Magi's Path (Aether's Revival Book 3) by Daniel Schinhofen (motivational books to read txt) 📕

marrying two others who were also attending the academy.”

“Ah, I apologize, sir,” Gregory said. “Did we need to inform someone?”

Damon placed his hands on the table, clearly upset. “Did you have to? No. Is it something that should be known, so it can be documented along with your magic? Yes. What if users of foresight are prone to multiple marriages?”

“Elder Lightshield doesn’t seem to have multiple wives, sir,” Yukiko pointed out.

“Of course not,” Damon said tightly. “He’s married to the notion that Aether is returning.”

“It’s what our clan believes in, sir,” Jenn said.

Damon rose to his feet, clearly done with the conversation. “I’ll have your record on your use of magic during the tournament. I expect to hear about it from your clan leader.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll comply as required. Sir,” Gregory said, softening his tone, “I would do so regardless unless I was forbidden to. I’m sorry I haven’t been more forward with it.”

Damon exhaled and his anger ebbed. “Thank you, Apprentice. I felt like you were all deliberately stonewalling me.”

“I apologize, sir,” Yukiko said, bowing from her seat. “We never intended that.”

“Apologies,” Jenn added, bowing, as well.

“Accepted. If you could remind your husband to be more proactive with noting his magic, that would be helpful.”

“Yes, sir,” they said together.

“Good day,” Damon said before striding away.

When he was out of sight, Gregory looked at Yukiko. “He upset you.”

“He has no right to ask about our private lives or imply that we need to answer to him about it,” Yukiko said tightly. “Polite unhelpfulness was the best approach. I only softened when you did, dear one.”

“And I did when she did,” Jenn added.

“That’s fair. I’ll mention it to Dia when she tells me that Damon wants me to document everything for him. We should get ready. It’s almost time to go.”

They were standing when Sarinia approached the table. “Apprentices, are the scrolls helping?”

“Chief Archivist,” Gregory bowed to her. “They are...” He paused, then continued, “But they also aren’t. I feel like there’s more to what I asked for.”

“If there is, perhaps it’s for more advanced magi,” Sarinia said lightly.

“We understand that, and we don’t mean to imply otherwise,” Yukiko said. “We thank you for what we’re able to study.”

“Indeed. Thank you,” Jenn bowed.

Sarinia’s lips twitched. “Did Master Damon disturb your studying?”

Yukiko’s smile slipped for a second, but was quickly back in place. “Of course not. We are honored to help the master.”

“Hmm, that is very helpful of you,” Sarinia said. “He can be forward and unthinking when he’s focused on something. As long as he didn’t upset you, I don’t need to censure him for disturbing your studying.”

“There is no need to do so,” Gregory said. “Thank you, Chief Archivist.”

“Will you be holding to your schedule during the tournament again?”

“We try to hold to it all the time, but this year is making it harder to accomplish,” Jenn said.

“Yes, the tactics class does run late a lot. Normally, it’s the second half of the year that does that. I do wonder how your studying might be affected with the… ah, that hasn’t been announced yet. I can’t ruin the council’s surprise. Please, forgive me.”

Gregory was sure she’d dropped that hint intentionally, as she didn’t appear to be someone who accidentally let hints slip. “Of course. If you’ll excuse us, we have prior obligations.”

“Of course. Good day to you all. I’ll be watching your tournament with interest. I also have novices who have caught my eye again. The fact that you sit with them makes it doubly interesting, as I have not heard of your clan approaching anyone else yet.”

All three of them shifted slightly as they felt an undercurrent to her words. Yukiko was the one who spoke up for them. “I believe our clan leader will be inviting some novices after the tournament ends.”

“Of course. If interest from some clans has been noticed, that might have made things harder for them,” Sarinia smiled. “Have a good day.” She turned and walked off, her steps soundless.

The three of them exchanged a glance before going downstairs to meet up with their friends and head to Gin’s.

Chapter Fifty

 

Elsa opened the door and gave them all a wide smile. “Welcome back, magi. Please, come in. We have things ready for you. Will you be training in the yard first?”

“Of course,” Yukiko replied fondly. “We’ll change and be there shortly.”

“Very well. I will make sure the children are ready for you,” Elsa said before she glided away.

“Magi, welcome back,” Baylyss said, passing Elsa in the hall. “The three rooms are ready, and the extra mats have been cleaned and placed. The children did ask if they would be allowed to watch this time.”

“Yes,” Gregory replied. “It’s why we split it into three rooms, so that there would be room for them to observe.”

“I also have a limited supply of items on hand in case of accidents,” Baylyss said, looking at Daciana. “How did that heal up?”

Daciana looked away. “I saw the healers when we got back to the academy. It’s fine, now.”

“What happened?” Jenn asked.

“My last match with Indara last week... I landed poorly,” Daciana said.

“Her tail got kinked,” Baylyss said.

Daciana’s ears flattened and her tail curled down between her legs. “An accident.”

“I never thought about that,” Gregory said thoughtfully. “That had to hurt.”

“It did...” Daciana said.

“I’m glad I’ll never know what it felt like,” Victoria said. “Daciana ignores a lot of pain, but even she acted like it hurt.”

“I don’t even want to imagine,” Nessa said, “though there wasn’t any lasting harm, at least.”

“That’s good,” Jenn said. “Thank you for having some healing items on standby, Baylyss.”

“You are welcome. Will you three be staying the night?”

“No, we have to