Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 309: The Tri-Academy Exchange Arc (Part-1)

"So stubborn," Cindral cursed inwardly, yet the smile on his face only deepened. "That is only right."

He paused briefly before continuing in a warm, host-like manner. "Over the past few days, you and the students have been staying at the inn. I have already arranged suitable accommodations for you within the academy. Now that this misunderstanding has been settled, why not come to Thunderclap Academy with me? Otherwise, others might say that I, as host, have been neglectful."

Vice Principal Hector quickly added, "The principal has made thoughtful arrangements. Tomorrow is the official start of the academy exchange. Staying within the Academy will be much more convenient."

"A bunch of old foxes," Baldwin sneered softly. "They’re afraid we’ll leave."

Tomorrow was the day the exchange began. Thunderclap Academy suddenly becoming so attentive clearly meant one thing—they were worried the academy might withdraw entirely.

"What else could it be?" Reesa curled her lips in disdain. "They’re scared. Which is exactly why we must perform well in the exchange."

At this point, it was no longer just about restoring the academy’s honor. Their dislike for Thunderclap Academy had already sunk deep into their bones.

"Didn’t they win twice in a row before? What’s there to brag about?" Baldwin snorted, then turned to Zora and Alaric Von Seraph with fiery eyes. "You two, it’s all up to you to crush them this time!"

Hearing this, Zora and Alaric Von Seraph exchanged helpless glances.

They had expected Baldwin to talk big, but they hadn’t anticipated him placing all his hopes squarely on the two of them. This fellow truly knew how to shift responsibility.

In the end, under Cindral and Hector’s personal invitation, Gerrad led Zora and the others to Thunderclap Academy.

This time, however, the situation was entirely different from before.

With the principal and vice principal personally leading the way, who would dare to block them again?

The group entered Thunderclap Academy smoothly, and along the way, they finally saw the true state of the academy.

They had long known that Thunderclap Academy possessed strong financial backing, but seeing it with their own eyes was another matter entirely. The buildings were grand and refined, the layout meticulous, every detail revealing wealth and power far beyond what they had imagined.

"As expected of an academy aligned itself with the Imperial family of Lion Dynasty," someone murmured. "This kind of arrangement is flawless."

Reesa snorted. "Just newer and flashier. Apart from looking good, it’s useless."

Her disdain was obvious. Having already developed a deep aversion to Thunderclap Academy, no matter how impressive its facilities were, they meant nothing in her eyes.

Zora quietly observed her surroundings. Thunderclap Academy’s grounds were far more expansive than those of their academy, and the number of students was clearly greater as well.

However, she had also heard that a large portion of the campus was reserved exclusively for members of the royal family.

Here, the royal bloodline stood above all others, aloof and untouchable, never mingling with ordinary Spirit Warriors. As a result, the area accessible to common students was not significantly larger than that of their own academy.

Under the guidance of the two principals, Zora and the others were led to their prepared accommodations within Thunderclap Academy. Coincidentally—or perhaps deliberately—the Spirit Warriors from Lunar Academy were housed in the same building.

As soon as they stepped into the grounds, waves of discussion followed them like shadows.

"So those are the Spirit Warriors from that academy. I heard they were stopped at the gate by the guards. Who would have thought the two principals would personally come to pick them up today?"

"Hmph, their academy has lost two exchanges in a row. This time, they’re just here to make up the numbers. The higher-ups even went out of their way to invite them back—did they even check whether these people are truly qualified?"

"Exactly. Let them look impressive today. Once the exchange starts tomorrow, they’ll just become a laughingstock."

The voices were neither subtle nor restrained. The students of Thunderclap Academy clearly held contempt in their bones, and now that they saw Zora and the others with their own eyes, their ridicule came one wave after another, sharp and merciless.

Zora and her group remained calm, their expressions unchanged, as though such words had long since lost the power to sting. This kind of mockery was something they had already heard countless times.

It was obvious that the tutors and upper management of Thunderclap Academy had not been shy about belittling the academy in front of their students. Otherwise, these students would not be so uniformly arrogant, so certain of their superiority.

"These Thunderclap Academy students are really unbearable!" Black fumed, its eyes flashing with anger. "What kind of trash dares to laugh at my master? They’re just begging for trouble!"

"I feel like slapping their mouths shut," White added coldly, its temper even sharper. "If they don’t get a reality check, they’ll never learn when to shut up."

"The academy has lost two exchanges in a row. It’s only natural they look down on us," Zora said calmly, her voice steady and composed. "If we want them to shut up, we’ll have to rely on our own strength."

Her expression remained serene despite the relentless sarcasm. Compared to what she had endured in the past, this was nothing worth getting worked up over. Rather than wasting energy on anger, she preferred to think about how to make these people fall silent tomorrow.

Reesa, however, was visibly furious. Her chest rose and fell as she glared in the direction of the Thunderclap Academy students. "These people have really gone too far!"

Alaric Von Seraph and the others did not look much better. Within their own academy, they were respected and admired. Here, they had become targets of open ridicule. The contrast was jarring.

Cindral had clearly heard the surrounding discussions, yet he acted as though nothing had reached his ears. Not only did he fail to stop it, but the smile on his face even seemed to deepen slightly.

"This building has been prepared for your stay," Cindral said pleasantly. "You may rest here and prepare yourselves. The academy exchange will begin tomorrow morning."

Gerrad turned to Sebastian and Miel and said evenly, "You two help the students settle in. I have some matters to discuss with Principal Cindral."

Sebastian nodded and led Zora and the others into the corridor.

The moment they were out of sight, Reesa could no longer hold back. "Teacher, the students of Thunderclap Academy are absolutely unbearable. They don’t even have the decency to pretend to be polite. It’s disgusting."

Sebastian and Miel’s expressions darkened as well. "Thunderclap Academy has never truly regarded us as equals," Sebastian said quietly. "Even their students follow that same attitude. You’ve all been wronged."

Hearing this, Reesa fell silent for a moment. Her anger softened into something heavier.

They felt wronged—but the mentors and vice principal must feel it even more keenly.

Marcus’s eyes turned cold. "As long as we defeat the Spirit Warriors of Thunderclap Academy tomorrow," he said firmly, "all this noise will disappear."

Sebastian did not share their momentary ease. His expression remained solemn, his brows faintly drawn together. "Thunderclap Academy’s team is also extremely strong," he said slowly. "They have many powerful Spirit Warriors. This Academy exchange was not proposed on a whim. It was carefully planned."

At those words, Zora and the others all grew serious. No one returned to their rooms right away. Instead, they gathered together in one room, instinctively sensing that the two mentors had more to say.

Tomorrow was the opening day of the Academy exchange. At a time like this, any information could make the difference between victory and defeat.

They knew almost nothing about Thunderclap Academy’s lineup so far. And on a battlefield like this, ignorance was the most dangerous enemy.

"To know yourself and know your opponent is to never be defeated," Sebastian continued. "So listen carefully."

He paused, then spoke in a measured tone. "The strongest Spirit Warrior of Thunderclap Academy is Zion Blackstar, the Crown Prince of Lion Dynasty."

The room fell quiet.

"Zion Blackstar is 19 years old now," Sebastian went on. "Two years ago, there were already rumors that he had stepped into the Innate Realm. Two years have passed since then. No one knows how far his cultivation has advanced."

"19?" Reesa exclaimed. "So he reached the Innate Realm at 17?"

Her voice rose despite herself. A 17-year-old in the Innate Realm... that kind of talent was truly terrifying. It was at the same level as Zora’s. She couldn’t help but glance at her best friend.

Sebastian nodded. "That’s right. It’s also said that Zion Blackstar will leave Thunderclap Academy next year. This exchange was likely arranged specifically to take advantage of him. With such an ace in hand, Thunderclap Academy is aiming straight for first place."

Understanding dawned on everyone’s faces.

"So that’s how it is," Alaric Von Seraph said coldly. "Thunderclap Academy really knows how to calculate."

If the exchange were held even a year later, Zion Blackstar would no longer be around. Without him, Thunderclap Academy’s chances of winning would drop sharply.

In Sebastian and Miel’s eyes, a trace of disdain appeared. Thunderclap Academy had climbed to its current position step by step, relying not only on strength but also on schemes.

"In addition to Zion Blackstar," Miel continued, his voice heavy, "the second prince, Ragnor Blackstar, has also broken into the Innate Realm. As for the third prince, Dravenor Blackstar, he is only a step away from it."

He looked around the room. "There are other capable Spirit Warriors as well, but these three members of the royal family are Thunderclap Academy’s true trump cards. The pressure on you will be immense."

Silence filled the room.

If it were only Prince Ragnor and Dravenor, then with Zora and Alaric Von Seraph, they would still have a chance to fight back.

But Zion Blackstar was different.

He seemed very strong.

Reesa and the others exchanged glances. This situation was far more difficult than they had imagined. Winning this exchange would be incredibly difficult.

"I’ve also received news," Sebastian added, "that Zion Blackstar will not participate in the preliminary rounds. He will only appear in the finals. So you won’t encounter him tomorrow."

Hearing this, several people subconsciously let out a breath they hadn’t realized they were holding.

With Prince Zion’s strength, participating in the early matches would be meaningless. Victory would be guaranteed anyway. It made sense for Thunderclap Academy to save him for the decisive moment.

"Teacher," Sylvandria asked hesitantly, "then what about the Spirit Warriors of Lunar Academy?"

Baldwin frowned as well.

He understood if the Princes and their fellow students of the Thunderclap Academy were arrogant, but what about Lunar Academy students?

That was something he truly couldn’t understand. They were clearly repeat losers... so where did that confidence come from?