Chapter 20: CHAPTER 20
Asher's move worked well, and everyone turned their attention to Kendall when they heard she had a question.
Kendall asked, "Do you all know about the Inter-School Chess Tournament?"
"Of course."
Each one of them took turns explaining and adding information. "It's an annual competition held among eight high schools, authorized by the Rosemont's Chess Association."
"The eight high schools include LWHS, Rosemont Waldorf High School, Rosemont International High School, Abraham Lincoln High School… and Powell High School."
"Powell High School is the only private elite school among them."
"Each year, the eight high schools take turns hosting the tournament, and this year it happens to be Powell High School's turn to be the host."
"Our school has already selected twenty students at the beginning of the year and has been training them ever since."
"What's unique about this tournament is that it's not only a competition among students but also mentors."
"In the finals, if the scores of the student participants end up tied, the mentors will battle it out to secure the final point."
"If a mentor is unavailable or unwilling, the school can appoint a student to take their place, although no one has done so yet."
"You fool! Of course, no one would do that. The student participants are rookies, while the mentors are like level bosses. Have you ever seen a rookie defeat a boss alone?"
"That's right, haha! So, Goddess Kendall, why are you asking about this?"
This was the source of confusion among the Class 7 students.
"I'm participating in this tournament," Kendall's exquisite face revealed a determined expression.
It wasn't a mere "desire," but a "demand."
She was determined to participate, determined to win, and determined to complete Trial Mission (2).
Asher looked troubled. "That might be difficult."
The Inter–School Tournament wasn't a stage where one could simply claim a spot.
It was an event that reflected the reputation of the school, and the twenty participating students were carefully selected by the school.
Furthermore, this tournament was of great importance to those twenty students.
They needed this competition to evaluate and improve their skills, and if they missed this opportunity, they would have to wait until the end of the year.
Moreover, the tournament explicitly stated that each school could only send twenty students, no more.
In such a situation, they couldn't expect one of the originally selected twenty students to willingly give up their spot for Goddess Kendall.
The lively prelude filled the air as the faculty and students gathered for the assembly in the square.
Kendall furrowed her brow and joined the students as they assembled.
Adrian was hosting this assembly.
Despite his petite figure, he always managed to display an air of dignity and cuteness when handling serious business.
He first announced the cause of the staged accident from the previous night and issued punishments to those responsible.
Then he praised Kendall for her rescue of the young boy.
As his words fell, the crowd broke into rapturous applause.
Gloria was also applauding, her beautiful face full of admiration, but she kept sneering in her heart.
Could Kendall's actions truly be considered saving the young boy?
In reality, she just happened to be near the boy and was lightly brushed by a support beam!
It couldn't be considered sacrificing herself to save the boy!
The fact that she left the scene of the accident safe and sound proved it!
Yet, her act was being glorified by the school as heroic, which was truly ridiculous!
Because of this incident, Kendall's votes on the school beauty rankings skyrocketed overnight, rising to second place, just below Gloria!
Given her current momentum, she could surpass Gloria in the future.
Fortunately, the annual Inter–School Chess Tournament was about to begin
As long as Gloria performed outstandingly in the tournament, she would remain the only goddess of Powell High School.
At that time, she could also take Kendall down a peg.
Gloria was busy plotting her schemes, while Adrian called Kendall up on stage with a smile and asked.
"I can reward you. What do you want?"
A reward?
Without hesitation, Kendall replied, "Let me participate in the Inter- School Chess Tournament."
Gloria's pupils contracted!
Adrian restrained his smile and said, "Why do you want to participate in that? The list of participants was finalized a long time ago."
This was not an easy wish to fulfill.
"I can give my spot to Kendall," Tristan from Class 1 raised his hand.
He admired Kendall and was ashamed of what he had done.
It was great to have the opportunity to make amends.
"Thank you." Kendall thanked calmly.
With someone voluntarily withdrawing, it saved a lot of trouble.
"You… you're welcome!" Tristan blushed, and he quickly looked away.
That was weird. She could have humiliated him and boldly taken the spot.
Instead, she thanked him and didn't hold grudges for what happened before.
Well, he decided to give Kendall a few more votes on the school beauty rankings.
"Since Tristan is willing to withdraw, you are now one of the participants. Remember to practice in the Chess Room for two hours after school every day," Adrian said with a smile.
Today was a special day for Class 7.
The teachers who had been reluctant to come to their class before were now back.
As soon as they entered the classroom, the first thing they did was apologize for their past negligence.
The second thing they did was bow to Kendall.
"Kendall, if there is anything wrong with my teaching, please point it out."
Although they hadn't witnessed Kendall's teaching, the academic achievements of Class 7 students were the best evidence.
Kendall was better than them at teaching.
If they could get guidance from Kendall, it might lead to a breakthrough in their professional careers.
The students of Class 7 had mixed feelings about this situation.
On one hand, they wanted Kendall to continue teaching.
On the other hand, they knew that teaching multiple courses simultaneously was exhausting for Kendall.
They couldn't disregard Goddess Kendall's feelings for their selfish desires. After all, Goddess Kendall still had to prepare for the Inter- School Chess Tournament.
So, they reconciled with the teachers.
After school, Kendall came to the chess room with a backpack on one shoulder.
There were more than thirty people inside the room, with nineteen of them being students participating in the upcoming competition. Among them were two familiar faces, Gloria and Austin.
The students were playing chess in pairs, moving the pieces on the board. Two chess clocks were placed on the left side of the board, and whoever made a move had to press it.
The remaining people were chess teachers, responsible for training and coaching.
One of them stood out in particular.
He was an elderly man in his sixties, with graying hair that reached his shoulders, and a disheveled appearance.
He was seated at the highest position, playing chess against himself with utmost concentration.
This person was Russel Wilson, the chess mentor at Powell High School.
Russel is a legend in the field of chess in Rosemont. He had served as the president of the city's Chess Association and was once the only grandmaster in the association.
However, during a match, he discovered that his wife was having an affair with his former friend and opponent. In a fit of rage, he violated the rules and physically attacked the opponent, resulting in his demotion to a level one player.
Since then, he had fallen into decline and was now making a living at Powell High School.
"How long are you planning to stand there?" Russel stared at the chessboard, his back facing Kendall, and spoke to her.
"Is this all they learn?" Kendall glanced at the students' chess games,
It was too simple.
"If you think you're qualified enough, you don't have to learn it," Russel moved a chess piece, his attitude unchanged.
Upon hearing his words, Kendall decisively turned and walked away.
Russel didn't stop her and continued to play chess with himself.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone