image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
31) DAYS OF STUDY
Sophia stared out the window, clutching the notebook, guilt over leaving Ardelbert behind tugging at her heart.
"I have to go get him, right now!" she exclaimed, standing abruptly, driven by the impulse.
But Reinhart, her Chihuahua, gently nudged her leg with his small nose.
"Sophie, it’s impossible. You don’t even know where to start, or how to help him yet," he said softly.
Sophia sighed, sitting back down, her frustration palpable. "But at that moment, I only tried to save myself..."
Reinhart blinked slowly, his eyes filled with patience. "That’s not true. What saved you in the mist was your grandmother’s blood. That power pulled you back, not just your will."
Sophia bit her lip, still unsettled. "But... I feel like I should be doing something."
Reinhart curled his tail, letting out a little sigh. "First, you need knowledge. You haven’t even decoded the professor’s notebook yet, right?"
The playful Chihuahua perked his ears, almost as if he were smiling.
"Don’t rush. Start with learning. That’s the key to helping Ardy."
From that point on, Sophia devoted herself to decoding Ardelbert's notebook every day after class. She’d buy éclairs from the library café, bring them back to her room, and sit on a soft cushion surrounded by books, snacking on sweets and sipping tea.
"With this, I could keep going forever," she mused, licking cream from her éclair. Reinhart watched silently, but when he saw a bit of cream on her cheek, he nudged her gently.
"You sure do eat a lot," he teased.
Sophia’s favorite read was Ardelbert’s book *Prehistoric Shamanism and Witches*. True to his style, it merged archaeology, medicine, and statistics, each page revealing the depths of his intellect.
"I always thought witches were just legends," she muttered. "But it’s almost like their connection to the natural world had a scientific base."
"Magic and science—they’ve always been two sides of the same coin," Reinhart added, resting his paws on her lap. "Maybe the ancients knew that better than we do."
"They say shamans entered trances to communicate with spirits, guiding their people. There's evidence of this in cave paintings and ruins," Sophia read on, becoming more absorbed. She began to see how the rituals of ancient witches and shamans were linked to healing, not only physically but mentally, perhaps even influencing brain chemistry.
"It says here that these trance states could influence serotonin, endorphins, and cortisol levels in the brain. Shamans might have been manipulating hormones during rituals," she said in awe.
"Maybe there’s a secret in your grandmother’s blood too," Reinhart mused. "Something hidden, something hormonal. It could be the key."
"Yes, I feel like Ardy’s notebook is hiding something as well," she agreed, finishing her éclair and returning her focus to the notebook.
Days passed as Sophia buried herself in her studies, especially fascinated by Ardelbert's notes on how ancient rituals may have influenced the brain.
"Prehistoric witches may have triggered serotonin and endorphins through trances… I wonder how that connects to the power in my blood," she mused, deep in thought.
"Right now, learning is what’s important," Reinhart said, gently pressing her hand with his paw. "You’ll understand the power once you know it."
Sophia nodded, feeling the truth of his words.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
32) AUTUMN POLO MATCH
The autumn intercollegiate competition had arrived, and after the spring boat race, this glamorous autumn polo match was the next big event students had been eagerly awaiting. Polo—where riders on horseback used long mallets to send a ball hurtling toward the goal—was a sport that combined speed, precision, and sharp strategy. It was a traditional college event, and as much as the players fought fiercely on the field, the excitement of the spectators was just as intense.
It wasn’t just about skilled horseback riding; it was a game of minds, requiring quick adjustments to outsmart the opponent. For South College, the star player was Thomas, famous for his calm, calculated strategies. Every year, his smart riding led his team to victory. But North College had their own star—Leo—whose agile frame and exceptional horsemanship made him a formidable rival.
This year, though, a new rising star from South College had captured everyone’s attention: Elena. Standing tall at 177 cm, her long, graceful limbs and bold yet elegant play had already earned her a devoted fanbase. People packed the stands just for a chance to see her on the field, whispering excitedly that Elena was changing the very nature of polo.
Sophia, too, had her role to play. As part of the cheering squad, she was in charge of the trumpet. Watching the action unfold, her heart raced with the tension of the match. She took a deep breath and blew her trumpet with all her might, trying to match the energy and passion of the players. Around her, students waved flags, clapped, and shouted their support. The excitement from the stands seemed to fuel the horses and riders alike.
"Go, Elena!"
"Don’t let him through, Leo!"
The match was an intense back-and-forth from the start. Elena guided the ball forward with effortless grace, her long arms making each movement look like a dance. South College roared every time she made a play, her fluid movements captivating the crowd. On the other hand, Leo from North College was just as nimble, dodging Elena’s attacks and launching into swift counterattacks with a calm, determined expression.
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
Suddenly, the ball shot off course, hurtling straight toward the stands where Sophia stood, her heart leaping into her throat. Before she could react, a horse charged toward her at full speed.
It was Elena.
In one graceful swing of her mallet, Elena sent the ball flying away from Sophia, saving her from what could’ve been a serious accident.
"Are you alright?" Elena's voice was soft but filled with concern as she glanced down at Sophia.
Sophia nodded, still shaken, but something about Elena’s gaze felt... strange. It wasn’t just the concern of a teammate—it was almost like the way a big sister would look after her younger sibling, protective and tender. Yet, Sophia didn’t know Elena personally. Why did she feel this way?
Before Sophia could ask, Elena smiled gently and said, "Take care," before galloping back to the game with effortless grace.
The spectators gasped in admiration as Elena moved swiftly back into action, her every move followed by gasps and cheers. The match continued at a fever pitch, both teams refusing to give an inch. Sophia, hands still trembling from the close call, raised her trumpet and blew once more, trying to shake off the lingering nerves.
But Leo wasn’t about to let South College steal the win so easily. In a brilliant move, he darted forward, snatched the ball, and scored just before time ran out.
"Goal!" The referee’s voice rang out as the crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and groans. North College had won.
"So close," Sophia murmured to herself, exchanging tired but proud glances with her fellow cheerleaders.
As she slumped onto a bench, catching her breath, someone sat down next to her. She turned and found herself face-to-face with Bone from North College.
"Hey, Sophia. Great match today." Bone’s smile was friendly, his eyes gleaming with sincerity.
Sophia blinked, a little surprised. "Oh, yeah... it really was intense."
From the ground, Reinhart the Chihuahua pricked up his ears and circled her feet, grumbling to himself, "Something's off with this guy. He seems normal, but there’s something strange..."
Bone, completely unaware of the Chihuahua’s suspicions, kept smiling. Next to Sophia, Luna, one of her teammates, couldn’t take her eyes off Bone, a strange heat in her gaze that Sophia couldn’t quite place.
"Well," Bone said, holding out his hand, "it’s North’s win today. But you guys played well. Maybe next time, you’ll beat us."
Sophia hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand, feeling a mix of determination and curiosity swirling in her chest. "We won’t lose next time," she replied, gripping his hand a little tighter than necessary.
As she looked back at the field, the cheers still ringing in her ears, Sophia couldn’t shake the strange sensation that had crept over her since Elena saved her. Something bigger than just the match was unfolding, and Sophia knew this was only the beginning.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
33) THAT DAY THE CHESS CLUB WAS TURMIL
That day, the Chess Club was in absolute chaos. The fierce rivalry between South College and North College had come down to a single tie, with each side having claimed one victory. Now, all the pressure was on the deciding chess match that would take place before Christmas. The stakes were higher than ever—students from both colleges were counting on their chess players to bring home the win. The weight of their expectations created an almost unbearable tension.
In previous years, the team captain automatically played on the top board, but this year, Captain Alex had decided to shake things up. "The top board will be determined by an internal tournament," he had announced, shocking everyone. While it wasn't unheard of for a younger member to rise through sheer talent, it was still rare, and the pressure of such a tournament added another layer of intensity to the already heated atmosphere.
Now, the final match of that tournament was underway, and it had taken everyone by surprise. Alex, the captain himself, sat at the black pieces, but his opponent was none other than Sophia. Normally quiet and known more for her time spent in the library than on the chessboard, she now found herself in the middle of a match that could determine the fate of South College. Her calm demeanor had always made her seem unsuited for intense competition, but as she sat there, staring at the chess pieces in front of her, something shifted.
Sophia’s expression changed, her gaze sharpening as though a fog had lifted from her mind. She looked at the board with an intensity that no one had ever seen in her before, as if she were a shaman entering a trance, channeling some ancient power. It was as though the blood in her veins boiled, sending a pulse of energy to every corner of her mind. Her hand moved toward the pieces, not with hesitation, but with purpose, as if guided by some unseen force. Sophia murmured quietly, so only she could hear herself, "It’s like nodes and edges in graph theory, with the pieces as nodes and their movement as edges."
The spectators were mesmerized. This wasn’t the Sophia they knew. She moved with a quiet confidence, her fingers gliding over the pieces with precision. There was a fire in her eyes, one that those who had only ever seen her lost in books had never witnessed before. Her mind was working at lightning speed, calculating every possible move, weighing every outcome. It was the 17th move in the game, and tension hung thick in the air.
Across from her, Alex's sharp eyes studied the board. He pushed his queen forward to h6—"Qh6!"—a bold and calculated move. The room fell silent as the spectators realized the danger Sophia now faced. The black queen posed a serious threat, and everyone could feel the weight of Alex's decision.
Sophia, however, remained composed. Her mind raced through possibilities, her thoughts a whirlwind of strategies and calculations. The white bishop had a chance to capture the black queen, but the risk was immense. Should she take it or hold back? The audience was on edge, waiting for her next move.
Beads of sweat appeared on Alex’s forehead, but Sophia’s face remained steady. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she reached out and took the black queen.
"Bxh6."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. This wasn’t just a defensive move—it was a calculated risk that revealed the depth of her strategy. Sophia’s heart raced as she realized that her plan was unfolding just as she had envisioned it.
But the game wasn’t over yet. On the 19th move, Alex responded with "Ng4+," a direct check to Sophia’s king. The tension in the room skyrocketed. White was on the verge of collapse. Yet, despite the pressure, Sophia's mind remained clear. Her eyes followed the movements of the pieces with calm determination, already seeing several moves ahead.
Alex, sensing victory, leaned forward slightly. "This must be the end," he muttered under his breath. But Sophia knew better. She could see the trap Alex had walked into, each move leading him further down a path he couldn’t escape. A few more moves later, the realization dawned on him. The heat in his hand from gripping the board too tightly was the only thing he felt as he whispered, "I concede."
The room erupted into cheers. Sophia, the quiet girl who had spent more time in the library than in any competition, had just defeated the captain, sealing South College’s victory. Students crowded around her, voices ringing out in admiration, but Sophia barely heard them. Her mind was still on the board, still absorbing the magnitude of what had just happened.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a masterpiece—a series of beautifully executed moves that had taken everyone by surprise. Sophia had orchestrated her strategy like an artist, every piece moving with purpose and precision. The chessboard had been her battlefield, and she had conquered it with grace and ferocity.
Captain Alex approached her, his smile genuine despite his defeat. "You played brilliantly, Sophia. You should be the one to lead us on the top board. I’m confident you’ll bring home the victory in the final match."
Sophia nodded, her heart still pounding in her chest. She had entered this match uncertain, but with each move, she had found her strength. She had written her own story—a tale of determination, strategy, and triumph.