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

done with our magus posting, so I don’t know where we might be by then,” Gregory said.

Drawing herself up a dozen feet from him, she met his eyes. “You’d have a home?”

“Well, yeah, I would hope to,” Gregory said, uncertain of where she was going with her question.

“Your new home would need staff. Would…?” She trailed off, unable to ask for what she wanted.

A vision hit Gregory and he breathed slowly when he saw Elsa— older, taller, and grown into a mature woman. She was wearing a maid uniform bearing the emblem of the clan and was curtsying to him. Her eyes shone with happiness and a hint of mischievousness as she watched him from under her eyelashes.

He blinked as the vision vanished and exhaled slowly. I see. Thank you, Darkness. Clearing his throat, he gave voice to her unspoken question. “Yes, if you continue to apply yourself as you already are.”

Eyes going wide, Elsa stared at him before a wide and bright smile formed on her lips. “Thank you.” The words were choked with emotion, but instead of flinging herself at him, she stood up straighter and dipped a respectful curtsy before she rushed from the room.

“You’re welcome,” Gregory said to the empty room.

It was less than a minute later when Yukiko found him, still standing there. “Greg, the bath is open now.”

“Okay. Uh, Yuki?”

“What is it, dear one?” Yukiko asked, moving to his side.

“I had a vision of Elsa.”

Fear hit her stomach and she grabbed his arm. “Yes?”

Gregory explained what had happened, and as he did, Yukiko exhaled, her fear ebbing. “So I told her yes, if she keeps doing as she is.”

“And I agree with you,” Yukiko said. “Jenn will, too.”

“Okay. I just worry that she’s trapping herself with us.”

“She will make her own choices, but you gave her hope. That will drive her to do the best she can. It is still many years away, as you know. There’s a chance she will be a magi or that she’ll find something else.”

“Yeah...” Gregory exhaled.

“Go bathe. After you’re done, we need to get back to the clan hall,” Yukiko said, kissing his cheek. “I’ll tell Jenn what happened.”

“Okay,” Gregory said, kissing her cheek before leaving the room, putting the conversation with Elsa behind him.

~*~*~

When they arrived back at the clan hall, they were surprised that Dia wasn’t outside smoking. As they exchanged footwear for slippers, Ravol found them. “Ah, you’re back. Did you already bathe?”

“We did before we came back,” Yukiko said.

“Good. I’ll let Dia know that you’re ready for dinner, then. We were mostly waiting on you.”

“We’re sorry to delay the meal,” Gregory said. “We’ll go to the dining room.”

“Okay,” Ravol said as he hurried away.

Entering the dining room, they saw Bishop already there, speaking with Elder Lightshield. Bishop looked up as they entered and smiled. “Welcome back, Apprentices.”

“Thank you,” Gregory replied to her before turning his attention to Lightshield. “Elder, it’s good to see you again.”

Lightshield gave them a smile as they sat. “It is good to see you three again, as well. I hear that we are likely to have five more join us before the solstice.”

“We’ve spoken with five magi that are interested,” Yukiko replied. “Three are waiting for the tournament to end.”

“I will be speaking to all five,” Lightshield said. “We will hold off on inviting any of them until after the tournament, though, for their safety.”

“We were concerned about that,” Jenn said.

“As you should be, for friends,” Lightshield replied. “Tell me, do you think they will uphold the clan ideal?”

Gregory had been looking the elder over while the conversation went on. He felt a pang in his chest, as Lightshield was obviously fading. His skin was duller, with more wrinkles near his eyes, and his beard was a starker white than it had been.

“Yes,” Yukiko said without hesitation.

Jenn nodded. “Ling is the only one I have concerns for, but I believe she’ll be as dedicated as the others.”

Gregory thought about it, aware of all the eyes on him, waiting for his answer. “True belief is hard to know...” he said slowly. “I think all three novices are dedicated to joining the clan and helping it grow. Clover and Ling...” he hesitated, then spoke on, “that’s a little trickier. Both of them deeply wish to see things change for the better. If they join the clan, I feel as if they’ll be as staunch a defender of the clan as Dia or Bishop.”

Bishop’s eyebrows went up, but didn’t gainsay him.

Lightshield nodded slowly. “All three of you believe in them? Very well. I will speak with them. Dia sent letters to all five letting them know we are considering them, but that we will be waiting until after the tournament to invite those we wish to join us.”

“You’re waiting to make sure they’re as safe as they can be,” Gregory said.

Lightshield nodded. “Yes.”

Before Gregory could reply, Dia and the others showed up, and conversation was set aside for dinner.

~*~*~

Once dinner was over, Lightshield spoke up, “Just a few more things to tell you before you can go study. For the next six days, you will be training here, from the hour after your morning study period until dinner.”

“Yes, sir,” they replied.

“The day before the tournament is yours to do with as you wish, but I am sure that will be spent seeing family,” Lightshield smiled.

“Thank you, Elder,” Yukiko said.

“As for the tournament,” Lightshield went on, “the first few days, I would ask that you be present for the novice tournament. Some of them could use your support, after all. Once the matches are finished, you are free to your own diversions. On the nights of your fights, I ask you to return at a reasonable hour