Kai's eyes narrowed as he stepped onto the stage, his gaze locking onto Wren and Darnell with an intensity that made the air seem to vibrate with tension. Wren's laughter and Darnell's smile seemed to mock him, fueling the possessive fire that burned within his chest. He felt a snapping sensation, like a thread pulled too tight, as he watched Darnell hand Wren a snack, their fingers touching briefly.
Kai's eyes flashed with anger, his pupils constricting as he struggled to contain the rage that simmered beneath his surface. He had claimed Wren as his own the moment he beat her in the dungeon, and now she belonged to him, body and soul. The thought of anyone coming between them was unbearable, and the academy's rules and regulations meant nothing to him.
As Kai's distraction deepened, Kinrara seized the opportunity, her fist flying towards his face with lightning speed. The sound of her punch connecting with his jaw was like a crack of thunder, and Kai's head snapped back, his eyes flashing with anger.
Kinrara's gaze lingered on Wren and Darnell, a smirk playing on her lips. She knew her brother's possessive nature all too well, and the way he was fixated on Wren was both fascinating and terrifying. Did her brother like Wren? The thought was absurd, and yet, Kinrara couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Kai's behavior than met the eye.
As she watched Kai's face twist with anger, Kinrara felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew her brother's darker side, the side that emerged when he was obsessed with something or someone. He was a force of nature, unstoppable and merciless, and those who crossed him did so at their own peril. Kinrara had seen it before, the way he would stop at nothing to claim what he wanted, even if it meant destroying everything in his path.
...
But Kinrara seized the opportunity presented by Kai's distraction, unleashing a flurry of precise and calculated punches that targeted his vulnerable spots. Each strike was a testament to her intimate knowledge of her brother's fighting style and weaknesses. The sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed through the air as Kinrara's fists connected with Kai's face and body.
Kai's eyes, once focused on Wren and Darnell, finally snapped back to Kinrara, his gaze burning with anger. The intensity of his stare could have frozen time, but Kinrara didn't flinch. Instead, she smiled slightly, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and competitiveness.
Just as Kai was about to retaliate with a powerful punch, the timer signaling the end of the match blared to life. The sudden noise was jarring, and Kai's fist halted mere inches from Kinrara's face. The judges' table erupted into a flurry of activity as they tallied the points, but the outcome was clear: Kinrara had landed more punches and was declared the winner.
The crowd's reaction was mixed, with some cheering for Kinrara's clever tactics and others murmuring in surprise at Kai's loss. Wren's eyes widened in astonishment, her gaze darting between Kai and Kinrara. She had expected Kai to dominate the match, given his formidable reputation.
Kai's face twisted in a scowl as he stormed off the stage, his anger and frustration palpable. The loss stung, but what hurt more was the reason behind his distraction: Wren and her interaction with Darnell. The senior's presence seemed to have unsettled Kai more than he cared to admit, and the fact that he had lost to his sister because of it only added to his irritation.
Meanwhile,Wren wanted to congratulate Kinrara on her success, but as she approached her, she was suddenly enveloped by a swarm of well-wishers and admirers. The crowd's enthusiasm was palpable, and Wren decided it wasn't the right moment to interrupt. She retreated, planning to catch up with Kinrara later when she was less busy.
Her thoughts drifted to Ashley, who was recuperating in the nurse's clinic after the intense battle with Elsa. Wren had been among the helpers who rushed Ashley to the clinic, and the nurse's reassuring words still lingered in her mind – Ashley would wake up by dawn the next day with a mild concussion. Feeling a pang of concern, Wren considered visiting Ashley, but her own tasks beckoned. She decided to head to the library to focus on her next mission: finding the rare material required by the academy.
As Wren navigated the corridors, she stumbled upon a room with a door slightly ajar. Her curiosity was piqued by the faint sounds emanating from within – a low, muttering voice that seemed to be arguing with itself. The tone was menacing, and Wren's instincts urged her to be cautious. She approached the door stealthily, her ears pressed against the wooden surface as she listened intently.
The words were laced with venom, and Wren's heart skipped a beat as she recognized her name. "I shouldn't have gotten distracted, damn it, it's all because of that dumb girl Wren." The voice grew louder, more aggressive. "I wouldn't spare her, hell no. She is mine, mine." The repetition of the word "mine" sent shivers down Wren's spine. The voice was unmistakable – it belonged to Kai Blackwood.
As she listened, she heard Kai's voice arguing with another persona, one that seemed to be whispering dark thoughts into his ear. "You're being reckless, Kai. You can't let her get away with it," the voice whispered. Kai's response was immediate, his voice rising in anger. "Shut up, Kuro. I know what I'm doing. I'll show her who's boss."
Kuro's voice grew more menacing, its tone dripping with malice. "You're not thinking clearly, Kai. You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Let me take over. I'll handle Wren."
Kai's response was laced with desperation. "No, Kuro. I won't let you hurt her. I won't let you control me." The internal conflict was palpable, and Wren felt a sense of unease as she realized that Kai's personalities were at war with each other.
As she leaned forward to catch a glimpse of Kai, their eyes met through the narrow opening. The dim lighting in the room cast eerie shadows on Kai's face, accentuating the turmoil that seemed to simmer beneath his surface. His eyes, usually cold and calculating, now burned with an unsettling intensity. Wren felt a chill run down her spine as she realized she was staring into the depths of Kai's fractured psyche.
For a moment, they locked gazes, the air thick with tension. Wren's mind reeled as she struggled to comprehend the complexity of Kai's emotions. She had heard whispers about bipolar disorder, but witnessing it firsthand was a different story altogether. The darkness that shrouded the room seemed to seep into Kai's eyes, and Wren wondered which persona she was facing – the calculating strategist or the tormented soul consumed by his own demons.
"Kuro, stop," Kai muttered, his voice barely audible. "You're making things worse." But Kuro's voice grew louder, more menacing. "You're weak, Kai. You're not fit to lead. I'll take over, and I'll show Wren what it means to cross us."
The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Wren stood frozen, her eyes locked on Kai's. She knew she needed to get out of there, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot.