Chương 73: Chapter 70-Chosen Game

The bells of the clock tower ring clearly through the courtyard. One ring. Hmm, what should I do today? Two rings. I could spend some time in the greenhouse, but I think Helia said she was going to be late. Three rings. Man, how have I never heard these loud ass bells? Did they just fix the clock tower or something? Four rings. Wait, what time is it? A sudden realization settles in as I realize that I've fallen right into his trap. Julian Brodero, my self-imposed rival, is menacingly speed walking towards me.

"The allotted time has been reached. It's before sundown, after lunch, not during club, and during the week. Which means that I, Julian Brodero, the most handsome First Year and rival to The Chosen One, have granted you the privilege of challenging me. Hold your applause," he says as he elegantly does a short bow. Damn it. To think I let my guard down so easily. It hasn't even been a full day, and I've already been caught by this guy. I even made sure to limit the time during which he could challenge me.

It's all this things' fault. The churro stands firmly in my hand. Its sweet-filled insides distracted me, and now I'm in this situation.

"Don't you have club today, Julian?" I ask as I take a bite of this heavenly churro.

"Worry not. The Flower Arrangement club doesn't meet until tomorrow. I'm perfectly free to challenge you," he says without a hint of ill will. There's a lot of things I could do. Brushing him off is tempting, but he doesn't seem like the type to be discouraged by that kind of stuff. If I were a betting man, which I am, I would bet that it would only make him want to challenge me even more. So, where does that leave me? Julian's dazzling smile and golden blonde hair almost blind me. Fine, let's be nice.

"Ok, I accept your challenge, Julian."

"Marvelous, let us head straight for the arena at once," he says, drenched in excitement.

"But as the challenged, I obviously get to pick what the challenge is," I say with a devilish smile. The people in the courtyard begin to stop and watch as Julian and I begin to face off.

"Of course, apologies for my indiscretion. What glorious battlefield should we test our might on? A combat duel where we put our mettle to the test, a debate on the price of grain and its socioeconomic effects, or perhaps a race to determine the grace at which we run?"

"Worry not, this battlefield has been tested many times before and is an analogue to real combat. We can even do it right here, right now," I say dramatically. Julian gives a genuine chuckle.

"I see. To think you would challenge me to chess, knowing I'm a Grandmaster and that I just so happen to carry a full chessboard for just such occasions," he says as he begins to pull out a chessboard. I respond with my own chuckle.

"Wrong again. We need only our minds and bodies for this," I say as I put my fist forward. Julian looks down at my fist and then at me.

"I'm stumped. If not chess, what do you speak of?"

"I speak of the ancient game of Rock, Paper, Scissors," I say with a devilish smile. With a dumbfounded look, he asks a simple question, "What?!"

"I see you're confused. Worry not. I'll explain. Rock, Paper, Scissors is a game in which both opponents count down from three and choose one of three options. Rock, Paper, or Scissors. What you choose will then be challenged by your opponent's choice. The weaker of the two will be destroyed. The first to be destroyed two times in three rounds loses," I explain.

"I understand how to play Rock, Paper, Scissors. I would be surprised if anybody in the Empire didn't know how to play it. Why did you choose such a simple game?" he asks, letting slip his persona just a bit.

"Simple? Simple?! Rock, Paper, Scissors is the most complicated game out there. Every move is a mental battle. Every shot is a battle of perception. Every twitch of your muscle is a struggle between deception and insight. Simple? If you see it that way, maybe you aren't ready to challenge me, Julian Brodero," I [Lie]. Julian gives me a look of realization as the crowd has encircled us.

"AHAHAHAHA! I've yet so much to learn. I accept these terms. Let us show who truly is the master of Rock, Paper, Scissors," he says as he meets my fist. The crowd roars to life at the declaration.

"Then let us begin. Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot!" Time slows as we go to shoot. The tension in his face. The way his hand is coming down. The slight smile that he has. Everything about him I study and gain nothing. I'm not a mind reader nor am I fast enough to change what I'm shooting without being noticed. Maybe if there wasn't a crowd of students watching us, but alas, that's not the case. I'll have to rely on luck. Luckily, I have that in spades.

Churro in one hand, closed fist in another, I go to shoot out paper, but right as I do, a cramp ripples through my hand, leaving me unable to open it. At the same time, Julian's hand morphs into the shape of scissors. He looks down in awe as he loses the first round.

"Astounding. I was almost certain that you were going to choose paper," he says as he wipes his brow of sweat in an elegant manner. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"I told you this is a battle of perception. You just weren't fast enough. In a real battle, you would have lost your head there," I [Lie]. Julian gasps dramatically.

"You're right. I need to take this seriously. I'm ready for the next one."

"Good. Let's do this. Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot!" I yell. Julian goes to shoot, and I can see that he's going to go with scissors again. Rookie mistake showing your hand before we finish saying shoot, but at the last minute, as I go for rock, his hand switches to paper at a blinding speed. The crowd roars to life as Julian lets out a heavy exhale that almost looks like steam.

"You almost had me there, but don't worry, my rival, I will live up to your expectations." What the fuck? Did he just cheat? Is it considered cheating to change your hand right before the hand comes down? Ah nah. This is some bullshit. He's going down now. Time to use my ultimate move. Psychological warfare.

"Finally, you've stepped onto the battlefield. Now I can take this seriously. I'm going to choose scissors. Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot!" I say quickly, fully knowing what I'm doing. My hand dramatically goes down as I put on a devilish smile. Julian's eyes strain to determine what I'm shooting. Beads of sweat pour down his face. His hand goes to choose rock, but one smirk from me is all it takes for him to switch to paper. My hand comes down, revealing scissors.

The crowd goes wild as Julian drops to his knees in defeat, but before I can even celebrate, the familiar face of Gryn the Blitz Demon comes zipping into my eyeline. His black blade aiming for my throat. He's too fast! I can't even move to meet his attack. His blade stops mere inches away from my throat as another blade comes into view. The crowd gasps in unison as a Half Elf man in a white student uniform stops Gryn's blade with his own. Where did he come from? I didn't even see him.

The Half Elf turns to me, revealing green eyes and red hair.

"Greetings, Chosen One. I apologise for intruding when unnecessary," he says with a princely tone.

"Is that a Sixth Year? I heard that they just got back," someone in the crowd asks.

"Yeah, and not just any Sixth Year, but our Student Council President, Prince Valerian," someone else answers. Gryn struggles against the Half Elf's blade.

"How did you see me coming?" he asks me. Standing perfectly still, I give a devilish smile.

"I accept your apology. After all, my counterattack would have caused far too much collateral damage," I [Lie]. Valerian's hand trembles from the weight of the attack. Guess Gryn is stronger than I thought he was if even a Sixth Year gets hurt from blocking his attack.

"Of course, Chosen One. I'm thankful for your consideration. Would you like to deal with him?" Valerian asks in a princely manner. Gryn looks between us with anger.

"I have spent the last month recovering from your attack, Chosen One, and have been waiting to enact my revenge, but you dare ignore me?" he asks.

"Yeah, I'll take care of it. Gryn, have you no honor?" I ask as I gently push his blade down.

"You dare question my honor? What right d-""I have every right. You attacked me in the middle of a duel. In my mind, that's the most dishonorable thing you can do. What would House Vryn think of this?" I ask as I walk up to him. Gryn looks down at me with shame-filled eyes.

"I.. I.."

"A real warrior doesn't run from battle, and he surely doesn't interfere in the sanctity of a duel. Right now you're oh for two. Do you really want to bring even more shame to your name? Take the loss," I whisper the last part. Gryn looks around at the crowd and then down at his hands.

"I will be back, Chosen One!" he says before disappearing in the blink of an eye. The crowd cheers as I wipe some snow off my shoulder. Julian looks at me and nods with pride. I can hear it now, 'As expected from my rival'.

"As expected of you, Chosen One," Valerian says as he sheathes his sword.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Valerian," I say, and immediately the crowd goes silent. Valerian gives a short nod, defusing the situation.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well. I had hoped to meet in better circumstances."

"What better circumstances than fighting the forces of evil together?" I joke.

"Right, you would be," he says and then lets out a sigh, "Tell me, Chosen One, did you find that interaction odd?"

"Yes, I did. From what I've seen of Gryn before, he doesn't seem like the type to go for a sneak attack. Any time I've seen him, he's always made a big show of his entrance. If I were to make a guess, I would say this attack wasn't entirely his idea." Valerian nods.

"I was thinking the same thing. It seems someone else is pulling the strings around here." Before he can say anything else, another Sixth Year appears out of nowhere.

"Val, the Professor is looking for us," she says.

"Well, it seems our time has been cut short. Stay safe, Chosen One," he says.

"Always do. Until we meet again," I say, hoping we never do. With a knowing smile, he disappears along with the other Sixth year. As soon as they're gone, the crowd around me bursts into whispers.

"Did you see how casually they talked?" someone in the crowd whispers.

"Does that mean the rumors are true?" another asks.

"They have to be. Not just anyone can talk to Prince Valerian like that," another answers. Rumors? Well, I guess there would be rumors about me. I am rumor-worthy after all. Now, what to do with the rest of my day? Ah, I know. Crime.