"Vice Principal," he said firmly, "I am not framing Zora. In my judgnt, this Elixir of Tranquility is indeed fake. Allowing such a student to remain would only disgrace the academy."
That faint, regretful sigh was nothing but a blade wrapped in silk. Cassian was trying to seize this opportunity to drive Zora out of the academy entirely.
If successful, the label of ’selling fake potions’ would follow her for life, leaving her no chance to recover.
A chilling intent surged through Zora’s heart.
Cassian was far more vicious than she had expected.
Before, she had only intended to let him suffer a small loss, to teach him a lesson, and leave it at that.
Now, however, he clearly intended to destroy her completely.
In that instant, her resolve hardened.
Alistair and the others could no longer hold back. They stepped forward together.
"Vice Principal!" Alistair said loudly. "We can prove that Zora’s potions are effective and absolutely not the laxatives Master Cassian claims!"
Gerrad turned his gaze toward them. "Explain yourselves."
Alistair took a deep breath. "As early as yesterday, when Morgana and the others purchased Elixir of Tranquility, Miss Zora already foresaw that trouble might arise.
"Clarissa and the others have long-standing grudges with her. It was entirely possible they would attempt to fra her. So Miss Zora sold three additional Elixirs of Tranquility to us in advance—specifically so we could testify to their effects today and clear her na!"
The square erupted in murmurs once more.
As Alistair’s words fell, the entire square fell into stunned silence once more.
No one had expected this.
Just monts ago, it seed as though Zora had been pushed into a corner. Yet in the blink of an eye, she revealed another card she had already prepared in advance.
A three-layered counterplay.
Cold sweat crept into more than a few backs.
"Vice Principal Gerrad," Prince Kael spoke calmly, his voice carrying an icy edge, "many people present can testify to Zora’s innocence. This matter is far from what Master Cassian claims."
His gaze swept toward Cassian without the slightest concealnt of pressure.
"Yes, we can all testify."
Raphael stepped forward, followed closely by Reesa, Alaric Von Seraph, and Sylvandria, all nodding in agreent.
"Zora previously gave each of us an Elixir of Tranquility," Reesa said firmly. "After taking it, our ridians clearly widened, and our circulation improved. This alone proves that the potion is absolutely not so laxative as Master Cassian insists!"
Though she did not say Cassian was lying outright, everyone present understood the implication perfectly.
However, the crowd’s focus quickly shifted elsewhere.
She gave them Elixir of Tranquility?
That priceless, long-lost potion... given away just like that?
"What kind of courage is this?"
"I didn’t expect Zora to be so generous. Being her friend must be incredible."
"No wonder Reesa and the others are standing up for her. They’ve already benefited personally."
"But they’re all close to her. Isn’t it natural for them to protect her?"
"Wait a second. So, if she can give more potions, doesn’t that clearly an she has the formula and not so channel to the Immortal Guild?"
"Of course, if she hadn’t concocted herself, why would she challenge Morgana Frost to na the ingredients?"
"Does that an those won’t be the end of the batch. She can concoct more of them. That’s it. I have decided to hunt down the monsters and get the demon crystals."
"Yeah, too."
The square buzzed with heated debate. Belief is split nearly down the middle. So trusted Cassian’s authority, while others were swayed by Zora’s composure and the support she had from Raphael and others.
"If the Vice Principal still has doubts," Prince Kael then added lazily, yet decisively, "you may personally inspect the condition of their ridians. Facts speak louder than words."
His tone was unhurried, but it left no room for refusal.
Alaric Von Seraph’s eyes narrowed slightly at that.
One sentence, and the initiative had been seized completely. This Prince Kael was far from simple.
Gerrad’s gaze moved between Prince Kael, Zora, and the others. A glint of deep contemplation flashed in his aged eyes.
"Master Cassian, Miss Zora," he said slowly, "what do you think of this proposal?"
Zora nodded calmly. She had nothing to fear.
From the beginning, her intention had been to make this matter impossible to bury quietly.
Only by dragging everything into the open could she completely crush Clarissa and the others’ sches.
And at the sa ti, she was sending a clear warning to everyone present.
Provoking her ca at a price.
Her gaze flickered briefly toward Prince Kael. A faint, captivating smile curved her lips.
Without him steering the situation at crucial monts, things would not have flowed this smoothly.
anwhile, Cassian’s eyes darkened, hesitation flickering across his face.
For the first ti, doubt crept into his heart.
Could this entire situation... truly be a trap laid by Zora from the very start?
Yet under the watchful eyes of the crowd, if he refused now, wouldn’t it be equivalent to admitting guilt?
The pressure settled heavily on his shoulders.
Just as Cassian was weighing how to retreat from this increasingly dangerous situation, Morgana suddenly lifted her chin and stepped forward, her voice sharp and resolute.
"A test?" she scoffed. "Why would we be afraid of a test?"
Her gaze cut toward Zora like a blade, brimming with hostility. In her heart, this matter was already settled. If her master had personally stepped forward and declared Zora’s potion fake, then it must be fake. Otherwise, why would he appear here at all?
This was her chance.
Her chance to trample Zora underfoot and wash away every humiliation she had suffered.
Yet the mont Morgana spoke, Cassian nearly coughed up blood.
Did this foolish disciple not see that this was a trap tightening around them?
For the first ti, Cassian felt a chill creep into his bones. His disciple, whom he had always indulged, had just sealed all escape routes with a single sentence.
Zora’s lips curved slowly upward at Morgana’s words.
She caught the fleeting stiffness on Cassian’s face, and laughter blood quietly in her heart.
The ancients were right indeed. You may or may not fear a God-like opponent, but you definitely have to fear a Pig-like teammate.
Cassian had co today intending to suppress her, yet his own disciple, Morgana, might end up dragging him into the grave she dug.
Behind Cassian, Clarissa and the others exchanged looks, excitent flashing in their eyes.
"With Master Cassian stepping in, Zora is finished this ti," Silvan whispered, barely containing his glee.
"Yes," Clarissa agreed eagerly. "Not only will her reputation be destroyed, but we’ll also make her pay us back double."
Only Gabriel frowned beneath the platform. Zora was far too calm. That composure felt dangerous.
Forced into a corner by his own disciple, Cassian clenched his teeth.
"Very well," he said stiffly. "Since you all insist, the test will proceed."
Just as Gerrad was about to step forward, Zora’s clear voice rang out.
"Wait."
She lifted her chin slightly, phoenix eyes blazing with cold authority.
"If the test proves my innocence," she said calmly, "then Master Cassian has slandered publicly. Do you really think this ends so easily?"
A ripple ran through the crowd.
Morgana sneered. "Then what do you want?"
Zora smiled faintly, her words falling like thunder.
"If my Elixir of Tranquility is proven ineffective, I will compensate all losses and withdraw from the academy imdiately."
Gasps erupted.
Her gaze sharpened, her voice resolute and ringing.
"But if I am proven innocent," she continued, "then those who frad must pay the price."
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