[Key of Lies

A key revealed behind the fish on the wall after placing the correct business cards in the wall boxes.

Verification: Human verified

The Key of Lies is a puzzle item found during the entrance exam escape room. It is hidden behind the fish mounted on the wall and is revealed only after you place the correct business cards into the three wall boxes. Once obtained, the key unlocks the restroom door and lets you progress deeper into the puzzle room.

How to Obtain the Key of Lies

The key is not lying out in the open — you have to solve the business-card box puzzle first.

1. Enter the room containing the three boxes mounted on the wall.
2. Interact with the boxes and insert the business cards in the correct order:
   • First box: Jeb's business card
   • Second box: Ally's business card
   • Third box: the Eel business card [src-cc415a0c9f]
3. Placing all three correctly opens the fish decoration on the wall, revealing the Key of Lies behind it [src-cc415a0c9f].
4. Pick up the key.

The card order is confirmed across multiple playthroughs — Jeb, then Ally, then Eel — with the fish sliding open to expose the key once the third card is placed [src-3c4a331aa3]. If you are working the puzzle cooperatively, the same Jeb → Ally → Eel sequence applies [src-3c4a331aa3].

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

1. Solve the card boxes. Work out which card belongs in which box. The correct arrangement is Jeb in the first, Ally in the second, and Eel in the third [src-cc415a0c9f].
2. Collect the key. When the fish on the wall opens, grab the Key of Lies from behind it [src-cc415a0c9f].
3. Back out to the main room. Leave the card-box room and head toward the toilets [src-cc415a0c9f].
4. Unlock the restrooms. Use the Key of Lies on the restroom door to open it and move into the next area of the puzzle room [src-cc415a0c9f]. Players commonly figure out that the key belongs in the bathroom door [src-3c4a331aa3].
5. Continue onward. Once inside, proceed to the door marked "out of order" and go through it. Walk down the stairs to the bottom [src-cc415a0c9f].

Tips

• Don't guess the card order blindly. Confirm each card before inserting it; the boxes only reveal the fish when the full Jeb → Ally → Eel sequence is correct [src-cc415a0c9f][src-3c4a331aa3].
• Grab the collectible on the way out. After descending the stairs and exiting the door, turn left next to the payphones to pick up a newspaper — the first of 13 collectibles [src-cc415a0c9f]. Read it before you leave.
• Protect your A+ run. Do not press the hint button (X) while reading the newspaper or solving the room — using a hint invalidates an A+ run [src-cc415a0c9f]. Since there is an achievement tied to earning 10 A+ grades, save your hints for elsewhere [src-cc415a0c9f].

What Comes Next

The Key of Lies is purely a progression item — it does not carry a stat bonus or separate reward. Its only function is opening the restroom door so you can reach the staircase and the next stretch of the entrance exam [src-cc415a0c9f]. After you use it, continue down the stairs, collect the newspaper by the payphones, and then proceed to the train terminal to finish the introduction sequence [src-cc415a0c9f].

Details

description

A key obtained behind the fish on the wall.

Sources

• Escape Academy - The Co-op Mode
• Escape Academy - All Achievements/Trophies Walkthrough - 100% Puzzle Solution Guide (Xbox Game Pass)