I am Just an Average Tamer-Chapter 40: Final Test

4 years later...

A shadow blurred past the towering trees, jumping from one branch to another.

Silently.

Suddenly.

It came to a halt.

It stood tall at 5'7", its lean, weary build clad in a large black cloak, covering it from head to ankles.

Hazel-brown eyes locked onto the figure standing a few meters away—dressed in light leather armor, with an iron sword sheathed at his waist.

A bandit.

He was refreshing himself near the bushes.

-

'There's a group of bandits, also known as 'The Bros.' They've recently been causing havoc in small villages and towns. Normally, we would have ignored them, but this time, they stole a rare artifact from a high-level merchant while he was in the entertainment district—disguised.

Your task is to infiltrate their camp and retrieve that artifact.'

-

Raven's earlier words resurfaced in his mind.

'It seems he is one of them.'

Just as the bandit finished what he was doing, Kai moved.

He appeared on a tree branch near the bandit—without making a single sound. He unsheathed his dagger and tightened his grip.

The moment the bandit stepped beneath the branch; Kai swiftly hung upside-down—his legs gripping the branch tightly.

With a single, precise slash, he cut open the bandit's throat.

A suppressed groan caught in the bandit's throat.

Kai wasted no time. He quickly jumped off, caught the bandit mid-fall, and disappeared into the deep bushes—without making a sound.

The life in the bandit's eyes slowly faded.

He didn't even have time to realize what had happened.

One moment, he was walking fine.

The next, he lay on the ground, blood gushing from his throat.

Kai's gaze remained unfazed, as if this wasn't the first time he had killed someone.

Without wasting a second, he disappeared—

Appearing on the highest branch of the tree before continuing forward.

'Since this goon was here, the rest of them shouldn't be far.'

His blurry figure moved swiftly, leaping from tree to tree.

After a few minutes, he spotted something.

Kai descended from the tree and hid under a bush.

He slowly peeked out from the side, scanning the area in front of him.

Few makeshift tents, patched with worn leather and fraying cloth, stood crookedly around a dying fire.

Bandits were settled lazily, some gulping down stale ale, while others tore into half-burnt meat.

The low growls of small, chained beasts echoed through the camp.

Empty barrels and scattered bones littered the ground, adding to the stench of rotting food and unwashed bodies.

Kai shifted his position, carefully observing the entire camp.

He memorized their placements and silently moved away, ascending back into the trees.

"There are around fifteen of them," Kai muttered, stroking his chin.

There were three tents in total, and most of the bandits were slacking off.

Kai slowly descended from the tree and moved toward the back of the camp.

As he neared the guard stationed there, he swiftly thrust his dagger into the bandit's chest, covering his mouth to muffle any sound.

Slowly, he dragged the lifeless body back into the shadows.

Without a moment's hesitation, Kai moved, materializing behind the second guard and snapping his neck in one fluid motion.

After disposing of their bodies, he entered the tent on his left.

The inside was filled with wooden crates and barrels.

Kai moved carefully, keeping his steps as stealthy as possible.

He lifted the lid of a barrel.

Ale.

Another.

Bread and other edible supplies.

"Not here..."

He shifted his focus to the chests, searching them one by one.

'Ugh!'

He grunted in his mind, frustration building as he found nothing.

Just as he was about to move, his gaze fell on a small leather pouch tucked into a corner near the chests.

"Hmm?"

He carefully picked it up and opened it.

A faint smile tugged at his lips as he tucked it into his pocket.

As he was about to move.

"Who the hell are you?"

A deep, masculine voice echoed from behind.

'Crap!'

Kai slowly turned his head.

A man, possibly in his late 30s, stood there, gripping an axe tightly in his hand. His narrowed eyes locked onto Kai.

"I said, who the fu—"

Before he could finish, Kai surged forward.

Dagger raised, ready to silence the intruder.

The man gasped at Kai's sudden charge and instinctively swung his axe.

Kai dropped low, feeling the rush of wind as the axe whizzed past his head.

In one fluid motion, he drove his dagger toward the bandit's ribs, aiming for a lethal strike.

But the bandit jumped back, quickly recovering, and swung his axe again—aiming to decapitate Kai.

Kai raised his dagger just in time, parrying the attack. 

Clink!

The force sent him skidding backward.

"Argh..." Kai suppressed a grunt, his arms throbbing from the impact.

'He's strong...' Kai grimaced, gritting his teeth.

The bandit raised his axe again and yelled.

"All—"

Swoosh!

Two throwing knives hurled at him, forcing the bandit to pause and parry the incoming projectiles.

Clink! Clink!

But when the bandit glanced back.

Kai was gone.

As if he had never been there in the first place.

"Boss, what was that?"

More bandits rushed into the tent, their eyes scanning the area.

"Were you fighting someone? Was someone here?"

--

"That wasn't too hard."

Kai's frame blurred as he leaped from one tree to another.

Soon, he exited the forest.

The outskirts stretched before him, lined with simple wooden houses scattered across the area. Some looked newly built, their walls sturdy and roofs neatly thatched, while others showed signs of age.

Thin trails of smoke curled from a few chimneys.

Children dashed around, their laughter echoing softly, while villagers went about their routines.

Kai quickly lowered his hood and began walking calmly, stopping at a wooden house—

A small barrack, standing at a good distance from the others.

He twisted the knob and entered.

The air inside was filled with the scent of damp wood.

A makeshift bed was placed in the corner.

While a rough wooden table stood in the center, accompanied by two chairs.

On the table, a small sharpening stone and a neatly folded cloth lay beside a well-worn dagger.

"I'm back," Kai said.

[Papa!]

Luna hurled herself toward him.

Kai caught her mid-air, chuckling as he nuzzled her.

"Did you miss me?"

[Yes!]

"Kaaa..."

Vex purred and nuzzled against Kai's legs.

Kai crouched down and patted the little creature's head as it wagged its tail excitedly.

"How have you been, Vex?"

It had now grown to 50 cm tall and 60 cm long, lean and faster than before.

Ahem!

"You can celebrate your little reunion later," Raven spoke, his gaze locking onto Kai.

"Did you bring it?"

Kai pulled out a pouch and handed it to Raven.

Raven opened it and examined the contents—

A glass bottle filled with thick, eerie black liquid.

He closed the pouch and turned back to Kai.

"Good. Did you leave any tracks?"

"Uh... umm..." Kai averted his gaze, fidgeting with his fingers.

"So, they caught you again, huh?" Raven let out a small chuckle.

"Only one of them saw me, though."

"Yeah, yeah..."

"I didn't—"

"Enough."

Raven's tone grew firm.

"This concludes your final test."

His eyes briefly glazed over the three of them before he spoke again.

"Now... you are free to go."

Kai nodded.

His chest heaving with happiness as he finally survived the four-year-long torture—training.

"Before you go..." Raven spoke, catching his attention.

"Here. This one's for you."

Kai's gaze fell on the small wooden box Raven had placed on the table.

Before he could open his mouth, Raven added, "This is a gift from Lady Lira."

Kai's eyes gleamed with excitement at the mention of his best friend.

Without hesitation, he grabbed the wooden box, his fingers dancing eagerly over its lid.

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As he opened it.

Kai's eyes widened.

His heart filled with emotions.

Inside, neatly placed, was a silver bracelet—finely crafted, with a thin band adorned by tiny azure-blue stones embedded along its length.

Faint, glowing runes were etched into the stones.

The centerpiece was a small charm—A feather, intricately carved, mirroring the style of the bird pendant Kai had once gifted her.

He picked it up and slowly slid it onto his right hand.

"This also functions as a storage device. You need to channel your essence through it to mark it as yours. Once it's bound, you'll be able to use it freely."

A soft smile tugged at his lips as his fingers brushed against it.

He then looked back at Raven.

"Thank you... for taking care of me all these years."

Kai bowed respectfully.

Though Raven's methods had been a bit too much at times, Kai had learned a lot from him.

He glanced at Raven once more, about to say something.

But—

"Lady Lira will be joining Aurelian Academy soon. Its opening trials will be held next year."

Kai swallowed his words and spoke instead, "So... she'll participate in the trials too?"

Raven chuckled and shook his head.

"You brain-dead brat. She's the daughter of the strongest Duke in the Ritopia Empire. She doesn't need to prove herself in the trials. She'll enroll directly through recommendation."

Kai nodded, "So... through nepotism, huh?"

"It's not nepotism, idiot. It's recognition of talent."

"Then what about other talents who don't have powerful backgrounds?"

"Brat, if you have a problem, take it up with the head of the academy. Don't whine to me."

Kai quickly changed the topic, "By the way, if I want—"

"No."

Raven cut him off before he could finish.

"You won't be recommended. You'll participate in the trials."

Kai snorted. "Why? I'm your student!"

"Use the trials to test your strength. You're still weak, Kai."

Kai huffed but didn't argue further.

Raven tossed a glowing blue crystal toward him.

Kai caught it.

Luna and Vex climbed onto each of his shoulders, respectively.

"See you soon, Raven."

Kai waved before crushing the stone.

A blinding white light engulfed them.

And they vanished.

Raven let out a sigh, leaning back in his chair.

"You better not die..."