The Game Begins!

The two strolled down the main road that was leading not only outside the city, but also two most significant locations in the town, besides "Monso Rooster". One of those was residing not entirely on the outskirt of the town, but still further away from the last house in the vicinity of the town. It was the "Red Cap" castle or the castle of Beaumont, how it was called before the revolution. Throughout its rich history it took upon a role of a defensive castle during the One Hundred year war, the prison for those opposing the crown and finally the base for revolution sympathizers that used to party the victories in the war as well as grieve those fallen by the hands of the monarchy. For now, however, after several renovations it serves as a hotel as well as the restaurant that hosts "The Fire of Prometheus".

A little further away from the castle, on the other side of the Seine river, mighty flatland held on itself several majestic buildings. Two of those buildings were built in empire style, and the 3rd one in a little simplistic classical style, although still befitting the nobleness of the other two. The Seine University along with one of its dormitories was founded in the 1807 under Napoleon's rule. They were given to brave men as a thanks for resisting the crown and fighting against foes outside of France. At first, it was meant to be a boys only campus, but later on, another dormitory was built as a statement for equality in the new French Republic. 

Despite it being the biggest educational institution in the area, the university's education was considered as acceptable, which meant less financial aid from the government, especially after the Great War. Local youth that considered going to university would rather prefer the more effective institutions that were further away from their homes. Only those who were not brave enough for significant change in their life, or whose family simply was unable to support their kid financially for them to study elsewhere; went to the Seine University. It was particularly saddening to Eugene, not only because he failed the entrance exam even to the place like this, but also due to the respect he had for the history of this place. It did not deserve the treatment it got from people.

"Check this out!" said Eugene and pointed at a flowerbed that stretched by the gravel road, "Those are nice roses."

"Indeed, however, these are peonies."

"Huh? Do not they bloom only on spring?"

Sylvia nodded and said, "That's right. Perhaps, there are blue roses growing nearby."

The two strolled further, all the way until they reached massive doors, the entrance to the university. Eugene first pushed it, but then pulled the door by the handle, and it opened with a slight creak. Slowly, the stone walls painted cyan, as well as small wooden parts painted white to imitate marble. The corridors and especially the staircase was bustling with students and few teachers that were patrolling the surrounding. One of them glared over Eugene and Sylvia, but ultimately ignored them. In the end, not every face would be remembered in such a place.

"So, if I am not mistaken, the room of the chess club is on the first floor…" Eugene stopped, trying to remember the exact location, meanwhile, Sylvia pulled him by the sleeve and said, "In the further part of the left wing, let's go."

"You could as well just go there by yourself, then!"

Even though Eugene did not study at this university, he still visited it as a free labour to help out some of Arnold's acquaintances working here. He also met up with Maurice within the facility, although they more often hung out in the dormitory. Eugene never actually visited the chess club, since he did not know how to play this game. Mostly due to the lack of interest, because Maurice asked to teach him for a few times. He never thought of it as some essential skill in life, but now Eugene slightly regretted it out of sheer shame he might experience after Sylvia would find out about it.

Soon, they arrived at the point of destination, Eugene forehead bore some droplets of sweat, however, Sylvia did not even look at him. She pushed the door, and they were met with numerous lined up tables and chess boards placed on them in anticipation for the new game. Some of those boards were occupied, a pair of unknowns to Eugene students were engaged in the heated game and did not even bother to greet the intruders. The other board had also plenty of chaos that was created by a single man, whose sloppy hairstyle and tired eyes revealed the invisible chains that hold him in the room for a great portion of time. He was observing the messy chessboard, occasionally adjusting his glasses that were slowly sliding off his nose. His costume was not a perfect fit, a few sizes bigger. 

Eugene sneaked towards him and exclaimed, "It's so quiet here, even the undead would grow bored and walk away from here!"

The man behind the table jumped in surprise and his glasses fell on the table, "Oh, fuck, Eugene! Why are you scaring me like that!?" 

"Sorry, just could not hold myself." Eugene scratched his head with a wry smile and faced Sylvia under the disapproving gazes of others present, "This is Maurice, the guy who challenged you to a game of chess."

"I am aware, you blabbered about him minutes earlier." she said sarcastically and came closer to the chessboard, "I guess the best way to trap the king would be to knight on C5. It will be safe from the queen and rook on the left due to other pieces protecting it. Then you can checkmate with the queen on B7."

"Oh, no-no, I am trying to avoid being checkmated with the strategy you just mentioned." laughed Maurice, but Sylvia further said, "Alas, such escape is impossible. The most you can do is sacrifice the remaining rook and bishop, and hope for your opponent to blunder."

Maurice remained silent while kneeling towards the board. Eugene, on the other hand, took a chair from another table and sat down in silence, fully prepared to stay silent for a long while. Sylvia then sat in front of Maurice and continued talking, "Anyway, I did not come here to just solve chess puzzles. You wanted to challenge me, right?"

"Ah, yes, sorry. That was rude of me, I spent a few hours strategizing the escape rout. But as you said, it is seemingly impossible, at least not with the established rules." Maurice laughed yet again and moved his pawn from D4 to C5 to eat the knight.

Sylvia raised her brow and asked, "And what kind of move is that?"

"The one that is breaking the rules!" energetically said Douglas and slightly nodded, "Do not mind me, I just like stories against all odds. Essentially, why The Count of Monte Cristo is my favourite book. Anyway, as Eugene already said, my name is Maurice Carsten and you are Sylvia la Avise? It's an honour to meet the daughter of the la Avise family. Ever since you moved here, the newsletters mostly talk about you, and quite uncertainly. Where are you from?"

"That's irrelevant." coldly said the woman, to which Eugene replied, "If I had a penny for every time you said it."

Maurice remained quiet for a second, but then cleared his throat, "O-okay, I was just curious, but that's fine if you will not tell me. I actually never saw you among students over here, did you not apply for the entery?"

Eugene raised his brow in thought, he never considered Sylvia to be going to University, but it would make good sense, although for some place with better education. Sylvia shook her head and said impatiently, "I did not. You sure have a habit of interrogating people. I was expecting to only play some chess."

Maurice gasped and put out his hands, denying her words, "Oh, I am sorry if these questions seemed to be rude. I just wanted to know you better, but if you want to start the game, then it is my pleasure." Maurice put all the chess pieces to their original spot. After mere seconds, the board was set and Sylvia was ready to make her first move.