I am Just an Average Tamer

After the ceremony ended, the participants were led back inside.

The large waiting room had been quickly transformed—long tables lined with food and drink.

Laughter and chatter began to fill the space as the tension from the tournament slowly lifted.

Everyone was finally breathing again—some celebrating, some nursing their bruised pride.

Outside, the crowd started to disperse.

Laughter and chatter echoed through the arena as families and friends made their way to the exits, sharing their favorite moments.

Lina and Elina, who had been cheering in the stands the entire time, stood up from their seats and made their way towards the back of the arena, hoping to meet up with Kai.

A few minutes later, Kai stepped out of the participant hall with Aria beside him. They walked quietly, both tired, both lost in their own thoughts about the battles they had seen and fought.

Then, a familiar voice called out.

"Oi! Wait up!"

They turned to see Riven hurrying toward them, half-limping, half-jogging.

A grin stretched across his face despite the obvious strain his body was under.

His jacket hung open, revealing the fresh bandages wrapped around his torso and arm, but he didn't seem to care.

Kai blinked once but didn't say anything as Riven skidded to a stop in front of them, slightly out of breath.

"You two just gonna leave a wounded man behind?" Riven teased, clutching his chest dramatically as if mortally wounded.

Aria rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "You should be resting, idiot."

"I already rested enough." Riven scoffed.

Then he turned to Kai and smirked, "And our dear Alliance boy," then sighed dejected look, "when you become famous, don't forget this bro who saved you when you were at your lowest, already touching the ground."

Kai just sighed and shook his head, deciding to remain silent, than entertaining him.

Together, the three of them made their way toward the exit, Riven couldn't help but keep the chatter alive, tossing lighthearted banter at Kai and Aria.

"I'm just saying," Riven said, with a mischievous grin, "if you two had left me behind, bleeding and all, I would've haunted you as a grumpy ghost."

Aria rolled her eyes again. "You already act like one."

But Kai's steps slowed when he spotted two familiar figures a little away from the thinning crowd.

Elina and Lina stood there, looking a little downcast—probably worried after everything that had happened.

Their eyes scanning the crowd like they were searching for someone.

The moment Elina's gaze locked onto Kai, her face brightened.

She rushed toward him without hesitation and threw her arms around his waist in a hug.

"Big Brother!" she asked hurriedly, voice thick with worry. "How's Vex? And the little Drakelet?!"

Lina followed after her, a bit more reserved but equally concerned.

Kai smiled softly, ruffling Elina's hair.

"They're fine. A little roughed up... but they'll be alright."

Elina exhaled heavily, as if she had been holding it in all this time. Her eyes glimmered with relief.

Meanwhile, Lina glanced past Kai and spotted Aria and Riven standing nearby, both watching with amused expressions

Before she could say anything, Riven suddenly strode forward with a grin, crouched down in front of Elina, and pinched her cheek.

"Aww, Kai didn't tell me he also brought his cute little sister!" Riven said teasingly.

Elina stiffened at the unexpected action, her face going from confused to deadpan in an instant.

Kai's eyes darkened, and he sent Riven a simple—yet cold, razor-sharp glare.

Riven felt the chill ran down his spine.

He shuddered and quickly backed off, raising his hands in surrender.

"Alright, alright! No need to murder me with your eyes, man!" he laughed awkwardly.

Aria couldn't hold back a short laugh, covering her mouth politely. Lina just gave Riven a deadpan stare.

Elina, still a bit stiff, hid behind Kai like a kitten dodging an annoying older brother.

Kai said nothing, but the weight of his silent warning hung heavy in the air.

Riven cleared his throat and mumbled, "Noted... seriously noted."

Aria sighed softly, stepping forward to close the awkward gap.

"I'm Aria, and this idiot is Riven," she said, pointing a thumb toward the still-pouting boy. "We met Kai during the tournament."

Riven gave a cheerful wave at Lina and leaned forward slightly. "Hey, do you remember me?"

Lina tilted her head slightly, genuinely trying to recall, then shook her head.

Riven clutched his chest and staggered back dramatically. "No surprise, We only met once," he said, sighing. "But to think even my best friend Aria, who's known me since childhood, forgets all about me after meeting Kai... truly heartbreaking."

Aria didn't even spare him a glance. Lina simply ignored him too and introduced herself with a calm voice, "I'm Lina. And this is Elina."

Aria crouched down to Elina's level with a gentle smile.

"Sorry about him... and don't worry he may be a big looking guy but he's harmless." she said with a soft chuckle. "Would you like to be friends?"

Elina hesitated, clutching a bit at Kai's shirt, and looked up at him.

He simply gave her a nod.

Elina brightened and replied, "Okay!" happily, feeling a lot more comfortable with Aria than she ever could with the overly dramatic boy.

Meanwhile, Riven leaned dramatically toward Kai with an exaggerated miserable look, clearly begging for some brotherly comfort.

"Bro... they're all abandoning me..." he whispered as if his heart was breaking.

Kai smoothly sidestepped him without mercy, causing Riven to stumble and theatrically collapse against the nearest wall like a defeated soldier.

Aria, Elina, and Lina giggled at the sight, and even Kai chuckled quietly under his breath.

After a few more exchanges of light teasing and laughter, they finally parted ways.

Aria and Riven headed back toward the Capital, waving a bit as they disappeared into the bustling streets, while Kai, Lina, and Elina made their way toward the transportation area, planning to book a wagon for their trip back to Bramwell.