Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 83: The Exchange Test

Chapter 83: The Exchange Test

"Lieutenant Commander Shedd, anything to add?" the young officer asked.

"Lieutenant Commander Whyte, how about we mix things up and exchange cadets for the test? I’ve heard NMA students are pretty tough, and I’m curious to see if that’s true." Erin’s eyes gleamed with interest as she spoke.

Typically, each officer would test their own students separately, so this was definitely out of the ordinary.

Cohen frowned slightly but quickly shrugged it off. It was a reasonable request, and refusing it might create more tension than necessary.

"Alright."

Grains looked a bit bummed. He had hoped to get a closer look at his idol.

Kogar, Cohen’s assistant, started off by testing the EPMA students. They were put through their paces in a range of skills—mecha operation, close combat, and even things like wound treatment.

Each student’s performance was charted on a "rose diagram," which would help in determining their future assignments. As expected, all the students excelled, their rose diagrams nearly fully colored in.

Except for Grains, who had a noticeable gap in the "character" section.

When it was the NMA students’ turn, Zinnia and Thierry were all pumped up—until they realized they’d be facing Erin herself.

After they finished, Kail frowned. "Cousin Erin, isn’t it a bit much for you to personally test them?"

He knew Erin and Lyra didn’t get along. ’But is this really necessary? Is Erin that determined to make things tough on a clone?’

Erin didn’t even glance at him. "Kail, you should address me as Lieutenant Commander or ma’am."

Her gaze shifted to the short-haired girl who had been silent, a slight smile playing on her lips. "They should feel honored that I’m the one testing them."

This sense of anticipation brought back memories of the excitement she felt eleven years ago when she had the Soul Spike implanted.

Clone or not, nothing was going to stand in her way.

Cohen’s brow twitched. "Lieutenant Commander Shedd, they’re still young. Please, be considerate."

"Lieutenant Commander Whyte, don’t worry. I know exactly what I’m doing." Erin stepped onto the mat, every inch the seasoned warrior ready for a challenge. "Let’s get started."

Thierry and the others went up first, receiving their rose diagrams with satisfactory results. Finally, it was Lyra’s turn.

As she moved forward, even the most oblivious onlookers could sense the tension in the air, and Erin’s excitement was palpable.

Without any unnecessary build-up, Erin simply ordered, "Get ready to record," before launching into her attack.

With her enhanced strength, Erin moved so fast it was as if she broke the sound barrier. The force of her movement sent a gust of wind that ruffled everyone’s hair and changed the look on their faces.

Lyra’s eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t have time to react before Erin’s punch connected, sending her hurtling through the air.

The suddenness of it all left everyone stunned, their eyes glued to the sight of the slender young woman being launched across the arena.

Lyra’s gravity-manipulation ability kicked in, surrounding her and gently lowering her back to the ground.

"Ugh! Cough, cough!" Lyra clutched her chest, her breaths labored as she spat out a thick mouthful of blood.

Cohen’s hand remained outstretched as a cold sweat formed on his forehead. He shouted urgently, "Get the doctors!"

Medics rushed to Lyra’s side, surrounding her.

Cohen turned to Erin, his usual calm shattered by fury. "Shedd, is this what you call ’appreciating the students’ talents?’ Her report should have flagged any physical weaknesses. I expect a thorough explanation, or I’ll have no choice but to charge you with intentional harm and take this to military court!"

Erin snapped out of her adrenaline-fueled excitement, finally realizing that this Lyra was not the same as her cousin.

The mistake she made, using her full strength without a second thought, now weighed heavily on her.

"I’m sorry, I..." Erin stammered, the gravity of her error sinking in. She had mistaken Lyra for someone else, someone stronger.

’Too weak.’ That was her first thought as she looked at the half-conscious girl. A single punch, and yet the doctors were diagnosing Lyra with internal organ damage.

"Erin! That was too much!" Kail’s voice broke through the tense silence, his eyes burning with anger. "Just because she looks like Lyra doesn’t give you the reason to hurt her!"

In an attempt to explain, Kail tried to tell Cohen about the resemblance Lyra bore to his dead sister, but he carefully left out the part about her being a clone.

Those who heard his explanation were quick to conclude that Erin had taken her anger out on the wrong person.

Cohen’s anger only deepened. "Shedd, no more excuses. I’m submitting all the facts and evidence to the military court."

Erin, now fully aware that arguing would only make things worse, bowed her head. "It’s my fault. I let my emotions control me. I’ll repent before the military court."

After everyone had left, Erin returned to her room and slammed the door shut.

Despite this being a combat scenario where injuries were possible, and even though she claimed it was a mistake, she knew she was in serious trouble.

This incident would likely lead to a harsh reprimand, which wouldn’t affect her current role but would certainly hinder her future promotions.

But as she collapsed onto her bed, a smile crept across her face.

Seeing that young woman get sent flying had been satisfying.

Once again, she had brought Lyra down, and it had been so easy.

This only confirmed her belief that this Lyra was indeed a clone.

Remembering the identical look in the clone’s eyes as the "original," Erin felt more determined than ever to crush her when they reached the new star system.

Meanwhile, Lyra slowly opened her eyes, finding herself inside a treatment chamber.

"You’re awake?" Cohen asked, his voice softer now, his appearance slightly disheveled without his hat, brown hair tousled. "I’m sorry, I didn’t realize she had such intentions."

"Neither did I," Lyra replied, her voice steady despite the situation.

She climbed out of the thick nutrient fluid, the hospital gown she wore clinging to her slender frame, now soaked through.

Cohen, ever the gentleman, politely looked away. "It was my mistake. If there’s anything you want as compensation, just let me know."

"I want the mission to search for plants near the mining site. By the way, if we find any plants, we don’t have to turn them in, right?" Lyra asked as she walked into the shower room, casually rinsing off without any concern that Cohen was still in the room.

When she reemerged, now in a fresh hospital gown, she met his gaze.

Cohen, slightly awkward but maintaining his composure, answered her question. "That mission was already assigned to you. As for the plants, it’s up to you if you want to keep them."

The truth was, the advance team had already scoured most of the area. The students were essentially doing a second pass, unlikely to uncover anything significant.

"Thank you," Lyra said with a nod, her voice calm and resolute.