I am Just an Average Tamer

"What the hell is this?" the noble snarled, shaking him like a ragdoll.

"You deaf or dumb? I told you to bring the obsidian ink, not this cheap trash. Do you think we're playing games here, peasant?"

His other friend chuckled behind him, arms crossed.

"Maybe he thought we were joking. You know, commoners and their 'limited understanding.'"

The black-haired noble finally released his grip with a scoff and shoved.

Thud!

Leo crashed onto the stone path, landing on his backside with a sharp grunt, the impact jolting up his spine.

"Argh!"

A low groan escaped his lips as he blinked through the sting shooting through his hip.

A snicker followed.

The shorter noble, brown-haired with sharp eyes that gleamed with cruelty, leaned in with a mocking smile.

"You better learn your place, mutt. Mess with us again, and—"

He exchanged a knowing glance with the taller one.

Both grinned.

The boy on the ground stiffened.

Then slowly—almost mechanically—he bowed his head

Deep. Until his forehead nearly touched the stone.

"I-I'm sorry… I won't mess up again. Please…"

His voice was low. Hollow. Stripped bare.

But it wasn't enough.

With a snarl, the taller noble stepped forward and kicked him straight in the chest.

"Then maybe you should learn your damn lesson first!"

The blow knocked the air out of his lungs. His body curled slightly, trembling as he coughed and gasped.

Pain flared through his ribs, but he didn't cry out.

He just clutched his chest and trembled biting back everything inside.

"I said I'm sorry," he whispered, but his voice was fading into the background of laughter.

Before he could catch his breath, hands grabbed him again.

The brown-haired noble had moved behind him, yanking him upright by the back of his collar.

Leo's legs barely had time to find footing as he was dragged forward, thrust right in front of the taller one again.

"Let's make sure you really remember this face-down lesson," the shorter one hissed into his ear with venomous glee.

The boy stood there, trembling slightly in their grip.

While the shorter brown-haired noble held Leo by the collar from behind, gripping him like some ragdoll, the taller one casually bent down and picked up Leo's worn-out bag.

He opened it with a sneer, fishing through the contents like a thief looking for treasure.

But Leo didn't have much, just the basics.

A half-eaten bread. Crumpled notebooks with pages yellowed at the edges. A spare academy uniform shirt, neatly folded despite its frayed hem. A basic-grade essence core, barely worth a coin or two.

The taller noble scoffed.

"Pathetic. This all you got?"

Still, he pocketed the essence core stone with a grin.

"Guess this'll do for now."

And then, flung the bag across the narrow walkway.

It hit the wall with a dull thud and slid down, spilling its remaining contents all over the cold stone floor again.

Leo's shoulders tensed.

But before he could react, the brown-haired noble behind him tightened his grip, yanking his collar and forcing him still.

Then—

Smack!

A fist slammed into Leo's face.

His head snapped sideways, and a cry nearly tore from his throat—

But before it could escape, the second punch came even faster.

Thud!

Right across his cheekbone.

"Make a sound," the taller noble said, voice cold and low, "and I'll make sure you don't wake up next time."

The threat hung there.

Leo gritted his teeth, his head bowed low. His jaw trembled, but no sound came out.

Blood trickled from his lip.

His hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.

His legs wanted to give out.

His lungs screamed for air. But he didn't cry. He didn't move.

He just stood there, enduring.

Just as the taller noble raised his fist for another blow, ready to drive it into Leo's bruised face—

A cold, composed voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Make the way."

The voice wasn't loud.

It didn't need to be.

It carried weight, a presence.

Both boys turned, their grins still plastered on their smug faces.

A girl stood there.

Still.

Calm.

Unmoving.

She looked around their age, yet carried herself like someone far beyond them.

Her platinum-silver hair, cascading down her back like silk.

Eyes like emeralds—vivid and piercing—stared back at them with a calm that was more terrifying than rage.

She wore the same academy uniform. But somehow, on her, it looked regal.

The taller noble gave a mocking chuckle.

"And who the hell are you supposed to be?"

The shorter one added, "You lost or something, sweetheart?"

Her expression didn't change.

Not even a flicker of annoyance crossed her features.

"I won't say it again. Move."

The brown-haired one scoffed and released Leo, letting him slump to the ground.

Then the two strolled toward her arrogantly, stopping just a few feet away.

"You know who we are, right?" The taller boy sneered.

"House Ferenthal and House Vosk. One word from us, and your family disappears overnight."

Just as he stepped in closer. "So I'd suggest you—"

Whoosh!

The temperature dropped.

A sudden frost prickled the air.

Their breath turned visible. Their skin turned clammy.

And then—

Hissss...

A serpent uncoiled itself from behind the girl's neck, slithering up to her shoulder.

Its scales shimmered white, like frosted glass and bore intricate sapphire-blue patterns.

Two smooth, horn-like crystals curved back from its head like a crown.

Its eyes, a deep icy blue pair, locked onto the boys like a predator sizing up prey.

It raised its head slightly and let out another low hiss, baring crystal fangs.

The boys instinctively stepped back, beads of cold sweat on their brows.

"Calm down, Snow," the girl said softly.

The serpent lingered for a moment… then obeyed, lowering its head but keeping its gaze fixed on the two.

Then the girl stepped forward, just one step.

And the boys flinched.

The smugness vanished from their faces.

No more taunts.

No more threats.

Just wide eyes.

And then—

They bolted.

Shoulders brushing the walls, nearly stumbling over themselves, they rushed away from the place without another word.

Silence returned.

Then.

Just as he looked up at her, his breath caught in his throat.

Time seemed to pause.

Thump!

His heart just gave a solid thump against his ribs.

And only a single word escaped his parted lips, barely a whisper.

"Beautiful..."

But the girl didn't stop.

Didn't even look back.

With a quiet grace and an air of indifference, she simply walked past him, her silver hair swaying slightly with each step.

The serpent coiled elegantly around her shoulders like a guardian spirit.

She vanished around the corner, and the cold that had settled in the air gradually faded with her.

Leo remained there, crouched slightly, still frozen, not from fear or pain, but from something else entirely.

Awe?

Maybe.

But.

Something unfamiliar stirred in his chest. An ache, not painful, but overwhelming.

Something warm blooming behind his ribs.

Thump! Thump!

His heart thudded faster, louder.

He blinked, snapping himself out of the daze.

A bit too quickly, actually.

Then, as if trying to reset himself, he let out a breath and ran a hand over his face.

"…Get a grip, Leo…" he muttered under his breath, cheeks tinged with a faint pink.

He glanced around and looked down at the scattered contents of his bag, and with a soft sigh, crouched again and began picking them up, methodically, one by one.

His hands moved slowly, distracted.

That girl…

Who was she?

He shook his head. "Not the time."

With a quiet sigh, Leo trudged forward, letting his feet carry him toward the academy's garden.

The garden was tucked beside the central path.

Bright blossoms swayed with the soft breeze, painted in hues of violet, crimson, and pale gold.

The sweet scent of blooming flowers floated in the air.

A marble fountain stood at the center, water flowing in elegant streams that sparkled under the sunlight.

Leo slowed, letting his eyes wander.

It was quiet here.

Peaceful.

He could hear birds chirping from the treetops above, the leaves rustling gently.

Students passed by now and then, but no one paid him any mind.

And so, his thoughts drifted.

Back to her.

The girl with the silver hair and emerald eyes.

How she had faced down those two noble brats without even blinking.

Calm.

Composed. A single command had made them retreat with their tails tucked.

But she hadn't looked at him once.

Didn't ask if he was okay. Didn't say a word to him.

Just… walked away.

Leo slapped his own cheek at the thought.

Smack!

"Ow—" he winced.

"Of course," he muttered bitterly, rubbing the cheek he just assaulted.

"Why would someone like her ever look at someone as pathetic as me..."

His words faded into the rustle of wind through flowers.

He stood there for a moment longer, watching the water dance in the fountain, before finally turning away and heading toward the dorms.

After climbing stairs, he found his assigned room on the second floor and pushed the door open with a small creak.

It wasn't extravagant, but it was better than he used to sleep on.

The room was built for four students, two bunk beds, a set of small wooden desks, and a large window overlooking the training grounds.

A shared shelf sat near the corner, and a soft breeze passed through the slightly open glass pane.

It was empty, for now.

Leo dropped his bag onto the nearest desk with a dull thump.

He walked over to the lower bunk on the left and let himself fall onto the bed, face first, then turned to lie on his back.

His chest rose and fell as he stared up at the wooden planks of the top bunk.

His cheeks were still warm.

"Stupid heart..." he muttered under his breath, placing a hand on his chest.

But he couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at his lips.

Just a little.

Then he closed his eyes and let the comfort of the bed lull the ache in his body.