Edwin Lunar Chapter 13: The Underground Departure

Read chapter 13 of Edwin Lunar by MananTayal on NovelPedia.

The transport train moved silently beneath the world. Silver light streaked across the windows while magnetic rails carried the massive vehicle through endless underground tunnels beneath Vestella. Occasionally, giant support structures flashed past outside like enormous metal skeletons hidden beneath the planet's surface. Inside the passenger cabin, soft blue lights glowed across the ceiling while holographic route maps floated above the center aisle. Most travelers were academy students returning from break. Some wore dark academy uniforms already. Others carried training weapons and combat gear attached to their luggage. Every now and then, Edwin noticed students glancing toward him. Or more specifically— Toward the silver ring on his hand. Carl collapsed dramatically into the seat beside him. "I already miss vacation." "You spent most of vacation sleeping," Iris replied from across the table. "That's called emotional recovery." Edwin leaned back quietly in his seat. It still felt strange seeing them again after months apart. But somehow… Comforting too. The train curved sharply through another tunnel while distant city lights disappeared completely behind them. Now only darkness surrounded the transport rails. Carl suddenly leaned forward. "So." Edwin immediately narrowed his eyes. "That tone usually means trouble." Carl grinned. "How famous are you now?" Edwin blinked. "…What?" Iris calmly activated a holographic screen above the table. Several academy discussion boards appeared instantly. Edwin froze. His name was everywhere. SECTOR ZERO SURVIVORTHE RING HEIREDWIN LUNAR RETURNS FOR THIRD YEARIS THE SON OF WINGARD LUNAR THE NEXT MARSHAL? Edwin stared in horror. "…Why do students have this much free time?" Carl looked proud somehow. "You're basically academy mythology now." "This is terrible." Iris scrolled further. "Apparently someone leaked details about the Sector Zero incident." "That was supposed to be confidential!" Carl avoided eye contact immediately. Edwin pointed at him. "You told people." "I told ONE person." "You physically cannot tell one person anything." Carl looked offended. "That's not scientifically proven." Iris sighed softly. "Most students still don't know the full truth." "That's because WE don't know the full truth," Edwin muttered. The red box still haunted his thoughts. Ever since the academy confiscated it beneath Sector Zero, strange rumors had spread across Noroel. Some students claimed it contained Groader's consciousness. Others believed it was an ancient Flame weapon. One rumor even claimed the box was alive. Edwin remembered the feeling it gave him underground. Cold. Watching. Almost aware. The ring on his finger suddenly warmed slightly. Edwin immediately lowered his hand beneath the table. Iris noticed anyway. "It's reacting again." Carl's expression shifted. "Does it still happen often?" Edwin nodded slowly. "Mostly near advanced systems." The train lights flickered once overhead. Carl stared upward immediately. "…You had to say it." The lights stabilized again. But Edwin could feel something strange now. Like static moving through the air. Very faint. The train continued accelerating deeper underground while passengers relaxed around them. Some students slept. Others trained with holographic combat simulators near the rear cabin. One group loudly argued about rank promotions for third year. Carl leaned closer toward Edwin. "You think you'll rank up soon?" Edwin shrugged slightly. "I don't know." Iris answered before Carl could. "You definitely will." Edwin looked toward her. "You sound sure." "You defeated a Sector Zero combat system as a first-year." Carl pointed dramatically. "And survived haunted underground death corridors." "That's not an official achievement." "It should be." The train suddenly slowed slightly. A mechanical announcement echoed through the cabin. "Transit checkpoint approaching." Several armored guards entered from the next cabin carrying academy insignias on their