image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]

46) CHESS COMPETITION: FACING NYRA

The classroom was wrapped in an eerie silence as dusk settled in, casting long shadows through the windows. Sophia sat at the furthest table in the chess room, her eyes locked on her opponent, Nyra. A third-year student and one of the top chess players in the country, Nyra was known for his ruthless precision. The soft rustling of the wind outside was the only sound in the room, as the students, tense and expectant, watched the unfolding match in hushed anticipation.

Nyra's eyes bore into Sophia like a predator sizing up its prey. There was a quiet confidence in his stare, as if he had already anticipated every move she might make. His intensity was palpable, but Sophia wasn’t one to be easily shaken. She met his gaze, her calm demeanor a shield, her focus sharp and unwavering.

With a swift, almost predatory motion, Nyra moved his first piece. "e4." The speed of his play drew quiet gasps from the spectators, as if his hands were fueled by more than just experience—a hidden force driving each move. Sophia's eyes flickered briefly to the board, her brow furrowing in concentration, but her resolve didn’t falter. She exhaled slowly, and her response was just as measured, "e5." The air between them crackled with tension, the room so silent it felt like even time had frozen in place.

The match began with the "Spanish Game (Ruy Lopez)," a tactical opening that immediately put pressure on Sophia. As Nyra's pieces began to dance across the board, his movements were unnaturally fast, his fingers gliding over the pieces with mechanical precision. By the 8th move, he had already made an aggressive play with "h3," forcing Sophia into a corner. The watching students held their breath.

But Sophia, true to her nature, didn’t rush. She leaned back slightly and, without breaking her focus on the board, softly called out, “Snack time.” The tension in the room broke just slightly, as Luna hurried over with a tray of Sophia’s favorite treats: chocolate éclairs, fresh strawberries, and a steaming cup of tea. "Here you go! Just what you need," Luna said with a wink, placing the tray down.

A ripple of quiet laughter spread among the South College players. Even Alex, the captain, let out a soft chuckle. “Snack time in the middle of this?” he whispered, grinning. “But that’s so very Sophia.”

Nyra didn’t flinch, though a faint glint of confusion flashed across his otherwise unreadable expression. He watched her closely, but remained still, waiting for her next move. The sharpness in his gaze was unrelenting, yet there was something more—something darker, lurking just beneath the surface.

Reinhart, who had been sitting quietly at Sophia’s feet, suddenly growled. His eyes locked onto Nyra, and he sniffed the air sharply. “Sophia, those eyes… something’s off. There’s mist in his heart, not just his mind. Be careful.”

Sophia’s focus remained on the board, but Reinhart’s warning echoed in her mind. She remembered how Ophelia’s earrings had carried a strange mist, which they had countered with light. But this—this was different. Nyra himself seemed to be enveloped in the mist. It wasn’t a tool; it was part of him. His movements, swift and relentless, were more than just tactical—they were charged with something unnatural.

Across the room, Alex frowned as he watched the match unfold. "He's not just thinking through strategy," he muttered to a nearby teammate. "There’s something else... something unnatural about the way he plays."

Sophia could feel the weight of Nyra’s attacks bearing down on her, but she remained composed. She took a deliberate bite of her éclair, savoring the rich chocolate as if it were a remedy for the growing tension. She sipped her tea, letting the warmth calm her nerves, and with a deep breath, she returned her attention to the game.

“Mist in the heart…” she repeated Reinhart’s words silently to herself. “But mist can be cleared.”

image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]

47) CHESS COMPETITION: SPANISH GAME IN CHAOS

The Spanish Game began with a tense, razor-sharp clash between Sophia and Nyra. From the opening moves, the pieces flew back and forth with precision, creating a fierce battle that captivated the room. As they entered the middle game, Nyra's offensive grew relentless, and when he moved "c5," the spectators gasped, feeling the pressure mount. But Sophia remained composed, her sharp eyes analyzing the board, seeing through Nyra's strategy. With steady hands, she placed her piece on "d4," a bold counter that immediately shifted the tension in the room.

Nyra’s face twitched in response, a flicker of doubt crossing his expression for the first time. His hand trembled slightly, betraying the pressure he was under. "Not yet..." he muttered, but there was fear and desperation in his voice. Cold sweat dotted his brow as he struggled to make his next move, his once calm composure unraveling. Ardelbert, standing nearby, watched Nyra’s condition with growing concern.

"Stop, Nyra. You can’t keep going like this," Ardelbert called out, his voice filled with worry. The crowd murmured, surprised to see such concern for an opponent. But Nyra shook his head violently. "No... I’m invincible with this necklace!" His eyes flared with obsession. "I've waited years for this... I can’t stop now!" His breath came in short gasps, but he clung to the strange power that necklace seemed to provide.

Sophia watched silently, feeling a mix of emotions. Victory was close, but seeing Nyra’s determination and suffering, she realized this was more than just a game. There was something deeper at play. And then, Ardelbert stepped in. Without hesitation, he reached out and ripped the necklace from Nyra's neck. In an instant, the energy drained from Nyra's face, and his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"...I've lost, Sophia..." Nyra whispered, rising slowly, his voice weary and hollow. He seemed like a warrior who had given everything. Ardelbert gently supported him as they left the room together, a heavy silence hanging in the air.

Sophia exhaled, her gaze fixed on the chessboard. There was no triumphant joy in her chest, only a quiet respect for Nyra’s strength and the sadness of his sacrifice. "Let’s play again someday," she whispered softly, still staring at the board.

Her eyes then flicked to Ardelbert, a sharp glare replacing her calm expression. "That wasn’t right. Is this who you’ve become?" Her voice was cold, filled with accusation. Ardelbert met her gaze, but said nothing. Something stirred in his eyes, as if he wanted to respond, but he remained silent, leaving with Nyra in his arms. It was a private battle, one that no one else could see.

Suddenly, the room erupted with cheers. The South College students swarmed Sophia, showering her with praise. "Sophia! You were incredible!" "That was amazing!" Sweets appeared from all directions—biscuits, strawberries, and cakes were thrust into her hands. "Sophia, eat this!" "Try this one too!" Her teammates piled treats in front of her, celebrating her victory with unbridled joy.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

Sophia laughed, surrounded by the mountain of sweets, caught in a whirlwind of congratulations. "I can’t eat anymore!" she said between laughs, but she happily took another bite, feeling the warmth and excitement of her friends. Luna, beaming with pride, joined in the celebration, saying, "This is why we never give up!"

But deep inside, amidst the happiness, Sophia's heart was troubled. Ardelbert’s actions weighed on her mind, and Nyra’s defeat left her with an unsettled feeling. A new determination was forming, one she couldn’t yet explain. But for now, she let herself be swept up in the sweetness of the moment, the storm of joy that surrounded her.

Reinhart, wagging his tail, looked up at her with quiet pride, as if understanding every thought that passed through her mind.

image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]

49) CHESS COMPETITION: GUSTAV, IT WAS YOU ALL ALONG.

Sophia hurried towards North College’s waiting room, her mind swirling with questions about Ardelbert. She needed answers, especially about what he was doing in the forest. Pausing at the door, she took a deep breath and knocked.

"Come in." The voice that answered was calm, but it carried an authority that sent a chill through her. As she entered, her eyes immediately landed on Ardelbert, standing in the center of the room. He smiled, but it was a far cry from the boy she once knew—there was something distant, almost regal about him.

"I had a feeling you would come, Lady Sophia," Ardelbert said, his voice gentle but with an undercurrent of formality.

"Ardy..." Sophia’s heart tightened at the sight of him, but something was different. The innocence, the warmth she remembered, seemed to have vanished, replaced by a cold dignity. It was as if the man standing before her was no longer the Ardelbert she had known.

Then, without warning, Ardelbert stepped forward. His figure shimmered, and suddenly, his form began to shift, becoming enveloped in a faint, otherworldly light. Sophia gasped as the transformation completed, revealing not the man she had come to confront, but a large, sleek Doberman.

"Gustav!" The name escaped her lips as tears filled her eyes. She rushed forward and embraced the dog, the familiar warmth flooding her with a strange mix of relief and confusion.

"Lady Sophia..." Gustav’s voice was low and comforting, as he returned the embrace, his deep, gentle voice resonating. "I’m relieved to see you safe."

Sophia pulled back slightly, still trembling. "Is this real? Truly...?"

"It is, Lady Sophia. All of it," Gustav said, his tone full of reassurance. "What you’ve been through... it’s all real."

He gently led her to a small table, where he laid out a tray of Japanese sweets and tea. "Please, take a moment to compose yourself. These sweets are meant to soothe. Let’s talk once you’ve settled."

Sophia, her mind still racing, picked up one of the delicate sweets. "Japanese... sweets?" She hesitated, then took a bite. "It’s... delicious. Such an unexpected flavor."

Gustav nodded. "These sweets and the tea will calm your spirit. There’s much to discuss, but first, I must apologize. We have been testing you."

"Testing me?" Sophia looked up sharply, confusion mingling with frustration.

"Yes, Lady Sophia. And for that, I am truly sorry," Gustav replied softly. Just then, Ophelia, who had been sitting quietly, slid the tray closer to her.

Sophia glanced at her, then back to Gustav. "Where is Ardelbert? Why did he disappear? What is he hiding from me?"

Gustav’s expression turned somber. He closed his eyes, as if gathering his thoughts. "Master Ardelbert... he is still in the forest. He never left."

"In the forest? But... why? What’s happening out there?" Sophia gripped her cup tightly, her heart pounding with unease.

Gustav sighed, his eyes filled with something deeper than mere explanation. "Lady Sophia, that forest holds an ancient power, something far beyond human understanding. Ardelbert is... protecting us all. His task is not research—it’s to keep something terrible from being unleashed."

"Something... terrible?" Sophia’s voice trembled. "What kind of danger is he facing? What is he fighting against?"

"The forces within that forest are stirring, Lady Sophia," Gustav said softly, offering her another sweet. "And Master Ardelbert is the one standing between us and the disaster that looms."

image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]

49) GUSTAV'S EXPLANATION

Gustav began his explanation in a calm, steady voice.

"Lady Sophia, the issue we face has endured for centuries, perhaps even millennia. Earthquakes have been a relentless force of destruction throughout history. From the fall of Atlantis to the annihilation of Pompeii, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have claimed countless lives."

Sophia felt herself being pulled into his words, sensing that beneath his story lay a truth long buried in history’s shadows.

"The ancient witches discovered a way to seal the epicenters of these earthquakes," Gustav continued. "Master Ardelbert had been searching for these sealed locations. Ancient Latin texts contain records of earthquakes, but anything predating that is incomplete or missing. Even in the runic language, there is a symbol representing earthquakes, but deciphering it has proven difficult."

Gustav then handed Sophia an ancient piece of paper. It was covered in runic characters, a series of vertical lines with horizontal marks crossing them.

"This symbol represents Loki, the trickster god. In the runes, there is a character believed to signify 'earthquake,' but decoding it has been a great challenge. Even Master Ardelbert struggled. However, he succeeded in finding the place where the earthquakes were sealed. Yet, he couldn’t figure out how to reseal it. That’s where you come in, Lady Sophia."

"Me?" Sophia’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Gustav nodded gravely. "Yes, you. You possess the power, the key, to reinforce the seal. That’s why he stayed behind in the forest, continuing his research while sending you away. He knew you were crucial to this."

Sophia’s mind buzzed with questions, but amidst the confusion, she sensed the truth in Gustav’s words. She felt she had a part to play in something much larger than herself.

"Let’s take a moment," Gustav said softly. "Have some tea, and please enjoy these Japanese sweets. They’ll help calm your mind."

Sophia reached for the tea, sipping it slowly. The sweetness of the dessert and the subtle bitterness of the tea helped steady her nerves. The tension in the room eased slightly, and Sophia prepared herself for what was to come.

"Are you feeling more at ease now?" Gustav asked, watching her carefully. She nodded, ready to hear more.

But just as Gustav opened his mouth to continue, the room began to shake violently. The tea set rattled, books toppled from the shelves—it was an earthquake.

"An earthquake!" Gustav’s voice boomed. "Take cover, everyone!"

Sophia and the North College players scrambled under the desks as the ground trembled beneath them.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and Reinhart darted inside. "Sophia! Are you alright?"

Sophia peeked out from under the desk, nodding at the concerned Chihuahua. "I’m fine, but Gustav was telling me something very important."

"Good, I’ll stay with you," Reinhart said, his expression serious as he crouched beside her.

But the quake only worsened. The shaking intensified, objects crashed to the floor, and the room filled with an overwhelming sense of dread.

Despite the chaos, Gustav’s voice cut through the noise. "We can’t wait for this earthquake to pass, Lady Sophia. I must tell you... I am sorry for testing you."

Sophia stared at him, confused. "What do you mean, testing me?"

Gustav looked at her solemnly. "The chess match next week—it will be your first and last chance to meet Master Ardelbert. You must help him, Lady Sophia. Only you can save him... because you are—"

But before Gustav could finish, the tremors grew even stronger, forcing everyone to brace themselves again.

"We need to evacuate!" Gustav shouted over the roaring quake. "It’s too dangerous here."

Everyone sprang to their feet—Sophia, Reinhart, and the North College players—and hurried out of the room.

Sophia stopped at the door, turning back to Gustav. "Wait! What were you about to say? What am I?"

Gustav nodded, his expression serious. "It’s a secret known only to a few. I’ll explain everything once we’re safe."