*Drop*
A single tear fell from Alyssa's seemingly dull eyes when she saw the name of her deceased mother.
Once, she was a mage praised for her prowess and remarkable abilities. Now, however, her name only invoked hatred in people's hearts.
Images of her departed mother flooded Alyssa's mind, while the screams from her nightmares echoed in her ears.
The tear that landed on the book evaporated, protected by a spell, but it was the only tear Alyssa shed.
"I am not weak anymore," she muttered as she turned the page.
"I promise you mom," Alyssa said with her emotionless eyes.
Despite her appearance, from the inside, her emotions were a wreck.
She was having difficulty controlling herself, but she knew she had to do it.
She knew that if she crumbled here, it would be a waste of all the opportunities she had received until now.
Outside the Sanctuary,
