Stella Vermillion

Stella Vermillion is the main heroine of A Chivalry of the Failed Knight. She is an A rank Apprentice Knight and the second imperial princess of the Vermillion Kingdom. She is known as the Crimson Princess.

Appearance
Stella is a beautiful young woman of average height with beautiful face, white skin, and ruby eyes. She has long crimson hair tied into twintails. She has a bewitching body, with large breasts and a voluptuous figure. Ikki likens her appearance to "a painting of a goddess", and that her beauty "left no room for wicked lust".

Personality
Stella initially appears to be feisty, hot-blooded, and quick to anger possibly due to her sheltered upbringing, as she was shown arguing with Ikki, after him accidentally walking in on her dressing and then stripping to make things even, even going as far as to want him to kill himself just to make up for it.

However, later on she is shown to be anything but bitter, and is even willing to admit her mistakes and be friendly with others. Despite this, she is still reckless and impulsive, and exhibits frequent bouts of jealousy when it comes to Ikki, especially when it comes to women as she wants to be the one who makes Ikki the happiest.

Stella also dislikes being called a prodigy or genius, and holds contempt for anyone who views her natural abilities as her only source of strength, as she wants to prove that she is more than a prodigy, trying to show that she is also capable with a sword, as well.

Stella has often shown to have a perverted side to her when it comes to Ikki. After the mock battle she straddles him while he is asleep, and she also wanted to wash his back when he was bathing, even rubbing his back with her breasts. Also after their talk in the hospital, she complains to herself that Ikki hasn't done anything after admitting to herself that they have become "lovers". Ayase Ayatsuji even noted that during their talk at the pool, Stella didn't say she was against doing "it" with Ikki. When she and Ikki were resting in the cabin at the Okutama mountains, she realized that she thought about such things more than Ikki, who understood that he needed the approval of Stella's father first and would restrain himself until then. It is also shown that she tends to have erotic dreams or fantasies about Ikki.

History
Stella is the second imperial Princess of the Vermillion Kingdom. As a child, Stella's magic powers were overly powerful that she can't control it and was burned many times in the process of mastering her powers. Eventually she succeeded in mastering her powers through rigorous training but decided to leave the country because she was worried about herself being conceited due to those surrounding her constantly referring her as a "genius".

Failure vs. Prodigy
While changing her clothes in her room, Stella was surprised to see a man suddenly entering her room which changes into horror when the man started stripping in a desperate attempt to solve things. She was later called to the Director's office as she encounters the same man, Ikki Kurogane again, as the two bickers due to Ikki refusing to follow Stella's unreasonable demand which Kurono, the Director of Hagun Academy, suggest for them to have a mock battle to solve this issue. While Stella thought of this as an unreasonable way, Ikki's casual comment angers her and Stella changes the mock battle into a duel with an additional rule where the loser becomes the winner's slave.

The duo then head to a practice ground on the school to start the duel. As the duel begins, it was thought that Stella was the one with the advantage until Ikki counters back, using his Sword Steal and overpowers Stella's swordsmanship, almost landing a decisive blow on Stella who was protected by her Aura which Ikki couldn't cut through. Stella giving Ikki her utmost respect, prepares to use her Noble Art, Katharterio Salamandra to finish off Ikki. She then notices the increase in Ikki's Magic Power and was surprised by it, as Stella starts to attack with Ikki easily dodging all her attacks before appearing behind her and hits a successful and decisive blow, ending the duel with Stella's defeat.

Stella then awakes in her room, in the aftermath of the duel, having fell unconscious after Ikki defeated her. She then had a short conversation with Kurono as she was unable to understand why Ikki had to repeat a year. Kurono then reveals the truth about Ikki's family pulling his legs as and the fact that Ikki is a F-ranker. After Kurono left, Stella who now is extremely curious on Ikki, climbs on top of the sleeping Ikki, as she starts to touch Ikki's body, only to be flustered when Ikki wakes up, resulting in Stella injuring her head by knocking the ceiling. After Ikki tends to her injury, Stella decides to ask Ikki about his dreams as Ikki tells her about his encounter with Ryoma Kurogane and how it help forged his dreams. Stella now accepting that Ikki was stronger than her and decides to chase after his back as Kurono told her to prior before being reminded of the ruling of the duel as Stella initially refused before giving up allowing Ikki's orders Stella to be his friend and roommate.

New Term, Reunion and Rebellion
A few days after her duel with Ikki, Stella started to accompany Ikki on his daily training to further improve herself albeit with some difficulties at first. She then notices Ikki's eagerness at the new school term and he explains that he was looking forward to seeing his sister. On the first day of the new term, Stella attends the orientation where she was briefed on the new school rules. The orientation ended abruptly after the homeroom teacher, Yuuri Oreki, had to leave due to her weak constitution. A group of female students approaches Ikki much to Stella's displeasure and was made worst when Shizuku appears kissing Ikki as a angered Stella reveals that she is Ikki's slave which resulted into utter chaos as Stella and Shizuku destroyed the classroom in a fight. Stella was then placed under 1 week of house arrest as punishment.

Stella then goes on a outing with Ikki, Shizuku, and Nagi, as enjoy their time together. Stella and Shizuku are then left alone, as Ikki and Nagi went to the bathroom together. They are later both seen in a hostage situation. Stella at first tries to hide her identity, but fails, when she saves a mother and her child. She then meets the Apostle, who is able to defeat her using underhanded tricks. She then agrees to strip down if he would leave the mother and child alone, but is save from the shame of striping naked, by a well placed barrier, by Shizuku, and a well timed attack by Ikki who took out the arms of the apostle, while Stella is able to take out the rest of the members. Kirihara then appears, finishing the rest of rebellion. Kirihara and Stella then argue, as Kirihara had just called Ikki a coward, and made a deal, as they just found out that Ikki will face him in the qualifying match, should Ikki loose to him, she would be his girlfriend, but if he looses he would apologize to Ikki. She then looks at a fearful Ikki who states that Kirihara is the worst opponent for him.

Debut Battle and Vow
Stella is next seen in her fight against a third year student, winning easily as her opponent surrender without fighting. Stella then finds Ikki in the dorm, where they talk of Kirihara, as well as Stella encouraging Ikki to win.

She is then seen at the stadium, where Ikki and Kirihara's match was, where she cheered him on. She was specifically heard by Ikki, after ceasing the crowds continued harassment, and openly showing her support for Ikki. After the match Stella follows, an unconscious Ikki, to the hospital, where the two agree to reach the finals of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival and have another match with each other.

Disciple, Encounter and Betrayal
Stella is next seen, after congratulating Ikki on his victory, going against Saijou. She was able to easily over power him, giving her another victory in the participation tournament. Stella then goes to the forest, where she and her friends usually go to train, after Ikki agrees to help his stalker, Ayase Ayatsuji, in her swordsmanship.

Impossible Victory, Decisive Battle and New Beginnings
Stella is later seen conversing with Ikki after his duel with Ayase, having heard of Ayase's situation, Ikki decides to fight on her behalf. The next day, Stella accompanies Ikki and Ayase to the Ayatsuji Dojo previously belonging to Kaito where she and Ayase serves as witness and audience to Ikki and Kuraudo duel. After the duel ends, Stella leaves to call a teacher to fetch them back while she leaves Ayase to tend to Ikki's wound.

A week after the duel, Stella and Ikki are shown to be back with their usual training, receiving a call from Ayase over his father waking up from coma. As Stella realizes she is alone with Ikki, the duo starts to get intimate until Nagi arrives breaking the moment. Stella and Ikki then find out from Nagi that Shizuku's next opponent is the Student Council President and strongest knight of the school, Tohka Todo.

Lorelei vs Raikiri
Stella is next seen along with Ikki watching the match between Shizuku and Tohka Todo. During the match Stella encouraged Shizuku not to give up, even though Shizuku was being outclassed in her match, and though valiant Shizuku was still overpowered and lost to Tohka.

Stella is next seen with Ikki in their room, until they are interrupted by someone. It is then revealed to be Tohka who was carrying documents. Ikki and Stella decide to help her carry the documents to the student council room, where they are invited for tea.

Tohka is then reminded by Saijou, about the request Kurono had made to her, about finding help for their mission. Kanata, then walks in, and tells Ikki and Stella about Kurono tasking the student council members to deal with the giant causing problems in the Okumata mountains. Stella and Ikki agree to help the student council members.

Incident of Okutama
Stella, Ikki, and the student council get to Okutama, with Stella bursting with energy. Stella is the paired off with Ikki, to walk through the Okutama mountains. During their walk Stella gets a fever and Ikki takes her to a cabin near the mountains where she can rest, as well as get out of the rain. Due to her fever, Ikki offered to remove her wet clothes since they were only worsening her condition, to which Stella agreed to. Although awkward at first, Ikki manages to control himself and remove her clothes and cover her up with a blanket to avoid seeing her naked. Stella then asked Ikki if he wanted to have sex with her, much to his shock. After some thinking, Ikki decided he would refrain from such an act until he earned the approval of Stella's parents to her delight. She then rested in the cabin, contemplating the thought that she was "naughty".

Ikki and Stella are then attacked by the giant, who was terrorizing the area. Stella is able to fight off some of the giants, but they prove to much for the duo as they were overwhelmed by the numbers of their assailants. They are then however, saved by Utakata and Tohka who are able to deal with the dolls.

The group then goes down the mountain to a lodge, where the rest of the members of the student council were. They then meet a man from the house of Kurogane, Azaka Mamoru, who reveals to the others that Ikki and Stella's relationship was made public through the newspapers, and that Ikki needed to come with him.

Siege, Reunion and Trap
Stella was seen talking with Kurono about Ikki's current situation, and was asked by Kurono if Stella could convince her father to come and speak on the situation. Stella had tried to do such but her efforts proved futile as Ikki had already agreed to fight against Tohka.

Stella, after finishing her final selection battle, had came and showed Ikki that she was able to participate in the sword art festival, giving Ikki the courage to fight against Tohka and win, with one swing allowing him to participate in the sword art festival as well. She instantly ran to an exhausted Ikki and caught him in her arms. The concern for Ikki soon turned to anxiety and happiness when Ikki proposed to her. Nonetheless, she accepted his proposal tearfully before he passed out from his poor physical condition.

Training Camp and Scheme
Stella is seen training with Tohka during their training camp in Kyomon Academy, losing to the latter in their mock battle much to her frustration.

After the end of the fourth day of their training camp, Stella and Ikki are seen running together so that Stella can went her frustration over her earlier lost before deciding to head to the shopping district for dinner. While deciding what to eat, Ikki leaves Stella when he notices a deranged electrician and decides to follow him.

Stella is then seen with a policeman after Ikki disables the deranged electrician, ending the incident peacefully. The couple eventually learnt that the rescued Blazer, Amane Shinomiya is a huge fan of Ikki who proceeds to thank and treat the couple to a dinner with Stella feeling pleased that people are starting to accept Ikki unaware of his uneasiness around Amane.

Akatsuki Strikes
Stella and the other participants of the training camp, go back to Hagun academy, but not before learning that Nagi was an assassin sent by Akatsuki. Although skeptical at first Stella and the others decide to trust Nagi.

Upon arriving at a destroyed Hagun Academy, Stella and the others were able to defeat the Akatsuki students, however they were revealed to be just puppets made by one of the Akatsuki members, as Nagi is struck down by Amane. Hiraga kidnaps an unconscious Nagi as Stella stops Ouma from stopping Ikki to give chase to Shizuku, who was chasing Nagi and Hiraga. Stella then challenges Ouma, to which he accepts, and is quickly overpowered by Ouma. She is however saved from harm by Tohka who proceeds to knock her unconscious as she is not able to defeat Ouma right now. Tohka gives Stella unconscious body to the Hagure sisters who are told to run.

Stella and the Hagure sisters are found by the Akatsuki members however they are saved by Nene. They eventually decide to retreat and are unable to do any harm to Stella or the Hagure sisters.

Stella, after the incident with Ouma, decides to seek Nene help with training wanting to become much stronger for the seven sword art festival. Nene agrees to train her for the week until the Seven sword art festival had begun.

Abilities
Expert Swordsmanship: Stella is proficient in swordsmanship, being extremely skilful in her Imperial Sword Style. Ikki, despite being a better swordsman, had note that there wasn't any flaws in Stella movements and not much he can teach her.

Immense Magic Power: Stella possesses an immense amount of magic power that she was unable to control as a child. After years of hard training, Stella finally mastered her power and is now able to use powerful attacks continuously without showing signs of fatigue. According to Stella, her magic power is 30 times that of a normal Blazer.

Enhanced Strength: Stella, through the use of her large magic reserve, has shown to be capable of augmenting her physical strength to superhuman level, to the point of making craters in the ground with her slashes and sending people flying with one punch. She could even easily overpower Ikazuchi Saijou fully powered 10 Ton attack in one clash.

Dragon Breath (妃竜の息吹 Hiryuu no Sokusui): Stella's Noble Art, mainly comprising of the ability to summon and control flames. This particular kind of flame carries some of the common properties of natural fire like radiant heat and light, but does not immediately burn anything it touches. Stella uses Dragon Breath in both offense and defense, creating an invisible barrier that block incoming attacks, as well as extending the flames to attack any nearby foes.

Trackless Step (抜き足 Nukiashi): Stella has shown the ability to use trackless step, as seen when it allowed her to instantly get behind Akaza, without him noticing.

Device
Laevateinn : Stella's Device, it takes a form of a golden broadsword with red markings on the hilt and is clad in the Dragon Breath's flames. According to Stella, her Noble Art can go up to 3000 degrees centigrade in temperature.
 *  : Stella's ultimate technique, Laevateinn transforms into a sword made from heat that had no physical body, and can reach a target more than a hundred meters away.
 * Empress Dress : Stella creates a dress made of flames that acts as an armor.
 * Dragon Fang : Activated by igniting Laevateinn in flames, Stella creates a three meter long serpentine Dragon clad in flames that can target its opponent.

Trivia

 * Stella had learned Japanese by watching Kawaguchi Hiroshi Tankentai DVDs.
 * Vermillion as of her name means red, thus her name, Crimson Princess.
 * She is shown to have a large appetite despite her slender figure which Ayase has commented on. Stella claims she needs to eat alot or her body gets sluggish hinting her fire magic may cause a high metabolism.