Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent

Silvy let out a tiny, almost strangled noise and turned her head further away from both of them, her ears burning crimson now.

Kyle internally sighed. Of course. That explained the trauma in her eyes.

He didn't push further, though. He simply nodded, keeping his expression composed, even as he noted how Ricca watched him.

Not just with amusement—but with something else beneath it. Testing. Measuring.

Soon, with the flick of Ricca's hand, the food was brought in.

The dishes looked exquisite—rich meats, spiced vegetables, and delicacies that hinted at the region's wealth and influence.

But the moment the steam wafted toward Kyle, he froze. His senses, tuned to magic and mana as naturally as breathing, picked up the signature.

Foreign mana. Deep and slick like oil coating every morsel. Subtle—but not subtle enough to hide from him.

His stomach twisted—not from fear, but from the repulsion of instinct.

This was no accidental contamination. It was deliberate.

He glanced across the table. Silvy hadn't touched her food, either.

But she wasn't staring at the food with suspicion—no, she just looked vaguely disinterested. Knowing her, she was probably avoiding the greasier dishes entirely.

She noticed his silence, though.

"Are you alright?"

She asked, her voice soft.

Kyle offered a tight smile and turned to Ricca.

"This meal… is exceptional. I'd like to visit the kitchen. I'd very much like to meet the chefs who prepared it."

He said slowly.

Ricca raised an eyebrow at his sudden request, but her expression didn't shift into surprise. Instead, it curled into a thoughtful smile.

"Oh? That's quite the compliment. Are you perhaps a culinary enthusiast?"

She said, setting down her glass.

Kyle didn't answer the question. He merely held her gaze.

And Ricca, clever as she was, read the warning beneath his words.

Her smile thinned, but she gave a nod.

"Of course. You have full access to the Margrave estate, Kyle. And since you are so eager, I'll accompany you myself. I've been meaning to check on the kitchen staff, anyway."

She rose gracefully from her seat. The butler, watching from the corner, looked mildly alarmed.

"You're not going to eat?"

He asked.

Kyle shook his head.

"We'll be back shortly. Don't worry—we'll enjoy it once it cools down a little."

What he didn't say—what only he knew—was that time was the enemy of this kind of mana manipulation.

The spell or enhancement within the food relied on heat to carry it into the bloodstream more effectively.

Once it cooled, the mana's potency would degrade significantly.

He had no intention of letting anyone in this room be manipulated again.

As he and Ricca walked out of the room together, he cast one last glance at Silvy.

She gave him a small, confused look, but said nothing. She still looked embarrassed, but less tense now.

Queen, who had returned and perched herself on the windowsill like a silent statue, watched them leave.

Its feathers ruffled slightly, and it made a soft clicking noise in its throat. Queen seemed to have found food of its own to eat for the night and was now showing off to Kyle that it had food in it's mouth.

Kyle grinned faintly.

"Traitor."

He muttered under his breath.

Queen, unaffected by the accusation, turned its head and looked away before swallowing its food. It likely realized that it was not a good idea to tease Kyle.

Ricca walked beside him, posture straight, hands folded behind her back as they made their way through the hallway.

Her tone was casual when she spoke, but Kyle didn't miss the underlying steel.

"You noticed something in the food, didn't you?"

Kyle didn't answer right away. His fingers brushed the hilt of his dagger out of habit.

"I'd like to see the kitchen."

He repeated calmly.

Ricca nodded. "Then let's go see what's really cooking in my mansion."

______

The kitchen was bustling when Kyle stepped inside, Ricca trailing behind him with her usual composed smile.

The moment the chefs noticed them, the room went still.

Nervous glances passed between the cooks as they bowed awkwardly, unsure why the Margrave had brought a guest into their domain.

Kyle raised both hands, offering them a disarming smile.

"Relax. I'm not here to inspect or scold. I just had to meet the people behind that incredible meal."

A collective breath of relief swept through the room.

One of the older chefs beamed.

"T-thank you, sir! We do our best."

"You do more than that. Everything smelled fantastic. I'd love to taste more, if that's alright? I also want to see how you prepared the food for us."

Kyle said.

The chefs, now charmed, immediately jumped at the chance.

"Of course! We'll prepare a small plate right away!"

As the cooks bustled to put together something, Kyle stepped closer to one of them.

"If it's not too much to ask… may I take a look around? I've always been curious about how noble kitchens work."

"You're more than welcome. You honor us by showing interest.""

The head chef said.

Ricca said nothing, watching the interaction with narrowed eyes, but she didn't interfere.

Kyle moved through the kitchen at a casual pace, scanning the shelves, the spice racks, the cold storage.

Everything looked clean. Organized. Normal.

But then… he reached the shelves near the back.

The moment his fingers brushed against the neatly bundled herbs, his instincts screamed.

He stilled, eyes narrowing, then carefully pulled one of the bundles free.

The mana pulsing from it was subtle, nearly dormant—but not natural. Worse, when he moved it close to a second bundle, he could feel the energy spike slightly.

Artificial mana. Meant to react. Most likely harmless until mixed with something else.

'Well, looks like I found the source of the foreign mana in this place. Now, what do I do with this? I need to find the root cause of these ingredients.'

Kyle turned toward the chefs again, keeping his tone light.

"These herbs… where did you get them? I'd love to get some for my parents. They'd go crazy for the flavor."

The head chef chuckled.

"Ah, those? Our local herb master supplies them. Been with us for years. Real generous too—gives us a good rate, high quality. Everyone swears by his stock."

"Really? That's rare. What's his name?"

Kyle asked, smiling.

"Oh, he just goes by Master. He does not like to be called by his name. Comes by every couple of weeks to drop things off. We're due another delivery tomorrow morning, actually."

Kyle nodded slowly.

"Would it be possible for me to meet him?"

The chefs looked at one another, then the head chef shrugged.

"I don't see why not. If you're around, we'll bring you along when he stops by."

"Perfect. Thanks for humoring me.""

Kyle returned the herb bundle.

"No trouble at all, sir. Would you like to try that taster plate now?"

Kyle glanced at Ricca.

"Actually… I think I've seen what I needed. Perhaps next time. You are free to have the food."

Ricca offered him a knowing smile.

"Satisfied?"

"For now."

He replied, voice calm, though Queen, who had silently fluttered into the kitchen's rafters, tilted its head as if mirroring Kyle's thoughts.

Something about these herbs wasn't right. And tomorrow, he'd find out exactly what.