[ he won't really respond to the experience bit, because it's true, but the rest of it makes him smile. ] Lately, huh.

[ and that's interesting, being pursued. as a hunter, there is nothing better than the feeling of someone recognizing your worth on the battlefield. it is, in a way, affirming. chess is a poor substitute for battle, but the same kind of sentiments are there, and he allows it. draws claude in deeper into enemy territory, as if to set a trap for him now that he's aggressive, so be careful.

with his play style changing claude will see that vidar is reactive, for the most part; a strange mirror that seems to be created for a particular purpose. what vidar is, and who he is, is something else entirely.

all the same, this seems to be more honest for him: being deceitful on the board, and carefully arranging things for a drawn-out fight but with a hard finish. ]

What do you want?

If you went to that school of yours, despite the difficulties in getting in, I am sure you have something you want to attain.