Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 288: Legion of Everglow

Chapter 288: Legion of Everglow

Lyra remembered Claude—the red-haired young man with a cheerful smile who had once been Thierry’s roommate.

The news hit her lightly, clearing her mind for a bit. "My condolences," she said softly.

Thierry’s voice was raw, his words choked with emotion. "The day before he died, we promised to drink until we dropped today."

Instead, he drank alone—enough for both of them.

The young man who delivered the news patted Thierry’s shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Cheer up, Thierry. Claude saved an entire floor of pregnant women and newborns at the hospital. He died a hero."

Thierry tried to respond, to smile even, but his face froze. Then, as if the weight of the words became too much, he covered his face and broke down. "...Yeah."

The day after their class reunion, everyone gathered for Claude’s memorial service. His heroism was featured on the news, and white candles flickered in his honor throughout the community.

A photograph of him, smiling brightly, stood among a bed of white lilies.

Led by Thierry, their group of classmates offered condolences to Claude’s mother. Though her cheeks were streaked with tears, she carried herself with remarkable composure.

"Thank you all," she said, her voice steady despite the grief. "My son was a hero. He saved children—our future, our hope. I know he’s smiling brilliantly in heaven now."

Lyra, a single white chrysanthemum pinned to her chest, stood quietly against the wall. The heavy, somber mood surrounded her, but her heartbeat remained as steady as ever.

"Lyra." Zinnia’s voice was hoarse, her eyes red and puffy. She crouched beside her. "I feel like we’re just bricks."

"Bricks?" Lyra turned to her, puzzled.

"Bricks in the wall of the Alliance," Zinnia murmured. "If the wall falls, we’re smashed to pieces. But I don’t regret it." She gazed at Claude’s photo, her expression heavy with meaning. "One day, I’ll probably end up like that too. Tammy never cried much as a baby. Even when she was born, the nurse had to spank her to make her wail. But when that day comes, I bet she’ll cry her heart out."

"But, I’d rather have my daughter cry in grief if she could live to see the future of the Alliance," Zinnia added softly.

Lyra’s eyes lingered on Claude’s photograph. "Is that so," she replied, her voice steady as she straightened her posture. "But I won’t let myself end up like that."

Once someone was gone, they could no longer make a difference.

After bidding farewell to Claude’s family, they stepped outside. The sunlight streaming through the protective Aegis Shield felt warm against their skin—a stark, bittersweet reminder that life continued, even without him.

The sight of their classmates, united in grief, brought a flood of memories—friends lost in battles past. Overwhelmed, tears fell freely from everyone.

Everyone except Lyra.

A sleek Lev pulled up, its tinted window rolling down to reveal a young man with jet-black hair.

"I’m here to pick you up," Phelixes said simply.

Lyra nodded, glancing back briefly at her friends. "See you."

No one voiced the unspoken fear that the next reunion might have even fewer attendees.

"Lyra’s always so composed," someone murmured as the Lev disappeared into the distance.

"She didn’t even show any emotion during the funeral."

Zinnia watched the vehicle until it vanished from sight. "She’s not heartless," she said quietly. "She’s just more clear-headed than the rest of us."

*****

For the next week, Lyra focused entirely on organizing her legion.

She started with the paperwork—submitting the name, specifications, and detailed plans. Once everything was approved, the Legion of Everglow officially posted its recruitment notice on the military’s website.

As a **Rear Admiral**, Lyra held the authority to command up to 100,000 soldiers, supported by three adjutants and a full administrative team of clerks and secretaries.

Thierry, who had originally joined her to keep tabs on Orson, opted to stay with the Legion Glory as he prepared to take over its leadership.

Orson had already gone his own way, boldly declaring independence and forming his own legion.

With one adjutant position vacant, Lyra extended the offer to Helion. Aurelius retained his role as her second adjutant, while the third position went to an external recruit.

Mandy, despite lacking combat skills, became Lyra’s secretary. Her organizational expertise and sharp mind were exactly what Lyra needed to keep things running smoothly.

The establishment of Lyra’s Legion of Everglow sparked a frenzy across the Alliance, rivalling even the ongoing war in terms of public attention.

"Rear Admiral Shedd has finally posted her recruitment notice!"

"I’ve been waiting for this! I have to join her legion!"

"What’s it called?"

Fans flooded the military website, eager to learn more. A quick search revealed the answer: Legion of Everglow. Excitement rippled through the crowd—until they read the recruitment requirements:

Superpower Level 3 or above

Age under 50

Psychokinesis above 3000 units

Mecha piloting experience required

Interested candidates must report to Training Ground 3 Military Base of Central City, Elden Prime, on September 13, Stardate 3039.

The stringent standards instantly disqualified the vast majority of applicants. For many, it wasn’t even close. Some had the necessary superpower level but were too old. Others met the age requirement but lacked the psychokinetic strength. The mecha experience prerequisite alone eliminated countless hopefuls.

"What is this? Even Legion Glory doesn’t have standards this high!"

"Maybe she’s forming a training program, not a fighting force."

"Or maybe her time with the Special Forces has warped her expectations."

Critics were quick to point out that only 30% of the Alliance’s population had awakened superpowers, and over half of those never progressed beyond Level 2.

Among the remaining 15%, many powers weren’t even combat-oriented.

Online forums lit up with heated debates, with some accusing Lyra of being detached from reality.

Inside the Recruitment Office...

While the controversy brewed online, Lyra’s adjutants, Helion and Vikie, had just arrived at the office after resigning from their previous posts.

As they worked with Lyra to sift through applications, Helion scrolled through the online chatter, chuckling to himself.

"People are practically lining up to sign their death warrants these days."

Vikie shook her head. "They have no idea. Our station is Voidstar No. 1. Without the right skills, they wouldn’t last a day. But since that’s classified, of course they’re confused."

"They’ll learn soon enough," Phelixes chimed in, a faint smile on his lips as he skimmed the discussions on his own device.

Helion glanced at him, his grin sharp. "Always the diplomat, aren’t you?"

Phelixes smile remained calm, his radiant features impossible to ignore—dark eyes, pale skin, and rosy lips, all combining into a strikingly ethereal presence.

Vikie and Mandy found themselves stealing glances, unable to look away.

Helion frowned in thought. The once-clingy kid who used to trail after Lyra like a shadow had transformed into a disarmingly confident man over the years.

*****

Despite the uproar, Lyra refused to lower her standards. The military headquarters granted her legion a dedicated zone, and when the recruitment day arrived, the turnout was noticeably smaller than the massive crowds drawn by other legions.

Most other legions accepted Level 1 superpower users, an age limit of 70, and a psychokinesis minimum of 1500 units—making Lyra’s requirements seem almost impossible in comparison.

Still, those who did show up were a different breed. Their confidence and talent radiated as they stood ready, tall and self-assured.

That confidence wavered when Lyra appeared with her adjutants and clerks. The sharp, commanding vibe of the group swept over the crowd like a cold wind, leaving many uneasy.

Lyra’s steely gaze alone was enough to make even the most confident straighten their postures.

She took her seat at the front of the line, her voice cool and composed as she addressed Mandy. "Let’s begin."

Mandy stepped forward and announced, "Approach one by one."

The crowd buzzed with curiosity. No résumés, no prior applications—how would candidates be evaluated?

One by one, the applicants stepped forward. Lyra assessed each briefly, then pointed them to the left or right without a word. No explanations were given.

By the end of the morning, only about 10% of the applicants stood on the right side.

Mandy delivered the results with her usual calm. "Those on the right, you’ve passed. Those on the left, you’re dismissed."

The rejected group erupted with frustration, their protests growing louder by the second.