I am Just an Average Tamer

The rays of sun cut through the forest canopy, bathing the small clearing in soft golden light.

Dew still clung to the leaves that were glistening like tiny crystals.

In the center of the clearing, the sound of

swift movements, sharp gusts of wind, and the occasional low growls echoed.

Whoosh!

Kai moved with practiced ease, as he ducked and sidestepped Vex's Phantom Slash, only to counter with a wooden throwing knife aimed toward Falcon, who was streaking through the air.

Falcon twisted mid-air at the last second, diving low and skimming the ground in a flash of speed.

Vex reappeared behind Kai, her claws glowing faintly.

But Kai spun around just in time.

Parrying with his dagger.

Clang!

The clash echoed briefly before both sides backed off again.

No killing intent. But no holding back either.

On the edge of the clearing, Lina and Elina sat side by side on a moss-covered log. Elina gently petted the mossfur cub nestled in her lap, its leafy ears twitching happily with each stroke.

A little further away—

"Arrgh!"

Ethan screamed.

"Why is it always the face?!"

Lina's Hare darted forward again, leaving behind a swirl of green wind.

With a light tap of its glowing paw, Ethan was flung backward—again—landing flat on his back for the fourth time that morning.

"Argh!"

He groaned, arms sprawled.

Lina rested her chin on her palm, chuckling. "He said he wanted to 'get stronger quickly' yesterday, didn't he?"

Elina giggled. "He also said he wanted to tame a beast even cooler than yours."

The Hare stood beside Ethan, tail flicking as if unimpressed.

It gave a short, smug trill and turned away.

"Haa...haa!"

Ethan just lay there, wheezing.

Back in the clearing, the mock battle reached its climax.

Kai lunged forward, using Essence Coating to close the gap.

Vex sidestepped, but Kai predicted it—landing a palm strike against the lynx's shoulder, forcing her back.

Falcon dove in from above.

[<Sonic Dive!>]

But—

Kai leapt sideways, sliding across the grass and throwing two senbon in one motion.

One nicked Falcon's wing, making him miss his mark.

Then—

They all paused, panting, each wearing tired but satisfied expressions.

Kai sheathed his dagger, looking toward his companions.

"Not bad," he said, exhaling. "You're both sharper than before."

"Meooow!"

Vex swayed her tail, in her master's compliment.

Falcon gave a quick, sharp cry of acknowledgment before landing on his head.

From the sidelines, Elina clapped softly. "That was amazing!"

Ethan groaned again. "Why… does my training feel like bullying?"

Lina smirked without sympathy. "Because you're weaker."

Ethan huffed, face still in the dirt.

Then—

Suddenly, Vex's eyes glowed faintly for a moment, and a ripple of essence spread from her core before settling again.

Kai blinked. He could feel it.

"…You broke through?" he muttered, stepping closer with a hint of surprise in his tone.

Vex gave a soft huff, tail flicking.

From the side, Lina clapped happily, "Congratulations!"

Skree!

Falcon, clearly feeling left out, gave a disgruntled caw before flapping up into a nearby branch to sulk.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the clearing…

"Stop dodging so much and just get hit already!" Ethan cried, flailing wildly as Hare zipped around him in short bursts of wind. The hare gave a little hop, let out a puff of breeze, and sent the boy tumbling backwards onto the grass.

Lina tried not to laugh, but Elina wasn't holding back at all—giggling as she patted the mossfur cub resting in her lap.

The leafy little beast squeaked contentedly as Elina scratched under its mossy chin.

"This is bullying," Ethan groaned dramatically from the ground.

"No," Lina smirked, "this is training."

The group was enjoying the calm.

Birds chirped above, and the clearing felt peaceful.

Until—

Unfamiliar footsteps approached from the wooded path.

A teenage boy emerged, maybe a year or two older than Kai.

His cloak was tidy, his boots polished. A hawk-like beast perched on his shoulder.

He paused at the edge of the clearing. "Didn't expect to find anyone else this deep in the woods."

Kai stood up, watching him cautiously. "We're training."

The boy nodded, stepping closer. "You all traveling tamers?"

Lina nodded, standing from her place. "Sort of. Who's asking?"

The stranger gave a slight smile. "Name's Riven. I'm from Athel's Crest. Just passing through on my way back to the capital."

His hawk ruffled its feathers, eyeing Falcon curiously.

Kai exchanged a glance with Lina. "Capital, huh?"

Riven crossed his arms, "Yeah. There's a tournament coming up soon.Good place to test yourself… or show off, if that's your thing."

He shrugged, then added with a light smirk, "Figured I'd let you know, you know, so you can brag about the day you met the upcoming legendary tamer."

Lina huffed.

Kai silent.

A quiet tension passed for a moment—then Elina suddenly shouted, "Hare's winning again!"

Everyone glanced over to see Ethan covered in grass stains, crawling after the wind hare with pure determination.

Riven raised a brow. "You've got an interesting party."

Kai exhaled through his nose, "That's one way to put it."

"Well," Riven said, stepping back, "if you show up in the capital, maybe we'll have a proper match. I'll be around."

With a nod, he turned and disappeared into the trees, his hawk launching into the air above.

Lina folded her arms. "Tournament?"

Kai looked toward the forest path, "Could be something worth looking into."

"So, joining?" Lina beamed, eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Only if the price is good."

****

After the sun began to dip low and training wrapped up, everyone slowly made their way back to the Inn they were temporarily calling home.

Lina waved over her shoulder. "Don't take too long, Kai. Dinner's not gonna wait!"

"I won't," Kai replied.

Vex yawned beside him. Vael circled overhead before settling onto a branch.

Kai stepped into the middle of the clearing again, exhaling slowly. "One more round."

[<Essence Coating activated!>]

Ethereal white energy envolped his body.

With twin daggers in both hands, he lunged forward.

It wasn't about getting stronger just for the sake of it.

He had a feeling... that the calm they'd been enjoying wouldn't last.

Time passed. The sky turned orange.

"Phew!"

He finally stopped, sweat trailing down his temple as he caught his breath. "Alright, that's enough."

Just as he turned to head back—

Hoooowl!

A distant snarl pulled him from his thoughts.

Vael lifted off silently, scanning ahead.

Kai moved.

As he neared the disturbance, he saw—

There, a pack of Stonehide Wolves.

Sturdy, low-rank beasts with tough hides and earth affinity.

They had circled a lone creature.

Kai's brows knit.

In the center, cornered and limping, was a beast unlike anything from this region.

Its silver-blue scales shimmered faintly, and long bony javelin-like spikes extended from its shoulders and tail.

A Silverhorn Drakelet.

Its breathing was labored, one hind leg bloodied.

Still, it growled low, holding off the wolves with stubborn pride.

[<Damn your luck brat. These things are pretty rare.>]

Kai smirked, tilting his head.

"Guess I'm not the only one overworking tonight."

He stepped out of the bush.

The wolves snapped their heads to his direction.

One of the wolves leapt.

Kai moved.

Whoosh!

He intercepted it mid-air, his dagger slicing cleanly along its side.

[<Phantom Slash!>]

Vex emerged beside him.

[<Sonic Dive!>]

Falcon dived from above, disrupting another wolf before it could pounce on the drakelet.

The remaining wolves turned, startled by the new threat.

Kai's eyes narrowed.

The fight had just begun.

The startled wolves regrouped fast.

Five of them left, each growling with bared fangs, their bodies low and tense.

[<Ghost Steps!>]

Vex melted into the shadows of the trees, disappearing from sight.

Falcon soared above, circling.

Kai didn't wait.

[<Ghost Steps activated!>]

He vanished from where he stood.

One wolf lunged—only to yelp mid-air as Kai reappeared beside it, his dagger flashing in dark, eerie aura.

A clean strike to the neck—

Thud!

And it dropped it instantly.

Another turned.

Too slow.

[<Phantom Slash.>]

In a blur of motion.

Kai he weaved past the second wolf, slicing through its flank.

It staggered, then—

Thud!

Fell.

The pack hesitated now.

Their instincts screamed danger.

But before they could retreat.

Skree!

Falcon let out a shrill cry from above.

[<Sonic Dive!>]

With explosive speed, Falcon surged toward the third, striking it directly with his beak and talons.

Crack!

The impact knocked the beast into a tree, leaving it unconscious.

The last two wolves darted in opposite directions — one toward Kai, one toward the wounded drakelet.

But Vex was already there.

She emerged from the shadows behind the wolf heading for the drakelet.

[<Phantom Slash!>]

Slicing its spine before it even sensed him.

Thud!

The beast collapsed with a thud.

Kai ducked under the final wolf's bite and countered with a flurry of dagger slashes — sharp and precise.

The wolf yelped, backing away, but Kai didn't let up.

One final spin.

A swift slice across the throat.

Thud!

Silence returned to the clearing, broken only by Vael's slow wingbeats as he landed and Vex's light steps beside Kai.

Kai straightened, brushing the blood from his face, "That's the last of them."

The Silverhorn Drakelet still stood where it had been, tail wrapped protectively around itself.

Its spikes flared slightly in warning.

Kai crouched, sheathing his daggers.

"I'm not here to hurt you," he said softly.

The beast looked at him.

Wary but not hostile.

Its golden eyes scanned his face, then the beasts beside him, and seemed to understand.

Scree!

It let out a weak huff and slowly lowered its guard.