Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 355: The Tri-Academy Exchange Arc (Part-47)

As Harold’s words fell, he had already stepped back to his original position.

His posture was lazy, his expression calm, his handsome and cold face carrying that same indifferent ease as always, as if the sentence he had just whispered was no different from casually commenting that the weather was pleasant today.

Yet Zora stood frozen for a moment.

Her gaze followed him, her mind still echoing with that single sentence.

Because I like you.

That reason was too simple, too direct, and far too absurd to be true.

It didn’t match Harold’s temperament at all.

This man hid everything behind his smile. Every word he spoke felt like it carried three layers of meaning. Someone like him could not possibly reveal his heart so carelessly.

Unless... it was a lie.

Or unless... it was the truth, disguised as a joke.

Harold then turned his head slightly and met her eyes. And a faint smile curved on his lips, as if he had long expected her reaction.

"Do you believe it?" he asked.

Zora fell silent for a breath, then shook her head honestly. "I don’t believe it."

Her answer was calm, but firm.

Harold’s confession had been too smooth, too effortless. It sounded like a perfunctory excuse, a convenient shield thrown out at the perfect moment, precisely so she could not continue questioning him.

After all, once someone claimed they had acted out of affection, what else could she ask?

To pry further would only make her appear awkward, suspicious, or overly concerned.

It was a move that cut off her path cleanly.

Harold shrugged as though he had expected nothing else.

His smile remained charming, light, even playful.

However, no one noticed that beneath that smile, his eyes briefly darkened.

The teasing expression remained, but deep inside those black pupils flickered a trace of seriousness and an obsessive persistence that did not belong to a man joking around.

It vanished as quickly as it appeared, like a shadow swallowed by sunlight.

On the other side, Gerrad’s anger was far from fading.

His gaze swept coldly across Cindral and Malrick, and his voice rang out clearly, carrying the weight of authority.

"Principal Cindral, Vice Principal Malrick, no matter what, you must give us an explanation for this matter!"

His tone was sharp, leaving no room for evasive replies.

For years, he had endured the arrogance of Thunderclap Academy and Lunar Academy. There were many things he knew in his heart, but without evidence, he could only swallow the humiliation.

Now, the evidence was in his hands.

How could he possibly let this pass?

Since they had wanted to trample the Imperial Academy into the mud and turn them into the laughingstock of the entire Leon Empire, then he would gladly return the favor and make them lose face before everyone.

Cindral’s expression stiffened slightly, though he quickly forced a polite smile.

Malrick’s face had already turned unpleasantly pale, his fingers tightening beneath his sleeves.

Neither of them expected things to escalate this far.

Mariette, Lionel, and Tancred did not interfere in the argument.

Instead, their attention shifted naturally toward Zora.

They had been referees for countless alchemy contests, and they had seen countless so-called geniuses, but someone like Zora was truly rare.

A Spirit Warrior, yet capable of such refined control of flames.

Not only did she concoct successfully, but she had even saved a nearly completed potion from an exploding cauldron.

That alone was enough to make their hearts itch.

To the Alchemist Association, this was no longer a "talented seedling."

This was a treasure.

Meanwhile, the inscription masters, Eamon and the others were still somewhat shaken by Reynard’s exposure. Their minds had been pulled in too many directions, and only after the noise died down slightly did they finally remember the real purpose of their trip.

They were here for Zora.

Not for Thunderclap Academy.

Not for Lunar Academy.

Not for the exchange competition.

They were here for that little monster of talent.

Mariette stepped forward with a warm smile, her eyes kind but sharp, as if she could already see the limitless future hidden within the girl before her.

"Zora," Mariette asked gently, "would you be willing to join the Alchemist Association?"

As soon as those words were spoken, Reesa and the others immediately retreated a few steps, making space.

Their expressions turned excited, almost as if the invitation had been given to them instead.

This was not an ordinary opportunity.

This was the kind of invitation countless people would dream of for their entire lives, yet never even touch.

If Zora entered the Alchemist Association, her status would rise dramatically. Her future path would widen until it became impossible to measure.

Zora smiled calmly, neither arrogant nor overly flattered.

"I’ve already joined the Alchemist Association in Heavenly City."

Her tone was light, but the information stunned the three masters.

Mariette blinked, then nodded slowly.

Lionel chuckled.

Tancred’s brows rose slightly, as if he had just realized he had been beaten to the punch.

"So Gerrad really acted quickly," Lionel said, his voice filled with amusement.

Mariette sighed in admiration. "Such a talent should indeed be recruited early."

Tancred looked at Zora with even more intense appreciation.

He no longer hid the desire in his eyes.

"Zora," he said with a smile, his voice carrying both sincerity and temptation, "your alchemy talent is far too good. It’s truly a waste to spend so much time cultivating as a Spirit Warrior."

He paused slightly, then continued slowly, each word like a hammer striking the hearts of the listeners.

"In my opinion, you should focus on alchemy like Sylvandria does. Your future would be far brighter."

Then his eyes narrowed, and he spoke with a rare seriousness.

"If you lack a master, I am willing to take you as my disciple and teach you everything I know for the rest of my life."

The moment those words fell, the entire area seemed to fall into a brief silence.

Even the surrounding students stopped breathing for a moment.

Then, in the next instant, countless gazes filled with envy and disbelief shot toward Zora.

Tancred!

A famous figure in the Leon Empire’s alchemy world.

A fourth-rank Alchemist whose reputation had spread throughout the imperial city. It was said that he was only one step away from becoming a fifth-rank Alchemist.

For years, countless young Spirit Warriors and alchemists had begged to become his disciples.

Yet Tancred had never accepted anyone.

Never.

And now, he was offering everything to Zora without hesitation.

At that moment, the students around them could only think of one thing.

Zora’s fortune... was simply heaven-defying.

"The luck of Zora is truly enviable. If she becomes Master Tancred’s disciple, she’ll be famous throughout the Leon Empire in the future!"

"Exactly. We don’t have that kind of fortune."

The discussion below the platform instantly exploded, every voice dripping with envy. Even those who had mocked her earlier now stared with complicated expressions, as if they were watching a legend being born.

Listening to the words of the Master Alchemist, Rowena and the others could barely hide the jealousy in their eyes. If Zora hadn’t stolen the limelight in the alchemy contest, perhaps this glory would have belonged to them.

Reynard’s face turned ashen.

This was one of the things he had wanted most. Winning the contest was only the first step. The real prize was gaining the favor of a powerful master.

Yet now, everything he had schemed for had been snatched away by Zora.

Before Tancred could even smile wider, Lionel’s voice rang out, sharp with dissatisfaction.

"Tancred, you can’t be so unreasonable!"

Lionel glared at Tancred, his brows furrowed. He had never expected Tancred to move so quickly, directly offering to take Zora as his disciple.

Lionel himself had long wanted to accept an apprentice, but no one had ever truly satisfied him. Zora’s talent and temperament were like a treasure that fell from the heavens. How could he allow Tancred to monopolize her?

Zora had barely opened her mouth when Lionel strode forward, looking at her with an expression full of sincerity.

"Zora, don’t listen to that old man’s nonsense. Tancred isn’t as good as me. Why don’t you become my disciple instead?"

Tancred’s face instantly darkened.

"Lionel! Why are you always fighting with me?"

His tone was indignant, as if Lionel had stolen his food right out of his bowl.

Lionel snorted. "Fighting with you? Don’t flatter yourself. I’ve wanted to take her as a disciple for a long time. You just spoke a moment earlier than I."