Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent

"I told you to speak carefully. Idiot…"

Kyle muttered, gritting his teeth as he tried to contain the magical combustion.

The herb master screamed again, voice cracking, body trembling violently.

For a moment, it seemed he might explode from the pressure building within.

Then—sudden stillness.

Kyle forced a surge of his own mana, clashing against the wild storm.

For a heartbeat, time seemed to freeze. Then the mana inside the herb master dispersed—like smoke in the wind.

He collapsed, unconscious, but breathing.

Kyle stood over him, chest rising with effort.

His injured arm throbbed from the exertion.

He turned his head slightly, watching as Queen circled once and landed near him. It tilted its head, eyes gleaming with concern as it silently observed the collapsed man.

Kyle didn't look at it.

"I think I found my lead…and lost it as well."

Queen let out a quiet screech.

Kyle turned away, heading back toward the dungeon entrance, his mind spinning.

That contract wasn't a normal one. It had been created using methods beyond this kingdom's reach. Beyond this world, perhaps.

And whoever had made it… was prepared to kill to protect their secrets.

Unfortunately, Kyle had failed this time.

______

The scent of warm bread and freshly brewed tea filled the morning air, but the mood at the breakfast table remained quiet.

Margrave Ricca sipped slowly from her cup, but the dark circles under her eyes betrayed the truth—she hadn't slept all night.

Kyle watched her with a small frown.

Despite everything that had happened, she was already back at work. Her shoulders were tense, her expression focused, but her movements slightly sluggish.

"You should rest."

Kyle said bluntly, cutting through the silence.

Ricca gave a tired smile.

"I will. After a few more things are sorted."

"You look like you've been up all night. Is there anything we can do to help?"

Silvy added softly, glancing at the Margrave with something resembling concern.

Kyle raised an eyebrow and turned to look at her.

"Now that's a surprise. When did you change your tone about the Margrave? Wasn't it just a few days ago you were ready to bite her head off?"

Silvy's eyes widened, and a faint blush colored her cheeks.

"T-That was different! I only acted like that because… well, because she was clearly interested in you!"

Ricca didn't miss a beat.

"I still am,"

She said with a wink, sipping her tea again.

Silvy turned redder, completely flustered.

"Y-You—!"

Kyle sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Let's not do this at the breakfast table."

"But—!"

Silvy and Ricca both began to speak at once, only to be cut off by Kyle's calm voice.

"I won't be staying. We'll be leaving in an hour."

That was enough to silence them both.

Silvy blinked, then jolted to her feet.

"I—I need to pack!"

She stammered, and quickly excused herself from the table, nearly knocking over her chair in the process.

Kyle calmly returned to his tea as Ricca chuckled behind her cup.

"I will be back as well soon."

Melissa left just as quickly.

Silvy dashed down the hall, still flustered from the breakfast exchange. Her cheeks were hot, and her mind swirled with embarrassment.

'Why did the Margrave have to say that in front of Kyle?!'

She didn't even notice the person standing in her path until she almost collided with her.

Melissa.

The older girl stood with her arms crossed, her eyes narrowing as she stepped directly into Silvy's path. Her expression was not one of greeting.

"Keep in your lane. Don't get ahead of yourself."

Melissa said sharply.

Silvy froze, blinking at her.

"What's your problem?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Our young master is far too kind to say anything himself. That's why I'm here."

Melissa said coldly.

Silvy narrowed her eyes.

"So what—you're his voice now?"

"I'm here to warn you. Don't mistake Kyle's kindness for interest. And don't try to push your way in where you're not wanted."

Melissa said firmly.

Silvy scowled.

"If Kyle has a problem with what I say or do, he can tell me himself. I don't need a guard dog barking on his behalf."

Melissa's gaze sharpened.

"You're meddling with someone who is already engaged. Know your place."

"Oh? And are you in that place? Because I've never once heard Kyle refer to you as his fiancée."

Silvy crossed her arms.

Melissa's mouth tightened.

"I think you're just too afraid to make a move yourself. You're scared of disappointing him, so you pretend you're guarding his honor instead. But me?"

Silvy continued.

She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping.

"I'm not scared. I'll make Kyle fall for me. I'll stand beside him—not behind him."

Melissa's hand clenched into a fist at her side, but she didn't strike. She simply stared for a long moment before stepping aside.

"You'll regret it."

She said quietly.

Silvy didn't flinch.

"We'll see."

With that, she turned and continued down the hallway, leaving Melissa standing there in silence.

______

The morning sun was just beginning to peek over the trees when they stood at the edge of the village, preparing to leave.

Horses were saddled, bags were packed, and Queen circled high above, keeping a vigilant watch over the group.

Bruce glanced between Melissa and Silvy, then scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"Man, the atmosphere's tense. You could cut it with a knife…"

He muttered.

Neither Melissa nor Silvy responded.

In fact, they weren't even looking at each other.

Both girls kept a carefully calculated distance, their expressions unreadable.

And yet, every few seconds, each of them stole a glance at Kyle, only to avert their eyes quickly when they realized the other was watching.

Bruce sighed and looked away.

"Seriously… this is going to be a long trip."

As they departed from the Margrave's estate and the village grew smaller behind them, Bruce suddenly snapped his fingers in realization.

"Ah, right! Young Master—what about your arm? Did you get it treated after last night?"

Kyle looked down at the arm in question. It was still bandaged, slightly stiff.

"I forgot. We did leave in a hurry."

He said simply.

Bruce paled instantly.

"You what?!"

Two sharp, deadly glares turned on him at once—Melissa and Silvy, their expressions filled with restrained fury.

Bruce could almost hear the sound of knives being drawn, even if no one had moved.

He gulped.

"N-No big deal, right? I mean, it's not like I—"

"Bruce. Treat the injury."

Kyle said, voice calm but firm.

"I-I would love to, really, but I don't have the best hands for that kind of—"

Kyle's gaze narrowed ever so slightly.

Bruce felt the weight of his soul shudder under the pressure of it.

"Right. Yes. Treating it. Of course."

He turned around and began digging through his pack for supplies, muttering under his breath.

"Why am I always the one who gets stuck with this stuff…"

Queen swooped low overhead once, as if amused, before continuing its silent patrol.

Melissa and Silvy watched from opposite sides of the group, their attention still half-focused on each other.

Neither said a word, but the unspoken battle raged on in stolen glances and stiff shoulders.

Bruce, meanwhile, wrapped the bandage with all the care of a man who valued his life.