Chapter 11: The Spoiled Inferno

Kaelith's flames flickered and died as she turned away from Aelara and Liora, her crimson eyes softening as they landed on Elara. The anger that had consumed her moments ago melted away, replaced by a familiar, almost childlike need for her sister's attention. She didn't care about the exam, the fight, or the other students anymore. All that mattered was Elara.

"Ela!" Kaelith called, her voice losing its sharp edge and taking on a whining, almost petulant tone. She sprinted across the scorched field, her golden curls bouncing as she ran. The moment she reached Elara, she threw herself at her sister, her arms wrapping around Elara's waist in a tight hug.

Elara stumbled slightly under the force of Kaelith's embrace but quickly steadied herself, her sapphire blue eyes filled with a mixture of relief and exasperation. "Kae, what were you thinking?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm. "You can't just attack people like that."

Kaelith buried her face in Elara's shoulder, her voice muffled as she replied, "They were annoying me. And that nobleman was there again. I couldn't help it."

Elara sighed, her hand instinctively moving to stroke Kaelith's hair. "You can't keep doing this, Kae. You're going to get yourself in trouble."

Kaelith pulled back slightly, her crimson eyes wide and pleading. "But they were being so rude! And I missed you. I was looking everywhere for you, and I couldn't find you, and then they showed up, and—"

Elara cut her off with a soft smile, her fingers brushing a strand of hair out of Kaelith's face. "I know, Kae. I missed you too. But you have to control your temper, okay? You can't just lash out at everyone who upsets you."

Kaelith pouted, her lower lip jutting out in a way that made her look more like a sulking child than a fearsome mage. "Fine. But only because you're asking me to."

Elara chuckled, her heart swelling with affection for her sister. Despite Kaelith's fiery temper and occasional bouts of chaos, Elara couldn't help but love her. Kaelith's devotion was unwavering, and her love for Elara was as fierce as her flames.

Behind them, Aelara and Liora exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of relief and lingering unease. Kaelith's sudden shift from terrifying to spoiled was jarring, to say the least. Aelara's violet eyes narrowed as she watched the interaction, her mind racing with thoughts about Kaelith's role as the villainess. The System's warning echoed in her mind, but for now, she pushed it aside. The exam was almost over, and they needed to regroup.

Serenith, standing a few steps away, observed the scene with her usual calm demeanor. Her icy blue eyes flicked between Kaelith and Elara, her expression unreadable. She had heard rumors about the Solvayne twins, but seeing their dynamic up close was something else entirely. Kaelith's obsession with Elara was both fascinating and concerning, and Serenith made a mental note to keep an eye on her.

Kaelith, oblivious to the others' thoughts, turned her attention back to Elara, her crimson eyes sparkling with mischief. "Ela, you owe me a hug. I've been looking for you forever."

Elara laughed, the sound light and melodic. "I just hugged you, Kae."

"That wasn't a proper hug," Kaelith insisted, her voice taking on a whining tone. "You didn't even squeeze me."

Elara rolled her eyes but obliged, wrapping her arms around Kaelith and pulling her into a tight embrace. Kaelith immediately melted into the hug, her earlier anger and frustration completely forgotten. For a moment, it was just the two of them, the world around them fading into the background.

"There," Elara said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "Happy now?"

Kaelith nodded, her face still buried in Elara's shoulder. "Mhm. But don't leave me again, okay? I don't like it when I can't find you."

Elara's smile softened, her heart aching at the vulnerability in Kaelith's voice. "I won't, Kae. I promise."

The moment was interrupted by the sound of the headmistress's voice echoing through the arena. "The exam is now concluded. All students, please return to the auditorium for results and debriefing."

Kaelith reluctantly pulled away from Elara, her crimson eyes narrowing as she glanced at Aelara and Liora. "You're lucky my sister's here," she said, her voice low and threatening. "Otherwise, you'd be toast."

Aelara raised an eyebrow, her violet eyes calm but slightly wary. "Noted."

Liora, her golden eyes wide with a mix of fear and curiosity, stayed silent. She had seen enough of Kaelith's temper to know better than to provoke her.

The group made their way back to the auditorium, the tension between them palpable. Kaelith stayed close to Elara, her hand gripping her sister's as if afraid to let go. Elara, for her part, tried to keep the mood light, her gentle demeanor a stark contrast to Kaelith's intensity.

As they entered the auditorium, the other students turned to look at them, their whispers filling the air. Kaelith's earlier display had not gone unnoticed, and the sight of her clinging to Elara only added to the intrigue. The Solvayne twins were a mystery, their bond both fascinating and unsettling.

Kaelith ignored the stares, her focus entirely on Elara. She leaned her head on Elara's shoulder, her crimson eyes half-closed as she basked in her sister's presence. "Ela, can we go home after this? I'm tired."

Elara chuckled, her fingers brushing through Kaelith's golden curls. "Soon, Kae. We just need to wait for the results."

Kaelith pouted but didn't argue. She was too content to be with Elara, her earlier anger and frustration completely forgotten. For Kaelith, Elara was her anchor, the one person who could calm the storm inside her. No matter how chaotic or dangerous the world became, as long as she had Elara, everything would be okay.

The headmistress stepped onto the stage, her silver hair shimmering under the light as she addressed the students. "Congratulations on completing the entrance exam. The results will be announced shortly. For now, take a moment to reflect on your performance and the challenges you faced."

Kaelith barely listened, her attention focused entirely on Elara. She didn't care about the exam or the results. All that mattered was her sister. Elara was her light, her reason for everything. And as long as she had Elara by her side, Kaelith knew she could face anything.

The chapter ended with the students gathered in the auditorium, the tension and excitement of the exam still lingering in the air. But for Kaelith, the only thing that mattered was the warmth of Elara's hand in hers and the promise of never being apart.