Road to be the Best Chess Player in the World!-Chapter 520: A Short Video Call with the Three Teenagers

"Come on, Dev! What are you doing?!" Nayaka shouted, showing his impatience. "It is just a video call with Brother Sheva! He has already known you for quite a long time, no need to put on heavy make-up like that!"

"Oh, shut up! I am just fixing my hijab!" Devi shouted back, still having her eyes completely on the mirror. Nayaka and Duta just stared at each other helplessly, not being able to do anything but wait until she was done with her mirror.

Honestly, this was the first time they lived and fought together as a team like this, and just like a wise man said, they would only know their friend’s true self after living together. The two boys didn’t expect that behind the girl’s stoic demeanor, she would be the biggest Sheva’s fangirl in the world, even ready to go to war against anyone who dared to mock him.

It wasn’t exaggerated. During the live streaming that had just finished a moment ago, both Duta and Nayaka witnessed firsthand how vicious Devi was with her keyboard. She kept insulting everyone who dared to slander Sheva, and the colorful language she used there shocked them both to the core. At least, no one would expect that such a quiet girl like her would be so wild on the Internet.

"Okay, I am done!" Devi finally raised her face from the mirror, looking pretty much satisfied with her new appearance.

To be honest, though, both Duta and Nayaka couldn’t really spot any difference between her appearance now and a moment ago. However, they didn’t want to drag this matter on too long, as they didn’t know what Devi would do if they were being honest. So, the two boys reached a silent agreement that they would only nod and be people pleasers in front of the girl.

"We are connected!" Nayaka shouted once the call was accepted by Sheva on the other end of the world.

"Really?! Wait, let me be in the middle!" Devi suddenly rushed, pushing away the two boys before hogging the phone by herself. Once Sheva’s face appeared on the screen, she smiled sweetly. "Hello, Brother Sheva! Congratulations on reaching 2600 ELO rating!"

Nayaka just stared at the girl speechlessly. Honestly, since the training session with Sheva began a few weeks ago, the amount of time he was being speechless somehow increased, as the girl’s real personality was far from what she usually showed on a formal occasion. Duta just shrugged it off, not wanting to think deeply about that.

"Hahaha! Thank you, but should you guys be in bed already? I mean, what time would your game begin tomorrow?" Sheva asked sharply.

"Ah... It should be around 1 in the afternoon. Don’t worry, though! It is just 9 P.M. right now, and we are not sleepy yet!" Devi explained hastily, which only made her look guilty.

"Hmmm... Is that so?" Sheva pondered for a long time, enough to make the girl feel uneasy. "Are you saying that for yourself or for the boys as well? Nayaka, Duta, she didn’t drag you to stay up late, right?"

Before Nayaka could say anything, he could feel the girl stomping her feet quite hard, and while she hadn’t turned around from the screen, her sweet smile was a clear warning for him not to say anything exaggerated.

’So, this is what it feels like to be held at gunpoint, huh?’ He couldn’t help but sigh. Still, he knew what was good for him, so the boy put a poker smile instantly as he answered, "Of course, she didn’t drag me, Brother Sheva! How could she, a weak little girl, do that against me? I have done everything by myself, not from any outside threat, I swear!"

Devi snapped her head, glaring at the boy instantly. Even though he didn’t say anything, the implication behind his words was directed at her, and the girl was not that stupid to not understand that.

"Anyway, Brother Sheva, I have seen the game earlier, and you were really going crazy there!" Nayaka changed the topic quickly. "Really? The King’s Gambit? You really need to teach me everything about that opening!"

"Hey, not fair! I also want to learn that!" Devi chimed in quickly.

After all, she was really impressed by how Sheva dominated his opponent from the moment the game started until it was over. Even though she knew it was impossible for her to be able to do that, at least, the girl still hoped that she could reach half of the ceiling that Sheva showed. No, not half. Even one-third would be enough. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"It is just a coincidence, and my opponent doesn’t play in his best form." Sheva laughed, trying to be humble. "If it were any other opponent, I am sure that the strategy would never work."

"But it still works, right?" Duta, who had been quiet since the beginning, finally joined the fun. Even though he didn’t talk a lot, his words were always full of insight, making the other two teenagers listen to him. "You said that if it were any other opponent, so how did you know that this crazy opening would work against your opponent today?"

Nayaka had his eyes shining brightly, waiting for Sheva’s answer. As someone with an aggressive style, this was also the hidden problem he had to face. A single strategy would never work against all the opponents, so he must prepare for two, three, four, or even five systems inside his head. The question, though, was how he should determine which strategy would work against which opponent?

"Hmm... How should I say it..." Sheva pondered once again. "It should be the combination of experience, observation, and research!" He answered firmly.

"Um? Really?" Duta frowned, thinking that it was too simple. Somehow, he had a feeling that Sheva was hiding something here. It didn’t help that the older boy acted quite suspicious, starting to sweat while also trying to avoid his gaze.

"Of course, it is real! Anyway, let’s talk about it later! For now, you should have a game to prepare, right?" Sheva changed the topic so quickly without giving them any chance to react. "Anyway, let’s just end this conversation for now! Good luck with your game tomorrow! Don’t forget your target, okay?! Get into the top three for me, and we will go for an exciting adventure together next summer! See you!"

-Author’s note-

Hey, everyone! Thank you for supporting my story! I have written a new one with the hope of getting a contract for that story as well, the title is ’The Rise of the Iron Wall!’. It is a football story, so if you like, please give your support by adding it to your collection and giving your power stone to that story! Thanks!