Enchanted University of Magemenos

Chapter 73:Void lurks even closer.

The blonde guy smirks, crossing his arms. "Oh, so you're saying you don't want to be the last one standing? Alright then—why don't you do the trial and error? We'll take over your job."

My heart pounds as I hesitate. "No... I... I can't. I don't want to take that risk either." My voice wavers, but I hold my ground.

"Oh, so it's fine if you gamble with our chances?" He glares at me, his tone sharp and accusing.

"That's not it!" I snap back, frustrated. "I just thought this was the best way for everyone to make progress—without anyone getting overwhelmed."

Silence falls, and I can feel the weight of their stares pressing down on me. If I don't find a way to rebuild their trust, I'm as good as alone in this game.

"At the end of the day, there's only one survivor. So let's make the decision now. Each of us will give one reason why we deserve to survive more than the others. Afterward, we'll vote—no one can vote for themselves. Then we'll come to a conclusion," he says firmly, his gaze challenging.

"What is wrong with you all?" I interrupt, exasperated. "We're wasting time with this negotiation! We're still in the game—remember the void? The mistakes? Let's just focus and keep moving."

He glares at me, dismissing my words. "Forget her. Don't talk to us about the game, selfish girl. I'll go first."

He squares his shoulders, his voice laced with emotion. "It's been my dream to make it to Magemenos and get my hands on the Sierra Stone. I want that power and the rank it brings, so I can train in combat and get revenge on the person who killed my brother. Left his head... alone in a closet on the brink of night." His voice falters, a tear slipping down his cheek before he quickly wipes it away.

"Now you go," he says, pointing to the short girl, whose head barely reaches my stomach.

"I have to survive," she sobs, her voice trembling. "Once I get the Sierra Stone, I can earn enough money and power to take care of my sick brother. He's waiting for me, all alone... I can't let him down." Her eyes shine with desperation, and I realize why she was so attached to the illusion of that child—it was her own brother she was trying to save.

"Now you, loser," he says, shifting his focus to me.

The fright begins to tickle at my insides, memories flashing through my mind like a chaotic slideshow. I gasp for breath, overwhelmed as if something is controlling my thoughts, a sinister game my mind is playing with me.

With great difficulty, I push myself forward, faintly aware of people shouting and pointing at me, but their voices blur into a cacophony. I gasp for air, struggling against the tide of panic, until Nathan's calming words echo in my mind, reminding me of the time he helped me through a panic attack. I focus on that moment and take deep, measured breaths, grounding myself in the present.

But this time feels different; it's as if something more sinister is tugging at the edges of my consciousness. I can hear faint voices merging into a blend of frustration and confusion.

"Why are we wasting time on this? Let's just get through this! We can decide who the survivor is in the next round!" I say, my voice rising above the noise, desperate to shift the focus back to the game.

"Are you scared you'll have to do the trial and error of the puzzle?" he taunts, his face a mask of smugness.

"Fine, you piece of trash, I'll do it," I snap back, my anger flaring.

"Someone keep track of the time while the rest of you do whatever you wish," I command, trying to take charge of the chaos swirling around us.

"You don't have to connect the pieces to see if they fit. Just bring them closer and compare," the short girl suggests, her voice steady amidst the tension.

With her advice, we start working with a renewed sense of urgency and focus.

"1 minute left!" she announces, the urgency in her voice cutting through the noise.

"Remember the left part you did? And this piece goes here while I handle the right side," I remark, my heart racing as I work alongside them. Each piece feels heavier, like a weight on my chest as the void lurks even closer.