Chapter 20: A New Trio

Although Freya and Alfred were long gone, Ronan leaned in close to listen to Clove.

"The Novice exams are coming up," she said, slicing a sausage, "and Alfred and Freya intended on sabotaging any chance you had at passing."

Ronan looked at her puzzled. "What're the Novice exams?"

"Oh," Clove said, adjusting in her seat. Ronan could tell her bandaged leg was bothering her, and he felt bad for inflicting the wound. "The Novice exams are how you put your Ranks to good use. I guess maybe things worked differently with the Serpents. But once you hold the title or Novice, you're able to accept missions to hunt monsters and help people in the city."

Ronan nodded, feeling a surge of energy strike him. He attacked his own breakfast. "Sounds like a rite of passage."

Clove held out a forkful of eggs, sipped at her coffee, and replied, "Exactly right."

In that moment, Ronan noticed that beneath the once pretentious and arrogant facade, Clove really was quite cute. Her pale blue eyes reminded