I am Just an Average Tamer

The grand stadium had long emptied, its once-roaring crowds scattered to their own affairs after the trial's conclusion and the reward ceremony.

In one of the upper VIP chambers, a silver-haired girl was sitting on a plush sofa.

She rose from her seat with practiced grace, the folds of her sapphire dress fluttering faintly as she walked toward the exit.

Each step echoed softly along the marble hallways, her posture upright, expression poised, every movement measured.

After a short walk down a garden-laced corridor, she spotted two men conversing near the balcony overlooking the Areana's inner courtyard.

One of them she recognized immediately.

A tall man with the same silver-white hair as hers, but with deep, glacial blue eyes. His presence commanded attention effortlessly, even in silence.

Her father.

The other man, though older, radiated an even more commanding presence.

His dark chestnut hair was streaked with iron-gray, swept back with impeccable grooming.

His eyes were sharp, deep violet, gleaming like polished amethysts beneath the sunlight.

His cloak was trimmed with fine gold embroidery, and the sigil on his collar—a silver wyvern wrapped around a sun—marked him unmistakably.

Lira approached them quietly, stopping just before them and offering a polite bow.

"Good evening, Father. It's nice to see you again, Your Grace."

Her father, Duke Elsworth, offered a soft smile in return, "Lira."

The other man gave her a slight nod, more courteous than warm. "It's been a while, young lady. How have you been?"

"I've been well, Your Grace," Lira replied with calm composure, her gaze politely steady.

"And yourself? I trust your travels went smoothly?"

A chuckle rumbled from the older man. "I've come with my nephew this time. He insisted on seeing the academy where his future bride is to enroll." He gave a knowing smile. "And, of course, hoped for a moment with you."

Lira didn't flinch, didn't even furrow her brow. Her tone remained as cool and precise as ever.

"Your Grace… to clarify, there's been no official announcement. That means, I am not his fiancée."

"Not yet," the man corrected smoothly, with a trace of amusement. "But after graduation, that will change. It's already agreed upon by both parties, no?"

Lira said nothing. Her lips remained sealed, her expression unreadable.

But beside her, Duke Elsworth's jaw tensed ever so slightly.

The man continued with a clap of his hands, as if brushing away the tension. "In fact, I was just heading to meet him. How about we all go together? A little family reunion, hmm?"

Before her father could respond, Lira offered another bow, this one lower than before.

"I'm honored, Your Grace, but I've already made other plans. Perhaps another time."

She straightened, nodded to both men, and turned on her heel without waiting for a reply.

The soft clicks of her heels faded quickly into the distance.

The violet-eyed man watched her go, then turned to Duke Elsworth with a dry smile.

"Well, looks like it's just us old folks then."

Duke Elsworth chuckled, but there was little humor in it. "Indeed. So then… what's your plan, my lord?"

The older man gave a dramatic sigh, adjusting the cuffs of his cloak.

"I don't imagine my nephew will be thrilled to spend the evening with relics like us. How about we grab a drink? I know a place nearby."

Duke Elsworth gave a small nod. "That sounds agreeable."

And with that, the two men strolled off down the corridor, their cloaks swaying behind them.

Meanwhile...

The soft echoes of Lira's footsteps followed her down the quiet corridor of the Medical Wing, a long, white-stoned hallway lined with heavy oak doors, each leading to private infirmary rooms.

She opened the doors one by one, her silver brows gradually furrowing with each check.

Inside, many of the beds were still occupied, some bandaged, others unconscious, and a few sitting upright while nurses tended to them.

'Not here,' she thought, her lips pressing into a tight line.

Finally, she stopped before the last door at the far end.

Her hand lingered on the cold brass knob. For a moment, she hesitated… then turned it.

The door creaked softly open.

Empty.

Lira exhaled quietly.

'Just where are you?'

She was about to turn back when a smooth, courteous voice called out from behind her.

"Are you looking for someone, Milady?"

Lira paused and turned.

A silver haired young man with mismatching eyes stood a few paces behind her.

As their eyes met, he bowed politely.

Lira's gaze narrowed, recognizing the boy.

"Are you the younger son of Lord Duskwood, perhaps?"

He straightened and offered a calm nod. "Yes, I am."

She gave a single nod of acknowledgment.

There was a pause—

Then he asked, "May I know whom you are searching for, Milady?"

"Well, I was looking for... Princess, yeah, Princess Rashira. I assumed she might still be recovering here, so I came to visit her briefly."

He shook his head once. "I'm afraid you've only just missed her, Milady. She left a few minutes ago, along with that elven boy who always trails behind her. If you go now, you might still catch up."

"…I see. Thank you for the information."

She turned gracefully, her voice trailing behind her like her flowing dress.

The boy dipped his head once more.

"The pleasure is mine, Lady Elsworth."

And then, without another word, he opened the infirmary room beside him and stepped inside.

The door clicked softly shut, leaving only the quiet hum of mana lamps and distant footsteps in the corridor behind.

-------

Kai, Elina, and Liliana wandered through the lively streets.

Kai glanced at the pair beside him, brows slightly knit.

"Are you sure this is okay?" he asked, watching Elina bounce in excitement.

Liliana brushed her hair bangs back and flashed him a smug little grin.

"Relax. We're rich."

She flicked a gold coin between her fingers before it vanished into her sleeve like a trick.

"Just buy what you want."

Before Kai could protest, Elina threw her hand up like she was volunteering for battle.

"Okay!" she yelled, dashing off toward a nearby stall piled with colorfully wrapped candies.

Kai let out a small sigh. "Don't let her eat too much sweet stuff."

Liliana chuckled softly, following at a slower pace.

"I've got it covered."

She reached into her pouch and pulled out a small, pearlescent pill sealed in a tiny glass vial.

"A Cleansing Dragee. Flushes excess sugar and restores digestive balance."

Kai gave her a blank look.

"That's not the point."

Liliana just winked.

"Then you should've said that."

Eventually, they found a quiet bench in front of a tall marble fountain.

Water cascaded down from the jaws of a stone lion into the basin below, catching fragments of sunlight like shattered glass.

Elina sat between them, legs swinging, happily munching on her stash of caramel cubes and glowing fruit drops.

Liliana nibbled on a honeyed skewer of roasted lotus root, while Kai reluctantly allowed himself a luxury meat bun stuffed with rare herbs and seared beast meat, something he would never have bought with his own money.

If she was paying, might as well make it count.

For a while, they sat in silence.

Then, suddenly, Elina paused mid-chew.

Her little head tilted upward, a puzzled look crossing her face like she'd heard something strange.

She blinked, then just shrugged and went back to eating.

Kai noticed, his eyes narrowing slightly. "…You good?"

She just nodded, cheeks puffed out.

He relaxed, leaning back again.

[<Interesting.>]

'What?'

There was a moment of silence.

[<Nothing. Forget I said anything.>]

Kai frowned faintly, but didn't press further.

****

A few moments ago...

"So, how's the boy?" A middle-aged man asked, his tone calm yet sharp.

He sat inside a lavish carriage, the deep maroon velvet interior muffling the sounds of the street outside.

The vehicle rolled to a slow stop at the edge of the bustling plaza, where a black-haired boy disappeared into the crowd.

"Mmm... Interesting~," came a sultry, melodic voice.

Opposite him sat a woman draped in a dark violet gown, embroidered with silver vines that shimmered faintly under the lantern's glow.

The fabric hugged her curves gracefully before flowing out like liquid midnight.

Her long, wavy platinum hair, tied loosely in a half-up style, strands tumbling down her back like silk.

Her eyes, crimson, feline, and far too knowing—watched the retreating figure with amusement.

"He really does look like him… back when he was young," she murmured, tilting her head.

A playful smirk tugged at her lips as she leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm, elbow propped on one knee.

"Though, I never knew he had a son. Could he be an illegitimate child? Hiding him all this time… oh, if the word gets out—"

"I don't think he's his son." The man cut her off coolly.

She raised a delicate brow, her eyes flicking to him.

"Hmm?"

"I didn't sense his aura. His features, sure were somewhat similar. But the presence? The pressure? It's missing. He's nothing like him."

"Maybe he got more from his mother?" she mused aloud.

"No," the man said firmly. "Even if that were true, there'd be something, a flicker, a spark. But when I met him, I felt nothing."

The woman tapped her chin with a manicured nail, her smile never fading. "Then what is he?"

A soft chuckle escaped her lips.

"Oh, I do love a good mystery," she whispered, voice dripping with amusement.

Then, she snapped her fingers.

From outside the carriage, two figures materialized, cloaked in pitch-black garb, faces hidden beneath hoods.

They dropped to one knee, silent and disciplined.

"Keep an eye on the boy," she ordered smoothly. "But don't get too close. And make damn sure he doesn't notice you."

The cloaked figures nodded once before vanishing like phantoms.

The man glanced at her, one brow arched. Before he could voice his thoughts, she spoke again.

"They're from my personal unit," she said sweetly, reclining back against the cushioned seat.

"If he really is connected to him, then that bastard might be watching from the shadows too. And I don't want my fun ruined."

She giggled softly to herself, a dangerous edge beneath the amusement.

"Soon… I'll find it out," she whispered, licking her lips.

The carriage jolted slightly as it began to move again, leaving behind the fading noise of the plaza.