Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 285: Trouble at Ironspire City (Part-3)

All this while, Zora had only wanted a peaceful meal. Instead, these people had forced their way in and ruined the mood.

Lunar Academy.

The name rippled through the restaurant as a stone dropped into water. Even in the Leon Empire, where Thunderclap Academy was the most famous, Lunar Academy still carried immense prestige. It was known as a gathering place of geniuses, and the fact that these young people came from there was no small matter.

When Zora spoke their identity aloud, Drusilla and the others could not help but show a trace of surprise. They had not expected this white-robed woman to see through them so easily.

What truly made the students of Lunar Academy uncomfortable was not that the woman in white had guessed their identity. What made their blood boil was that she had guessed it and still dared to treat them with such indifference.

"We are not ordinary students of Lunar Academy," Drusilla said sharply, her voice carrying deliberate emphasis. "We are special enrollment students!"

In the eyes of most people, Lunar Academy students were already lofty figures, but special enrollees stood even higher. Their futures were far brighter, their paths far broader. They were not in the same league as ordinary students.

"And that’s supposed to impress us?" Reesa scoffed, her eyes filled with disdain. Among all of them, she disliked Drusilla the most. Not only had this woman kept provoking them, but she was even wearing a dress identical to her own. To Reesa, that alone was already unbearable.

"Yes, she was a special enrollee too, but so what?" Reesa continued. "Being special doesn’t give you the right to act as if the sky belongs to you."

Drusilla’s face flushed with anger. "Who do you think you are? Do you even know what a special enrollee from Lunar Academy means?"

With her words, the Lunar Academy students all turned their gazes toward Zora’s group, their expressions dark and hostile. They were used to admiration and respect, not to being challenged like this.

Around them, the diners began whispering excitedly.

"It looks like a fight is about to break out."

"Those are special enrollees from Lunar Academy. And these people don’t even look scared."

"If they really fight, this will be something to see."

The atmosphere in the restaurant tightened, buzzing with anticipation.

Alaric Von Seraph and the others quietly drew their weapons. Among Spirit Warriors, conflicts were settled with steel and strength, not words. They had tried to ignore the provocation, but Drusilla kept pushing. If they backed down now, it would not just be their pride that was hurt, but the honor of their Academy.

"And we are special enrollees of Imperial Academy," Alaric Von Seraph said calmly, his voice steady and clear.

The moment those words fell, Ignar Dragovic and the others froze.

Imperial Academy.

No matter how they had imagined it, they had never expected this group to come from there. It was as if fate itself had arranged this encounter. Both sides were heading toward Thunderclap Academy, and yet they had clashed here, on the very edge of the Leon Empire.

Around them, the onlookers were stunned into silence. Imperial Academy was just as renowned as Lunar Academy. To see students from both schools collide like this was rare beyond measure.

No wonder neither side was willing to give in. This was not just a personal dispute anymore. It was a clash of two academies.

Ignar Dragovic finally understood why Zora had shown him no respect. She had already seen through their identity, and she was meeting Lunar Academy head-on, without the slightest fear.

Caius let out a cold laugh. "So that’s how it is. I was wondering who you were. Turns out you’re just students from Imperial Academy."

His tone dripped with contempt, but beneath it was the sharp edge of rivalry, now fully awakened.

Although Imperial Academy had regained some prestige after the events in the ancient ruins, everyone knew that this upcoming inter-academy exchange was designed specifically to test them. If Imperial fell again, they would never be able to lift their heads in front of Thunderclap Academy.

Lunar Academy had already aligned itself with Thunderclap Academy long ago. If Imperial Academy lost, Lunar Academy would reap no small amount of benefit from that collapse.

Ophelia’s lips curled into a smug smile, her dark eyes glittering with calculated malice.

"So that’s who you are," she said lightly. "Special enrollees from Imperial Academy, the school that failed two exchanges in a row. No wonder you’re so desperate to put on a brave face. Once you were defeated this time, your academy, once and for all, will drop that overbearing name that you carried for years."

Alaric Von Seraph and the others stiffened. Her words were a direct stab, aimed right at their pride.

Zora’s lips curved into a cold, razor-thin smile. Her eyes were as clear and sharp as frost. "A Spirit Warrior who fails can still hold their head high. But someone who survives only by flattering and clinging to others doesn’t even deserve to stand on the same ground. Compared to people like that, losing is far more honorable."

"Beautifully said!" Reesa clapped her hands, laughing. "You’re just Thunderclap Academy’s lapdogs. What exactly are you so proud of?"

"Looking for death!"

Ophelia snapped, fury exploding across her face as she drew her weapon and pointed it straight at Reesa.

Reesa showed not the slightest fear. Her whip slid into her hand with a sharp flick, and she met Ophelia’s gaze head-on. "If you’ve got the guts, then fight. Stop barking like a dog that only knows how to make noise."

At the same time, Zora and the others unsheathed their weapons. By now, words had long lost their meaning. There was only one way left to settle this.

"If you want to fight, do it outside," Zora said coldly. "There’s no need to drag innocent people into this."

"I’m more than happy to!" Drusilla shouted, her face twisted with rage. "I’ll see just how strong you really are!"

The two groups stormed out of the restaurant together. Before leaving, Zora calmly placed silver on the table, paying for the meal despite the chaos.

The waiter tried to refuse, but she insisted. For him, it was nothing short of a blessing. Not only had she saved the restaurant from destruction, but she had also spared him from an impossible situation.

Around them, the other diners nodded in approval.

"I don’t know which academy is stronger," someone murmured, "but Imperial Academy’s students are clearly better people."

"Exactly. Just look at their manners and character. Lunar Academy’s students are nothing but arrogant brats with a bit of talent."

"Talent without character is worse than useless. People like that only bring trouble to the world."

Outside the restaurant, Caius and the others heard every word.

Their faces darkened as if they had been slapped in public. The contempt in those voices stung far more than any blade ever could.