Reborn with my SSS-Class Innate Talent

The owner led Kyle through rows upon rows of slaves, his mind brimming with thoughts of how easy it was to manipulate wealthy fools who had more money than sense.

He suppressed a smirk, already envisioning the hefty sum he would extract from Kyle before leaving him high and dry. 

'Nobles are all the same. Arrogant, ignorant, and easily led by temptation.'

The owner had seen all kinds of noble, so he knew what they liked.

He brought them toward the back of the slave house, where he kept what he called his "special" inventory. 

As they stepped inside, the scent of incense and cheap perfume thickened the air. Kyle's gaze swept over the dimly lit chamber, where every occupant was female. 

Unlike the previous slaves, these women didn't appear broken—at least not in the traditional sense. 

Their expressions were strange, some vacant, some eerily eager, as if they were forcing themselves to act a certain way.

Kyle's butler immediately stiffened beside him. 

"Young master, this place—"

"Ah, don't be so uptight. This is a legitimate business. Besides, most of these women consented to their treatment. They know that having an owner is better than living in the streets." 

The owner interrupted with a chuckle, waving his hand dismissively. 

Kyle wasn't surprised to hear this. He had seen enough of the world in his previous life to recognize exploitation when he saw it.

"Let me guess. Most of them had no other choice but to sell themselves." 

He said, glancing lazily at the women. 

The owner grinned. 

"Sell? No, no, young lord. That's such a crude way of putting it. I prefer to call it… getting a new opportunity. These women will have a much easier life under a master's care."

Kyle found the man's enthusiasm disgusting, but he kept his expression neutral. He had no interest in debating morality with a slaver.

The owner clapped his hands together. 

"Now, tell me, young lord. What kind of unique woman are you looking for? I can promise you anything you desire."

Kyle's gaze moved over the women without interest. 

He saw nothing but hollow shells, puppets who had been trained to please their future owners. None of them met his criteria. He sighed, already regretting coming here. 

What a waste of time.

"We're leaving." 

He said, turning away.

The owner blinked in shock. 

"Leaving? But young lord, you haven't even—"

"I'm not interested."

The owner's face twitched.

Kyle's abrupt rejection was an insult. His pride, built on years of selling to nobles who grovelled for his merchandise, took a direct hit.

As Kyle strode toward the exit, the owner hurried after him, desperate to salvage the sale.

"Wait, wait! Young lord, perhaps I can—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a sudden blur of movement crashed into him.

A teenage girl launched herself at the owner, tackling him to the ground with surprising force. A Knife followed her moments seconds later, making the owner bleed from his side.

The man let out a pained grunt as his body hit the floor, his head smacking against the stone with a dull thud. 

Blood trickled from his nose and the knife wound, but before he could react, the girl was already straddling him, her fists raised.

"You bastard! You deserve worse for everything you've done to us!" 

She spat, her voice laced with fury. 

Kyle paused, intrigued.

The girl was a mess—thin, dirty, her hair chopped unevenly as if someone had hacked at it with a dull blade. Her tattered clothes barely covered her, and her skin was marked with bruises, old and new. 

Despite her frail appearance, her eyes burned with rage, a fire unlike anything Kyle had seen in the other slaves.

Even more interesting was the faint pulse of mana he sensed from her. 

It was weak—barely controlled—but it was there. She was no ordinary slave.

She must be around nineteen, Kyle estimated, though malnutrition made her appear much younger. Her body hadn't developed properly, likely due to years of poor treatment.

The girl's wild eyes snapped toward Kyle next. 

"You! You're just another noble pig, aren't you?! If you're here to buy someone, then you're just as bad as him!" 

She snarled, her fists clenching. 

Kyle barely had time to react before she lunged at him.

The butler, acting on instinct, immediately stepped in front of Kyle, shielding him with his own body.

"Stand down! Do not lay a hand on my young master!" 

He commanded, his voice sharp with authority. 

But the girl didn't back down. She glared at both of them, panting heavily from the exertion of her outburst.

Kyle, on the other hand, remained completely calm. If anything, he looked amused.

"What's your name?" 

He asked, tilting his head slightly.

The girl hesitated, her expression hardening. 

"Why should I tell you?"

Kyle smirked. 

"Because I'm about to buy you."

The butler whipped his head toward Kyle in shock. 

"Young master—"

The girl recoiled as if struck, her eyes widening in disbelief. 

"You—what?!"

The owner, still groaning on the ground, managed to laugh weakly despite his injuries. 

"Hah… you're… making a good choice, young lord… She's more trouble than she's worth… but if you can tame her… she'll be useful."

Kyle ignored him. His eyes remained locked on the girl's, watching the flicker of emotions pass through them—anger, confusion, wariness.

"I don't need a servant, but you seem like someone I can use." 

He said simply. 

The girl clenched her fists again, her breathing heavy. 

"And if I refuse?"

Kyle's smile widened.

"Then refuse and live your life filled by your bitter experiences."

For a long moment, silence stretched between them.

"Young master… are you sure about this? You can get someone better than this child. This child looks like she will try to kill you if you give her a chance."

Kyle glanced at the girl, who was still glaring at him with stubborn defiance. 

"I am sure. If I die at this slave's hand, then that means I was weak. Also, her spark is just what I am looking for."

Kyle had decided on his subordinate. However, before he could bring this slave into his fraction, he needed to test her resolve.