After arriving home, they all gathered at the inn as always to discuss their strategy.

At once, we began to prepare.

"What Aies said about reading up past incidents and forming counters against them isn't valid since this is the first time they're trying this. There might be traps or plots that we are in the dark."

Luisa stated calmly.

"Nevertheless, I have faith that we can make precautions to avoid most of them. So long as we prepare for them well... We can face our opponents without any of their tricks tiring us or reducing our combat ability. Still, we can't afford to treat this nonchalantly."

She then declared some rules we should abide with to avoid any incident.

Never stay out late. Don't go outside without a companion or two. During the time when battles can arise, make sure to stay within the inn. Be at peak state and be alert at all times especially outside. Be careful at what you eat and test it for drugs or poisons. Arrive early in time should a match start. Be within distance where you can be contacted immediately. All members are responsible for their own training and preparations.

She listed them out calmly.

All present read them carefully.

"Later on, I'll go gather research intel on similar tournament formats and any plots or schemes that were used... I probably won't gather them easily if I go at the usual areas... Lilia, Seileen, you two will assist me with that task afterwards."

Luisa crossed her arms and began to think as she called out to them.

"Understood."

"Serra and Aies will be left out for now then."

The two nodded to show their understanding.

"In that case, I'll need to gather food for us then. I'll go with Aes."

Serra proposed.

"Hm? Why?"

"Good idea. We'll go with it."

Aies was curious why they need to buy food when the inn allows them to order food while Luisa allowed it.

"The food the inn prepared might get drugged or poisoned so it's best to prepare our own food."

Seileen kindly explained.

"Wait. There's an issue we need to address before that."

Lilia suddenly became serious.

"Eh? What issue?"

Aies asked curiously.

The rest were puzzled why she suddenly went serious.

"The issue is... Who will be the one to cook?"

The rest except for Serra who tilted his head remained silent.

"Ah right..."

"Who can... cook among us...?""

"..."

The girls understood their predicament.

"Wait a second. You four can't cook? Then how did you travel here at this time?"

Serra asked surprised.

"Actually... Our support, Alina, was our cook. The four of us... Can't really make edible food."

Lilia explained in a low voice.

"...I see... Then, I'll handle it."

Serra announced.

I'm not really fond of foul disgusting food. Despite how I look, I'm quite skilled in cooking.

Serra thought to himself silently.

"That's great."

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief.

Serra's importance rose up greatly.

"Speaking of which... You all didn't really even try to learn?"

Serra posed his question.

The four looked bitter and averted their eyes.

After a period of silence, Seileen spoke for the others.

"You see... Aies is too clumsy and childish and didn't bother learning. I accidentally poisoned my master once when I cooked for him and was banned from cooking while the other two... Well..."

She was hesitant to tell about it.

"Lilia destroyed the kitchen somehow while Luisa made poisoned food that killed a few dozen rogue bandits that raided us as well as murdered a few Magical Beasts. Her cooking is on the level of a weapon and though it saved our lives, we don't have the courage to wager our lives in tasting her dishes that killed bandits and beasts."

Aies concluded.

The trio fell silent.

"...I see that I'll ask Aies to help me cook. You three should never take a step into the kitchen then."

Serra spoke gravely to protect their lives.

The trio smiled at him.

Even they understood how destructive their cooking is and that the old saying that the kitchen is the woman's battlefield isn't always true.

Especially since their cooking can be classified as weapons and that one among them actually used it to kill people.

Even Aies nodded her head seriously.

Which made Serra wonder how serious the events were and was tempted to used his abilities to reverse the flow of time and see what events came to pass.

Incidentally, the bad taste numbed the taste buds of the unlucky victims and made them faint.

The poison was actually very light and while dangerous, you can simply cultivate and force the poison out.

Unfortunately, the taste made them faint which didn't give them enough time to do so and thus died.

With that, the discussion concluded and they all called it a night.

...................

Next morning, all five of them stood at the door.

They split into two groups.

Aies and Serra.

Luisa, Seileen and Lilia.

"We all understand what we have to do?"

Luisa asked them.

They all nodded.

"No more words are needed. Serra, you and Aies should finish quickly enough. Stay at the inn and prepare the food. We'll handle intel while you two handle food. Our tasks are split but are equally important."

With that, the two groups separated and went off to different areas.

On the topic of breakfast, they still had food from the inn.

They concluded that it's too early for anyone to attempt to plot against them given their reputation and that they aren't too famous.

Their sect isn't famous for its strength as well so they believed it was safe for the moment.

Also, they needed to hurry.

Aies and Serra would arrive soon while the other three were at the library.

Should their match be announced, they would rush to the inn and head to the arena with the two.

So, they needed to hurry.