Starting With SSS-rank: I Get A New Skill Every Livestream

Chapter 254: Know your place

[9:57 PM]

[Train Station]

Tyler stood beneath the station sign where he had asked Amanda to meet him.

He knew it wasn’t the most romantic place to invite a girl, especially when he wanted to make up for all the lost years between them.

Still, judging from the brief conversation they had shared earlier that day, Amanda was as guarded as ever. If anything, she smiled far less than she used to.

Now she seemed more... wary.

And undeniably more beautiful.

"Haah... I need to wipe this smile off my face unless I want to creep her out."

Tyler knew he was good-looking, but the last thing he wanted was to give her the wrong impression and ruin whatever chance he had of reconnecting with his childhood sweetheart.

He had even reserved a table at a nearby family restaurant. If she agreed, and he believed she probably would, they could have dinner together. After that, he would ask for her number.

Yes, she was already with someone.

But was it really wrong to become close to her again?

’And it’s not like her relationship with that giant will last.’

From what Tyler had seen, Kyle was nothing but a bad influence on her. The man had nearly driven a wedge between the former patriarch of the Maylith family and his own son without speaking a word.

Even Amanda had looked ready to lash out at her grandfather with harsh words.

So yes, Tyler was convinced their relationship wouldn’t survive for long.

Not that he was hoping for anything...

"Tyler."

A familiar voice called from behind him.

He turned, unable to suppress the smile spreading across his face.

"Aman..." The word caught in his throat.

His smile stiffened the moment he noticed the giant standing behind her.

Kyle.

"I hope you don’t mind me being here too?" Kyle asked, having clearly noticed the change in Tyler’s expression.

Tyler let out a quiet sigh before looking at Amanda.

"This is sensitive information. That’s why I wanted only you to hear it. If word gets out that I leaked it, my job could be at risk."

Amanda gave a casual shrug.

"Then just tell me. Kyle can stand a little farther away."

Kyle nodded without objection.

They had expected this reaction.

In fact, keeping a distance had been Kyle’s idea from the very beginning.

Tyler grumbled under his breath.

"What’s the point of that..."

"What did you just say?" Amanda asked, her brows knitting together.

Tyler immediately shook his head.

"Nothing. Well, since you chose to tell him, I guess you trust him completely."

"Yes, I do," Amanda replied, crossing her arms. "So whatever it is, you can tell him too."

Her calm yet unwavering tone made him sigh inwardly.

She had really changed.

The gentle beauty he remembered was now covered in sharp thorns. Just getting close to her felt like an invitation to bleed.

Letting out a quiet breath, he decided there was no point arguing.

The three of them moved into a nearby alley where Tyler could keep an eye on anyone passing by.

Seeing him act with such caution, both Kyle and Amanda realized whatever he was about to reveal was no trivial matter.

Once they were close enough, Tyler finally spoke.

"After the recent incident, a meeting was held with every active officer from the Montclair base in attendance. Naturally, I was there too."

"During that meeting, Kyle’s name came up again and again. What happened that day went completely against everything the CPV and the PSC stand for."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"Their entire purpose is to keep the aether world and the mortal world separate."

Kyle lowered his head and let out a long, audible breath.

Amanda immediately turned to him. The sternness in her eyes melted away as she gently took his hand.

"It’s okay, Kyle," she said softly. "You’ve blamed yourself enough already."

Tyler gave a wry smile.

Seeing that expression, he realized Amanda hadn’t become cold after all.

She had simply become selective about who got to see her true self.

Pushing that thought aside, he continued.

"Since Kyle came this close to causing a major incident, it was decided that he’d be kept under close surveillance for the time being. They may have already contacted the PSC as well, asking them to report any mission he takes part in."

Amanda frowned.

"Aren’t they going too far?"

Putting a Nightwalker under surveillance meant they suspected them. There were no excuses or alternative interpretations.

They were holding something against him.

"I think they’re just trying to be cautious," Tyler said. "I mean, no offense, but Kyle’s record in such a short career already has far too many incidents attached to it. Maybe they believe that if they know where he’s going, they can send reinforcements in time if something happens."

Kyle let out a faint, bitter smile.

"I wish the world was as kind as you’re trying to make it sound."

Tyler coughed awkwardly, a hint of embarrassment crossing his face.

Kyle took a slow breath before nodding.

"I understand. Thanks for letting us know."

Tyler nodded in return.

He then glanced at Amanda, wanting to say something.

Before he could, Kyle spoke.

"Mister Tyler, can I have a word with you?"

Then he turned to Amanda.

"Why don’t you wait for me near the car? I’ll be there in a minute."

Amanda looked puzzled but didn’t question him.

"Okay."

Without so much as a good night or a farewell to Tyler, she turned and walked away.

Tyler’s eyes unconsciously followed her retreating figure.

Her long, velvety hair swayed gently with every step.

...Ah.

"What are you looking at, Mister Tyler?"

Kyle’s voice suddenly cut through his thoughts as the giant stepped in front of him, blocking his view.

Tyler felt a flicker of irritation, though he kept it from showing.

"What did you want to say?"

Kyle narrowed his eyes.

"I appreciate your help, but I fail to understand why you invited Amanda to such an isolated place at this hour when you could have told her everything back at her house."

Tyler blinked, caught off guard.

"What are you trying to say?"

Kyle didn’t bother with subtlety.

"I don’t know, nor do I care, about the past you share with Amanda. What I do care about is that she’s my girlfriend and someone I love deeply."

He held Tyler’s gaze without wavering.

"And she feels the same way about me."

A vein bulged on Tyler’s forehead.

"Are you trying to boast?" he growled.

"I’m just letting you know where you stand in her life."

Kyle’s voice remained calm, almost indifferent.

"She doesn’t even know your last name. That should tell you how important you are to her now."

Tyler’s lips parted in stunned silence.

There had been a time when they were inseparable.

And now...

Kyle didn’t wait for a response.

As he walked past Tyler, he left him with one final warning.

"Keep your distance, Mister Tyler."

He paused just long enough for his next words to sink in.

"I’m already notorious for causing incidents."

His gaze shifted slightly toward Tyler.

"I’d rather the next one didn’t have your name attached to it."

"You..."

Tyler could only glare as Kyle turned his back on him and walked away without another word.

If the man had any sense, he would know where the line was.

And stay on the right side of it.