Book 6: Chapter 5: Castling (1/2)

”Then, that would be quite simple, I think.”

Monica's statement brought chills to the atmosphere in the classroom.

——How fearless… and shameless, this little girl.

Elliot lifted the edge of his mouth, his droopy eyes narrowing fiercely as he glared at Monica.

”Do you understand what you are saying, Miss Norton? You've just made enemies of everyone in this classroom.”

Monica didn't answer him. She just stared at the board in silence.

”You're not going to move that pawn forward one square and say, ‘See, I could have easily moved this pawn!', aren't you?”

Monica still didn't say anything. But the blank expression on her face as she stared at the board reminded him of something he had seen before. It was the same expression as when she was reviewing the accounting records she assigned to before. At that time, she gave no reaction when Bridget slapped her on the cheek, instead, she kept staring at the numbers with her eyes.

Elliot felt a strange, unfathomable eeriness in the same blank expression as that time. What came to mind was something Felix had said to him before. When he asked Felix why he had chosen Monica Norton to be student council accountant, Felix replied,

——Because I don't know where Miss Norton's ‘standing' is.

Then I'll measure her ‘standing'… in this place.

Elliot then rearranged the pieces on the chessboard that Monica was staring at so that the white pieces were lined up exactly in her direction. Monica, who had been staring at the board, slowly raised her head and looked at him. He returned Monica's gaze with a fearless grin.

”Why don't we play one game? I'll play without the queen.”

”…who will move first?”

”The play starts from the white piece. How about you go first?”

Monica looked at him with wide eyes as he removed the black queen from the board.

”Then, I'll go first, is that okay?”

”Yeah, sure.”

While nodding leisurely, Elliot felt a strange irritation in his chest. Even as a beginner, Monica Norton has noticed that in this game, the first one to move has the advantage.

”…okay, I'll make my move.”

With that, Monica didn't hesitate to advance the pawn in the center by two squares. The way to proceed with a pawn seems simple, but it is more complicated than it seems.

Basically, it can only move forward one step at a time, but it also can move two squares from its starting point if there are no other pieces in front of it. In addition, the movement becomes unusual only when taking an enemy piece, sometimes moving diagonally, and if it advances to the far end, it can be ‘promoted' to another piece.

…I doubt she can understand it after just one explanation.

Moving the center pawn ahead was a common move. If the front pieces were not moved quickly enough to open the way, the back pieces will not be able to get through.

…an amateur approach, I guess.

Looking down at the board with cold eyes, Elliot also moved his pieces.

The pleasant clicking of the pieces was a sign of someone who was used to playing chess. In comparison, Monica's manner of playing was that of an amateur. Even the way she held and placed the pieces seemed awkward.

——And yet, there was no hesitation in the way she moved her pieces.

When Elliot played his piece, Monica followed quickly with her next piece.

This game was just for fun. It wasn't timed, and there was no time limit, to begin with. Then, she should have taken her time and think about it as much as she wanted, but when Elliot moved his pieces, Monica moved hers without pause. It was so fast that he wondered if she was moving it blindly.

…is that how you're going to put pressure on me? …wait.

Looking down at the board, Elliot furrowed his brow. Monica's strategy was like a theory written in a textbook. If this had been any other person, he would not have been so surprised. But Monica was someone who had just learned the rules for the first time.

…even so, will using theory alone could make her hold the game this long?

Elliot pondered for a moment and then moved his piece. Again, Monica quickly moved her piece. It made him couldn't help but open his mouth.

”There' s no time limit on this game, you know. Why don't you take your time and think about your move?”

”……….”

Without replying, Monica just stared at the pieces on the board. Elliot frowned slightly and directed his next move. Immediately, Monica made her next move.

*    *    *

At some point, people began to gather around their tables.

But the current Elliot didn't pay attention to the gallery around him. His gaze was fixed on the board, and his mouth, which was now covered with one hand, was tensed under his hand.

…how could it become like this?

He was one of the three most skilled players in this classroom. Despite the disadvantage of having no queen, he did not slack off. He was going to beat Monica thoroughly with a handicap, and then checkmate her thoroughly after he got rid of every single piece of the white camp.