Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 251: The Ancient Ruins (Part-23)

The red halo beneath her had grown strikingly brilliant, its color deep, rich, and vibrant. The complex totems within it rotated smoothly, exuding an almost mesmerizing beauty.

When she glanced around, she noticed something else. Elowen and Reesa stood not far away, and the halos beneath their feet shone with the same intense brightness.

Reesa quickly walked over, her eyes wide with curiosity as she stared down at the glowing patterns. "Zora, ours are the same," she whispered. "Do you know what this means?"

Her tone carried more wonder than anxiety. Everything unfolding before them felt unreal, as though they had stepped into a legend that only existed in ancient texts.

Zora shook her head lightly. "I only know that this tests talent," she replied calmly. "As for how the inheritance will be decided... We’ll have to wait."

"Then I’ll wait patiently," Reesa said, forcing herself to calm down, though excitement still flickered in her eyes.

On the other side of the hall, the men’s halos also displayed clear differences.

Prince Kael’s golden light was dazzling, steady, and imposing. Alaric Von Seraph and Raphael were close behind him, their halos equally radiant, though slightly less intense. The rest varied greatly, forming a spectrum from bright to dim.

At this point, nearly everyone’s attention turned toward Azrael and Celia.

Celia’s gaze swept gently across the hall before settling on Zora, Elowen, and Reesa. A soft smile curved her lips, warm yet discerning. "It seems you three children are especially aligned with my inheritance," she said slowly. "Among you three, whoever proves the most suitable will receive it."

Her words fell like a stone into still water.

Expressions shifted instantly.

If brightness truly represented talent, then the result was painfully clear.

Many eyes, especially those from the great families, darkened. Fiona’s face stiffened, her pride cracking visibly. She had never once believed herself inferior to anyone, yet now the truth stood glowing beneath her feet, undeniable and cruel.

Her halo was not dim, but compared to the blazing brilliance of Zora and Reesa, it was clearly lacking.

"This... this can’t be right," Fiona muttered, her voice tight. The blow struck deeper than she wanted to admit. Losing to Guinvere would have been one thing. Losing to Zora was a bit harder to accept, but still acceptable in the end, considering she could see Zora wasn’t ordinary, despite her weak background. But even losing to someone like Reesa, whom she had barely taken seriously before, was too difficult for her to accept.

As a Spirit warrior, nothing cut deeper than being judged inferior in talent.

At the same time, Azrael watched the scene quietly, his expression neither mocking nor gentle. When he finally spoke, his voice carried an unquestionable authority.

"Young talents are plentiful, but true inheritors are rare," he said aloud. "I do not choose the strongest today, but the most suitable. I believe these three who stand here are already the best of your generation."

The hall fell silent.

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Kael, Alaric Von Seraph, and Raphael, whose halos were brighter than the rest.

But who will attain the inheritance among those three?

From this moment on, luck, status, and background no longer mattered. Only one thing remained. The most compatible one.

Prince Kael’s face actually eased a bit at his words. Being judged "unsuitable" for an inheritance was something he could accept, but if he failed because this lord Azrael deems his cultivation talent inferior, that would have been far harder to accept. Not to mention the fact that he was aware of Raphael’s unrequited feelings for Zora.

Meanwhile, Alaric Von Seraph and Raphael exchanged brief glances, both still somewhat dazed.

They were students of the academy, nothing more.

Compared to the disciples of great families, their backgrounds were ordinary, their paths far less privileged.

Although the academy enjoyed a strong reputation, the sheer number and depth of the great families were on an entirely different level.

Reaching this stage had already exceeded their expectations. That the inheritance might truly involve them felt unreal, like a sudden gift dropped from the heavens.

Reesa, on the other hand, found it difficult to hide her joy.

Before entering the ruins, she had already resigned herself to returning empty-handed.

She had come mainly for experience, not daring to hope for more. Yet now, the possibility of inheriting the legacy of such powerful predecessors stood right before her. The excitement welled up so strongly that she had to clench her fists to keep herself from reacting too openly.

Meanwhile, Elowen remained composed, but a faint smile curved her lips.

This outcome was just as unexpected for her.

Whether or not she ultimately obtained the inheritance, the fact that she had surpassed Fiona and others in this trial alone was already enough, and the fact that she is one of the top three shortlisted by Celia for her inheritance. Once news spread, her standing within the family would undoubtedly rise. For her, this was a victory that went far beyond personal gain.

Miel and Sebastian watched the younger generation with unconcealed satisfaction. They had never expected to gain anything for themselves.

Their age and potential made that unrealistic from the start. Yet seeing their students stand among the chosen candidates filled them with pride. For mentors, there was no greater reward.

Out of the four possible inheritors, three were from the academy.

That fact alone was enough to stir the crowd.

Miel clapped Alaric Von Seraph on the shoulder, his eyes shining. "Do your best," he said simply, but the weight of his expectations and pride was unmistakable.

Alaric Von Seraph nodded heavily, his chest tight with emotion. Raphael did the same. They both knew how much their tutors had invested in them over the years, and neither intended to disappoint.

Whispers quickly spread through the hall.

"So many academy students... when did the academy reach this level?"

"They were always strong, but this is something else entirely."

"It seems the academy is about to shake the mainland again..."

The discussions carried envy, amazement, and regret. Many had entered the ruins filled with confidence, only to leave with empty hands. Opportunities like this were rare, and missing one left a bitter taste behind.

Zora and Prince Kael exchanged a quiet glance. No words were needed. A faint smile passed between them, calm and restrained, as if they had already anticipated what would come next.

Azrael’s expression finally turned cold. His voice cut through the hall like a blade. "Everyone else may leave."

Before anyone could even react, he lifted his hand.

The motion was casual, almost careless, yet the power behind it was overwhelming. A violent surge of wind exploded through the main hall, invisible yet irresistible.

In the blink of an eye, the Spirit warriors felt their bodies lose all control. And one by one, figures were swept away as though caught in the current of a raging storm, just like how Guinvere and Sigmund disappeared at the start.

Reesa barely had time to gasp before the people around her vanished. When the wind finally stilled, the vast main hall felt abruptly empty. The heavy stone doors rumbled shut behind them, sealing the space with a final, echoing thud.

For a brief moment, Reesa stood frozen, her heart pounding.

Sending away Guinvere and Sigmund earlier had already been shocking enough. Now, watching such a large group expelled with a single wave of the hand left her deeply unsettled.

This was the true might of a peerless expert. Compared to it, everything they had done before felt laughably small.