Chapter 103
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Human Chess (2)
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After the first game ended in such an anticlimactic fashion.
I returned to the waiting room.
The others didn't seem to find it anticlimactic at all.
"Whoa~ That was tough. Hey, Elise. So what happened? I just fought, and we won."
It was Kain. His body was drenched in sweat, and he looked pretty drained, but his face was beaming with joy.
"Wipe off that sweat. Rest up a bit—we're jumping right into the next game. Manage your stamina. Don't burn yourself out. We've still got three games left."
"Yeah, yeah. But man, there sure are some tough players in Sudme. When did that golem bastard get so strong? He's a real threat now. Guess I gotta step it up too."
The other top pieces—the six knights, rooks, and bishops—had gathered off to the side, chatting among themselves.
Even the pawns were having a little get-together. Five of them were huddled on the corner sofa, chattering away.
I sidled up to them casually.
"Hey. Wasn't there one of you who didn't move at all?"
They all shook their heads at my question.
"I moved exactly once."
It was the response from a guy who looked innocently boyish. A bit cute, even.
He'd been stuck in the far-left corner, just like me on the right.
"You didn't fight either?"
"Nah? I did fight. And I won! Against the white golem."
The kid grinned brightly.
"...Yeah. Good job. You're strong."
I let out a sigh and turned away.
Well, human chess is different from regular chess since failed attacks are possible, so there's a lot more back-and-forth clashing. Most pieces probably fight at least once, or at least move a little.
Everyone except me.
"... ."
I shot a glare at Elise. She was staring into some tablet PC.
Hey. Elise. What's that?
Scouting book. Found it in the king's waiting room. Focus quietly, now.
"'Focus quietly, now,' my ass."
The moment I called her out, the entire waiting room went silent. Thirteen pairs of eyes—all thirteen teammates—swiveled toward me.
I didn't back down.
"'Focus quietly, now'? What is this, the stone age? Gonna eat some soup?"
"What the hell's this lunatic on about? Hey! Who cares about that crap? His Majesty led us to victory."
Elise stopped Kain as he started to stand.
"Let him be."
And that was it. She said nothing more, just kept glaring at that scouting book tablet.
I pulled out my smartphone.
But Elise. That black golem summon among the pawns is surprisingly strong. Keep it in mind. It's deployed as a pawn, but it's no pawn-level. Might even take down a knight.
I know. Seems intentional.
White's weak, but black's weirdly strong.
The black and white golems were standard familiar pawns shared across all mana pools, but the black one used obsidian materials, making it way stronger than some white knockoff.
"Hey. Everyone knows black's stronger than white, right?"
"... ."
Once again, the whole waiting room fell silent.
Kain shook his head and headed to the showers, while Elise didn't even glance my way.
"...Man, I'm sleepy."
Maybe because I did nothing. I'm sleepier than when I'm busy.
I lay down on the sofa.
Yawn— I closed my eyes for a moment.
Endex Team 1. Second match begins. Opponent: Devon Team 1.
Rest time was already over before I knew it.
"Everyone, same formation as last game."
At Elise's instruction, the waiting room buzzed into action, and I trudged over to my spot in the corner.
The second game resumed after a 20-minute break.
It played out just like the first.
I didn't move a single square.
Not even one.
At this point, I was doubting if I could even walk beyond this mana barrier.
"Why the hell is it so hot?"
I couldn't even lie down and sleep. Was it designed this way on purpose? The ground burned like crazy if I tried.
...Can I really get a perfect score like this?
The impatience stemmed from grades, of course.
I had to get into Edshila National Mana University—no question—and into one of the top departments. The Knight Faculty.
Sure, there was the even more elite Magic Engineering Department above it, but that wasn't my aptitude at all.
Anyway.
"What the hell are they doing... ."
I turned on the SZX-9500 Mana Optics Microscope and watched the battles unfolding on the distant chessboard.
Rawr!
Five squares away on the board—three kilometers from here.
Attacker: Kain. Defender: Devon's ace.
A queen-versus-queen clash, insanely fierce.
Boom—! Boom—! Boom—!
Kain swung a claymore half his size, while his opponent tried to control him with sword and shield—but
Crack!
Kain shattered the shield and slammed his shoulder into the foe. A straightforward, devastating body slam. Devon's queen blacked out on the spot.
We won! Won again!
Kain took the win, and I turned off the SZX-9500.
Beep-beep— Beep-beep—
Soon my smartwatch buzzed.
Match end. Endex Team 1 victory.
Won again.
"Yay, we won."
I muttered soullessly as I entered the waiting room.
The upside of not moving a single square: getting back first.
I flopped straight onto the corner sofa.
Lunch break: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
The waiting room speaker announced lunch. Soon the team came pouring back in.
"Elise. Lunch time—what're you eating?"
Kain asked Elise, who replied indifferently.
"Figure it out yourself."
"Huh? You sure you don't need food?"
"Strategy first. Food later."
"Fine, whatever... I can't hold out. Hey, guys! Let's go! Lunch is on me today!"
Wooo— Kain! Kain! Kain!
The team cheered for Kain and rushed out.
Everyone except me.
"... ."
Still sprawled on the sofa, I sent a message to someone.
[Boss. Thinking of hitting up that Wayward Meat spot. Got a seat? Near Remireats Stadium.]
Truth was, there was a Wayward Meat chain just ten minutes' walk away.
[Of course! I'm actually here right now? I'll make space—hurry over! Bring friends if you got 'em!]
A hearty, welcoming reply.
I jumped up, grabbed the door handle while dragging my slippers.
That's when.
"Where you going."
Elise spoke. She'd been focusing like a grandmaster. Fake concentration, huh.
"To eat."
Elise's eyes stayed fixed on her tablet. She flicked through the screen with her finger, casually tossing out:
"Why didn't you say anything."
"Say what? I'm going to eat. Do I need your permission?"
Is she hungry too?
Elise gritted her teeth. A cold voice seeped through.
"You're friends with Yael, aren't you."
Not a question—certainty.
I was pretty shocked in that moment, but kept my poker face. Thought about how to respond without a word.
Tick-tock- Tick-tock- Tick-tock—
The second hand ticked.
"Answer."
Elise lifted her eyes, refusing even silence.
"Better do it while you can."
Her gaze was already icy-blue like a lynx. You know those cat-like beasts?
I met her eyes calmly.
Not scary. Not threatening.
She's not the old Elise—the monstrous pre-regression Elise.
"Answer, huh... ."
Not even worth agonizing over.
From now on, I won't say a word about Yael.
"Why should I."
"...What?"
I could guess why Elise was suddenly like this.
Yael probably badmouthed me first with 'something.'
That guy's not exactly normal either.
But whatever 'something' Yael said, it ultimately wouldn't contradict his dying words.
Those words: 'Protect Elise.'
Even pre-regression, and even now when I'm not as strong as back then, Yael sees me as the one who can 'protect Elise.'
Still baffling what from, though.
More than anything, if pressed to say whether I desperately want Elise to live or die... I'd pick death.
"Think carefully. You could die."
Elise laced her voice with childish killing intent. I chuckled and shook my head.
Can't be helped.
I really dislike Elise, but my regard for Yael outweighs that.
This regression wouldn't have happened without him.
Sacrificing himself for me is rare.
"Pretend I like you instead. Yeah, I like you."
That was all I said. Elise's brow twitched menacingly, but nothing more.
She gripped the tablet's edge hard, and I dragged my slippers out the door.
Gurgle—
Suddenly, an ill-timed rumble echoed softly.
Not mine.
... .
Jackpot House's Wayward Meat chain.
"Ooh~ Sion! Good to see ya. But... you just keep growing, huh?"
The owner put his hand to his forehead and blinked.
"You were way shorter—now you're almost my height?"
"Haha... Want me to help out? I can finish dishes in five minutes."
"Nah, nah. Customers eat. Got a VIP private room ready—dig in."
"Sure."
I sat where the owner led me. Real private room. Even the grill was gold-colored. Upscale strategy here too, huh.
"Ooh... ."
I wiped my hands with the hot towel and glanced out the glass window absentmindedly.
"...What're you doing?"
Someone caught my eye.
Elise, peeking into the grill spot outside. Cap on her head, tablet at her side.
Doesn't look like she tailed me.
I'd have noticed a tail.
She actually seems here to eat... .
"One whole pig. You eat a ton—"
I asked the owner as he brought the food.
"Boss. There's a friend outside. Mind if I bring her in?"
"Go for it. Be right back."
I went out the back door and approached Elise, who was on tiptoes by the entrance.
"What're you doing?"
"!"
Elise jolted like she'd been shocked and stepped back.
"Why are you here? Were you following me?"
"I got here first. Come in if you're eating. Only one seat left."
"... ."
Elise narrowed her eyes. I shrugged.
"Don't wanna? Fine."
"Lead the way."
Surprisingly compliant. Treating me like a servant, though.
We entered the private room and sat side by side—no, diagonally across.
I grilled the meat on the table, and Elise fired off right away.
"How'd you meet."
As expected, here about Yael.
"Eat first?"
"...Hmph."
I grilled, and Elise silently worked her chopsticks.
About ten minutes like that.
"You just scarf it down when I grill, huh."
"... ."
Elise chewed her meat with a soured expression, swallowed, and held out her hand.
"Hand over the tongs."
"Nah. You'd burn it all."
"Jeez... Fine. Good for you, grilling well. Must feel rewarding."
"Better than doing nothing alone."
"...Just grill. I'll pay."
"Deal."
Transaction sealed. I called the owner and ordered twenty servings of the priciest cuts.