Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 290: The Superpower That Nullifies Superpowers

Chapter 290: The Superpower That Nullifies Superpowers

As the man holding Helion in a headlock stepped into the light, confusion rippled through the crowd. But for Elsie and her team, that confusion quickly froze into unshakable fear.

"Coach Anton?"

Though Aurelius and his companions weren’t part of the NMA, they’d attended enough AMAT events to recognize instructors from the three academies.

"That guy’s one of your NMA instructor?"

"Didn’t he get kicked out for misconduct?"

Years ago, Anton had been dishonorably discharged after killing civilians during a mission on Wyrmtrace. His actions had drawn the military’s fury and led to his disgrace.

"So why was he here now?"

Elsie snapped out of her shock, exchanging a tense glance with Kolan. "I heard rumors Instructor Anton became a security guard somewhere. Turns out he’s working for Rear Admiral Lyra’s company."

"Yeah," Kolan muttered, still trying to process, "someone mentioned seeing him sunbathing outside the LE Energy headquarters."

That easygoing image clashed starkly with the commanding presence Anton radiated now. The superpower particles swirling around him were almost suffocating, their density altering the air itself.

The crowd could feel it, their faces twisting in collective unease.

Helion, still rubbing his neck from the headlock, grimaced. "Gosh. When did you hit level eight?"

Level eight.

The words landed like a bombshell. For most Rear Admiral-led legions, having a level-five instructor was a rare privilege. Yet here stood a level eight, a figure almost unheard of in their circles.

Anton’s faint smile offered no answers.

In the past, instructors like him were often former soldiers sidelined by injuries. Anton had been no exception, his abilities capped at level six after a severe brain injury.

But when Lyra, a Level Nine, healed him, years of accumulated power, coupled with enhancement treatments from plants, propelled him straight to level eight.

From the moment Lyra recruited him into LE Energy, she had mapped out his new role.

Officially, he was labeled a "military instructor," though his duties overlapped with security. It was a semi-retirement gig—but a demanding one.

Lyra had left him with simple instructions. "I trust you to handle this."

"Don’t worry," Anton had replied with a casual wave. "I’ll earn every cent of that generous paycheck."

When Lyra and her assistant Mandy left the training site, Helion crossed his arms, skeptical. "So, what does an instructor at your level pull in these days?"

"That’s none of your concern," Anton retorted.

Anton’s salary mirrored the military standard for level eight instructors—a hefty sum. Lyra had sweetened the deal, too, offering bonuses for recruits who scored above eighty percent after six months.

Surveying the sprawling training grounds packed with 26,000 recruits, Anton’s grin sharpened, his eyes gleaming like they’d struck gold.

"You only need to know one thing," Anton said, his tone tinged with menace. "In six months, your strength will be unrecognizable."

The veterans among the recruits, who knew Anton’s methods well, exchanged grim looks. That smile wasn’t reassuring—it was a warning.

Training under him was going to be brutal.

The days passed like a storm, each one harsher than the last, leaving an indelible mark on the recruits.

Lyra visited the training grounds sporadically, sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly.

"How many have dropped out?" she asked during one such visit.

Anton flipped through his records. "We’ve lost about 3,000 since Day One."

The reasons varied—some couldn’t endure the grueling pace, while others simply couldn’t accept being average. The Everglow had scouted some of the best talent from ordinary civilian ranks, but here, everyone started as equals.

Anton shrugged dismissively. "By the end, we’ll be lucky to keep 20,000."

"Quality over quantity," Lyra said coolly.

"Exactly," Anton agreed. "Especially with the program I’ve got them running through."

Finally, the six-month assessment day arrived.

Lyra walked onto the training field, her sharp gaze scanning the rows of soldiers.

The transformation was undeniable. Gone was the chaotic mess of fresh recruits. Now, they stood in flawless formation—silent, poised, and exuding razor-sharp discipline.

They resembled a forest of steel spears, every soldier standing straight and unwavering.

"Salute!" Anton barked, his voice echoing across the grounds.

As one, the soldiers snapped into a perfect salute, the synchronized motion cutting through the air with a crisp, commanding energy.

Even the faint rustling of uniforms seemed purposeful, reflecting their relentless training.

"Rear Admiral Shedd!" they roared in unison, their voices shaking the ground.

Lyra returned the salute, clasping her hands behind her back. Her tone was even, but a flicker of pride glinted in her eyes. "Let’s see what you’ve accomplished."

With a curt nod to Anton, she added, "Begin."

By the end of training, just over 20,000 recruits remained.

Their reasons for leaving were clear: with their abilities, they could have easily become mid-level officers in other legions. But here, in the Legion of Everglow, they were nothing more than foot soldiers.

It presented a classic dilemma: settle for comfort as a leader in mediocrity, or endure grueling excellence as part of something extraordinary.

Despite being the smallest officially registered legion in the Alliance, thanks to Lyra’s reputation, the Legion of Everglow attracted ambitious recruits.

And anyone who witnessed them firsthand could see that size wasn’t everything.

Their collective presence and average combat ability were on par with Special Forces.

Once evaluations were completed, scores were calculated down to five decimal points to ensure precision.

Even so, most scores were astonishingly close.

The top ranks, however, showed noticeable gaps. By the time the top twenty were revealed, one name stood out above the rest: Robin, with a near-perfect score that left him the clear leader.

Helion, Phelixes, Aurelius, and Elsie followed in the rankings, cementing their places at the top of the Legion.

Lyra reviewed the results before displaying a massive screen for all recruits to see. On it was the Legion of Everglow’s command structure and assignments.

Given the legion’s small size, Lyra had simplified the hierarchy: beneath the adjutants, she appointed regiment leaders, followed by battalion commanders. Each position was assigned directly based on rank.

Once the assignments were displayed, Lyra addressed the recruits. Her sharp gaze swept across the group as she spoke:

"If you disagree with your rank or position, you may challenge someone above you. Each of you will be given two chances."

The announcement ignited a surge of energy in the recruits.

"I’m first!" someone shouted almost immediately.

The crowd stirred, but it was Aurelius who stepped forward first, his eyes locking onto Robin.

Robin’s meteoric rise in the rankings had cost Aurelius a coveted adjutant position.

"I challenge Phelixes," Aurelius declared, his tone steady but intense.

Aurelius was strategic. Robin was a level eight, far out of reach. Helion, though also a level six like himself, had dual superpowers that gave him an undeniable edge.

But Phelixes? He was younger, less experienced, and his superpower remained largely unknown. To Aurelius, he seemed like the weakest of the three.

As eyes turned to Phelixes, he gave a faint smile, though there was an unmistakable chill in his expression.

"Very well," Phelixes replied calmly. "Let’s begin."

The crowd buzzed with anticipation as Aurelius and Phelixes stepped into the arena. Tension hung thick in the air.

Phelixes glanced at the sidelines, where Lyra watched intently. His fists clenched. He wasn’t just fighting for rank—he was fighting for recognition.

The match began, and Aurelius struck first.

Blue, whip-like tendrils formed from superpower particles lashed out, aiming for Phelixes’ chest.

Without hesitation, Phelixes raised his hand, and the moment the tendrils connected, the particles vanished into thin air.

The crowd gasped.

Aurelius frowned, summoning more tendrils and launching another attack. The result was the same: the tendrils dissolved the instant they came into contact with Phelixes.

"What’s with this kid’s superpower?" Helion muttered from the sidelines, his arms crossed.

"It looks like he nullifies other superpowers," Vikie replied, eyes narrowed. "But his combat skills... those are something else. They’re almost as good as Robin’s."

Robin was widely considered the Legion’s best physical fighter, second only to Lyra herself.

Yet here was Phelixes, a decade younger, displaying combat prowess that rivaled even Robin’s.

Twenty minutes later, Aurelius found himself pinned to the ground, Phelixes’ arm locking him in place.

"Enough!" Anton’s voice rang out across the training grounds. "The winner: Phelixes!"

Phelixes released his hold and stood, his breathing steady despite the grueling match.

Lyra, watching from her seat, rested her chin on her hand, her expression thoughtful.

Phelixes’ ability was unique, but it wasn’t just his power that impressed her—it was his adaptability and determination.

If his superpower had been lethal, Aurelius wouldn’t have lasted even half the match. Phelixes had chosen not to crush his opponent, but to outmaneuver and exhaust him.

Once the challenges were finished, Lyra addressed the legion one final time, announcing the finalized command structure.

"The three adjutants will be Robin, Helion, and Phelixes," she declared. "Regiment leaders will be Aurelius, Elsie, and Kolan..."

Her voice echoed across the grounds, solidifying the Legion’s chain of command. With this announcement, the Legion of Everglow was officially born.

The Legion’s first mission loomed. Within a month, they were set to deploy to their designated station: Voidstar No. 1, a strategic location that would test their mettle from the outset.

Lyra, however, wasn’t rushing. She summoned the three adjutants and the regiment leaders to a private meeting.

"There are a few matters we need to resolve before we leave," she said, her tone calm but commanding.

The preparations for Voidstar No. 1 would soon begin—but first, Lyra would ensure every detail was in place.