I am Just an Average Tamer

The town bustled faintly under the gentle morning sun, its cobbled streets catching warm light as the trio—Kai, Lina, and little Elina—walked down the main road.

It wasn't a big place, just another stop on their journey toward Veyhill.

After slipping into a nearby inn and resting for a while, they had just stepped out when they noticed the commotion coming from a direction. Curious chatter and excited squeals reached their ears.

Kai, Elina, and Lina moved through the gathering crowd, stepping closer to the source of the commotion.

Before them stood a fenced enclosure made of thick wooden logs with tall stakes planted deep in the soil, forming a crude yet sturdy boundary. Inside, were beasts of various kinds darted about. There were tiny wolf pups with flickers of flame trailing from their paws—Flamefangs.

And near the corner, a trio of plump, squishy baby slimes jiggled harmlessly, shimmering under the sun like living jellies. One of them trying to climb a boy's leg like a curious toddler.

Along with them, nimble Leafback Hares with leafy fur and sharp, twitching ears nibbled on some roots.

Teenagers, likely townsfolk or traveling youths, stumbled and fumbled around inside the pen, attempting to tame or bond with the creatures under the guidance of older handlers.

A small yelp came from inside the pen as the baby slime glued to a boy's head, not getting off even after he forced it to.

Elina giggled behind Kai.

Lina blinked in amusement, then turned toward a woman seated on a worn chair by the gate—an older lady, eyes half-lidded, a straw hat tilted low, and a pipe hanging from her lips.

"Excuse me," Lina asked, "what's going on here?"

The woman gave a warm smile.

"Ah, it's a Trial Bonding event," she explained. "Travelers and local youth get to temporarily bond with these younglings. Helps them learn about beast care, empathy, and how to work alongside them. It's harmless fun—well, mostly harmless."

Elina's eyes sparkled. She tugged on Lina's sleeve eagerly, her voice almost a plea. "Can I join too? Please?"

Lina glanced at Kai.

Kai didn't say anything.

After a moment, Lina sighed, then smiled. "Okay, but I'll come with you."

"Yay!" Elina beamed, practically bouncing in place.

Lina held her hand and led her to the entrance. Kai stayed behind, arms crossed, leaning slightly against a post.

He let his eyes track Elina as she was guided in by one of the handlers.

She looked small among the others, her innocent face full of wonder as she approached a curious Leafback Hare.

As they went inside, the elderly woman turned to Kai, her rocking chair creaking faintly. "You not joining them, young man?"

Kai flicked his eyes toward her. "Not in the mood."

The old lady chuckled. "You youngsters always so broody. I remember when bonding was considered a rite of passage. Not just some side attraction."

Kai didn't reply.

He simply returned his attention to Elina.

The Leafback Hare sniffed her hand, twitched its ears, then hopped closer. She giggled, cautiously patting its leafy back.

Lina, standing nearby, offered a few tips in her ear, clearly protective but trying not to smother her.

Kai caught the way Lina kept glancing at Elina—watchful, yet letting the girl take the lead.

The beast pen became a bubble of warmth, a slice of joy carved into an otherwise uncertain journey.

The sound of young voices laughing, the beasts responding with small growls, hops, and squeals—it all painted a calm, vivid picture.

Kai exhaled, feeling the tension in his shoulders ease just a little.

Elina, meanwhile, had somehow managed to get both a baby slime and the Leafback Hare to follow her.

The slime bobbed behind her like a loyal blob. She bent to pat it and gave a cheerful laugh.

"Big Brother! Look! It likes me!"

He gave her a faint nod. "Don't let it eat your shoes."

She giggled again, then returned to playing.

Lina finally moved to sit beside Kai, brushing a few stray strands of hair behind her ear. "She's happy."

"Well, good for her," Kai murmured, watching the girl light up like sunshine.

A few minutes passed in silence.

The gentle wind stirred the dust and rustled the nearby trees.

Vael, perched in the distance, occasionally shifted on the branch, keeping a quiet eye on things.

The event wasn't all smooth.

A Flamefang pup pounced on a teenage boy and singed his cloak, causing a burst of laughter and a panicked yelp.

Handlers intervened before anything serious could happen. Even Kai let a rare smirk tug at the corner of his lips.

After nearly an hour, the event began wrapping up.

One by one, the children and teens were guided out, some proudly talking about which beast liked them the most, others complaining about their bad luck.

Elina came running toward Kai, her cheeks flushed, eyes shining.

"Big brother! I think that cute little hare liked me the most! It even followed me around!"

Kai knelt slightly, ruffling her hair. "Is that so? I thought all of them liked you."

"Do you think I can have one?" she asked with wide eyes.

He tilted his head. "Maybe when you're stronger. And bigger."

She puffed her cheeks. "Hey! I'm growing!"

Lina chuckled, walking up beside them. "You did great today. I'm proud of you."

Elina grinned, her earlier tiredness from playing in the pen all but vanished. As they left the beast pen, the elderly woman waved at them, and Kai gave her a casual nod back.

As they were walking in the town, Kai glanced at Elina, who had downcast expression, shoulders slumped.

"What happened to you?" He asked.

"I want that cute Hare," she replied with the pleading eyes.

Kai sighed, "You can't get that, they are not wild beasts, who could be tamed by anyone."

Her head dropped down, Lina laughed and summoned her Mossfur cub.

Elina snapped her head towards it, as the little leafy creature let out a cute yelp.

"Give me, I wanna play," she grabbed the little creature and began stroking its vieny head, already forgot about the hare.

Both Kai and Lina exchanged looks and chuckled softly.