"BLAST!"

The grand wizard unleashed a crackling bolt of lightning, splitting the heavens and striking the great dragon. Kieran's mother paused dramatically, letting her voice boom as she read from the worn pages of the storybook.

"'Impossible!' the dragon roared, his golden eyes wide in disbelief. 'How can a mere human possess such magic?'" She deepened her voice to mimic the dragon, drawing a delighted laugh from Kieran.

"And then?" Kieran asked, leaning closer, his wide eyes shining in the dim candlelight.

His mother smirked, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "'Then the dragon, scorched and humbled, surrendered. 'Very well,' it said. 'I shall leave your people in peace.' And so, the wizard drove the dragon from the skies, and the land of Erendale was safe once more."

Kieran's face wrinkled in thought. "Wouldn't it have been easier if the wizard had a beast tamer with him?"

His mother arched an eyebrow. "Hmph, who knows? Maybe it would have been. Maybe not. But don't let your head get too full of ideas now, little one. Time for chores."

Before she could close the book, the noon bell tolled, loud and clear.

Kieran shot to his feet, nearly knocking over the stool. "They're back!"

"Kieran, wait!" his mother called after him, but the boy was already out the door, darting toward the town's entrance

 The Beast Tamers Arrive

The midday sun bathed the dirt road in golden light as Kieran ran toward the town gates. A small crowd had gathered to see the returning beast tamers. To Kieran, they were heroes, though the whispers around him told a different story.

"Why do we even let them bring those dangerous creatures here?" an old man muttered to his neighbor.

"Mark my words, it's only a matter of time before one of those things escapes," another added.

Kieran ignored them. He squeezed through the gathering adults, his heart racing. The beast tamers strode into town, their presence commanding and wild.

At the front of the group was a tall man with a wiry build, his sharp features softened by a broad grin. A sleek black raven perched on his shoulder, its beady eyes scanning the crowd.

"Hey, it's little Kieran!" the man called, ruffling the boy's hair as he passed.

"Mr. Corwin! What did you catch this time?" Kieran asked, his eyes darting to the cage the tamers dragged behind them.

Inside, a creature like a komodo dragon stirred, its body covered in iridescent feathers that shimmered like pearls.

"A white feather-lizard," Corwin replied. "Rare as they come."

Before Kieran could ask more, a woman stepped forward, her dark skin glowing under the sunlight. Beside her, an enormous bird with long legs and a fierce, hooked beak stalked gracefully. It looked like a secretary bird but stood as tall as a horse.

"Well, if it isn't our favorite little fan," the woman teased, flashing a smile.

Kieran grinned. "Hi, Miss Aisha! Did you tame that bird yourself?"

"Of course," she said, patting the bird's neck. "Her name's Storm. Fastest feet you'll ever see."

In the background, the muttering grew louder.

"More beasts in town," someone grumbled.

"Trouble waiting to happen," another agreed.

Kieran's fists clenched, but before he could say anything, Aisha knelt beside him. "Don't let them get to you, kid," she said, her voice low. "You know what we do out there, right?"

Kieran nodded fiercely. "You keep everyone safe."

"Exactly," Aisha said, ruffling his hair. "So let the grumps grumble. They wouldn't last a day out there."

Corwin barked a laugh. "Careful, Aisha, people might think you're his mom."

"Better me than you," she shot back, grinning.

Kieran laughed, the tension melting away.

Later that Night

Kieran set the table with his mother, carefully placing the wooden plates and cups. The warm scent of stew filled the air. Just as he finished, the front door creaked open.

"I'm home!" called his uncle, stepping in and setting his sword by the door. His clothes were dusty, and his boots carried the wear of long travel.

"Welcome back, Uncle Aldric!" Kieran greeted, grinning ear to ear.

"Long day?" Kieran's mother asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Long enough," Aldric replied, rolling his shoulders. "But nothing a good meal and a mug of ale won't fix!"

As they sat to eat, Aldric poured himself a drink. Kieran watched him with wide-eyed curiosity.

"Uncle," Kieran said, leaning forward, "does beer have magic in it?"

Aldric choked mid-sip, coughing as the table burst into laughter.

"Why would you think that?" his mother asked, amused.

"Because Uncle Aldric's a different person every time he drinks!" Kieran declared, his face serious but his voice filled with innocence.

"What?!" Aldric's eyes went wide, feigning offense. "I'll have you know I'm perfectly consistent!"

"Sure, you are," Kieran's mother teased, barely suppressing her grin.

Laughter filled the room, the kind that warmed the heart and made even the humblest home feel like a castle.

As the chuckles subsided, Aldric leaned back and gave Kieran a pointed look. "Speaking of magic... shouldn't you go check the boy's affinity soon? He'll be twelve in six months."

"I already know my affinity!" Kieran said confidently, puffing out his chest.

"Oh?" Aldric smirked. "And what's that?"

"A beast tamer!" Kieran declared, practically bouncing in his seat. "I'm going to reach the level of a Beast Master and become the greatest adventurer in all of Erandale!"

"You sure are obsessed with those creatures, kid," Aldric said with a chuckle.

His mother, however, looked at him with a mix of pride and concern. "Kieran," she began gently, "what if your affinity turns out to be something else? Like a mage or a different class? Being a beast tamer is a hard life... battling dangerous creatures, always traveling. It doesn't pay well either."

For a moment, Kieran faltered, his enthusiasm dimming. But then he straightened in his chair, his expression resolute.

"It doesn't matter," he said, his voice steady. "Even if it's hard, I'll do it. Beast tamers don't just fight monsters—they make the impossible possible. I'll prove I can do it, no matter what."

His mother exchanged a glance with Aldric, who gave her a subtle nod.

"Alright," she said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "If that's what you want, then we'll support you."

"Just don't forget," Aldric added with a grin, "even the greatest adventurers need to eat their stew."

Kieran laughed, diving into his meal with renewed energy.