The chess game ended quickly.

In a team chess match, three chess boards are set up, each hosting a 1v1 match, and the results from these three boards are combined to decide the overall outcome.

Although the white tiger, a contender, was absent, the players from Eungwang High's chess team secured a flawless victory, earning 1 point.

‘It seems like my opponent studied my chess, but still, they are lacking compared to Eunho.’

The games I played at Eungwang High are all publicly available, making them easy to study. However, compared to Eunho, who has been researching the Steilmate strategy for a long time, the opponent's research was still lacking.

If their research had been deeper, they would have had to outplay me through sheer skill or delay the game until I lost focus, but unfortunately, they lacked the ability to do so.

‘And maybe because it’s a team event, the next move came to me more easily.’

It had been a while since I played chess outside of Eungwang High, and I was worried, but since I wasn’t alone and had Cheon Dong-ha and Eunho by my side, plus many cheering me on, I was able to finish the game before I lost focus.

It wasn’t just me who was motivated—Cheon Dong-ha and Eunho also wrapped up their games quickly.

‘Looks like the time greeting the audience is going to be longer than the game itself.’

After the game, we decided to greet the guests we invited before discussing the moves. Because I had extra invitations—courtesy of Hwang Ji-ho and the white tiger—there were a lot of people to greet.

Hwang Ji-ho, as the head of a noble family, and the white tiger, with a wide network, had many people they could invite, but they were pretending to be students and inviting people, which felt a bit awkward.

In any case, I was able to secure many invitations, so there were plenty of people to greet.

"Why did it end so fast? You played well."

After the game, Muji came ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) into the waiting room, and I couldn’t tell if he was disappointed or satisfied. Nevertheless, he seemed to have enjoyed the game more than asking about my moves or giving opinions.

Muji had gained a lot of attention since he came with Jecheon Daeseong, but he didn’t seem to care about the other spectators and just enjoyed watching the chess game.

The siblings, Miho and Muji, were already noticeable due to their looks, and with Jecheon Daeseong wearing long gloves and golden blindfolds, he couldn’t have been missed. Of course, he became a topic of conversation.

‘As a strong tribe, it seems they could have trouble accessing military security zones, but they had no trouble getting through.’

The noble families maintained a good relationship with the Korean government, so there were no problems entering. I was a little concerned about the original tribe, but Jecheon Daeseong, acting as an anonymous figure, had earned enough trust to be allowed access to military security zones.

By the time Muji finished sharing his thoughts, Jecheon Daeseong spoke.

"You said the third round would be held outside, right? That’s a relief."

"A relief?"

Even if one side continued to win, the third round was still scheduled to happen as a friendly match. This was something the military academy team had strongly requested. We had already secured a venue where we could invite external spectators.

It was fortunate for those who wanted to watch, especially those not connected to Eungwang High or the military academy, who didn’t have invitations, but I couldn’t figure out why Jecheon Daeseong was saying this.

"Muji said he didn’t really like this place."

"I told you not to say that! What if he decides not to come thinking he's doing it for my sake?"

Whip!

Muji threw a punch towards Jecheon Daeseong’s side, but Daeseong didn’t even look and simply opened his palm, easily catching his younger brother’s fist. Despite the shockwave that could be felt nearby, Jecheon Daeseong treated it like a playful gesture and stopped it without much effort.

Muji wasn’t satisfied, swinging his fist back and forth, but Daeseong moved with him while still holding his hand firmly.

"Earlier, when my younger brother’s resentment hit Sihoo, a student here stopped it. His abilities are remarkable, but I think the area’s influence also played a role. It’s difficult to manipulate water energy here."

"Are you referring to the Togeuksu?"

"Exactly, you're quick to understand."

In the theory of the five elements, Earth and Water are in opposition, so Earth’s energy can suppress Water. In other words, the land’s energy here is strong enough to influence Muji.

It seems the reason Namgung Gyoyeon was able to stop Muji's strength easily that day was partly due to the area’s influence.

"But don’t worry. I’m here. Who could harm my younger brother?"

Jecheon Daeseong said kindly, and Muji, who had been struggling to pull his hand free, stopped. Their sibling relationship seemed warm, and I was relieved. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

However, after hearing their conversation, many thoughts crossed my mind. The earth’s energy, as wielded by Namgung Gyoyeon. The use of intelligence to transport an alternate dimension simulator by Lee Yeoreum. And the powerful earth energy affecting Muji.

‘It’s all related to the earth.’

I shared this newly gained information with Cheon Dong-ha and Eunho. They took it in quickly, likely because I had informed them beforehand, though it was a surprise. Cheon Dong-ha spoke first.

“If those two cooperate, we’ll be able to do a lot. But let’s focus on gathering information first. The department heads will act independently once their deadlines pass.”

I agreed with Cheon Dong-ha’s words. Jeong Ji-kyul and Im Yeon-hwa are good teachers who listen to students, but they also have strong convictions, and if they don’t believe something, they won’t follow it, even if their superior, Hwang Ji-ho, orders them.

Especially Jeong Ji-kyul, who would rather die than not follow through, and Im Yeon-hwa, who would try to solve problems through force. They needed to be approached carefully.

‘Getting their cooperation is difficult, and moving together won’t be easy.’

Cheon Dong-ha continued.

“There’s a senior from the research institute who used to work at the Ministry of Defense’s lab. I’ll gather information without showing our moves.”

As expected, Cheon Dong-ha was reliable. Though still a student, he had quite a bit of influence in the research field of abilities.

Eunho then spoke.

“I’ll check the relationship between the noble families and the government, especially any projects involving the Ministry of Defense or proposals they've received.”

I had already assumed the white tiger had shared some of this with the noble families, but Eunho seemed to have more in mind than just passing along information. He continued, his thoughts flowing smoothly.

“It’s also worth checking on Namgung. We need to investigate in more detail how Namgung operated in the area with the intelligence terminals.”

Eunho’s eyes were narrowed as he spoke. Despite the surprise of the sudden developments, he seemed to be in high spirits. Maybe the victory in the chess match had something to do with it?

“I played chess with Yi-shin, and before I realized it, Yi-shin suggested the next move. I’m happy too.”

Before I could finish my thought, Cheon Dong-ha whispered and analyzed Eunho’s feelings. I felt a little guilty that something like this made him so happy.

"What are you going to do during the remaining time, Yi-shin? Will you talk to your friends at the military academy or talk to Team Leader Hong Gyubin about Namgung Gyoyeon?"

As Eunho mentioned, contacting Cityhoo or Hong Gyubin to learn more about Namgung Gyoyeon wasn’t a bad idea. But since I had already left dealing with Hong Gyubin to Jeong Ji-kyul, I was planning to find someone else to talk to.

[Hong Gyubin] Yi-shin, thank you!

While on the move, I received a message from Hong Gyubin without context. When I asked for clarification, I didn’t get a reply immediately, as he seemed too busy or focused on something else.

He must have met with Jeong Ji-kyul directly. Hong Gyubin, not missing this opportunity, probably set up a meeting quickly.

‘If I want to avoid embarrassing my senior, I have to keep up with this level.’

It wasn’t just about being called a first disciple for no reason. For Hong Gyubin, a fan of Jeong Ji-kyul, hearing such praise from someone like him would be a compliment.

It seemed like Hong Gyubin would tell Jeong Ji-kyul everything and probably spend the whole night collaborating, so I wasn’t worried about that side of things.

“Come on in, Renna’s friend!”

At the Seoseoul Lake Park, Jared Lee personally came out to greet me. It had been a while since I last visited the team building, and I wondered if he was so eager because of the reason I was coming.

The answer came through Kwon Je-in.

“I heard Renna will be the class president next year. When I heard that, I got inspired...”

Kwon Je-in, feeling proud that his niece Renna would become class president, had composed a new song inspired by the news. Of course, anyone would be happy if their relative became the class president at Eungwang High.

Even though there were 15 class presidents, Kwon Je-in seemed to believe it was meaningful. He had already heard about this and wasn’t disappointed, but he seemed to think it was even more meaningful.

“Of course I know. That’s why it feels even more meaningful.”

“Je-in’s new song title is ‘For the 16,’ ‘Sixteen in Honor!’”

I found it hard to understand the emotions behind Kwon Je-in’s work. The song was about 16 people, including the vice president, but it seemed unrelated to Renna’s election.

Nevertheless, both Kwon Je-in and Renna were happy, and the fans around the world would be pleased with the new song. So, I decided not to worry too much about it.

‘With such a good atmosphere, can I still ask for something like this?’

I had come to ask a difficult favor, and instead of sending a message, I had come to meet them directly. I steeled myself and said,

“I need to ask you for something.”

“Anything. I’ll help.”

Before I even spoke, Kwon Je-in readily agreed. I wondered if I was about to make an unreasonable request, but Jared Lee, who should have stopped me, nodded firmly.

I decided to get straight to the point before any exaggerated words came out. It was about Lee Yeoreum.

As the conversation stretched, both their faces grew more serious.

“Just rescue Yeoreum, right?”

"Even the elite of the Namgung Group can’t stop our team. If things go south, I’ll make sure they can’t touch her."

While it would be impossible to stop us by force, unless Namgung Group had anticipated the actions of the Seongwon Lake team and hired professional players or mercenaries, I knew the matter would be resolved without violence.

Still, if it had to be solved through force, I could have just asked the noble families or taken care of it myself. I shook my head.

“There’s something I want to confirm through this case. I’ll ask for something else.”

“Something else?”

Kwon Je-in narrowed his eyes as he asked. If I had thought only from Yeoreum's perspective, having Seongwon Lake help would have been the best choice.

But now that I had made my decision, I was concerned that Yeoreum and Renna might resent me.

“I want to ask Renna’s foster parents. And there’s something I want to know through Lee Yeoreum as well.”