ROSES HAVE THORNS

Chapter 170: Chapter 170 - Meet The Principal’s

Stepping away from the impending disaster at the front gates, Kurt wandered deeper into the academy grounds.

This was his very first time seeing the institution where Diana worked from up close, and he couldn’t deny that the scale of the place was staggering. It felt fundamentally different from the rest of the gritty, medieval capital. It was youthful. It was beautiful.

The campus was a breathtaking fusion of classic Victorian prestige mixed with advanced magical science. Towering spires of dark, polished stone rose alongside elegant red-brick frontage.

Running like veins through the traditional masonry were glowing pipelines of copper and brass that hummed softly as they channeled refined liquid mana to power the campus.

Massive brass gears turned slowly within the clock towers, suspended in mid-air by localised gravity inversion runes rather than sort of mechanical axles.

Floating platforms drifted effortlessly between classroom wings, and grand glass greenhouses housed exotic flora that pulsed with life under the conditions of its environment.

It looked like any scholar’s dream world, fueled entirely by the laws of a highly sophisticated magical revolution.

Because the tournament was scheduled to begin tomorrow, the typical chaotic swarms of uniform-clad students were noticeably absent. The only students scattered across the pristine lawns and stone courtyards were those participating in last-minute club activities.

Kurt watched a group of magi-tech engineers calibrating glowing barrier projectors on a nearby lawn, while further away, a squad of student swordsmen practiced synchronised elemental blade formations.

In addition to the students, a steady stream of highly professional officials from various companies, magical artifact manufacturers, and high-ranking merchant guilds marched in and out of the administrative buildings.

They were busy setting up promotional banners, securing recording tags, and finalising sponsorship deals for the massive event.

While walking aimlessly down a wide, paved walkway, a clear voice suddenly cut through the high noon air from high above.

"Well, if it isn’t the most famous person around the block! Up here, Mr. Rossana!"

"Hmm?"

Kurt stopped and looked up. There, standing on the stone railing of a third-floor balcony, was Amber Strongwill. frёeωebɳovel.com

Before Kurt could even raise a hand to wave back or shout a greeting, Amber casually vaulted over the high stone railing.

"What the hell?! Are you insane?!" Kurt yelled.

A sudden surge of panic took hold of him. Third floor. In a normal human world, that was a lethal drop, or at the very least, a one-way ticket to a wheelchair. For a moment, Kurt seemed to forget about the laws of magic as he watched the young woman drop.

With instinct overriding intellect, Kurt dug his boots hard into the stone pavement and channeled an explosive burst of enhanced physical strength into his leg muscles.

The cobblestones beneath his feet cracked slightly as he launched himself upward into the air like a coiled spring, intercepting her falling form mid-flight.

Kurt caught her cleanly, extending his arms to absorb the momentum, and brought her tightly against his chest in a flawless, sweeping princess carry.

"Oh my? Mr. Rossana?" Amber looked at him in confusion.

Kurt hit the ground and landed safely, his knees bending perfectly to absorb the impact. He set her feet back onto the solid ground, though his face was a picture of furious exasperation.

He gripped her by the shoulders and looked at her up and down. "What the hell were you thinking, jumping from a height like that?! Do you have a literal death wish?!"

Amber blinked at him, completely stunned for a brief moment by his raw, aggressive protectiveness. Then, a soft giggle bubbled up from her throat. She gently patted his hands, signaling him to relax his grip.

"Mr. Rossana, there’s no reason to be so frantic. I assure you, I would have been completely safe either way. I am the student council president of Future Academy, after all. Not to mention a representative for the upcoming tournament. If I hurt myself from a simple three-story drop, I would have definitely not been worthy of either title, don’t you think?"

Kurt’s worry instantly faded, replaced by a flat, unamused expression as she began to boast about her own accolades.

He let go of her shoulders and rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish sigh. "Right. Magic. I dunno why I just... forgot. Sorry for being so forward. I just reacted."

"No, no! Please, don’t apologise," Amber said quickly as her cheeks rocked a very faint, appreciative shade of pink.

"Actually... It’s quite refreshing to see someone treat me like a normal person who needs protecting, rather than an untouchable student council powerhouse. I must admit, it was quite thrilling. I wonder, is this fearless, protective charm one of the reasons that Principal Valentine fell so completely head over heels for you? In any case, it’s definite new material for this novel I’m writing, hehehe~"

"You know about me and Diana?"

"Of course I do. Word around the high society circles travels faster than lightning magic. Not to mention the little public stunt the two of you pulled at the docks and the City View Hotel. The rumors have been absolutely wild. It would be entirely impossible not to know about the two of you by now."

"Well, if word about it reached this place, I guess everyone knows about it by now, haha."

With a sly smirk, Amber stepped into his line of sight, placing her hands behind her back.

"I take it you’re here to see her? I’m afraid Principal Valentine is currently trapped in a really boring, high-level administrative meeting at the moment. However, I’d be honored to show you around the campus while you wait. Our little tour can end by sending you straight to the principal’s office. Their meeting should be wrapping up right about then. What do you say? Do you mind?"

"Mind? Not at all. Lead the way, President."

"Awesome! Then follow me, Mr. Celebrity," Amber excitedly turned on her heel and started guiding him.

Unbeknownst to Kurt, she’s only doing so, so that she can skip out on her own responsibilities.

.......

Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the principal’s office was filled to the brim with political tension, professional pride and rivalry spirit.

Sitting behind the main polished mahogany desk was Diana herself, representing Eldoria’s Future Academy.

And seated in the luxurious leather armchairs opposite the desk were her three counterparts.

First was Chihara Mei, the Principal of Myria’s Skyward Academy. She was an extraordinarily elegant woman, clad in a prestigious, golden kimono adorned with black floral patterns. Her dark hair was pulled up into a neat, flawless bun, secured by an ornate jade hairpin. She sipped her tea with a silent poised grace.

Next to her sat Allaster Morgan, the Principal of Tricea’s Kirstenbell Academy. He was a man of cool, calculating confidence, looking every bit the high-tier scholar. He wore a crisp, tailored academic robe and a golden monocle resting over his left eye as he meticulously reviewed a stack of magical logistics documents.

Finally, lounging heavily in the third chair was Jack Axel, the rough-and-tumble Principal of Riverton’s Crossroad Academy. He was a tough-looking old man. A grizzled veteran with a heavily scarred face, wearing a set of functional, lightweight leather-and-iron armor beneath his formal cloak. He looked like he belonged on a bloody battlefield rather than an administrative meeting.

"The security parameters for the opening ceremony have been finalised," Morgan stated as adjusted his monocle with a crisp click of his fingers.

"Kirstenbell’s magical barrier corps has successfully synced with your academy’s central grid, Principal Valentine. We anticipate zero structural damage to the spectator stands, regardless of how destructive our students get."

"Good," Jack grunted when leaning back and crossing his thick arms.

"Because my boys from Crossroad aren’t planning on holding back. We’ve been training in the rugged mountain passes all year. I fully expect my representatives to absolutely shatter whatever delicate little spells your students have spent all semester memorising."

Mei offered a small, incredibly polite, yet deeply condescending smile from behind her teacup. "A charming sentiment, Principal Axel. However, brute force is terribly unrefined. I am afraid your students will be defeated by our Izumi Ayako before they can even close the distance. I’m sure you’ve heard, but many believe that she’s the reincarnation of the Supreme Mage, Layla Wright."

"Haha! Is that a challenge, Chihara?" Jack laughed boisterously. "I love the confidence, but we all know the championship trophy is coming home to Riverton this year."

The petty, competitive banter quickly shifted into a three-way debate, with each principal fiercely defending the honor and superiority of their respective institutions.

Throughout the entire display, Diana remained perfectly silent as she leaned back in her chair with an unreadable expression on her face as she casually swirled her tea.

She was bored and wanted to see a certain someone.

Gradually, the topic of conversation began to veer away from the tournament. Jack let out a sly chuckle as he leaned forward to fix his gaze directly on Diana.

"You know, speaking of upcoming shocks... the tournament isn’t the only massive news shaking up the world this week, is it, Valentine? Word on the street is that the great, completely untouchable, and unobtainable flower of Eldoria has finally been plucked."

Morgan looked up from his paperwork, his monocle gleaming with sudden, intense curiosity.

"Ah, yes. The rumors have reached Tricea as well. It was described as an absolute scandal. An unknown noble and F-rank adventurer? It has even been said that he might be blessed by the Goddess. Surely, Principal Valentine, it is merely a fabricated campaign to chase away any suitor who comes your way?"

Mei set her teacup down delicately as her sharp eyes locked onto Diana with intense interest.

"Indeed. The higher society is practically reeling from the gossip. We are all deeply curious to hear the truth from the source."

They all pressed her, waiting for the inevitable, cold aristocratic denial or a sharp deflection.

Instead, Diana kept her cool.

A slow, incredibly proud, and radiantly beautiful smile gradually bloomed across her lips. She didn’t deny anything. She leaned forward and rested her chin on her fingers as her crimson eyes glowed with deep warmth.

"Whatever rumors you heard about me having a lover, let me tell you all right now, it’s true. And he is twice the man any of your high-born noble friends, colleges or graduates could ever dream of being."

The three principals sat in stunned silence, completely taken aback by her utter lack of shame and her beautifully glowing face filled with affection and pride.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Before any of them could formulate a response, a crisp knock resonated through the double doors of the office.

"Principal Valentine?" Amber’s voice rang out. "I apologise for the interruption, but I have a highly important guest here to see you."

"An important guest?" Morgan muttered while adjusting his robes.

"Perhaps your king’s Royal Advisor? Or is it that brat of a Saintess?" Jack suggested, sitting up straight.

Diana looked at the three of them and sighed. "Our official meeting has concluded anyway. Do you mind if they enter?"

"Not at all," Mei replied politely.

"Enter," Diana called out clearly.

The doors clicked and slowly swung inward. Amber stood in the doorway, offering a perfect, professional bow as she gestured for the person behind her to step forward.

The figure who walked into the office was Kurt. His eye locked hers first and he greeted her, "Hey, Dian–"

"ROSIE~!"

SHWOOSH

In a fraction of a millisecond, Diana materialised directly in front of him.

She threw her arms fiercely around his neck, launching her body into him with such pure, unbridled excitement that Kurt had to instinctively catch her by the waist.

"Rosie, I was just thinking of you~! What a coincidence! Yay~! Ahahaha!" She giggled like a joyous, lovestruck teenage girl, completely oblivious to the rest of the world.

Every single principal in the room froze.

Jack’s jaw dropped so low it nearly hit his chest armor.

Morgan’s golden monocle literally popped out of his eye socket, clattering pathetically onto the floor.

Lastly, Mei’s elegant composure completely evaporated. Her eyes were wide with shock, a feeling that she rarely experienced in her forty-plus years of being alive.