Edwin Lunar Chapter 24: The Hidden Truth of Wingard Lunar

Read chapter 24 of Edwin Lunar by MananTayal on NovelPedia.

The skies above Noroel slowly returned to silence. Smoke drifted across the floating towers of Lunar Dominion Academy while emergency crews moved through damaged sectors repairing collapsed bridges and shattered aerial platforms. Students gathered across balconies and courtyards, still talking excitedly about the battle they had just witnessed. Everyone now knew the name Orion Team. And everyone knew Edwin Lunar was no ordinary student anymore. Three days had passed since the fall of the war construct. But Edwin still couldn't sleep properly. The visions kept returning. Fragments of memories. Silver fire. His father standing beside Headmaster Humming. And the words: "The Flame chose you." Night covered the academy when Edwin finally stepped onto one of the upper observation balconies overlooking Noroel's endless clouds. Cold wind moved through his hair while distant academy lights glowed across the floating towers. For the first time in years— He felt close to his parents. The ring on his hand glowed faintly beneath the moonlight. Then a voice spoke behind him. "You should be resting." Edwin turned immediately. Headmaster Humming stood near the balcony entrance. Dark robes. Calm expression. Silver eyes reflecting the light of the moon. Edwin straightened slightly. "Sir." Humming walked slowly toward the balcony edge beside him. For several moments, neither of them spoke. Far below them, the Eternal Flame energy beneath Noroel shimmered softly through giant crystal conduits connected across the academy. Finally, Humming spoke quietly. "You fought well." Edwin looked toward the academy. "We almost lost the Flame Core." "But you saved it." Edwin hesitated. "No… Orion Team saved it." For the first time— A very faint smile crossed Humming's face. "Yes." Silence returned again. Then Edwin asked the question that had haunted him for years. "You knew my parents well… didn't you?" Humming's expression changed slightly. Not surprise. Memory. "We fought together during the Great War." Edwin's chest tightened. "Then tell me the truth." The wind moved harder across the balcony now. "You said they died in an accident." Humming looked toward the distant horizon of Noroel. Then quietly answered: "That was a lie." Edwin froze completely. The words hit harder than any battle. For years… For his entire life… He believed it was an accident. Humming's voice remained calm, but heavier now. "Wingard Lunar and Edlin Lunar were among the strongest warriors this academy ever trained." Edwin listened silently. "Your father reached Marshal rank at a very young age. Your mother became one of the greatest tactical minds of the war." The Headmaster's eyes darkened slightly. "And both of them stood against Groader." The name itself made the air feel colder. Groader. The villain nobody openly discussed. The monster hidden inside academy history. Edwin slowly clenched his fists. "What really happened?" Humming finally looked directly at him. "Groader was not always evil." Silence. "He was once a genius student of this academy." Edwin remembered the stories Iris told him long ago. Weapons. Mass destruction. Forbidden technology. Humming continued. "He believed the Eternal Flame could evolve civilization beyond limits." The Headmaster's voice grew darker. "But obsession destroyed him." Far below them, thunder rolled across the clouds surrounding Noroel. "He created Project Eidolon." The silver eye symbol flashed through Edwin's mind instantly. "That project combined ancient Flame energy with advanced war intelligence systems. Groader believed he could create immortal weapons powered directly by consciousness itself." Edwin's heartbeat slowed. "The war constructs…" Humming nodded once. "Yes." Everything connected suddenly. The machines. The hidden underground chambers. The whispers. Eclipse Protocol. "Your parents tried to stop him," Humming said quietly. "And during the final battle… they succeeded." Edwin looked toward him desperately. "But?" Humming's silence