I am Just an Average Tamer

The guild worker gave a curt nod. "It'll be ready in twenty minutes. Wait by the eastern gate."

******

Outside, Kai found Lina and Elina sitting at a small open-air stall under a patched canopy. The old vendor served them hot buns filled with spiced root vegetables, a specialty of the region.

Vex sat obediently by Elina's side, but her eyes never left the bun in her hand.

"You're not getting this," she said seriously to the lynx, then immediately caved with a giggle and tore off a piece for her.

Kai sat down beside them, watching quietly as Vex munched it.

The cub from earlier, now named Puff by Elina, was dozing inside her satchel, only a green vine-tail poking out.

"This is nice," Lina said, stretching her arms behind her.

******

Not long after, a worn but sturdy wagon pulled by two steady-looking beasts rolled up by the gate.

The driver, an old man with a straw hat and a toothy grin, tipped his head.

"Capital trip, yeah? Hop on, young'uns."

They climbed aboard, Elina plopping down by the window with excitement sparking in her eyes.

Vex curled beside her.

Lina sat across, arms crossed but with a soft smile playing on her lips.

As the wagon rolled out of the town and onto the wide dirt road, Elina leaned out slightly, pointing at random tree along the way.

"Look! A weird tree! Look, Lina..."

Lina chuckled. "You're like a wind-up toy."

Kai, seated near the back, leaned against the wagon's wall.

He let their chatter fill the air.

For a moment, it really did feel like peace.

But Kai's eyes twitched, 'Really?'

The wagon had barely passed the treeline when it jerked to a sudden halt.

The driver yelped, "We're surrounded."

From outside, rough voices erupted.

"Well, well, what do we have here?"

Elina flinched, clutching tightly onto Lina's sleeve. Her wide eyes darted toward the canvas-covered opening as heavy footsteps circled the wagon.

Lina placed a hand gently on her head, shielding her slightly, while her own brows furrowed.

"Looks like trouble," she muttered and turned onto Kai, grinning, "Time to shine our Knight in the shining armor. Protect your pretty princesses."

Kai let out a long sigh and stood, brushing the dust off his shirt. "Guess peace didn't last long."

He pushed aside the flap and stepped out of the wagon.

Waiting for him were at least seven men, all in mismatched armor and tattered cloaks. One had a crossbow slung over his back. Another twirled twin daggers.

Their leader stood tall and broad, with a jagged scar running down his left eye and a massive cleaver resting on his shoulder.

"This ain't personal," the leader growled. "Just drop the coins, the gear, and the girls. We might let you crawl back to the road."

Behind him, a few of the bandits licked their blades, jeering and laughing.

Kai looked at them all.

Then, with a slow stretch of his arms, he rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. "Mmh... perfect timing."

He smirked, stepping forward without hesitation.

"Needed a warm-up."

Kai raised a single arm.

The bandits sneered, mistaking it for surrender.

"Good, now hand o—"

Two blurs burst from the wagon like arrows released from a taut string.

One silver, one black.

By the time the bandit leader turned to look.

Thud!

The neck of the man on his right had already hit the dirt.

"Aaargh!"

While the one on his left had a gaping hole through his chest, eyes wide in disbelief as he crumpled.

The remaining bandits froze mid-step.

Their confidence cracked.

But only for a second.

"Kill him!" the leader roared, snapping them out of their daze.

Three lunged at Kai, blades flashing in sync. But he didn't retreat.

Instead, he stepped forward.

A clean sidestep.

And slashed his dagger.

"Argh!"

Blood sprayed, and one dropped, neck slashed open.

Two others slipped past, heading straight toward the wagon.

Towards Lina and Elina.

Big mistake.

Kai didn't even flinch.

Behind them, the air crackled.

Before the bandits could register the sudden chill in the atmosphere, a jagged, javelin-like tail slammed through one's back and carried him straight into the second, pinning them both into the forest floor.

Then, the Drakelet stepped forward, eyes gleaming with stormy fury.

It opened its maw, lightning dancing along its tongue then roared.

A blast of raw lightning surged out, engulfing the two impaled bodies.

"Aaaaah!"

Their screams turned to smoke.

Ash drifted down like snow.

The remaining bandits tried to flee, but they never made it far.

Between Vex's phantom slashes, Vale's sonic dives, and the Drakelet's wrath, the clearing turned into a warzone.

Scorched earth.

Blood-soaked leaves. Silence.

It was over in minutes.

Kai rolled his shoulders again, casually wiping his blade on a fallen bandit's cloak. Then, as if nothing had happened, he knelt beside the bodies and began looting them with the calm efficiency of someone collecting herbs.

Pouches. Rings. Weapons. Even snacks.

By the time he stepped back into the wagon, his coat was a little dusty, but his expression hadn't changed.

Lina gave him a tired look and shook her head. "Shameless."

Elina was still wide-eyed, mouth parted.

…That was so cool," she whispered.

Kai blinked. " You okay?"

She nodded furiously, then bounced to Vex and started playing with her tail like nothing had happened.

Lina raised a brow. "And the new one?" she asked, glancing outside.

Kai reached into his soul space and brought out the Drakelet, now calmly curled like a cat.

Both girls leaned in.

Elina gasped. "What is that?! It's so cute!"

Lina's eyes narrowed, studying the elegant scales and faint lightning crackles.

"That's not ordinary."

Kai smirked. "Found him last night. Saved him from some wolves."

"Of course you did," Lina muttered.

"He chose me," Kai added with a shrug.

The Drakelet let out a low hum, nuzzling Elina's hand, much to her glee.

As the wagon continued down the road, conversation resumed.

The storm had passed.

And now, it was quiet once more.