Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1372. An Unexpected Debut (7)

I was sure this scene captured so much attention. Of course, considering the level of the opponents I had faced, it wasn’t exactly a remarkable victory, but playing a game with so many people at once without even looking at the pieces or the board was a skill that ordinary people could never display.

After all, I had five boards drawn in my mind, so Aina Peneloti couldn’t possibly appear like an ordinary young lady. From the perspective of First Life Commander Jin, it was only natural for him to pay attention to me.

‘Well... he’s the type who always goes after talent.’

After all, the reason he sent a note to Jung Ha-Yan in Laios was her talent, not her looks. It was more accurate to say that the interest in Aina Peneloti wasn’t about her as a woman, but about a young lady with talent, and perhaps she was a prodigy. No, calling it mere interest would be an understatement. The expression on his face was unmistakably one of astonishment.

Perhaps Aina Peneloti’s style caught his fancy.

‘I was insanely aggressive, after all.’

The young lady appeared pure and clueless, but she was excessively ruthless in another world. She bit her opponents, stomped on them, and even dug her claws into the necks of those who could no longer fight back. On the small board, she was a predator chasing her prey to the very end—a merciless monster.

It wasn't just him. Anyone who could really understand chess would see Aina Peneloti in the same way.

‘My character is pretty clear. Of course, I would attract attention.’

Of course, apart from him, the crowd simply praised the achievements of Lady Peneloti.

“Kyaaaaaa!”

“That was insane! Lady Peneloti! That was truly impressive! H-how was that even possible?!”

“Are you a genius? Could you actually be a genius, Lady Peneloti? Are you really a genius?”

“Ah, no, I just... like chess, so I often play like this alone...” I answered.

“Could you... go out with me? Lady Peneloti?”

“Huh? Huh?”

In addition to the young ladies from the Black Rose Salon, the young ladies from other salons swarmed us. Those rubbing their eyes to make sure what they had just witnessed was real caught my attention.

‘This rumor is definitely going to spread.’

I was sure everyone here was already aware of Lady Peneloti's name.

“How did you do that just now? How...”

“Look at those smug bastards, can’t even say a word now!” Lady Pastel shouted.

‘Lady Pastel, you’re really... incredible.’

Still, how could she shout like that? She shouted like she wanted everyone to hear her.

“Do you even know the rules? Hehe! Oh dear, oh dear, if it were me, I’d be too ashamed to even lift my head. I’d rather just drop dead right here!”

And in fact, they really couldn’t lift their heads. This was karma for mocking and looking down on me, so they had to be feeling humiliated. I felt like they wanted to flee the debutante ball altogether. By tomorrow, just as everyone here would know my name, everyone would know their names, too.

They would be remembered as the five whom Lady Peneloti had utterly crushed.

“Y-You... you’re incredible, Lady Peneloti...”

“H-Haha... ha... you’re... incredible.”

‘Is that all you have to say?’

“...”

“...”

“It was fun, Baron!” I said.

“Y-yes... yes. It was... it was an enjoyable time for us as well, Lady Peneloti. Th-then... we should....”

Their faces were flushed with shame, and it didn’t even seem like they were truly remorseful. Even at this moment, they were trying hard to belittle me. Of course, they couldn’t really do anything significant right now.

‘Can’t you see the public’s reaction?’

“Lady Peneloti!”

“May I come to your salon? Lady Peneloti? I’d like to talk about what happened today. Could you spare me a little time?”

“Ah! Well...”

“They’ve always been insufferable. Lady Peneloti, don’t worry too much. I’m in the same kingdom as those idiots. They’ve been strutting around acting clever, and they've finally met their match.

"Well, I knew this would happen someday. They’ve always been full of themselves... so serves them right. They’re probably too embarrassed to even ask someone for a dance.”

“Huh? I- I wasn’t trying to... Did I do something wrong?” I asked.

“No! You did well, Lady Peneloti. Honestly, those people were hopeless.”

There were so many people around me that First Life Commander Jin had no chance to approach me, which was problematic.

‘It’s about time he approaches me. There’s no way he’ll just let me go...’

If he were the Commander Jin I know, there was no way he’d just stand by and watch. Of course, he was in the middle of a mission, so he would surely avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

Whatever his objective, attracting people's attention wouldn't help him with it.

More than that, I had to trust him.

Geniuses like him, especially a genius like Jin Cheong, were weak against boredom.

Amidst his monotonous daily life, he encountered something interesting, so it was only natural for him to examine and test it. Aina Peneloti had awakened that curiosity in him.

It was a sudden interest in a young genius who appeared out of nowhere. More importantly, he started nursing a small expectation that this woman could actually entertain him.

He was probably even wondering if they could be the same type of people.

‘First Life Commander Jin. You’re not the type who’s good at enduring things. That was why the first time we met, you went straight into insisting we play a game. You never back down. I know you’re in the middle of a mission, but are you going to just let me go?’

If we were to part ways now, who could say for sure when we'd run into each other again in this huge ballroom?

'You’ve always liked being in the spotlight. I’m really going to leave. I’m really going to return to the salon with the ladies. You know there’s going to be no dancing or anything anyway, as the ballroom’s a mess. I’m really going to leave now.'

Sure enough, he stepped forward and said, “E2, E4.”

“...”

“...”

‘Damn it, I knew it!’

He didn’t even ask me to play with him and get my consent before making a move.

‘I knew you’d never back down! What kind of entrance is this?!’

Arrogantly, he looked up and started moving the pieces forward with his words.

“E2, E4.”

‘You’re just starting straight away? No warm-up or anything, just right into it?!’

“Wh-what? So sudden....” I stuttered.

It was natural for me to act confused. How was I supposed to react to someone stepping forward all of a sudden to play chess with me?

However, First Life Commander Jin didn’t back down and calmly repeated. “E2, E4.”

‘Wait, shouldn’t he at least introduce himself? Does this guy have no manners?’

I was curious about his identity, and whether it was a good thing or a bad thing, I couldn't say for sure, but I quickly discovered his identity.

— If my memory serves me correctly... that emblem belongs to Marquis Zhenis.

“W-What?” I questioned.

‘He's here with a marquis title?’

— They’re one of the five pillars supporting the Henry Kingdom at the western border. The Henry Kingdom is small compared to other kingdoms... but the House of Marquis Zhenis is known for its loyalty and high prestige. They act as shadows... I’ve heard they never show themselves in formal events like this.

I heard Second Life Commander Jin's explanation.

‘A shadow again? Does this guy have some kind of shadow fetish?’

Naturally, I had to reply.

“C7, C5,” I said.

Honestly, I had no expectations of winning, but winning wasn't everything.

‘All I need is to pique his interest, right?’

I wrapped a handkerchief around my head again, blindfolding myself for the performance. Amidst the relentless exchange of moves, First Life Commander Jin suddenly shifted to a defensive stance, perhaps surprised by how aggressively I was playing, which resembled a hunting dog trying to bite its target.

He had to have realized that his opponent’s skill level was beyond his expectations. My moves, which were honed from long battles with Hye-Jin, were extremely sharp.

I was sure he felt like he would get injured, even though he was the one swinging a sword, so I was certain that he became even wary of me.

First Life Commander Jin had come here casually as if he were on a stroll, but now, a smile tugged at his lips.

‘As long as First Life Commander Jin is happy. That’s all that matters.’

I waited while a trap was set on one side; the other party, knowing it was a trap, still stepped in. I was drawing in First Life Commander Jin, and he, perhaps annoyed by it, was trying to avoid any pointless exchange.

Of course, the game only went this far. After all, the goal wasn’t to determine a winner but to draw attention. After gauging First Life Commander Jin—no, Marquis Jayce's reaction, I carefully said, “Bishop to C3.”

A replay of the Laios event.

A meaningless move—or rather, one that only looked amazing.

I caught Marquis Jayce lifting his eyebrow, clearly enjoying the game. His face seemed to be silently asking me for an explanation, seemingly wondering whether I had made a mistake or lost track of the moves in my head.

Soon, he lightly shook his head, as if dismissing the thought. He assumed there was some hidden meaning in the move, and he simply couldn’t interpret it.

Just as he was about to speak—

“Ladies of the Black Rose Salon, it’s time to return.”

— The ball ended precisely as if on cue.

“Ah... it ended too soon. That was fun, Marquis Jayce,” I said.

I bowed gracefully in a polite farewell.

First Life Commander Jin replied, “Thank you for accepting my sudden request, Lady Peneloti.”

‘La!’

“...”

‘Dy!’

“...”

‘Lady!’

I couldn’t believe it. He actually called me “Lady.”

And as if that weren’t enough, he immediately asked, “May I know more about your last move?”

Of course, I didn’t have to answer him.

“Ah! I-I’m sorry, I think I should go in now,” I said.

I decided to leave him with a hint of curiosity in me and slipped out of the ballroom as if I were Cinderella. However, someone grabbed my hand, creating a scene straight out of a movie.

“I’ll visit you in two hours, Lady Peneloti," he said.

“Huh?”

“Uh...?”

“Huh? Huh?”

“Huh?”

“Yes?” I asked.

“Lady Peneloti, just now....”

And that was when the ladies screamed...

“Kyaaaaaaa!”

“T-that’s crazy! Won’t it be eleven in two hours?”

“Isn’t that way too late at night?!”

“He just... he just grabbed her hand, right? He actually grabbed Lady Peneloti’s hand, right?! What did I just see?! What on earth....”

“He said he would come! He’s coming to the salon!”

“This is insane! Absolutely insane! It’s revolutionary! He’s going to propose! Marquis Jayce is going to propose! At this point, it’s basically a proposal already!”

Just then...

— D-don’t make me laugh.

A voice echoed from the other side as well.

— I told you not to make a scene! Damn it!

Crash! Boom!

I heard something crash and shatter into pieces.