[center] [h1][b][color=f72f39]Alexander Kherol[/color][/b][/h1] [h1][b][color=f72f39]The Last Ascendancy Commander[/color][/b][/h1] [/center] [hr] [center][h2]The Mind of a Genius II[/h2][/center] [hr] 2453 AD The bell on the wall rang to the end of the test. Students finally had their moments to let out their suppressed stress. More doubly so as this was a high school for the gifted. Curriculums were high, an so was demands of the students. Some were broken by their performance, sitting dejected or quickly making their leave, lest the student discussions of their test results reminded them. Some others were just letting loose. They did their best, and whatever happens happens. They looked forward to their video game night, or a sport's game on TV. There was nothing more for them to worry, at least for now, until the next semester arrives. One of them, however, didn't have that luxury. [color=gray][b]"Hey Alexander, do you know how to solve the second-part of last problem? I could only finish the first half of it."[/b][/color] [color=f72f39][b]"Dirichlet's Principles, isn't it?" [/b][/color] [color=gray][b]"Yeah yeah. The box is 4x3 size so I split the box into six 2x1 smaller boxes. The furthest distance in each boxes is square root of 5. Given 7 points, there will be at least 1 box with 2 points. So there will be 2 points out of 7 in that large box that will be at most square root of 5 distance away from each other."[/b][/color] The young white haired kid, carefully combed over his forehead, in his sweatshirt worn over a collared shirt gave a smile as he nodded. [color=f72f39][b]"Yes, that's correct." [/b][/color] [color=gray][b]"But the second part only allows 6 points with the same requirements. I don't know how to split the box."[/b][/color] [color=f72f39][b]"Oh..."[/b][/color] Alexander reached for his pen and drew something on his notes that he had used throughout the stressful 3 hours test. It was the same 4x3 box, but split into 4 house-shaped pentagons, two were upright, two were upside-down, one of them laid on top the two upright ones while the other split in two and placed in-between the upside-down pentagon. [color=f72f39][b]"The furthest distance in these pentagons are also square root of 5. Now you only have 5 areas to apply the Dirichlet Principles to those 6 points."[/b][/color] The logic follows exactly how it was described earlier. It just blew their mind. What amazed the student, who was over half a decade older than Alexander, was the unorthodoxy of the shapes. It was definitely not what was usually demonstrated in class. It just looked beautiful that everything just fit in so nicely with this solution. [color=gray][b]"Wow, I had no idea. That's so smart. I really don't think I could have come up with this in time."[/b][/color] The student patted Alexander on the shoulder as he tossed the notes back to him. [color=gray][b]"Anyway, what are you gonna do now that exams are over?"[/b][/color] [color=f72f39][b]"I have a chess exhibition match coming next week so I have prepare."[/b][/color] He replied. [color=gray][b]"Ah I see. Who are you playing against?"[/b][/color] [color=f72f39][b]"I'll play a few people, but the one they're advertising is Babir Anchovisch."[/b][/color] [color=gray][b]"...Babir Anchovisch..."[/b][/color] They took a few seconds to dig up their knowledge. [color=gray][b]"isn't that the Kortan chess grandmaster?"[/b][/color] [color=f72f39][b]"Yes, that's him."[/b][/color] It wasn't too common for aliens to learn human board games, let alone becoming a grandmaster. But Kortans are naturally smart creatures, and the chess game were perfect for them, so he wasn't surprised if there are a couple of them in the high leagues. [color=gray][b]"Damn, and you're what, 11? How do you feel?"[/b][/color] They asked. Facing a grandmaster? It ain't the stressful part. He had talked to and played against other chess masters, both humans and aliens alike. He beat most of them, drew some and lost some. But he didn't feel stressful at all. Many of his encounters were private matches in his community chess club that he himself requested, or they were low-stake publicity game with weaker players. But this one? He was going against one of the best Kortan chess players in the galaxy. Already, it strayed from a beautiful duel of intellect, but rather a media sensation. This was the Ascendancy's way of showing off their power and intellect. Everyone were hyped, expectations were skyscraping. He wasn't only being the prodigal Alexandrian here, he was representing a generation. The ironic thing was that the man of intellect like Alexander hadn't existed for many many years. [color=f72f39][b]"I'm gonna to be honest, I'm a bit scared."[/b][/color] The boy replied. [color=gray][b]"Scared? Why?"[/b][/color] They asked. [color=f72f39][b]"I might end up short of expectations. What if I make a silly mistake? What if I don't do well."[/b][/color] He trailed on. [color=gray][b]"Don't worry my man. You're smart. I'm sure you'll do great!"[/b][/color] They pat his shoulders again. They're sure he'll do great. Everyone's sure he'll do great. He's the prodigy after all. He's smarter than everybody else. He's supposed to do great. Despite how inhuman the task is. He's going to do great! [color=f72f39][b]"Yeah, I am sure..."[/b][/color] Alexander replied simply, his gaze trailed away over to the scenic outside the windows. It appeared like it was going to rain the entire week. [hr] It did rain. Quite a downpour in fact on the day of the match. As a result, instead of going there himself, the event host spared him the limousine to the hotel where the match would take place. A grand building in the old-fashioned 20th century architecture, supposedly a call back to the era, but was unwelcoming. The dim light, dull grey wall lacked the elegance of a human touch. But it did do a good job at just not getting Alexander's attention, as the boy flipped through the digital page on his tablet. Not of chess positions nor famous games of the past, but talking points. It would be a long 3-day event. The 18 matches against 3 chess masters, including the Kortan grandmaster, spread out evenly were the least of his concerns, since it would only be rapid games to save time. Most of the time, it'd be interacting with journalists, other professional chess players or just celebrities, taking questions and photo-ops. He wouldn't want to stumble into their bad sides after all. [b][color=f6989d]"Alexander?"[/color][/b] He could hear his mother knocking from behind the door. It quickly slid open with a yoke of the finger from his table. [b][color=f6989d]"Are you ready?"[/color][/b] Accompanying her was, to his surprise but not entirely unexpected, the CEO of the company behind this event. A middle-aged head of a major water corporation, as well as career party politician, or so he heard. His first words upon seeing Alexander were familial welcomingly, almost too welcoming for even his parents. But deep within it weren't the desire to meet or get to know this young genius, but a request. [color=gray][b]"How are you doing, young one?"[/b][/color] The CEO had his arms wide. [color=gray][b]"Are you ready for your first games of the day?" [/b][/color] [color=f72f39][b]"...Yes, I am ready."[/b][/color] The boy took a few moments observing. [color=gray][b]"Goooood. That's my boy!"[/b][/color] He held out his hand for a fist bump. As soon as the 11-year-old boy returned it, the act was dropped almost immediately. [color=gray][b]"Remember that we have an interview with the contestants before that. You'll be representing the Ascendancy's next generation, so do us proud!" [/b][/color] [color=f72f39][b]"Yes sir. I will not let you down."[/b][/color] Alexander replied [color=gray][b]"By the way..."[/b][/color] He continued, side-glancing the boy. [color=gray][b]"Has anyone told you about your eyes?"[/b][/color] Alexander glanced over to his mother standing next to the CEO. She too widened his eyes at the question and switched in between looking at her own son and the CEO. A strange question but he answered it anyway. [color=f72f39][b]"Aside from my mother and father, no." [/b][/color] [color=gray][b]"There's something alluring about those two contrasts when I look at you. It's very..."[/b][/color] He gazed up for a second or two. [color=gray][b]"...charming, I'll put it like that."[/b][/color] [color=f72f39][b]"Why thank you sir. I-" [/b][/color] [color=gray][b]"That's why I wanna ask you to do us a favor."[/b][/color] He didn't even wait to take out a pair of glasses from his pocket. [color=gray][b]"If you don't mind wearing this when you go out there?"[/b][/color] Alexander took the glasses from his hands. It didn't seem too different from normal glasses. [color=f72f39][b]"My eyes are fine though."[/b][/color] Alexander, reasonably so, asked. It didn't seem to be a prescription glasses either. It is just a very thick opaque glasses that when put on didn't change his vision. It does appear to be transition lens, however, as it seemed to darken when he placed it in front of the lamp or the windows, which was pretty neat, but still. [color=gray][b]"But they aren't strong."[/b][/color] He replied. [color=gray][b]"We have to show the Kortas that you are a dangerous opponent. They won't take you seriously if they see your eyes like that." [/b][/color] The eyes were the gate to a person's souls. When one saw his eyes flurrying with activities across the room and on the chessboard, they're captivated. They'd fall in love. They'd be mesmerized by curiosity to his intentions. But under the spectacles where the only thing they'd see is the reflection of themselves and the blinding light of the room, they wouldn't be watching a being of emotions, but some kind of intelligence. Cold, calculating, and unpredictable. After examining the glasses for long, Alexander finally put them on properly. The colorful eyes now replaced with two dull blank rectangles. [color=gray][b]"See, now you look mysterious. Strong! And intimidating. They will not know what hit them."[/b][/color] Indeed they won't... [hr] [h2][color=gray] [quote]This boy is strange. His opening moves are ridiculous and the chess masters commenting on this were all saying he's losing. Yet 15 or so moves later, he won, convincingly in fact.[/quote] [quote]This kid's enormous talent is immediately noticeable the moment the bewilderment subsides. My initial amusement quickly faded when I realize how unfamiliar I was with those positions. Our training did not prepare me against his creative play, inhumanly precise calculation and devilish resourcefulness.[/quote] [quote]Our training was instantly tossed out the windows the moment we shook hands. He just avoided all chess theories and opening principles. Us high level players like to enjoy our enclosed social groups where everyone understands each other's moves. We don't understand him. Some of his moves look weak even to the strongest of computers, but when you realize how dangerous it is, you are already dead. His innate tactical sensing is beyond our understandings.[/quote] [quote]He is just too good. There is no use playing him. All 6 games I was beaten, yet I didn't even know why or when. It was like I was being gradually outplayed, from the very start. The most depressing and unsettling thing about this is that he didn't take time to think at all. Even Babir doesn't spend this little time on his moves.[/quote] [quote]He's a player without any noticeable weaknesses.[/quote] [/color][/h2] [hr] [center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFshrrqjLgE[/youtube][/center] [hr] [color=f7941d][b]"Didn't know ya wear glasses."[/b][/color] A voice zoned him back to life. He had been on autopilot for so long, he only knew that the event was over and that he was just on the way home. He forgot how long it took. It was almost sunset now, so he could reasonably say it took at least a bit. [color=f72f39][b]"Huh?"[/b][/color] He turned to the direction of the familiar voice. It was Sarie, sitting by the trees in the park in front of his apartment that they had been hanging out with each other. Her lazy headrest on the tree bark quickly came to life as she straightened herself and waved him over. Looking over to his parents, who also heard her, he asked without said. They simply nodded with smiles and went back to their apartment without him. [color=f72f39][b]"Hey Sarie."[/b][/color] He approached and waved back. [color=f72f39][b]"Thought you've already gone home?" [/b][/color] [color=f7941d][b]"Was about to! Anna just went home, I just wanna look at the sunset a little bit more."[/b][/color] The sun was especially vibrant today. The orange reflection of the sunray veiled under the clouds enveloped the sky in its boldest blaze, a settled heart to the horizon. [color=f72f39][b]"Isn't there a forest fire happening right now? It doesn't look like this in normal days."[/b][/color] Alexander said. [color=f7941d][b]"I dunno. Looks beautiful nonetheless."[/b][/color] She replied. [color=f7941d][b]"Anyway, ya near-sighted?"[/b][/color] [color=f72f39][b]"Oh, ummm..."[/b][/color] It suddenly dawned on him that he forgot to take the thing off the entire time. He should have returned this to the CEO earlier but eh, whatever. If he came and asked for it back then sure. If not he could just use it as sunglasses. [color=f72f39][b]"I never am near-sighted. My eyes are fine."[/b][/color] He took it off instantly. [color=f7941d][b]"Huh, makes ya look quite spooky. I prefer this you a lot better!"[/b][/color] Sarie exclaimed. He chuckled a little as he sat down beside her. [color=f7941d][b]"Anyway Alex, congratulations!"[/b][/color] [color=f72f39][b]"Thanks...you mean for my chess matches?"[/b][/color] He asked. [color=f7941d][b]"Yeah. Everyone was talking about you today! They wanted to emulate you and your matches with that elephant guy...Baby or something like that!"[/b][/color] She exclaimed [color=f72f39][b]"Babir."[/b][/color] He corrected. [color=f72f39][b]"Yeah, sounds like fun."[/b][/color] [color=f7941d][b]"We tried to continue from your positions every time you move, but you were too fast. So we just tried to guess why both sides did what they did."[/b][/color] [color=f72f39][b]"Wait we? You're in it too? I thought you don't know chess?"[/b][/color] [color=f7941d][b]"I didn't! And people don't like it so I kinda just stayed quiet and watched."[/b][/color] She said, almost nonchalantly so. [color=f72f39][b]"Ayyyy."[/b][/color] Alexander sighed with a disappointing headshake. He had always said not to exclude anyone but they just wouldn't listen. [color=f7941d][b]"But thanks to that, I knew how the game works now!"[/b][/color] She proudly declared. [color=f7941d][b]"Like how your tower just jumps right over your king! Oh oh, and how the pawn just slaps the enemy pawn that tries to zip past it. Like WHAM! Dead."[/b][/color] Oh, en passant. Hey, she got the concept at least. Better than some dumbos accusing people of making up rules. [color=f72f39][b]"Wanna try them out?"[/b][/color] He winked as he took out the chess set from his bag. [color=f72f39][b]"I'll go easy and take my queen off the board for ya."[/b][/color] [color=f7941d][b]"No no no!"[/b][/color] She wagged her fingers at him. [color=f7941d][b]"You NEED the queen. Kings and queens go together, remember?"[/b][/color] [color=f72f39][b]"Ah, right right!"[/b][/color] A tired but earnest laugh like the red setting sun, as he remembered those words. [color=f72f39][b]"Then I shall not allow her to die. Deal?"[/b][/color] [color=f7941d][b]"What's gonna be my reward then?"[/b][/color] [color=f72f39][b]"Hmmm, a stuffed plushie. Whatever you choose."[/b][/color] [color=f7941d][b]"Deal!"[/b][/color] And they played. And played. And played. Even as night falls and the moon took over. For the boy who beat a grandmaster back and forth, this was pure fun. Wild sacrifice, ridiculous openings, funny rules. And most importantly, an opponent who expected nothing out of him nor the game. She was here to laugh. And he was there to laugh too. The most human thing he ever felt.