Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 146: The Alchemist Association (Part-3)

All the unease and humiliation from moments earlier vanished in a flash, replaced by smug delight and venomous satisfaction.

"Master!" she cried out, chin lifting high as she glared at Zora.

Her master had arrived.

Now she wanted to see how long this woman could keep acting so arrogantly.

Cassian had been in excellent spirits today.

His beloved disciple was about to attempt the alchemist assessment, and during this period, Morgana Frost’s diligence had not escaped his notice. As long as nothing went wrong, passing the assessment should be well within reach.

What he had not expected was to arrive only to hear a young girl declaring that his disciple "lacked ability."

That single sentence instantly soured his mood.

Young people these days truly do not know the immensity of heaven and earth. Ignorant of status, blind to seniority, daring to speak so recklessly.

If his disciple had no ability, then who in Heavenly City did?

Cassian’s displeasure was written plainly across his face.

Zora turned slightly and finally looked at Morgana’s master.

The old man appeared to be around sixty years of age. His beard and hair were white, his face lined with deep wrinkles like carved ravines. Yet his complexion was ruddy, and between his brows lingered a long-cultivated arrogance, the kind that radiated authority and pride.

This was not the innate pride of a born noble like Xuanyuan, but the arrogance forged through years of being revered.

Almost every alchemist carried such an air.

They were used to being sought after, flattered, and respected.

With just a glance, Zora understood.

Morgana Frost’s rampant arrogance did not come from nowhere. It had been carefully nurtured, indulged, and protected under this very man. "Master, you’ve arrived."

The moment Rurik saw Cassian enter, his expression softened into respectful courtesy. Though both were alchemists, the gap between them was obvious. Cassian was a Rank-3 Alchemist, while he himself was only Rank-2. On top of that, Cassian was his senior in both age and experience. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Cassian gave a brief nod in acknowledgment, his gaze never leaving Zora.

"What is your name?" he demanded, his voice low and weathered, carrying unmistakable displeasure. "You dare behave so rudely toward my disciple?"

The words were heavy with pressure. Cassian had always been fiercely protective of those under him, especially Morgana Frost, whom he regarded as his pride.

In both Elysia and Heavenly City, there were very few who could even qualify to participate in an alchemist assessment at Morgana Frost’s age. Aside from Sylvandria, disciple of the reclusive master, no one of the younger generation could truly rival her.

This girl, before him, might look refined, but daring to strike his disciple and speak so arrogantly was simply unforgivable.

Standing behind Cassian, Morgana Frost’s lips curled upward, smug satisfaction filling her eyes. Now that her master had arrived, she was certain Zora would not dare to remain so arrogant.

Zora lifted her gaze slightly, her brows barely moving. Her dark, lacquer-like eyes flashed with cold indifference.

What she detested most was precisely this kind of condescending tone, as though others were born beneath him.

Since the other party had chosen arrogance, she saw no reason to offer courtesy.

Respect was never a one-way street.

A mere Rank-3 Alchemist was not qualified to interrogate her.

She looked calmly at Cassian and Morgana Frost, her expression unruffled, and said nothing.

The silence deepened.

Morgana Frost froze for a moment, disbelief flashing across her face. Did this woman even understand who her master was?

In Heavenly City, countless people scrambled just to exchange a few polite words with Cassian. And yet this girl, who looked like she came from nowhere, dared to ignore him outright?

"Hey!" Morgana Frost raised her voice sharply. "My master is talking to you. How dare you not answer?"

Her tone was accusatory, as if Zora had committed some unforgivable crime.

Zora’s expression cooled further. The aloofness in her phoenix eyes was unmistakable.

"Someone asking a question," she replied evenly, "doesn’t obligate me to answer."

Her voice was calm, even pleasant, yet it caused the air in the hall to freeze.

Rurik stared at her in surprise. He already felt that Morgana Frost had pushed things too far, but he never imagined Zora would dare respond to Cassian in such a manner.

The onlookers were equally stunned, mouths falling open one after another.

This girl was fearless. Simply fearless.

In the Alchemists Association, let alone the entire city, Cassian and Morgana Frost were figures no one dared offend. Yet Zora stood there, unmoved, as if the pressure meant nothing.

"Master Cassian is famously narrow-minded," someone whispered under their breath. "This girl really stepped on a landmine."

"Morgana’s temper has always been indulged by her master. Someone finally put her in her place."

"But offending Master Cassian like this..." another sighed softly. "Life in Heavenly City won’t be easy anymore."

Mixed emotions rippled through the crowd. Admiration, shock, and no small measure of pity all settled on Zora.

Courage like this was rare.

But whether it would end in glory or disaster... no one could say.

Cassian’s murky, dark-yellow eyes flickered with unmistakable anger.

He had been a respected figure in Heavenly City for decades. Wherever he went, people bowed, greeted him as "Master Cassian," and spoke with utmost caution. For young spirit warriors, merely exchanging a few words with him was a badge of honor.

And yet this girl dared to stand before him with such blatant disrespect?

"Do you know," Cassian said coldly, his voice heavy with warning, "that offending an alchemist is the most foolish thing you can do?"

The air in the hall tightened instantly.

Rurik’s heart sank. Cassian was notorious for his narrow temperament. Once he held a grudge, he would never let it go lightly. Today, Zora had clearly crossed his bottom line.

Although Rurik did not know Zora well, he instinctively did not want to see such a talented young person make a powerful enemy over pride alone.

He shot Zora a subtle look, silently urging her to soften her words.

After all, Cassian was an elder. Even if he was angered, he would not openly suppress a junior if she showed a bit of respect.

Zora caught Rurik’s hint and felt a faint ripple of goodwill in her heart.

They were strangers, yet Rurik still chose to remind her. That alone showed his character.

But asking her to lower her head before Cassian?

Impossible.

"Do you know," Zora replied calmly, the corners of her red lips lifting into a faint, dangerous smile, "that offending a rising star Alchemist is just as unwise?"

Her voice was soft, almost lazy, yet the threat within it was unmistakable.

A mere Rank-3 Alchemist?

She did not place him in her eyes at all.

She was already a Rank-2 alchemist. Once her cultivation rose a little further, refining third-grade Potions would only be a matter of time.

Cassian held no deterrence over her whatsoever.

The moment her words fell, both Cassian and Morgana Frost’s expressions changed drastically.

They had expected her to retreat. They had expected her to apologize.

Instead, she had threatened him.

"Oh?" Cassian laughed coldly, fury burning beneath the surface as he forced himself to maintain his dignity. "Since you’re so bold, then report yourself. I’d like to see just what gives you this confidence!"

"Confidence?" Black scoffed internally. "I see this old man is just thick-skinned!"

"Teacher and disciple really are cut from the same cloth," White muttered with disdain. "Master, he’s definitely going to retaliate."

Black and White were visibly displeased, but Zora’s expression remained tranquil.

Someone who relied on status rather than ability was not worth her anger.

"Zora," she said evenly. "That is my name."