I am Just an Average Tamer

Kai, Elina, and Lina reached the coliseum grounds, where the grand tournament would take place.

The place was buzzing with excitement—banners fluttered, loud chatter filled the air, and crowds already gathering.

Lina looked at Kai, her arms crossed but a rare softness in her eyes. "Good luck, don't get yourself killed."

Elina grinned, throwing a fist into the air. "Kick their butts!"

"Language!" Lina snapped, shooting her a disapproving look.

Elina just stuck her tongue out.

Kai chuckled, shaking his head. "Thanks," he said simply, then turned and walked toward the massive building where participants were gathering.

While walking, he gave a mental command.

'Status!'

But nothing happened.

'Zer?'

Again nothing.

'Should have guessed.'

He sighed and shook his head.

The moment he stepped in, he was met with a sea of tamers—around a thousand, each radiating determination, nerves, or arrogant confidence.

Kai ignored it all.

He scanned the room quickly and began walking toward an empty corner to settle in.

But just as he was about to sit—

"Well, look who it is," a familiar voice called out behind him.

Kai turned around—and there they were.

Riven strolled in with that same lazy grin, Aria beside him, walking with her usual quiet confidence.

"Told you we'd run into him," Riven said with a smirk.

Aria just gave Kai a small nod.

Kai blinked once, then sighed. "Of course you two are here."

Riven laughed, loud and carefree, then threw an arm around Kai's shoulder like they were lifelong friends.

"You're lucky, y'know? Getting saved by me and getting to see this beauty before the tournament."

With a smug grin, he extended his other hand.

With a swift flick of his fingers, a beast appeared beside him—a majestic Flame Serpent hissed softly, its eyes glowing like embers.

"Rare-class," Riven said, puffing out his chest. "Got it after I wiped out a whole volcanic nest. Ain't she a beauty?"

Kai blinked. "...Cool."

Beside him, Aria stood quietly. At her side padded a sleek Ironfang Panther, its obsidian fur gleaming and its glowing yellow eyes tracking every motion in the room.

Kai gave it a glance. Strong. Dangerous.

She didn't say a word, simply gave Kai a quick glance before looking away.

Meanwhile, Riven kept going—ranting about his training, his beast's new abilities, his "sure-win" strategy, and how he was going to wipe the floor with the competition, how Aria's panther was the second-coolest beast after his, and how the others were just "extras in his story."

Kai's jaw tightened. He was really trying to be patient. But Riven was like a hurricane of noise.

He glanced once at Aria, hoping for a lifeline—but she simply raised an eyebrow, amused.

Kai sighed internally. There was no escaping this. Riven was stronger than him for now, and unfortunately, way too clingy to shake off.

So, he did the only thing he could.

He gave up, leaned slightly on the wall, and let Riven yap away about his greatness.

Just as Riven was getting to the part about how Flame Serpents were worshipped by ancient fire cults or something, a loud voice echoed through the hall.

The announcer stepped onto the raised platform, his voice booming through the enchanted amplifiers scattered across the massive hall.

"Participants, attention!"

Kai let out a deep sigh of relief—finally, something to shut Riven up.

The crowd hushed as a tall man in formal guild attire stepped up to the front, his voice magically amplified to reach every corner of the massive chamber.

"Welcome to the official Adventurer's Guild Tournament! As you all know, this tournament is divided into two categories—Juniors and Seniors. Juniors: Ages fifteen to eighteen. Seniors: Nineteen and above."

He let that hang in the air a moment.

A murmur of excitement swept through the hall.

"Now, for the Juniors' entry round—the Beast Nest Hunt!"

"You must collect three tokens from designated beast nests. The nests have been set up in the nearby trial forest. You will have two hours."

A low murmur rippled through the crowd.

Kai's gaze sharpened.

"But," the announcer added with a smirk, "the tokens are limited."

The hall fell dead silent.

"And remember," the announcer continued, "you must return within the time limit. Those who fail to bring back three tokens or fail to return in time... will be disqualified."

A few tamers in the crowd clenched their fists. Some looked nervous. Others thrilled.

Kai's eyes narrowed.

The announcer raised a hand, and with a shimmer, multiple glowing magic circles began to appear across the marble floor of the hall.

"Participants will be transported in groups of five," he declared. "Step onto the circles when your number is called."

One by one, participants began moving. The circles lit up brighter as each group stood, their figures slowly beginning to blur as the teleportation magic charged.

Kai crossed his arms, watching silently.

Soon, it was his group's turn.

Before stepping on, Aria turned to him. "Good luck," she said softly.

"Aww," Riven cooed, leaning in with a grin. "Is this the power of love? Should I give you both some space?"

Kai rolled his eyes, turned his head to Aria and gave a small nod. "You too."

Riven placed a hand to his chest dramatically. "Oh no, he's falling for her too!"

Then, ignoring Riven's exaggerated winks and whistles, he faced forward.

The spell activated.

WHOOSH!

When Kai opened his eyes, he was no longer in the grand hall—but surrounded by towering trees, thick mist, and distant roars. The forest was alive with the sounds of beasts, echoing from every direction.

Just as he stepped forward—

GRAAH!

A gruttal roar echoed from his left.

Kai turned, lips twitching into a grin. "What luck," he muttered.

A Stoneback Boar, covered in jagged, rocky armor, burst from the underbrush, tusks gleaming.

It charged.

But the boar hit nothing.

Kai had vanished.

Vael shot downward from above, Sonic Dive piercing through the air.

At the same moment, Kai reappeared behind the boar—fist cloaked in dark energy.

Phantom Slash.

BOOM!

His punch landed squarely on its flank, sending the beast skidding across the forest floor before collapsing, unconscious.

Kai landed, adjusting his stance.

He exhaled slowly... then paused.

Thump! Thump!

Rustle!

He could feel it—more of them.

A slow smirk curled on his lips as he turned in their direction.

"Let's go hunting."