Complete noob, have problem with practice lock and key

So, I am completely new, Never picked a lock before, so I bought the kickstart set from sparrows, with the cutaway lock. It just came in the mail today, and I immediately started getting to it, but there is a problem. The lock and it's key. I struggle to get the key itself in and out of the lock to even be able to pick. I think it's high-low-high. When I do take the key out, back 4 pins get set too high by just taking the key out and they stay high with no pick and no tension, and I have to physically tap the lock on my desk a few times to get them to settle.

I did manage to pick it open after about 40 minutes (First time ever trying to pick a lock), but I feel like I cheated because the only reason I was able to open it is that several pins in the back got stuck before I even applied tension.

How do I lubricate a lock? one person I know IRL suggested "Lock graphite" which I had never heard of. My first thought was WD40. I have not done anything yet, because I don't want to risk ruining it. is that the correct move here? it's mostly the back 2 pins that are sticking like this.

\-update edit Attempted to rotate core with button on the back. Key is now stuck in lock and cannot be removed.

\-update, attempted to rotate core back the other way using a tension rod, that worked, key is out. attempting the other way now