The game begins, Reality ends

My breathing is fast and very painful

Sweat's dripping down my temples.

I'm stuck.

My brain… It's about to explode.

This is the moment.

The moment I've been chasing since forever.

I remember those nights - I was only ten years old, all alone, just me and the board, lit by a study lamp.

I've come so far. I can't back down now.

But now… why am I so scared?

Stay sharp, Sota. You can do this.

White moved. Sicilian defense. Najdorf variation.

I've practiced this line a thousand times.

I've played it over and over - as White, as Black

But now… nothing.

My mind's gone blank.

Like a sheet of empty paper

I can't remember anything.

All I can hear is the clock.

Tick… tock… tick… tock

I hate every second that passes.

I wish time would slow down… even a little.

” Your move.”

The referee's voice cuts through the silence. Cold. Emotionless.

Robert Smirks.

Like he already thinks he's won.

He's been holding a grudge ever since I beat him in that online tournament.

Damn it… why did Maria have to drag me into drinking last night?

I feel awful.

I never thought the girl I love would be the reason I might lose…

I lock my eyes on the board. Trying to clear my mind.

If l lose this game, I'm not out yet…

But just the idea of leaving It to chance? I hate it

I’ve always dreamed of starting this tournament with a win.

No… I can’t stop here.

These are all just excuses. Think!

Tactics… position… counterattack.

I finally spot a good move…

Why are my hands shaking?!

The board’s turning fuzzy.

A strange pain spreads through my head.

What happened? Why did I end up like this?

I can't breathe. Something’s lodged in my chest… I’m…

Dying?

Darkness

Then… I feel an even stronger pain.

I'm trying to open my eyes, but the light’s top bright. I can't see a thing.

“Hello, my child.”

I hear a voice. Not earthly, not heavenly.

Neither gentle, Nor harsh. Where does it come from?

Who are you? Where… am I ?

“Do not worry. Place your trust in me. I am the God of Chess. My name is Cealithor.”

He mumbles under his breath: ”Hah… talking like this really sucks.”

I can barely see his face through the light.

Black- and- white hair. One eye all white with a black pupil, the other all black with a white one.

He wears a matching black- and-white outfit and a massive cape.

His face radiates light…

He's beautiful… but in a terrifying way.

His gentle voice reaches me softly.

"You’re one of the most loyal and smartest players I’ve ever seen. But in your last game, your chance of winning was 49.99 percent."

So… almost fifty percent, huh?

"Nope. Even one hundredth of a percent could have sealed your loss."

"Maybe I could have pushed the game to a draw. My opponent wasn’t a god like you. Maybe he slipped up."

"It’s kind of ridiculous hearing that from a Grandmaster. You shouldn’t put your faith in luck."

He’s right. I never believed in luck either… but I guess I hoped for a chance anyway.

"You came here to win. Even a draw is like losing to you.

To unlock your true power, fight in this world.

Help me, Sota, so I can take back control of this world. Only you can do it."

I open my mouth to say something, but...

"Shh… I don’t have much time to explain, Sota.

You’ll get it when the time comes."

"But I… I was in the middle of a game!I can’t just—"

"Time is standing still for you.

Until you win this battle, you can’t return.

This time, chess isn’t just a game… it’s life."

— “Wh… what is this place? Seriously… what the hell…? I was… I was in a game…”

I clench my fists tight.

Damn him.

I shout:

— “Hey! Someone! Anybody?! I’m totally lost!”

Out of the mist, a shadow shows up.

The sound of hooves… getting louder.

A girl—young, dressed all in white.

Her horse, snowy white like her.

Her eyes? Cold as hell.

But when she speaks, it’s soft

— “What’s your name? Which empire are you from?”

— “Sota Shirogane… Chess player. Empire? I’m… from Japan? I was in a tournament—”

She’s looking at me... too seriously. It’s not just intense—it’s threatening.

She steps forward, and the horse slams its hoof right in front of me. It feels like it’s about to trample me.

“Ow…” I hit the ground. My back is killing me.

Her hand moves toward the hilt of her sword. A sword?! Seriously?! What is wrong with this girl?

She’s not just wild—she’s a freakin’ hurricane.

“White or black?” she asks, her intensity almost overwhelming. “That outfit of yours is suspicious. You’re not one of us… You look like you’re from the Black Empire. But even they don’t dress like that.”

I glance down at myself.

Gray. Not white. Not black.

“I don’t belong here. Can you help me out?”

She is silent for a moment, then nods.

“Mount the horse. I shall bring you to the White Emperor. Perhaps he will know what to do.”

I get on the horse. Not that I have any better options.

Maybe… just maybe… he can help me get back.

I really hope this is all just a dream. But if it’s real…

I hear that voice again—the voice of the Chess God:

“A new game has begun… and this one plays by its own rules.”

So there I was—happily riding behind a charming sword-wielding girl who could be a hero or an adorable goofball at any moment!

Yep. Totally normal!

…What do you mean this isn’t normal?!

I mean, sure, my life has always been a delightful mix of the weird and unpredictable—but this? This is a whole new adventure!

Grrrrrroowwwl

(Oh man...) I haven't had a single proper bite since yesterday. My stomach is emptier than a field after harvest!

“Here. It’s mine, but we can share it.”

WAIT. SHE HEARD THAT?!

That's a little embarrassing—but also kind of sweet!

I take the food. It looks tasty… kind of like a cold sandwich, but who cares?

“T-Thanks!”

“Don’t thank me. You’ll have to pay me back later.”

…Eh? Wait, was that serious?! Is this girl the tsundere type? How fun!

“Uh… sorry, may I ask your name?”

“Elysa. Knight of the White Empire!”

As we continued on, the fog wrapped around us like a cozy blanket, making everything feel so magical.

“Is this… the White Empire?”

No answer, but the air pulsed with the promise of adventure.

Her silence made the chilly air exhilarating.

My fingers tingled—it felt like we were on the brink of something incredible!

The world around me? Disappearing into the enchanting fog, leaving room for new possibilities!