Inside a large food hall, teenagers could be seen sitting around their friends and eating from their bowls.
Amidst the chatter, a lone figure drew the gaze of a group of girls.
Amy nudged her friend, eyes fixed on the isolated boy. "He's gorgeous. Should I talk to him?"
At a corner table, Draco Von Ashblade ate in silence. His shoulder-length black hair was tied in a messy bun, two strands framing his sharp cheekbones. His black, indifferent eyes were fixed on his food bowl, completely ignoring his surroundings.
Clair followed Amy's stare, her expression hardened once she realised whom Amy had meant. "Him? Don't waste your time."
"Why not? Is he famous? A genius?" Amy grinned. "Even better!"
"No."
Noticing Clair's grim expression linger, Amy seemed to understand something.
"Clair…do you perhaps like him too?"
"No!" Clair shook her head strongly, a look of disgust appearing on her face. The thought of being in love with that man irked her entire being.
"You said famous? Pfft. More like infamous. As for genius…don't make me laugh. He's the only student in Sina's history to have never awakened a talent. He is still mana-less at sixteen." Clair explained.
"What? How? Are you saying he is unawakened? There's never been an unawakened in the academy before. It's impossible…" Amy was shocked beyond belief.
"Well…he made it possible," Clair muttered.
Amy's smile vanished.
"What makes his situation worse is his background...he's an Ashblade, well, a half-son." Clair continued.
"His mother died birthing him. Now he's a stain on their name. Handsome? Sure. But beauty won't slay realm beasts." She turned away pointedly. "Find someone who won't drag you down."
Amy stood there, shocked as she gazed at Draco's body for a second before turning back to face her friend.
"You are not the only one who was shocked. Everybody had the same reaction as you when he failed to awaken. Being from such a noble family…yet awaken no talent…it's pitiful and sort of…pathetic." Clair said, before eating a mouthful of her food.
CRACK!
A bowl exploded at Draco's feet, splattering food across his boots.
Students across the food court froze mid-bite.
Glade Von Ashblade loomed over the corner table, his shadow swallowing Draco whole.
"You are skipping training again? First, you shame our bloodline. Now you shame our discipline?"
Draco didn't flinch.
Up close, Glade's resemblance to their father was uncanny; they had the same facial and body structure.
"Training's useless for me, or did you forget your own words?" Draco said flatly.
Glade's hand snapped out, vice-gripping Draco's forearm.
"Respect your elders, or have you forgotten our father's last conversation with you?"
"Alright, that's enough!" Ms. Ember said, separating the two with her eyes from a far.
Glade moved his hand away with reluctance, glaring at Draco.
Draco's expression remained stagnant as he stood up, staring Glade in the eyes for a second before walking away from his table.
The students in the cafeteria remained frozen as they watched the scene unfold.
Things have never been great for Draco. He had been reborn into this world after being killed by a street robber.
After dying, he was thrust into this magical world.
He had expected his knowledge as an Engineer to help him thrive in this world, even without a talent.
Unfortunately, reality wasn't so bright. He grew up in the House of Ashblade as a scrutinised bastard child that nobody cared about; he was never given the chance to put his skills to use.
His mother had died whilst giving birth to him, which made him curse his luck a thousand times over. His mother was Marquis Lucas's favourite concubine.
Glade's constant bullying was hidden behind the 'lessons' facade. To those in the academy, he appeared as the worried older brother who used tough love to help his younger brother out.
Whilst Glade lived in the main mansion, where Lucas and the rest of the close family members lived. Draco lived in the servants' quarters, alongside those who were viewed as less.
Draco ignored all the stares and whispers around him. He was no longer bothered by their comments or looks. He had been dealing with it for some time now.
Walking away from the cafeteria, Draco headed to his safe haven, the small hill behind the academy's main building.
The Academy of Sina was the largest and most prestigious academy in the City of Silsom.
It housed the best teachers and most talented students; Draco was the only anomaly without any talent.
'Not anymore..' He thought, a small smile forming on his handsome face.
Draco Von Ashblade [Unawakened]
Title: None
Talent: None.
Strength: 11 (10) / Agility: 12 (10) / Health: 10 (10) / Mana: 0 (10)
Skills: None
Stat points: 0
'Zero mana? No wonder why I was unable to awaken…but how, why do I have zero mana?'
A notification flashed across his retina, cyan blue in colour.
[You received a newbie gift pack!]
[Would you like to open the gift pack?]
[Yes | No]
Without hesitation, Draco pressed yes immediately. He no longer wanted to be the only unawakened in the academy.
"Yes."
Upon opening the gift pack, a large influx of colours emerged from the gift pack.
[You have received SSS-Rank Talent: Dragon Lord]
[You have received Core-Reforging Pill x1]
[You have received Beast Egg x1]