I am Just an Average Tamer

"Haa..." Kai stretched as he stepped out of his room, running a hand through his slightly messy hair.

His body was still a little stiff from sleep, but there was a quiet energy in the air today.

The first day of classes.

He descended the stairs lazily, the dorm still relatively quiet save for a few early risers moving about.

After grabbing a quick breakfast in the canteen, simple bread, eggs, and a hot cup of herbal tea, he made his way toward the main campus building.

The sky was clear, the sun filtering down through the faint haze of morning mist that hadn't quite burned off yet.

Just he was walking.

Puff!

With motes of white energy, a sleek obsidian black Lynx materialized and hopped on Kai's head with a low huff.

The Phantom Lynx had shrinked her size to that of a cub.

"Morning."

Kai said, patting Vex's head.

"Meeeow."

To which she gave a lazy purr and closed her eyes.

Kai chuckled, putting his hands in his pocket and begin walking.

Around him, students filled the stone paths and walkways, some in groups, others like him walking alone.

There was a quiet buzz in the air, a mix of nervous energy and excitement.

Conversations floated around him in pieces.

"Did you see the classroom map? I think I'm in the east wing..."

"God, I hope I don't embarrass myself in combat class."

"I heard one of the professors is a war veteran from the Frostgate siege..."

But one name kept repeating, like a melody stuck in everyone's head.

Lira.

"She's the new Ace, right?"

"Yeah, and she just destroyed Lei Mei in that fight. Did you see how calm she was?"

"They're calling her the Frost Empress now. Sounds kinda badass, not gonna lie."

"I heard she trained in the northern isles with actual glacial mages."

Kai walked through the chatter without slowing, but he caught the mentions, one after another.

He didn't need to listen closely; the whole academy was still in mild uproar.

In just one week, Lira's reputation had exploded.

Not just among the boys, but even among the girls.

Her calm demeanor, the control she'd shown in battle, and the silent power behind her every move, it had left an impression.

Some called her Ice Goddess.

Others preferred Frost Empress.

And a few referred to her as the Serpent Queen, after her horned Ice Serpent that had dominated the stage.

Kai's eyes narrowed slightly as he stepped through the grand arch that marked the entrance to the main campus building.

The air inside was cooler, the polished stone floors reflecting the sunlight pouring through tall, enchanted glass windows.

The layout was structured, several wings branching off toward different departments, with signs guiding the new students.

He glanced at his schedule on the black card.

"East Wing, Room 1A."

He turned and began walking.

Around him, more students shuffled through the halls, most looking a mix of anxious and eager.

Some passed by in instructor uniforms, carrying stacks of books or enchanted scrolls.

But Kai kept his pace steady.

And reached the classroom.

The room was spacious, sunlight filtering in from tall windows lining one side.

The faint smell of aged parchment, chalk, and polish lingered in the air.

A few students were already there, scattered across the benches.

Some chatted in hushed voices. Others flipped through their notes or just sat in silence, waiting.

At the front row, two familiar figures caught his eye.

Aria sat straight-backed, flipping through one of the thick books she brought with her.

Her expression calm and focused, eyes moving sharply across the page.

Beside her, Riven was slouched in his seat, arms crossed, head tilted back with his eyes closed, clearly asleep.

Typical.

Kai stepped in quietly, nodded once at Aria when she glanced up and offered a faint smile, and then made his way to the back of the room.

He didn't need the attention.

He chose a seat by the window and sat down, the morning sun casting soft light over his desk.

Vex jumped from his head and curled on the table and slept again.

A breeze moved the curtains gently, and for a moment, he let his gaze drift outside, watching the leaves sway on the tall courtyard trees, and listening to the distant, muffled chatter of students in the halls.

He leaned an elbow on the desk, resting his cheek against his palm.

He closed his eyes for a moment and exhaled slowly.

First class of the term.

'Just survive it without a headache.'

Then his eyes drifted lazily across the classroom.

His gaze paused for a moment at the door.

And murmured under his breath, barely audible, "Where is she?"

But he didn't dwell on it.

And leaning back in his seat and resumed watching the clouds outside.

Then—

Click! Click! Click!

The sharp sound of heels echoed through the hallway and into the room.

All the murmurs around him halted.

Chairs creaked as students straightened up unconsciously, heads turning toward the entrance.

And then she entered.

A woman stepped in with poise, her movements smooth, unhurried, but every step carried authority.

Her blonde hair shimmered faintly under the light, tied back loosely to reveal sharp features and eyes that glowed crimson, like a slow-burning fire.

She wore the deep navy and gold-trimmed academy professor uniform, tailored to perfection, elegant, but not overly ornate.

She walked straight up to the podium, heels clicking with each stride, and stood with a practiced grace.

Then she smacked her palm flat on the podium.

Thud!

The sharp sound jolted the few whispering students into silence.

Her gaze swept the classroom, measured, unblinking.

There was something playful in the corner of her smirk, but her eyes held a certain sharpness beneath the calm.

Then she spoke, voice smooth and clear but laced with a teasing undertone.

"Oh? skipping the classes on first day, are we?"

Her eyes paused on a few empty seats.

Then, her smirk widened slightly—

"Not even your precious Ace is taking it seriously, huh?"

She said it low, like a whisper that still somehow echoed across the room.

A few students instinctively flinched or straightened in their seats, and a low, awkward tension followed.

Some glanced at the empty chairs like it might summon them out of thin air.

Just as the professor was about to speak again—

"M-May I come in?"

A breathless voice rang out from the doorway.

All heads turned.

A girl stood at the gate, hand gripping the frame, chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath.

Her caramel-brown hair was slightly tousled, and her blue eyes widened a little when she realized how much attention was on her.

The professor raised a brow, then smirked.

"Well, well. First, we've got no-shows, and now latecomers."

She crossed her arms, tapping her finger on her sleeve, a low chuckle escaping her lips.

"I've got a heck of a class, don't I? Who would've thought this batch's top students would show up this arrogant and egoistic."

"I—" Liliana began, but—

"Stop wasting my time," the professor cut her off with a wave of her hand. "Go. Sit down."

Liliana flinched slightly, then nodded quickly and hurried in, cheeks tinged with red.

She slid into the empty seat beside Kai, still catching her breath.

"Morning," she said softly, her voice a little sheepish.

Kai gave her a quick nod. "Morning."

"Got a good first impression."

"Well," she chuckled sheepishly.

Then Kai's gaze flicked back toward the podium.

Clap!

Then the professor clapped her hands once, drawing everyone's attention.

"Well," she began lazily, "usually I don't care much for this particular session—introductions, rules, familiarization, all that boring crap. But I've been strictly instructed to go through it, so I'll get it over with."

She leaned against the podium, her crimson eyes scanning the class.

"My name is Lysenna Midgair. I'll be your homeroom teacher for this year."

Some students straightened a bit, recognizing the name.

"I'm also the head of the Beast Department," she added, lips twitching into a sly smirk.

"Though I won't be teaching you about that here. You'll get that from me in your specialized sessions."

A pause.

"I'll be handling your Basic Combat."

That earned her a few gasps from the students, some surprised, others intrigued.

Her smile sharpened. "What? Thought someone involved with beasts can't fight with their own hands? Or wield a blade?"

Some students instinctively looked away, caught red-handed by their own assumptions.

She laughed, low and mocking. "You brats, don't ever judge someone by what they tell you… or what they want you to see."

Then she leaned forward, eyes glinting like a predator's.

"And since you all clearly misunderstood me… as your mentor, it's my responsibility to correct that, isn't it?"

A few students swallowed nervously. Her grin widened, damn near evil.

"Anyway," she straightened up and clapped again.

"Today we'll just stick to the bookish stuff. Rules, procedures, all that crap. But tomorrow," she paused, her gaze slowly sweeping over the class like a blade.

"Tomorrow, the real deal begins."

Her eyes locked on Kai.

Longer than anyone else.

A slow, unreadable smirk curled on her lips.

Kai blinked.

A faint chill crept down his spine. He tried to play it cool, but his body had already tensed up a little.

'Is she specifically targeting me…?'

[<You're overthinking.>]

He sighed inwardly.

'Well… I hope so.'