Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 35: Ch : Unlikely Help- Part 1

The kid's breath hitched as he realized he was in deep trouble.

With a quick, desperate yank, he ripped his wrist free from Kyle's grip and bolted.

His ragged cloak fluttered behind him as he darted through the crowded street, slipping between crates and barrels like a rat fleeing a hawk.

Melissa's eyes darkened, and she immediately lunged after him.

"Tch, the nerve! I'll cut his hands off!"

She snapped.

But before she could get too far, Kyle raised a hand.

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"Don't waste your energy chasing after the kid."

Melissa stumbled to a stop, confused.

Kyle, however, didn't seem the least bit bothered. He simply watched the thief disappear into the alleys with a lazy smirk.

"Master?"

Melissa asked, frowning.

Kyle gave her a glance before dusting off his sleeve.

"It doesn't matter how far he runs—I already left a mana imprint on him."

Melissa blinked before her expression turned into understanding.

The mana imprint.

It was an invisible trace, a brand of sorts, that allowed Kyle to track someone down no matter where they went. It wasn't something most people could notice, much less remove.

In other words—the thief had no escape.

Melissa's lips twitched.

"That's cruel, Master."

Kyle's smirk widened.

"Thank you."

The kid, meanwhile, ran as fast as he could.

His lungs burned, and his legs felt like they were made of lead.

He zigzagged through narrow passages, knocking over crates and leaping over broken fences, his heart pounding like a war drum.

He finally reached a dead-end alley.

His hands trembled.

But before he could even turn around, a new kind of fear crawled up his spine.

He wasn't alone. There were other familiar people around him.

And unfortunately for him, Kyle could sense him and the three other forms in the alley as well before he even turned the corner.

Three large figures stood in the shadows.

Rough voices muttered something to each other, and then the tallest among them stepped forward.

It was a brute of a man—broad shoulders, thick arms, and a scar that ran jaggedly across his cheek. His nose had been broken more than once, and his grin revealed several missing teeth.

"What do we have here?"

He sneered.

His two companions chuckled darkly, stepping up beside him.

The thief flinched as one of them grabbed his wrist, twisting it painfully.

"Trying to keep secrets from us, eh?"

Scarface said. He yanked the kid's arm up, revealing the pouch still clutched in his fingers.

"Stealing and not sharing? Bad idea, kid."

The thief gulped, his face pale.

It was at that moment that Melissa arrived.

Her presence was like a blade slicing through the thick tension in the air.

Her amber eyes gleamed with barely restrained violence.

"Return my master's belonging."

She ordered coldly.

Silence.

Then, Scarface turned, his grin widening when he saw her.

"Oh? And who might you be, little lady?"

His eyes scanned her slim frame, underestimating her immediately.

Kyle arrived moments later, walking at his own pace.

When he stepped into the alley, all three thugs turned to look at him.

And just like that, their expressions shifted.

They saw a young noble, not particularly tall or muscular. His body was lean and unassuming.

They laughed.

"What's this? Some rich brat and his maid?"

Scarface mocked.

"You two lost? This ain't a place for nobles like you."

Kyle didn't react to their taunts.

Instead, he glanced at the thief.

The kid was visibly trembling now, his wide eyes darting between the gang and Kyle.

Kyle lifted a hand and extended his fingers.

"My pouch."

The three thugs stilled for a moment.

Then, Scarface threw his head back and barked out a laugh.

"Oh? You think you're getting it back?"

He tightened his grip on the thief's wrist, making him wince.

"Dream on, brat. This is our turf. If you wanna buy it back, start kneeling and beg."

His words were meant to be intimidating.

But to Kyle, it was nothing more than pathetic posturing.

He sighed.

"You should've taken the easy way."

The crooks, however, only grinned wider.

Melissa, on the other hand, had seen that look on her master's face before.

She smiled.

"Oh well, it's your loss. I will enjoy killing you slowly."

She said, cracking her knuckles.

______

Kyle stepped forward, his expression calm and detached.

But the moment his foot touched the ground, a powerful pressure surged from his body.

It was subtle, yet undeniable.

The air in the alley grew heavy, as if an invisible weight had settled upon the three thugs.

Their smug expressions twisted in confusion.

They shifted uncomfortably, their muscles instinctively tensing as their bodies screamed at them that something was wrong.

Yet, they couldn't quite tell what.

"The hell—?"

Scarface muttered, his confidence faltering.

Kyle hadn't even drawn his sword.

And yet, his presence alone made them hesitate.

For a brief second, the crooks exchanged uncertain glances.

Then, one of them shook his head violently, trying to shake off the strange sensation.

"Tch! He's just bluffing!"

His companion, a short but broad thug with a broken nose, grunted in agreement and lunged forward.

"I'll handle this brat!"

At the same time, the third thug yanked harder at the coin pouch in the thief's hand, trying to steal it before things got messy.

Kyle's eyes flicked toward them both.

He was about to unsheathe his sword—

But then, something moved.

A shadow streaked through the air like a blade.

Sharp talons glinted in the dim light.

Before anyone could react, a harsh screech rang through the alley.

The thug charging at Kyle stumbled, his head snapping toward the sound—

And in the next instant—

Sharp claws raked across his face.

"AGHH!"

The man screamed, clutching his cheek as blood trickled between his fingers.

The other thug barely had time to process what was happening before a flash of feathers darted toward him.

The coin pouch was snatched right from his grasp.

A blur of movement, a beat of wings—

And then, something dropped into Kyle's open palm.

The pouch landed neatly.

Kyle caught it effortlessly.

Then, a hawk swooped down from above, landing smoothly on his forearm.

It chirped at him, its sharp golden eyes gleaming with intelligence.

For a moment, there was silence.

The three thugs stared in stunned disbelief.

The thief kid gaped.

Even Melissa, who had been ready to jump in, blinked in surprise.

Kyle, however, didn't look surprised at all.

He glanced down at the hawk perched on his arm.