I am Just an Average Tamer

"That's… not something you see every day. Bonding with a drake is no easy feat."

Her gaze shifted to Kai, analyzing but not judgmental. "You're not from any noble house, are you?"

Kai tilted his head slightly then shook his head.

She chuckled softly.

"I'm Viviane Althrael. Student Council President."

Kai gave a short nod. "Kai."

"Riven," the green-haired boy added, flashing his usual half-lazy grin.

"Corrin," the silver-haired one said flatly, but gave a respectful dip of his head.

Viviane nodded, her expression pleased but unreadable.

She turned and walked back toward her beasts, gently patting the side of her Wind Roc and whispering something under her breath.

One by one, the majestic creatures dissolved into fragments of light.

Corrin stepped forward, arms crossed, and eyed Stromoen carefully. "...Isn't he that little draklet?"

Kai turned slightly and nodded once. "Yeah. He's him."

Riven blinked, then swung around to grab Kai's shoulders with both hands.

"Dude!" he said, eyes practically glowing. "You seriously have a fucking drake! When were you going to tell us this?! What happened to the tiny lizard who used to nibble your boots!?"

Kai looked sideways at him, unfazed. "He grew up."

"Yeah, grew into a walking lightning bolt with a vendetta!" Riven laughed, still gripping Kai's shoulders as he gave him a playful shake. "Next you'll tell me he breathes actual storms."

"He does," Kai muttered.

Corrin's eyes narrowed, taking a step around Stromoen's side, as if seeing the creature in a whole new light. "Hmph. I thought he looked familiar. But this… this is something else."

The thunder drake gave a low growl, amused perhaps, then huffed a small puff of smoke and sparks before lowering its head.

Kai reached out and gave him a brief pat. With a ripple of air and a flash of light, the drake vanished.

After a moment of silence, they started walking again, continuing down the stone path shaded by tall trees, the breeze cool and lazy.

After a few quiet steps, the sound of soft boots joined them.

"You guys are heading toward the classes, right? Would you mind if I tag along?"

Viviane's voice carried gently as she approached them again, walking a bit closer this time, her silver-blue hair catching sunlight like strands of frostlit silk.

Before anyone could respond, Riven raised a brow and chuckled.

"Of course you can, Pres. You don't need permission for this."

Viviane gave a light, musical chuckle. "If you say so."

Both Riven and Kai looked at each other and shrugged.

And with that, the group moved forward, walking side by side on the quieter path around the academy's gardens.

Birds chirped somewhere up in the canopy, and distant murmurs of students echoed from farther paths.

Viviane walked calmly, hands folded behind her. Kai kept to his usual silence, eyes forward.

Riven started whistling some tune under his breath. Corrin, as usual, said nothing, but occasionally his gaze flicked toward Viviane, then back to Kai.

As they reached the wide steps of the main academy building, the breeze faded and the buzz of students grew louder.

The towering structure loomed with elegant stone arches and crystal-paneled windows reflecting the early sunlight.

Viviane stopped at the base of the stairs and turned toward them.

"Well, that's it then. I've got to take care of a few things."

Her tone was polite.

Kai nodded once.

Corrin lazily waved her off. "Sure thing, Pres."

Riven gave a small salute with two fingers. "Yeh, go do your leader-y things."

Viviane smiled at that.

Then she extended her hand toward Kai. "And again, thank you. For earlier."

Kai hesitated only a second before reaching out and taking it. Her grip was firm, warm, confident.

Their eyes met. Just briefly.

Then she turned on her heel, her silver-blue hair fluttering behind her, and walked up the stairs, vanishing into the crowd at the entrance.

Corrin stretched his arms back behind his head with a groan.

"Ugh, I swear if today's class is another three-hour monologue about those shitty theories, I'm gonna lose it."

Riven walked after him, slapping his back. "Same. I swear the old guy has beef with us personally."

Kai didn't say anything. He shoved his hands back into his pockets and was about to follow when—

He caught a flicker of motion behind caught his eye.

Then turned and saw Lira was walking toward the building, her pace quick but not rushed, her gaze fixed straight ahead.

Kai opened his mouth. "Hey, Lira—"

But she walked right past him. Didn't slow down. Didn't look at him.

"Huh…?"He blinked, caught off guard.

But then, just before she reached the entrance, she threw a glance over her shoulder.

Just a glance.

Then she disappeared inside.

Kai stood there for a second, frozen.

"What was that?"

Then clicked his tongue and muttered under his breath, "The fuck is her problem?"

Shoving the thought aside, he moved in.

After entering his class.

Kai made his way to the back and slumped into his usual seat beside Corrin.

Corrin had his arms crossed on the table, head buried into them.

Kai stared at him.

"This guy…" he sighed, resting his cheek on his fist.

"How the hell does he sleep like that?"

Before he could get more comfortable.

Click! Click! Click!

Sound of heels echoed through the room.

Professor Lysenna strolled in with her usual confidence.

She stopped near the podium, placed one hand on her hip, and let her sharp crimson eyes scanned the room.

A few students sat up straighter under her gaze.

Then she grinned.

"Good news, everyone," she said, her voice smooth and just loud enough to quiet the murmurs. "We won't be doing theoretical garbage today."

The class collectively exhaled, some with excitement, others with dread.

Lysenna clapped once. "Instead, we're heading out. It's time to stretch those limbs, crack a few bones, and see how all your 'studying' has actually translated into real combat."

Riven leaned forward, a grin spreading across his face. "Duels?"

Lysenna's grin widened. "Yes Duels. Not your soft, friendly sparring matches. I'm talking about pressure, strategy. Go wild kiddos and show me what you got."