Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 170: Internship at Legion Skywalkers

Chapter 170: Internship at Legion Skywalkers

After the competition ended, all the participants were flown back to Central City by helicopter.

Standing once again on the awards podium, Lyra’s face was pale, her expression cold and distant.

Despite her victory, the exhaustion weighed heavily on her.

After receiving her medal, Lyra had to face the reporters. While waiting in the rest area, her teammates eyed her with concern.

"Lyra, you alright?" Zinnia asked, sitting beside her. "You look like you’ve been through hell."

"You should ask the instructor for a break and skip the interview," Thierry suggested, his tone serious.

But Lyra shook her head. Skipping the interview would only fuel more rumors and wild speculations. She couldn’t afford to show any weakness, especially now.

Just then, a staff member entered, bringing in a young man.

"This boy says he’s Miss Shedd’s brother and has something to deliver."

Phelixes walked in, a thermos flask hanging around his neck and a thermal food container in his hands.

"Sis, I made you something to eat," he said sweetly, like a miniature butler. He quickly set up a small table, arranging the food with careful precision. "Your throat’s been sore again, right? Have some sweet tea first."

Lyra gave him a brief look before silently taking the thermos. Her expression softened as she sipped the warm soup.

The rest of the team, fresh off the podium and starving, watched with envy as Lyra calmly ate her meal.

Zinnia, rubbing her hands together eagerly, scooted closer. "Hey, how’s the food? Can I get a bite?"

Before Lyra could even respond, Phelixes stood protectively between them. "This is for her," he said firmly. "If you’re hungry, order a pizza."

Zinnia dramatically clutched her chest. "Phelixes, you’ve changed! Not only are you keeping food from me, but you’re breaking my heart!"

Everyone laughed, well aware that Zinnia’s "bunny" wasn’t around to comfort her this time.

The light-hearted moment was interrupted as another young man walked in, also escorted by a staff member.

"This gentleman says he’s someone’s boyfriend and came to deliver something."

The quiet rest area suddenly erupted with Zinnia’s shriek of surprise. "Raj! What are you doing here?!"

Rajan grinned sheepishly, placing a large bag to the side. Under the amused gazes of the instructor and teammates, he scratched his head awkwardly.

"I took a few days off to celebrate with you," Rajan explained, wrapping his arms around Zinnia. "And I’m here for work, too."

Knowing that Zinnia would soon dive into her internship, Rajan had made the trip to see her before they were separated for a while.

"I brought some fried chicken, sushi, and drinks," he added, playfully ruffling her fluffy, short hair. "I can’t stay long, but I’ll wait for you outside."

Zinnia, now beaming like a giddy wildcat, giggled with delight at being spoiled.

After a round of greetings, Rajan left, but Zinnia wasted no time cracking open the bag. He’d brought enough food to feed an army. She immediately called out to her teammates.

"Alright, everyone, we’ve got about ten minutes before interviews start—let’s feast!"

Interview notes were quickly forgotten as everyone rushed over to grab a plate.

Reporters’ questions could wait; right now, food was the priority.

In that instant, all the envy directed at Lyra evaporated, and they silently thanked Zinnia’s thoughtful boyfriend for the unexpected feast.

"I used to think your boyfriend was too shy," Vikie commented through a mouthful of sushi, "but he’s a real MVP!"

Vikie’s comment was casual, but Zinnia shot her a sharp glance. "You can look for your own man, but don’t go fantasizing about mine."

"Relax, not my type," Vikie replied, rolling her eyes. "With that skinny frame, I’d probably end up carrying him to bed."

"That’s so not true! Raj might look slim, but he’s strong—he lifts weights all the time," Zinnia retorted, her mouth full of food. But in the back of her mind, she cheekily added, ’Though usually, I’m the one carrying him... but that’s just because I’m always so eager.’

When it was time for the interviews, as expected, the reporters zoned in on Lyra after the standard questions were out of the way.

"Lyra, can you explain why you stopped leveling up during the competition?" one reporter asked.

Taking the microphone, Lyra calmly replied, "There were other competitors nearby. It wasn’t safe."

But another reporter was quick to push further: "There are rumors that your health is deteriorating, possibly due to the aftereffects of your rampage. Is that true?"

Thierry and the others bristled at the sharpness of the question, sensing it was more of an attack than a genuine inquiry.

Lyra’s voice faltered slightly as she responded, "No... cough... it’s due to other reasons."

Unrelenting, the reporter pressed on, "Could you elaborate on what those reasons are?"

Lyra’s tone grew firm. "It’s not convenient to disclose."

After navigating through the rest of the grueling questions, they finally finished the interviews.

Andre, in a rare show of generosity, surprised everyone by taking them out for a big meal.

After dinner, he dropped some big news.

"Your internship placements have been finalized," Andre announced, his eyes settling on Lyra for a moment longer than usual. "Lyra, you’ll be going to Legion Skywalkers."

A heavy silence fell over the group as all eyes turned to Lyra. Her rocky history with the Shedd family wasn’t exactly a secret, especially to Thierry and Zinnia, who knew the family had even tried to kill her at one point.

Thierry spoke up almost immediately. "Sir, is there any way Lyra can be assigned elsewhere?"

Andre let out a deep sigh. "I’m afraid that’s not possible."

Senior internships were tightly coordinated between the school and the military, leaving little room for personal preferences.

Instructors had to escort students to their assigned internships, and the assignments were final unless extreme circumstances arose.

Even those like Thierry, who had family ties to the military, had to go where the school placed them.

Helion, despite receiving multiple military offers, also had to wait until the internship period ended before joining any official ranks.

The tense silence lingered for a moment before Lyra abruptly stood up. "I’m done eating. I’ll head out first."

It was becoming painfully clear that a large conspiracy was starting to tighten around her.

Outside, she immediately dialed Caspian. "Have you secured the plants yet?"

"The Sholok family is still on the fence," Caspian replied, sounding relaxed. "I’m talking to them, but it’ll take a little more time."

Lyra’s voice grew dangerous. "Do you think I HAVE time?"

There was a pause before Caspian responded, "I’ll bring in my big sis to speed things up. But from what I’ve heard, the plants haven’t even reached Elden Prime yet."

The business deal was lucrative, and certain arrangements had already been set in motion. It was clear more pressure needed to be applied to the Sholok family, especially with the growing dangers around Lyra. Her weakened state wasn’t going unnoticed.

...

Blackheart, lounging with a pretty woman in his arms, watched the screen closely.

"Looks like Sis Marv’s about to bite the dust," he sneered, eyes gleaming with predatory glee.

Liliana, lazily perched beside him, glanced at the screen and let out a bored yawn. "Everyone in the Alliance already knows her health is failing."

"This is our chance," Blackheart continued, tightening his grip on the woman in his lap. "Especially since she’s feuding with the Shedd family."

When Lyra’s true identity had first surfaced, Blackheart had worried the Shedd family would seek revenge. But the livestream revealing the rift between Lyra and the Shedds had turned things in his favor.

Now, he saw an opportunity.

"This time, she won’t get away!" Blackheart’s fingers dug into Liliana’s skin, his excitement barely contained.

Liliana frowned at the sudden pressure, glancing at the fresh bruises on her arm, but she said nothing. Instead, she nestled further into his embrace.

...

The Shedd family wasted no time tightening the noose around Lyra. Orders for her deployment came through with alarming speed.

"Boss, why don’t you apply for a delay?" Morrison suggested. His concern was evident—he worried that if Lyra left, she might never return.

A delay wasn’t unheard of. Mandy, for example, had secured a two-month postponement because she was stuck on Wyrmtrace. Others had delayed for reasons like travel interruptions or space storms. It was a normal procedure.

"I already tried. It’s no use," Lyra replied, her tone cold and resolved. Once the internship was set, the interns fell under the assigned corps’ jurisdiction, and the Shedd family wasn’t about to give her any wiggle room.