Volume 1 Chapter 461

Chapter 461: The Origin of Fear

In Lalea’s few memories, her mother was a moody and very nervous person.

Most of the time, she would nag about how "the Shadow Guard of South Sotua will kill us," and every now and then, she would make Lalea move.

At the same time, she really disliked it when Lalea made noise.

Whenever Lalea made a sound, she would hit her daughter.

It had always been this way since Lalea could remember.

However, Lalea did not really hate her mother.

She only hated her father.

In the royal palace, Lalea realized that her mother was just a foolish and pitiful woman.

A maid from the laundry had a joyful night with a drunken prince.

The maid, who did not understand her place, was so overwhelmed by the experience that she thought she had a chance to rise in status.

So she began to boast to the other maids in the palace.

If it were just that, the royal palace of South Sotua and that prince would still accept her.

After all, at that time, the prince had already removed the wings of other claimants, and becoming the crown prince was certain.

However, she unexpectedly became pregnant before the prince’s official princess.

Moreover, she saw this as her good fortune and bragged about it again.

What awaited her…

Was a merciless expulsion.

She luckily escaped an assassination attempt, and at that time, the princess confirmed that she was having a girl.

After that, the royal family of South Sotua did not pay much attention to her anymore.

Only this foolish woman, with a broken dream and a burden, worried about the Shadow Guard who had never looked for her again.

Until…

She lost track.

But now, seeing this scene before her eyes, Lalea couldn’t help but tremble.

It was indeed a bit frightening that her own mother almost killed her.

But it was not enough to make her feel so "afraid."

Afraid to the point of forgetting this memory.

"Please close the door."

It seemed like a voice in her heart was begging her.

That was her from years ago, sick, young, and all alone.

It was begging the Lalea who now seemed so strong, even a bit cruel and harsh.

"Don’t look anymore."

Lalea felt that same urge herself.

If she had already forgotten, why not just forget it completely?

But in the end, she still did not move her feet or close the door.

She raised her head and calmly watched what happened next.

At that moment, the little girl’s eyes were glazed over, and she was only breathing in and not out…

A change happened.

A wave of energy surged from her.

A magical wave.

At this moment of near death, the girl’s potential seemed to burst forth.

A burst of flames exploded, throwing her mother, who was choking her, away!

Although the woman was strong, she was no match for extraordinary power.

Caught off guard, she fell to the ground, her hands covered in burns.

The little girl supported her chest, sitting up in bed, gasping for breath.

She looked at her hands, seeming shocked by her strange power.

After a brief shock, the little girl’s face still flushed, she looked at her mother.

Her mother also looked at her.

Her eyes were filled with fear and anger.

"You fool… you actually hurt me!"

She shouted, but her voice trembled a little.

The little girl continued to cough, frowning.

Lalea saw this and lowered her gaze.

She remembered.

"You are so noisy, Mother…"

Her voice blended with the sweet little girl’s voice.

Along with it was the fiery light.

It swallowed the woman’s flame.

It turned out that I did not actually hate my mother…

It was just that this hatred had already been released.

Watching my mother scream and roll in the flames, feeling my own growing fear…

Lalea was silent for a long time.

She tugged at the corner of her mouth and slowly began to smile.

But two lines of tears flowed from the corners of her eyes.

This is the memory she has always feared.

"This is… me."

While crying, she slowly leaned against the doorframe and sat down on the ground.

This is the truth.

This is why she is afraid.

She killed her own mother.

It wasn’t even an accident.

The surge of magic only burned her mother’s hands.

This is her completely independent "choice."

As foolish and violent as her mother, and as cold and arrogant as her father.

This is…

The thing she fears the most and does not want to acknowledge.

And when Lalea was almost defeated by this round of trials.

In her hesitation, Qiong and Julie also opened their room doors after some doubt.

Julie gently pushed the door open and saw Qiong in the hallway.

However, it was not the real Qiong.

But Qiong from her memories, years ago.

Wearing a hooded cloak, she covered her beast ears.

Standing in the hallway, the short girl walked quickly.

Then, from the other end of the hallway, her own voice came.

"Senior Qiong—"

At that time, Julie’s voice was a little hoarse, but it was much cheerier than now.

"It’s so late, where are you going?"

She called out to Qiong, curiously asking.

Qiong seemed a bit curious about why Julie was here.

But her curious expression only flashed for a moment before disappearing.

In the next moment, she revealed her dagger.

"Now go back to your room, Julie."

Qiong’s voice was chillingly cold.

"Stay in your room… I don’t want to kill you, Julie."

Julie looked towards the end of the hallway.

There stood her shocked self.

This was the first time she felt Qiong’s intent to kill.

Being treated this way by someone she was closest to, trusted the most, and admired deeply was enough to terrify this girl, who had just managed to emerge from the shadows of her childhood.

But this was not the part that frightened Julie the most.

What she feared was what would happen next.

Senior Qiong opened the window in the hotel corridor and jumped down.

After she quickly walked to the window, she saw…

Senior Qiong standing with a group of people dressed in the official uniform of the South Sotua Royal Institution.

She glanced back at herself with an utterly cold expression.

In that moment, Julie could still remember that feeling.

It was like falling into an ice cave.

This was indeed her greatest fear.

At that time, she didn’t quite understand why she felt so scared.

Was it because their support suddenly disappeared?

After all, the leader had already died then.

Was it because they learned that "Senior Qiong" was colluding with the royal institution?

After all, the decline of Fish Eye was due to the calculations of South Sotua’s officials.

Or was it because they were worried about being silenced?

This was something Julie had never understood.

But until today, when she saw Qiong again, she began to understand a little.

What she had feared back then was actually… never being able to see Senior Qiong again.