章 242: The Invitation For The Queen

"Interesting," she muttered, her voice quieter now. She leaned forward, studying the board with more intensity. I could feel her focus sharpening, the air around us thickening with the weight of her concentration. She placed another stone, this time faster, more aggressive.

I responded in kind, each of us moving in a deadly dance of strategy and counter-strategy. My mana surged, fueling my [Comprehension], but something was wrong. With every move I made, the skill demanded more of my energy. The pull was subtle at first, barely noticeable, but as the game progressed, I began to feel the drain more acutely. My mana reserves were depleting faster than I anticipated, each move costing me more than the last.