Chapter 197

Natsume Chikage's movements paused.

"What's wrong?"

Xiyuanji Qilai didn't explain, directly reaching out, her fingertips brushing gently over his hair tips.

Like last time, she plucked a complete, pink-white cherry blossom petal from his hair.

She held the petal in her palm and smiled sweetly at him.

"Another cherry blossom has fallen on your hair."

Saying this, she carefully tucked the petal into the title page of the book she was reading.

"Thank you." Natsume Chikage thanked her.

On the side, Xuecun Lingyin watched all this silently.

Watching the cherry blossom that she had noticed but hadn't reached out for, and was finally taken by Xiyuanji Qilai naturally.

She didn't know why, but she fell into a long silence.

Natsume Chikage looked around the classroom and found that the students' spirits seemed exceptionally good today.

Many people were already excitedly discussing where to go for fun after lunch.

At this time, two girls with blushing faces pushed each other and walked to Natsume Chikage's desk.

"Na-Natsume-kun, after lunch today... are you free?"

"That... I heard the arcade next door has half-price coins today, shall we go together?"

They clearly did their homework and knew Natsume Chikage liked playing games.

Natsume Chikage declined with a hint of apology.

"Sorry, we have club activities after school today."

The two girls couldn't hide their disappointment, muttered "let's make an appointment next time," and left dejectedly.

Xiyuanji Qilai's mood seemed even better; she lowered her voice and said with a little excitement:

"Natsume-kun, I heard the student council president won't come to school today."

"Shall we take the time to submit the budget application form to the student council?"

Hearing the three words "student council," Natsume Chikage immediately remembered Yutang Zhiji from yesterday, and those meaningful words.

He still couldn't understand the meaning behind them.

But no matter what, that student council president gave him a feeling of being unfathomable and full of danger.

Avoiding contact as much as possible was always good.

"I have no problem." He nodded in agreement.

Xiyuanji Qilai beamed with joy.

"Mm!"

Just at this moment, two figures appeared at the door of Class 1-A.

Many students in the class looked over, then showed surprised expressions.

The visitor was the somewhat famous captain of the shogi club in the school—Tian Qijie.

Following beside him was Chen Lie, who was quite good-looking.

Tian Qijie's expression was steady, while Chen Lie's face was bright.

The two ignored the surrounding gazes and walked straight to the seat by the window in the back of the classroom.

"Yo, Natsume-kun!" Chen Lie patted Natsume Chikage's shoulder with a grin, "Good morning!"

Natsume Chikage was somewhat surprised, then greeted politely.

"... Good morning, Senior Chen, Senior Tian."

Tian Qijie nodded slightly and handed a tightly wrapped express paper box to Natsume Chikage.

"Natsume-kun, the chessboard you asked me to find before has been sent from my hometown."

"It's filled with a lot of foam inside, so there shouldn't be any bumps."

"Open it and check it now. If there's a problem, I can give feedback to the courier in time."

"Okay, thank you, Senior." Natsume Chikage suppressed his inner anticipation, took the box, and opened it quickly and carefully.

When he saw the faint blue shimmer that only he could see flowing across the surface of the ancient wooden chessboard in the box, joy filled his chest instantly.

【Dust-Covered Chessboard】

【Quality: Blue】

【Effect: After equipping, your thinking speed when considering shogi games increases by 30%!】

【Introduction: The younger generation nowadays is too stupid; isn't there anyone who can be like me—a nameless chess player yawning】

【Synthesis Condition: Need at least three pieces of equipment of the same type!】

This effect far exceeded Natsume Chikage's expectations!

Directly increasing thinking speed during a game; for shogi, which relies heavily on calculation and deduction, this is simply a divine artifact!

Between opponents of similar chess strength, even a 10% difference in thinking speed is enough to decide victory or defeat.

Let alone 30%!

He was convinced that after equipping this item, his chess strength would undergo a qualitative leap.

More importantly, ever since his mental attributes improved, that feeling of stagnation where his body and mental perception were uncoordinated had been vaguely bothering him.

Now—as long as he registers this special equipment, he can immediately obtain precious attribute points and completely solve this annoyance!

【You have obtained ownership of the 'Dust-Covered Chessboard', do you want to register it?】

【Yes/No】

Natsume Chikage muttered in his heart without hesitation.

"Yes!"

【Registration successful!】

【You have obtained 1 attribute point!】

【To obtain the next attribute point, you need to collect three more special equipment!】 ===== CHAPTER 198 =====