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

Melissa walked beside Kyle, still catching her breath from the trial. The chains might have been an illusion, but their weight lingered in her bones.

Kyle glanced at her once, his eyes calm, almost unreadable, before he spoke.

"You'll be fine now."

He said, his voice quiet, as though that settled everything.

Melissa couldn't help it—she laughed, the sound both weary and sharp.

"Young master, you're terrible at making people feel better. Do you know that? You sound more like you're making a declaration than comforting someone."

Kyle raised a brow at her words, his expression as impassive as ever.

"And yet, you're still walking."

"Because you came after me. That means more than your words. It shows you care enough not to leave me behind, and that's… that's a big deal for me."

Melissa replied, her tone softer this time.

She looked down at her hands, recalling the echo of chains.

"I was starting to think I'd always be alone."

Kyle stopped, forcing her to meet his gaze. His voice was steady, unshaken, as if carved from stone.

"You'll never have to be alone as long as you have me."

Melissa's eyes widened at the conviction in his tone, but before she could respond, the air around them warped.

Divine light flickered across Kyle's body, an illusion trying to pierce into him, whispering reminders of the past. He could almost see it: his former life, the endless battles, the throne of conquest upon which he sat alone.

The truth pressed against him like a blade to the throat—he had been alone. He had no right to speak words of companionship.

The weight of that illusion pressed in, but Kyle exhaled once, sharp and decisive.

He raised his hand and with a surge of will, shattered the divine weave around him, breaking apart the illusion like fragile glass.

The divine power recoiled, hissing at his defiance, but Kyle ignored it.

He turned to Melissa, his expression firm.

"Pull yourself together. We're not done yet. There's still a destination ahead."

Melissa nodded quickly, falling into step behind him, her heart swelling at the fact that even illusions couldn't shake him.

She thought of herself just moments ago, trapped, faltering, and compared it to the unwavering figure in front of her. That steadiness was the reason she could keep moving.

As the two of them walked, the path began to clear, a faint golden glow lighting their way. Melissa stayed close, her thoughts twisting.

She hesitated, then finally spoke in a low voice.

"Young master, can I ask you something before we reach the others?"

She began.

Kyle gave her a brief glance.

"Ask."

Melissa drew in a breath, her voice laced with both hope and fear.

"Do you think… you'll ever be as close with me as you are with the Grand Duchess?"

Her question hung heavy in the divine air.

Kyle slowed, the faintest twitch in his brow betraying his reaction, but instead of answering seriously, he tilted his head with a small smirk.

"Aren't we already half married?"

He said lightly.

Melissa blinked, then let out a soft laugh, but it carried no mirth—only melancholy.

"Half married, maybe. But making it official would be nice."

Her words were quiet but filled with longing. She kept her eyes on the ground, afraid of seeing his expression.

The silence that followed was heavier than any chain from her trial.

Kyle walked on, his steps firm but slower than before. For a moment, she thought he wouldn't answer at all. But finally, his voice came, deep and certain.

"We can do that. But only after everything is over with."

He said.

Melissa stopped, her breath catching in her throat.

She looked up at him, and though his face remained calm, the weight of his words settled inside her like warmth spreading through frozen veins.

She smiled faintly, her eyes shimmering with something she couldn't put into words. For her, that promise was enough.

With new resolve, she hurried forward to walk beside him again.

Their footsteps echoed together, two steady beats cutting through the divine silence, carrying them toward the others—and toward whatever awaited them at the final destination.

_____

Kyle and Melissa stepped out of the trial's mist, the air finally shifting back to the quiet stillness of the temple halls.

The faint sound of water echoed beyond the carved archway ahead, where steam drifted from the baths that marked the final threshold.

Standing before it were the others—Bruce, Silvy, and the rest—waiting in a loose semicircle.

Kyle raised an eyebrow at the sight.

"What's this? Why are you all standing here instead of moving forward?"

Silvy smiled lightly, folding her hands behind her back.

"We were waiting for you two. Since this whole journey began because of you, young master, it feels right that it should end with you as well."

Bruce nodded firmly, the others following with quiet agreement. Their gazes held a steady resolve, one that carried the unspoken weight of their loyalty.

Kyle exhaled, running a hand through his hair with a faint sigh.

"You know, you can't always follow me around like this. Sooner or later, you'll all have to stand on your own. But that day isn't today. As long as you're with me, I'll take care of things. That's my responsibility."

His eyes swept over them, calm but sharp.

Melissa glanced at him from the side, her lips curving in the faintest smile. Silvy lowered her head for a moment, then looked back at him, her voice steady.

"Then we'll walk with you until that day comes."

The group stood together, the final trial awaiting just beyond the baths. And this time, they would face it side by side.

Kyle studied their faces one by one—Silvy's determined gaze, Bruce's solid nod, Amana's calm authority, and Melissa's quiet strength beside him.

For a moment, he let the silence linger, the steam curling between them like threads of fate drawing them closer.

"You're all stubborn. Too stubborn for your own good."

Kyle muttered at last, shaking his head.

Bruce chuckled.

"We learned from the best."

That earned a few smiles, even from Silvy, who usually took things too seriously.

Melissa glanced down, but her shoulders were lighter than before, no longer weighed down by her trial.

Kyle turned toward the doors leading inside, his tone dropping into that familiar, steady command.

"Fine. Since you all insist on seeing this through with me, then stay sharp. Whatever waits inside will be the real end of this road."

"Then let us end it together."

Amana said softly, her voice carrying the quiet authority of someone who had already resolved herself.

Silvy stepped closer, almost at Kyle's side, but hesitated, then stayed one pace behind him.

"We trust you. That's why we're here."

Kyle gave a small sigh but didn't argue further. He pushed the doors open, and the soft glow of the baths spilled into the hall, warm mist brushing against their skin.

"Let's go."

He said simply.

Together, they crossed the threshold—no longer scattered challengers, but a united front, bound by loyalty and choice, ready for whatever the final trial demanded of them.

And finally, the pools came to their notice, right in front of their eye.