Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 162: Ch : Selling the Stone - Part 2

Chapter 162: Ch 162: Selling the Stone – Part 2

Kyle stepped calmly onto the raised auction stage, his coat fluttering lightly in the midday breeze. freewebnøvel.coɱ

A hush fell over the gathered crowd, all eyes locked on him as anticipation thickened the air.

With a wave of his hand, Kyle summoned the mana stone seemingly out of thin air—an apple-sized gem that shimmered with condensed energy, glowing faintly like a second sun in his palm.

Gasps echoed through the gathering.

“It’s the mana stone.”

“So it actually exists? I thought it was all a rumor. Did I bring enough money for this?”

Even seasoned mages leaned forward in their seats, eyes wide with greed and desire.

Nobles muttered in hushed voices.

Merchants scrambled to gauge its value. But Kyle remained composed, letting the audience absorb the stone’s presence.

“This is a naturally-formed, unrefined mana stone. Untouched by stabilizing spells. Its energy remains pure.”

He said, voice cool and clear.

He let the silence sit for a moment longer, watching their hunger grow before continuing.

“The bidding will start now. The stone will be delivered to the winner later this evening.”

Without another word, he raised a hand.

And the bids poured in.

“Two hundred gold!”

“Three hundred!”

“Five hundred!”

The pace was relentless.

Every new number caused murmurs and grumbles as pockets stretched.

Still, the bids continued to rise. Kyle didn’t flinch. He simply nodded each time, calmly acknowledging the offers, letting the frenzy build on its own.

High Inquisitor Charles sat stiffly among the Dukedom’s entourage, his lips pulled into a tight frown.

The stone gleamed like a star on the stage, and the way Kyle casually displayed it—without even offering it to the Duke first—burned at him like acid.

His patience snapped.

“Young Master Kyle! You dare auction this stone without first offering it to the Duke?! This is a direct insult to—!”

Charles suddenly stood, his voice sharp and echoing across the crowd.

He didn’t finish.

Before he could continue his tirade, several nobles and powerful guests turned on him with clear annoyance.

“High Inquisitor, with respect, this is an auction, not a personal exchange!”

One barked.

“Exactly. If the Duke wants it, then bid like the rest of us!”

“You’re not the only one with money or status, Charles. Don’t ruin this for everyone else!”

The High Inquisitor’s face turned red, lips twitching with rage and humiliation. Kyle didn’t bother addressing him—he simply offered a polite smile and gestured for the auction to resume.

The bids shot even higher now.

“Eight hundred!”

“A thousand!”

The air grew hotter with anticipation, until a new voice cut through the crowd.

“Two thousand.”

It was the Grand Duchess Amanda. She sat with perfect composure, her gaze fixed on Kyle as if daring anyone to challenge her.

Her voice was not loud, but it carried unmistakable weight. The crowd immediately stilled.

Kyle raised a brow slightly, then nodded once to acknowledge the offer.

The crowd’s reaction, however, was more volatile.

People turned to look at her, frustration etched on their faces. Whispers hissed through the crowd:

“She already has one! Her fiancé gave her one!”

“Why does she need two?”

“This is rigged!”

But Amanda didn’t blink. She remained serene, unmoved by the glares.

The mana stone was a treasure, and if she had the means to claim it, she would. No apology would follow.

Kyle was about to bring the gavel down—ready to declare the auction closed—when a new voice called out.

“Five thousand.”

A silence, sharp and absolute, fell over the crowd. Everyone turned in unison to see the speaker.

A tall knight in the Royal Guard’s silver-gilded armor sat among the guests, visor raised just enough to show a neutral expression. His armor bore the crest of the royal family and the moment his identity was understood, the crowd tensed.

After all, no one was foolish enough to go against the royal family.

“I speak on behalf of the royal family.”

The knight said, loud enough for all to hear.

No one dared counter.

The sheer weight behind the bid—and the identity of the bidder—shut down the room entirely. Even Amanda’s brows furrowed slightly, though she showed no visible frustration.

The game was over.

Kyle’s eyes narrowed faintly. He gave no hint of emotion, but inwardly he calculated the implications. He hadn’t expected the royal family to move this boldly…or to show interest.

But then again, mana stone was so precious for most people that they would kill for it.

Still, he simply offered the knight the same calm nod as before.

“Five thousand gold. Highest bid… unless anyone wishes to go higher?”

He said.

Silence.

No one dared raise a hand.

Then Kyle smiled slightly and declared.

“Sold.”

He looked out across the sea of frustrated faces and saw ambition, disappointment, and intrigue all tangled into one.

Kyle approached the royal soldier with a calm, unreadable expression.

The knight stood near the edge of the auction stage, arms crossed and impatience radiating from his posture.

The others had already fallen silent in his presence, none daring to linger in the shadow of the royal family’s authority.

“I will bring the mana stone to you later. It needs to be purified and properly secured before delivery. I hope you understand.”

Kyle said smoothly.

The knight narrowed his eyes behind his visor.

“I am not a patient man. Don’t make me wait too long. I expect my reward soon.”

He warned, voice low and edged with threat.

Kyle offered him a polite nod, unfazed.

“You’ll have it before the sun sets.”

With that, Kyle turned and raised his hand to signal the end of the auction.

“Thank you all for attending. The auction is now closed.”

Murmurs of disappointment swept through the gathered guests.

Many had spent fortunes hiring mercenaries and informants, all in the hopes of snatching the stone.

Now they trudged out, empty-handed and bitter, while Kyle stood quietly with Bruce and Melissa.

Bruce let out a sigh and stepped closer.

“Is it finally over, Young Master?”

Kyle shook his head.

“This is only the beginning. Stay alert. They’ll come again—stronger and faster.”

Melissa’s eyes hardened.

“Then let them come. I’ll protect you, no matter what.”

Kyle gave her a sidelong glance.

“That’s good, but don’t drop your guard—”

A sharp whistle cut through the air.

In a flash, shadows moved from the rooftops and alleys.

A group of assassins burst forth, cloaked in black and moving with deadly precision. Their target was clear—Kyle’s hand, where he held the mana stone.

Before he could react, one assassin swiped through with a blade laced in mana.

The stone was sliced from Kyle’s grasp and snatched mid-air by another attacker, who immediately darted away.

Melissa spun on her heels.

“I’ll go after them!”

But Kyle raised his hand, stopping her.

“No. Let them go.”

He said calmly, eyes tracking the direction they vanished toward.

Melissa froze.

“But—Young Master—!”

“It’s fine. Everything’s going according to plan.”

Kyle repeated, his voice cool and certain.

Bruce blinked, looking between Kyle and the fleeing assassins.

“You let them take it?”

Kyle gave no answer, only the faintest smile.

Queen’s presence pulsed quietly from within him, sensing the threads of fate beginning to shift. The real game had now begun—and this was exactly the kind of chaos Kyle had prepared for.