I am Just an Average Tamer

The scuffle died down.

But she didn't move right away.

Lira stood there still, silent and swept her gaze across the classroom.

Calm and unbothered.

Then—

Her eyes locked onto Kai.

His breath caught.

Just for a heartbeat, his chest swelled. Was it joy? Relief? Something else entirely?

He couldn't tell. And not even care to.

They stared at each other in silence.

[<Your girlfriend's gone badass, but you? Meh.>]

Kai ignored it.

He opened his mouth, lips parting, maybe to say something, anything—

But Lira turned away.

Without hesitation, a word and moved to the empty front-row corner and sat, far from everyone else.

Few more students entered the room, but no one approached her. No one even dared sit nearby.

She closed her eyes, as if they didn't exist.

Kai just… stared.

Unblinking.

'What the hell happened…?'

His chest tightened, a knot forming right in the center. She didn't smile. Didn't nod. Didn't even acknowledge him beyond that single look.

'Not even a hi…?'

His jaw clenched.

[<She moved on, brat. You missed your shot.>]

'Shut up, you dumb beast. It's not like that.'

[<Then what is it?>]

Kai didn't answer. He just exhaled sharply and leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping the edge of the desk.

Corrin nudged his shoulder.

"So?" he whispered, "What do you think about her? How strong is he? I couldn't even sense her essence."

Kai blinked, pulled from his spiraling thoughts. "Huh?"

He focused, pushing his own essence out slightly, just enough to feel hers.

But…

Nothing.

A blank void, like trying to reach into smoke.

"…Strange," he muttered. "Maybe she's stronger than us…"

"No way she's that strong," Corrin said, eyes narrowing. "I can sense up to Peak-Great Core. She can't be beyond that."

Kai just shrugged. "Beats me. Could be some kind of artifact."

Corrin tapped his chin in thought, then grinned. "Artifact, huh? Interesting… Guess I'll find out myself when I challenge her."

And with that, he dropped his head onto the desk, and.

Snorrrk!

Kai's lips twitched. "You fall asleep too fast, man."

No response. Just a slow, rhythmic snore.

Then.

Click! Click!

Another set of footsteps echoed through the classroom.

Not heavy… but authoritative.

Professor Lysenna had arrived.

Flick!

"Ouch!" Corrin groaned as Serena flicked his forehead.

Then she shushed him and straightened.

Corrin, just as he saw the professor, all his sleep vanished and rested his chin at his palm.

The room fell into a hush as she strolled in, her long coat sweeping behind her, a beast core pendant faintly pulsing at her neck.

Smack!

She dropped a thick tome onto the podium, the sound cracking through the silence like a whip.

Her sharp eyes scanned the class, a mix of laziness, nerves, and awkward posture, before a slow, crooked grin tugged at her lips.

"Well, well… looks like everyone showed up today. Miracles do happen."

Her tone was dry. Amused.

Then her eyes landed on Lira.

And the smile sharpened.

"Miss Ace," she drawled, "Would you be so kind as to introduce yourself to the class?"

She tilted her head slightly.

"Of course, had you been present yesterday, like everyone else, we could've done this then and spared my precious time. But who am I to complain? I'm sure you were very busy."

She leaned on the podium, voice light but laced with thorns.

"Unlike me. I clearly have nothing better to do. Just the Head of the Beast Department, you know? Nothing stressful. I wake up, drag my tired limbs across campus, and come here just to entertain a bunch of arrogant, overgrown noble brats and their equally dramatic peers."

A few students stiffened. Some swallowed audibly.

"But don't worry," she added sweetly, "This isn't a scolding. Not at all. I'm simply thrilled to waste a little more time today. So, please, Miss Ace, introduce yourself so we can get on with it."

Lira's eyes twitched, just slightly but she didn't say anything.

Instead, she rose from her seat with practiced grace, her movements smooth and composed, as if the tension in the room didn't exist at all.

Turning slightly to face the class, her emerald eyes swept over the students with quiet disinterest.

Then she spoke.

Her voice was calm, refined, neither loud nor soft — yet it cut through the air like a blade.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Lira Elsworth, daughter of Alair Elsworth. And your appointed Ace."

A pause.

Her gaze lingered a moment longer before she continued.

"I hope we can maintain a peaceful learning environment. That said, if you have no relevant reason to approach me, then don't."

Another pause. Her tone dipped colder.

"I dislike being disturbed without cause. Thank you."

The with a short, almost dismissive nod, she turned back toward the front, locking eyes with Professor Lysenna for a brief second before sitting down once more.

Several students stiffened in their seats after Lira's words, especially the boys. A few instinctively sat up straighter, avoiding eye contact like prey sensing a predator.

But Professor Lysenna?

She just grinned wider, almost amused.

Her crimson eyes swept across the classroom, sharp yet playful.

"Though I had something special planned for you all…" she began, voice dripping with dramatic flair.

She clicked her tongue in exaggerated annoyance.

"The higher-ups decided I can't throw you into the fire just yet. Apparently, it's 'against protocol' to traumatize students in the first week."

A dramatic sigh escaped her lips as she leaned back slightly.

"So," she said, placing a hand on her chest in mock heartbreak, "my dear, pampered children... you'll be stuck doing bookwork with me all week."

She shot the class a look of despair, like they'd committed a personal offense against her.

Though most of the students sighed in relief, visibly relaxing now that no physical exams or beast assessments were happening soon.

A few didn't react at all, already resigned to whatever came.

But a select few?

They met Lysenna's expression with the same gleam, a glint of chaos-loving excitement.

Corrin was one of them.

He leaned forward slightly, lips curved in a grin that mirrored the professor's.

"Man, she's insane," he whispered to Kai, eyes gleaming.

Kai didn't answer. He was still half-staring at Lira from the corner of his eye.

The class went on as expected.

Professor Lysenna, despite her earlier theatrics, slipped into her role like a seasoned tutor.

She discussed foundational principles, combat stance, footwork dynamics, and the vital importance of personal protection in various fighting styles.

Her explanations were sharp and clear, with just enough bite to keep everyone awake.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Lysenna clapped her hands once.

"That's it for today. Keep these things in mind, because I won't repeat anything tomorrow," she said, snapping her book shut with a thud.

Just as she turned to leave, she paused at the door.

Then slowly, she turned back with a smile.

"Oh, by the way…"

Her crimson eyes gleamed.

"Those who were absent yesterday, come with me."

Corrin blinked. "Huh?"

But Lysenna continued, her tone light but laced with intent. "I did say I'd let it slide, right? But after those dusty old fossils on the board shot down my plans, I've been feeling a little... disappointed."

Her smile widened, almost too kindly.

"Don't worry, cuties. I won't punish you or anything scary. Just come with me. A little orientation, let's call it."

Kai gave Corrin a firm slap on the back.

"Well, now you'll finally know what you missed yesterday."

Corrin swallowed but quickly smirked. "Heh, I'll be back before you know it."

Kai mock-sighed. "Such a brave soul. I'll miss you. Sniff."

"Oi. We're not heading to war," Serena muttered, rolling her eyes as she stood up.

Then she, Corrin, and a few other students who hadn't been present the day before followed Professor Lysenna out, a mix of apprehension and curiosity on their faces.

Lysenna didn't look back.

She just walked ahead, her boots tapping against the floor, and somehow, each tap felt like a countdown.

Kai let out a tired sigh and leaned back.

Liliana stood up, stretching her arms over her head with a soft groan.

"Poor guys… I almost feel sorry for them," she muttered under her breath, her voice half amused.

"You should feel lucky," Kai replied with a smirk. "She let you slide even though you came in late."

Liliana huffed, brushing her hair back. "Tch. She was distracted, that's all."

Without saying anything more, she casually strolled over to the desk where Corrin was sittig and settled down down.

Kai raised a brow.

But Liliana didn't even look at him. She just turned her face toward the window.

"Don't overthink it. The view's better from here."

Kai blinked, staring at her for a second… then gave a quiet shrug and dropped his head back onto the table.

He didn't feel like thinking too much right now.

He just waited, eyes half-closed, as the classroom buzzed with low chatter and footsteps outside.

Waiting for the next class to start.