The sound of soft conversation moved through the air while students streamed through the corridors, heading to their respective clubs. Inside the chess club room, students were arranged about wooden tables, and the sound of chess pieces clicking against the board echoed in the background.
Among them stood David, his sharp eyes scanning the room with an expression of calm curiosity. He had just requested to join the club-as a complete novice.
The club president, a senior student with glasses and a composed demeanor, raised an eyebrow. "If you want to join, you'll have to go through an evaluation."
David's lips curved into a small smile. "That's fair."
The Three Matches Begin
The teacher in charge of the chess club nodded in his approval. "You will play three practice games. You are not necessarily so focused on winning; try to score points showing your adaptability. Let us see how you are able to handle this."
David occupied his seat, his fingers lightly tapping against the chessboard as his first opponent, a second-year club member, sat in front of him.
First Match-A Brutal Loss
From the first moment on, the opponent started pretty strongly with an early move in the center. A few minutes later, David was already crumbling under an advancing battle. His
pieces were scattered all over the field, and his position was meaningless.
"Checkmate."
David leaned back, exhaling softly. He wasn't surprised-he wasn't actually good at chess. At least, not yet.
But he did learn something.
Second Match - A Struggle but Still a Loss
This time, David played a little more carefully. He tried to follow some of his opponent's earlier schemes, trying to adjust his moves to his last defeat.
It was still lacking experience though. One miscalculated move cost him an important piece, and again he was left with no alternative but to concede to defeat.
"Checkmate."
Some members were whispering to themselves. "He's improving fast.... but still, he's too green."
David's fingers were tapping rhythmically on the table.
He's starting to see the pattern.
Third Match- The Unexpected Victory,
His last opponent was one of the better club members. By now, everyone was expecting David to lose again.
However, this time it was different with David.
He didn't depend on strategy but rather his opponent's psychology.
Then he played slower, making his opponent overthink.
On some moves he would either let out a sigh or frown, making his opponent think the moves are so great when in reality they aren't.
He would do some fake mistakes then let the opponent attack him just to trap them with an unexpected counterplay.
Gradually, the game was turning over. His opponent grew careless because he thought of himself in control.
And then-
"Checkmate."
All went quiet.
David leaned back, his lips curling into a triumphant smile.
The watching instructor narrowed his icy eyes before comment, "David... you might not be the biggest fish in the pond, but your adaptation and manipulation of the game flow are phenomenal. I don't think I've seen anything in over a decade of coaching."
Whispers flew through the club.
David made but a small humble smile. "I just... learned from my mistakes."
But deep inside, he knew- this was not chess for him. This was just another game of manipulation.
Ren's Silent Observation
Therefore, Ren quite happened to pass just in front of the chess club's door when seeing the inside hustle-bustle.
His sharp eyes moved across the board to take note of what David was doing or saying.
Something about it- felt off.
Not pure chess skill. Something else, something quite unsettling.
Ren said nothing. Just watched him, grip on the part of the book he was holding slightly tightening.
As David had finished shaking hands with his opponent, much to Ren's comprehension, a slight grin surfaced, almost unnoticeable, at the corner of his lips and it was because of this that Ren was certain.
"This guy... is dangerous."