Reborn with my SSS-Class Innate Talent

The slave struggled against the hands restraining her, her breathing ragged but her glare unwavering.

'She's got a lot of resolve. I am sure I will be able to use her well once I train her.'

Though thin and frail, she held herself like someone who refused to be broken. Kyle found himself smiling at her resistance.

"Are you willing to do anything for your freedom?" 

He asked, his voice calm yet laced with intrigue.

The girl clenched her fists, her sharp eyes glaring up at him. 

"I won't bend to your will, even if you promise me freedom. I am not someone who seels herself for cheap."

Kyle chuckled, shaking his head slightly.

"Good. A person who gives up easily is of no use to me."" 

He murmured. 

The girl was resolute. But fortunately, everyone had a prize and this girl was openly asking Kyle to ask for hers.

His words made the girl pause, her expression shifting from anger to cautious curiosity. Behind them, the butler and the slave owner exchanged uneasy glances. 

The owner looked particularly uncomfortable, as if he wanted to intervene but feared speaking out.

The girl hesitated before asking.

"And what do you get out of this? Why are you so interested in me?"

"A subordinate worth having, but only if you prove yourself worthy. Week will be the first ones who will get weeded from my side."

Kyle replied simply. 

The butler tensed. 

"Young master, this is unnecessary. She's just a slave—"

Kyle silenced him with a look.

The girl frowned. 

"How do I know you'll keep your word?"

Kyle tilted his head before making his decision. He turned toward the others and ordered.

"Leave us. Now."

The slave owner stiffened. 

"Young lord, you shouldn't—"

Kyle's expression darkened. 

He released a subtle wave of mana into the air, pressing down on everyone in the room. Though not directly harmful, it made their instincts scream at them to leave.

The butler's face paled as he felt the weight of Kyle's mana, while the slave owner stumbled back, sweat forming on his brow.

The other handlers who had been holding the girl down felt an overwhelming discomfort and quickly let go, backing away without another word. 

Within moments, they were all gone, leaving only Kyle and the slave.

As soon as they left, Kyle withdrew his mana, his expression returning to neutrality. He turned back to the girl.

"I'm now defenseless before you. This is the best guarantee I can give you. If you think this is unfair, then rise in power and change it yourself" 

He said, spreading his arms as if to invite an attack. It was all a lie. Someone like Kyle was never defenceless, no matter how far he fell. But he was not going to reveal his secrets to others that easily.

The girl's fingers twitched, her face twisted in bitterness

 She hated her position—hated the fact that she had no power to dictate her own fate. Kyle could see the turmoil in her eyes, the battle between defiance and helplessness.

Finally, she exhaled sharply. 

"How do I prove myself to you?"

The slave had made up her mind regarding her future, and Kyle had to admit that she was a sharp one.

Kyle didn't hesitate. He reached into his coat, pulled out a small knife, and tossed it toward her. The blade clattered to the ground at her feet.

"Stab yourself right in your heart." 

He said evenly.

The girl's head snapped up, her eyes wide. 

"What?"

"You claim you're willing to do anything for your freedom. Prove it. Stab yourself." 

Kyle said, his gaze unwavering. 

The girl looked between him and the knife, her hands clenching into fists.

"You're insane! I'll die if I do this."

She spat.

"Perhaps. But I have my reasons. If you truly have what it takes, then you will survive and prove yourself. If you hesitate, then you were never worthy to begin with."

Kyle admitted. 

She swallowed, her throat dry. 

"And if I die?"

Kyle smiled faintly. 

"Then you weren't meant to serve me in the first place."

Silence filled the room.

The girl slowly reached down and picked up the knife, her fingers trembling slightly. She looked at Kyle, searching for any sign of deceit. There was none.

Then, with a sharp breath, she tightened her grip and plunged the blade into her side.

A sharp, blinding pain exploded through her body. 

Blood welled up around the knife, and for a moment, she thought she had truly doomed herself. But then, something unexpected happened.

A strange warmth spread through her veins, like fire and ice swirling together. The pain dulled, and a strange force—her own mana—began to react. 

Her body instinctively fought against the wound, knitting itself back together as the energy surged through her. The bleeding slowed, then stopped entirely.

Her breath came in ragged gasps as she stared down at herself, stunned.

Kyle nodded in satisfaction. 

"Good."

The girl looked up at him, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. 

"You knew this would happen?"

"I suspected. You have mana running through you, but it was dormant. I needed to see if it would awaken under pressure."

Kyle corrected. 

She let out a shaky laugh, half from relief and half from exhaustion.

"Mana? What's that?" 

She muttered again, though this time, there was a trace of something else in her voice—perhaps respect.

Kyle smirked. 

"Something that will serve you well."

The girl slowly pushed herself up, still shaky but standing tall.

"What now?" she asked.

"Now? You work for me." 

Kyle reached into his coat once more and pulled out a contract. He extended it to her. 

She stared at the document.

"You're serious?"

"Completely. You've proven your resolve. Now, I'll give you a path forward" 

Kyle said. 

The girl hesitated for only a moment before taking the contract. She looked down at it, then back up at Kyle.

She said.

"I'll follow you. But only because I refuse to live like a caged animal any longer."

Kyle's smirk widened. 

"That's exactly the kind of answer I was hoping for."

And with that, the deal was sealed.