Enchanted University of Magemenos

Chapter 53:Lock and Key

Inside, I'm still wrestling with Caporasso's cryptic words. How could I have brought Nathan back? The question lingers in my mind, adding to the confusion and dread that already cloud my thoughts.

"Girls and boys, I hope you've finished your dinner. Gather around, and let's go over the rules for today's extracurricular activity," the speaker announces.

I panic, realizing I didn't get to enjoy any of the pastries and bread I was craving. "Oh no! I didn't have anything—I wanted those pastries and the bread!" I cry out in frustration.

But then I remember the bread I grabbed earlier at the cafeteria after Marco Polo. At least I won't be starving, though it wasn't quite the feast I had hoped for.

"The game we are playing today is a classic game called 'Lock and Key'," the speaker continues. "It consists of two rounds. We will only explain the rules for the first round now. The second round's rules will be revealed once you advance to it."

"The basic rules of the game are simple," the speaker continues. "If you feel threatened by the den or want to avoid being caught, you can lock yourself in place by pressing the button on your choker. Once locked, you must stay in that position until another player, holding a key card, comes to unlock you. Each lock must be removed within one minute, or all players in the game will be eliminated. You have a total of five locks to use across both rounds. If the key dies then the lock also dies so basically in the first round if no one  opens the lock of the player then along with the lock all the key dies and If the den tags or touches you, you are out of the game."

"In the first round, there are 2 dens and also there are 35 players , each with a general key card that can unlock any lock by swiping it on the choker of the locked person. You only have two locks to use in the first round. The remaining three locks will be used in the second round. Our advice: use your locks only in unavoidable situations."

"To note, this game spans two days: Friday and Saturday. No food, water, or any other provisions will be provided; you must arrange these yourself.

Good luck, and do well!" the speaker concludes.

So, while this game has elements of teamwork, it's clear that survival depends on individual choices.

We all put on our chokers, feeling the weight of the button in the front and the card holder pressing against the back of our necks.

"Your game begins in 3... 2... 1... go," announces the automated voice, sending a shiver down my spine as the countdown ends.

We sprint off in opposite directions, Nathan heading one way, and I darting in the complete other. The ground is uneven, the darkness only broken by the dim torches scattered around, but I push forward, driven by the need to put as much distance as possible between myself and whatever might be lurking in the shadows.

I keep running without stopping as far as I could. Finally, I stop under a tree to catch my breath. The worst part of this game? It's the dead of night. Sure, the fire torches help, but some areas are still shrouded in darkness, making it hard to see anything clearly. Maybe that's the point—to add another layer of difficulty to this twisted game.

If someone gets locked, the only way to know is by staying aware of your surroundings and listening closely. If you're close enough, you might hear the click of the lock or see a flash of movement as someone uses their choker. But to save them, you'll have to be near them, which means getting dangerously close to the den. It's a risky balance—stay too far, and you might not notice when someone needs help; stay too close, and you might end up locked yourself.

"Exactly," I think to myself. "There are 33 other people who can worry about that." My focus is on getting as far away as possible. Whatever happens, someone will surely be there to unlock the others. Right now, all I need to do is keep running and stay ahead of the danger.

While running, I spotted a small shed that looked like a cave, half-hidden among the trees. My legs were burning with exhaustion, and the sight of it was too tempting to ignore. I slipped inside, hoping the darkness would conceal me, at least for a little while. The cool air inside was a relief, and I leaned against the rough stone wall, trying to catch my breath and quiet my racing heart.