I am Just an Average Tamer

Morning rays spilled through the tall windows, painting golden patterns across the floor of the dorm room.

At a small study table, a platinum-haired girl sat hunched over, her fingers absentmindedly threading through her silver strands.

Her emerald green eyes stared at the clutter of books and notes in front of her, though her thoughts were clearly elsewhere.

"Hah…" she exhaled sharply, her brows pinching together. "I messed up."

Leaning back in her chair, Lira tilted her head to the ceiling, lips thinning in frustration.

"You absolute idiot," she muttered. "You were supposed to have a happy reunion after all this time. And what do you do?"

Her voice turned mocking.

'Ignored him the second you see him. Said nothing. Then lashed out and storm off like a child.'

She let her forehead drop to the desk with a quiet thud.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Lira…" she grumbled into the wood.

Rubbing her temples, she squeezed her eyes shut. "Great. Just great. First day, well technically my first day of academy and I already get into a fight with the only friend I have."

She laced her fingers together, elbows on the desk, resting her chin on her hands with another sigh.

Silence settled for a moment, until her eyes flared open, and she shot upright.

"But I did try," she snapped defensively, to herself. "I initiated the conversation. He's the one who got all weird and cold. He's the one who looked at me like a stranger!"

She stood up, arms crossed, pacing once. "It's all that idiot's fault. I tried. I tried acting normal, being a friend, but no, he had to make it complicated."

Her eyes narrowed, the heat rising again. "Seriously… What kind of jerk acts like that after years apart?"

Knock! Knock!

She froze.

Her trail of complaints cut short as her head turned sharply toward the door.

She took a deep breath. Then, in her usual cool, indifferent tone, she said.

"Come in."

The door creaked open, and a young female attendant in uniform stepped inside. She bowed politely.

"Lady Lira," the attendant said. "The Vice Principal requests your presence."

Lira blinked, surprise briefly flashing in her eyes before her expression settled again.

"…Tell her I'll be there in five minutes," she said evenly.

The attendant gave a small nod and stepped out, closing the door behind her.

As the room fell quiet once more, Lira took a deep breath and turned toward the mirror, brushing her fingers through her hair once more, this time with a little more care. Her eyes met her reflection, sharp yet troubled.

"Get it together…" she muttered.

And with that, she turned and walked out.

******

[<Ding!>]

[<New Skill Acquired: Null Lash>]

[Null Lash]

Description: A focused, linear slashing technique that nullifies all physical and magical resistance in its path for a brief moment. The slash displaces energy layers on contact, erasing enchantments and shielding effects it touches. The aftermath leaves behind a faint ripple that briefly silences mana-based responses from the target.

Side Effect: Causes a brief numbness in the arm used to execute the strike.

And precision is crucial. Poor execution reduces the nullifying effect.

The roll turned into motes of energy and vanished.

As something inside Kai stirred.

His fingers twitched once, as if already itching to try it out.

A quiet grin touched his lips.

"This… is sharp."

He stood, adjusted his collar, and began walking toward the stairs.

As Kai exited the Elite tier library floor, his steps were light and measured, he paused by the large crystalline clock embedded into the wall just outside.

Its mechanical gears turned with mana-infused precision, and the glowing blue hands pointed sharply:

[9:28 AM]

Still two and a half hours before the next lecture.

"Plenty of time," he muttered.

Sliding his hands into his coat pockets, he turned left and descended the broad marble steps leading away from the library tower.

The morning air was brisk but clear, the sunlight spilling through the floating spires and branching walkways that stretched between the different sectors of the academy like skeletal bridges.

His destination?

The Mission Hall.

A place where students could accept quests ranging from simple herb-gathering to dangerous dungeon sweeps. It was where elite students sharpened their edge, and lower-ranked ones tried their best for earning enough for 3 meals a day.

After walking for few minutes, he reached his destination.

The mission hall stood on the eastern quadrant of the academy grounds, nestled at the edge of a plateau that overlooked the valley below.

From a distance, it looked more like a fortress than a hall.

A massive obsidian-and-steel structure, its surface inscribed with ancient beast crests and mission symbols that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

The architecture was brutal but elegant: tall, spiked towers at each corner, giant arched entrances flanked by guardian statues, and banners displaying the academy's sigil.

Students strolled around the entrance, some in armor, others cloaked in robes or carrying weapons still dripping from a recent task.

Above the main gate, glowing letters floated:

[Mission Administration & Guild Affairs Center – Students' Division]

The moment Kai stepped through the heavy double doors, the atmosphere changed.

Inside, the hall stretched like a cathedral, illuminated by floating crystal lights. Rows upon rows of glowing mission boards lined the walls, each board enchanted to cycle through dozens of available jobs.

The scent of old parchment, mana ink, and polished steel hung in the air.

To the left, a queue of students waited at the Mission Application Desks, where attendants, clad in sleek uniform coats, approved mission requests and handed out quest permits.

To the right was a lounge space, with enchanted couches and refreshment trays for those waiting on team formations or mentor approvals.

Up ahead, a wide staircase spiraled to the second and third levels, rumored to be where solo missions and blacklisted assignments were issued. Only top students with special clearance ever went up there.

And at the center of the ground floor was a tall pillar, its surface displaying a map of the continent. Dotted across it were mission markers.

Kai walked past the crowd gathered near the more popular B-rank missions and stopped before the C-Ranked Mission Board.

This section wasn't as chaotic as the beginner E and D-rank boards filled with eager newcomers, nor as intense as the high-risk B-rank ones where injury, or worse was a real possibility.

Instead, this area had a quieter feel to it.

C-Rank missions were meant for the students who had at least reached the at least Advanced Core rank, just like Kai, who was at Mid-Advanced Core.

Most of them were meant to push one's limits without endangering their life… too much.

The board in front of him carried a list of currently available C-rank tasks. Each one came with a short description, time limit, and reward amount in Credits.

[Subjugation: Duskwasp Hive]Area: Glinthorn Ridge - Outer NestDetails: Eliminate at least 3 adult Duskwasps and retrieve their venom sacs. Hive may contain up to 7 active drones. Bring antidote if allergic to insect-type venom.Reward: 150 Cr + resource dropsSolo allowed. Time limit: 4 hours.

[Scout: Mana Pulse Disturbance]Area: Eastwind Hollow – Deadroot Grove perimeterDetails: Investigate abnormal mana pulses detected in the area. Report findings. Combat optional, recommended to be prepared for wild beast encounters.Reward: 125 CrSolo or Team. Time limit: 6 hours.

[Artifact Retrieval: Forgotten Watchtower]Area: Blackmere Trail – Ruins Zone 2Details: A relic fragment was detected within a crumbled watchtower. Retrieve it before degradation. May involve mana traps or residual warding spells.Reward: 150 CrSolo only. Time limit: 3 hours.

[Beast Repulsion: Emberfox Sightings]Area: Northern farmsteads – Civilian outskirtsDetails: A pair of Emberfoxes have been seen near civilian zones. Repel or subdue them before they approach livestock or homes. Avoid lethal force if possible.Reward: 150 Cr + bonus if uninjuredSolo or Team. Time limit: 2.5 hours.

Kai's gaze calmly scanned through them, but his mind was already working in the background.

The Artifact Retrieval task stood out.

'Residual warding spells and traps. Perfect.'

A defensive location that would force quick reactions and careful timing.

It was the ideal low-pressure mission to test Null Lash, especially if it had any unusual interaction with spells.

He turned and made his way toward the far-right corner of the hall, where a long marble counter was manned by several academy staff members dressed in black and gray uniforms.

Behind them were rows of scrolls and glowing terminals for mission registration.

Kai stepped forward when one of the attendants looked up.

"Submission or Approval?" the man asked in a clipped tone.

"Approval," Kai replied.

The staffer nodded and gestured. "Which one?"

Kai gave them the card, that engraved the mission details.

"Alright. Student ID."

Kai fished out his black and gold-accented identification card from his pocket and handed it over. The attendant placed it on a rune-etched slab behind the counter. After a pulse of light scanned across its surface, the floating terminal lit up green.

"Mid-Advanced Core. Eligible. Solo confirmed. Time registered." The attendant slid the card back. "You have 3 hours to complete and return the relic. If not, mission will auto-fail, and penalties will apply."

"Understood," Kai said, pocketing the card.

A small mission scroll with the assignment details materialized on the counter beside a sigil-sealed satchel containing a mana beacon flare, standard issue for emergencies.

Kai picked them both up and gave a curt nod before turning on his heel.