Seeing Kelly approach, Ethan Green was momentarily surprised, then his smile gradually spread: "It's you? How interesting, it seems like I run into you every time."

Kelly sighed inwardly: I don't want to be the one cleaning up after this idiot every time either, but I just can't say no when he begs... Only, this time, she really had no idea how to handle things.

This Ethan Green really wasn't an easy person to deal with.

"I heard you're the second most talented in Class Four? Born of commoner nobility?" His tone carried an obvious contempt.

Kelly thought, call me whatever you want, I really can't compare to you blue bloods in terms of family background... But the next words left her unable to even force a bitter smile.

"Showing up so often—are you deliberately trying to catch my eye? Heh, your status may be lacking, but your looks and talent are decent enough. I suppose you barely make the cut for me! Fine, from today on, you can follow me..."

Kelly's eyes widened, completely unable to believe what she was hearing.

She'd known Ethan Green was even more arrogant than Henry, but like this? Was he out of his mind? He was only twelve or thirteen, wasn't he!?

Then, Kelly suddenly noticed Henry's body give a violent shudder, and his previously smooth chess moves faltered.

This guy was deliberately humiliating her to indirectly affect his opponent... Sighing, Kelly pretended she hadn't heard anything, lest things get even worse. But just then, several boys and girls behind Ethan Green burst out laughing in agreement, their arrogance at its peak, making a blush quickly spread across the girl's face.

Though furious inside, faced with a student like Ethan Green, Kelly really couldn't confront him head-on, so she could only quietly ask Henry.

"How is it, need help?"

"No!"

Though he said that, Henry's movements as he manipulated the chess pieces slowed noticeably, clearly waiting for Kelly's assistance.

"Spread your forces, don't team fight with Ethan Green. Send your rogue to steal towers, have your mage and warrior stall him on the lane, slow the pace down. Your rogue still has room to grow, but he doesn't..."

Kelly moved her lips slightly, her voice barely above a whisper, but she knew Henry could hear her. His family's bloodline gave him senses far sharper than normal, something everyone in Class Four knew well.

Sure enough, Henry heard Kelly's instructions and quickly changed tactics. The three chess pieces that had gathered together immediately split up, no longer clashing head-on with the opponent. Relying on what little strategic depth remained, he bought time, letting his rogue piece roam the board, harassing and growing stronger.

In Tower Seizure Chess, the rogue piece could become extremely powerful in the late game. There were plenty of cases where a single rogue turned the tide, so even though Ethan Green had more pieces, he didn't dare let Henry's rogue grow too much—his own rogue had already died early on! Now he had to split his forces to block the rogue, and the situation on the board quickly reached a stalemate.

The onlooking students from Class Four immediately cheered, as if victory was within reach. But no matter how many times Ethan Green changed tactics, he just couldn't deal with Henry's lone rogue.

"Keep letting the rogue roam. The warrior and mage can start pushing the lane. With equal numbers, you won't be at a disadvantage—put more pressure on him."

Kelly observed the situation while constantly giving Henry tips, gradually tilting the game in their favor.

"Oh?" Ethan Green suddenly sneered, "Interesting. Henry, you come from a blue-blood family, yet you've ended up tangled with a commoner noble? When I said that woman caught my eye, I just meant she might be fun to play with. Don't tell me you're serious? Women of such low birth are filthy, you know. You'd better be careful."

"Bang!"

Henry slammed the table, jerking his head up, his eyes practically spitting fire. But before he could angrily retort, he heard Kelly shout from behind, "Watch out!"

Only then did Henry realize that, in his anger, he'd lost his composure, and Ethan Green had already launched an attack, taking down one of Henry's pieces. Now the piece count was doubled against him, and the piece that was lost was his only hope for a comeback—the rogue.

Henry stared in shock. "Damn it..."

At this point, even if a chess grandmaster possessed him, there was no way to turn things around. Kelly was so angry she was practically jumping up and down.

"You idiot! You couldn't even endure such a simple provocation! Even I, the direct victim, didn't say anything—what are you so mad about? Now you've dragged the whole class down with you!"

Thinking about how, with Henry's defeat, the entire Class Four would be labeled idiots for a month, Kelly felt her future was bleak. As for Ethan Green's humiliating words just now, she could only swallow them—just thinking about it made her chest feel like it was about to explode.

"Sigh, maybe I should just drop out with William Carter. That'd be better than suffering every day..."

Just as she was about to say something, she suddenly heard William Carter's voice from behind.

"What are you all doing?"

She hadn't expected William Carter to come watch the commotion too... Without turning her head, Kelly explained weakly, "Didn't you see? Our class's top genius just lost a chess bet!"