Duality (DxD) (Part 1)

Ch 13 - Finally A Friend

Jin had to keep on going out everyday to try and find a friend. It was said to not be a punishment, yet it took away from his training. On top of that, because it was a school week, there were no children outside in the park. At least not children he could converse with. There were some babies with their parents. Toddlers playing about while parents sat on benches and watched. To Jin, this whole making friends thing was pointless. A time waster that took away from important training he could have been doing.

But making a friend was apparently "healthy" and "normal." It was something to help him socialise and "develop as a person." Jin was 7 years old yet he understood what Ban was trying to say. But nothing about making friends was appealing to him. Especially not if they were childish children.

So instead, Jin would head to the park to practice. He was going out like Ban said, but it didn't take away from his practice. Refining his knowledge of the Fist of Flowing Water, Crushed Rock style. On top of that improving on his feelings of Senjutsu. However, he couldn't take a pen and paper to practice Youjutsu more. That would have looked suspicious to Ban. So he could only commit Youjutsu to memory.

Slowly he practiced Fist of Flowing Water, Crushed Rock in the park. Like an old man doing Ti Chi. He was extremely versatile in the forms and movements of the style. But couldn't produce the same power as Ban due to his underdeveloped body as a child. He realised he could only relatively match a regular adults strength by using Awakening Breath, but it always left his body sore afterwards, over exerting his body.

Those were Jins days. Studying and training for a while in the dojo, then going outside to train in the park. Waiting for the days to end so he could come back and say he failed at making a friend.

But today, a Wednesday, was slightly different. Jin was training Allsight, looking at a fly buzzing around and the fast flapping of his wings. But his sight was drawn away by an old man he often took glances at. A man sitting a table with small figures on. Moving the pieces as he sat alone despite the two fixed seats either side.

Jin always wondered what the old man was doing. He would always be sitting there, moving black and white pieces. Moving each piece in a different but certain way.

So today, despite stranger danger, Jin was going to ask. He was confident that he could defend himself even against an adult, so he walked over with confidence. Walking over to the table, and looking at the man continue to move pieces.

Jin: Excuse me. What are you doing?

???: What does it look like I'm doing?

The man said moving a white piece with a small round head forward by one space on the black and white checkered board. The board apart of the smooth concrete table.

Jin: Playing a two player game by yourself?

???: I guess you would be correct.

The old man gave a slight chuckle. Looking at the board as he stroked his beard. His eyes darted around the board and looked at all the pieces. Similar to how someone would look for an opening in a fight.

Jin: Are you... trying to take this piece here?

Jin pointed at the black king as it was one of the very few remaining black pieces on the board. Yet it was one of the few pieces the old man looked at most as he smiled.

???: Have you ever played chess before?

Jin: I can't say I have. Is it fun?

???: It's fun to play alone. But I'd say it's more enjoyable to play with someone else. Would you like to try and play? {He's came to the park every day so far. It would be too bad to have an opponent.}

Jin sat on the other side of table on the stone seat. Looking at the board. The man moved all the chess pieces back to where Jin believed they were supposed to start.

???: Ok. Since you haven't played I'll give you a brief overview, then you can figure it out as we go along.

Jin: Ok.

Jin nodded as the man looked at interest in Jins eyes. Jins eyes already looked like he was beginning to grasp the game despite not playing a single one.

???: First, the whole front line of small pieces is called the pawn. They are worth one point. They can move forward twice on their first turns, but only once forward every other turn. If a piece it's one square diagonally of them, they can take that piece. Then if they reach the other end of the board, they can turn into any other piece besides the king.

The old man said as he pointed to the pieces and moved them to demonstrate. Looking at Jin as he absorbed the knowledge fast and understood.

???: Next on the furthest ends at the back row, we have the rooks. These small castles are worth 5 points. They can move forwards, backwards and side to side as many spaces as they want as long as they're not blocked and not taking any piece.

The old man moved the rooks in away to make it easier to understand, but it seemed like Jin understood before he did this. Just watching the old man play by himself, he understood.

???: Next these horses are called Knights. They're worth 3 points and can move in L shapes. 2 spaces one way, 1 perpendicular. 3 spaces total. These are one of the only pieces that can jump over others.

This time Jin showed the movements and got it all completely correct. The old man wasn't sure if Jin would understand what perpendicular meant but it seems he did. Jin was already learning about perpendicular lines with circles.

Because Ban had no clue what a child Jins age should have been learning and just let Jin learn of his ability level.

???: Next is this fancy piece. The bishop. It's also worth three points and it can move any diagonal direction.

The man let Jin move his black pieces again as the man smiled. Happy Jin was quick to take up the game and thinking he may have found a new challenging opponent.

???: There there's the queen. 9 points total and can more with the combined abilities of the rook and the bishop. Lastly the king. It can move one square any direction and castle with the rook.

The man showed the more complicated move in belief that Jin would understand. Displaying the move and placing his white pieces back.

???: The aim of the game is to take the king, this is done in the form of a checkmate, where the king cannot move. A check is when you have the ability to take the king and it can move. Then when it comes to a stalemate, where no one can put the other in checkmate, then it's a draw. Lastly, when the game comes to the end of its hour. The winner is who has the most points. Do you understand?

Jin nodded as he looked at his black pieces. Ready to play.

???: White pieces start first. My names Hex.

The old man with a bald head and large grey beard said. Moving one of his pawns forward.

Jin: Jin.

Jin said moving a knight to the front.

Time skip

Jin walked back into the dojo. The day coming to an end.

Jin: Old man! I've made a friend! Technically enemy at the same time!

Jin shouted as he walked in from a long day. Losing a total of 16 times in one day.