Book 7: Chapter 5: Musicians Chess (2/2)
A blinding memory of the past came back to Monica's mind.
An interview that left her hyperventilating. Enough to make the content of her stomach spill out when rehearsing for a ceremony.
If she became a captain, another incident like that might happen all over again.
Elliot held a finger to his chin and squinted his droopy eyes as Monica whimpered mournfully.
”Well, I suppose it will be a bit of a hassle to change the order since Prof. Boyd has already submitted our application… I guess we'll just have to go with it… in which case, I will remain as the captain…”
Elliot played his bangs with a reluctant look.
”They're expecting a lot of us this year, you know? Especially since Serendia Academy dominated the last tournament.”
Elliot's words suddenly reminded Monica of Felix's words.
Glad to hear that two of our student council members have been chosen again this year.
That was what Felix had told Monica and Elliot the other day when they reported to him on becoming players.
”Um, did any members…of the student council…participate…in the tournament last year?”
”His Highness and General Affairs Manager Maywood did. By the way, His Highness was the second-in-line player, and General Affairs Manager Maywood was the captain.”
”I see…”
Monica's eyes peeled back at Elliot's words.
Usually, when it comes to this kind of thing, the captain who was third in line was the most powerful. So she just assumed Felix was the one…
Out of all the student council members, the one who seemed far from being the most ”sharp” was Neil, the general affairs manager!
”Isn't Maywood General Affairs Manager very thoughtful? I mean, he always knows what I was going to do.”
”O-Okay…”
”That's why in chess, you can do the opposite. At the place where you don't want to be attacked, he will attack you without mercy… and that can be pretty nasty.”
It was hard to imagine where gentle-looking Neil completely blocking his opponent's strategy.
As Monica tilted her head, remembering Neil's amiable smile, Benjamin interjected, waving his finger as if he were waving a conducting baton.
”General Affairs Manager Maywood's chess game seems to be an extremely sophisticated improvisation. The way he reads his opponent's moves and responds perfectly to them is truly amazing!”
”Um… then, what about His Highness's chess?”
Asking Benjamin in a hushed voice, Monica recalled her game with Felix the other day.
Monica had won that game by an overwhelming margin, but Felix didn't seem to be taking it seriously—or rather, Felix's chess was the kind of chess where he hadn't revealed all his hands.
Elliot's chess showed glimpses of his beliefs, but Felix's chess felt like he was hiding them thoroughly.
That's why Monica was curious to know how Benjamin felt about Felix's chess.
In response to Monica's question, Benjamin rested his chin on his hand and closed his eyes.
”It is very difficult to read any trace of musicality from His Highness's chess. But yes, I dare say it may be similar to Miss Norton's chess.”
”………..Eh?”
Benjamin's fingers, which he had been moving like a conductor's rod, stopped in a high, raised position in response to Monica rounded her eyes in surprise.
Then, as if lowering the blade of a guillotine, he swung his fingers straight down.
”Neat and precise… a chess style that involves all possible moves to slaughter the king without fail.”
AN:
[The strength of the student council members' chess]
Moderately strong -> Cyril, Bridget
Quite strong -> Elliot
Absurdly strong -> Neil, Monica
??? -> Felix