Enchanted University of Magemenos

Chapter 47:Trust is a dangerous luxury.

Suddenly, a cold, metallic surface snaps over my eyes, cutting off my vision entirely. The pressure is so intense, it feels like my eyes might burst from their sockets. Panic claws at my chest as the world around me disappears, leaving me in suffocating darkness.

My heart pounds in my ears, each beat a reminder that I'm at the mercy of whatever cruel game this is. 

I try  to hear something—anything—that might clue me in on what's happening, but all I get is the sound of my own ragged breathing. The others trapped like this, are they just as scared, just as lost? The thought that others might be blindfolded too, stumbling around in this darkness, only adds to the terror. 

"10... 9... 2... 1, I'm coming!" Marco's voice rings out, each word sending a chill down my spine.

The moment he finishes, he must be in extreme proximity to me that my headband starts vibrating so hard that it feels like my head is about to split open. The pain is sharp and overwhelming, making it impossible to think straight. I can't focus on anything except the throbbing in my skull. My legs start to wobble, and I feel like I might collapse from the sheer intensity of it.

In a panic, I let the cicada slip from my hand, my fingers now too shaky to hold onto anything. I grab my head, trying to push back the pain that's making it hard to breathe. The cicada buzzes loudly as it flies away, its wings beating frantically. The noise is loud and sharp, and it catches Marco's attention.

Marco turns toward the sound, drawn to where the cicada is now flitting around the tree. As he moves in that direction, I struggle to pull myself together. The vibrations in my head start to ease up , letting me know that Marco is far enough., giving me a moment to catch my breath. But I know I'm not safe yet, and the clock is still ticking.

That cicada, without even knowing , just saved my life.

"Marco!" Marco's voice booms, cutting through the stillness.

"Polo," I whisper, my voice barely more than a breath. I hope it's too quiet for him to hear, but I quickly realize , Marco isn't human—he can pick up even the faintest sound.

I was running on pure instinct. Whenever I felt even the smallest vibration, I darted away, my heart racing as I tried to escape.

"Spotlight!" The creepy voice echoed around us, making my skin crawl.

Now the real challenge begins.

Our blindfolds are suddenly removed, and I blink as my eyes adjust to the light. I start looking around, trying to spot Marco. Every shadow and movement feels threatening as we search for him in this tense game. Time is running out, and we have to stay alert to avoid being caught. 

The person nearest to Marco will be caught in the center spotlight—the exact spot where Marco will be standing. It's a chilling thought.

We had only 10 seconds to locate the person closest to Marco.

On the edge of the boundary, a boy stood frozen, his face set in a fierce glare. He realized with growing anger that he was the one chosen to stand in the center spotlight—the exact place where Marco would be. His eyes flashed with frustration and defiance.

"George, I wish you the best of luck. May the almighty be with you," a girl says, her voice trembling with a mix of concern and encouragement.

George looks around, confusion and worry etched on his face. "It's up to us to make the choices, right? The game host has no control over this, correct?" he asks, trying to understand the rules.

"Yes, sorry," replies the girl beside me, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Why are you sorry? I should be," George retorts, his frustration boiling over. Without warning, he gives her a heavy shove.

The girl stumbles, her eyes wide with shock, and she falls right into the center spotlight.

A collective gasp erupts from the group. George's quick thinking and ruthless decision become clear. By pushing her into the center, he has cleverly avoided being spotlighted himself. His actions reveal a harsh truth: this game isn't about loyalty or teamwork. It's designed to force betrayals, to pit us against each other for survival.

The realization sinks in: in this game, trust is a dangerous luxury.

"What the hell is wrong with you, you murderer? Why would you do that? You were the one closest to Marco!" The girl yells at George, her face full of anger.

"You would have done the same if you were in my shoes. So don't make a fuss unless you know what it's like," George shouts back.