Chapter 219: Anger and Flames!
"So you're saying that because there's an odd number of students, someone must live alone?"
"Yes, that's the conclusion."
After hearing Principal Kurono's explanation, Stella was left speechless.
The girl, her flame-like red hair swaying, addressed the Principal in an incredulous tone:
"Are you kidding? Does this even need discussion?"
"Why should I, the second princess of the Vermillion Kingdom, have to share a dormitory with a male student? Clearly, I should be the one living alone, right?"
"They're both male students, so wouldn't it be perfect for them to live together?"
"Besides, if they were both A-rank that would be one thing, but why is an F-rank repeating student even an option?"
Stella's intense reaction was within Principal Kurono's expectations.
She stubbed out her finished cigarette in the ashtray, then waved her hand at Stella, saying:
"Alright, don't get so excited."
"Stella, let me ask you, why did you leave your homeland to study here?"
Principal Kurono's question made the agitated Stella pause.
"If I stayed in that country, I would be unable to progress..."
In her homeland, many people took pride in Stella, portraying her as an unreachable 'genius'.
If she had continued to remain in that environment, she would eventually have been influenced by the surrounding flattery.
She would gradually come to believe she could do anything, that she couldn't lose to anyone.
Such arrogant thoughts would take root over time, slowly eroding her drive to make further progress.
'I must not remain stagnant!'
This was Stella's inner conviction.
To become strong enough to protect her homeland, Stella needed to become even stronger.
Her reason for studying abroad was to find those more powerful than herself.
"Well then, isn't this an opportunity?"
"Well, setting aside Kurogane's special circumstances for now, at least Luke is an A-rank knight like you."
"A good rival is a shortcut to becoming stronger. I don't think this is a bad thing."
"Ugh..."
Principal Kurono's words hit the mark so precisely that Stella couldn't think of how to refute them.
However, the idea of living with a male was still difficult for her to accept.
"B-but... living in the same room with a boy, wh-what if something irreversible happens!"
Perhaps finding Stella's reaction too amusing, Principal Kurono lightly teased her:
"Oh? So, Vermillion-san, what kind of 'irreversible' things do you think might happen when young men and women live together? I'm quite curious."
"Eh?! W-well... that is... um..."
Watching Stella's face turn bright red from Principal Kurono's teasing, both Luke and Ikki couldn't help but sigh.
This highly synchronized action made them both startled, after which Ikki gave Luke an embarrassed smile while pointing at Principal Kurono.
Understanding his meaning, Luke didn't hesitate and directly addressed Principal Kurono:
"Principal, there's no need to force Vermillion-san."
"As she said, Kurogane-san and I sharing a room would be fine."
Principal Kurono, stopped in her teasing, let out what seemed to be a regretful sigh.
But in her heart, she actually felt slightly relieved.
In fact, the main purpose of Principal Kurono's actions had been to give Kurogane Ikki an opportunity.
In her view, both Luke and Stella were genuine prodigies, and becoming roommates with either wouldn't have much impact on them.
They were both destined to reach the pinnacle, the only difference being when.
But Ikki was different.
Becoming roommates with either Luke or Stella would be entirely beneficial for Ikki, with no downsides.
Given the unfair treatment Ikki received at school due to his family issues, having an A-rank roommate could have a huge impact.
At least he wouldn't have to endure being attacked without daring to fight back.
Moreover, early exposure to these true geniuses standing at the pinnacle would significantly help Ikki's growth.
There were only three possible dormitory arrangements for the three of them.
But as Stella said, if there wasn't a choice that would be one thing, but with two male students, naturally it would be more appropriate for them to live together.
Forcibly arranging for a nation's princess to live with a man would become a serious international issue once word got out.
Without proper justification, Principal Kurono certainly couldn't do such a thing.
Therefore, Luke and Ikki living together was naturally the most reasonable choice.
However, Principal Kurono also worried about something else.
Specifically, that Ikki was, after all, an F-rank knight.
Even though Luke had read his files and showed no contempt for Ikki in their conversation.
But F-rank was F-rank, not showing contempt didn't mean it didn't exist.
Principal Kurono was worried that Luke actually looked down on Ikki in his heart.
If that were the case, arranging for them to live together would be harmful to Ikki.
Unlike Stella, whose personality could be seen through at a glance, Principal Kurono could never fully grasp Luke's true thoughts.
To be cautious, she had orchestrated this scenario.
Luke's intervention had relieved her considerably - at least if Luke truly didn't want to share a room with Ikki, he wouldn't have stepped in to stop things from developing.
"Well, since Luke, you've said so, you and Kurogane will share a room then."
"Perfect timing too, didn't you just say you were more interested in Kurogane than Vermillion? This works out perfectly."
Principal Kurono's words froze Stella, who had been directing grateful looks at Luke.
An utterly absurd feeling instantly surrounded the young girl's heart.
"Wait just a minute?!"
"Principal... I think I might have misheard what you just said, could you repeat that?"
"Hmm? You mean about Luke being more interested in Kurogane than you?"
Whoosh——!
A flash of flame flickered past.
None of those present were weak, so naturally they wouldn't think they had seen wrong, and all eyes instantly focused on Stella.
"You, the A-rank knight sitting there, is what the Principal said true?"
"An F-rank repeating student is more outstanding in your eyes than me?"
"Just how much do you look down on me to make such a judgment?!"
The temperature in the entire room gradually rose.
Though Stella showed no clear intention to attack, her rising aura told everyone present her attitude.
She's very angry!