Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 324: The Tri-Academy Exchange Arc (Part-16)

Zora’s eyes darkened slightly, a calm yet discerning light flowing through them as she observed the man who had spoken earlier. "He should be a tutor from Thunderclap Academy. I heard that when we first arrived, someone deliberately blocked us at the gates to ’teach us a lesson.’ Judging from his tone just now, there’s a high chance it was him."

Reesa’s eyes widened in realization.

Back then, it had sounded like Thunderclap Academy wanted to suppress them from the very beginning, using small tricks to humiliate them. Now that she connected the dots, everything suddenly made sense. This wasn’t a coincidence. This was deliberate provocation.

Meanwhile, on the high platform, Cindral’s expression grew increasingly unreadable. As the principal, what he disliked most was disorder on a formal occasion.

The academy exchange was meant to be dignified and fair, yet Cecily Blackstar’s sudden outburst was already difficult enough to deal with.

Now Edgar’s intervention only added fuel to the fire. Unfortunately, Edgar was still a tutor of Thunderclap Academy, and Cindral couldn’t openly shut him down without consequence.

At this moment, Cecily Blackstar lifted her chin slightly, her beautiful brows filled with arrogance as she stared straight at Zora. "Zora, do you even dare to come up here?"

Her voice rang out clearly across the arena, sharp and challenging.

In her eyes, Zora was nothing more than a woman relying on tricks and appearances. In terms of background and cultivation, Cecily Blackstar believed she stood far above her. No matter what fox-like methods Zora had used to entangle Harold, she would never allow this woman to continue standing in her way.

Whispers immediately spread through the crowd.

"What kind of grudge is there between the Third Princess and Zora? Why does she insist on targeting her?"

"Who knows? Maybe beautiful women naturally dislike other beautiful women. That alone is reason enough."

"You’re all behind on the news. I heard Zora is Harold’s wife, and the Third Princess has feelings for Harold. Of course, they’d be mortal enemies."

As someone revealed the inside story, the surrounding crowd erupted into quiet shock. Faces filled with astonishment turned toward Zora.

"Is that true?"

"Absolutely. I was there that day on Leafway restaurant. I personally heard Lord Harold call Zora his wife."

Compared to Cecily Blackstar’s overt provocation and hostility, Zora remained calm and composed, her expression as serene as drifting clouds. She neither hurried nor retreated, as if the surrounding uproar had nothing to do with her.

"Since the Third Princess wishes to compete with me," Zora said evenly, her voice steady and unruffled, "I naturally don’t mind."

Cindral glanced at Gerrad with a hint of helplessness in his eyes. "Gerrad, about this matter... what do you think?"

Gerrad maintained his gentle demeanor, his gaze briefly settling on Zora before he replied calmly, "Since both sides are willing, then let it be so."

Cindral paused for a moment, then nodded. With the decision made, there was no need for further hesitation. "Very well. Since Cecily Blackstar and Zora both agree, Zora will take the stage. Reesa, you will face Godric in the fourth match."

"Boss, beat her!" Reesa shouted without hesitation, her eyes blazing with excitement and trust. Although she felt uneasy about Cecily Blackstar’s sudden challenge, she believed even more firmly in Zora’s strength.

"Zora, be careful!" Tiffany and the others also called out, their expressions filled with concern but no doubt. Every battle Zora had fought so far had exceeded their expectations, and this time would surely be no different.

They didn’t care whether Cecily Blackstar was a royal princess or how noble her status was. In the arena, there were only opponents.

And opponents existed for one purpose alone: to be defeated.

Zora gave a faint nod and, under countless gazes, slowly stepped onto the arena.

Her pace was unhurried, calm to the point of indifference, as though the storm of eyes and whispers around her were nothing more than a passing breeze.

Ragnor Blackstar and Dravenor Blackstar exchanged a glance.

It was obvious to them that Cecily Blackstar’s earlier words had struck a nerve. Otherwise, with her status and temperament, she would not have behaved so willfully during such an important academy exchange.

Clearly, something about Zora had deeply provoked her.

"Cecily’s strength is quite impressive," Dravenor Blackstar said coolly, his expression indifferent. "Defeating Zora shouldn’t be difficult."

Even he had to admit that Cecily Blackstar’s cultivation talent deserved praise. Despite being younger, her strength already surpassed his own. It was precisely for this reason that their father favored her more, placing greater expectations on her future.

Ragnor Blackstar’s gaze lingered coldly on Zora’s retreating figure. "I originally wanted to deal with her myself. Now it seems unnecessary."

His eyes brimmed with contempt as he further added. "This group from the Imperial academy is nothing but trash. Even if they made it into the second round, it’s just luck. They were never our equals."

It was precisely these "wastes" that had embarrassed him at the restaurant earlier, a humiliation he had yet to forget. Had he known from the start that Zora and the others were from the Imperial academy, he would have crushed them without mercy.

Dravenor Blackstar nodded in agreement.

Even though he himself hadn’t advanced to the second round, he didn’t care much. Compared to Thunderclap Academy, Lunar Academy still had some real substance. The academy, on the other hand, was not worth his concern.

In the arena, Zora came to a stop, standing directly opposite Cecily Blackstar.

Dressed in a pink-purple robe, Cecily Blackstar appeared delicate and lovely, like a pampered noble young lady. Yet the arrogance she carried, head held high and eyes sharp with pride, gave her an unmistakable edge. She was charming, but also thorny.

Zora, by contrast, exuded a mature elegance. Her expression was cool and restrained, her presence distant like frost under moonlight. That very detachment made her all the more untouchable, drawing the eye without effort.

"So," Cecily Blackstar sneered, lips curling, "you do have some guts after all, Zora. But you’ll regret stepping up here."

Zora’s expression did not change in the slightest. "I’ve never regretted any decision I’ve made."

After a brief pause, she added calmly, "I just don’t understand. Why do you hate me so much?"

Up to this moment, she genuinely could not grasp the reason behind Cecily Blackstar’s hostility. If this were about Ragnor Blackstar, then surely he himself would have acted. Why would his sister step forward instead?

Her confusion was sincere, and that sincerity struck Cecily Blackstar like a slap.

There was a particular kind of grievance in this world: when you regarded someone as a sworn enemy, yet that person barely acknowledged your existence. It was naked disregard, more infuriating than open hostility.

The look in Zora’s eyes was not feigned. She truly seemed unaware. Did this woman really not realize that they were rivals?

"If you dare steal my man," Cecily Blackstar snapped, her voice sharp and unrestrained, "then you’re destined to pay the price!"

She spoke without hesitation, caring nothing for the effect her words might have on the crowd.

Steal... her man?

Zora froze for a brief instant, her brows knitting together. Almost involuntarily, a certain man’s figure surfaced in her mind.

Could this be about him?

That person had gone to Heaven’s Gate and hadn’t appeared in Leon Empire during this period. And yet, trouble still managed to find her?

As those words landed, Reesa and the others stared in shock. This revelation was nothing short of explosive, and the murmurs rippling through the crowd grew louder by the second.

Reesa blinked, then couldn’t help blurting out, half shocked and half amused, "No way... Prince Kael’s charm is really that terrifying?"

She had to admit it. That man’s allure was indeed outrageous. But the problem was this was the Lion Dynasty, not Heaven’s Gate. When had Prince Kael ever come to the Leon Empire?

Tiffany and the others were equally baffled. They had turned this matter over in their minds countless times, yet none of them had imagined that Cecily Blackstar’s relentless hostility toward Zora stemmed from something so absurdly... personal.

Raphael fell silent, rubbing his temples.

Faced with a love rivalry, the clash between women was often far more dramatic than anything men could stir up. There was really nothing they could say.

Even Ragnor Blackstar and Dravenor Blackstar looked uncomfortable.

They knew their sister’s temperament well, but seeing her air her feelings so openly in front of everyone still made their scalps tingle.

No matter what, she was a princess. Speaking like this in public was already brushing against the dignity of the royal family.