Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 351: The Tri-Academy Exchange Arc (Part-43)

This fragrance was noticeably deeper and purer than the Potions refined by Sylvandria and Reynard.

As the crowd greedily inhaled the aroma, a refreshing warmth flowed through their bodies, their spirits lifting as if cleansed by a spring breeze.

Gerrad’s previously tense expression brightened instantly.

If his judgment was correct, then what Zora was concocting was none other than Heaven’s Drought Potion.

Heaven’s Drought Potion was one of the most renowned second-rank Potions, famous for its remarkable benefits to Spirit Warriors. Yet its Potion formula was held by only a handful of alchemists.

Even Gerrad himself had never mastered it.

Among second-rank Potions, Heaven’s Drought Potion stood at the very peak.

As long as Zora completed it successfully, first place in the alchemy contest would be hers without dispute.

Joy surged through Gerrad’s heart, followed by a trace of emotion. He had once believed Sylvandria was the key to victory for the academy. Never had he imagined that the decisive factor would turn out to be Zora.

No one could have predicted this ending.

Reynard’s expression also changed the instant he caught the scent.

He had underestimated Zora far too much.

It dawned on him then that the academy had played a perfect smokescreen. Everyone’s attention had been fixed on Sylvandria, while Zora was the true trump card.

Still, he forced himself to calm down.

So what if she knew a higher-level Potion formula?

As long as the Potion failed to form, everything she had done would be meaningless.

Black and White were already brimming with excitement. In their eyes, their master’s success was all but guaranteed.

Reynard was about to be completely crushed.

Yet just as the Potion was on the verge of forming, Zora suddenly frowned.

She felt it.

The cauldron... could not withstand the peak temperature required before Potion formation.

In alchemy, the most intense heat was always needed at the final moment, just before the Potion condensed. Under normal circumstances, even if Heaven’s Drought Potion was more demanding than ordinary second-rank Potions, the cauldron provided by Thunderclap Academy should have endured it.

Unless...

Someone had tampered with it.

Almost instantly, Zora reached her conclusion. This cauldron had been sabotaged.

Otherwise, it would never have failed at this critical point.

Gerrad and the others also noticed the sudden change in her expression. By all logic, Zora’s concoction should have succeeded smoothly. Her reaction could only mean that something had gone wrong.

Then—

"Crack!"

A crisp, subtle sound rang out.

The faces of Gerrad and the other judges changed dramatically.

"This is a cauldron explosion!" someone exclaimed.

Gerrad stared at the scene in disbelief.

For an alchemist, a cauldron explosion was nothing unusual. But under the current circumstances, with Zora’s flawless control and perfect timing, such a failure should have been impossible.

"What’s going on? Is there something wrong with Zora’s cauldron?"

Tiffany’s expression changed instantly. Everything had been proceeding smoothly just a moment ago. No one could understand how such a problem could suddenly appear at the most critical stage.

Reesa and the others were just as anxious. In alchemy, the moment before Potion formation was decisive. If the cauldron failed at this stage, could the nearly completed Potion still survive?

"Haha! I knew it. How could a Spirit Warrior’s alchemy possibly be any good?"

"Serves her right. A cauldron explosion is exactly what happens when your skills aren’t up to standard!"

Students from Thunderclap Academy immediately burst into ridicule, their voices sharp and merciless.

"Zora actually dared to compete in alchemy with this level. Isn’t she just here to amuse us?"

"The academy really brought shame on itself. Winning the first two rounds means nothing if she can’t even form a Potion in the third."

Hearing the mocking voices around them, Reesa’s eyes burned with anger. She was about to argue back when Marcus stopped her with a firm grip.

There were simply too many of them. Arguing now would only waste breath.

Reesa clenched her fists, swallowing her fury. In her heart, she was certain of one thing. This was not Zora’s problem.

Someone had tampered with the cauldron.

Gerrad’s face had already darkened completely. With his experience, he knew very well that the cauldron provided by Thunderclap Academy should never have failed while concocting a second-rank Potion. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

There was only one explanation.

Before he could speak again, Gerrad had already stood up, his voice cold and sharp. "Principal Cindral, the cauldron used by Zora was tampered with. This round is unfair."

As soon as those words fell, Cindral’s eyes flickered slightly. "Tampered with? How could that be?" he replied, feigning surprise.

Tancred and the others all turned their gazes toward Cindral. Though his expression looked innocent, no one truly believed this had nothing to do with him.

This was Thunderclap Academy. The cauldrons were prepared by Thunderclap Academy. If something had gone wrong, how could the principal be completely uninvolved?

"Principal Cindral," Gerrad said coldly, her anger no longer concealed, "this is going too far."

If not for this sabotage, Zora would already have secured first place in the alchemy contest. Now, at the final moment, her efforts had been ruined.

As Vice Principal of the academy, how could Gerrad tolerate this?

Compared to Gerrad’s fury, Cindral appeared calm, even putting on a regretful expression. "I truly know nothing about this matter," he said slowly. "Rest assured, Vice Principal Gerrad, I will investigate thoroughly."

"However," he added after a pause, "the alchemy contest is still ongoing. It would be inappropriate to halt it now. We can only look into this after the contest ends."

Those words made Gerrad’s expression turn even uglier.

Cindral’s meaning was obvious. An investigation could come later, but the result of the contest would stand.

By then, even if a scapegoat was found and punished, what difference would it make?

Everyone cared only about the final outcome. This silent scheme would simply force the academy to swallow a bitter loss.

Yet despite his anger, Gerrad had no way to refute him.

The discovery had come too late.

The alchemy contest could not be redone.

Gerrad let out a long sigh, her gaze toward Zora carrying a trace of sympathy.

No one had expected Zora to be targeted so blatantly. Now that the competition had reached its final stage, Cindral’s attitude made one thing painfully clear. He would never declare the third round invalid.

This meant only one thing.

The Imperial Academy would have to swallow this loss in silence.

Even if they felt humiliated, reality was often so cruel. Such scenes were not unheard of. In competitions, conspiracies were as common as open duels, and countless people had lost to tricks rather than strength.

What they had not expected was Thunderclap Academy’s audacity. So bold, so shameless. Even when everyone could see what had happened, there was no evidence. Nothing that could be used to overturn the result.

Gerrad clenched his fists tightly. The sense of powerlessness burned in his chest.

This situation had existed for years. Without strength, there was no right to speak.

The Imperial Academy simply did not carry enough weight among the three Academies. Otherwise, Thunderclap Academy would never have dared to act so openly.

He could endure injustice himself, but letting his students suffer such treatment because of the academy’s weakness... How could he face Zora after this?

Cindral and Malrick, on the other hand, remained unmoved. To them, this was the natural order of the world. The strong ruled, the weak endured.

If the academy lacked status, then even injustice had to be swallowed. Complaints changed nothing.

"Gerrad, calm down," Lionel said softly, patting Gerrad’s shoulder. "In this situation, there’s nothing you can do."

But at that moment, a calm yet forceful voice rang out.

Eamon stepped forward, his expression cold. "Since someone tampered with Zora’s cauldron, this contest is already unfair. Naturally, it must be redone."

His gaze swept over Cindral without the slightest courtesy. "Otherwise, those who are framed can only suffer in silence. If that’s the case, then future Academy exchanges won’t require real ability at all. Just sabotage your opponent and win."

He paused, his voice sharp as a blade.

"Principal Cindral, is this truly the purpose of Thunderclap Academy in hosting an alchemy contest? So that you can sabotage other academies and claim a false win?"

The entire area fell silent.

Cindral was stunned. He had never expected Eamon to speak up, let alone so directly and accuse him to his face.