Chapter LX

Summary

• The protagonist spends two weeks refining a plan he needs Emissa's help with, eventually persuading her to assist.
• The plan involves targeting Belli, a competitor in Class Three, who is lower in the ranks but has something belonging to another character, Callidus.
• In an attempt to facilitate the plan, the protagonist manoeuvres an impromptu game of Foundation with Belli - with the stakes being the protagonist's pledge to Governance if Belli wins, or Belli's spot in Class Three if the protagonist wins.
• The protagonist uses his knowledge of Belli's playing style and manages to bring the game to a levelled status in spite of him playing with a disadvantage. He then launches an attack that puts Belli's status in jeopardy.
• When Belli realises her impending defeat, the protagonist offers a draw in exchange for what she took from Callidus, which she reluctantly agrees to.
• In the end, Belli concedes, making the protagonist the victor and earning the protagonist her spot in Class Three; the protagonist warns Belli not to retaliate further due to the lack of evidence supporting her claims and the potential consequence of her expulsion from the Academy.
• The protagonist leaves the crowd victorious and shares a moment of relief and satisfaction with Callidus.