Ten minutes after the last game was unveiled, everyone worked together to set all the tables back into the old-style classroom, with all of them facing the front where the teacher was explaining things. In this case, the teacher himself was Irfan, and since the IM wasn't there yet, just like any classroom without a teacher, all the 'students' there started whispering furiously at each other.
"So, how is it?" Bagas asked while checking the footage he took today. "Are you satisfied with your own result?"
Sheva pondered for a moment, thinking about all the games he had played that day. In the end, he shook his head firmly, knowing full well that there was a little bit of stain on his tournament today. "No, not really. I am this close to beating her in our game. It is a pity that I made a mistake." He answered, putting his thumb very close to his index finger with leaving only a very small gap to emphasize the closeness of this matter.
"You still think about your defeat? No offense, Shev, but you are too greedy here." Bagas snorted. "This is just your first time here, and if you still remember it clearly, you have only been exposed to chess for about a week. Don't forget that it is I who introduced this game to you. Just after getting to know this game in that short period, do you think you can dominate the entire field? Do you think you are a fucking main protagonist from the Webnovel who owns a system?" He snorted ridiculously.
Sheva was stunned immediately after he heard that. Indeed, He had only been in this game for a very short time, and it was normal to face a couple of defeats. Hell, what was freaky was the fact that he won second place in this tournament, something that should've been impossible considering his lack of experience! He didn't even know half the rules of the game!
However, what froze him on the spot was the fact that Bagas mentioned that he was the main protagonist who owned a system. Even though Sheva didn't think too much about the 'main protagonist' thing, he himself owned a system inside his head, so he thought at first that he accidentally revealed to his best friend about the system's existence inside his head. Fortunately, after noticing the mockery behind Bagas's tone, Sheva realized that Bagas was joking here, which meant that his secret was still safe.
Sheva didn't know why, but just like any other character who owned a system that he read in the Webnovel platform, he unconsciously hid the existence of the system inside his head, treating it as Pandora's box that would bring disaster once it was revealed to the world. That was why he felt his heart beating faster when Bagas mentioned that part before.
'Still, he is right on the point here. It seems that I am being too greedy here.' Sheva smiled wryly. 'It would be a very suspicious thing if somehow, I managed to beat everyone and have a perfect score today. The defeat against Anna means that I still have a lot of things to improve in the future, which isn't that bad in hindsight. I need to be more patient with myself…' He thought to himself, adjusting the mood for the first time after the defeat.
Seeing his change of expression, Bagas smiled victoriously, knowing that Sheva still listened to what he said. He put down the recording tools in his hand first, trying to make himself comfortable sitting on a chair that was way too small for his oversized body. A moment later, the teacher here, Irfan, finally arrived at the stage, silencing everyone with his mere presence.
"Well, thank you for your participation today, everyone." The IM smiled genuinely, seeming to feel happier than usual. "First of all, before we talk about the tournament today, let's welcome our new member here, whom I think everyone has already known about. Please, give a round of applause to our new superstar, Adrian Sheva!"
All the attention suddenly turned to him, and Sheva was forced to stand up and bow to acknowledge it. He had his face flushed red, feeling a little bit embarrassed for being the center of attention out of the sudden. Even Anna and Claudia also applauded him from their place, albeit the latter did it begrudgingly.
"We also have another new member here, and although he is an unofficial one, his role will be very important here. Let's welcome our new social media specialist, Septian Bagaskara!"
Sheva was startled when he heard his best friend's name was called, and when he saw the smugness on his best friend's face, he couldn't help but wonder, "Since when did you become a social media specialist?"
"Of course, since today!" He grinned smugly, enjoying the polite applause from the other. People there. "I just need to show off my ability to promote the club's activity to the Internet to let Master Irfan know how valuable my skill is. Surprised?"
"Yeah…" Sheva was speechless, not knowing what to say. Still, he was glad that Bagas would be here to accompany him. Sheva was afraid for a moment that the chubby boy would lose interest in the game quickly and leave him alone. Even if he was okay doing everything alone, it would be good for the peace of his mind to know that Bagas had his back.
"Then, let's announce the result of today's tournament. For the third place…" Irfan trailed his word behind, creating some sort of anticipation. "With 7.5 points, let's welcome our young superstar here, Claudia Marisa!"
Claudia rose from her seat, walking calmly toward the front while ignoring the applause around him. Sheva had half of his mind to laugh out loud, finding it funny to see her stiff expression as if she just beat a sour lemon. However, all of that mind vanished instantly when he heard Irfan call his name.
"With 8 points from the full eight wins and only one loss, please welcome our newcomer here, Adrian Sheva!"
Sheva scampered over to the front immediately, smiling shyly toward everyone who was clapping at him. Still, the cheers from the crowd worked like a charm, easing his mood after the defeat against Anna before. Also, this was the first time he won something in his life, and even though it was only second place, he was still excited nonetheless.
"Then, for our ultimate winner today…" Irfan smiled; the proud feeling couldn't be hidden on his face anymore. "Let's welcome our current record holder here, the fifth-time winner of our internal tournament, and this win today will add one more to her unbeatable record. Let's welcome her with our loudest cheer here, the unshakable Anna Marisa!"
And right after that, hell broke loose, and Sheva couldn't remember half of what happened next.