail stiffened behind him. "Always hiding, always sneaking… I've got no respect for cowards who run from a fair fight."

He was the head of the Combat Department—a proud Tiger-kin, upright and always eager for a fight. To him, strength wasn't just about power—it was about honor. And honor didn't come from ambushes.

Professor Gellad chuckled beside him. "It's not cowardice, it's tactics. Wear your opponent down, then strike when they least expect it."

"Tch. Weaklings always support weaklings," Professor Halvar muttered, clicking his tongue.

Professor Gellad crossed his arms over his chest and added, "It's just common sense to pay attention to your surroundings. Unlike some brain-dead kin brute who thinks throwing a punch is the solution to every problem—or the way to win every fight."

Professor Halvar slammed his fist on the table, snarling, "What? You calling me brain-dead?"

Professor Gellad shrugged casually. "I never said that. You're the one assuming it. Which just proves that behind all that proud, roaring bravado of yours… you're nothing but a brain-dead, thick-skulled, half-blind, brute with the finesse of a drunk ogre."

"Enough," Halvar snapped, rising to his feet. He grabbed Gellad by the collar, towering over him. "You picking a fight with me, weakling?"

Gellad's pointed ears twitched as he stared straight into Halvar's golden eyes.

"What if I am? Don't forget—you couldn't even land a hit on me last time. If you're that eager to get your mangy tail handed to you in front of everyone, then by all means, be my guest."

"Alright, you asked for it," Halvar growled, clenching his fist and pulling back for a punch.

Then.

"Come on, you two! Stop fighting like damn brats!" Professor Maelora snapped, rubbing her temples in frustration.

"I'm not a brat."

"I'm not a brat."

They both said in unison.

"Hahaha!" Professor Aldric burst out laughing, clearly amused by their banter.