"That's all for the introduction, normally I'd start with the lesson on Mana flow and forms but I'll leave that for tomorrow." Professor Mayrose smiled warmly at everyone, "Now for the fun part, this academy year will be different. Students won't be able to choose their own roommates, we will be assigning roommates for you."
Some students groaned in protest, while others seemed excited. Professor Mayrose ignored them, "You'll all live in a mansion on campus in groups of four. No wait five, I forgot the headmistress told me she changed it."
Hajime sighed at the mention of that person. Even though he willingly revealed one of his secrets to her, he didn't trust her. She was too suspicious. The worst thing was he couldn't even fight her, she was far stronger than him, not to mention smarter and wiser.
"Okay, time to announce the groups. Let's see Princess Aveline, Brielle, Calantha, and Prince Velor will be in the first villa along with..." The professor paused for a moment. She double-checked her notebook to confirm the name she saw. "Hajime. Hajime, where are you?"
A forced smile appeared on Hajime's face. There's no way his luck is good enough to be roommates with all of his future targets. The image of a purpled-eyed flower popped into his mind.
"I'm right here," Hajime called out.
"Oh wonderful, okay so Hajime you're sharing a house with Princess Aveline, Princess Brielle, Princess Calantha, and Prince Velor."
The classroom door opened and a short, petite girl entered. The tag on her uniform read 'Teacher Assistant'. She stopped in front of Professor Mayrose, bowed politely, and handed her an envelope.
"The ones I just mentioned please follow Kinoe to your mansion."
Hajime gathered his books, stuffed them into his bag, and slung it over his shoulder. He exited the classroom alongside the others. Once outside, he noticed that he was taller than almost everyone. His height stood out greatly among the group.
Kinoe led them down the hall, heading toward the Academy courtyard. They walked through the entrance and continued down the cobblestone path until they reached a large iron gate. Behind the gate was a luxurious villa surrounded by a vast garden filled with plants of every kind imaginable. Kinoe unlocked the gates, allowing them inside.
"Here we are, this is the first mansion and your new home. Make yourselves comfortable. Please remember that only maids are allowed on the premises. Oh Hajime, Headmistress Charlotte wants to see you asap." Kinoe smiled politely as she gestured toward the building before leaving.
Calantha took the lead and approached the front door. She turned the handle slowly and pushed open the door. It creaked loudly as it swung inward revealing the interior.
Inside was a spacious living room furnished with an expensive-looking couch and a matching chair. There was also a fireplace with a fire already going, warming up the whole room nicely. An ornate chandelier hung above the center of the room, illuminating everything below it. A wooden staircase connected the two floors.
Calantha entered and immediately grabbed the floor plans off of the coffee table and spread them out across it.
"Why are there only four rooms?" she asked worriedly.
Brielle shrugged nonchalantly.
"I guess we'll have to share a room, it shouldn't be that bad. I doubt there's a problem with privacy. Besides, I always wanted a sister!"
She gave Aveline a cheerful thumbs up. The latter frowned disapprovingly at her and shook her head.
"We're not sisters, Brielle. You don't even know me."
"We'll get to know each other eventually, and maybe we can become friends." Brielle smiled brightly before adding, "We are living together after all."
Aveline rolled her eyes at Brielle's optimism.
"Whatever," she muttered under her breath.
Brielle pouted at her response, but before she could say anything else, Aveline spoke again.
"Anyway, I'm not sharing any room with a man. Velor and Hajime should share a room."
"No!" yelled both Radiante sisters.
"You can't separate us, Aveline," Velor protested.
"Then you two can share a room. I'm not giving up mine." Aveline said firmly.
"Hajime can share a room with me." chimed Calantha.
"Huh? Why would you bunk with me?" asked Hajime dumbfounded.
"Do you not feel honored to sleep next to a Princess?" She asked curiously.
"Yes but-"
"No Hajime will sleep with me." Aveline interrupted.
Everyone turned to look at the bold arctic flower. Her glasses glinted in the light, hiding her thoughts.
"Hajime will bind to me. Our mana flows are perfectly suited for each other. It's the most logical choice."
Not giving him a choice in the matter irked Hajime. Normally he'd welcome things working in his favor but letting this slide would only make things worse.
"But-"
"But what? Am I not desirable enough for you?" Aveline interrupted.
Hajime stared blankly at Aveline. This girl was strange. She had no sense of shame or self-restraint.
'Well, she is a princess.' Hajime mused internally.
"Alright, I give in. I'll share a room with you, Aveline." Hajime said, throwing his hands up in surrender.
Aveline didn't respond and started walking towards the oak staircase.
"Where are you going?" Hajime called out, confused by her sudden departure.
"To our room." She said simply as she climbed the stairs.
Hajime followed her upstairs. On the second floor were four bedrooms. Each bedroom contained two beds with a window overlooking the front yard. In addition to these, there was a bathroom, a toilet, and a closet. Everything was decorated in warm colors, giving the place a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
As soon as Hajime set foot into the room Aveline had gone in, he noticed she was almost done undressing herself. Hajime froze. He stared at her unblinkingly, unsure of what to do. Was she serious?
Aveline looked over her shoulder at Hajime, noticing his stunned expression.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Hajime stuttered awkwardly. He averted his eyes from her bare body, refusing to acknowledge her nakedness.
Aveline raised an eyebrow at Hajime's reaction.
"What's wrong?" She repeated herself.
"You're indecent," Hajime mumbled, unsure if this would get him beheaded.
"So?"
"So put some clothes on, princess."
"What for?" Aveline questioned.
"What do you mean 'what for'? Because you're supposed to be decent, you know... Not naked." Hajime fumbled around for the words to explain to her what exactly was wrong.
Aveline tilted her head cutely at Hajime, "You can't even touch me until we're bound. Even then you'd die if you tried to have sex with me, so I don't see the issue."
Hajime felt a vein bulge on his forehead. What kind of logic was that? Who did she think she was?
"You don't seem to understand the concept of decency," Hajime said dryly.
"Anyways I should probably get this out of the way but I won't be binding with you."
Aveline raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Oh? And why is that?"
"Because I don't want to," Hajime answered simply.
Aveline frowned. She didn't like this answer.
"Okay I'll find someone else," she replied surprisingly.
Hajime couldn't understand this woman. She's all over the place.
"Do I need to find someone else to bunk with?" Hajime asked.
"I don't care."
Hajime blinked several times before deciding to drop the subject. He wouldn't be getting anywhere with her.
"Fine, I guess I'll go and see what the Headmistress wants from me."