Chapter 146: Unexpected Test (1) (1/2)
Tap-
The black piece was placed gently atop the latticed wooden board. The 87th move was enough to satisfy Sophien.
Tap-
The 88th move of the white piece blocked the black piece. However, while it was the best she could do, it wasn’t enough to overturn her situation.
Tap-
Therefore, the black pieces continued their attack with ease, akin to a hermit fanning himself by the stream.
Tap-
On the other hand, the white side was pressed for time. There was anxiety in every move, like a general facing a war without any tactics.
Tap-
Despite the plight of the white pieces, the offensive of the black pieces finally surrounded them. The white pieces, blocked on all sides, slowly withered.
Tap- Tap- Tap-
The game continued, though it didn’t mean much because the winner was almost decided. The white side waited for defeat.
Tap… Tap… Tap-
The slow sound of the pieces being laid. The result was the black side’s victory by a wide margin, but Sophien wasn’t very happy. This was because only one person was playing the game.
“…Gosh.”
An imaginary game. The white side was played by Sophien, and the black side was also played by Sophien.
“I’m not even playing with stones or anything.”
Belatedly, a sense of emptiness washed in. Sophien picked up a handful of the pieces in the box and then threw them everywhere. The pieces scattered like firecrackers as a smirk bloomed on Sophien’s lips.
“Hmph. It’s more fun than this.”
She put her hand back into the box and threw them again. And again.
“…”
As if that wasn’t enough, this time, she completely overturned the box.
Bang, bang, bang…
She grabbed the empty box and hit it over and over.
—Knock, knock. Your Majesty. It’s Jolang. Do you have a minute?
Just then, the eunuch knocked.
“What do you want?”
—We have been learning the game that Your Majesty has been enjoying these days.”
“…”
Sophien opened the door, using Psychokinesis like Deculein.
“Did you learn the game of Go?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. We’ve learned it by using our heads together.”
It wasn’t just Jolang. Ten eunuchs stood in a line behind him. Surely, if it were ten brains against her one, it would be less boring.
“Good. Sit down.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Jolang thought this was a way to look good to the Emperor. So, he spent all day and night learning the game of Go. Sophien picked up the Go pieces with magic.
“White. Black. Choose one.”
“I’ll choose white.”
Jolang and the eunuchs sat facing Sophien.
“I’ll go first.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Tap-
Sophien’s Black took the lead. Jolang’s white made a counter-move.
“Ohh. I see you have learned.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you.”
“Hmph.”
These eunuchs seemed to have learned to some extent, but…
Exactly 23 minutes later.
“Tsk. You’re lame; you’re lame.”
“…I apologize.”
The game ended in around 60 moves. Sophien put a finger to her temple.
“Even with ten of your heads, your calculation speed is infinitely slow, so it’s rather negative.”
“…I apologize.”
“I apologize, my ass. That’s a waste of energy, you moron. Get out of here. It’ll get even more boring if I keep playing with you guys.”
“We apolo-“
“Just go away quietly!”
Sophien kicked out the group of eunuchs. Then, she fiddled with the bow tie around her neck. Today she was in a tailcoat, a top-notch suit from the Yukline family.
“Man… tsk. They’re so bad.”
But it encouraged her to spread it to the continent. If she waited, talented people would appear. But the process was tedious.
“…Should I just wait for Deculein?”
Her only hope left now was the Professor.
“…”
Sophien started playing Go again, thinking of Deculein, who would come in two weeks.
Tap… Tap…
The sound of friction between stone and wood resounded quietly through her room.
* * *
“…Hmm.”
I was looking into the Rare Attribute Catalog, still thinking. This fastidious personality led to plenty of difficulties in decision-making.
“…”
The encryption obtained last time was quite useful. In particular, the inventory function could be used in magic theory, such as in preventing starvation or death or homelessness, as well as encrypting formulas. However, this rare catalog was…
There was no answer between toughness and duct tape.
“Duct tape.”
It didn’t mean anything other than actual duct tape. It was a trait made as a meme in the development process, and the universal use of duct tape in the United States was almost equivalent to a new faith.
──「Duct Tape 」──
◆ Rating: Rare
◆ Description
: This tape is magic and religion. If the phrase ‘all-around’ were materialized, wouldn’t it be this tape?
──────
As a meme characteristic, the description was a bit crude, but its performance was certain. First of all, it went well with my magic class, Manipulation, and could be used in almost any case. In terms of universality alone, it could be said to be the most outstanding of the rare traits.
“Toughness.”
On the other hand, toughness. It was a very simple trait that raised mental strength, but this one drop of mental power could take me to another level…
“I have to go with the situation.”
It didn’t matter which one I learned first, so I would make a decision based on how the next quest would continue. I put away the Catalog and then went back to preparing for class.
“…”
There were several stones the size of a ping-pong ball on the table in the [Head Professor’s Lab] right now. This was the core material of this class. I applied the magic resistance technique to these stones, gave them the characteristic Iron Man, sealed them all with encryption, and applied double and triple quenching…
Through these processes, the Magical Resistance Stone was completed.
“Well made.”
I put the stones I had prepared in a velvet bag and left the lab.
—Assistant Professor. What is this Go game?
—Oh~, that’s a famous game in the Eastern Archipelago. It’s a battle of brains. It is similar to chess but much more complex.
—Really? Her Majesty the Emperor enjoys that complicated game?
—Because she’s the Emperor~.
On the other side of the hallway, Epherene and Allen were chatting.
“Allen.”
“Oh, yes! Professor!”
“We’re preparing for class.”
“Yes!”
Allen came running. Epherene bowed her head and tagged along.
“Hello, Professor.”
“Today’s class will be in the hall. Arrive on time.
“Yes.”
I boarded the elevator with Allen. Our destination was the special floor of the tower, the so-called Hall on the 99th floor.
“Take this, Allen.”
I handed Allen the velvet pouch. She was intrigued, taking it with both hands.
“Okay. What is this?”
“It’s a stone.”
“Oh~, a magic stone?”