Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 178: The Formal Apology

Zora’s lips curved into a cold, mocking smile. Her gaze was filled with disdain as she looked straight at him. "Mister Cassian, even now you still want to frame me?"

She spoke calmly, every word sharp as ice. "The facts are already clear. Whether you believe them or not is something only you can answer for yourself."

Cassian staggered under her gaze. In all his years, he had never imagined being driven into a corner by a junior.

Not only had his reputation taken a heavy blow, but he was now expected to compensate and apologize. Where was he supposed to put his face after this?

Anger boiled violently in his chest.

"Zora," he snarled, voice thick with menace, "do you think you can bear my apology?"

The killing intent in his eyes was no longer hidden.

Zora laughed softly, the sound chilling. "Mister Cassian’s apology? Why wouldn’t I be able to bear it?"

Her eyes turned razor-sharp as she added. "Even if you knelt and apologized to me, I could still accept it."

The crowd gasped.

Cassian’s face turned ashen, then purple, his expression dark as storm clouds.

"Zora, don’t push things too far!" he roared.

"Who is the one going too far?" she snapped back, her voice cold and cutting. "You let Morgana buy my medicine with what intention? You know that yourself!"

"As a so-called senior, you targeted me again and again, suppressed me, and insulted me in public. And you still expect respect from me?"

She laughed, sharp and merciless. "Take a good look at yourself. Are you even worthy?"

Cassian trembled with rage, his finger shaking as he pointed at her, his mouth opening and closing without sound. He looked as though he might collapse at any moment.

"If you can’t afford to lose," Zora said flatly, "then don’t gamble."

After a pause, she added coldly.

"Otherwise, all you’ll do is make yourself a joker."

The square was deathly silent.

Everyone stared in disbelief.

That was Cassian, a renowned master, a rank-3 alchemist—now reduced to silence, crushed so thoroughly that he looked like a scolded child.

Yet, when they thought about it carefully, no one felt she was wrong.

Cassian’s conduct was despicable.

Morgana stood frozen, her face drained of color. Only now did regret surge through her heart.

If she could turn back time, she would gladly find a hole to crawl into.

From this day on, she knew one thing for certain—her name was finished in the academy.

"Heh."

Just as the square sank into a heavy silence, Prince Kael suddenly lifted his hand and clapped.

Clap. Clap.

"Well said."

His dark, narrow eyes gleamed with undisguised admiration, the corners of his lips curling into a lazy, wicked smile.

His wife had spoken beautifully. Of course he would applaud.

The crowd stared at him in surprise.

Sure enough, these two were truly husband and wife. That kind of audacity, that kind of confidence—ordinary people simply couldn’t match it.

Following Prince Kael’s lead, Reesa and Baldwin also began clapping. This scene was far too satisfying not to cheer for.

Raphael and Alaric Von Seraph joined in as well. Only Sylvandria hesitated slightly, her gaze flicking toward Gerrad and Cassian. She interacted with Cassian often at the Alchemists Association; applauding now felt... awkward.

Then, from somewhere beneath the high platform, someone began clapping loudly.

Soon after, thunderous applause erupted across the entire Morning Square.

Zora’s words had struck too deeply. For years, alchemists held themselves high above others, untouchable and unquestionable. Who had ever dared to confront someone like Cassian head-on?

Yet today, Zora had done exactly that.

Just listening was enough to make one’s blood boil.

Cassian’s face had turned deep red with shame. At this moment, he desperately wished this were nothing more than a nightmare.

But reality showed no mercy.

He turned helplessly toward Gerrad, his old friend of many years, silently begging him to say something—anything.

Otherwise, after today, he would become the greatest laughingstock in all of Heavenly City.

Gerrad frowned slightly. He hadn’t expected matters to spiral to this extent.

As an old friend, he couldn’t help but feel conflicted.

In the past, Cassian had been petty, but he never interfered with the affairs of juniors. Who would have thought that this time, he would step in so deeply—and say words that completely destroyed his own standing?

After a long pause, Gerrad finally spoke, his tone measured and weary.

"Zora, Cassian is still an elder. I believe he understands his mistake. How about... letting him compensate with materials and end the matter here?"

The words were a compromise, heavy with reluctance.

Zora glanced at him. She understood his position.

On one side was a student of the academy. On the other side, an old friend of many years. This was likely the only solution Gerrad could offer.

She paused briefly, then nodded.

"Since the Vice-Principal has spoken, I’ll comply."

Her gaze sharpened. "However—double compensation."

Gerrad let out a helpless sigh and turned toward Cassian.

"I’ll have someone deliver it tomorrow," Cassian spat stiffly.

He shot Zora a venomous glance, then turned and stormed out of the Morning Square. He could not bear to remain there another second and endure further humiliation.

Seeing Cassian leave, Morgana immediately turned to slip away as well.

"And wait."

A cold, clear voice rang out behind her.

Morgana froze.

Zora looked at her calmly, eyes sharp as frost. "It seems Miss Frost has forgotten something."

Morgana stiffly turned back. "What... what is it?"

"You still owe me an apology."

The words were flat, merciless.

Leave just like that?

Too easy.

Morgana’s face darkened instantly.

She had hoped to escape unnoticed. She hadn’t expected that, in the end, she would still be dragged back into the light—with nowhere left to hide.

Morgana instinctively turned to look for Cassian, hoping he might step forward and say a word for her.

But Cassian didn’t even spare her a glance.

He vanished from the Morning Square as if his feet were on fire.

At this moment, Cassian only wanted to be as far away from Morgana as possible. If this disciple of his hadn’t acted foolishly and rashly agreed to that absurd "test," how could he have fallen to such a humiliating state?

For the first time in his life, Cassian regretted accepting such a brainless disciple.

Seeing that her last lifeline had snapped, Morgana could only stiffly turn back to Zora. Her voice was low and reluctant.

"Sorry."

Zora frowned slightly, then leaned closer, tilting her head in confusion.

"What did you say? Your voice is too small. I didn’t hear a thing."

Morgana’s face flushed red instantly. Anger surged in her eyes. This was deliberate humiliation, plain and simple!

Before she could respond, Reesa scoffed mercilessly. "Morgana, weren’t you always loud and proud before? Why are you suddenly mute now?"

Morgana shot Reesa a venomous glare. In her eyes, Zora was detestable, but Reesa was no less irritating.

"SORRY!"

She raised her voice and spat out the words. Without waiting another second, she turned to leave, eager to escape this nightmare.

But just as she took a step—

"Morgana."

Zora’s voice rang out again, cool and unhurried.