Chapter 641: Game Time!
Three hours later, Devi walked side by side with her two friends into the venue, yet it didn’t even look like they were three friends here. No, if anything, based on how dazed Devi looked, it was as if she were a mental patient, being led by two doctors from a psychiatric center after hearing the most shocking news in her life.
Her gaze was so unfocused, and she kept muttering a lot of things over and over again.
’No, what is my reason to do that?’
’What if he didn’t accept the offer? What am I going to do?’
’No, I don’t need to take all the bait thrown in front of me. He will look down on me and will be willing to do more materials to tempt me. I cannot take it.’
’Then, what should I do if he did that...’
Her mind seemed to juggle from one thing after another, trying to keep up with the cramp class that Sheva gave before. Both Nayaka and Duta just looked at each other in pity. While they were so jealous of her getting a private lesson from Sheva, they didn’t envy her for having to face the third-seeded player of the tournament straight off the bat.
The moment they arrived at the venue, Nayaka suddenly stopped, turning around at the girl and looking at her with the intensity that a goofy boy like him could muster.
"Listen, Devi." He spoke, his voice solemn. "Don’t try to overthink it. Just remember what Brother Sheva said. The 500 rating difference between you two is not something that can be compensated in a single morning. Just do your best and try to have fun, okay? Even if you lose, no one will blame you here."
Devi was so stunned for a second before she nodded slowly. Duta, who saw this, couldn’t help but give the older boy a big thumbs up. Even though Nayaka was always goofy and too cheerful to his liking, the boy was always reliable when his friends needed him the most.
"Yeah, I will try that..." In the end, Devi could finally muster a weak smile. "I am just afraid that I will disappoint Brother Sheva..." Her voice was so small, and for the first time ever, she felt so tiny here.
Sheva had been her idol since the boy started emerging into the chess world, and being tutored by him was like a dream come true. It didn’t help that the older boy kept being a perfect man, always gushing and worrying over everything she did while still balancing it with his trust in her.
Now, with Sheva not sleeping well for a full night just to help her prepare for this game, Devi felt a huge burden on her shoulders, a devil whisper that told her how disappointed Sheva would be if she failed to meet his expectations.
"Hey, no need for that thought." Duta suddenly shook her shoulder. Not strong, but firm. Enough to wake her up from getting entrapped by her anxious mind. "Have you ever seen Brother Sheva disappointed with our result? Have a little bit of trust in him, okay?"
That... Settled her mind immediately. Indeed, no matter how bad her result was, Devi had never seen Sheva showing any annoyance with her, let alone disappointment. Hell, one time, she lost twice in a row, the boy didn’t even say anything, just invited her to her favorite fast-food chain and let her order everything to vent out her emotions.
The girl remembered what a mess he was at that time, but that was definitely her favorite memory in her life.
"You are right... I am overthinking here..." She took a deep breath one more time to calm her nerves. "No matter what is going to happen later, there is no way Brother Sheva will be disappointed in me. I just need to go all out and have fun there."
"Atta girl! You finally get it!" Nayaka grinned so wide that it caused the girl to snort. "Now that you are calm enough, let’s go together and start our legendary journey! Brother Sheva began his rise in this place, so why couldn’t we do the same?!"
"Heck, yeah!" Duta smiled, also feeling his youth spirit pumping up.
Seeing the two boys looking at her like that, the girl couldn’t help but smile, nodding along. "Since you guys said that, let’s create our legend here!"
-0-
A moment later, Devi finally sat on her assigned table, somehow so close to the center of attention in the table one that it was enough to make her nervous. Her opponent, Aryan Chopra, was exactly like what Sheva described: a handsome Indian man who looked like he could act in any action movie.
Well, she didn’t want to put her focus on her opponent first right now. There was still a little bit more time before the game began, so the girl let her eyes wander for a moment.
’The closest one to me... Ah, here she is! Ia is not that far, huh? That means her opponent should also be quite difficult, right? Poor her. Ah! Not that I have the right to say that! I am the most pitiful person among them all...’
Somehow, her gaze met Claudia, who also did the same, and they both snorted at the same time. Even here, in Biel, they still couldn’t get over their rivalry, always going at each other’s throats. It also didn’t help that Sheva gave Devi a private lesson, enough to make Claudia jealous.
Before Devi could think of anything bad about Claudia, though, the alarm suddenly rang, showing that it was time for the game to begin. The first move ceremony on the master section was also over, so she shook her head with Aryan Chopra quickly, ready to make her first move as well.
"Let’s have a good game." They both nodded at each other.
Aryan Chopra also made his first move immediately, pushing his E pawn two squares forward. This was a sign that he would chase the win actively, not wanting to wait for too long. However, Devi was also prepared for that.
Even with a little bit of hesitation, she still pushed her C pawn one square forward, glancing nervously at her opponent.
’Well, let’s see if the Caro-Kann variation that Brother Sheva helps me prepare will work against him...’
