THE FALSE PRODIGY

Nashimi was slightly taken aback by her brother's speculation. 

Nashimi: "In what manner?" 

Shiki: "Do you remember the second approach to entering the school as a transfer student?" 

Nashimi: "Are you referring to the special transferee exam? Yes, I remember, but I fail to see its relevance to anything. Wait, are you insinuating something?" 

Shiki then moves closer to her, gently caressing her head with a smile on his face.

Shiki: "Furthermore, I have come to know that all of his previous tests and exams have consistently scored 55.5%—every single one, no matter the difficulty." 

Nashimi: "That's odd. Is he trying to make a statement or something similar?" 

Shiki: "Just be careful when you're with him; we both know what happened the last time we encountered someone with this behavior." 

Nashimi: "I understood. Well, I have to go. It's almost 5:00."

Shiki: "Stay safe, Nashimi."

Nashimi responded to her brother's gentle smile with a comforting nod.

Nashimi: "Memories: Shadow State."

Among the numerous abilities at her disposal is "shadow state." This ability enables her to traverse, maneuver, and leap through the shadows of any entity. When she utilizes this power, she embodies the essence or concept of the shadow itself, immune to any harm or damage from external or internal forces. In simpler terms, she is considered invincible and indestructible in this state. 

Using the shadows of walls and buildings as her pathway, Nashimi made her way to school. The journey only took her a mere 2 seconds. It was precisely 5:00, and it appeared that everyone was forming lines on the campus field. She found her spot amidst the crowd. The next event was an announcement from Ms. Ferroce.

Ferroce: "Good morning, students of all grades. As you are all aware, we have a special examination today. So, please pay attention to the rules and objectives I am to announce."

The students seemed unfazed by this unexpected special examination, which made Nashimi flash a slight smile. She was eager for the challenge that these individuals might present to her. She wanted to know if her brother was right.

Ferroce: "This special exam is called Point Domination, and it consists of three subjects: mental arithmetic, tic-tac-toe, and chess. Each class will select three individuals to represent them in these subjects, and once chosen, the participants cannot be changed. The exam will follow an elimination format, and the matchups will be a round-robin format for each subject.

At the beginning of the exam, each participant will start with three points. To earn a point, they must win against their opponent, and the opponent will lose a point. If a player loses all their points, they will be eliminated from the exam and receive a rank deduction. Additionally, one hundred thousand rank points will be deducted from them.

The objective is for participants to reach ten points in their respective subject, which will make them the champions of that subject. Once a participant becomes the champion, the other participants will be scored based on the number of points they collected. The scores of the participants are the scores of the students in their class. 

It is quite simple; I wouldn't doubt the students of this school. All you have to do is win. Good luck to all the participants! " 

As the discussion about class representatives continued, the field grew more lively. Adam, the quiet and mysterious student, surprised everyone by offering to participate in chess or mental arithmetic. The class was unsure about making him a representative, considering his reserved nature. However, their doubts were quickly addressed when Beatrix Everhartz, the class leader, shared her opinion.

Beatrix: "Since Adam has expressed his interest, I can assume that the rest of the class doesn't play chess. In that case, Adam is our best option."

After a few moments of contemplation, most of the class agreed with Beatrix's reasoning. Some remained silent, lost in their own thoughts. Adam, feeling a newfound confidence, couldn't help but tease Beatrix.

Adam: "Oh? Recognizing me now, Miss Leader?"

Beatrix, maintaining her composure, responded with a mix of indifference and a hint of anger, along with a touch of sadness.

Beatrix: "You seem to be more lively since the transfer student arrived. Did something catch your eye?"

Adam: "Nothing much. She's just more interesting than you and everyone else in this school combined. You could say it's destiny."

The exchange between Adam and Beatrix hinted at a deeper connection between them, but the nature of their relationship remained unclear. Beatrix, determined to test Adam's abilities, made a bold statement.

Beatrix: "Fail, and I'll expel you."

Adam, unfazed by the threat, replied confidently.

Adam: "I have points to spare, so try me."

Their interaction revealed a competitive dynamic, leaving the rest of the class intrigued. With the matter of chess settled, Beatrix shifted the focus to mental arithmetic.

Beatrix: "Since chess is decided, who will participate in mental arithmetic? If none are offering, I will take part. Does anyone oppose?"

In contrast to Adam's offer, Beatrix's proposal was swiftly approved by most of the class. Her leadership and the trust her classmates had in her played a significant role in their unanimous agreement.

Beatrix: "Thank you all for your approval. Now, only tic-tac-toe remains. Who will be the representative?"

Near Hope Quinn, the class secretary, shared her thoughts with the rest of the class.

Near: "The transfer student could be a safe bet. I know it may not be the most convincing choice, but she seems to be the most willing to participate. None of you seem particularly interested, and the school hasn't provided all the details, so there might be a catch. As for me, I know my limitations, so I wouldn't participate."

The suggestion of the transfer student Nashimi as the representative sparked curiosity among the classmates. With the decision for tic-tac-toe still up in the air, the class eagerly awaited the final resolution.

Beatrix turned her attention to Nashimi, her gaze filled with anticipation.

Beatrix: "Are you willing, Ms. Rain?"

Nashimi, lost in her thoughts for a brief moment, finally looked up at Beatrix with a strong and determined presence.

Nashimi: "I am."

Nashimi's response caught the attention of the entire class. Her confident affirmation intrigued her classmates, who were eager to see what she could bring to the table as the representative for tic-tac-toe. The air in the classroom filled with a sense of excitement and curiosity as they awaited the upcoming competition.

With the announcement from Ms. Ferroce, the attention of all students in the campus field was immediately captured. It was time to begin the competitions.

Ferroce: "Time is up. All non-participants, please head to your respective classrooms. Participants, please stay for verification."

As the rest of the students made their way to their classrooms, the 36 expected representatives remained, with 12 individuals representing each subject. They gathered and proceeded to the campus dome, where the competitions would take place. The dome had three separate rooms, each designated for a different subject.

Excitement filled the air as the participants made their way to their assigned rooms, ready to showcase their skills and compete against one another. The stage was set for an intense and thrilling competition among the representatives.

-

In the first game of chess, Adam Yagami found himself facing off against Zane Zerrudo, a skilled player from 2nd year Curie. The match was set to follow the traditional 1-hour time format, known as a "classical game" in the world of chess. Before the game began, Adam couldn't help but feel curious about his opponent.

"How long have you been playing chess?" Adam asked, his curiosity piqued. "And what's your chess rating?"

Zane smiled warmly, reflecting on his journey with the game. "I've been playing since I was 8 years old," he replied. "At the moment, my classical Elo stands at 1684. So, I suppose you could say I'm an advanced intermediate player."

Adam was impressed. "That's quite an achievement," he remarked. "Statistically speaking, you're better than 90% of chess players out there. Be proud; you are strong.

Zane chuckled modestly, his calm demeanor shining through. He didn't seek recognition for his accomplishments, but Adam's words resonated with him.

Returning the curiosity, Zane turned the question back to Adam. "So, what's your Elo rating?" he inquired. "I've heard that younger players these days are often prodigies in their chosen craft. Are you one of them?"

Adam leaned forward, resting his head on his palms, deep in thought. He contemplated his response, unsure of how to frame it.

"Well," Adam began, "my classical Elo rating is only a mere 2009. So, it's not as different from yours as you might think."

Zane's eyebrows raised slightly, a hint of surprise crossing his face. He crossed his arms, contemplating whether Adam was being serious or not.

"Are you... being serious right now?" Zane asked, his voice filled with curiosity and a touch of disbelief.

The two players shared a moment of competitive analysis, each trying to gauge the other's abilities. The chessboard awaited them, ready to witness the clash of their skills and experience. 

_____________________________

Adam Yagami vs. Zane Zerrudo 

(White) - (Black) 

[2009]-[1684]

Classical time format (1 hour) 

In the intense game of wits and intellect, Adam Yagami, playing as the White Pieces, faced off against Zane Zerrudo, commanding the Black Pieces. Their skill levels were reflected by their respective ratings, with Adam at 2009 and Zane at 1684. The time format for this classical battle was one hour.

As the game began, Adam initiated with the classic opening move, e4. Zane had taken his move C5, signaling that they were both well-versed in the opening lines of this timeless game.

Adam couldn't help but remark on the predictability of Zane's move. "Of course, the sicilian," he said with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Zane, on the other hand, responded with a touch of sarcasm. "What else did you expect? I'm a very defensive type."

Their banter added an extra layer of intrigue to the already intense atmosphere. Both players were fully aware of the statistics, which predicted Adam's higher chances of winning. However, Zane's determination to devour, even against the strongest opponents, made the outcome uncertain.

Adam admired Zane's resolve but couldn't help but wonder if it would be enough to tip the scales in his favor. "I like your resolve," he admitted, "but will that be enough?"

Zane replied with a mix of confidence and uncertainty. "Who knows? Let us see."

And so, the battle between Adam and Zane unfolded, with each move bringing them closer to victory or defeat. The outcome remained uncertain, but one thing is certain: the two players promised an exhilarating match.

The game continued with Adam moving his knight to c3 to bring out his knight and also protect the defenseless e4 pawn, and Zane responded by moving his knight to c6. Zane looked at the board, raising an eyebrow at Adam's decision to close the position. "Why did you close it?" he questioned, trying to decipher his opponent's strategy. 

Adam, his expression still laced with amusement, shrugged. "It's much more predictable and easy to keep track of. I'm trying to anticipate your next move," he explained.

Zane merely smirked at Adam's response, a flicker of challenge in his eyes. "Is it?" he retorted, his tone filled with skepticism. Adam simply laughed, his eyes dancing with delight. "Well, the predictability already jumped out of the roof, traditionalist," he teased.

The game progressed with Zane boldly moving his pawn to g5, while Adam moved his knight to f3. A few more moves were exchanged, with Adam moving his pawn to d4 and Zane capturing the pawn with his own pawn.

Zane sighed, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "I wish you played the fianchetto variation, but the world is cruel sometimes," he lamented. Adam shrugged, his tone light and playful. "Don't you want to accelerate this game a bit? We both took 17 seconds on each move since the game started," he pointed out.

Zane shook his head, a wry smile on his face. "I just don't really like the modern variation, you modern dragon," he retorted. Adam chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "Can't you be a little creative? You just based it on the opening we have right now," he countered.

Zane shrugged, his eyes reflecting a sense of resignation. "Being creative these times around is close to impossible and is tiresome. I'd just take what's in front of me and spin things a little," he confessed. The game continued, and the tension was painful as each move brought them closer to the end.

Zane cast a sidelong glance at Adam, his tone laced with a hint of challenge. "It's not like you took a lot of time to think between moves, right? I could tell you can already see the endgame."

Adam raised an eyebrow at his opponent's assertion. "Endgame? You really think so?" he asked, a playful smirk on his face.

The game continued, and Adam recaptured it by moving his knight to D4. Zane then moved his bishop to g7, while Adam protected his knight by moving his bishop to e3.

But then Zane made a surprising move. He moved his queen to a5, a move that was out of the common lines. It was a move that awakened Adam's intuition, and he couldn't help but tease his friend.

"Oi, oi, we're now out of the books, and you're starting to forget what you were reading," Adam said, his voice filled with amusement. "But don't worry, I will only play just a little above your level, if you don't mind."

Zane laughed modestly at Adam's comment, trying to hide the shock that Adam had seen his minor setback. "It would be great if you did, so I can have a better chance at least," he responded, trying to maintain his composure.

Despite his outward calm, Zane was inwardly taken aback. Adam's ability to deduce even the smallest advantage was a testament to his skill and experience. This game was turning out to be more challenging than Zane had thought. He didn't realize his fatal mistake, which would lead him down the road of defeat. 

Adam's next move was Be2, to which Zane responded by moving his queen to B4. He was attempting to infiltrate enemy territory, unaware that this move was actually a greater mistake than his previous one.

Adam blinks in surprise, his eyes narrowing as he studies the board. "I'm surprised," he admitted, his gaze still fixated on the board.

Zane looked at Adam, confusion evident in his eyes. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, trying to decipher the meaning behind Adam's words.

Adam looked up from the board, meeting Zane's gaze. "I'm surprised that you actually made another mistake again," he stated, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Zane swallowed nervously, his mind racing as he tried to figure out what he had done wrong. "Is that so?" he stammered, his eyes darting between the board and Adam.

Adam simply nodded, his smirk growing wider. "Yes, very much so," he confirmed, his gaze returning to the board.

Adam then moved his pawn to a3, attacking Zane's queen. Zane quickly moved his queen to d6, avoiding capture. Adam, however, was far from done. "Time to activate my secret move, 'brilliance'," he declared, moving his pawn to f4.

Zane didn't put much thought into Adam's move, focusing instead on his own strategy. He moved his bishop to d4, capturing Adam's knight. But to his surprise, Adam didn't retaliate by capturing Zane's bishop with his own. Instead, he moved his knight to b5, simultaneously trapping Zane's bishop and attacking his queen.

Zane's mind raced as he realized the trouble he was in. He squeezed a pawn he had captured earlier, his mind whirling as he tried to find a way out. In his panic, he made a rash decision, moving his bishop to e3, capturing Adam's defenseless bishop. But in doing so, he left his queen exposed to two attackers.

Zane's breath hitched as he realized the extent of his mistake. "Uh-uh...huh..." he stammered, his eyes wide with shock.

Adam's smirk disappeared, replaced by an indifferent expression. "You lose," he stated coldly, swiftly capturing Zane's queen with his knight while simultaneously checking Zane's king. Zane captured the checking knight with his pawn, but it was too late. The damage was done, and the endgame was clear. The next set of moves would reveal who would truly devour the other.

Adam took his time, engaging Zane in a thoughtful conversation before making his next move. His words were filled with a sense of depth and contemplation.

"Did you know that a chess player's playstyle reflects their way of thinking and viewing the world?" Adam began, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue. "Or how could a single game they played be based on their ever-encompassing future?"

Zane pondered the question, unsure of how to respond to Adam's sudden philosophical inquiry. After a moment of contemplation, he replied, "Yes, I've heard rumors, but I don't really know if they're true or not. What does this have to do with me? Surely my life couldn't be based on a chess game, can it?"

Adam smiled knowingly. "It depends. If you try to change your destiny, of course," he replied cryptically.

With that, Adam made his move, moving his rook to f1, a move that may or may not have been an intentional mistake. Zane responded by moving his knight to f6, simultaneously threatening to take the e4 pawn. Zane didn't realize the slight advantage he could have had, but even if he did, his position was already too damaged to capitalize on it. In truth, his best move at the moment was to develop his pieces.

Adam defended his pawn by moving his queen to d3, simultaneously attacking Zane's undefended bishop. Zane swiftly moved his bishop to the safe square of B6, avoiding capture.

Adam continued his offensive, moving his pawn to g4, putting pressure on Zane's position. Zane responded by moving his pawn to h5, challenging Adam to take it. Adam accepted the challenge, capturing Zane's pawn with his own.

In the midst of the intense game, Zane's emotional stress seemed to take its toll as he made a suboptimal move, moving his knight to d4. Adam observed this with a hint of surprise, realizing that such occurrences were quite rare.

Adam remained silent, his focus solely on ending the game. He captured Zane's g6 pawn with his h5 pawn, prompting Zane to retaliate by capturing the pawn. Adam then moved his pawn forward to e5, while Zane maneuvered his knight to d5, escaping the threat of the pawn. Seizing the opportunity, Adam moved his queen to g6, capturing the pawn and checking Zane's king simultaneously. Zane hesitantly moved his king to d7, and Adam took Zane's d6 pawn with his own, effectively trapping Zane's king.

Zane, determined to mitigate Adam's plan, moved his rook to f8. Adam responded by moving his queen to g6, once again checking the king, and threatening to capture Zane's c5 knight. Zane moved the threatened knight to f6, which was defended by the rook on f8. Adam continued his relentless attack, moving his queen to g7. Zane then checked Adam's king with his bishop on A5, forcing Adam to move his king to D1.

Undeterred, Zane repositioned his knight to c6, but Adam swiftly took control of the situation, checking Zane's king. With limited options, Zane moved his knight to e8. Adam, with a dark aura surrounding his moves, moved his bishop to h5, threatening checkmate in one.

Zane found himself unable to counter Adam's relentless assault, but he refused to resign to the inevitable. He moved his b pawn to b5, considered the best move according to the chess engines displayed on every classroom monitor. However, even the best moves were not enough to overcome the man Zane called the "Modern Dragon."

With his next move, Adam captured Zane's knight with his queen, and he confidently declared, "Checkmate," bringing an end to the game and the first match of chess.

The president of the student council, or rather, the Emperor, who was overseeing the special exam, announced the result of the first game.

"The winner of the first game of chess is Adam Yagami of the 1st year-class Planck," the president declared, acknowledging Adam's victory in the intense battle.

The members of Class Planck were taken aback by the unexpected display of genius from Adam in his chess match. They cheered for him, celebrating his victory and applauding his skill on the chessboard. Amidst the jubilant atmosphere, Near, known for her reserved nature, remained quiet, observing the celebration with a few others. Nashimi and Beatrix, who were preparing for their respective matches in particular, were slightly surprised by Adam's ability to not just win but to overpower his opponent with his strategic prowess. The remarkable display of talent left a lasting impression on everyone, sparking admiration and curiosity about Adam's abilities.

Zane, with humility and grace, acknowledged his defeat and extended his hand to Adam, who accepted the gesture with a nod and a firm handshake.

"We'll probably have a rematch if you manage to survive a few more rounds," Adam remarked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.

Zane smiled, appreciating the opportunity for redemption. "Will I survive until then?" he asked, his tone filled with determination.

Adam contemplated for a moment before responding, "I predict that you will secure either 4th or 3rd place overall, based on the information we have from the list of participants in the leaderboard. So fight till the end."

Zane's determination only grew stronger as he nodded in agreement. "I will," he affirmed, ready to face the challenges ahead with renewed vigor.

With a newfound respect and a shared understanding, Adam and Zane prepared themselves for the battles to come, knowing that they would likely cross again. 

NEXT CHAPTER: THE DAMSELETTE OF DESTRUCTION