I am Just an Average Tamer

Then the few pairs were announced and took their turns in the ring.

After some battles, Professor Lysenna called out the next pair.

"Serena Whitheart and Tristan Rosenthal."

The silver-haired girl stretched with a casual yawn.

"Guess it's my turn now."

Rashira bumped her fist.

"Yeah, go and win."

"—And smack some ass," Serena added with a grin, then chuckled as she walked toward the ring.

Rashira's lips twitched at her vulgar choice of words.

She sighed but smiled faintly as Serena moved ahead.

Serena stepped into the center of the ring just as her opponent entered from the opposite side, a blonde-haired boy with sharp blue eyes.

A volcanic serpent was collided around his arm, molten scales glowing with heat. And he held a flame sword, burning steadily.

"I'll teach you today what it means to mock me," Tristan growled.

Serena tilted her head, clearly unimpressed.

"Who are you again?"

Tristan's jaw clenched.

"Stop playing dumb—!"

Before he could rant further, Professor Lysenna's voice cut through sharply:

"Let the duel begin!"

The moment Professor Lysenna's voice rang out, the tension on the training ground snapped like a drawn bowstring.

FWOOOM!

Tristan's volcanic serpent reared up with a hiss, its scaled body glowing with molten veins.

Heat radiated off it in waves, distorting the air around him. He pointed his flame-forged sword at Serena.

"Nivex, scorch the ground!" he barked.

The serpent dove low and lashed out with its tail, sweeping a wave of searing flame toward Serena.

Serena moved.

Not back. Not to the side.

Forward.

With one swift step, she dashed into the heat, her twin short swords drawn in a blur of silver.

CLANG!

One blade intercepted the tail just before it struck, redirecting it to the side with a sharp clang.

Her second sword sliced upward, sending a burst of embers scattering into the sky.

"Too slow," she muttered under her breath.

Tristan snarled and lunged forward, his sword trailing flames as he brought it down in an overhead arc.

BOOM!

The impact cracked the ground where she had just stood.

But Serena had already sidestepped, her motion fluid like water.

One spin. Two steps.

And she was behind him.

"Behind you, blondie."

Tristan whirled, but a flash of her blade came first.

One of Serena's blades slashed across his thigh, not deep, but enough to make him stagger.

He growled, eyes flicking to his serpent.

"Nivex! Burn her!"

The volcanic serpent coiled and lunged, mouth opening to release a stream of blazing fire.

Serena didn't flinch.

Instead, she threw one of her swords like a spinning disc. It slammed into the serpent's jaw just as it reared back, causing the fire to burst prematurely, flames arcing into the air and missing her completely.

In that half-second of confusion, she closed the distance.

BAM!

A boot slammed into Tristan's chest, knocking him off balance.

He tried to swing his sword again, but Serena caught his wrist with one hand and drove the hilt of her remaining blade into his ribs with the other.

He coughed, nearly dropping his weapon.

"Y-You—"

"This is how you duel."

She wrenched his wrist, kicked his legs out, and in a blink, he was flat on his back, blade at his throat.

The volcanic serpent hissed, ready to leap again, but Serena raised her sword toward it.

"Try it, and I'll knock those fangs out."

The serpent stilled. Its molten glow dimmed.

Silence fell.

Then—

"Winner, Serena Whitheart!"

Lysenna announced, clearly amused.

Serena stood up, stepped back, and sheathed her blades like it was just another morning warm-up.

She didn't even turn to look at Tristan, who was still wheezing on the ground.

Rashira met her halfway with a grin and a fist bump.

"You didn't just smacked his ass," Rashira said, chuckling.

"You burned it."

"Hehehe," Serena chuckled, twirling one of her short swords before sliding it back into its sheath.

"Not my problem he was such a dick."

Rashira pinched the bridge of her nose with a sigh, at her vulgar language, and no longer bother to point it out.

Serena rolled her shoulders before stretching her arms above her head with a satisfied yawn. Then her eyes drifted toward the group where Kai stood. Her smirk returned.

"Tch. I was hoping to get partnered with that pretty boy, but…"

She trailed off with a lazy shrug.

"Ah well, maybe next time."

Rashira raised an eyebrow.

"You mean Kai?"

"Mmhm." Serena winked.

"He's got that whole broody vibe. Makes me want to mess with him."

Rashira chuckled quietly but didn't respond. The two of them turned back to the arena as another round wrapped up and Professor Lysenna raised her hand for silence once more.

"Next pair will be Corrin Duskwood versus Riven Weaverheart!"

The atmosphere shifted.

Corrin slowly pushed himself off the pillar where he had been lounging, a faint smirk tugged on his lips. He cracked his neck, then his knuckles, and gave a mock bow toward Riven.

"Shall we dance?" he said smoothly.

Riven snorted and rolled his shoulders, grinning.

"I was waiting for this."

He tossed a lazy glance at the others before striding toward the center.

"Don't expect me to go easy just 'cause we're on the same team."

Corrin's smirk deepened.

"That's cute. You think you can keep up."

Gasps and murmurs echoed around them as the two stepped into the ring.

Kai raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"This should be interesting."

Liliana leaned forward with an eager grin.

Aria, beside her, gave a light shrug.

Serena, still not seated, cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted,

"Oi, Corrin! If you lose this, I'm taking your dessert tonight!"

"You can try," he yelled back.

Professor Lysenna gave them all a sharp look, and the crowd quieted.

"Let the duel begin!"

-------------------------------

{Chapter End}

{<A/N>}

{Yo, guys welcome back. Just wanted your review on the change of the pace and how the slice of life moments going. Please do comment your opinions. Thank You.}