Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 349: The Tri-Academy Exchange Arc (Part-41)

Time flowed quietly.

On the high platform, the four figures worked in silence. From time to time, faint sounds drifted from the Potion cauldrons, the subtle murmurs of herbs being refined. Aside from that, there was nothing but stillness.

Yet no one felt bored.

Watching Alchemists work was a rare opportunity. Potions and Pills were lifelines for Spirit Warriors, and every movement on the platform carried weight.

Zora’s actions were unhurried and natural. Each time a medicinal essence was successfully refined, she calmly added the next herb, her expression relaxed, as though the entire process posed no challenge at all.

By contrast, Jocelyn and the others appeared visibly tense. Their brows were furrowed, movements cautious, attention razor-sharp.

The difference was striking.

Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.

Everyone had assumed that Zora was merely filling a spot, a half-trained participant at best. Yet now, her score stood at the top, and her composure in this third round only deepened the shock.

If she performed well here too...

Then the first place in the alchemy contest might truly fall to her.

That thought alone made many people feel a little dizzy.

A Spirit Warrior taking first place in an alchemy contest, defeating professional Alchemists? It sounded unbelievable, yet the scene unfolding before them made it hard to deny.

Watching Zora refine Potions, it became clear that her alchemy skills were anything but shallow.

A Spirit Warrior with extraordinary talent who was also an Alchemist—how could such a person not inspire envy?

For most Spirit Warriors, Potions were precious and hard to come by. Yet Zora could refine her own. The advantage this gave her was immeasurable.

"I’m really curious what kind of Potion Zora is concocting," Reesa said, her eyes shining with excitement. "Every time she makes a move, it’s something extraordinary."

"I’m sure it won’t disappoint," Tiffany replied with a grin. "The first two rounds were already surprising, but this third round is the core of every alchemy contest. The vice principal must have prepared Sylvandria well, too. From the looks of it, our Academy has the highest chance of winning this year."

As Reesa and Tiffany spoke in low voices, Alaric Von Seraph’s gaze quietly shifted toward the three inscription masters seated nearby.

For some reason, their expressions seemed... thoughtful.

From Alaric Von Seraph’s quiet observation, he noticed something subtle. The three inscription masters, led by Eamon, were standing unusually close to Vice Principal Gerrad, and from time to time, their gazes drifted toward Zora.

That scene planted a bold conjecture in his heart.

Perhaps... these three masters had come here for Zora.

After all, her performance that day had been shocking enough to leave even such seasoned figures visibly moved.

Alaric Von Seraph mulled it over briefly, then dismissed the thought without voicing it. Even if he said it aloud, no one would believe him. A Spirit Warrior who also mastered alchemy was already unbelievable enough. To add inscriptions into the mix would sound like pure fantasy.

On the high platform, Reynard cast a sideways glance at Zora, resentment flickering in his eyes.

He had never accounted for her.

If not for Zora, he would never have suffered such a humiliating setback in the second round. This alchemy contest was supposed to be his stepping stone, the stage on which he claimed first place and secured a smoother future.

Instead, he had been pushed down to third.

Unacceptable.

Reynard’s gaze hardened as it fell on Zora’s Potion cauldron. Whatever the outcomes of the first two rounds, in this third round, he was determined to make her fall short.

Black sensed that hostile glance and sneered. "This fool still hadn’t learned. During Potion concoction, there was no room for underhanded tricks." White added, "Someone like Reynard was destined to become nothing more than Master’s stepping stone."

As it turned out, the third round progressed with unexpected smoothness. No accidents. No disruptions.

And soon, a rich medicinal fragrance surged from Sylvandria’s cauldron.

The moment the scent spread, everyone felt their spirits lift, as if clarity flowed straight into their meridians. It was the unmistakable sign of a Potion nearing completion.

Gerrad’s face softened into a satisfied smile. He had deliberately chosen an appropriate Potion for Sylvandria this round. Not the most difficult, but one that allowed her strengths to shine at their fullest.

Between Sylvandria, Zora, and Reynard, their overall capabilities were fairly close. Only Jocelyn lagged slightly behind.

From Cindral’s perspective, originally, the ideal outcome should be: Thunderclap Academy takes first place in the Spirit Warriors’ competition, Lunar Academy claims first in alchemy, and only the Imperial Academy would be left empty-handed.

Neat. Balanced. Politically beautiful.

Regardless of surprises made by Zora, Cindral was confident that the Spirit Warriors’ competition was still in their back, because of Zion Blackstar.

But today’s alchemy contest seemed like it was already slipping beyond his control.

Just as the fragrance from Sylvandria’s cauldron lingered, another equally rich scent emerged from Reynard’s cauldron. The two medicinal aromas intertwined in the air, intoxicating the crowd and drawing sighs of admiration.

The potency of these Potions needed no explanation. Even the lingering scent alone was enough to benefit Spirit Warriors.

Yet when Gerrad caught that familiar fragrance, his expression shifted slightly.

Reynard’s eyes flickered as well.

If his judgment was correct, then the Potion that Reynard concocted was an Energy Storage Potion.

A second-rank Potion that condenses mana, allowing Spirit Warriors to store denser energy within their mana core. On the surface, its effect seemed modest, but in practice, it was exceptionally valuable. And its value hovered dangerously close to that of a third-rank medicinal Potion.

Gerrad’s heart sank at the realization.

He had underestimated Reynard.

According to the intelligence he had received earlier, Reynard should not have been capable of concocting a Potion with such demanding condensation properties. And yet, the evidence was unfolding right before his eyes.

Even if Sylvandria successfully concocted her Potion, the third round carried double points. In that case, she would still lose to Reynard.

The realization made Gerrad’s expression darken.

He had always been confident in Sylvandria. To reach her current level at such a young age was already outstanding among Alchemists. Unfortunately, Reynard was slightly older, and in the world of alchemy, even a few extra years of accumulation could become an overwhelming advantage.

Malrick, who had been quietly observing, could not suppress the smile creeping onto his face either.

The first two rounds had made him uneasy, but now his heart finally settled. Cindral had not exaggerated. Reynard truly was exceptional.

Even though Malrick did not understand alchemy deeply, the shifting expressions of Gerrad and the three master judges told him everything he needed to know.

This alchemy contest... Lunar Academy was about to take it.

Cindral remained outwardly indifferent. The Alchemists’ results were secondary to him. What truly mattered was the Spirit Warriors’ competition. Whether Thunderclap Academy won or lost in alchemy was inconsequential in the bigger picture.

"This round," Mariette said slowly, "Lunar Academy is likely to take the lead."

Tancred nodded in agreement. "Reynard is a good seedling. If nothing goes wrong, he’ll become a notable figure in the alchemy world."

For them, victory or defeat meant little. What pleased them most was witnessing the rise of a promising young Alchemist.

Reynard, basking in silent pride, was certain of his success.

He knew Sylvandria’s Potion well.

Potion of Longevity. Also, a second-rank Potion, but its concoction difficulty and medicinal effect were both inferior to those of the Energy Storage Potion. In a contest where quality decided everything, his advantage was obvious.

This match is mine. Thought Reynard on realization.

Ding!

Sylvandria lifted the lid of her cauldron.

A dense medicinal fragrance instantly spread across the platform, causing many Spirit Warriors below to inhale deeply, their expressions intoxicated. The Potion was undeniably excellent.

She carefully stored the finished Potion into a white porcelain bottle and stood quietly in place.

The third round... she was done.

But when her gaze shifted, and she caught sight of Gerrad’s heavy expression, the satisfaction in her heart quietly faded.

Her instincts were sharp.

If her Master looked like that, then Reynard’s Potion... must be stronger.

A trace of bitterness surfaced on Sylvandria’s face. No matter how unwilling she felt, there was no second chance to refine again.

Was she... going to lose after coming this far?

Ding!

Reynard opened his cauldron.

The moment the lid lifted, an even richer medicinal fragrance surged out, thick and forceful, spreading across the arena like a tide.

Sylvandria’s pupils contracted.

At that instant, she no longer needed confirmation.

The answer was already clear.

Energy Storage Potion!

The instant that fragrance spread, Sylvandria knew.

She had smelled it before, countless times, when her master refined it. Among second-rank Potions, the Energy Storage Potion was exceptionally famous, and its medicinal scent was unforgettable.

Her sense of smell had always been her greatest talent. From the moment she began learning alchemy, she could identify medicinal materials and Potions simply by scent. It was precisely because of this gift that she could now be absolutely certain.

Reynard had concocted the Energy Storage Potion.

Her heart sank.

Once the Energy Storage Potion appeared, her Potion of Longevity lost all meaning. In terms of rank, effect, and difficulty, it was completely overshadowed. This round... she had lost.

A deep sense of frustration surged through Sylvandria’s chest.

She had wanted to win glory for the academy. She had wanted to prove that the academy’s Alchemists were no weaker than anyone else. Yet now, she didn’t even dare to look toward the students who had placed their trust in her.

To them, she had always been a genius, someone who never failed.

But today, she had lost to Reynard of Lunar Academy.

Reynard noticed her reaction, and his mood instantly soared. Satisfaction bloomed across his face.

After today, his name would spread.

Below the platform, Marcus frowned. "Something’s wrong," he muttered. "Look at the vice-principal and Sylvandria. Their expressions aren’t right."