Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 353: The Tri-Academy Exchange Arc (Part-45)

"This Zora is terrifying... that move was pure mastery!"

"I’ve never seen anything like that. At her level, a cauldron explosion should have meant total failure!"

At once, many began to realize the truth. A cauldron of that quality shouldn’t have failed at such a crucial moment. Someone had clearly tampered with it.

With the final concoction complete, the three senior judges stepped forward to deliver their verdicts.

They began with Jocelyn.

Mariette opened the porcelain bottle on his table and nodded as she tilted the liquid. "Second-rank Potion, Bone-Cleansing Potion. The Potion is smooth and well-formed."

Jocelyn exhaled quietly, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. For his age, such a result was more than respectable.

Next, the judges stopped before Sylvandria.

After examining her Potion, Mariette’s eyes softened with approval. "Second-rank Potion, Longevity Potion. Excellent form and color."

Sylvandria returned a gentle smile. Concocting a Longevity Potion at her current level was already the peak of her abilities.

Jocelyn, hearing this, fully understood the gap between them. From the beginning, he had only been a supporting role in this contest.

Finally, the three judges stood before Reynard.

After a brief inspection, Mariette spoke again, her tone measured. "Second-rank Potion, Energy Storage Potion. It’s indeed well done and very pure."

Reynard straightened instinctively, confidence returning to his posture. In his mind, this Potion alone should have secured him victory.

Yet his eyes kept drifting, unwillingly, toward Zora.

Something told him... this contest was far from over.

Although none of the judges held any fondness for Reynard’s conduct, they had to admit one thing.

In terms of alchemy alone, Reynard truly had skill.

Among second-rank Potions, the Energy Storage Potion was notoriously difficult to concoct. Being able to produce it so cleanly meant that, given enough time, Reynard was not far from breaking into the realm of a third-rank alchemist.

Below the high platform, the crowd fell into murmurs.

To ordinary Spirit Warriors, they were all "second-rank Potions." Few could tell which one was superior.

Fortunately, several alchemists from Thunderclap Academy quietly explained the differences. In an instant, understanding dawned.

Eyes all around shifted toward Reynard.

Judging by the Potions alone, his performance was indeed the most outstanding so far.

"That Energy Storage Potion doesn’t matter," Reesa said firmly. "Zora’s Potion will definitely be the best!"

Her confidence was absolute, bordering on blind faith.

Tiffany could only smile helplessly, though worry lingered between his brows.

"If her cauldron hadn’t exploded, there’d be no question. I’m just afraid... that the explosion damaged the Potion."

At his words, the others grew solemn as well. They had all considered this possibility, even if none of them wanted to admit it.

Reynard, however, sneered inwardly.

He refused to believe that Zora could have successfully completed the refinement under such circumstances. To him, her earlier words were nothing more than bravado.

Black stared at Reynard as if looking at a fool. "This guy is truly an idiot."

White lifted an eyebrow. "Self-deception at this level is impressive. Just wait. He won’t be able to keep lying to himself much longer."

The three judges then stopped in front of Zora.

Her performance had shocked them again and again, and her talent in alchemy had already earned their full recognition. Still, unease remained.

A Potion rescued at the moment of a cauldron explosion... could it really be effective?

They understood better than anyone how terrifying a fryer was. In theory, Zora’s method was possible. In reality, the difficulty was nearly absurd.

Mariette unconsciously clenched his hands.

All eyes were on Zora.

Compared to everyone else’s tension, she remained calm and composed. A faint smile curved her lips as she stepped forward and placed the white porcelain bottle into Mariette’s hands.

Her confidence gave him pause.

Could there really be no problem?

The moment the bottle was opened, a rich, pure medicinal fragrance poured out, instantly filling the air.

Inside lay a Potion that was lustrous and had a translucent gold layer over the liquid

That, however, was only the surface.

The three judges examined it carefully, layer by layer, probing its internal structure. Gradually, their expressions shifted from caution to astonishment.

They exchanged glances, disbelief flickering in their eyes.

Finally, Mariette spoke, his voice steady yet unable to hide the shock beneath.

"Second-rank pinnacle stage Potion — Heaven’s Drought Potion. It’s perfect with no defects whatsoever."

The words fell like thunder.

As Mariette’s voice fell, shock rippled through the crowd like a stone dropped into still water.

Reesa clapped her hands together with Baldwin, her delicate face glowing with excitement.

"I knew it! I knew Zora would succeed!"

Even Alaric Von Seraph, usually cold as sculpted ice, allowed a faint smile to surface. What Zora had accomplished could only be called a miracle.

Sebastian clasped his hands tightly, his eyes shining. Zora had truly fought for the academy’s honor.

Gerrad slammed his fist against the table, his chest heaving. He hadn’t felt this exhilarated in years. Zora had gone far beyond his expectations.

Sylvandria stood frozen, shock written plainly on her face.

She knew Heaven’s Drought Potion well. She had heard her master speak of it many times, yet even he had never mastered its formula. And now, Zora not only possessed the Potion recipe, but she had concocted it successfully.

Her own Longevity Potion was only a mid-tier second-rank Potion, while Zora’s Heaven’s Drought Potion was already brushing against the threshold of third-rank.

Once again, Sylvandria clearly realized the gap between them.

In talent. In cultivation. In alchemy. In potential.

And most importantly, the difficulty of Concocting Heaven’s Drought Potion was even greater than the Energy Storage Potion.

Which meant only one thing.

This alchemy contest... they had won.

The Imperial Academy had won!

The academy that had failed again and again had finally taken first place!

Sylvandria smiled, genuinely happy for the academy, though a faint trace of loss lingered quietly in her heart.

"No... impossible!" Reynard’s expression twisted. "Under those circumstances, there’s no way the Potion could remain effective! You must have made a mistake!"

He could not accept this outcome.

Lionel’s expression turned icy. "Are you questioning our judgment?"

Reynard’s breath caught. Facing the cold gazes of the three master alchemists, he dared not say another word.

Mariette’s voice rang out, firm and clear.

"The champion of this alchemy contest is — Imperial Academy’s Zora!"

Cheers erupted.

Marcus and the others shouted in joy, grins stretching across their faces. Victory was theirs.

On the other side, Cindral and Malrick looked as though they had swallowed bitterness whole. Their careful schemes had collapsed in an instant.

Gerrad then glanced at them with a faint smile. "Principal Cindral, I hope you will thoroughly investigate the one who tampered with the cauldron."

Cindral’s gaze darkened, though he forced a smile. "Rest assured. I will find the culprit."

"I look forward to it," Gerrad replied lightly.

Reesa and the others had already rushed over to Zora, excitement bubbling over.

"Zora, you were incredible!"

"This contest was completely turned around by you!"

Zora smiled, sunlight brushing her red lips. She had never intended to take part in the alchemy contest, let alone seize first place.

Yet here she stood.

"That moment was terrifying," Marcus laughed. "Our hearts were in our throats."

"Truly impressive," Alaric Von Seraph added quietly.

Not far away, Reynard stared at Zora, anger and unwillingness churning in his eyes.

But the result had been declared.

No matter how bitter it tasted, there was nothing he could do now.

Sensing the resentment burning in Reynard’s gaze, Zora turned her head slightly. That man felt wrong to her in every way.

She had never heard of Lunar Academy having such a figure before. Yet he had appeared today out of nowhere, thoroughly prepared, every move calculated. No matter how she looked at it, the whole thing felt stitched together too neatly. Unfortunately, without solid evidence, she could not expose him yet. For now, Reynard’s presence remained an unresolved thorn.

Just then, Harold stepped up to her, a gentle smile on his face.

"Zora, congratulations."

Before Zora could reply, Reesa’s voice rang out first.

"You came too late, Lord Harold! You didn’t see how terrifyingly strong Zora was just now."

Her tone was full of regret. The alchemy contest had been breathtaking from start to finish, and missing it was truly a pity.

Harold chuckled softly, a trace of regret flashing across his eyes. "I had some matters to attend to and arrived late. Still, knowing the result is enough to make me happy."

As he spoke, he handed a folded slip of paper to Zora.

"I think you might need this."

Zora looked up at him, a flicker of curiosity crossing her eyes. But the moment she read the contents of the note, her expression shifted subtly.