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

Julius's face twisted in rage, his golden eyes glowing like suns ready to scorch everything in their path.

"I will not lose! Do you understand? I am destined to rule this realm. You two—"

He spat, stepping forward with energy crackling around him.

"—are nothing but insects!"

His fist shot forward, divine force wrapped around it like a meteor descending from the heavens.

The strike was aimed straight for Melissa's chest, but the system's presence whispered in her ear. Her body moved faster than Julius could comprehend.

She raised her blade, glowing with the system's authority, and caught his punch with the flat of her sword. The ground beneath her cracked, but Melissa stood tall, unshaken.

Julius's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What…?!"

Melissa smirked, pushing him back with ease.

"You've lost your chance, Julius. The system doesn't recognize you anymore. It's chosen us."

Then she turned toward Bruce, her expression steady and determined.

"Bruce, go. Head to the system. Become a god. I'll hold him off."

Bruce hesitated, gripping his broken shield with a grimace.

"Melissa—"

"I said go! We can't both fight him and reach the system. You're faster. Stronger in bursts. This is my fight. I'll come after you once I'm done here."

Melissa barked, her voice fierce.

Bruce stared at her for a long moment, reading the unwavering fire in her eyes. Finally, he nodded, though his jaw tightened.

"Alright. I'll leave this to you. Don't you dare die on me."

With that, he turned and sprinted toward the system's pulsing altar, the source of divine authority shimmering like a beacon.

Julius snarled and swung around, his body glowing with unstable power.

"You dare ignore me?!" he roared, lashing out with a spear of golden energy aimed at Bruce's back.

Melissa moved instantly, intercepting the strike. Her blade carved through the energy, dispersing it before it could reach Bruce.

"Your fight is with me!"

She shouted, slashing at Julius and forcing him back.

"You insignificant brat!"

Julius's fury boiled over as he whirled on her.

"I went easy on you because I thought you might be worth saving. But now—now I see your loyalty is fake, your resolve nothing but borrowed strength from the system. Fine then!"

His aura flared, burning hotter than ever. "I'll crush you myself, even if it costs me everything!"

Golden flames erupted around his body, licking the air like the wrath of a sun about to explode. The sheer heat made Melissa sweat, her armor glowing faintly as if beginning to melt.

But her expression never wavered. She simply readied her sword again.

"Even if you burn yourself alive, I'll still be standing."

She said.

Julius lunged, his strikes now faster, wilder, his power unleashed without restraint. Each blow sent shockwaves through the ground, tearing the space of the divine realm apart.

Melissa parried, deflected, and dodged, every movement guided by the system's subtle hand.

Her arms ached, her body screamed, but she remained the immovable wall Julius could not break through.

"You're just a pretender! Without the system, you'd already be dead!"

Julius shouted, his flaming fist colliding against her sword again.

Melissa's eyes narrowed.

"And yet, here I am… holding you back."

Julius roared, his entire body engulfed in blinding golden fire. He tried to swallow her in his self-destruction, flames spiraling outward in a storm meant to erase everything.

But when the fire cleared, Melissa still stood. The system's shield shimmered faintly around her, untouched by the inferno.

Meanwhile, Julius staggered, his own flames eating at his body.

His once perfect form was cracked, glowing with painful fissures as if he was burning from the inside out. He gasped, falling to one knee.

"N-no… this isn't possible… I am… Emperor Julius… chosen above all others…"

Melissa exhaled slowly, lowering her sword.

"Pathetic. You couldn't even destroy one person without destroying yourself."

She turned her back on him, her tone dripping with annoyance.

"I don't have time for your tantrums. Bruce is waiting."

Julius tried to rise, but his legs gave out beneath him. His flames sputtered weakly, leaving him broken and gasping, while Melissa walked away without sparing him another glance.

At the same time, Bruce had reached the altar. His hand hovered over the glowing surface, his heart pounding in his chest.

He hesitated only for a second—then pressed his palm firmly against the system.

A rush of power surged into him, divine authority flooding his veins like liquid light. His broken shield dissolved in his grasp, replaced by a radiant weapon forged of pure system energy.

His body felt lighter, stronger—limitless.

The system's voice resonated in his mind, calm and clear.

[Acknowledged. Bruce Armstrong. You are accepted as the second god of this generation.]

Bruce's eyes widened as the power settled within him, filling every corner of his being. He clenched his fist, marveling at the strength coursing through him.

The exhaustion, the fear—all of it was gone, replaced by a steady resolve.

"I won't waste this chance. Melissa, Silvy… I'll fight with everything I've got."

He whispered.

Behind him, Melissa finally approached, her steps steady, her sword still faintly glowing with the system's protection. She looked at Bruce, her lips quirking into the faintest of smiles.

"So… you did it."

Bruce nodded, his aura radiant, divine power radiating from him like a sun.

"Yeah. Now it's your turn."

Melissa glanced back once at the broken figure of Julius, still gasping on the ground, then returned her focus to the glowing altar. Her determination hardened.

Because the fight wasn't over. Not yet. And she had no intention of being left behind.

Melissa reached the glowing core of the system, her arm still trembling from the exhausting fight against Julius.

She extended her hand, brushing the radiant surface, fully expecting the same surge of acceptance Bruce had received moments ago.

But instead of the warm embrace of divine power, she was met with resistance. A cool voice echoed in her mind—the system itself.

[Authority at this end has already been transferred. You must find another system location to claim your divinity.]

Melissa froze, her fingers lingering against the light.

For a heartbeat, disappointment stung sharper than any blade. She had fought with everything, endured Julius's flames, and yet… she was still denied.

Bruce turned immediately, guilt heavy in his eyes.

"Melissa—I didn't know. I thought there would be enough authority for both of us here. I'm sorry."

She blinked at him, then shook her head firmly.

"Don't apologize, Bruce. You earned it. You fought for it. I'll find another way. This isn't the end for me."

"But—"

"No buts. You're a god now. That means you carry a heavier burden. I'll hold my ground until I find my own path."

Melissa interrupted with a tired smile.

For the first time since the battle, Bruce smiled faintly, reassured by her unshaken spirit. Melissa turned from the system's core, her determination rekindling.

If one path was closed, then she would carve another herself. The war was far from over—and she refused to be left behind.

Bruce clenched his fist, silently vowing to help her find that other path no matter what it took. Melissa's gaze lingered on the glowing system once more, her resolve hardening.

"Wait for me."

She whispered under her breath. With steady steps, she walked away, her determination blazing brighter than ever.