Enchanted University of Magemenos

Chapter 55:Possible loopholes?

I pick up a stone, my heart pounding, and throw it from a safe distance. The comb crashes to the ground, sending bees into a frenzied swarm. Some dart towards the fallen comb, while others quickly circle around the queen, forming a buzzing shield of protection.

I sprint towards the fallen comb, shielding my face with one arm while using the other to smash the comb with the stone. I feel the sharp sting of bees piercing my skin, but I grit my teeth and push through the pain. My fingers finally close around a piece of honeycomb—sticky, sweet, and enough to quiet the growling in my stomach for now.

I dash away from the buzzing chaos, collapsing onto a patch of grassy ground with fine grains of sand mixed in. I tear into the honeycomb, the rich, sticky sweetness flooding my mouth—my first taste of raw, natural honey. It's unbelievably sweet, with a freshness that feels almost surreal, like tasting sunlight itself. For a moment, the pain fades, and all that matters is this pure, unexpected delight.

The packaged honey, with its bold label proclaiming "100% Real Honey," was nothing compared to what I was tasting now. This was pure, unfiltered sweetness—a taste so raw and rich it made everything else seem like a cheap imitation. It was like I was experiencing honey for the first time, its flavor unfolding in waves of deep, floral notes, a touch of wildness in every bite. Mesmerizing and real, this honey made all those store-bought jars feel like a lie.

I filled my stomach with this and was very delighted with the snack.

But the peace doesn't last long. Suddenly, a loud rustling from the bushes nearby snaps me back to reality. My heart races, and I quickly wipe my sticky fingers on my clothes, readying myself for whatever might emerge.

A shadowy figure steps out from the darkness of the trees. I can't make out their face, but they move with purpose, eyes fixed directly on me. I clutch the remaining piece of honeycomb, instinctively stepping back. My mind whirls with questions: Is this the den? A fellow player? Or something else entirely?

"Hey," the figure calls out, their voice surprisingly calm. "You found the honey, huh? Clever. But you're going to need more than that to make it through."

I narrow my eyes, trying to get a better look. "Who are you?" I ask, my voice steady, even though my heart is pounding.

They pause for a moment, then step closer, into the faint light. I finally see their face, and my breath catches in my throat—it's someone I recognize, but how could that be? I thought they were eliminated in the last game.

"Don't worry," they say with a smirk, "I'm not here to tag you. I have... a proposition."

The person steps closer, and I finally recognize them—it's , the quiet guy from Tuesday's game. It was Jake.He was supposed to have been eliminated in the second round ,but here he is, standing before me with a sly grin on his face.

His eyes glint with a mixture of mischief and something darker, something almost desperate. "Surprised to see me?" he says, clearly enjoying my confusion. "Yeah, they all thought I was out. But I found a loophole, Alyssa. This game isn't as straightforward as they make it seem."

I frown, trying to piece together how he's still here and what he could possibly want. "What do you mean, a loophole? And why are you following me?"

Jake chuckles softly. "You see, there are... hidden rules in this game. Ways to bend the reality of it, ways to manipulate the system." He glances around, as if making sure no one else is listening. "And I know you're looking for answers just like I am. So, what do you say? Team up with me. Together, we might just find a way out of this madness."

"So will you join hands with me?"asks Jake.

His proposition lingers in the air, and I can't help but wonder if I should trust him—or if this is just another trap waiting to spring.

Jake leans in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "The loophole isn't in the rules themselves, but in the gaps between them. It's in the things they don't say—the silences, the contradictions. You know how they only told us the rules for Round One? How they didn't say a word about the penalty if you got caught trying to cheat?"

I nod, intrigued. "Yeah, but everyone assumes the penalty is elimination."