The day went by smoothly, though not quite as Draco had hoped. Despite the successful combat assessment and Professor Hartwell's encouraging feedback, he hadn't managed to make any real connections with his new classmates.
Connections would prove invaluable for his next plans, but unfortunately his previous identity as the only unawakened didn't help.
Most students seemed content to observe him from a distance, their expressions ranging from mild curiosity to indifference.
While this was certainly better than the open hostility he faced in E-Class, the social isolation still stung.
At least they aren't actively hostile, he thought as he gathered his belongings and prepared to leave the academy.
The other students in the Summoner's class had been professional enough during group exercises, but none had shown interest in extending their interactions beyond what was strictly necessary.
Even Lyra, who had seemed friendly enough during class, had been placed with another group of acquaintances.
As Draco walked through the academy's main entrance, Zephyr perched contentedly on his shoulder, he noticed an ornate carriage waiting near the academy gates.
The vehicle was clearly expensive, crafted from polished dark wood with brass fittings and the distinctive Von Ashblade family crest emblazoned on its doors.
Glade stood beside the carriage, his athletic, tall build and confident posture drawing admiring glances from passing students.
His perfectly styled blonde hair was emphasised by the afternoon sunlight, and his academy uniform was immaculate, tailored to emphasise his athletic build.
"Get in," Glade said, expecting Draco to obey without questions.
His steel-blue eyes fixed on Draco with an intensity that suggested this wasn't a casual offer.
"No. I'll walk it, I'm good," Draco replied without breaking stride.
The Von Ashblade mansion was only a thirty-minute walk from the academy, and he had no desire to spend time trapped in a confined space with his half-brother.
Whatever Glade wants, it's obviously not going to be pleasant or beneficial for me.
The exchange immediately drew attention from nearby students who were waiting for their own transportation or walking home in groups.
"Did you see that? He just refused his older brother's offer," one girl whispered to her friend, her voice carrying clearly in the afternoon air.
"How ungrateful can someone be? His brother is just trying to be nice," another student commented, shaking her head in disapproval.
A small cluster of female students had gathered near the carriage, their eyes fixed on Glade with obvious admiration.
"He's so handsome," one of them sighed dreamily. "And look how patient he's being with his difficult brother."
"Indeed. Glade Von Ashblade is one of the most talented students in A-Class," her friend added. "Such a gentleman, trying to help his family despite how rudely his pathetic brother treats him."
"What a waste that someone so chivalrous has to deal with such a bratty sibling," a third girl chimed in, casting a disapproving look in Draco's direction.
Draco ignored the teenagers' comments entirely.
They clearly have farts for brains if they think this is about kindness.
"Draco, don't make me say it again," Glade's voice took on a harder edge. "Get in. You're embarrassing our noble house in front of people."
Draco shrugged, completely unbothered by the growing audience. "You're embarrassing yourself. If you want me to get in, you need to pay me for the time I'll spend inside that carriage."
The watching students gasped at what they perceived as outrageous behaviour, but Glade simply stared at his half-brother for a long moment before reaching into his coat and throwing a small leather pouch at Draco's feet.
"Twenty gold coins. Get in."
Draco glanced down at the pouch but didn't move to pick it up. "Pfft. Do I look like a beggar, dear older brother?"
Without waiting for him to finish, Glade threw another identical pouch.
"Another twenty. If you don't get in, I'll make sure those gold coins get their worth back at the mansion." The threat was delivered quietly.
"Now we're talking," Draco said, finally bending to collect both pouches and ignoring his older brother's implied threat entirely.
I need gold coins, and since my dear brother has delivered himself to me, I might as well take advantage of this opportunity.
The truth was, Draco had been unable to extract any resources from his family before due to his powerless position as a bastard. But now that he was an awakener, he felt significantly less afraid of Glade's retaliation.
He climbed into the luxurious carriage, noting the plush velvet seats. The vehicle lurched slightly as it began moving, pulled by what Draco knew as a Transcendent-level beast.
One of the family's prized magical horses, which Lucas had gifted to Glade upon awakening his A-Rank Swordsmanship talent.
Glade settled across from him, turning to look out the window as the academy grounds passed by. For several minutes, neither brother spoke, the only sounds being the clip-clop of hooves and the gentle creaking of the carriage wheels.
Finally, Glade broke the silence without turning away from the window.
"Don't think about the family head position," he said, his tone casual. "You don't deserve it. You're not a swordsman like Father, and your talent is weak."
Straight to the point, huh?
Glade finally turned to face Draco directly, his expression serious. "I have a proposition for you. Leave the mansion and don't return. In exchange, I'll give you a thousand gold coins."
Draco's eyes almost widened at the generous offer, but he managed to keep his expression neutral.
A thousand gold coins… that's more than fourteen weeks of my awakener allowance.
The offer was indeed tempting. Draco couldn't care less about the mansion or most of the people in it. The servants' quarters had never felt like home anyway, and the constant reminders of his inferior status were exhausting.
But he had to play this carefully.
Glade is clearly afraid that Father might suddenly favour me now that I've awakened. This fear is making him desperate enough to offer serious money.
"I'll think about it," Draco said finally, his voice giving nothing away.
The carriage soon arrived at the Von Ashblade estate, coming to a stop in the circular drive before the main mansion. Both brothers exited without another word, heading in opposite directions.
Glade toward the grand entrance of the main house, and Draco toward the servants' quarters.
As Draco walked through the familiar paths of the estate, he noticed a subtle but significant change.
The servants he passed no longer dared to look down on him with their previous disdain. Word of his awakening had clearly spread throughout the household, and while they still didn't treat him as nobility, there was a new wariness in their behaviour.
Interesting how quickly things change when you have even a little power.
Zephyr chirped softly as they approached his small room, and Draco found himself genuinely considering Glade's offer. A thousand gold coins could provide him with significant freedom and resources to develop his abilities without the constant family drama.
But first, he needed to understand exactly what his position in the family might become now that he was no longer completely powerless.