Chapter 283 - The Most Awkward Meal of Oli's Life

"And what's wrong with that?!" Korvik shouted, already showing off his buzz.

Oli couldn't help but chuckled and take another sip. He still struggled to feel like a part of this close-knit group but having their help now was more than relieving, it was entertaining. 

Servers began to enter the banquet hall by the dozen. They carried giant trays with large platters all around. The high table was served first, of course, but the vast amount of servants had the many tables served in no time flat.

No one waited any longer. Each platter was instantly attacked and ravaged by the nearest cultivator. 

"...Mmmmm…"

"...Aaaaah…"

Oohs and awes reverberated throughout the grandiose room as everyone sank their teeth or beaks into their first bites. Again, Oli couldn't help but be left astounded by the flavors dancing over his tongue. There were dishes Oli couldn't recognize at all, as well as many Oli could make out off the top of his head. 

There was one dish that suddenly left Oli speechless. But before he could grab a piece, Korvik plowed through the platter. 

"Hm? Did you want some?" Korvik asked.

Oli nodded without realizing it, accepting half a pork roast wrapped in a large softened and grilled leaf.

One bite.

Oli only took one bite yet he felt his body momentarily shut down. His lungs stalled out while his mind sputtered and tried to get in gear. 

"Are you okay?" 

"Y-yeah… I'm fine…" Oli replied, blinking back to Kraz. "This is just so good…" 

"True, but I prefer these! I can't get enough of that jrabda sauce!"

Just when Oli felt he was ready to continue, his brain spun out again and nearly crashed. Oli squinted and watched as Vant grabbed a skewer of what looked like grilled chicken. He was stunned to see Vant then slathering the skewer in a thick, viscous sauce that reminded Oli of home. 

"Hey, Oliver! You've never had Jrabda, have you? Here, try this bottle!" Korvik noticed Oli's trance and quickly grabbed one of the bottles atop the table, ready for the representatives to use freely. "There are plenty of good wines, but all the best use Jrabda in some way!"

"... Thank you." Oli promptly held up his empty glass. He watched as Korvik filled the glass more than what's recommended. "That's--"

"A common custom!" Vant suddenly shouted, lifting his glass.

Everyone else at the table lifted their glasses as well, shouting together, "Of the battle-minded!"

"Of the battle-minded…" Oli mumbled along with the cheer but his brain was still struggling to grasp the situation. Oli wasn't sure why, but that phrase lingered in his already unsteady mind.

"So, what do you think?" Kraz asked, putting down his custom goblet with a nook for his claws to grab hold of. "Better than yesterday, right?"

"Oh yeah, I'd say so…"

"Are you okay?" questioned Vant, noticing Oli's fazed-out gaze.

But Korvik laughed and poured more wine into Oli's mostly full glass. "He's fine! Just overloaded by his first sip of true wine!"

"Kraz… Do you always eat like this?" Oli asked.

"To this extent, no. We save anything involving jrabda fruit for special occasions," Kraz explained. "They're a delicacy and don't grow all year round."

"Right…"

"If they ate like this every day, then all other food might as well be dung!" Tilgron laughed, taking a moment to relish in the flavors massaging his tongue. 

"True!" The others lifted their glasses once again, including Korvik who finally refilled his own cup and not someone else's.

But Oli was still zoned out. He kept staring at the food and wine but didn't eat or drink it. From everyone else's perspective, Oli's brain appeared to have been broken. 

"I know what'll cheer you up… A goo match!" Korvik slapped Oli's shoulder, knocking Oli back to reality. "Wha do ya say?" 

"Korvik! We warned you!" Vant shouted, slapping the drunk on the back. "Stop bringing that up while we're eating!"

"Come on, Oliv… Let's go at it!" insisted Korvik, reaching an arm around Oli's shoulders. "Come on! Ve can have some fum!"

"Ahhh… This always happens." Sighing, Tilgron nudged Vant and gave him a peculiar look.

Vant nodded and threw his own arm around Korvik. Leaning in close, Vant acted as if he was whispering while talking out loud, "Hey, why not pick on someone at your own realm? Or are you an ape?"

"I'm no ape!" Korvik shouted, sobering up for at least one sentence. "Any tine, any plaze!"

"Then prove it. Why challenge weak, little Oli when you can challenge anyone else at the table?" Vant prodded further. "Only an ape would go for the weakling, so prove us wrong."

"Dat's it! You're in, Vent!"

Laughter broke out across the table. No one could hold it in any longer as Korvik's attention shifted to Vant. The drunk pointed and poked Vant's face, showing his momentary loss of depth perception. 

Yet Oli wasn't laughing. Nor was he zoned out. For a moment, he glared at Vant and Korvik while his brain was busy trying to sort its thoughts. But Oli quickly came to grasp with the setting and dropped his livid stare. Sadly, Oli also noticed that some people had already caught on to his moment of rage.

"Wha now? You don accept?!" Korvik shouted, almost smearing his face against Vant's with an intimidating glare. "No, you're da ape!"

This time, Oli controlled himself and took a casual sip of the wine. But he was comfortable anymore. Kraz and Tilgron weren't laughing as hard, and they both took a moment to stare at Oli with confusion. Vant glanced at Oli but was busy keeping Korvik from breathing down his own throat. 

"Tilgron, would you have really lost to Drogat back there?"

"Yeah… I'm pretty sure I would've," replied the tiger, accepting the change in the table's atmosphere. "I'd make it close, but I don't know how close."

"Give it three years. You'll get to see him in the championship," Kraz encouraged.

Oli was a bit surprised, asking, "You think Drogat will make it that far?"

"He will." Vant chimed in, deflecting Korvik's leaning body to the ground. "His uncle did the same way back when, and Zelsh said Drogat shows even more promise."