Irene looked more tired than shocked when he said that, as if she had to convince a child Santa wasn't real. Because to her, Ronan beating Brutas was the same as Santa being real.
"Brutas isn't some random student," Irene said flatly. "He's physically stronger, has a clear combat path, and has more experience."
"So?"
Irene looked at him like he was insane.
Ronan didn't respond.
There was silence for a bit.
"Is that all?"
"You're playing with something you don't understand," Irene said.
"I don't think so," Ronan replied. "I think I understand this quite well."
She stared at him.
"What are you actually after?"
"Brutas's rank," Ronan said. "An audience. Resources."
He didn't bother lying.
"So this about your pride? You want to show off you're not actually a failure in front of an audience?"
She wasn't wrong.
He did want to do that, but not because of some sense of pride or ego. It simply worked towards his future plans.
