Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 114: The Scandal

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.