Edwin Lunar Chapter 16: Rumors of Sector Zero

Read chapter 16 of Edwin Lunar by MananTayal on NovelPedia.

The academy had changed overnight. By morning, every corridor of Lunar Dominion Academy buzzed with whispers about the strange message that appeared during the Rank Ceremony. ECLIPSE APPROACHES. No one understood what it meant. Which only made the rumors worse. Edwin walked through the eastern academy halls beside Carl and Iris while students openly stared at him from both sides of the corridor. Carl looked entertained by the attention. "You know," he said proudly, "most students spend years trying to become famous." "I don't want fame." "Too late." Iris adjusted the holographic tablet floating beside her. "Current academy network discussions about you have increased by three hundred percent since yesterday." Edwin looked horrified. "That should not be a real statistic." "It is now." Groups of students immediately became quieter whenever Edwin passed near them. Some looked curious. Others looked nervous. A few even stepped aside respectfully. That part felt the strangest. Last year Edwin had been nearly invisible inside the academy. Now people watched him like he carried answers nobody else understood. Carl suddenly leaned closer. "You're basically cursed celebrity royalty." "That is not comforting." Before Carl could respond, the academy announcement system activated overhead. "All third-year students report to Tactical Hall Seven." Carl groaned dramatically. "It begins." The three entered one of the academy's largest training sectors several minutes later. Tactical Hall Seven looked enormous inside. Floating combat drones moved across the ceiling while holographic battle maps covered giant walls around the circular chamber. Advanced weapons lined magnetic racks near the entrances while silver Flame conduits glowed beneath the transparent floor. Dozens of third-year students already filled the room. At the center stood Professor Raith. The massive instructor folded his arms as students gathered around him. "Third year is different," he announced sharply. "No more beginner protection." The room immediately became quieter. "You will now participate in real tactical simulations, external expeditions, combat synchronization exercises, and emergency response missions." Carl whispered: "That sounds aggressively unsafe." Raith's sharp eyes immediately moved toward him. "Correct." Several students laughed nervously. Raith activated the giant holographic display behind him. A map of Noroel appeared instantly. "This year, students will operate in assigned tactical units." The screen divided into multiple sections. TEAM ASSIGNMENTS INITIALIZING Students immediately began murmuring excitedly. Iris frowned thoughtfully. "The academy rarely allows permanent tactical teams before fourth year." Carl looked confused. "Why does that sound important?" "Because it means the academy expects higher-level operations this year." Edwin didn't like the sound of that. The holographic system began assigning students one by one. Several strong students were grouped together strategically. Others protested loudly about terrible teammates. Carl looked increasingly nervous. "If they separate us, I'm filing emotional complaints." Then the system paused briefly. Almost like it was processing something carefully. Finally, three names appeared together. TACTICAL UNIT 07EDWIN LUNARIRIS VALEENCARL VESK Carl immediately celebrated like they had won a war. "YES." Iris looked unsurprised. "That was predictable." Edwin glanced around the room. Several students were staring at their team assignment. Some looked impressed. Others looked concerned. One student whispered quietly: "That's the Sector Zero group." Raith continued speaking. "Your tactical units will determine: mission assignments, combat coordination, survival evaluations, and rank advancement opportunities." The word rank instantly caught everyone's attention. Raith noticed. "Yes," he said coldly. "This year, promotions can be earned through field achievement." The room erupted into discussion. Carl nearly