Ch. 111..115: Interstellar_ Return of the Villain Chapter 111-115

Chapter 111: Review

Rajan fumbled a small box out of his pocket. "He said there are five inside."

"Got it," Lyra replied, slipping the items away and glancing at him. "Anything else?"

Rajan shook his head as he cast a quick, nervous glance at Zinnia. "Uh, no, boss. I’ll, uh, be going then."

Without waiting for a response, he bolted.

"Hey..." Zinnia called after him, but he was already gone, disappearing like a scared bunny. She turned to Lyra with a curious look. "Is he one of yours?"

Lyra raised an eyebrow but didn’t bother to answer. Instead, she simply started walking away.

Zinnia, tall and a little pouty, latched onto Mandy, who had been trying to make a quiet escape. "You know him, right?"

Mandy let out a sigh, tugging at her messy ponytail. "Rajan? He’s a senior. Works part-time at the factory, like me, but he’s mostly busy with school."

Zinnia’s "oh" came out slow, like she’d pieced together something important.

"Come on, we’re gonna be late."

By the time they arrived at the exam site, Thierry waved to them, but a group of eager classmates quickly surrounded him, begging for stories about his time working on the new planet project.

Thierry laughed, keeping it short. "It was fun, but, you know, kinda risky."

Zinnia, however, didn’t sugarcoat anything. "We ran into a level-eight beast. People died. We were mostly picking up bodies. You wouldn’t believe what those corpses looked like."

The group of curious students paled, not eager to hear more.

Neither Thierry nor Zinnia mentioned Lyra at all. People thought about asking her something, but the icy look on her face made them back down fast.

"Line up!"

Instructor Webber’s voice boomed, pulling their attention. It had been over a month since they’d last seen him, and he was as strict as ever.

His eyes scanned the students who had returned from Wyrmtrace, nodding when he saw everyone accounted for.

Then, he addressed the group. "Being a soldier isn’t a job where you can afford to slack. You’ve had a month off. Whether you spent that time training or slacking off will be obvious today. Let’s see what you’ve got."

The seriousness of the exam was clear, especially with the coordinator, Freida, standing by with her assessment book in hand.

Some students shifted nervously, while others seemed ready to go.

"Class one, form up!"

Lyra stretched her arms, making sure her stance was precise. She caught Webber glancing at her twice, and his look carried a clear message.

"Two hundred push-ups, then run to the hill, grab the flag, and get back. You have one hour. Time starts now!"

A collective gasp swept through the group.

Lyra wasted no time, dropping down to start her push-ups. She moved efficiently, choosing not to tap into her superpowers for the first two hundred.

When she finished, she set off in a run, trailing right behind Thierry and Zinnia.

But the short run to the hill quickly showed her limits. She was eating their dust in no time.

Even though she’d removed three Soul Spikes, her body still hadn’t bounced back to full strength. Quietly, she bent the rules a bit, managing to scrape by and finish just before the one-hour mark.

"Cough, cough, cough!" The familiar sound of her coughing echoed, almost unbelievable for someone who had once been a mecha competition champion.

The test rolled on with psychokinesis checks, mecha handling, shooting, and more. By the time the morning was over, everyone was worn out.

The afternoon didn’t offer any relief. As they stepped into the classroom, they were greeted by a stack of written exams. The collective groan was almost palpable.

Physical tests relied on muscle memory and past training, and this exam was all about what they had studied over the break.

For students used to digital exams, these handwritten tests felt like torture. And to make it worse, these scores would go straight into their graduation records, so there was no room for error.

"The school is brutal! A pop quiz? No time to cram!"

"Help! I spent the whole break messing around!"

"Ha! I knew about this ahead of time. Bought a review guide from a second-year. Just skimmed it, and I’ll at least pass!"

Claude leaned in and whispered, "Thierry, you didn’t get much study time since you were on Wyrmtrace, right?"

He was fishing for someone in the same sinking boat, hoping if they both bombed, it wouldn’t feel as bad facing the punishment together.

Thierry furrowed his brow. "Well, Cohen reminded me during the last week, so I crammed a bit."

Claude’s heart dropped. Of course, Thierry’s version of cramming was basically a master review for anyone else. He was practically guaranteed to ace it.

"It’s over, it’s over," Zinnia groaned dramatically, running a hand through her short hair. "I spent my whole break training with my brothers!" And of course, her whole family was hopeless when it came to academics, so no one even bothered to mention the upcoming exams.

She suddenly latched onto Lyra’s hand. "Lyra, you’ve gotta save me!" She winked, starting to make hand signs. "This is ’A,’ this means ’B’... You get it, right?"

Lyra blinked. "I didn’t have time to study."

She was still knee-deep in Wyrmtrace prep just yesterday. It was a miracle she even showed up to class.

Zinnia looked like she’d been struck by lightning. In desperation, she turned toward another roommate, but Mandy appeared even more panicked, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Once everyone was assigned their seats and the exam papers were passed out, the room fell silent.

The real variety of students started to show. Some stared blankly at the pages, not recognizing a single question. Others furiously scribbled, their pens moving so fast it felt like they were sprinting through the test, leaving everyone else in a state of despair.

Then, there were the classic cases—students who claimed they hadn’t studied at all, only to blast through the exam the second it landed on their desks.

Zinnia was different. When she said she hadn’t studied, she meant it. She barely remembered anything.

She shot a glance at Lyra, confused. ’Didn’t Lyra say she hadn’t studied either?’ Watching the speed of Lyra’s pen moving across the page, Zinnia leaned in to copy her answers.

The teacher at the front coughed pointedly, so Zinnia eased off, trying a new strategy—guessing the answers based on the sound of Lyra’s pen strokes.

’A’ had three strokes. ’B’ had two strokes and a curve. ’C’ had just one. ’D’ had two with no curve.

If only she had put this kind of effort into studying, she wouldn’t be in this mess now.

Lyra, catching on, sighed and slid the paper she had been using to block her answers, leaving the answer sheet visible. Now her pen strokes were even more obvious.

Mandy, sitting nearby, bit her lip and started copying too. Lyra had said it herself—if they didn’t get caught, it wasn’t cheating!

Thierry, a couple of rows behind, noticed what was going on. He smirked but didn’t intervene. It was only the multiple-choice answers, after all.

After three exhausting hours, the exam finally ended.

The room erupted in groans and complaints.

"Ugh, nothing on the test matched the second-year study guide I spent 200 astrocredits on!"

"Did we even cover this stuff in class? I’m seriously starting to doubt it."

"Who makes these exams? They dig up the most random, obscure topics!"

Zinnia slumped over her desk like a deflated balloon. "Lyra, you said you didn’t have time to study!"

Lyra gave her a sideways glance. "I’m getting food," she said and walked out.

Zinnia watched her go, feeling betrayed. "I thought we were failing together."

Mandy laughed and tugged Zinnia to her feet. "Lyra may not have studied, but that doesn’t mean she forgets stuff."

Someone like Lyra wouldn’t let herself fail over something as minor as an exam.

The results came out that night. Despite all the grumbling earlier, hardly anyone had actually failed.

Claude, though, stared down at his paper in disbelief. He had scored a 40 out of 100, solidly failing, while Thierry had, of course, gotten a perfect score.

It was obvious now—when other people said they hadn’t studied, they were probably bluffing. Only Claude had truly gone in unprepared.

Chapter 112: Sis Marv Again

When Todd and Caesara arrived, Lyra had a gut feeling that the new secretary, who had taken over Morrison’s responsibilities, might not be up to the task.

So, she decided to head to the airport herself, despite having a class earlier that morning.

By the time she got there, though, Todd, Caesara, and their entourage were already gathered around the secretary.

Lyra didn’t rush. She stood back and watched.

Caesara, known for her playful charm with both men and women, had an arm slung around the petite secretary, teasing her. "Come on, sweetheart, you’re really keeping quiet, huh? All I asked was how Sis Marv’s profits have been, and you won’t even give me that?"

The new secretary, Debbie, was dressed in a neat black suit and skirt. Her hair was messily pinned up with a pen—a clear sign of how busy she’d been.

Her words came out fast, almost like rapid-fire, "Miss Caesara, don’t ’sweetheart’ me. I just work for whoever signs my paycheck. Plus, I just got this job! I’m not spilling coffee or anything, and I’m already proud of myself. If you really need answers, maybe ask someone tougher than me—like our boss."

She shot a quick glance at Caesara’s waist. ’Wait, is that a gun tucked in there?’

’Oh God, help!’ Debbie thought, her panic rising.

Caesara seemed to pick up on the silent SOS because she suddenly let Debbie go and turned around.

The airport was packed, but standing a few feet away was a girl in a tank top and cargo pants.

Her slightly messy black hair was tied back, giving her a small frame, but the sharp look she carried instantly commanded attention.

"She’s bad news," Caesara muttered, her playful grin fading as her hand brushed over the gun at her waist.

Todd pushed his glasses up. "What are you talking about?"

"She’s got a more dangerous vibe than you right now."

Those who’ve faced life-and-death situations develop a keen sense of danger. And with Caesara’s space-related abilities, she was even more attuned to shifts in energy.

The moment Lyra stepped into Caesara’s heightened awareness zone, the superpower particles shifted, almost crackling with tension.

Todd’s eyes narrowed. "She’s hit level six?"

"Obviously."

While they quietly whispered about this new development, Debbie took the chance to sneak back behind Lyra, letting out a relieved breath.

"Everyone accounted for?" Lyra asked, taking in the group’s size with a brief flicker of unease in her eyes. The energy surrounding this crew was more intense than they were letting on.

Caesara draped her arm around Lyra’s shoulder, her grip tightening just a bit too much. "There’s big money on the table—I brought my best people."

Her fingers dug into Lyra’s shoulder, hard enough that anyone watching would wince.

Debbie sure did. Ouch, that had to hurt! But Lyra didn’t even flinch. She calmly removed Caesara’s hand, her thin wrist tensing with hidden strength.

The quiet standoff between the two women ended with Lyra standing firm, while Caesara’s expression stiffened, just for a second.

Seeing this, Todd took in the situation more clearly. "We’ve also brought the necessary tech team, Miss Shedd. Ready to collaborate."

"Glad to hear it," Lyra responded coolly.

With that, the group headed out to the manor in the suburbs.

Originally built as a vacation spot, the manor had been stripped of its surrounding greenery and flowers.

Engineers like Sean had fortified the place with protective shields, and drones now buzzed overhead.

Hidden security systems, including infrared traps, were in place, ensuring anyone foolish enough to intrude wouldn’t last long.

Behind the manor’s lawn, nearly a dozen workshops were up and running, producing a range of products, including medical devices. But the most important one—the "core" workshop—was located directly beneath Lyra’s office.

This whole place had turned into a major cash-making operation, a hub for cutting-edge technology.

Todd had heard the rumors, but seeing it for himself was something else.

In just six months, Lyra had built a small empire.

"The operation’s just starting to get on track," Lyra said with a quick, plain tone.

In truth, though, the profits hadn’t really rolled in yet. The massive costs of setting up the workshops, building the manor, and all the machinery were still looming large.

If it hadn’t been for the stash she saved from Voidstar and the extra cash she cleverly snagged during the mecha competition, she would’ve run out of money long ago.

To see real profits, they’d have to dive deep into Wyrmtrace.

When Caesara caught sight of the lavish, castle-like villa in the distance, a wave of excitement hit her.

After spending most of her life in rougher places, the idea of staying in a place once owned by an admiral had a certain appeal.

But before she could get too comfortable with the idea, Lyra made a sharp turn, leading them down a path through a small forest next to the villa.

Ahead, a few simple white buildings appeared.

"For now, you’ll stay here before we head out. Meals are in the cafeteria, help yourself," Lyra said, her tone casual.

As they moved further from the castle, Caesara’s excitement turned to confusion. She stared at the plain buildings and finally blurted, "Wait, we’re staying here?"

Lyra turned around, eyebrow raised. "Unless you’re paying for your own hotel?"

Caesara was taken aback. "What? You’re serious? We came all this way to help, and you won’t even let us stay in the villa?"

Lyra’s expression stayed cool. "I’m paying you. Don’t act like this is charity. You’re heading to Wyrmtrace for your cut, not out of the goodness of your heart."

If Lyra hadn’t needed extra hands to manage this massive opportunity, there was no way she would’ve let Snakehead and Caesara get involved.

"Sis Marv, why are you being so stingy?!" Caesara whined.

Todd quickly stepped in, trying to smooth things over. "This place is fine."

With so many people, staying anywhere else would be ridiculously expensive.

Plus, Todd had a feeling that the villa held more significance than Lyra was letting on. There was no way she’d let them into that space so easily.

The tension between the three leaders simmered, while Debbie shrank back slightly, watching the interaction with wide eyes. Her boss didn’t back down for a second—tough as nails.

"Debbie?" Lyra called out suddenly.

"Yes!" Debbie immediately straightened up. "As per Miss Caesara and Mr. Todd’s earlier instructions, I’ve already arranged the rooms and made sure the cafeteria is set up for everyone’s comfort."

She flashed a polite smile at Caesara and Todd. "If you need anything before we head out, just let me know, and I’ll do my best to assist."

Lyra gave a brief nod. "Good. You two, get some rest. We’ll talk more over dinner."

With that, she turned and headed back to her office, ready to go over some tasks with Morrison.

A short time later, Debbie rushed into the office. She was a little flustered, wiping sweat from her brow as she quickly began organizing files.

"Mr. Morrison, you’re back?" she asked, glancing at her old supervisor.

Morrison nodded and then said to Lyra, "I’ll start getting everything ready now, boss."

Lyra gave him a small nod, indicating he could go ahead. Then, she dove into the files Debbie had just straightened.

Debbie had been a recruit from a university job fair, brought in by Morrison. She had grown up in an orphanage, and although her resume didn’t stand out among the others, one sentence had caught Morrison’s eye: "I’ll do anything, but I need a high salary."

She needed the money to support the orphanage.

During her probation period, Debbie hadn’t been the most remarkable employee, but one thing was clear: she picked things up fast and never shied away from a problem. Though timid at times, she faced challenges head-on and learned quickly.

Morrison had taken her under his wing, and before he headed out to Wyrmtrace, she’d finally reached a point where she could manage the factory’s affairs on her own.

Once everything was set, word came in from the Mendez that the ship was prepped for launch.

Lyra stood at the spaceport, watching as the ship lifted off, her expression darkening as the sky swallowed it up.

"Boss, is Morrison going to be alright?" Debbie asked, her voice trembling slightly. With her limited experience, she couldn’t fully grasp just how tough the mission on Wyrmtrace was going to be.

Lyra’s response was calm, almost reassuring. "Everything that needed arranging has been handled."

Morrison held all the critical details—the launch key for the ship, the location of the storage, and the passwords.

On top of that, they had Cohen on Wyrmtrace as a backup, something even Caesara and the others weren’t privy to.

Lyra could already picture their reactions once they realized what was really going on. The surprise would be priceless.

When it came to splitting the profits, Lyra was confident they’d figure out a way to work together. After all, money had a funny way of motivating cooperation.

 

 

Chapter 113: New Training

Lyra kept in constant touch with Morrison. They faced their share of challenges, but nothing too surprising.

On that far-off planet, with Cohen calling the shots, even someone like Caesara couldn’t stir up much trouble.

The real breakthrough came when the first shipment of refined materials and plants made it back. That’s when the Wyrmtrace project finally started moving forward.

Snakehead was always lurking in the background. The moment the ship touched down, he had his people swoop in to grab the goods, clearly afraid Lyra might try to keep it all. Though, Todd had already handed him the full inventory, so it wasn’t like anything was hidden.

After inspecting the haul, Snakehead shot a pointed question at Lyra, "How much did your people stash away for themselves?"

Lyra just gave a calm smile and asked, "Looking to work together?"

The hefty man laughed.

"Not a chance."

Snakehead, as straightforward as ever, rubbed his bald head and grinned as his men loaded up the supplies.

Meanwhile, school life was a whole different vibe—far less complicated than the chaos at the factory. Classes were jam-packed with training and theory, leaving even Lyra with little room for distractions.

So, when Zinnia asked if she wanted to join a school competition, Lyra didn’t even hesitate before saying no.

Halfway through the semester, Lyra heard that Zinnia hadn’t made the cut. Back in their dorm, Zinnia was fuming, "Those third-years are ruthless! Even Thierry didn’t make it!"

In other news, Vivian had finally had enough of their tight-knit trio and moved out, leaving the dorm way quieter than usual.

With the Wyrmtrace project mostly under control, Lyra found a moment to ask, "What competition was this?"

Zinnia, who’d been sulking on the couch, suddenly perked up. "The Alliance Military Academy Tournament, AMAT! Every academy in the Alliance takes part in these live combat competitions. It’s way more intense than the mecha league!"

Her excitement was obvious, but she quickly looked at Lyra with disappointment. "You totally should’ve joined! You would’ve crushed it. Only two of the final seven were level six."

The tournament was set for the Alliance’s summer break in July, hosted on Elden Prime. Lyra didn’t need a full rundown; she knew it was a big deal.

"Our school’s been stuck in second place for years. This time, they’re prepping early for intense training. They’re dead set on taking first."

Lyra didn’t mince words. "Not happening."

It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in NMA, but EPMA had the top talent, and they didn’t get the nickname ’military headquarters pre-school’ for nothing.

Also, Lyra had no plans to head to Elden Prime. Going there felt like stepping into a trap.

...

But then the training list came out, and Lyra’s name was on it. Furious, she marched into the office. "I didn’t even try out! Why am I on the list?"

Webber looked flustered, unable to give her a solid answer. He wasn’t the one who made the call.

Freida, sitting calmly in her chair, offered, "We don’t have the full story."

Right then, a tall figure walked in. "I made the list, along with the principal. Got a problem?"

Lyra’s jaw clenched, and her usual blank expression shifted to one of anger. "Yeah, I do! This was supposed to be fair and open. I didn’t participate, so why am I being forced into this?"

Andre smiled, clearly unbothered. "The rules guide the students, not us. Besides, you know exactly why I put you on that list."

He glanced at her, hiding a flicker of admiration. "Per school policy, when students level up, they have to report it so their training can be adjusted accordingly!"

Webber and the other instructors in the office were stunned.

Even Anton couldn’t hide his surprise, rubbing his chin as he thought about how incredible it was—this first-year student had already hit level six.

Webber, in particular, felt conflicted. His own student’s superpower level now surpassed his.

Lyra, on the other hand, stayed collected. "I didn’t report it because my ability is still unstable. And even if I’m at level six, that has nothing to do with me joining the competition."

Her defiance made Andre chuckle in disbelief. "Then take it up with the principal."

The principal, the chubby man with a sly, knowing grin, welcomed Lyra into his office.

He wasn’t one to play fair, either. "Young miss, beyond your role as a student, you’ve seen how things work here through our partnership. We’ve got plenty of capable students, but we’ve been stuck in second place for years. Our budget, equipment—it all lags behind. This competition is crucial."

He took a leisurely sip of his tea, his smile friendly but laced with warning. "It’s just one event. It won’t interfere with anything else."

The underlying threat was clear: refuse to participate, and she could face expulsion—and their cooperation would be over.

Lyra picked up on it instantly. She had planned to use the summer break to return to Wyrmtrace. Now, the school was throwing this curveball at her?

But was this really about winning the competition? Or was there something deeper going on with the principal?

"Sir," she started, trying to feel him out. "Do you know Ansel Shedd from Elden Prime?" If this was a setup by Ansel to drag her back to Elden Prime, she needed to know.

The principal blinked in surprise. "Ansel? The Vice Admiral? I’ve been at NMA for over forty years and have only heard of him in passing. If you’re hoping to use me to reach him, that’s not going to happen."

Lyra couldn’t get a solid read on this guy, so she switched tactics. "I have a request. I want the training camp to take place on Wyrmtrace."

Before he could protest, she continued, "It’s important to me. If I can’t be at Wyrmtrace during the summer, I’ll drop out and end our agreement."

Lyra had other ways into the military, like enlisting directly. Her deal with the school was more for building her reputation. But if something went sideways at Wyrmtrace, it could undo all her hard work. That was a risk she couldn’t take.

The principal glanced at Andre, his co-workers. The man gave a slight nod. "The purpose of the training is to push the students to improve. Wyrmtrace can work, but we’ll need to arrange some extra paperwork."

The old man agreed quicker than she expected. "Fair enough. We haven’t locked down a location yet, so it’s doable."

Just like that, they found middle ground.

However, as Lyra left the office, her expression darkened. ’Why is the school, after years of being fine with second place, so desperate for first all of a sudden? And why did they agree to my condition so easily? It feels like they are determined to rope me into this no matter what.’

She had a strong suspicion that even at Wyrmtrace, things weren’t going to be as smooth as she hoped.

Meanwhile, back in the office, the principal turned to Andre. "Make sure the training camp is well-organized. We can’t afford any accidents."

"Yes, sir." Andre would never let anything happen to the students, especially not someone like Lyra, who was one of NMA’s brightest stars.

Once Andre had left, the principal’s smile faded. He activated his opticomputer and made a call.

"She agreed to go to Elden Prime, as you requested."

"Hmm," the voice on the other end replied. "Keep her under watch."

The principal’s face grew tense. "I still don’t understand why you’re all so focused on this young woman."

But the only answer was the abrupt click of the call ending, leaving the principal alone in his office, sighing heavily.

Chapter 114: The Scandal

The school’s selection tournament had always been a huge event, but this time, the buzz reached a whole new level when the training list dropped. Lyra’s name, in particular, set off a wave of whispers.

"Wait, who is she? Was she even in the competition? How did SHE end up on the training list? Larion was clearly in seventh place, we all saw it!"

"Shameless! Who pulled strings for her? And the school has the nerve to make it public?"

"Hold on—Lyra? Isn’t she a first-year? And a healer, no less! How’d she make it into the competition roster?"

"You don’t know? Lyra won the mecha tournament last year, all on her own!"

Within just one day, Lyra’s background was plastered across every conversation, causing a huge stir throughout the school. Some claimed her talent was undeniable, fit for the AMAT competition, while others balked at how she could qualify without even entering the selection matches, especially as a freshman.

After the final rankings were set, the school took its time before releasing the training list, giving everyone the impression that the top seven would be automatically selected.

Then, out of nowhere, there was Lyra, a first-year student, sitting on the list.

While many were busy spreading gossip, Larion—who had finished seventh—was downright furious.

He was the first to march into the head coach’s office, well before Lyra even thought of it. But every response he got was the same: Lyra was more suitable for the position.

The school’s reasoning? The next day, they set the record straight after rumors had taken root: Lyra had already reached level 6, making her eligible to skip the selection and head straight to training.

After that, most people stopped questioning the decision. The rules had always been clear: anyone at level 6 or above could bypass the competition.

Even Larion’s friends tried to reason with him. "Look, she’s a first-year at Level 6. That’s not normal. Maybe she’s just that good. You really don’t want to make a scene."

"But she’s just a healer! How am I supposed to let that chance slide?" Larion snapped, his frustration boiling over. "I’m challenging her!"

Determined, Larion enlisted a friend at the school’s broadcast station to air his challenge: "Lyra of First-Year Class 5, Department of Strategy and Commanding, I am Larion, the seventh-place finisher in the selection tournament. I challenge you to a duel! This Friday, 7 PM, First Combat Arena. Show up or back down!"

In an instant, students all over the campus looked up, caught off guard by the announcement.

"No way! Larion’s really doing this?"

"Haha, this is gonna be wild!"

At the same moment, Lyra was just leaving the principal’s office, barely aware of Larion’s challenge ringing through the weather drone speakers.

It didn’t bother her. The school wasn’t going to change its decision no matter what.

"Lyra, there you are!" Zinnia called out, walking briskly toward her. "We’re heading to training! How’re you feeling?"

Dozens of eyes tracked Lyra as if silently asking, ’Is this the girl causing all the drama?’

But she seemed unfazed. "Not great."

"Huh? Yeah, I get it. This whole thing’s not really your vibe," Zinnia replied, scratching her head.

Before they could chat more, Mandy appeared, tugging on Zinnia’s sleeve. "There’s too many people around. Let’s head back to the dorm and talk."

Once they were settled in the dorm, Zinnia couldn’t help but ask, "So, are you going to accept the challenge?"

Lyra, lost in her thoughts about her upcoming trip to Wyrmtrace, looked a bit confused. "What challenge?"

"Larion!" Zinnia practically shouted. "He challenged you in front of the whole school! Gotta fight him! I mean, not me, obviously—you should fight him."

Lyra didn’t say a word, but her blank stare said everything.

Zinnia’s shoulders slumped, her excitement fading like a wilting apple. As expected, her enthusiasm couldn’t light a spark in Lyra. "Ugh, I’m heading to training."

Mandy, quickly tying her hair up, chimed in, "Wait, I’ll come with you."

As they stepped outside, Mandy gave Zinnia a playful pat on her pouty face. "Lyra’s not gonna waste time on stuff like this. It doesn’t benefit her in any way."

Zinnia sighed. "Yeah, but how does someone like her even end up in a military school? She’s nothing like me, Thierry, or the others."

Mandy shrugged. "Honestly, I think she’s a better fit for this place than any of us."

It was just a gut feeling, something Mandy couldn’t fully explain. But as time passed, she’d realize just how true those words would become.

Finally, Friday night rolled around, and by 6:50 PM, the First Combat Arena was packed with students.

Larion stood alone on the stage, waiting, while the path to the platform remained clear for Lyra. But by 7:10, there was still no sign of her.

Suddenly, a post popped up on the school forum: Lyra spotted in the 7th Superpower Training Room.

"Seriously? Half the school’s waiting, and she’s training?"

"Is she trying to send a message?"

"Forget it, Larion’s going after her!"

Back in the training room, Mandy noticed the forum buzz and quickly put away her opticomputer. "Lyra, Larion is on his way."

It wasn’t long before Larion stormed into the training room, with a wave of curious spectators trailing behind. Some had stuck around late just to catch this drama unfold.

Lyra, focused on her training, was surrounded by a soft glow.

With a flick of her wrist, a bright orb split into particles, firing like bullets into the walls.

Before the metal wall had a chance to fix itself, her practice was interrupted by Larion’s arrival.

Standing at the front of the group, Larion stared down at Lyra, who barely stood at 1.7 meters. "Lyra."

"What’s up?" She didn’t even bother turning around, continuing her practice.

Being brushed off only made Larion’s frustration flare. "Why didn’t you come to the First Combat Arena?"

"Why should I? I never agreed to anything," Lyra replied coolly, finally facing him. "You’re making a scene over something I didn’t sign up for, and you act like it’s justified."

The crowd buzzed with disbelief. ’Is this first-year really that bold?’

Larion was stunned, his big challenge met with absolute indifference. It was as if HE was in the wrong!

"You had the guts to take my spot but won’t even face me?"

What Larion didn’t grasp was that Lyra was more irritated than he was.

"If this is about the spot, take it up with the school," she said sharply.

Larion, done with words, suddenly lunged at her, fists cutting through the air with a sharp whoosh.

Lyra sidestepped easily, her movement fluid. As she regained her stance, a whirlwind formed around her, trapping her in swirling air.

She frowned, casting a light shield. She then jumped into the air, releasing beams of light from her hands straight at Larion.

’Wait, isn’t she a healer?’ Larion barely rolled out of the way, dodging the attack.

However, before he could catch his breath, Lyra was in front of him, delivering a fierce kick that slammed him into the ground.

The floor, specially reinforced for combat, cracked under the force.

Larion, kneeling, felt his arms go numb from blocking her blow. He tried to activate his superpower, but glowing bands of light wrapped around him, binding him like ropes.

The fight that followed wasn’t even close—it was a one-sided beating.

Chapter 115: Special Trainings

In the training room, the relentless thud of punches echoed through the air.

The onlookers stepped back, their faces tense, and when Larion was finally thrown aside, all eyes turned to the girl at the center of the chaos.

"What... what is she?" someone whispered in disbelief.

Lyra, unfazed, pulled her power back and glanced around with cool detachment. She grabbed a towel from a nearby rack, wiped off the sweat, and quietly walked out of the room.

Zinnia and Mandy exchanged glances, shrugging. And they headed off to another part of the gym to continue their own training.

Silence swallowed the room.

Some people rushed over to pick up Larion, who was crumpled on the ground, and hurriedly carried him off to the clinic.

Meanwhile, in the corner, a group of young men slipped out, murmuring among themselves.

"No wonder the school was so set on bringing her in. She’s terrifying. Is she really just a freshman?"

"I thought they were just adding another healer at level 6," one replied, shaking his head. "But with combat skills like that, she might be on the same level as the student council president."

They all glanced at the blond guy leading them. He just smirked but said nothing.

...

With the end of the semester’s final exams, the long-awaited special training had officially been scheduled.

Most of the team had met in passing already, except for Lyra, who had been busy on Planet Nagano. She finally greeted her teammates when it was time to head out.

Among the seven of them, five were third-years: four guys and one girl. There was also one second-year guy, and then there was Lyra, a first-year.

Their head instructor would lead the group, with Anton and Webber as his assistants.

Andre, the head instructor, glanced around. He was obviously pleased with the turnout. "Looks like everyone’s here. Let’s do some quick intros."

"I’m Nicholas, the new student council president," said the blond guy with a square jaw, his arms crossed.

The third-year girl with a bouncy brown ponytail grinned. "I’m Elsie, the vice president."

The rest of the team introduced themselves one by one.

When it was Lyra’s turn, the air seemed to shift slightly as everyone focused on her. She gave a small nod. "Lyra. Looking forward to learning from all of you."

A touch of humility never hurt in these situations.

Milo, a lanky third-year, snickered. "Oh, we’re not here to teach you much. You were terrifying when you dropped Larion."

He stepped forward, trying to playfully pat her head. "You’re so small—how are you that strong? Is your healing power, like, extra special?"

Lyra’s hand came up to block him. "I don’t think we’re that close."

Milo’s grin faded, his eyes narrowing. "First-years sure are cocky, huh?"

"Knock it off," Andre barked, shooting Milo a stern look. "Everyone, behave. Let’s get moving."

Milo shrugged and made a face, causing some of the others to snicker. A few stayed quiet.

As they boarded the ship, Elsie slowed down to walk beside Lyra. "Don’t mind them," she whispered. "They’ve got too much energy for their own good."

There was a hint of frustration in her voice. Lyra glanced at her and nodded slightly.

The ship was filled with familiar faces, one of which was Kogar, Cohen’s adjutant. He had returned to Planet Nagano for military business and ended up joining their group on the trip back.

Kogar greeted Andre, Anton, and Webber with a formal salute before turning to the group. "Accommodations have been sorted for both officers and students," he said, voice crisp and cool. "Conditions are basic, so everyone will have to manage."

Then, to the group’s surprise, his expression softened as he turned to Lyra. "Lyra, good to see you again."

Lyra returned the salute. "Lieutenant Kogar, thank you for taking care of me last time."

"No problem," he replied with a slight smile. "Just doing my job."

Only Kogar truly knew the unease gnawing at him. Wherever Lyra went, trouble wasn’t far behind, and Wyrmtrace had become a pressure cooker lately.

Seizing a private moment, he pulled her aside and spoke quietly. "Once we reach Wyrmtrace, be extra cautious."

Kogar had seen Lyra single-handedly taking down a squad of level-seven fighters, just to secure rare plants. That memory still made him break into a cold sweat.

Lyra had a way of stirring up chaos, even without trying.

Just then, Lyra’s expression shifted, the polite mask she wore in front of others fading. She raised an eyebrow. "Kogar, what’s going on at Wyrmtrace? Don’t hold back."

She and Cohen had been in the same game for a while, and Kogar knew that. For him to drop a warning now suggested something deeper was brewing. Yet, Morrison hadn’t mentioned anything out of the ordinary.

Kogar hesitated before finally speaking. "It’s... nothing huge, but the tension’s been rising."

In reality, it all boiled down to resources. Everyone was fighting for a bigger slice, and the competition was fierce.

"Morrison’s moves have been rubbing some people the wrong way. Lieutenant Commander Shedd’s been under pressure to pull your team’s mining rights. BUT, Mr. Cohen hasn’t budged."

Lyra scoffed. "He’d be a fool to agree."

Kogar stayed quiet. Lyra had never been one to mince words, especially about Cohen. He considered explaining more, but Lyra cut him off.

"Don’t sweat it. I’ve got everything under control."

Kogar resisted the urge to say ’your eyes say otherwise.’

There was nothing Kogar could do.

Within three days, they arrived at Wyrmtrace, thanks to the high-tech space portal.

Since the territory was unfamiliar, Andre took the lead. Along with the two instructors, they hashed out the training plans.

"You’ve got three days to adjust and settle in," Andre told the group. "We’ll update you once we secure the best spot for training. Daily meetings will be at..."

This suited Lyra perfectly. She had her own matters to attend to.

No one knew she was coming—except Debbie. Not even Morrison had been clued in.

At that very moment, Morrison was pulling his hair out over the radio silence from Lyra.

In the ship’s control room, he tried reaching Debbie again. Same answer. Lyra wasn’t back yet. Rubbing his temples, he sighed. "Let me know the second she returns."

Debbie, her round face glowing with mischief, grinned and gave a goofy salute. "Aye-aye, captain! She should’ve landed by now."

Cutting the comms, Morrison left the control room, only to immediately bump into Caesara and Todd. His stomach twisted with dread, but he forced a smile. "Have you two had lunch yet?"

Caesara rolled her eyes and pushed him aside, strolling into the room like she owned the place. "Cut the chit-chat. Thought of that password yet?" She flopped down in a chair, making herself at home. "If you don’t give it up, my crew isn’t working."

Morrison’s smile vanished, his face turning dark. He glanced at Todd. "You too, Mr. Todd? Are you refusing to work?"

Caesara had originally been hired as a bodyguard for Lyra’s team, but now, with the tides turning, she saw her chance to push for more.

The situation on Wyrmtrace had spiraled out of control.

Other developers, bolstered by their larger numbers, had forcefully seized mining veins that Lyra’s team had already surveyed and invested in. What was once their territory had been snatched away.

The Legion Skywalkers, who were supposed to provide protection for all developers, had turned against Morrison’s team, applying constant pressure.

If it weren’t for the unwavering support of Legion Glory, everything would have collapsed already. They were the only reason Lyra’s operation hadn’t been completely wiped out.

Sensing weakness, Caesara decided to strike while she had the upper hand. She wasn’t just satisfied with keeping the team safe anymore. Now, she wanted control.

She cornered Morrison, demanding that he hand over the launch key and storage passwords.

Todd, a supposed ally looking to cash in on the mining profits, had now aligned himself with her.

Morrison adjusted his glasses, speaking coolly. "It doesn’t make sense for a bodyguard to have the codes when even the business partner doesn’t, right?"

The three were locked in a tense standoff when Caesara suddenly lunged, grabbing Morrison by the collar.

Her voice was low and threatening. "Kid, don’t test me."

Just as things were about to explode, the door swung open.