''So...'' I speak up after devouring my third slice of cake. Sweets are the best. ''What do you want to do in the future, Emy?''
The girl diverts her gaze from the cake she is eating, finishes chewing her bite, gulps it down, and looks at me with an expressionless face. ''I want to be a Swordmaster.''
''Sword, huh.''
I have very little interest in swordplay or martial arts and such. I've never really imagined myself holding a melee weapon or doing CQC before.
''That's admirable, how's your practice going?''
''Last time I got tested I was at 5-star Novice.'' The girl says before taking another slice of cake, her seventh slice so far. What a monster.
For your information, there are 3 major roles in the world of fighting: Supporters, Defenders, and Damage Dealers, or DPS for short, although I'm the only one who uses this. And what are we fighting against? Monsters and demons.
Demons have sentience and are quite intelligent as well, they control monsters with dark magic and invade the territories of other races. Unlike in Anime where you can walk into a forest and monsters would just randomly attack you, there are just normal beasts there.
Most of the monsters are fighting armies at the border of the Empire and several other countries. Yes, we are at war with the demons right now, and we have lost quite a lot of land already. It will be much worse when the demon king resurrects in a few decades apparently, according to the goofy goddess.
If the elven territory is in the northernmost of the continent, then the demon territory is at the southernmost, sandwiched between the two is the Empire.
Anyway, back to the roles. Supporters are mainly just healers, occasionally, some mages join them to support other roles. Defenders are basically anyone who can protect themselves and their teammates against attacks. And finally DPS, this role is the most popular one, who doesn't like to stand out, right? Anybody who can significantly deal damage to the enemies is considered a DPS.
Emy's goal of Swordmaster is the end goal of most Sword users. Every class regardless of their role has the same ranking system: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master. Each rank has stars, going from one to five. Her being a 5-star Novice at that age is very unusual already, normally children at 9 or 10 are at most 2-star Novice.
I told my dad that I wanted to test my rank before, but he just laughed it off saying don't bother. So was it because I'm too weak or I'm too strong? I'm starting to question my dad's capability as an Archmage at this point after the book blunder.
''That's impressive, Emy, and you're like, 9? Or 10? This year, right?''
''...No, I just turned 6 this year.'' The girl stops eating for a second and answers me.
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''...That's got to be a joke, how are you this tall already??'' The girl is like 1.25 heads taller than me, how the hell is she supposed to be 6 and I'm 5?? And she's a 5-star Novice at that age??
''...Twat I wo vot jow.'' Emy replies while chewing the final bite of her ninth slice of cake. Stop talking while eating, it's unsettling with your stone face.
''...''
I'm speechless.
knock knock
The door opens after two knocks. I can see Sophia holding a chessboard, accompanied by my dad and another dude I don't recognize. He's quite handsome, looking at his white hair... I'm assuming he's Emy's dad, but I could be wrong, who knows?
''I've brought you the chessboard here, Your Highness. Please enjoy the game.'' Sophia places the chessboard down while I and Emy set the dishes aside.
I look at my dad and the man intently. It seems like Dad does notice my curious gaze. He turns to the man and says: ''This is Duke Campbell, my old friend, and your friend's father as well.''
''It's an honor to meet you, Your Highness, I'm Albert Campbell, Emilia's father.'' The dude bows lightly then turns to Emy ''I hope you and Emilia enjoyed yourselves.''
''Right, nice to meet you. Your daughter is very impressive, a 5-star Novice at that age.'' I reply calmly.
The man has an expression of surprise for a bit. ''You are really as incredible as Louis said, Your Highness.''
''Told ya.'' My dad chimes in.
''What.''
What the hell did you tell him?
''Well, enough of that, old Abe here said he wanted to see your chess skill because I said you beat me before.'' My dad changes the topic, while Sophia has already retreated to stand near the door.
And I did beat my dad before, he was pretty good, actually.
With my dad sitting down on my side and Albert sitting on Emy's side, I start to arrange the pieces. ''Then let me have a game with Emy first, I'll play you later.''
''Emy? Seems like your two got along, huh.'' My dad smiles while patting my head.
Stop that, old geezer.
''Mhmm, I'm not very good, I've never beaten my dad before, but I'll try my best.'' Emy moves first with the white pieces while I got the black pieces.
''That's natural, Abe here is one of the best when it comes to chess. He immediately got addicted 300 years ago when chess was introduced by a Saint.''
Bet that's the case, another person from Earth. They call us Saints because apparently, the goddess told the world that she personally blessed us the Earthers.
''But I'll keep silent for now to let you two play first.''
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''...And that's checkmate.'' I let out a little sigh after moving my queen to the back rank, my rook in the second rank. She got ladder mated.
''...You're good.'' Says Emy, her face still neutral.
''You're not bad yourself. I enjoyed that.'' I reply while rearranging the pieces for the next game. It was very close actually, I had to channel my inner Magnus Carlsen energy to beat her. I reckon she's around 1100~1200 ELO.
''You're up next? Mister Abe'' I turn to Abe.
''Oh please, not you too.'' Abe has a resigned face, don't resign before you play the game, dude. ''Then, please.''
This time I got the white pieces.
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This is bad, really bad. It's only been 15 moves and I'm already down a bishop, I'm getting my cheeks slapped here, this guy's the real deal. This cannot go on, I need to protect my dignity as a princess.
''...It looks like I can't play around anymore.'' I mutter a cool line before closing my eyes.
Help me Stockfish!
I begin to enter my current position on the digital board and proceed to play the best moves according to the engine.
And 37 moves later-
''I lost'' Abe says while reaching his hand out, I take it and shake his hand. He resigned, heh. Skill issue.
''That was insane, somehow you clutched out of the losing position.'' Abe's golden eyes spark. ''It's rare to meet a prodigy this strong, can we go again?''
''Sure thing.'' I said with my smuggest face. I can see Emy and Dad looking at me with admiration as well.
And with the help of my friend and savior Stockfish, I managed to beat him 3 more times before the door burst open.
''The great lady Seymour is here!''