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

Kyle slammed against the stone floor as the force from Silvy's last push expelled him from the inner sanctum.

The heavy temple doors groaned and sealed shut behind him with a thud.

Dust rose into the air as the magical wards fell into place, and Kyle jumped to his feet, pounding a fist against the now-unyielding entrance.

"Silvy!"

He shouted, but no answer came.

Inside, Silvy slumped to the ground with a shaky breath, her limbs already heavy with exhaustion.

She stared at the glowing seed, now humming softly as it nestled into the sacred soil.

Roots unfurled from its base like ribbons, spreading swiftly through the stone cracks of the temple floor.

A faint light pulsed from within, steady and strong—the new elf tree was beginning to awaken.

Silvy leaned back against the cold stone, smiling to herself despite the way her body ached and her vision blurred.

"Didn't mean for it to go like this. But… better that Kyle's not here to see me like this. I don't want him pitying me in my final moments."

She whispered, voice raw.

Her breath caught in her throat as the seed's roots pulsed again, drawing more of her mana.

Her fingertips had long gone numb, and she could no longer feel the ground beneath her. It didn't matter. The tree was growing.

Her people would have a future. For the first time in her life, she felt like she was fulfilling her purpose—not just as Silvy, the girl cursed and overlooked, but as someone who mattered.

"Mom…Are you… proud of me?"

She whispered, tilting her head back as her eyes fluttered.

A bitter chuckle escaped her lips before she could stop it.

"No. Of course not. You wanted me to stay in the temple. Be a good priestess. Be still. Be quiet."

Her voice cracked.

"But I was foolish… I wanted to see the world. I wanted to live."

Her vision dimmed further.

The golden light surrounding the seed was becoming too much for her tired eyes. Her body was no longer her own; it was nothing but a vessel to feed the tree. Still, she smiled.

"I'm happy… I really am. Even if I disappear… it's okay. They'll live on."

She murmured.

Her eyelids drooped, too heavy to lift. Warmth filled her chest, and she welcomed it like a blanket. The world faded into a comfortable black, and her thoughts drifted off.

Until—

A hand gripped her arm.

Silvy's eyes flew open, sluggish and blurry, but unmistakably awake. A familiar face hovered above her, scowling in frustration and fear.

Kyle.

"K-Kyle?"

Her voice was barely a whisper.

He didn't answer. His jaw was clenched, eyes focused entirely on her as he slipped one arm around her back and hoisted her from the floor.

The energy around them surged as the tree tried to resist, roots lashing out like tendrils. But

Kyle was faster—his mana surged in a powerful burst, slicing through the incoming roots and shielding them both.

Silvy tried to laugh, but it came out as a croak.

"I'm dreaming. This is a dream… right?"

Kyle didn't respond, only held her closer as he forced a path back through the seed's power. His expression was unrelenting. Determined.

Silvy's eyes fluttered again, and her head drooped against his chest.

"You weren't supposed to come back…"

Her words faded as the warmth of sleep returned. She didn't fight it this time. Her body went lax in his arms, breathing shallow, her last thoughts filled with surprise and warmth.

Kyle gritted his teeth and whispered under his breath.

"You're not dying here, Silvy. Not today."

______

Kyle hit the ground hard as the barrier flared and threw him back with a violent pulse. Dust clouded the air, and the stone beneath him cracked slightly from the impact.

He groaned, pressing a hand to his side as he sat up, wincing.

"That idiot. She really thinks she can decide these things on her own."

He muttered, voice tight with frustration.

Lysander let out a low, disgruntled growl beside him, eyes glowing dimly. The young dragon's wings bristled with agitation.

"She's a fool. A damn fool who's far too fond of sacrificing herself."

Kyle snapped, glancing toward the now-glowing seal.

Lysander grunted in agreement, tail slapping against the floor. Kyle exhaled, brushing off the dust and standing.

"Break it."

He said.

The dragon looked at him, surprised. Kyle narrowed his eyes.

"She's not coming out otherwise. Break it."

Lysander hesitated for only a moment before turning to the glowing barrier. He inhaled deeply and then released a concentrated blast of mana.

The seal shuddered, trembled, and then splintered with a loud crack. The door burst open, wind and light rushing outward.

Kyle didn't wait—he ran in.

The sight that met him made his chest tighten.

Silvy lay collapsed near the growing elf seed, her body limp, one hand still extended as if she'd passed out mid-prayer.

The seed pulsed with radiant light, its roots already threading through the ground, trying to merge with the old temple's foundations.

"Silvy!"

Kyle yelled, dashing toward her.

He grabbed her arm without hesitation and tried to yank her away, but the seed fought back, its roots tightening with surprising strength.

Mana crackled in the air like static. Kyle gritted his teeth, focused, and forced a surge of power through his arm. With a grunt, he wrenched her free, cradling her against his chest.

The seed trembled violently in protest, its glow flickering erratically.

Kyle looked down at it, scowling.

"You want mana? Fine. Take it."

He pressed his palm to the seed and poured in his mana, his body tensing as he felt the drain.

The seed pulsed again—brighter this time—and then greedily absorbed the power, the roots pulling away from him.

A sharp ping echoed in his mind.

[Warning: Mana level critical. System recommends immediate recovery.]

Kyle pulled back his hand with a hiss, his vision spinning briefly.

He nearly staggered, but forced himself to stay upright, clutching Silvy protectively. The seed, now satisfied, glowed brighter than ever.

Then the entire chamber trembled.

With a deep, rumbling crack, the floor shook and the ceiling above them fractured.

The seed had taken root fully now, and from its heart, a new tree shot upward, bursting through stone and tearing through the roof like paper.

Light flooded the temple ruins as dust and debris fell around them.

Kyle stepped back, shielding Silvy's unconscious body with his own.

He watched silently as the tree continued to grow, stretching toward the sky, radiant and pure. A new elf tree, born from sacrifice, stubbornness, and just enough foolishness.

Only when the shaking stopped did he hear the rush of footsteps approaching.

"Kyle!"

A voice shouted.

He turned just in time to see the elf chief, wide-eyed and breathless, leading a group of elves toward him. Their expressions were filled with panic, awe, and fear.

"What happened?"

The chief asked, staring past Kyle to the newly grown tree and the broken temple.

"Is she… is that—?"

Kyle looked down at Silvy. Her face was pale, her breaths faint but steady. He adjusted her in his arms before speaking, voice calm despite his exhaustion.

"Everything is fine now."