Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 218: The Suffocation Forest (Part-13)

"Think carefully," Miel then said seriously. "If you don’t have the confidence, you don’t have to enter the ruins. I’ve already informed the academy. You can choose to return safely."

"You’re all young and talented," he continued. "With proper cultivation, your future achievements won’t be small."

At this moment, both mentors felt deeply conflicted.

They would regret seeing their students miss such a rare opportunity, yet as teachers, they were even more unwilling to see them come to harm.

In the end, the choice could only be left to the students themselves.

As the mentors’ voices faded, silence fell once more. Everyone remained deep in thought, weighing the risks against the temptation that lay ahead.

Sylvandria was the most hesitant among them all.

Her master had told her long ago that her true talent lay not in cultivation, but in alchemy. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

It wasn’t that her aptitude for cultivation was poor. Rather, she lacked the ruthless decisiveness that spirit warriors were forced to develop through blood and danger.

On ordinary days, she never neglected her cultivation, yet most of her effort was still devoted to concocting potions.

In the past, she hadn’t taken her master’s words too seriously. But since encountering the troubles lately one after another, she had begun to understand just how accurate her master’s judgment had been.

Her cultivation was not weaker than Zora’s. And yet, when her life had been on the line, it was Zora who had saved her.

That fact alone exposed the gap between them.

She was naturally tempted by the ancient ruins. But when she thought of the dangers hidden inside, her heart wavered.

Did she truly have the courage to face them?

After a period of silent contemplation, Alaric Von Seraph and Raphael’s gazes gradually sharpened.

Opportunities like this were rare. If they missed it now, they might never encounter another in their entire lives.

If they retreated simply because they weren’t strong enough yet, they knew they would regret it forever.

Marcus, Tifanny, Baldwin, and Reesa also struggled internally before reaching their decisions.

A person could endure hardship, but not regret.

Zora’s expression never changed from start to finish. Retreating from something she had already chosen to face was never her style.

As for Prince Kael, there was no need to ask at all. Faced with such an opportunity, he was far more excited than apprehensive.

After everyone had made their choices, Sylvandria suddenly spoke. "I’ve decided to return to the academy."

Everyone paused, surprised at first, but soon understanding dawned on their faces.

An alchemist was an exceedingly rare talent. Once her path was set, her future would be one of status and prosperity.

Moreover, Sylvandria’s talent in alchemy was exceptional. She was a recognized genius in that field. There was no need for her to gamble her life here.

Sebastian nodded slightly. "That’s fine. I’ve already informed the academy. When their people arrive outside the suffocating miasma, they’ll release signal flares. Once you see them, it’ll be safer to leave."

Outside the miasma, countless spirit warriors were still gathered. With the arrival of the four great families, the atmosphere had only grown more tense.

If Sylvandria rushed out alone now, she would inevitably be targeted. Only with the academy’s escort could her safety be ensured.

"I understand," Sylvandria nodded.

"You’re very safe staying within the miasma for now," Miel said, his expression easing slightly.

Sebastian’s gaze swept over the group. "Since you’ve chosen to enter the ruins, you must be extra cautious tomorrow. We don’t know what dangers await. All we can do is adapt."

"We understand!" everyone replied in unison.

Inside the ruins, even mentors couldn’t guarantee their safety. The only ones they could rely on were themselves.

From the moment they chose the path of cultivation, they had already accepted that danger would walk beside them.

The group once again entered a state of cultivation, but an invisible heaviness lingered in the air.

*

"Senior," Sylvandria said softly, her voice steady yet gentle, "you must be careful tomorrow. I won’t be going in this time."

Sylvandria’s gentle, beautiful face carried a trace of hesitation and worry as she looked at Alaric Von Seraph, disappointment pooling quietly in her eyes.

Alaric Von Seraph nodded. "You’re right. The risks here are extremely high. No one knows what will happen in the end."

"Senior," Sylvandria said softly, her brows knitting together, "entering with our strength is simply too dangerous. Those people are all innate spirit warriors. Even without counting the dangers inside the ruins, just encountering them is already a huge risk."

"If they notice the treasures you obtain, they will definitely try to seize them. It’s too dangerous. It would be better to—"

Before she could finish, Alaric Von Seraph interrupted her calmly but firmly. "Sylvandria, you don’t need to say any more. I won’t give up such a rare opportunity."

Sylvandria opened her mouth, wanting to persuade him further, but when she saw the resolute light in Alaric Von Seraph’s eyes, all the unspoken words were swallowed back down.

"Then, Senior," she said softly, her voice gentle and tender, "I guess I’ll wait for you at the academy."

Her eyes were filled with affection she could not hide.

She had stubbornly remained at the academy all this time instead of directly studying alchemy at the Institute of Alchemy like Morgana Frost. A large part of that reason was Alaric Von Seraph.

Only at the academy could she stay close to him.

The thought that she might never see him again after returning made her heart ache.

"I’ll return safely," Alaric Von Seraph replied quietly.

Nearby, Prince Kael turned his head and smiled. "My dear wife, the ancient ruins will open tomorrow. Are you afraid?"

Zora looked over. The teasing smile in Prince Kael’s eyes was like starlight scattered across the night sky, bright and captivating.

Her lips curved slightly, forming a radiant smile. "Such a rare opportunity is right in front of me. My heart is full of excitement. Afraid? Why would I be?"

Fear was a useless emotion.

Since she had already chosen this path, fear had no meaning. Rather than wasting energy on it, she preferred to think about how to face what lay ahead.

Seeing the calm indifference in her expression, Prince Kael’s eyes filled with admiration. He smiled softly. "My wife truly isn’t like other women."

Zora raised a brow. "And aren’t you the same?"

"Then," Prince Kael blinked, smiling mischievously, "aren’t we a match made by heaven?"

She shot him a sideways glance. This man really could turn anything into flirtation.

"I think you should focus on adjusting your state. That way you’ll have a better chance tomorrow."

His expression finally grew serious. He looked at her intently. "Tomorrow will be dangerous. We’ll go in together, understood?"

The concern and tension in his eyes made Zora’s heart stir. She nodded. "Alright."

Only then did Prince Kael smile again.

To him now, whatever treasures lay within the ruins were secondary. Her safety mattered above all else.

Not far away, Guinvere watched the scene quietly, a faint shadow passing through her eyes.

Fiona appeared beside her at some point, lips curling into a cold smile as she asked softly, "Guinvere, don’t you find that Zora rather unpleasant to look at?"