Reborn As Noble

”W... what... h... happened...”

Fayna’s vision blurred, a painful throb pulsing through her head. Her gaze was hazy, tinged with red as blood trickled down from a gash on her forehead. She tried to push herself up, her arms trembling beneath her weight, the world spinning around her.

Through the smoke and dust, she saw Falce standing a short distance away, her hands raised as a shimmering barrier enveloped her and the others. The translucent shield flickered with light as it absorbed falling rubble and deflected the lingering embers.

Deliza, Rasya, Gulia, and Erlaine all stood close to Falce, their weapons drawn, their bodies glowing faintly with the signs of buffs; enhanced speed, reinforced strength, protective wards.

”F... Falce... h... help me...” Fayna’s voice was weak, barely a whisper as she reached out a trembling hand toward her companions.

Falce glanced over her shoulder. Her eyes met Fayna’s for a brief moment. There was no concern, no urgency, no sisterly bond. Instead, Fayna saw something cold and sharp in those eyes. Resentment. Contempt. As if she were looking at something worthless, something that had finally outlived its usefulness.

Falce’s lips curled into a faint, cruel smirk. She glanced at Fayna, who lay on the ground, bleeding, her leg and lower body pinned beneath a collapsed wooden beam, before turning to face the others.

”Let’s leave this place. It’s no longer safe here.”

The others nodded without hesitation. Deliza, Rasya, Gulia, and Erlaine followed Falce, each casting a cold, dismissive glance at Fayna before turning away. Their footsteps crunched over the debris as they moved toward the shattered exit, leaving her behind without a second thought.

Fayna’s outstretched hand faltered, then dropped limply to the ground. The weight of the debris pressed harder against her chest, making each breath shallow and painful. The crackling of fire grew louder, the heat intensifying as the tavern continued to collapse around her.

They left me...

They actually left me...

But why?

I... I never did anything bad to them. I fought beside them. I ate with them. I laughed with them. I trusted them. Was any of it real? Did they ever see me as one of them? Or was I always just... in the way?

Her vision blurred, tears mixing with the blood on her face.

Is it because I don’t worship Julius like they do? Is it because I refused to fawn over him, to swoon at his every word? Is that why they see me as an outsider, as someone unworthy of their loyalty?

She coughed, a sharp pain shooting through her ribs.

I’m sorry, Vane...

I’m sorry... for not being able to wait for you...

I’m sorry... for not being strong enough to survive this...

I wanted to see you again... I wanted to be by your side... I wanted to tell you how much I love you...

But I can’t... I can’t even move... I can’t even save myself...

The fire roared louder, the heat searing her skin as the last of the support beams groaned overhead. Shadows danced across the walls, and the world began to dim.

I’m sorry...

The groaning above her grew louder, sharper—a deep, splintering crack that cut through the roar of the flames. Fayna’s bleary eyes lifted just in time to see a massive burning beam tear loose from the ceiling, falling straight toward her.

The world slowed.

The fire’s roar faded to a dull hum. The heat on her skin felt distant. Her breath came shallow and ragged, each inhale a struggle against the weight pressing down on her chest. Her vision swam, the edges darkening, and through the smoke and tears, she could only watch as death descended.

Looks like... I won’t be able to live... to see Vane again.

Her lips curved into a faint, trembling smile.

Thank you... for everything, Vane.

You were the only light I ever had in this miserable world... and I’m sorry I couldn’t stay long enough to see the future we dreamed of together.

A single tear slipped down her bloodied cheek, vanishing into the grime and ash.

I hope... one day... you’ll forgive me for leaving you behind.

The beam was inches from her face when—

A violent blast of energy tore through the air, striking the beam mid-fall and obliterating it in a shower of splinters and embers. The force of the blast sent debris scattering in all directions, the shockwave rippling through the collapsing tavern like thunder.

Fayna flinched, her senses barely clinging to consciousness as the world tilted around her.

Through the smoke and chaos, she saw dark, sleek figures moving toward her. They wore full-body tactical gear, their faces hidden behind dark, mirrored visors and breathing apparatuses that made their voices sound like static and whispers.

”Target located. She’s still breathing. Requesting immediate permission for medical protocols engaged, over.”

The man behind the full gas mask nodded before taking out a pack. His hand glowed with cleansing magic before he administered an emergency injection into Fayna’s shoulder, making her eyes close slowly as unconsciousness claimed her.

”Ah crap! The enemy! What should I do?” One of the teammates at the door peeked out, his mana rifle raised.

”Do not engage. We don’t have permission from the Command Center for that! Our mission is to secure the target only!”

”Gihh!! But the enemy is shooting the civilians!”

”Ugh! Why does the enemy always shoot civilians?!” The man who had just finished injecting Fayna shouted in frustration, his voice crackling through his mask’s filter. He tapped his mana talkie and barked, ”Extraction team, move in. Suppress hostiles in the perimeter.”

”Are you out of your mind?! Get permission from the Estate or Command Center first! Or better yet, contact Prince Javier for permission! We can’t let anyone know we’re here! If our presence is exposed, the entire operation is compromised!”

”Ugh! Activate invisible mode and get here, dammit!”

”Fine! We’re coming! Special Ops Units, move out!” The Extraction team leader signaled sharply to his team, and the dark figures moved with swift, silent precision, their forms shimmering and fading from sight as their cloaking fields engaged.

( End Of Chapter )