Enchanted University of Magemenos

Chapter 57:End of the round

Everything seems pointless and dull; the adrenaline has worn off, leaving me with an unsettling emptiness. Being alone, with nothing to do but listen to the sound of my own footsteps, has a way of dulling the senses. I decide to take a break, but I know better than to let my guard down completely. The memory of my earlier mistake, that long, unintended nap, still lingers like a ghost.

I settle down on the ground, leaning against a tree, and force myself to stay alert. I can't afford to close my eyes, not even for a second. The urge to sleep is gone, replaced by a new kind of restlessness. My senses are on high alert, but there's no immediate danger, just the nagging boredom of waiting for something—anything—to happen.

I focus on my breathing, reminding myself that the quiet won't last forever.

I lie down and gaze at the stars above, their beauty almost overwhelming. The night sky is reminiscent of the star show I once enjoyed with Kate, Nathan, Aiden, and Tyson. It's just as stunning now, with the sky's deep hue and the sparkling stars resembling diamonds on an embroidered gown. The difference is that this moment is an illusion, unlike those genuine times we shared. Yet, nothing can compare to the evenings spent with my mom, lying under the stars, waiting for my dad to come home for dinner. Those simple joys seem so distant now, almost impossible to reach.

To keep myself from drifting back to sleep, I stood up and decided to search for a familiar face. Without realizing it, I kept walking, and gradually, the night began to shift into day. The sun started to rise, painting everything in a soft, warm light. The world felt alive again, the darkness melting away.

I took out the small piece of honeycomb I had saved and ate it for breakfast. I know, it was way too much sugar, but in that moment, with hunger gnawing at me, everything tasted like a feast.

Suddenly, the buzzer blared, signaling the end of the round. Surprisingly, this was the easiest round for me—no complications, no close calls, and I hadn't even used a single one of my locks. It felt almost like a free pass. Could this game really be this easy? I couldn't help but feel a spark of confidence.

I hoped the second round would be just as smooth, but a nagging doubt lingered in the back of my mind. Things were never this simple.

Then, with a sudden snap, everything shifted. Before I knew it, we were all gathered back in the main area, right where we had started the game. The atmosphere was tense, a mix of relief and apprehension. I looked around, trying to catch any hint of what was coming next, feeling the weight of everyone's silent questions hanging in the air.

It felt like the number of players had dropped significantly. I scanned the crowd, my eyes searching for Nathan. And there he was—still the same "I don't care, even if the world tears apart" kind of guy, leaning casually against a tree with that indifferent look on his face.

He didn't seem bothered by the dwindling numbers, by the rising tension, or by whatever was coming next. And for a moment, I envied that calm, that unshakeable confidence. But I couldn't shake the feeling that the real game was only just beginning.

I could hear the guy in front of me talking so loudly that it was seriously annoying.

"There was that tall guy who seemed to give every key in the game. He never got caught, even though he was always right by the den. It was like he had some kind of insider knowledge or something. Never needed to use a lock, never got tagged."

"Why do you care about him now? Start focusing on your own game," his friend shot back.

Their conversation quickly escalated into a heated argument, a reminder of how unpredictable and strange people could be in these high-pressure situations.

"Students, this is the call for the second round. Before we begin, we would like to commemorate the ones who left us behind in the last journey of the 7th level. We ask you all to stand and empathize with them."

I stood up with everyone else, my heart beating faster than before. The speaker's voice carried a somber tone, each name echoing in the air like a death toll.