Reborn As Noble

The remaining assassins, now trembling, looked at each other in terror. The boy in front of them wasn't just some noble's pampered son—he was a monster.

From behind, Liana emerged from the trees, her eyes narrowed and her hands glowing faintly with magic. "Young master, you really couldn't wait, could you?" she said, exasperated but already preparing to clean up the mess.

Javier turned to her with a cheeky grin. "Oh, come on, Liana! I was just having some fun!"

"Fun or not, I told you not to be reckless," she replied, stepping past him and raising her hand. The remaining assassins tried to flee, but Liana's magic immobilized them, vines sprouting from the ground and wrapping around their limbs.

"Liana, you're too efficient!" Javier joked, wiping some dirt off his tunic. "You didn't even leave me one to interrogate properly!"

She sighed, crossing her arms. "Young master, I'm not here to indulge your games. Now let's secure these intruders before more trouble arrives."

Buddy squawked in agreement, stomping his talons triumphantly. Javier laughed, patting his feathered companion. "Alright, alright. You win, Liana. Let's wrap this up. But next time, leave some for me!"

One of the stronger assassins managed to slip past Liana's vines, his eyes blazing with murderous intent. He gripped a poison-coated dagger tightly in his hand, the venom dripping from its edge as he charged toward her with a snarl.

"You're just a fucking maid!" he roared, his voice echoing through the forest.

Liana didn't flinch. Her eyes remained calm, her hands still resting gracefully behind her back as if she had no intention of defending herself. She simply sidestepped at the last possible moment, her movements fluid and deliberate, as the assassin's dagger swiped through empty air.

"Tsk." The assassin growled, turning to attack again—only to stop dead in his tracks.

There was a faint shimmer of light, a subtle flash of steel, and then silence. The assassin's head rolled cleanly from his shoulders, his body collapsing onto the ground with a dull thud.

Javier, standing a few paces away, blinked in disbelief. "Eeeekk… Liana, if she's serious, she's terrifying!" he thought, a shiver running down his spine.

Liana exhaled softly, flicking the blood off her hidden blade before tucking it back into her sleeve. Her expression remained serene, as though the encounter had been nothing more than a mild inconvenience.

She turned to Javier, her gaze sharp. "Young master, I hope this serves as a reminder to not underestimate your enemies or your allies."

Javier laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Ehehe… Noted, Liana. I was just about to step in, you know."

Liana raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her otherwise stern expression. "Of course, young master. I'm sure you were."

Buddy squawked in agreement, stomping his talons as if to tease Javier further.

Javier groaned. "Alright, alright! No need to gang up on me." He glanced down at the headless body of the assassin, then back at Liana. "But seriously, remind me never to make you mad."

She gave a faint smile, her composure unshaken. "As long as you behave, there's nothing to worry about, young master."

"Yeah, sure… Noted…" Javier muttered, his playful bravado returning quickly. He hopped back onto Buddy's saddle, his grin widening. "Now, where were we? Oh, right! Time to clear out the rest of these idiots!"

Liana sighed, brushing a stray strand of silver hair behind her ear. "Let's finish this quickly, young master. And please… try not to cause too much trouble."

"Trouble? Me? Never!" Javier replied, laughing as Buddy charged forward, leaving Liana shaking her head in quiet exasperation.

Liana stood on the edge of the battlefield, her eyes calm but observant. She knew all too well that her young master, Javier, was far stronger than her. After all, he had taught her advanced techniques like instant casting, mana manipulation, and even buff magic that most seasoned mages would struggle to master. Yet, despite his playful and carefree demeanor, the sight before her was a stark reminder of just how dangerous her young master could be when he let loose."

Javier stood in the middle of the carnage, his eyes gleaming with excitement. The once-organized assassins were now a scattered, terrified group desperately trying to regroup. His kitchen knife glinted, slick with blood as he dealt with his enemies one by one, showing no hesitation.

Liana crossed her arms, watching as Javier slashed through yet another enemy with a smirk. "Next time, don't pick the wrong household!" he shouted, his voice echoing with manic glee. "Ekekekekekeke!"

The forest shook as a massive explosion erupted behind him, a fire spell detonating in the midst of a group of fleeing assassins. Boom! The blast scattered debris and bodies alike, leaving only scorched earth where his enemies had once stood.

Without pausing, Javier raised his hand, activating one of his more intimidating spells. "Summon Puppet Knights!"

The ground rumbled, and the forest seemed to come alive as one hundred fully armored puppet knights emerged in perfect formation, their glowing visors and polished weapons gleaming like specters of death.

The assassins froze in terror.

"Charge!" Javier roared, pointing his blade forward. The puppet knights obeyed immediately, rushing toward the remaining assassins with mechanical precision, their movements eerily smooth and coordinated.

"Gyahahahahahahaha!!!" Javier's laughter rang through the battlefield as his puppets descended upon the terrified killers.

Liana watched silently, her expression unreadable. She knew her young master wasn't cruel by nature—he was merely pragmatic. In this world, sparing enemies only invited more danger. Yet seeing him like this was a chilling reminder of his capabilities.

When the dust finally settled, not a single assassin remained. Javier stood amidst the carnage, his black hair ruffled, his clothes slightly singed but otherwise unbothered. He twirled his kitchen knife once before sliding it back into its sheath with a flourish.

"And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what happens when you mess with the Armand family! Wahahahaha!"

Liana approached him calmly, brushing off the bits of dirt and ash that had settled on her uniform. "Young master," she said, her voice steady, "are you quite finished with your… 'performance'?"

Javier grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Ehehe."

She sighed again, but there was a faint smile on her lips. "Let's head back to the estate. I'm sure Lady Francesca is worried about you."

"Yeah, yeah," Javier said, dismissing his army of puppets with a wave of his hand. "But hey, I did good, right? No one got away!"

"You did well, young master," Liana replied, her tone slightly teasing. "But perhaps next time, you could try to be a little less… theatrical."

"Where's the fun in that?" Javier laughed, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Besides, I think I have a flair for the dramatic!"

"Indeed," Liana said, shaking her head with a bemused smile. "Just remember, there's a time and place for everything."

"Liana?"

"Yes, young master?" Liana responded, her tone calm and attentive as always.

Before she could say more, Javier leaned toward her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. Without hesitation, he pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss, catching her completely off guard.

For a moment, Liana's eyes widened in surprise, but soon, she closed them, returning his kiss with equal warmth. Her hands rested gently against his chest, and the world around them seemed to fade away.

When their lips finally parted, she looked at him, her cheeks faintly flushed but her composure mostly intact. "What was that for, young master?"

Javier gave her his signature mischievous grin, his amber eyes glinting with playful energy. "Finishing move… ehehehe."

Liana couldn't help but sigh softly, though her lips curved into a small smile. "Young master, you're truly incorrigible."

"And yet you still love me," Javier teased, leaning his forehead against hers.

"Haaa… What am I going to do with you?" she murmured, her tone affectionate despite her words.

"You love it," he quipped, his grin widening.

"Perhaps," she replied, her tone warm but firm. "But let's not make a habit of celebrating in the middle of the forest after wiping out assassins."

Javier chuckled, giving her a wink. "Noted. But you gotta admit, it was a good way to end things, right?"

Liana smiled softly, resting a hand on his cheek briefly before pulling back. "Let's focus on getting home, young master. The family needs to know the danger has passed."

"Right, right." Javier urged Buddy forward, but his smirk lingered as they rode. He couldn't resist throwing a glance back at Liana.

"Still, best finishing move ever," he muttered under his breath, earning himself a soft, amused laugh from his trusted companion.

( End of Chapter )