Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 198: Ch : The Pick-Pocketing- Part 2

Chapter 198: Ch 198: The Pick-Pocketing- Part 2

The boy in Kyle’s grip squirmed one last time before letting out a desperate.

“I’m sorry! I won’t do anything like this again, I swear!”

The kid seemed genuinely sorry, but Kyle was not going to fall for these tricks.

Kyle narrowed his eyes, scanning the boy’s face.

There was no lie there—only fear and shame. His mana flickered subtly around the boy, confirming the sincerity in his words.

He sighed, his grip loosening.

“…Fine. Just don’t get caught again.”

Kyle muttered, shaking his head.

‘Shit! This little….should I just kill him and get this over with? I feel like I am developing a headache because I have to deal with this.’

But just as he was about to fully release the boy, something hit him.

Not physically—but with mana. A heavy, pressing force descended upon him, laced with intent.

Not quite an attack, but enough to force his body tense and instincts scream danger.

His hand slipped off the boy’s arm, and in that split second of distraction, the kid bolted.

Kyle spun around, eyes sweeping the crowd.

The mana hadn’t come from the boy. It was someone else—someone powerful.

But no matter how hard he searched, there was no trace. Just people going about their day, and a vague aftertaste of mana dissipating into the air.

“I’m sorry. I did not mean to…I need to go now. Please don’t follow me.”

The boy had vanished into the crowd after saying this. He did not seem surprised, which likely meant that he knew this was going to happen.

“Damn it. That took me by surprise. But I guess I did manage to uncover something useful. Now, what shall I do about this new information I just found out about.”

Kyle hissed under his breath.

He stood there, jaw tight.

Played like a fool, and he hated it. His mood, already teetering from the market’s antics, slipped further.

With a flick of his hand, Queen emerged from the folds of his cloak, scales shimmering with a soft glow. She coiled beside him silently, sensing his agitation.

“Track him. Use the residual mana. That kid’s not as ordinary as he looks.”

Kyle ordered coldly.

Queen tilted its head, its eerie blue eyes gazing up at him with something akin to concern.

“I’m fine. Just find him.”

Kyle muttered.

With a low hiss of acknowledgement, Queen slithered into the crowd, nearly invisible to those without the eyes to see.

Kyle walked after it, slower, posture tense. His fingers tapped against his side, his mana simmering just beneath the surface like boiling water.

He had been careful—he had been cautious.

And still, someone had managed to obscure his senses and slip a street kid right out from under his nose.

‘Not a good sign.’

Meanwhile, the kid sprinted through alleys and twisted corners until he reached a narrow door tucked between two buildings.

He knocked twice, paused, then three more times. The door opened immediately, and a girl with short white hair and tired blue eyes yanked him inside.

“Rin! You’re late!””

She hissed, slamming the door shut behind him.

“I know, I know! I messed up. I ran into someone really dangerous. I tried to steal from him, but he caught me!”

Rin panted, hands on his knees.

Her eyes widened.

“He caught you? Are you insane?!”

“I didn’t know! He looked rich—I thought he was soft! But he was fast, and strong—he caught me the moment I touched his coat!”

She paled.

“And you’re still alive?”

“Yeah. I mean, I apologized and he was about to let me go, but then something weird happened. I think your necklace exploded with mana. That’s how I got free.”

She narrowed her eyes, clearly piecing things together.

“How many times have I told you to knock your dangerous activities off?”

“I know. I didn’t see anything, but he looked mad when I ran.”

She exhaled, pulling Rin away from the door and locking it with three separate bolts.

“You idiot. What if they followed you here?”

“They didn’t! I swear. I took the long way around—looped the alleys, used the smokesheet—”

“Still! You don’t pick fights with strangers like that, not when we’re already under watch.”

Rin ducked his head.

“I won’t do it again. Promise.”

She shook her head, but then softened, brushing dirt from his cheek.

“You better not. We’re important to the academy. That doesn’t mean we’re safe.”

Rin blinked.

“You think they’d really… kill us?”

She gave him a sad smile.

“Maybe not today. But if we make too much noise? If we cause too many ripples? Yeah, they might. So let’s just lay low.”

Rin glanced toward the door, heart still pounding.

“I don’t think he’s the type to forget, though.”

She was silent for a long moment. Then she said,

“Then we just have to pray we don’t cross him again.”

But outside their little room, a certain divine serpent was already on the trail.

Racheal knelt beside her brother, brushing the soot from his hair gently.

“Rest for now, Rin. And no matter what happens, don’t come out. No matter what you hear.”

Rin frowned, eyes wide with fear.

“What do you mean, ‘no matter what’? Are you expecting someone to come after us?”

Her expression didn’t change, but her silence was enough of an answer.

Rin’s fists clenched.

“I’m not hiding like a coward, Racheal. If something’s coming, I’ll face it with you.”

“This isn’t about cowardice. It’s about survival. There’s no bravery in dying for nothing.”

She said firmly.

“But—”

“No. You don’t have to be stubborn about this, Rin. Just listen to me, for once.”

Her voice was sharp now.

But he shook his head, standing taller despite the trembling in his legs.

“I won’t leave you alone. If they come for us, then we fight together.”

Racheal stared at him for a long moment, her lips pressed into a thin line. Then, quietly, she said.

“I knew you’d say that.”

Before Rin could respond, her fingers moved quickly—two sharp gestures over his chest, glowing faintly with mana.

His body jolted once, then slumped forward into her arms, unconscious.

“…Sorry. You’re not ready for this. Not yet.”

She whispered, lowering him onto the thin mattress in the back corner.

She pulled a blanket over him, brushing his hair back again before stepping back and activating the ruin shield.

A soft shimmer of blue spread out, wrapping her brother in protective mana. He’d be safe behind that barrier, for a little while at least.

Just as she finished, there was a knock at the door.

Not loud. Not aggressive. Just a calm, deliberate knock—polite, even.

Her stomach twisted.

Racheal took a deep breath and straightened her posture. Then, with steady fingers, she unlatched the bolts on the door one by one.

The knock came again.

“I’m coming.”

She said aloud, making sure her voice didn’t waver.

Then she opened the door.

And outside stood a man with silver hair and mismatched eyes—one gold, one blue.

His presence was cold, and beside him, a strange creature—serpentine and divine—coiled in eerie silence. Queen’s gaze flicked past Racheal, sensing the shield within.

The man’s eyes met hers.

“Good evening Miss. I believe we have something important to discuss.”

He said softly.