Book 7: Chapter 10: An Overwhelming Strength (1/2)

The chess tournament was held in the dance hall of Serendia Academy.

Even though three representatives from each school would be playing at the same time, the dance hall, which was far too large, was chosen as the venue to provide seating for the spectators.

The spectator seats are set up at a certain distance from the players to no interrupt their concentration.

However, as the distance was too great for the spectators to see the match, the student council had prepared three large boards to resemble a chessboard. Pins that looked like pieces were fastened to these boards to show the situation of the game in real-time.

Third-year students taking an elective chess class at Serendia Academy took turns managing the board and hosting the games. While both teachers and student council members were watching the game from separate seats, as were the rest of the spectators.

”Let me inform you, this year's ”Temple” is strong. After all, we've got an excellent newcomer from a neighboring country, who came all the way to study at the ”Temple” to pursue chess studies. Among the students from the neighboring country of Randall, he is said to be an unbeatable chess player.”

As Redding, the teacher from ”Temple” rambles on, Pittman, the teacher from Minerva, seated next to him, softly chimes in.

”Coming all the way from a neighboring country to study in ”Temple”? Now that's amazing.”

”Indeed, practically he's a very talented student, but he's a little hard-headed, you see. I have intended to make him captain of the team, but he stubbornly insists on becoming the front player because he is a newcomer. Well, I feel a little sorry for the front player of Minerva and Serendia Academy.”

Redding didn't look very apologetic—in fact, he looked somewhat proud of himself as he said this, and looked at the two men sitting at the front player table.

Representing the ”Temple” side was a promising newcomer, Roberto Vincere. In contrast, the ”Serendia Academy” front player was Monica Norton, the sole girl in that group.

”Well, oh, well, what a poor girl. As a girl, she seems to be able to play a little bit, but against our ace, it must be a bit much for her.”

With that, Redding glanced at Boyd's stern face. With a grim face as if he were on the battlefield, Boyd responded with a low voice.

”Let me apologize in advance.”

”Well, now, what are you apologizing for? Could it be that girl is too weak to be an opponent?”

”I apologize for making Monica Norton the front player.”

”Oh, I suppose Serendia Academy went out of their way to choose female students to liven things up? Or perhaps that girl came from a family with a large donation? Well, I guess Serendia Academy has a different school culture from the meritocratic ”Temple”. I'm sure that's the case, yes.”

Boyd didn't even look at Redding when he rambled on. He just kept his eyes straight on the students before opening his mouth.

”I've chosen Monica Norton as the front player because she was too inexperienced.”

”Right, ladies rarely have the chance to play chess. So how long has she been playing chess? A year, maybe?”

Boyd showed him two of his thick fingers as Redding asked with a chuckle.

”Two weeks.”

While the teachers were having their conversation, a certain person had overheard them. He was the Minerva representative, Barney Jones. He raised his thin eyebrows and glared at Monica, who sat in the distance, with glinted eyes.

＊ ＊ ＊

Monica took a seat at the table provided, holding her aching stomach.

The pain in her stomach was not due to the pressure of the game. It was caused by the nervousness of knowing that Barney might discover her true identity and the anxiety about whether Nero and Lynn would not cause a ruckus while watching over His Highness.

Although she wanted to believe that Nero and Lynn would be fine because she had repeatedly reminded them… she was still worried because they both seemed to have taken a liking to that outfit.

As she let out a sigh, a male student from ”Temple” sitting in front of her expressed his concern to Monica.

”Are you not feeling well?”

”I-I'm fine.”

”Really?”

The boy who introduced himself as Roberto Vincere was apparently sixteen years, a year younger than Monica, but his appearance seems to say otherwise. Not only was he tall, but his muscular figure looked more suited to swords and spears than chess. Along with his stiff black hair was cut short and his earnest look, he has represented the very typical figure of the student of ”Temple”.

For now, I need to focus on what's in front of me.

”It's time. Let's have a good match.”

”L-let's have… a good matck—”

She bit her tongue.