The hours seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Before Zero knew it, he found himself standing at the entrance of a pristine room. The first thing he noticed was its sheer simplicity. Everything was a perfect shade of white – the walls, the ceiling, and the floor. It gave an almost ethereal feel to the room.
In the center, there was a singular, immaculately polished table, the gleam catching his eye as it reflected the overhead lights. Flanking the table were two equally polished chairs, perfectly aligned, waiting for their occupants. Atop the table, a chessboard sat, its black and white squares a stark contrast to the surrounding whiteness. The pieces were set in their initial positions, each one carved to perfection, their detailed artistry evident even from a distance.
For those unfamiliar, chess is a strategic board game played on an 8x8 grid. Each player controls 16 pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns. The objective of the game is to checkmate the opponent's king, meaning the king is in a position to be captured ("in check") and there is no way to move the king out of capture. Mastery in chess requires not only understanding the pieces and their individual movements but also foresight, strategy, and the ability to predict and counteract the opponent's moves.
Beside the chessboard were two chess clocks, digital displays gleaming with the set time: 20 minutes. The purpose of these clocks is to ensure each player thinks and moves within a set timeframe, making the game not just a test of skill, but also of time management.
Off to the side, standing with an air of authority, was a male teacher. His posture was straight, exuding a sense of discipline and order. His sharp eyes, framed by a pair of thin-rimmed glasses, caught Zero's immediately.
"Ah, you must be Zero Elsher," he said, extending a hand. "I'm Professor Nathaniel Holt. I'll be proctoring your game today."
Zero sized up the teacher in his mind. Professor Holt was a tall man, probably in his early 40s, with salt and pepper hair neatly combed back. His clean-shaven face was stern, yet there was a hint of seriousness in his eyes. The dark suit he wore accentuated his slim figure and gave him an aura of both respect and intimidation. It was clear he was no ordinary instructor; this was a man who had seen much and knew even more.
Taking a moment to process the introduction, Zero nodded in acknowledgment.
Professor Holt gestured towards the chair, "Zero Elsher, please take a seat. Before we begin, I'll explain the particulars of this bet."
Professor Holt cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses before speaking. "Given the unique nature of this bet and the high stakes involved, the academy sees it fit to have the terms clarified and acknowledged by both participants."
Zero nodded in understanding, his calm gaze never leaving the teacher. "Of course, Professor Holt."
Taking out a parchment from his briefcase, Professor Holt began to outline the stipulations. "Firstly, this game will be played with standard chess rules. Any deviation or attempt at cheating will result in an immediate forfeit."
"I understand," Zero replied.
Professor Holt continued, "The time control is set at 20 minutes for each player. Once a player's time runs out, he will forfeit the game regardless of the position on the board."
Zero simply responded, "Agreed."
"Thirdly, the outcome of this match will be considered final. No appeals or challenges will be entertained. If you win, President Earl Garrett will admit you to the Student Council without any further requirements. However, if you lose..." Professor Holt paused, glancing at Zero for a moment before continuing, "You will serve President Garrett in whatever capacity he sees fit until his graduation."
Zero's expression remained unchanged, the seriousness of the terms evident in his unwavering eyes. "I'm aware of the conditions, and I accept them."
Professor Holt seemed slightly taken aback by Zero's confidence. "Very well. Lastly, this document," he said, tapping the parchment, "is a contract. By signing it, you bind yourself to its terms. The consequences for breaking it are... severe."
Zero took a deep breath, "I'll sign it. I have no intentions of backing down or breaking the agreement."
Handing over a quill, Professor Holt watched as Zero elegantly penned his signature onto the parchment. The ink shimmered briefly, signifying the activation of the magical contract.
After ensuring everything was in order, Professor Holt gave a curt nod. "The match will commence shortly. Prepare yourself, Zero."
Zero simply replied with a slight smile, "Thank you, Professor Holt."
The door to the pristine white room swung open with a deliberate slowness, casting a silhouette on the floor. The entrant was none other than Earl Garrett, the student council president. With every step he took, his shoes clicked authoritatively against the polished floor. Today, he seemed to have taken extra care with his attire; dressed impeccably in a deep navy-blue suit tailored to perfection, complete with a crisp white shirt and a slim red tie. His outfit screamed of a professional chess player preparing for a tournament.
His dark, slicked-back hair reflected the room's lighting, making him look almost ethereal. His piercing blue eyes, always calculative, now carried a glint of mischief and confidence.
Stopping a few feet away from the chessboard, he looked Zero up and down before breaking into a sardonic smile. "Zero, I hope you've come prepared to serve me. I'm already contemplating tasks for my soon-to-be follower."
Zero, maintaining his calm demeanor, tilted his head slightly, his gaze never leaving Earl's. "President Garrett, when I step out of this room, it'll be to make some overdue changes to the student council's regulations."
Garrett chuckled, an eerie sound in the silent room, and shot back, "Such confidence. It's almost admirable. Almost."
Zero's slight smile never wavered. "Thank you for the compliment, President."
Garrett leaned in closer, looking mockingly thoughtful. "What to do, what to do. Ah! I've got it. Once you lose – which you will – I want to see the top-ranked first-year, the esteemed Zero, prancing around campus in a maid outfit. Won't that be a delightful sight?"
Zero, unfazed, responded, "If by some unlikely twist of fate I were to lose against you, not only would I wear that maid outfit, but I'd wear it with pride for an entire week." His smile was challenging, a stark contrast to the weight of their conversation.
The two locked eyes, the intensity of their silent duel just as palpable as any they'd have over the chessboard. The charged atmosphere was punctuated by the ticking of the chess clock, awaiting the commencement of their cerebral battle.
While their conversation is being watched by Professor Holt, Zero used his skill, 'Focused Insight' to President Earl Garrett. In his previous life, Earl Garrett was also the student council president when Zero entered NSE academy as a first year. But, the Earl Garret that he knew was calm, ideal, and doesn't really show his desire, unlike Earl Garret in his current life, "Is this because of me? because I got back in time, am I changing the flow of the events? does that mean there will be uncertainty in future?" zero thought in his mind.
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Name: Earl Garrett
Age: 16 years old
Power: 17
Intelligence: 25
Stamina: 20
Talent: Strategic Intellect, Charisma, Linguistic Mastery, Emotion Reading, Perception.
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'No wonder he's the student council president. With this stats, he can even beat the and a full grown adult.' Zero thought. 'our stats aren't that different'.
'status'
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Name: Zero Elsher
Age: 12 years old
Power: 18
Intelligence: 27
Stamina: 20.5
Unused points: 1
Balance: 3000 Zen
Skills: Future Sight -
===================================
From the prestigious halls of Japan's elite academies to the sacred spaces of its ancient dojos, one name echoed with reverence and awe: Earl Garrett. Born into the illustrious Garrett clan, known for producing prodigies in various Japanese arts, Earl's future was almost predestined.
Arts and Culture: As the cherry blossoms bloomed each year, marking the passage of time, Earl's prowess in the traditional arts flourished. His hands moved with a dancer's grace on the strings of a koto, summoning melodies that spoke of Japan's rich history. In the dojo, he wielded the ink brush with the precision of a samurai's blade, his calligraphy a visual symphony of beauty and emotion.
But it was on the battlegrounds of strategy where Earl truly shone. Before he was a teen, he was already a prodigious Shogi player, seeing moves several steps ahead, his games echoing ancient battles between samurai clans. His mastery of modern chess was similarly astounding. To him, every pawn and knight was not just a piece but a soldier with its own story, its own will to win.
Yet, the price of such unparalleled skill was solitude. For while many sought to learn from him, few could challenge him. To his peers, he was both an inspiration and an enigma, a force they could only admire from afar. The praise and accolades, however monotonous, were something Earl had grown used to. What he truly craved was a worthy opponent, someone who could stand toe-to-toe with him, unafraid, undeterred. Someone like Zero.
The day Zero challenged his authority was a spark in the mundane. For the first time in a long while, Earl felt the exhilarating rush of anticipation. Here was someone who dared to defy, to rise, to challenge.
When Zero walked into the student council room, challenging him, it was as if the universe had answered Earl's silent prayers. Here was someone who was not afraid, someone who, like Earl, oozed confidence and skill. Earl's heart raced for the first time in years. The thrill of a genuine challenge, the chance to break and reshape someone's confidence, filled him with anticipation. He wanted, no, needed to see that confident facade crumble, to witness the exact moment when realization would hit Zero. The realization that he was, after all, just another piece on Earl's elaborate board of life.
Jolted back to the present, the president's sly smile widened, "So, Zero, how shall we decide? White or black?"