The Queen of Scrolls never admits defeat

This is where Shana's mother lives in the City of Chaos. Moran walked towards the oak door and gently pushed it open.

A faint scent of calming herbs wafted over, instantly soothing the heat and noise of the street.

The interior space isn't particularly spacious, but it's decorated in an extremely cozy way.

Soft, warm light streamed down from the magical lamps on the ceiling. The walls were a gentle off-white, and there was a large photo wall displaying pictures taken by Shana's mother during her travels across the continent.

Several soft-looking sofas and armchairs were scattered around, and on a small coffee table next to them were pictures with fresh flowers.

The magic clock on the wall and the large bookshelf next to it, crammed with books, looked very familiar. I think I saw them in the log cabin in Cuixi Plain when I was a child.

An extremely burly lion-orc warrior was crampedly huddled in a sofa that was clearly too small for him.

His golden mane hung loosely, and his amber eyes, which should have been full of wildness and majesty, were vacant, even carrying a hint of confusion and vulnerability that was completely inconsistent with his powerful appearance.

He carefully held a steaming cup of herbal tea in his large hands, as if that cup of tea was his only comfort at that moment.

Shana's mother sat in an armchair opposite him, her mental energy exceptionally active, her eyes lowered as she sensed the orc's inner turmoil.

Noticing someone enter, Shana glanced at the doorway out of the corner of her eye and saw an unfamiliar black-haired witch. She then gestured with a very subtle gesture for her to sit down and wait.

Moran understood and quietly walked to the empty armchair closest to the door and sat down, watching Shana's mother work with great interest.

Seeing the shadow cast by the ceramic teapot on the table under the light suddenly move as if it were alive, silently lifting the solid teapot and steadily tilting it to pour steaming hot herbal tea into an empty cup in front of Moran, Moran raised an eyebrow in surprise.

The shadow magic she brought back from the Dream World, Shana's mother also learned it?

It seems that Shana's mother has indeed focused on learning magic and improving herself over the years. Not only has her magic level increased by a major rank, but she has also begun to explore new schools of magic.

Moran picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and turned her gaze back to Shana's mother and the lion-man, wondering how her mother carried out her spiritual healing.

She secretly mobilized a wisp of magic, quietly transforming it into mental power, and used mind-reading magic to cautiously probe the edge of the active mental field surrounding Shana's mother, observing it closely.

Moran's mental magic level was much higher than Shana's mother's, and he easily captured the clear mental voice and some fragments of memory.

"Why?! Why couldn't I save him even when I unleashed my strongest power! Karok fell right in front of me! My axe couldn't even cleave the monster's carapace! What's the use of these muscles?! What's the use of this ferocious power?! It only leaves me feeling more empty and regretful afterward!"

A strong, burly orc slowly fell to the ground under the attack of the magical beast. The lion orc warrior let out a desperate roar, his eyes bloodshot as he slashed wildly, but it was too late to save him.

“I saw it, Karlock’s sacrifice. I also saw the fire that ignited in your heart because of him, the desire to become stronger. But that fire is now burning you.”

“They’re all looking at me! The young men of the tribe! They think I’m ‘Skullcrusher’ Barak! Invincible! But I… I’m afraid of what will happen next! Afraid of seeing my comrades fall again! That’s cowardice! A warrior shouldn’t have those thoughts!” “Barak, true cowardice is denying your own feelings. Acknowledging fear and still choosing to move forward, that’s courage. Karok chose to fight to the last moment. Does he want you to carry that same courage, or the remains consumed by fear and rage?”

"But... when that anger rises, I can't control it... all I can think about is killing... I'm afraid... afraid that one day I'll hurt my own people..."

After his rampage, Barak looked at the camp facilities he had unintentionally destroyed, a hint of lingering fear flashing in his eyes.

"Let's get to know this 'angry' friend. It's not an enemy; it's your strength, but it needs reins. Try to feel it, like taming a wild horse, communicate with it, and tell it when to charge and when to stop."

Shana's mother's spiritual voice was firm and warm, like a lighthouse illuminating the fog, gradually guiding the emotions of the lion-beastman named Barak, leading him to bravely face setbacks and learn how to truly control his power, rather than being controlled by it.

About half an hour later, Barak's vision gradually cleared, and he let out a long sigh of relief, his thick shoulders relaxing.

"Thank you, Ms. Shana... I feel... much better. It doesn't feel like there are war drums pounding in my head anymore."

He awkwardly but very solemnly gave Shana a warrior's salute, his eyes filled with gratitude, and even... a hint of barely perceptible admiration.

After these in-depth emotional healing sessions, he developed a special fondness for Shana, who was gentle, wise, and powerful.

He hesitated for a moment, rubbed his large hands together somewhat awkwardly, and then mustered his courage to speak: "Um... Ms. Shana, would I have the honor of inviting you... to dinner?"

Shana still wore a gentle and professional smile, but her refusal was crisp and decisive: "Thank you, Barak. But not tonight."

Although she was satisfied with Barack's physique, her daughter had promised to come see her today.

A flicker of obvious disappointment crossed Barak's eyes, and his furry ears drooped slightly, but he quickly rallied and pressed on, "Then... then is tomorrow's treatment still at this time? I'll be there on time!"

“Yes, the time is the same.” Shana nodded, then changed the subject naturally, saying, “Tomorrow night… I don’t have any other plans at the moment…”

These words were like watering a wilted plant; Barak's eyes immediately lit up: "Really? Then... then tomorrow night, please be sure to give me a chance to thank you! I know there's a new barbecue restaurant that just opened on Lava Avenue, and I've heard it's really good!"

His tail swayed slightly involuntarily.

Shana looked at the lion warrior in front of her, whose emotions were straightforward and whose thoughts were almost written on his face, and nodded with a smile.

Barak couldn't hide his joy. "Then I'll take my leave! See you tomorrow, Ms. Shana!"

He bowed again, then left the healing room with light steps. (End of Chapter)