Enchanted University of Magemenos

Chapter 75:A map

His shivering hand grips the doorknob, and as he pushes it open, a warm light spills out. "It's the door!" he exclaims, relief flooding his voice.

Without hesitation, we all surge forward, but in our haste, we collide with an invisible barrier, the loop snapping back to the start. Groans of frustration erupt around me, but deep down, we know this time we'll be ready. The knowledge of which door to choose provides a sliver of hope amidst the chaos.

"Dad, please don't hit me! I won't do it again, I promise!" The guy with glasses cries out, his eyes wide with terror, but he's not looking at any of us. It's as if he's trapped in a memory, begging an unseen figure for mercy. The pain in his voice echoes the anguish we all feel in our own way.

I glance at the short girl, now crumpled on the floor, her body shaking as she sobs uncontrollably, calling for her brother. The sound tugs at my heartstrings, and I can't help but feel the weight of her despair.

"This is the aftermath of the illusions," the brunette murmurs, her voice low but steady. "The void is consuming them with their worst memories, dragging them back to their pasts."

The realization hits me like a punch to the gut—these aftereffects are not just random; they are deadly hallucinations that prey on our fears and vulnerabilities. I can't let that happen to the girl.

I rush to her side, shaking her gently. "Wake up! It's just your mind playing tricks on you! Breathe, focus on your breathing!" My voice rings out, echoing with desperation. I try to channel Nathan's calming presence, urging her to inhale and exhale steadily, to come back to reality.

But then I hear a horrifying scream behind me. My heart drops as I turn around, witnessing blood pouring from the glasses guy's nose. He's flat on his stomach, clutching his head as if trying to keep it from exploding. The sight is gut-wrenching.

"He's dead!" the brunette cries out, panic lacing her words.

"No!" I shout, my voice breaking. "He can't be! He's just—"

"He was weak-minded," another guy interjects coldly, watching the scene unfold. "The hallucination got to him early and tore him apart."

The words hang in the air, heavy and suffocating. I feel a mix of anger and fear boiling inside me. How many more of us will fall victim to this twisted game? I can't let it take anyone else.

I turn back to the short girl, urgency fueling my actions. "You have to fight it! You're stronger than this!" I shout, hoping my voice can break through her trance.

"Continue with your nonsense, I'm leaving!" the blonde guy snaps, a grin twisted across his face, as if he finds the whole situation amusing.

But then we all stand in shocked silence as he pushes the door open, only to be met by a solid brick wall behind it. No room. Just the same oppressive wall that had trapped us before.

"What the bloody hell?" he exclaims, his frustration boiling over.

"How is this possible?" another guy murmurs, his voice laced with disbelief.

Suddenly, a realization washes over me. "Now I get it. Every loop, the place shifts at a specific angle. Like with the granny—she was to the right when we started, but in the next loop, she was to the left," I explain, my heart racing at the implications.

"Hell! Why didn't you tell us this before, you idiot?" he growls, lunging at me.

Before I can react, his hands are wrapped tightly around my throat, choking me. Panic surges through me as I struggle for breath, my fists hitting his arms in a desperate attempt to make him release me.

"I didn't... know... either!" I gasp, each word a fight against the tightening grip.

"Leave her, now!" the brunette shouts, stepping in. "We've already lost one. We have to work as a team and complete the puzzle. That's the only way to get a hint now."

The blonde guy hesitates, and I feel the pressure on my throat ease just enough for me to draw in a desperate breath. Finally, he releases me, stepping back with a scowl that could curdle milk.

We quickly piece together the parts of the puzzle we can remember, and after two more loops, we finally complete it. The finished image reveals a map of sorts, displaying six blocks numbered 1 to 6, with one of the blocks marked by a speaker symbol, while the others remain blank.

"What does this mean now? Is there music in one of the doors?" the brunette muses, pressing her ear against one of the doors to listen.