I am Just an Average Tamer

As Kai strolled aimlessly through the quiet paths of the academy, he found himself at the edge of the Observation Ridge.

The night was calm. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying the faint scent of dew-soaked grass and distant blooming mana-lilies.

His steps slowed.

Under the arching branches of a crimsonleaf tree, he spotted a figure.

And then he stopped altogether.

She stood, no, sat beneath the sprawling canopy, the rich red leaves shifting around her like a curtain of velvet fire.

The moonlight, cold and serene, poured down from above, painting her form in soft silver.

Which clung to her like a second skin, tracing the gentle slope of her shoulders, the elegant line of her back, and the cascading fall of her platinum-silver hair, which shimmered like stardust in the breeze.

Her profile was visible, delicate and serene, as though carved from porcelain.

Emerald green eyes stared up at the sky, quiet and unblinking, reflecting the stars above.

There was a stillness to her, a kind of peace that made everything else around her feel... distant. Removed. As if the world had slowed down just to match her pace.

She didn't move when Kai stopped.

But then—

As if sensing him.

She shifted slightly, straightening her posture, but never turning to look at him.

Then, in a voice that was soft… almost fragile, she spoke.

"It's been five years, hasn't it?"

Kai blinked, his breath catching for a moment.

The wind blew past.

Then he let out a low, dry chuckle, the sound carrying a mix of disbelief and unspoken emotions.

"Heh… Oh, so now you remember me?"

He smiled bitterly.

"I thought you forgot I even existed."

He walked forward, slowly.

Then, without waiting for a reply, he sat down beside her.

Not too close.

Just far enough that the space between them could still hold the weight of time.

Then, Lira finally turned her head to him.

Her eyes shimmered beneath the moonlight.

"It's nothing like that," she said softly, voice barely above a whisper.

"I remember you clearly. You were the first friend I eve—"

"Then what was that before?"

Kai cut her off, sharply.

His voice was firm, but there was a tremble underneath, one not of fear, but frustration.

"You just turned away like I was..."

His lips curled bitterly.

"...something beneath you. Like I didn't matter. You didn't even a gave damn smile. You just dismissed me like a stranger, Lira. Like I didn't exist."

His voice cracked a little at the end.

Lira blinked, visibly taken aback, she turned to face him fully now, and her expression shifted into something unreadable.

"I didn't mean to," she said.

"It's just..."

"Just what?"

Kai scoffed, leaning back and shaking his head.

"Ashamed of being friends with someone like me? That it'd ruin your image or whatever nobility you've climbed into? A duke's daughter? And yeah, you've become the great 'Frost Empress' now, right? Must be disgraceful to talk to a no-name orphan like me."

Lira's eyes widened. Her jaw clenched tight.

She inhaled sharply through her nose.

"Kai, you're going overboard."

"Oh really?"

He stood halfway, sarcasm dripping from his tone.

"Then forgive me, Lady Lira. I won't dare soil your presence again."

He turned away, jaw tight, steps almost moving, but then—

"Oh, then where the hell were you?"

Her voice struck through the night like a blade.

Kai stopped, breath catching.

He turned back slowly, only for her to continue before he could speak.

"Why did it have to be me?"

Her voice rose slightly.

"You were there in the arena too, weren't you? Watching me. So why didn't you say anything after the duel, huh?"

Kai opened his mouth to argue, to say she left, to say he didn't get the chance.

But no words came.

He simply stood there, mouth open, unable to form a reply.

Lira stood now too, facing him completely.

"You think I ignored you? Fine. Maybe I did back there."

"But you could've come up to me too! But you didn't. And even now, I was the one who said something first. You just stood there like a weirdo, staring at me from the shadows like a creep!"

She clicked her tongue and turned her face away, visibly frustrated.

"Hey, I'm not a creep," Kai muttered, blinking at her sudden burst.

"You are," she shot back instantly.

"You were literally lurking in the shadows and staring without saying a word," Lira shot back, her emerald eyes flashing under the moonlight. "Sounds like creep behavior to me."

"You think this is funny?" Kai muttered, scoffing. "Glad to see your sense of sarcasm's still intact, at least."

"And you're still the same, dramatic, always jumping to conclusions without hearing people out."

"Hearing what out?!" Kai snapped.

He gestured vaguely toward the academy.

"You walked right past me like I was some damn background noise! Not even the decency of giving a f*cking nod, Lira!"

Her lips parted, but he cut her off again.

"And now you're blaming me for not crawling back into your life like some desperate mutt?"

He scoffed bitterly.

"Nah. I already know where I stand."

Lira's emerald eyes flashed.

"Don't twist this around like you're some victim, Kai."

Silence fell again, this time heavier than before.

Kai folded his arms and glared at her.

"You know, you've got some nerve acting like I'm the one who messed up."

Lira snapped her gaze back to him, eyes narrowing.

"You did. You made it all about yourself, as always. Playing the victim when you didn't even try."

"Oh please," Kai rolled his eyes.

"This coming from the Ice Queen who didn't even blink my way. You act all calm and composed, but underneath, you're just a coward who runs from people that care about her."

That struck.

Lira's breath hitched for a second, but she masked it with a cold scoff.

"Better a coward than someone who sulks and throws tantrums just because the world didn't give him a hug."

Kai laughed bitterly, a low, humorless sound.

"Wow. There she is. The noble bitch I met in the classroom. You've really grown into your title, haven't you?"

Lira's hands clenched.

"And you? Still the same brat who thinks he's owed everything because he had a rough start. Grow up, Kai."

"Right. Guess that's what I get for thinking you were different from the rest."

Kai shook his head, turning his back on her.

"This was a mistake."

Lira crossed her arms, jaw clenched.

"Agreed."

Lira open her mouth but then closed and let out a low breath and looked away.

"Forget it."

Kai's fists clenched at his sides.

"Yeah. Should've figured."

Both stood there, for few seconds.

And then, with a final glare, they turned—

Lira heading toward the main dormitory path, her steps sharp and quick.

Kai turning the other way, muttering something under his breath.

He walked with slow steps, hands shoved deep in his pockets, his brows furrowed and jaw clenched. The wind was cool, brushing against his face, but he barely noticed.

Suddenly—

[<You were being an overdramatic, brat.>]

A blue panel popped out in front of him.

'I was not.'

Kai snapped back internally, his lips twitching with annoyance.

[<Oh? Then what was that display back there? Throwing a tantrum like some emotionally unstable teen.>]

Kai opened his mouth, ready to defend himself, but no words came.

[<Exactly. You just snapped at her after she literally admitted and tried to reconnect.>]

He blinked, gaze falling to the floor as he walked.

His shoulders slackened slightly.

'She didn't even say something back at the class, so it's not…'

[<And you didn't approach her either, genius. It works both ways.>]

'But she looked at me like, like I was nothing.'

His tone grew defensive again, quieter this time.

[<So instead of asking why, you decided yelling and guilt-tripping her was the mature response?>]

Kai bit his inner cheek, steps slowing.

'I was just... angry.'

[<I know. But you lashed out. And she was right. You need to grow up, Kai. Stop running from everything the moment it gets complicated.>]

'Running from what?'

The voice in his head gave a final sigh.

[<Figure it out yourself.>]

And then… silence.

Kai clicked his tongue.

"Damn beast…"

He muttered, dragging his feet up the stairs to the upper floor.

The dorm halls were quiet.

Kai stepped into the academy's personal training chamber.

The door slid shut behind him with a soft hiss.

Then he changed his clothes and dropped on the floor.

"1, 2, 3, 4..."

After few minutes, he stood up.

His muscles ached, but it was a satisfying ache.

Thud!

He dropped onto the bench, wiped his forehead with a towel, and then turned his eyes toward the glowing holographic screen in front of him.

{Daily Task}

Push-ups: 180 ✅

Pull-ups: 180 ✅

Running: 18 km ✅

Crunches: 180 ✅

Plank: 18 min ✅

[<Ding!>]

[<You've completed your daily task.>]

[<Here are your rewards: 3 pts>]

[<Ding!>]

[<100 Gacha Points completed: Received x1 Gacha Coupon>]

{Current Gacha Points: 2/100}

[<Do you want to use your Gacha Coupon?>]

[<Yes>]/[<No>]

'Yes.'