I am Just an Average Tamer

"Mhm…" Rashira groaned softly.

Her lashes fluttered as her eyes blinked open, adjusting to the gentle shafts of morning light filtering through the forest canopy. Her head rose and fell with each breath against the steady rise of Sevyr's chest.

She blinked again. Then sat up slowly.

Yawn!

She stretched her arms above her head, spine arching with a satisfying crack.

"Wakey wakey, sleepyhead," she sang, grinning as she gave Sevyr a playful slap on the cheek.

"Ughmm…" Sevyr groaned, his eyes cracking open. "It's day already?" he mumbled, rubbing the sleep from his face.

Yawn!

He sat up as well, shoulders rolling.

"Yeah, you idiot," Rashira said, brushing a few strands of her green hair behind her ear. A faint blush colored her cheeks. "Good thing no one saw us…"

Sevyr raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Why? It's not like we're doing it secretly."

Rashira flailed, ears twitching violently as a deeper red flushed her face. "S-Shut up, idiot! I-It's just…"

Sevyr leaned in, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Just what?"

"It's embarrassing, okay!? In front of others… so now shut up!" she snapped, crossing her arms and turning away, her face pure beet red.

"Alright, alright," Sevyr chuckled, holding up his hands in surrender. "Mouth sealed." He mimed zipping his lips and throwing away the key.

Rashira huffed, cheeks still hot, but a small smile tugged at her lips as she peeked at him from the corner of her eye.

She dusted off her skirt while Sevyr glanced around, both quietly weighing their next move.

Snore!

They jerked at the sound. Near the railing of the stage—half‑slumped, silver hair tousled—a girl was fast asleep, soft snores escaped her pink lips.

As if feeling their stares, her eyes fluttered open.

She blinked.

And a slow, feline smile curved her lips.

"Ah, the lovebirds are finally up."

Then she arched like a cat, arms overhead, then sprang to her feet with enviable ease.

Rashira's cheeks flushed. "H‑How… When did you get here?"

Sevyr only lifted a brow.

The silver‑haired girl grinned. "Please. I was here first. Both of you arrived after me."

"But we didn't saw you."

"Both of you were just so busy with yourself to notice anyone" Serena shrugged.

Rashira opened her mouth to retort but—

"Oh my, look what we have."

A mocking voice drifted down from a thick branch overhead. A blond boy balanced there, eyeing the three individuals. At his heel coiled a volcanic serpent, scales glowing like live coals.

"Two lovesick chicks and a bitch." He sneered, his deep‑blue eyes locked onto the silver haired girl.

Serena blinked up at him, tilting her head innocently. "Do I know you?"

A vein throbbed in Tristan's temple. "Ofcourse we had crossed paths once and even fought, remember? You stole my token with those cheap tricks." He crossed his arms over his chest.

Serena's smile widened. "Hmm, can't say I recall. I beat a lot of shitheads. Maybe you're the one whose ass I smacked until he coughed up his token?"

"You—!" Tristan's composure cracked.

"Nivex!"

The serpent reared, spewing a blob of molten lava straight at Serena.

It sizzled through the air then—

Fizzled out, a harmless puff of steam against the shimmering barrier of the safe zone.

Tristan gaped. "What?"

Serena spread her arms. "Safe‑zone, genius. Attacks don't work in here. Try using your brain before swinging your dick‑sized ego around."

Rashira covered her mouth to hide a startled laugh. Sevyr just smirked.

Above them, Tristan's face flushed scarlet. The serpent hissed, heat rippling off its coils, but there was nothing it—or he—could do as long as they remained under the ward.

Serena folded her arms, gaze razor‑sharp. "Now, why don't you slither back to whatever rock you crawled out from before I decide to come out there and rearrange your pretty face. Again."

Tristan's jaw clenched soundlessly, fury warring within him, but no matter how much he hated this, he knew he couldn't do anything. Then, with a final glare, he yanked back and vanished into the trees.

Serena exhaled a theatrical sigh. "Men."

Rashira coughed. "You really don't hold back, do you?"

"Never." Serena flashed a wicked grin. "Life's too short to waste on assholes."

Serena leaned forward slightly, silver hair swaying as she tilted her head. "So, what's your name?"

Rashira straightened her posture instinctively, offering a polite nod. "I'm Rashira Ashwood. Th—"

"—And the boyfriend?" Serena cut in, glancing past her toward the white-haired boy.

"He's not my—!" Rashira started, flustered, but was ignored by both of them.

Sevyr gave a soft chuckle and a graceful bow. "Sevyr Venn. A pleasure to—"

"Serena Whitheart," the silver-haired girl interrupted again, tossing her hair. "And I don't care about your fancy titles, so don't bother."

Both Rashira and Sevyr's lips twitched in annoyance, but they held back. There was no winning against a storm like her.

Before the banter could continue, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention.

Several figures emerged from the treeline, slowing as they neared the stage.

Serena raised a brow, smirking. "Well, looks like the center's about to get a little crowded."

"Yeah," Rashira nodded, eyes scanning the newcomers. "Only a few hours left until the trial ends. Makes sense they'd gather here. The miasma outside's been thickening by the minute."

As the figures drew close to the barrier's edge, most of them halted. They eyed the trio standing inside the safe zone, glancing at the glowing description.

Cautiously, the newcomers kept their distance. Those who already knew one another grouped up, exchanging quick whispers. Others stood alone, watching.

"Hey... you think they all got the token?" a short-haired boy muttered to the taller one beside him.

The bulky teen with a broadsword squinted toward the platform. "The ones inside? Yeah, no doubt." he jerked his chin toward the figures who lingered near the tree line, "But I'm not sure about them."

The tension in the air grew denser, like the calm before a storm.

On the platform, Serena shifted her stance, placing a hand on her hip. "Guess it's time for the vultures to start circling."

Sevyr chuckled.

Outside, a few more participants began filtering in, wary eyes scanning everyone—especially those already inside the safe zone. No one made a move yet, but the air crackled with unspoken intent.

"What should we do now?" the short-haired boy whispered, eyes darting nervously.

The taller one remained silent, gaze fixed on the trio inside the safe zone. Then he spoke, voice low.

"They're like us. Only those with tokens will try to enter the barrier to secure their spot in the academy… and at the top ten. People like us? Whether we're in or out doesn't matter."

"So?" the shorter one asked.

The taller boy's eyes swept over the clearing, narrowing at the newcomers trickling in from all directions.

"We'll target anyone trying to enter. If they're headed for the barrier, they likely have a token. That's our opportunity."

The short-haired boy nodded, posture straightening. His hand settled on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

One by one, more than thirty participants gathered near the glowing dome of the safe zone.

All remained cautious, maintaining their distance, from friend and foe alike, except for few who chose to stick together.

It was like they all silently agreed. 'Make the first move.'

Then—

"Ah! Finally, a place to rest." A loud voice broke the tension like a dagger through silk.

Heads snapped toward the source.

A brown-haired boy strolled into view, lips curled into a smug grin.

"What? Why're you assholes looking at me?" he sneered, raising a brow in open annoyance.

He shoved past a few participants without hesitation, muttering, "Get lost," as he marched toward the barrier.

The crowd watched him approach, eyes sharp with interest.

"Well, let's take a breather—"

But the sentence died in his throat as the boy raised his foot to step into the barrier.

"Hand me your token."

"Your token's mine."

"Back off. He's my prey."

"No, mine."

In an instant, all the participants lunged at him, like starving hyenas descending on an oblivious rabbit.

Blades, spells, and claws flew in every direction.

"What the f—!?" the brown-haired boy gasped, but his voice was swallowed in the chaos.

A blade sliced through his shoulder. An arc of lightning cracked against his chest. Fire roared behind him. He tried to defend himself, but the barrage was too fast, too brutal.

Then—

Pop!

His body shattered into white motes.

Eliminated.

Silence fell, for a moment.

"Where's the token!?"

"Give it here!"

"I saw him first!"

"I moved first!"

"I attacked first. It's mine, obviously!"

What started as a hunt turned into another brawl, the crowd now began fighting each other over an unseen prize.

Moments later, a few participants stepped over to where the boy had fallen.

"There's nothing here," one said, crouching. "He was empty."

"What?"

"No way."

"Then why the hell was he acting so arrogant?!"

"Yeah! Why would he try entering the barrier if he didn't have a token!?"

Inside the safe zone, the trio watched the chaos unfold with matching smirks.

"Who knew getting here early would be this entertaining?" Serena purred, with a satisfied grin.

Rashira rolled her eyes. "You're seriously weird."

"Hehe, I get that a lot."

As their playful banter continued, the tension outside hit a boiling point again.

"Maybe you stole the token while we weren't looking!" a boy shouted, pointing at a duo huddled against a tree.

"Yeah! Hand it over, or else..." another added, stepping forward threateningly.

"We didn't take anything!" the accused pair protested, panicked.

"Lies!"

Weapons were raised again, but before blood could spill—

TIIIIING!

A high-pitched chime echoed through the forest, cutting through the madness.

"Attention, participants," a voice boomed from above, calm but laced with amusement.

"Since things were getting a bit too boring… we've decided to spice up."

"This trial is now changed."

"WHAT!?"