Six days passed like a sigh. The sun rose and fell, marking the rhythm of my unsuccessful attempts. Eight steps. Only eight miserable steps. I was slumped on the ground, my body aching and my pride wounded. My breathing was heavy, sweat soaked my forehead and my heart hammered in my chest, reminding me how close I had been... and how far away I still felt.
Two steps? Just two damn steps to the finish line? And yet, my doubts remained unanswered. But now, more questions boiled in my mind, restless and persistent, like thorns stuck in my conscience.
-Master..." my voice came out weaker than I intended as I looked up at him. We have focused so much on magic that..." I paused to swallow my saliva, "Have you forgotten to teach me swordsmanship?
The silence that followed was so thick I could almost hear it. Ravenscroft looked away for a moment, as if carefully choosing his words.
-To be honest with you..." his tone was nonchalant, too much for my liking, "actually, yes, a little bit.
What? I felt as if I had been punched straight in the stomach. My mind was slow to process those words, spoken with such calmness that I was even more puzzled.
-Did he forget! -My disbelief was palpable, how could he say something like that so calmly?
But before I could reply, his confident smile dispelled some of my frustration.
-Easy, boy. -His voice took on that enigmatic tone he always used when he was about to blurt out something important. Don't get anxious. I know exactly what I'm doing.
-But master..." I tried to protest, but he raised a hand to stop me.
-I promise you that all this effort will bear extraordinary fruit.
His words, though reassuring, did not entirely dispel my doubts. But... when had he ever failed me before?
-Well..." I sighed, trying to calm the storm inside me. If you say so...
-Go home and rest. -His tone was softer this time, almost paternal. Tomorrow we'll start by strengthening your mind.
***
I arrived more nervous than ever.
Strengthening the mind... What exactly did that mean? Strategic games? Mental exercises? Or was it another of his twisted ways of testing me?
We found ourselves in the usual clearing, but this time, my master was holding something different.
-Drake, follow me. -He commanded with a mysterious tone as he carried a wooden briefcase in his hand.
A briefcase? Without saying anything, I followed him silently, my mind working at full speed to imagine what kind of "mental fortification" awaited me.
We arrived at a tavern. During the day, the place served food and drink for travelers and merchants, but at night... it transformed into a bustling bar filled with laughter, song and gambling.
We sat facing each other at a secluded table, away from the noise that was slowly beginning to fill the place.
-Master..." I broke the silence, unable to contain my curiosity. Why the briefcase?
A mischievous smile appeared on his face, the kind of smile that got on my nerves.
-Here..." he said as he placed the briefcase on the table carefully, "I contain one of the best strategy games ever created in this world.
My eyes widened. A game? Was this his idea of strengthening the mind?
Ravenscroft opened the case with a precise, almost ceremonial motion, as if he were revealing an ancient treasure.
Inside, there was a peculiar board: white squares and others the color of wood, perfectly aligned. The pieces, delicately carved, were arranged with precision. Some had curious shapes: horses, towers, and other figures that I could not identify.
-What is this, master? -I asked, incredulous, leaning forward to get a better look.
-Chess. -He said his name with almost childish enthusiasm.
-Chess? -I repeated, confused. What's a chess?
-Are you or do you become? -Ravenscroft looked at me with an arched eyebrow and a smirk painted on his face, "Obviously you can eat it!
What? I understood immediately that he was teasing me. But if he wanted to play, I could play along too.
-Really? -I smiled innocently, taking one of the horse-shaped pieces. Well... bon appetit.
I brought the horse towards my mouth, pretending I was going to bite it. For a second, I saw a spark of genuine panic in Ravenscroft's eyes.
-Don't do it, boy! -he exclaimed, with a mixture of genuine fear and horror.
I let out a laugh and left the horse in its place.
-Then... explain to me what chess is, master.
Ravenscroft sighed, relieved, but couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle.
-Very well, little joker..." he said as he began to place the pieces in their original positions. Listen well.
-This is a game of strategy," he began, his tone changing to a more serious one. The objective is to capture the enemy king.
His hands moved deftly, pointing to the various pieces as he spoke.
-We both have sixteen pieces. These here, with round heads, are pawns. They make little progress, but if you underestimate them... you could lose.
-And these? -I asked, pointing to the pieces that were shaped like rooks.
-Ah, the rooks. -A faint smile curved his lips. Steady, powerful and lethal if you use them well.
-And the horses? -My eyes fell on the figures I had been about to "eat".
-Playful and cunning," he said, with a glint of admiration in his eyes, "capable of leaping over pieces and attacking from unexpected angles.
-And these? I pointed to the pieces with a sharp, dagger-like shape.
-The bishops..." he whispered, almost reverently. Silent executioners, cutting diagonals with deadly precision.
Finally, his fingers brushed against the most majestic piece on the board.
-The queen. -His voice dropped a little, almost as if he feared to utter the name. Beautiful... but lethal. It can move in any direction and wipe out everything in its path.
-And the king? -I asked, noting that I had saved that piece for last.
-The most important. -His gaze was fixed on the figure of the king. The one you must protect at all costs. If you lose the king..." he paused, letting the weight of his words fall on me, "all is lost.
A shiver ran down my spine. This wasn't just a game. This was... war.
-Ready to learn, Drake? -Ravenscroft whispered, a spark of defiance in his eyes.
-Ready, master. -I replied, feeling that something inside me had just changed.
Calmly, I placed each piece in its place. The wood echoed softly on the board as the last figure found its position. Then he began to speak.
-You will learn that the mind is your best weapon. This game..." he paused, letting silence envelop his words, "can teach you more than you can imagine.
His finger slowly traced the edge of the board, stopping at a corner.
-This corner is "a", the next "b", and so on until you get to "h". -His voice was firm, but there was a hint of patience, like someone passing on ancient knowledge. The numbers go from one to eight... but if you play with black, you must see it backwards: from eight to one, and from "h" to "a". Always follow the same order, no matter if you have the white or black pieces.
His eyes were fixed on me, looking to make sure I understood. I nodded silently, and he continued.
-The pawns..." he took one gently, as if he were a soldier awaiting orders, "advance square by square, slow, steady, patient. But on their first move, they can advance two squares. And if an enemy pawn advances next to yours with that jump... -he paused to give weight to his words- you can capture it in passing, diagonally.
-No exception? -I asked, almost in a whisper.
-Without exception. -He nodded gravely, putting the pawn back in its place. Pawns always go in the second row, in front of everyone, as the first line of defense.
-As in wars... right, master?
A fleeting smile crossed his face.
-Exactly. A disciplined army can be the most valuable thing for the survival of a kingdom.
He picked up a tower and slid it gently.
-The towers..." he said, his voice now taking on a tinge of authority, "move straight, forward, backward or sideways. Steady. Unyielding. -He placed the tower on the corner of the board. They always occupy the corners, watchful from afar.
Next to it, the horses waited. He picked one up and moved it with precision.
-The horses..." His eyes sparkled as he spoke of them, "are unpredictable. They move in an "L" shape, they jump over the other pieces. A good player knows that knights can be deadly if they move cunningly.
His fingers now found the bishops, sliding them across the board in diagonal movements.
-The bishops..." he whispered, "slide in sharp diagonals, like silent blades. But beware..." he warned me, with a serious look, "they can get trapped if their path is blocked.
And then came the queen. He held her for a moment, as if she weighed more than the other pieces.
-The queen..." he said almost in reverence, "is the most powerful piece on the board. It can move in all directions, as lethal as it is versatile. But..." -his eyes darkened- "a misuse of its power can bring ruin.
Finally, he took the king.
-And the king... -his voice became solemn- he is slow... he can only move one square in any direction, but his protection is vital. If the king falls..." he set the piece down gently, "the whole kingdom falls with him.
The board was complete, the pieces ready for battle. He stared at me, as if the real game was just about to begin.
-Remember..." His voice was almost an echo, on this board, as in life, every move can change destiny.
-I will have mercy on you... I will not make the game end so soon. -His voice echoed with an eerie calm, as if he already knew the outcome.
-Wow, how thoughtful of you, master. It would be an abuse if I didn't. -I replied with a smile that hid my nerves.
Thus began my first game of chess. I was assigned the white pieces, and with a decisive move, I advanced the pawn to e4. He, unperturbed, replicated my move with almost mechanical precision. Then, I moved another pawn to d3, and once again, his response was identical. It was as if my every move was being reflected in an invisible mirror.
-Master... who was the creator of this game? -I asked as my fingers brushed the tower, analyzing the board.
-They say it was an adventurer... someone who was way ahead of his time. A being... who might as well have come from another world.
"Another world?" That word hung in my mind, like an echo that refused to fade. I felt a slight shiver run down my spine. Something about that idea unsettled me more than it should.
-And what happened to him? -My voice was barely a whisper, almost dreading the answer.
-He died long ago... but his legacy lives on in this fascinating game.
-Didn't he have a name?
-No one knows. He took that secret to his grave.
The silence that followed was not uncomfortable, but it weighed like a shadow. My eyes returned to the board, but my mind kept wandering... What if that "other world" wasn't just a metaphor? What if that adventurer left something more than a game behind him?
Little by little, I began to understand the game. It wasn't just about moving pieces at random, but anticipating my opponent's next move, thinking beyond the immediate move. It was a fascinating idea, like a duel of minds in which every decision could seal the fate of the game.
But before I could plan my next move, my master's voice rang out with calm certainty:
-Checkmate.
I blinked, confused.
-What does that mean?
Ravenscroft gave a faint smile, leaning his elbows on the table.
-The phrase "checkmate" alludes to the capture of the king, to a point at which he no longer has any move that would allow him to escape. At that point, the game ends.
I leaned forward, intrigued.
-Oh... that sounds amazing. Another game, please!
My master nodded with satisfaction.
-Of course, that's what we're here for. But now that you understand the basics, we'll add a little more difficulty.
I frowned curiously.
-What do you mean?
-Look, every time a piece directly attacks the king, it's called "check". When that happens, you have the obligation to protect it, move it or eliminate the piece that threatens it.
I looked at the board carefully and took the bishop, sliding it carefully until it was in attack position.
-I think I understood... if I place my bishop here and it threatens your king, you have to move it, protect it, or capture my bishop.
Ravenscroft nodded approvingly.
-Exactly. Now then, there's another special move you should know about. When the pieces separating the king from the rook have been moved, you can execute a strategic maneuver known as castling. This move places the king in a safer position behind a line of pawns and activates the rook, making it more useful in the game.
I was dumbfounded.
-That's incredible!
-And there's more. Sometimes, you can sacrifice a piece to lure your opponent into a trap, offering him what looks like a gift, but is actually a bluff. This strategy is known as a "gambit".
My eyes sparkled with excitement.
-So does that mean I'm making a sacrifice for the greater good?
Ravenscroft smiled proudly.
-Exactly. And if you learn to use it well... the real checkmate will always be yours.
-Now, Drake, I have a question for you," my master's voice took on an intriguing tone, as if he were about to reveal a great secret.
I blinked curiously before breaking into an enthusiastic smile.
-Really? What is it?
He tilted his head slightly, watching me with a mixture of seriousness and amusement, "Tell me... do you know how to add?
I let out a chuckle, almost offended by the simplicity of the question.
-Of course! My parents taught me. I also know how to subtract.
-Wow, that's impressive," he replied, crossing his arms. Then I guess you won't need to learn advanced arithmetic.
I cocked my head, confused.
-Seriously... addition and subtraction is advanced arithmetic?
-Of course it is. -Not everyone in the kingdom has the privilege of knowing even the basics of mathematics. Being able to add and subtract already puts you above many.
I opened my mouth to respond, but his words left me thoughtful. I had always assumed that everyone knew what I knew, that this knowledge was paramount.
-I didn't know... I thought anyone could learn it.
He sighed, with a faint wistful smile.
-You're not to blame for thinking that way, Drake. You grew up in a home where education is a right, not a luxury. But now that you know that, it's important that you understand the value of knowledge... and that you don't take it for granted.
I was silent for a moment, as if that idea was slowly settling in his mind. Finally, I nodded.
-I suppose in time I will understand better, won't I?
My master smiled approvingly.
-And that is the first step to true wisdom.
***
And so two whole days passed devoted to chess, where every game became a mental battle, until finally we returned to the magic training. We picked up right where we left off, and now I could advance eight steps more easily. However, he still did not reach the goal of ten.
-Master, I understand that you don't want to answer my questions," I said cautiously, "but why haven't you taught me any spells yet?
Ravenscroft looked at me with an enigmatic expression, as if he had already expected that question.
-Hmmm... Let's make a deal," he said after a few seconds of thought. I'll teach you a spell now, but the questions you had before completing the ten steps... I'll only answer them when you get to twenty.
I frowned, debating internally. The offer was tempting, but a spell... A spell was worth more than any answer.
-Okay, we have a deal. Please teach me a spell!
-All right. Use the sphere of water you formed earlier," he instructed. Now, recite these words, "Water ball.
It didn't seem complicated. I took a breath and spoke firmly:
-"Water ball!
As soon as I finished saying it, I felt an overwhelming pressure on my body, as if an invisible weight was clinging to my shoulders. At the same time, a shiver ran down my back as my energy began to drain all at once.
-What on earth...? -I gasped, surprised.
Ravenscroft gave a faint smile.
-You felt it, didn't you? Like something was pushing you down.
-Yes! How is that possible? I didn't feel anything like that before when I was handling the water?
-Because now you're invoking a greater force. In other words, you are no longer just using your own energy, you are channeling the power of the gods.
His words sent a shiver down my spine.
-Now, dissolve the spell. It's time to teach you something else.
-How do I do it?
-Concentrate on the accumulated energy and, as if opening your hand after clenching a fist, let it disperse.
I closed my eyes and followed his instructions. With a little effort, I felt the tension disappear, as if releasing a tension that held me tightly.
-Much better," the master nodded. Now that you've managed to cast your first spell, it's time to learn how to cast it.
-Take a stone," he said, tossing me a small one. Feel its weight, feel its texture in your hand, and record that sensation in your mind.
I followed his instructions, concentrating on the object in my palm.
-Now, throw it. And focus on how it leaves your hand.
I obeyed without question. The stone flew through the air and landed a short distance in front of me.
-For casting spells, the principle is the same," Ravenscroft explained. With practice, you will do it naturally, without even thinking about it. Now, form the spell again and cast it with all your might.
I breathed in deeply, recreating the sensation in my mind. This time, the sphere of water emerged more steadily in my right hand. Remembering the lesson of the stone, I brought the orb back to the level of my head and with all my strength I threw it.
-Water ball!
The water ball shot out at a surprising speed. I barely had time to follow it with my eyes before it hit a tree, leaving a hole big enough for a family of birds to nest in.
My master looked at the result with a mixture of approval and satisfaction.
-Impressive.
I, on the other hand, was dumbfounded.
-Wow, did I really do that? I thought the damage would be less...
Ravenscroft raised an eyebrow with an amused expression.
-Did you doubt my training methods?
I pursed my lips, feeling a slight lump in my throat.
-Well... a little.
To my surprise, he let out a light laugh.
-Don't worry, I won't scold you for it. But never doubt me again, Drake. I will guide you successfully on the path of magic.