Crown of Sparks

In the next few hours, the residents of Floressia District would probably notice the smoke rising from the abandoned building. But for Ar it was over.

He stepped out of the now flaming building, the long black staff in his hand once again hiding the sharp sword he had wielded before.

Outside, Clau waited anxiously for him. The girl stood tall in the dim light, her small hands clutching the hem of her own robe. When she saw her brother emerge from the flames, she immediately ran toward Ar, her round eyes filled with relief mixed with worry.

Ar didn't stop running, but he slowed down as Clau approached.

"Is this how they will stop bothering the residents of Floressia District?" Clau's voice was soft, but clearly filled with fear.

Ar paused for a moment, his eyes fixed on the girl with a calmness that was hard to penetrate. He knew that the thugs might not be completely deterred. The threats he had made, the wounds he had left behind, and the fire that was now burning their warehouse, all of that might have only delayed the danger, not ended it. Especially with the strong support of Baron Bartemus Rudolph.

But Ar doesn't want Clau to worry any longer.

With a slow movement, he reached out and gently stroked his brother's head. "They won't come back. The wounds and the fire were enough to teach them a lesson."

Clau stared at him, clearly unhappy with the answer. "But, brother... they have the support and obedience of a Kaelith who hired them. Baron Bartemus Rudolph will not be silenced."

Ar took a deep breath. Clau was right, and he knew it. Bartemus was not only a Kaelith, but a Baron with a lot of power. If he decided to retaliate, it would not be the end, but only the beginning of the dangers that would threaten the Orphanage and even the Floressia District.

On the other hand, Ar did not want to show his hesitation.

"I know," he finally replied. "Baron Bartemus won't give up just because the thugs he hired fled in fear... and what's worse, the building that was the illegal warehouse for smuggling Magic Beasts burned down. Besides, we released the Magic Beasts they had locked up back into the forest."

He saw Clau's expression change slightly. There was still fear, but also determination.

Ar glanced at the fire that continued to consume the building behind them. The embers of resistance had been fanned, and he knew that sooner or later Bartemus would react.

It was only a matter of time before they had to face the consequences.

They walked down the path to the orphanage. Clau walked behind him, following Ar's footsteps without hesitation, even though her mind was still filled with questions.

She knew that her role in this plan was only that of a supporter, while Ar was the one on the front lines, more confident, more powerful. At least that was how her twin sister felt.

"I still can't believe that plan worked," Clau muttered, half to himself. "Are you sure no one found out about the incendiary bags?"

Ar didn't answer right away. His steps were steady, his eyes straight ahead. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm.

"No one found out. You put the bags in the right places and the explosions looked natural. They only saw the fire and smoke, not realizing it was the result of our plan."

Clau bit his lip, still not completely convinced. "But what if Baron Bartemus finds out we did it?" she asked again, her voice filled with worry.

Ar turned slightly and looked at Clau out of the corner of his eye.

"Even if he finds out, what can he do?" he said flatly. "He may be a Kaelith, but I doubt he'll bother to deal directly with Ethel scum like us. He won't see us as much of a threat to him. Not yet, anyway."

Silence fell over them. Only the sound of footsteps could be heard on the small cobbled path. The night air felt colder, as if to replace the heat left by the flames behind them.

Clau finally broke the silence, her voice softer this time. "Brother... are you sure we can protect the children in the orphanage and Mother? If Baron Bartemus or his men come again, what will happen? We... we're just Ethel's children."

Ar stopped suddenly. Clau stopped as well, looking at him doubtfully. Ar turned around and now faced his twin sister.

Clau was no longer the little girl who used to hide behind his body. She had grown faster and was now almost as tall as Ar. But in her eyes was still the same doubt, the same fear that had haunted her since childhood.

Ar took a deep breath before he spoke.

"Listen to me, Clau." His voice was firm but not loud. "We may be only Ethel's children, a caste always looked down upon. But you and I know who we really are. As long as we work together, protect each other, and don't let fear control us... there's nothing we can't do."

Clau was silent. There was something in Ar's words that always managed to calm him down. Slowly he nodded.

Seeing that, Ar smiled slightly and then reached out to stroke his brother's head. "Come, let's go home. It's getting late."

Without another word, the two twin brothers walked back. They walked side by side, leaving the building that now had only a slowly dying glow, like an old wound that had not yet fully healed.

***

Somewhere far away from the Floressia District stood a magnificent mansion that looked more like a living work of art. The walls were filled with luxurious carvings, the marble floors shone, and every corner of the room was filled with antique displays and paintings by famous artists. But behind all this luxury, there was something stronger, a captivating aura that permeated every corner of the room.

In the spacious living room, a tall man sat on a red velvet sofa. His graying hair was neatly tied back, his stern face was adorned with thick sideburns, and the luxurious suit that draped his body exuded the authority of a Kaelith noble. An expensive cigar was lit between his thick fingers, its smoke curling into the air.

Baron Bartemus Rudolph.

The name was not just a name. It was a symbol of power, of fear, of dominance. Especially for those of the Ethel caste, who in his eyes were nothing more than useless trash.

At that moment, Bartemus' hands were clenched tightly. His veins were bulging, holding back the anger that was about to explode. In front of him stood five burly men, the thugs he had sent to chase away the orphanage children earlier. Now they returned, their bodies covered with wounds, their faces bowed in fear.

Bartemus' voice finally rang out, low but sharp as a knife.

"So... you came back like this... for a twelve-year-old Ethel?" His piercing eyes flashed with anger. "And not only that, but the Magic Beasts camp burned down? All the Magic Beasts fled into the forest?"

No one dared speak. Only the crackling of wood in the fireplace could be heard, burning the silence of the room.

One of the thugs, a man with a thick beard and a scar on his face, finally dared to answer, his voice trembling.

"S-Sir Bartemus... this boy is no ordinary boy. He's very fast, like a shadow. We don't even know where he attacked from. He... he burned your building with something we don't..."

"Shut up!"

Bartemus' voice boomed, shaking the room. The thug flinched, taking an involuntary step back.

Kaelith stood. His large frame cast a menacing shadow under the light of the chandelier. With a rough motion, he pulled out his cigar and flicked it onto the table. The smoke scattered, filling the air with the pungent odor of tobacco.

"Insult!" he hissed, his eyes narrowing with hatred.

The thugs' hearts raced. They knew what was coming.

"I, a blue-blooded Kaelith. A level 4 Master Channeler. Humiliated by Ethel's children who shouldn't even live in this land?"

Bartemus took a deep breath, holding back his boiling emotions.

"If you can't solve this problem..." his voice fell, but his determination grew. "I will kill you."