Chapter Seven: The King's Strike
Edward fell silent for a moment, his mind boiling with a mixture of defeat and curiosity. He looked at the chessboard, then into Tula's crimson eye, and said in a steady voice: "Let us start another match before we go."
Tula smiled mockingly and bowed: "Yes, Master... as you wish." Tula rearranged the pieces with staggering speed and then asked: "Will you begin, Master... or shall I?"
Edward thought for a moment; he wanted to observe how this entity moved, how he built his traps from the very beginning. He said: "You start." Tula's smile widened slightly; he knew exactly what was going through Edward's mind. With a single, swift move that Edward's sight could barely comprehend, the match was over. Edward lost his King before he had moved a single piece from its place.
Edward froze in place and cried out in disbelief: "How did you do that?! I haven't even moved yet!" Tula replied coolly, touching the fallen King piece: "When you have the opportunity to start first in anything, you hold the upper hand—but only with correct execution. When starting a war, Master, you must strike hard and target the 'Head' or the 'King.' Do not waste your time with subordinates. For when the King falls, the rest become like stray dogs. Find the source, and destroy it... that is the rule."
Silence reigned for a few seconds, then Tula broke it, saying: "And now, Master... shall we go out?" Edward replied, trying to process the harsh lesson: "Let us go... fetch my coat and my cane."
While Tula went to get the clothes, Edward remained standing before the chessboard, looking at the fallen King and replaying Tula's words in his mind. Tula returned and helped Edward into his luxurious clothes. Edward asked: "Where are we going?"
Tula answered as he opened the mansion's door: "We are going to continue your education. Not only that, but to obtain some funds to settle the debts. You must pay off your father's debts while you learn, or you will lose your family home forever... and remember, Master, that all of the Ferguson family's businesses have completely stopped. We must bring the pulse back to this legacy."
Edward clenched his fist and said firmly: "Then... let us go" .