Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 148: Rank-1 Alchemist Assessment (Part-1)

This was no longer something the crowd could easily accept.

Morgana Frost had studied alchemy under Cassian since childhood, yet even now she had not officially become an alchemist. And even so, she was already regarded as a rare genius.

Among peers of the same age, aside from Sylvandria, no one else was even qualified to attempt the alchemist assessment.

The fact that Zora had already reached such terrifying heights in medical arts was shocking enough.

If she also possessed real attainments in alchemy... then she was no longer human.

"When one grows old," Cassian continued to speak, lifting his chin slightly, "it becomes difficult to tell whether youngsters know their limits. To boast so boldly about alchemy while excelling in medicine... isn’t that simply empty talk?"

His weathered face was dark and displeased.

The earlier exchanges had already cost him face. No matter what, he had to reclaim it from Zora.

He did not care how brilliant her medical skills were. As long as her alchemy fell short, the fault would lie entirely with her.

"Master, this old thing is really pushing his luck!" Black fumed inwardly, teeth clenched. "He’s utterly shameless!"

A chill gathered in Zora’s eyes. From start to finish, Cassian had been the one provoking her at every turn, and now he was shifting all blame onto her.

She had seen shameless people before, but never one this shameless.

"You’ve never seen my alchemy," Zora said coolly. "On what basis do you claim I’m exaggerating?"

Her tone was calm, yet edged with provocation. Since Cassian had already torn away his own dignity, she had no need to spare him any courtesy.

Cassian’s original plan had been simple. Once Zora failed the alchemist assessment, she would be the one left without a way out.

But he had not expected her to question him directly.

"Hmph!" Before Cassian could respond, Morgana jumped forward. "Zora, my master is speaking with another master. What right do you have to interrupt?"

She had been watching from the side, unable to find an opening. Now that Zora appeared to be offending Cassian outright, Morgana Frost seized the chance without hesitation.

Zora raised her long brows slightly and swept Morgana Frost with an indifferent glance. "You and I are not even acquainted. What does this have to do with you?"

Morgana Frost froze.

This... wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

By all logic, once she slapped such a charge onto Zora, the other party should have panicked.

Yet Zora did not play along at all, leaving Morgana Frost momentarily at a loss for words.

Cassian frowned deeply. "At my age, I must say this student is truly ill-mannered. Completely lacking in upbringing."

The moment those words fell, Zora’s expression darkened.

The warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by a piercing cold that shot straight at Cassian.

She had yet to uncover the truth of her own origins, but there was one thing she would never tolerate—anyone sullying them.

"Say that again," she said slowly.

Her voice was like ice breaking on a snowbound peak, devoid of the slightest warmth. Gone was her earlier composure, replaced by a bone-deep chill. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

She had already shown Cassian more restraint than he deserved. If he insisted on crossing the line, then he had only himself to blame.

Her words froze the air.

Everyone stared at Zora in shock, never expecting her to speak with such sharp, uncompromising ferocity.

Vice Principal Gerrad frowned deeply. Cassian’s words had truly crossed the line.

The two of them had known each other for many years, and Gerrad understood Cassian’s narrow-minded temper all too well. Anyone who offended him would inevitably become the target of his vindictive schemes.

Yet the person standing before him now was Zora.

Someone who could calmly stand where she was today was clearly not a figure without backing.

Zora’s question caused Cassian’s expression to stiffen. He could hardly believe that, in front of Gerrad, this young girl dared to speak to him in such a manner.

"What did you just say?"

Cassian’s eyes burned with fury as he demanded again, unwilling to believe she would repeat it.

"I said," Zora replied coldly, her expression unchanged, "if you have the spine, say it again."

Her icy words echoed once more through the hall.

In her past life, she had been the head of a great clan. Refining masters had come and gone in endless streams, yet no one had ever dared to insult her so openly.

Even in this lifetime, she would never tolerate such slander.

Cassian narrowed his eyes under the sharp gaze of Zora. Within that look, he felt something he had never experienced before—a chilling, tangible killing intent.

As a rank-3 alchemist, he had met countless experts and powerful figures, but this oppressive, murderous aura... it was the first time.

For a moment, Cassian stood rooted to the spot, unable to utter a single word.

Gerrad also sensed the overwhelming presence emanating from Zora, and sudden realization dawned on him.

This girl was anything but ordinary. For such pressure to erupt from a teenager was almost unheard of.

Rurik silently gasped. The more he observed, the more cautious he became toward Zora.

From her bearing alone, her foundation was clearly far deeper than Cassian’s.

Seeing the atmosphere grow unbearably tense, Gerrad finally stepped forward to smooth things over.

"Since both Zora and Miss Frost are here for the alchemist assessment, why don’t we proceed with the examination first?"

Cassian stood stiffly in place. Given this opening, he seized the chance to step down.

"Fine!" he barked coldly. "I, too, want to see exactly how skilled this Zora’s alchemy really is!"

With a sweep of his sleeve, Cassian strode straight into the assessment hall. Morgana Frost shot Zora a venomous glance before hurriedly following her master inside.

Gerrad shook his head helplessly, then gestured for Rurik and Zora to enter as well.

The onlookers watched as Cassian and the others disappeared into the assessment hall, their hearts itching with curiosity. Unfortunately, there was no place they were allowed to enter.

"Zora is truly bold. To treat Master Cassian like that, yet he couldn’t do anything about it."

"Cassian and Morgana Frost are arrogant on ordinary days. It’s rare to see someone make them swallow their pride. This red makeup is something else."

"She’s the master of the Origin Medical Hall in Elysia’s Imperial City. Countless people beg her for treatment. Of course, she wouldn’t care about Master Cassian’s status."

At these words, many nodded in agreement.

In terms of alchemy, Cassian might reign supreme here. But when it came to medical skill, who in all of Heavenly City could stand above Zora?

Her talent was undeniable. The only question was whether her age would become her weakness in the face of the alchemist’s assessment.

Zora walked calmly into the assessment hall.

As the heavy black curtain fell behind her, the interior of the hall was revealed.

Alchemy cauldrons were arranged in a circular formation, each accompanied by a square wooden table beside it, clearly meant for holding medicinal ingredients.

Encircling the alchemy cauldrons was a raised circular platform.

It was clearly the judges’ stand. From there, every movement of the examinees could be seen at a glance.

"Zora, you may choose a spot and prepare for alchemy," Gerrad said gently.

At his words, Zora stepped down from the platform and stopped before one of the alchemy cauldrons, her posture calm and composed.

"The alchemist assessment will now begin," Rurik announced slowly. "I will first explain the rules."