What Is a Genius?

"What does Classmate Sakayanagi think of this class ranking?"

Mazumi Mami's gaze rested warmly on Sakayanagi Arisu, his tone carrying just the right amount of curiosity, like an ordinary new student intrigued by fresh campus novelties.

He deliberately tossed the question to her, both as a probe and an observation of how this potential insider might respond.

Sakayanagi Arisu's violet eyes remained calm and unruffled, the faint smile on her lips still there, as if precisely calculated.

"I wouldn't call it an insight. This is my first time seeing such a list too."

She shook her head gently, her silver hair swaying slightly. "But for students, scores are like grades—the higher, the better, aren't they? Higher scores, to some extent, represent greater ability, don't you think?"

Her answer was watertight, neither admitting knowledge nor fully dodging, instead steering the topic toward universal values.

"That's certainly true."

Mazumi Mami nodded in agreement, but his tone shifted, pointing to the core contradiction. "Still, that doesn't explain why the score gap among second-years is so vast. Class B is far ahead, while Class A... seems in a delicate position."

He furrowed his brow slightly, displaying confusion with just the right touch.

Sakayanagi Arisu's gaze lingered briefly on the blackboard before turning back to Mazumi Mami.

"Perhaps the answer is hidden right beside us, just needing careful searching."

She suggested, "If Classmate Mazumi is interested, why don't we look around together? We might find something new."

"Please."

Mazumi Mami stepped aside, making an inviting gesture with impeccable politeness.

Sakayanagi Arisu gave a slight bow, then, leaning on her cane, began walking slowly along the third-year corridor.

Mazumi Mami naturally followed at her side, but after a few steps, he subtly adjusted his pace and position.

He deftly shifted himself to the outer side of the corridor, letting Sakayanagi Arisu walk on the inner side, closer to the classroom wall.

It was a minute, almost imperceptible move, yet it reflected silent consideration.

Though no one was running in the hallway, if something unexpected happened or someone rushed past, the outer side would clearly be more vulnerable.

Mazumi Mami had noticed Sakayanagi Arisu's physical condition and the cane she never let go of, instinctively making this protective gesture.

"..."

Sakayanagi Arisu's steps paused almost imperceptibly, her violet eyes glancing sidelong at Mazumi Mami beside her, then resuming a normal pace.

"Classmate Mazumi, you're quite attentive."

Her voice remained soft, betraying little emotional fluctuation.

"Oh? In what way?"

Mazumi Mami asked knowingly, his tone natural.

"In many ways."

"For instance, just now, letting me walk on the inside. And also... right now, during lunch break, when most new students are familiarizing themselves with the campus or enjoying free time, you came alone to the upperclassmen's building to observe these perhaps not-so-'interesting' rankings."

Sakayanagi Arisu stared straight ahead as she spoke slowly.

"That's just a personal interest and habit of mine."

Mazumi Mami smiled, his tone candid. "As I said before, I truly value the chance to enter Class A and become classmates with everyone. Naturally, I hope this class can keep improving, without any... unexpected troubles. Learning more about the school's situation can't hurt."

"Quite an idealistic notion."

Sakayanagi Arisu commented softly, her words carrying neither praise nor anything else.

"The world always needs some idealists, doesn't it?"

Mazumi Mami countered. "And why call it idealistic?"

"Because between people, there are gaps that are hard to bridge."

Sakayanagi Arisu's voice was calm and assured. "Geniuses and mediocrities fundamentally cannot understand each other. Just like..."

She tilted her head slightly, looking at Mazumi Mami. "Just like you, Classmate Mazumi, as the heir to Mizuki Heavy Industries, your starting point is already the finish line countless people could never reach in a lifetime. This 'difference' was set from birth."

"I can't deny the starting point."

Mazumi Mami admitted frankly, but then shifted his tone. "But to me, there are no so-called 'innate,' insurmountable geniuses in this world. Those called geniuses might just have found their direction earlier than others and put in more unseen effort."

"An interesting view."

Sakayanagi Arisu didn't stop walking, but her voice took on a hint of debate. "Yet looking through history, those who truly drove their eras and left immortal achievements—their extraordinariness often showed early on. That can't be explained by mere effort alone."

"That might be a case of reversing cause and effect."

Mazumi Mami responded calmly.

"If they hadn't succeeded or left their names, their early 'extraordinariness' might just be interpreted as 'eccentricity' or 'obsession.'"

"A person's growth and achievements are the combined result of genetics, environment, education, opportunity, and personal initiative. So-called geniuses are merely those who happen to have an advantage at the intersection of these factors. If any one link is missing, they'd just be ordinary."

Mazumi Mami said.

Sakayanagi Arisu finally stopped. She turned to face Mazumi Mami directly, a sharp glint flashing in her violet eyes.

"From what Classmate Mazumi says, you believe there are no 'born knowing' or 'destined' geniuses in this world?"

Sakayanagi Arisu spoke.

"Of course."

Mazumi Mami also stopped in his tracks, meeting her gaze with a calm yet firm tone.

"No matter how clever an infant is, they are born fragile and ignorant. The later title of 'genius' cannot be separated from nurturing and personal effort. But the halo of genius is not eternal—without progress, there is regression."

"If one indulges in talent and neglects effort, they will eventually sink into mediocrity. Conversely, an 'ordinary person,' if they find the right path and persevere, may not be unable to touch the realm of genius."

Mazumi Mami said.

"I do not agree with that."

Sakayanagi Arisu gently shook her head, her cane tapping lightly against the floor. "To me, a genius is a genius—a piece already set on the chessboard of fate, whose trajectory has been different from the very beginning."

The air between them seemed to freeze for a moment, the clash of their philosophies quietly colliding beneath the surface of their calm dialogue.

Mazumi Mami suddenly smiled, breaking the silence. "In that case, why don't we put it to the test?"

"How do we test it?"

Sakayanagi Arisu raised an eyebrow.

Mazumi Mami pointed toward a door on one side of the corridor. It was open, and the sign beside it clearly read "Chess Club Activity Room."

"There happens to be the Chess Club here. I recall that when you introduced yourself, Classmate Sakayanagi mentioned that chess is your forte."

Mazumi Mami said.

"That is indeed true."

Sakayanagi Arisu's gaze also turned toward the activity room, the curve of her lips deepening slightly, carrying the quiet confidence of a ruler in her domain.

"I was once the champion of the National Youth Championship. Most of my opponents have never been able to pressure me; their moves are clear to my eyes, and victory or defeat is often decided early in the opening."

Her words were calm, yet they exuded a natural pride.

"Perfect, then."

Mazumi Mami nodded, his tone still gentle.

"Just now, Classmate Sakayanagi mentioned my background, so you must know something of my situation. I have been frail since childhood, with few social connections, and no opportunity to actually study chess manuals or spar with others."

"But precisely because of that, I hold a deep curiosity and imagination for many things. The rules of chess, the patterns of moves, the countless possible variations... I have already run through them in my mind countless times."

He looked at Sakayanagi Arisu, his amber-gold eyes shimmering with a calm yet undeniable light.

"Though I lack practical experience, I believe that with just these 'armchair' deductions and thoughts, I might still be able to play a decent game. Would Classmate Sakayanagi be willing to honor me with a match against this 'ordinary person who has worked hard in his mind countless times'? To see if 'effort' truly cannot touch the realm of 'talent.'"

Mazumi Mami said.

From inside the Chess Club activity room came the faint sounds of pieces being placed and low murmurs.

The light from the corridor streamed through the window, casting clear shadows between the two of them.

Sakayanagi Arisu quietly studied Mazumi Mami for a few seconds. Deep within those violet eyes, it seemed as if complex streams of data flashed by, eventually condensing into a hint of intrigued amusement.

"Please."

She gave a slight nod, gracefully making a gesture inviting him to go first.

Mazumi Mami returned the gesture with a bow.

Without another word, the two of them, one after the other, stepped into the Chess Club activity room.

A clash of philosophies was about to unfold in the most direct way possible, on the sixty-four squares of the black-and-white chessboard.

This was not merely a game of chess; it was the first formal probe and contest between two "extraordinary" new students.

Above the board, moves made cannot be taken back; beyond the board, undercurrents surged.

This chance encounter and impromptu match might quietly alter the course of certain events.