Chapter 102
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Human Chess (1)
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The next day, Friday in Cleaum Hall.
Was it because of what Soliet said last night? I walked in feeling a bit tense, but the others had similarly stiff expressions.
"Looks like I really was the only one out of the loop."
Of course. It seemed to be common knowledge that a large-scale team project would happen right before the entrance exams.
Well, that's how the cram schools make a living, after all.
Creak—
At exactly 9 a.m., the front door opened. Naturally, it was the human clock himself, Jedric.
"Good to see you all."
He spoke from the front of the podium.
"Starting next week, the evaluation exams begin. So today is the last regular assignment before them."
The last regular assignment. Jedric seemed to emphasize that word 'last' as he added,
"All mana high schools under Edshila will tackle the same assignment simultaneously. The assignment is Human Chess."
Human Chess.
It wasn't all that unfamiliar. Every year, there were Human Chess tournaments between famous knight orders. Not quite major league, but it was a pretty well-known sport.
The basic rules were identical to regular chess.
Sixteen pieces in total. Eight pawns, two knights, two bishops, two rooks, and then the king and queen to command them all.
The difference was—
"The pieces are all of you."
Each of us individuals serving as the pieces.
"I'll explain the rules and pieces. First, the pawn."
The word 'Pawn' appeared on the silver screen behind the podium.
Pawn. A foot soldier, just as the name implied.
"Human Chess has a special rule. All pieces move like in standard chess, but there's a 'defense opportunity'."
Defense opportunity.
In regular chess, a piece that gets attacked is just gone.
Not in Human Chess.
You get a chance to defend yourself through direct combat.
"Pawns have at least one defense opportunity. If you lose, you oxidize. If you win, you force the enemy piece to retreat and gain an extra defense opportunity. A draw forces the enemy back but consumes your defense chance."
For example, if a white pawn attacks a black pawn and loses, the white just loses its turn.
But if no decision is reached within the time limit, it's a draw—both the black pawn's defense chance and white's attack turn vanish.
"If you're attacked after exhausting your defense opportunities, you oxidize without a chance. Next, special pieces like knights, bishops, and rooks have three defense opportunities each."
Meaning special pieces had to be the 'strong ones'.
"The queen has unlimited defense opportunities, but if surrounded by multiple enemy pieces, she can get ganged up on, and after six fights, she'll naturally be destroyed."
A rule to prevent the unlimited-defense queen from recklessly charging into enemy lines. No one stands a chance against a dogpile.
"Finally, the king has no defense opportunities."
The king was the same as in regular chess.
"Evaluation factors include not just team victory, but combat processes, achievements, and more. All College Board staff will be monitoring. Now, we'll elect the 'king', who will serve as both team leader and chess player, via majority vote."
The player king had to be strong and smart, first and foremost.
Elise, Soliet, and Gerkken were locks for sure.
"I'm confident!"
But suddenly, someone raised their hand.
"Guys! Vote for me!!! I rock at chess!"
It was Rae.
I ignored her. The other seniors did too.
"If any senior wants to be king, you get a chance to pitch yourself. Organize your thoughts for five minutes, then come to the podium."
"Ah! Got it!"
Rae promptly buried her face in her desk.
—I'm Rae, and I'm confident... First off, I really suck at chess...
She muttered while scribbling a script furiously, while Elise quietly pondered.
1. Elise
2. Gerkken
3. Soliet
4. Esher
5. Brown
Five kings and players were elected: Elise, Gerkken, Soliet, Esher, and Brown. They left the room briefly with Jedric.
"Wow... I'm seriously dumbfounded. I said I was good at chess."
Rae was sulking hard. Her pout echoed through the entire Cleaum Hall as she crossed her arms and pursed her lips.
But Rae wasn't the only pissed one.
"...No. I wasn't even dying to be king or anything?"
It was Kain.
"Fuck, guys. Hey, guys—!"
He suddenly yelled, scanning the hall.
"Do I look that stupid? Being big doesn't make you dumb! You guys need to think smarter! Esher's dumber than me, you know?!"
"It'd be a waste for you to be king."
Elise, who had just returned, calmed Kain down. She strode to the podium.
"Combat-wise, the king's only role is self-protection. The strongest piece on the board is the queen."
"Kuhum... Yeah, fair... Wait, so I'm the queen? Me?"
Kain flexed his biceps, each the size of a person's head.
"This buff like a queen?"
"Who still clings to those biased stereotypes these days?"
"...Huh?"
"Sit down."
At Elise's words, Kain meekly took his seat. Soon, Gerkken, Soliet, Esher, Brown, and Jedric entered.
For the record, Brown was some chess master alum or whatever.
Jedric spoke.
"The kings will now draft team members. From first pick Elise to fifth Brown, then snake draft back from Brown to Elise."
Snake draft. Fair enough.
"Endex forms five teams of 14. The two missing pieces will be summons: Black Golem and White Golem. Elise picks first."
Elise said without hesitation,
"I'll take Kain for queen."
"Kahaha! Yeah, that's right!"
Kain laughed heartily, and next Gerkken stepped up.
He pondered briefly before calling a name.
"James for queen."
"Thanks!"
James saluted with a hand chop to his brow. Like some soldier.
For reference, James was that prince from the drama club way back.
The swordsman who'd cornered Elise while under Noah's control.
A pretty strong noble, all things considered.
Third, Soliet. She probably wouldn't pick me.
"Rae for queen."
"Yesss! Soliet's the only one! Scram, Elise!"
Rae stuck her tongue out at Elise, who looked exasperated.
....
Queens done, then rooks, knights, bishops, and now pawns—the foot soldiers.
Six pawns each, so no big expectations for me.
Probably called at the tail end, like in that team project.
Very familiar picture.
Déjà vu?
"Sion for pawn."
My eyes went wide. Suddenly, my name as the very first pawn. I startled and looked up at the podium.
There stood the unexpected face: Elise.
She, of all people, had picked me as her 'first pawn'.
"Huh?"
She stared back blankly, while her queen Kain's eyes bulged. He turned to me.
"What're you?"
"...She picked me, why ask me?"
Friday, 10 a.m.
Teams formed, we headed to Remireits Stadium, twenty minutes away.
[Waiting room. Everyone equip your smartwatches and stand by.]
The stadium's team waiting rooms were unique. A long room with sixteen doors, each marked with a specific piece type.
[This stadium is also an artificial mana space for Human Chess matches. Before starting, the king player will assign piece positions.]
"Got it. I'll assign positions. Kain, you're queen here. Gail, you here."
Elise meticulously placed everyone.
"Where do we pawns stand?"
"Pawns can stand anywhere, right?"
"Heh. Yeah? Scary stuff. I'm not great at fighting—"
"Can you all quiet down?"
Elise silenced the chatterboxes.
"Pawns have positions too, so wait."
The room went dead silent at that.
Elise pondered deeply before assigning the pawns.
"You, center."
"Yes, ma'am."
In regular chess, maybe not, but Human Chess? A tired knight vs. a pawn, the pawn could win.
"You, here."
From pawns on, Elise defaulted to 'you' since she didn't know their names.
Except me.
"And... you, far right corner."
That was me.
"Hey. 'Shove off'? I can hear you fine? Just tell me."
"Heard it? Then go, man."
Kain waved me off. I trudged to the far right corner.
[Positions set? Exit the waiting room.]
I opened the door.
"...Pretty wild."
A perfect square space. Bordered by mana barriers, semi-transparent beyond.
[That's one square. Area: 333㎡.]
333㎡ was nearly 100 pyeong. Spacious, but probably expansion magic.
[Warm up and select weapons.]
"Weapons?"
I looked around. A basket sat right by the door.
"...What the hell."
Wooden club, practice sword of decent length, slingshot. That was it.
[Weapons vary by piece.]
"Telling me late, huh."
I grabbed the wooden club.
[Most weapons are wooden, but this mana space auto-measures damage. Win/loss based on that—fight your best.]
Dooooong——!
A massive bell tolled.
[Match starting soon. 4 games per team.]
Four games a day? Stamina would drain fast.
Good thing I skipped sparring yesterday.
[Endex Team 1 vs. Sdme Team 2. Prepare.]
Opponent: Sdme. One of the top high schools right after Endex.
[Begin.]
With Jedric's word, the scenery shifted. Dense jungle. Suddenly humid.
"Hot."
I fanned myself, surveying around.
As pawn, I waited. When Elise ordered via smartwatch vibration, I'd cross squares accordingly.
"Pretty damn humid."
I shed my top. Sat on the ground.
Five minutes, ten...
"Hm?"
Then someone appeared behind me.
"You're here! Not Gail."
Thought enemy, but teammate. I tossed the club aside.
"Oh, you're the rook?"
"Rook, yeah."
Rooks moved straight lines front-back-left-right, instantly if clear.
Enviable.
"...Cool. Don't lose."
"Yeah."
What was his name? Anyway, the guy dashed past me, and I killed time again.
Twenty, twenty-five, thirty minutes...
"Am I not moving?"
Bored, I checked the smartwatch.
[35 moves]
"What? Thirty-five moves already?"
Wonder what's happening. Peek with the SZX-9500?
Nah, just in case. Knight could charge anytime—save mana...
Beep-beep— Beep-beep—
"Huh?"
Smartwatch alarm.
Then a caster's voice from above.
Endex Team 1 Victory
"...Wait, what? Victory for what?"