Chapter 305: Sprung
“I’ve managed to dig up some information about this year’s Proving Grounds,” Rodrick said after the Menagerie had finished breakfast the morning after Arwin had finished the re-creation of his chestpiece. It was one of the increasingly rare days when all of them were all present at the same time. Well — all of them other than Madiv and Esmerelda, who had gotten into an argument over the circumference of a dragon egg and headed off to prove each other wrong.
Between the dungeons that Olive was running with Elias and Maeve, Reya’s increasing amounts of practice, both on her own and against many of the adventurers passing though the tavern, and Arwin’s crafting schedule, it wasn’t common for all of them to have much time to just chat.
On this morning, Elias and Maeve had retreated to take care of some business. They hadn’t said what it was. Arwin hadn’t asked. They still deserved their privacy.
Monica only worked the night shifts, when there were enough rowdy adventurers to actually warrant the presence of a bouncer, so this was one of those even more rare times where the Menagerie was not only able to meet in whole, but they were also alone.
“With regard to Phoenix Circle?” Reya asked. “Or the tournament as a whole?”
“The latter,” Rodrick replied. He sent a glance at Olive and chuckled. “I think we’ve already got someone doing all the digging on them that we need. She’s been spending more time with those two than she has with us.”
Olive’s cheeks reddened and she looked down at her plate, which had been completely licked clean of the scrambled eggs and toast that Lillia had prepared for breakfast that morning.
“I’m doing my best to get to know them. I don’t think you can replicate years of experience by cramming everything into a few weeks, but it’s the only option we’ve got. We need to catch up to the teams that have been working together since they started adventuring.”
“That’s very wise of you,” Lillia said. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of, Olive. You don’t have to stare at your plate like that.”