Chapter 3

     Rae stood up and opened a drawer next to her bed. She took out an envelope and gave it to Eloise.

      "That's the location of the place."she said.

   "How the hell did you get that?"

       "While I was in Class A, it was given to a couple of students in our class. I think it was supposed to be like some ' friendly match ' or something and only five of us were invited. I didn't really care so I kept it here."

    "Now that I think about it, why were you demoted to B?"

       "That, I don't know. You can check out the place this evening."

      "Great, thanks." Eloise smiled.

          "Also, that place has a strict dress code.  Black shirts for boys and white shirts for girls."

       "Okay."

     Later that day, Eloise arrived at the den, dressed in a white blouse and black skirt, with her sleek blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. It was an ordinary two-storey building but the inside gave off a whole different atmosphere. Students from various classes were there, playing games for money. There were eight televisions displaying sports matches varying from football, basketball, horse racing and so much more. Victorious laughs, painful cries and thrill and excitement filled the air. It was truly the epitome of gambling. 

            "This is truly amazing." Eloise muttered.  "What game should I play first?" Her eyes searched the room. "Let's start with that one."

     A couple of hours later, a student rushed into the owner's room.  A student with silvery hair and golden eyes relaxing on a chair shifted his eyes to him.

     "Travis, there's a situation!"

        "What is it?"

    "There's this girl--"

          "So?"he cut him off abruptly.

      "She's, she's a maniac. She's winning all the games like it's nothing."

      "Huh?"

          "The strange part is, she claims to have never gambled."

     "Could it be her?"he thought.  "I'll check it out." He wore his jacket and went to the hall.

     "1, 2, 3, I win." Eloise said as her opponent fell to his knees.

     "No,"he muttered. "it can't be. This is my savings!"

      "I'm truly sorry but I believe ' was ' is the appropriate verb." She faced the crowd. "Anyone up for another game?"

      Just as Travis was about to step out, a girl with black shiny hair challenged Eloise. She humbly accepted and sat down.

     "I'll let you pick the game."the girl offered

   "Thanks. Let's play, um... blackjack. Should be easy enough."

         The dealer shuffled a deck of cards.Chips of varying denominations were meticulously arranged in front of each player, a colorful representation of their respective fortunes. Eloise sat poised with a confident smirk, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the felt. Her opponent leaned in attentively, her posture conveying intense focus. As the dealer slides cards across the table with practiced precision, the tension in the air becomes palpable. The blonde's eyes sparkle with anticipation as she receives her hand, while the brunette's brow furrows in concentration as she studies her own cards.

    As the game progresses, their laughter rings out amidst the tension.  In the end, Eloise won the match.

         "You put up a good fight. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get my winnings."

        Travis watched in awe as Eloise walked away. He had never seen someone play with such skill. Grinning to himself, he muttered he would have her... at all costs.

   "I'm home!" Eloise said. She met her roommates watching a movie in the dark. She switched on the lights and the girls groaned in annoyance.

       "You're back huh? How much did you lose?" Rae asked in her usual indifferent tone.

      "For your information, I won almost every single game I played."

     "Really? What did you win?"

   "Tonight, I won about 4 000 000. I would have gotten more if I stayed the whole night."

     "This is 1am! It's practically the next day!" Hermas yelled.

      "I never thought you were so irresponsible, Ellie." Jessica scolded.

     "Ellie?" Hermas asked, confused.

        "That's what I call Eloise now."

    Exhausted, she dragged her feet and went to her room. "I'm sorry but please, let me go to sleep. Gambling can really drain a person's energy out."

      The following morning, Eloise heard a knock on the apartment door. Since no one was up, she answered it.

     "Hello Harrison."

    "And you are?"

         "Travis Dynasty, second year student and the owner of the den you went to yesterday."

     "How did you find my house and what are you doing here?"

       "I have my ways and I would like to talk to you."

     "Me? About what exactly?"

        "I'll tell you if you follow me. Don't want your flatmates nagging you when they see me here."

     She stared at him for some time before closing the door. A couple of minutes later, she walked out the door dressed in a sports bra paired with leggings and sneakers.

     "I'm only using this chance to jog."

   "Fine by me."

     "So Travis, what do you want?"

    "Don't waste time, do you?"he smirked. "Well then, I'll go straight to the point. I watched you last night, when you played against Andrea."

     "Is that why you came to my dorm?"

    "It's related to my reason."

        "Okay. Does she want a rematch?"

     "No but I want a game with you."

     "Really?"

       "Yes, really."

    "Why?"  

            "Because you're simply not like the others. Ever since the doors of my den has been opened, I've never seen anyone play like you do. Your skills are as good as your confidence so why shouldn't I have that experience?"

     She sighed and continued walking. "What is in for me? We can't gamble without a wager."

       "How about information on the upcoming exams? I heard you were looking for it."

     "I already know the candidates."

        "Not that. The answers. Every single detail of it."

     Eloise stopped in her tracks and turned to him.

     "So what's it gonna be?"

   "What time and where?"

    "We haven't discussed a wager."

    "If you win, you can have all my money."

       " Bold move. I see. Meet me by 3pm in my office at the den. See ya there." He went off.

     "I'm here."she said. She met him looking out the window and a chess board was already set on the table.

     "Good evening Harrison. Would you like anything before we start?"

     "No thanks."

       "Alright then, today we'll be playing chess."

   "Not giving me much of a choice, are you?"

He drew out a seat for her.  "After you."

        "Thanks but I can draw a seat for myself."

         "So here are the rules: there will be three matches. Whoever has the most wins, wins but no ' special tricks '."

      "Not like I can think of any."

            "Good."  He made the first move, sliding his pawn forward. "Your move." After a moment of contemplation, she moves her pawn.

     "Not taking chances, huh? Well then," he attacked her pawn with his knight. "I'll be taking that." Eloise furrowed her brows then calmed herself. As they played, they began to talk.

     "Who taught you how to play?"

   "Why are you asking?"

        "Because you're kind of good at this."

    "I learnt when I was 7."

      "That's quite young."

   "It's one of my favourites, mostly because it's like planning out a war but on a smaller scale."

      Travis chuckled. "So, you only like it because it's reminds you of violence on a mass scale?"

     "Something like that."

         "Did you ever play any online games?"

    "Not really. I wasn't privileged back then so I played card and board games."

 "Poor parents?"       "More like, evil stepmother sorta shit. Maybe I could have been a world champion in the gaming world."

     As the game progressed, the players made bold moves and daring maneuvers. Ultimately, Travis won two out of three rounds.

     "Normally, I would have taken your money Harrison. But because I've become fond of you, we'll play two more matches."

  "Thank you." The fourth round went to Eloise.

     ***

         The final match began with Eloise making the first move, her hand moving with practiced precision to advance her pawn. Travis responded calmly, mirroring her move with equal determination.

          As the game progressed, the intensity between the two players reached a fever pitch. Each move was met with a calculated countermove, as they strived to outwit and outmaneuver each other. The tension in the room was electric, the silence broken only by the soft thud of chess pieces hitting the board.

    As the match neared its climax, Travis unleashed a daring series of moves, putting Sanchez's king in checkmate. He said with triumphant grin spreading across his face, "Looks like I win again."

           But Eloise remained composed, her eyes narrowing in focus as she studied the board. With a sudden surge of determination, she unveils a brilliant counterattack, catching her opponent off guard and turning the tables in her favor. Travis' eyes widened in shock.

     "Could it be? It's been way too long."he thought. A sly smile spread across his face.

  "So this is where you have been hiding, C 47. This makes me want you even more."

         In the end, Eloise emerged victorious, her final move leaving Travis stunned into silence. With a gracious nod, he extended his hand in congratulations, acknowledging her skill and tenacity.  "Now then, back to our deal. Your number, please." She gave it to him and he sent the file to her.

     "I would like us to play again sometime."

 "Sure. Thanks for the file!"she said before leaving.

     It was already 7pm by the time they finished. "Shit, I need to come up with a good excuse." On her way home, she met Rae.

     "You went to Travis, didn't you?"

    "You overheard our discussion, huh?"

"So what if I did?"

            "Well, I got the info we need. You can thank me later."

    "I don't need to." A message was sent to Eloise's phone. It was from the school board and it said:

     Eloise Harrison, congratulations on obtaining the exam file. Because of your actions, you have received a protection vine-- a point that would enable you to prevent expulsion when needed. Once again, congrats and use this privilege wisely.

      From,

  Politiea Academy Examination Board.

      "Told you, Rae. This was a test."

    "Then why wasn't it announced earlier?"

    Rae's phone vibrated. It was from the school's exam board. It was a message informing her about the test Eloise had completed.

     "They wanted to test some before everyone was."