Benjamin Moulding, a third-year high school student who took part as a second player for Serendia Academy in a chess tournament, was the son of a court musician.

He has been studying music since childhood, doing everything from playing to composing music, and apparently, he already has fans in the high social circle.

With straight, flaxen hair that hung down to his shoulders, Benjamin was a young man with a delicate, ephemeral appearance.

…Indeed, he was an ephemeral young man.

"Chess is like music! The game record is like the musical score! If you look at the game record, if you play one game, you can see the musical aspect in your opponent's chess! Forte! Forte! Sforzando! Sforzando! Some chess games are very aggressive, while others have a solemnity like a classical piece. Elliot's chess is like a marching march! A disciplined military style of Alla Marcha, possessing unconventional beauty and strength! Yes, just listen and you will hear it! The sound of the trumpet announcing the beginning of the war! The noise of horsemen kicking the ground!"

Monica seriously wondered when Benjamin was catching his breath, as his face turned red with spittle flying from his mouth.

Elliot, standing beside him, shrugged his shoulders with a weary look on his face.

"Well, he's a bit of an artist. Anyway, it's a long story."

"O-Okay…"

"You might as well just ignore it."

Regardless of whether he heard Elliot's voice or not, Benjamin moved his thin, delicate fingers as if he were waving a conductor's stick, staring at the board with ecstatic eyes.

The board represented the end of the game between Monica and Benjamin.

"Miss Norton's chess is like a symphony played by an orchestra! Each note from the beginning to the end of the piece is meticulously calculated in the score. The magnificent and majestic melody created by the perfect harmony of all the instruments is the culmination of a musician's soul! It is no exaggeration to say that this is a miraculous score bestowed upon us by the god of music! …in other words, what I'm trying to say is…"

Facing Monica, Benjamin patted her on the thin shoulder and said.

"You're the captain. Keep up the good work."

"I think so, too."

In agreement with Benjamin's words, Elliot concurred easily.

Monica squealed, cowering with her head in her hands.

"N-Nooo, that's too muuuuccch!"

＊ ＊ ＊

Until the day of the chess tournament, the chosen students stayed behind after school and played chess incessantly.

At that training session, Monica had her first game with the second-in-line player, Benjamin Moulding.

Benjamin was chosen as one of the players, which made him a strong opponent. However, Elliot had warned her "don't go for a stalemate", so Monica went all out and defeated him.

Resulting, the occurrence of the story mentioned earlier.

"Out of all of us, I'm the weakest. So, it only makes sense if I become the first-in-line player!"

Benjamin stated, folding his arms as if it was only natural.

Monica shook her head vigorously.

"Th-That…that's not true! I am the most novice here!"

"Novice or not, the strongest one gets to be the captain. I am not telling lies or being modest! After all, our family motto is, ‘You may lie to debt collectors and your lovers, but you can't lie about music and chess!'"

This was not the kind of family motto that could be said proudly. But Elliot just shrugged his shoulders in exasperation. Apparently, he was used to this kind of exchange.

Benjamin waved his finger in the air as if he didn't see Elliot's exasperation in his eyes.

"Listen, Miss Norton. My chess is music without limits. Sometimes intense, sometimes sad. It can be light, it can be heavy, it can be grand, it can be majestic! I can recreate and play any kind of musicality in chess… but that doesn't mean I'm crazy good at chess!"

Only the last word was delivered with a posed look.

"…I think…you're strong enough already, so…"

"I'm aware that I'm fairly, moderately, reasonably strong, but not outstandingly strong. However, your strength is genuine. Who could do it if not you?"

Elliot gave an approving nod, seemingly agreeing with him.

At this rate, she will definitely turn herself into a captain!

So Monica clung desperately to them and begged.

"I am begging you, please… the first-in-line player position is already terrifying enough… but if you make me captain…"

A blinding memory of the past came back to Monica's mind.

An interview that left her hyperventilating. Enough to make the content of her stomach spill out when rehearsing for a ceremony.

If she became a captain, another incident like that might happen all over again.

Elliot held a finger to his chin and squinted his droopy eyes as Monica whimpered mournfully.

"Well, I suppose it will be a bit of a hassle to change the order since Prof. Boyd has already submitted our application… I guess we'll just have to go with it… in which case, I will remain as the captain…"

Elliot played his bangs with a reluctant look.

"They're expecting a lot of us this year, you know? Especially since Serendia Academy dominated the last tournament."

Elliot's words suddenly reminded Monica of Felix's words.

Glad to hear that two of our student council members have been chosen again this year.

That was what Felix had told Monica and Elliot the other day when they reported to him on becoming players.

"Um, did any members…of the student council…participate…in the tournament last year?"

"His Highness and General Affairs Manager Maywood did. By the way, His Highness was the second-in-line player, and General Affairs Manager Maywood was the captain."

"I see…"

Monica's eyes peeled back at Elliot's words.

Usually, when it comes to this kind of thing, the captain who was third in line was the most powerful. So she just assumed Felix was the one…

Out of all the student council members, the one who seemed far from being the most "sharp" was Neil, the general affairs manager!

"Isn't Maywood General Affairs Manager very thoughtful? I mean, he always knows what I was going to do."

"O-Okay…"

"That's why in chess, you can do the opposite. At the place where you don't want to be attacked, he will attack you without mercy… and that can be pretty nasty."

It was hard to imagine where gentle-looking Neil completely blocking his opponent's strategy.

As Monica tilted her head, remembering Neil's amiable smile, Benjamin interjected, waving his finger as if he were waving a conducting baton.

"General Affairs Manager Maywood's chess game seems to be an extremely sophisticated improvisation. The way he reads his opponent's moves and responds perfectly to them is truly amazing!"

"Um… then, what about His Highness's chess?"

Asking Benjamin in a hushed voice, Monica recalled her game with Felix the other day.

Monica had won that game by an overwhelming margin, but Felix didn't seem to be taking it seriously—or rather, Felix's chess was the kind of chess where he hadn't revealed all his hands.

Elliot's chess showed glimpses of his beliefs, but Felix's chess felt like he was hiding them thoroughly.

That's why Monica was curious to know how Benjamin felt about Felix's chess.

In response to Monica's question, Benjamin rested his chin on his hand and closed his eyes.

"It is very difficult to read any trace of musicality from His Highness's chess. But yes, I dare say it may be similar to Miss Norton's chess."

"………..Eh?"

Benjamin's fingers, which he had been moving like a conductor's rod, stopped in a high, raised position in response to Monica rounded her eyes in surprise.

Then, as if lowering the blade of a guillotine, he swung his fingers straight down.

"Neat and precise… a chess style that involves all possible moves to slaughter the king without fail."

AN:

[The strength of the student council members' chess]

Moderately strong -> Cyril, Bridget

Quite strong -> Elliot

Absurdly strong -> Neil, Monica

??? -> Felix