image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
37) DAILY LIFE AT COLLEGE
The vibrant hues of autumn had faded, and the campus now braced itself for winter's arrival. Bare trees swayed in the cold wind, with the first snowfall just around the corner. As the air grew chillier, the college incorporated marathon training into the curriculum, a tradition meant to build endurance and resilience against the cold. Sophia didn’t mind the marathons. Growing up with her adventurous grandfather had shaped her into someone who thrived on physical challenges. Running, in particular, was one of her strengths.
Sophia's mornings began before the sun rose. At 5 AM, she would slip into her workout clothes and head outside. The crisp air stung her skin as she ran through the quiet campus, her breath visible in the cold. The rhythm of her footsteps and the bite of the morning air made her feel alive. Reinhart, her loyal Chihuahua, sprinted beside her, his small legs working hard to keep up.
“How far today?” Reinhart asked, his tail wagging excitedly.
“The usual 4km,” Sophia smiled. “You’re surprisingly energetic for a little guy.”
The bond between them was clear, reflected in Reinhart's gleaming eyes, which shone not just with joy but with pure devotion to Sophia.
After the run, Sophia would shower and enjoy a hearty breakfast. Freshly baked bread, fruit, yogurt, and warm soup were staples of her morning routine, fueling her for the day ahead. At 9 AM, classes began. Sophia, a diligent student, always came prepared, but there was one subject that captivated her more than anything: discrete mathematics.
Her discrete mathematics class focused on network structures and problem-solving, particularly the shortest path problem, which fascinated Sophia. When they discussed the “Traveling Salesman Problem”—finding the shortest route between several cities—she couldn’t help but think about chess. “It’s just like determining the best move on a complex chessboard,” she mused, connecting her two passions.
After class, Sophia would spend hours in the library, her mind focused on deciphering the mystery of the "Seven Tombs," a puzzle outlined in Ardelbert’s notebook. With her new knowledge of network analysis, she thought she might be able to crack the code. “What if visiting the seven tombs is like solving the Traveling Salesman Problem?” she wondered, her curiosity fueling her research.
Evenings were spent working at a cake shop near campus, a job she enjoyed for the sweet aromas and calm atmosphere. On her way out, the shop manager often handed her leftover treats. “Take these home,” he'd say, passing her an éclair or a slice of cheesecake.
“Time for our evening run?” Reinhart would ask, eager for another sprint with Sophia.
“After the cake, maybe,” Sophia laughed, patting his head fondly.
As they ran through the evening twilight, Reinhart frequently glanced up at Sophia, his eyes filled with trust and affection. For him, these runs were more than exercise—they were moments of connection with the person he loved most.
But as these peaceful days passed, a thought crept into Sophia’s mind. Reinhart had always been there, always running by her side. "How old are you, Reinhart?" she thought suddenly, realizing with a start that for a Chihuahua, he had lived an extraordinarily long life.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
38) THAT PERSON'S NAME AS THE CAPTAIN
The final battle of the intercollegiate competition was finally upon them, and the entire college was buzzing with anticipation. The last event, the chess competition, held the attention of every student, creating an atmosphere of nervous excitement. The player order for South College had just been posted in the square near the library, and the campus was abuzz as students gathered around the bulletin board, some cheering with excitement, others groaning in frustration.
Sophia stood there with Luna and her friends, staring at the newly announced list. Luna excitedly grabbed Sophia’s shoulder. “Look, it’s out!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.
Sophia hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to read the names. Her eyes scanned the list:
1st: Captain Alex
2nd: James
3rd: Rebecca
Captain: Sophia
“What? No way! That has to be a mistake!” Sophia gasped, her heart skipping a beat. Her name as the captain? It didn’t seem real. She hadn’t expected to be in such a critical role.
Just then, Alex walked up behind her, his tone calm but decisive. “Why are you surprised? You won the internal tournament, didn’t you? You earned that spot, so you should take it.”
“But I—” Sophia stammered, feeling a wave of panic rise in her chest.
Alex gave her a reassuring smile. “Relax. I’ve got a plan. I’m going to crush all the opponents in the first match. That way, you might not even have to play at all. Simple, right?”
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Sophia blinked, astonished by Alex’s confidence. “That’s... ambitious,” she muttered, feeling a small sense of relief but also amazed by his bold strategy.
Later that evening, Sophia lay on her bed in her lodging room, staring at the ceiling, her mind swirling with thoughts about the upcoming competition. Reinhart, her faithful Chihuahua, sat beside her, watching her intently.
“I don’t know if I can do this... me, as the captain?” she murmured, burying her face in her pillow.
Reinhart licked her cheek gently. “You’ll be fine, Sophie. Like Alex said, you might not even need to play. Anyway, how’s the decoding of the professor’s notebook going?”
Sophia sighed, sitting up and pulling out the notebook. “I’m stuck. I’ve been trying to figure out the chapter on the ‘Seven Tombs,’ but it just doesn’t make sense.” She flipped open the worn pages, her fingers tracing the lines she had read over and over again.
Reinhart tilted his head, his eyes thoughtful. “Seven tombs, huh? In runes, the number seven often has a deeper meaning, doesn’t it?”
Sophia nodded slowly. “Yes, I’ve read that ‘seven’ in ancient runes can represent mystery or a hidden doorway. It’s supposed to symbolize something complete, yet unknown. I think there’s a secret tied to these seven tombs... but I can’t figure out what.”
“Ancient people loved imbuing numbers with meanings. It’s likely that the key to solving this mystery lies in understanding that,” Reinhart said, tapping Sophia’s hand with his paw.
“I just wish I knew where to start,” Sophia whispered, gazing down at the cryptic runes in the notebook, her mind racing to unravel the secret behind them.
At that moment, Sophia’s attention was drawn to an envelope sitting on her desk, recently delivered to her lodging. She picked it up and carefully opened it, revealing the North College player list for the upcoming competition. Her eyes quickly scanned the names, and then her heart stopped when she saw the name written under ‘Captain’ for North College:
Captain: Ardelbert von Ritterstein
“Ardelbert...” Sophia whispered, her breath catching in her throat. The sight of his name sent a shockwave through her. He had returned. Ardelbert, the one she had been searching for, worrying about—he was back.
A single tear slid down her cheek as the emotions flooded over her. Relief, joy, and something deeper stirred inside her. She couldn’t explain why, but just seeing his name again made her heart ache in a way she hadn’t expected. He was back, and suddenly, everything felt different.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
39) FINALLY REUNITED WITH ARDY?
The day of the competition had finally arrived. In the cold, biting wind, players from both North College and South College gathered at the venue, each team distinguished by their unique uniforms. North College’s players entered with a regal presence, clad in fitted, black Victorian-style attire that radiated an aura of nobility and elegance. South College, in contrast, made a striking appearance in white tuxedos, their look both polished and glamorous.
For the female players, there were no specific uniform rules, allowing for more personal expression. The women from North College wore vivid blue dresses, their hair styled in intricate updos, sparkling earrings adding to their grandeur. Sophia, however, who was representing South College, chose a more understated look. She wore a deep red dress, simple and elegant, with her hair in a neat braid. She had no jewelry or accessories—she never liked wearing them, believing that simplicity helped her focus better. Rebecca, also from South, opted for a sleek purple gown with an open neckline, a shimmering necklace drawing attention to her graceful composure.
The atmosphere at the chess competition was unlike any other event. In contrast to the loud fanfares of the boat race or the enthusiastic cheers of the polo matches, chess was marked by its solemnity. The air was filled with a quiet tension as the choirs from each college performed. North College’s choir sang somber Baroque hymns, ancient melodies that seemed to come from a time before the establishment of the state church. South College’s choir, on the other hand, chose modern church music, creating a refined sound that resonated through the venue like a prayer.
The chess competition followed a "strongest survives" system, meaning that the first player to win continued to play until defeated. If the first player managed to defeat all their opponents, the entire match could end there. The tension surrounding the first game was palpable, as it could very well set the tone for the entire day.
The players from both teams lined up in front of their respective tables, preparing for the upcoming battles. In the center of the venue, Alex, captain of South College, extended his hand to Ardelbert von Ritterstein, captain of North College, in a formal gesture of respect.
Sophia’s heart raced as her eyes fixated on Ardelbert. She hadn’t gone a single day in the past year without thinking about him. In her dreams, in her moments of solitude—he had occupied her mind relentlessly. Now, as he stood just a few feet away, he looked exactly like the Ardelbert she remembered. Yet, something was off.
His appearance was unchanged—the same face she had envisioned so many times—but there was something different behind his eyes. The boyish curiosity and innocence she remembered were gone, replaced by a calm intensity. His gaze was now filled with knowledge, determination, and a will that seemed far beyond what she had ever known.
Sophia felt her chest tighten. “What... is this?” she thought, her mind swirling with confusion. The Ardelbert before her seemed almost like a stranger. Was it her memory that had idealized him into someone else? Or had he changed so profoundly that he had become an entirely different person?
Just then, Ardelbert’s lips curled into a cold, distant smile. His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp, reflecting a sense of resolve that unsettled her.
"Hello, Sophia. It’s been a while," he said softly, his voice carrying a weight that cut through the tension in the room.
Sophia blinked, momentarily caught off guard, but she quickly regained her composure. Her voice was steady, though her emotions were anything but. "...Yes, it really has been."
Around them, the preparations for the match continued, unnoticed by the two. The teachers finished their opening remarks, and the first game was about to begin. North College’s first player sat down across from South College’s Alex, the tension between them palpable as they settled in for the match.
Sophia, still reeling from her brief exchange with Ardelbert, tried to suppress the swirl of emotions inside her. What was he planning? How had he changed? And when her time came, how would she confront him across the chessboard?
The quiet intensity of the competition hung in the air as the first move was made. The battle had begun.