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

“I was surprised that the elder wasn’t inviting the other two,” Nessa said. “They might not be as advanced as you or as skilled in a battle, but more people would be useful, wouldn’t it?”

“No, we’d be worried about them,” Yukiko explained. “Lack of focus can cost us even more.”

“I didn’t think about that,” Nessa said.

“We’ll be there to watch your fights,” Jenn said. “We’ll be above one of the tunnels into the arena.”

“But which arena?” Daciana asked. “There are five of them.”

“Today, you all fight in the central arena, and we’ll be above one of the arches.”

“Who do we fight?” Daciana asked intently.

“Lightshield didn’t tell us,” Gregory said, staring Daciana down. “We shouldn’t even know what we do.”

Daciana lowered her gaze, and her tail curled under the seat. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. You’re just who you are,” Jenn said kindly. “None of us is upset, but try to temper yourself?”

“Okay,” Daciana said, her tail uncurling as she shot a glance toward Gregory.

“What Jenn said,” Gregory added when Daciana looked at him. “Doubly so when it’s things that aren’t public knowledge yet. Your enthusiasm is something we all enjoy about you, so we don’t want to quash it, we just want to guide it a little better.”

Daciana gave him a tentative smile, her tail wagging slightly. “Okay.”

“Just look for us when you fight,” Yukiko said. “Oh, and we were told your parents will be there. They will probably be seated near us. They’ll likely have seats for you there, as well.”

Nessa beamed when she heard her parents would be there, but then looked worried. “Both of them? But who is going to run the bar?”

Gregory looked around before lowering his voice, “Hintle, one of Yuki’s parent’s guards. He used to do the job before he joined them. Your aunt is going to be in the kitchen. But when we said parents, that also includes Daciana’s.”

“Both of them?” Daciana asked, surprised.

“That’s what we believe, though it wasn’t said flatly,” Gregory corrected.

“I hope he behaves...” Daciana huffed.

“Let’s get started with our studying,” Yukiko said. “The fighting will come soon enough.”

~*~*~

Gregory was closing his book when Sarinia came to their table. “Apprentices, I hope your studying has been informative and enlightening.”

“It has been,” Yukiko smiled. “Thank you.”

“I just wanted to wish you all the best for your upcoming tournament. My time gets even shorter during the tournaments. I will be watching the most studious with eager eyes... all six of you.”

“We’ll do our best, as will they,” Jenn said.

“Of that, I have no doubts.”

“Our elder wanted us to wish you well for him. He said that he didn’t want to trouble you with his presence,” Gregory said.

Sarinia’s lips twitched. “Lightshield once caused more commotion in these walls than any other magi. I banned him from setting foot inside... maybe I should rescind that now. I think it might be time to mend that fence. Tell him that I am willing to speak with him in my office, if he wishes.”

“I will tell him, Chief,” Gregory said, bowing his head.

“I do not doubt he told you just for this to happen,” Sarinia said. “Good day to you all.” She gave them a bob of her head before leaving.

“I wonder what he did to earn the ban?” Jenn asked idly as they gathered their things.

“Good question, but I doubt we’ll ever know,” Yukiko said. “Let’s get going. We need to be back at the clan hall soon.”

“Have a good day,” Rafiq told them as they came toward the exit.

“Can you do me a favor, Rafiq?” Yukiko asked.

“That would depend,” Rafiq replied.

“Can you make sure that bets are placed on our friends to win every fight today, as long as they don’t fight each other?”

“Ah. Considering I’d already planned to do just that, yes.”

Yukiko put a pouch on his desk. “Thank you. Just split it in three and bet it on one each, then add the winnings to the next bet, please.”

“Going to stack your bets? Very well.”

“Me, too,” Jenn said, quickly adding her coin pouch to the desk.

“Me, three, but mine is much smaller in size,” Gregory said and set his coin pouch with theirs.

“Very well. I will have your money tomorrow,” Rafiq replied. “Did you want me to take any of it to bet on them to end up in the final eight to start with?”

“All of mine, instead of the other bets,” Gregory said. “A third on each.”

“Hmm... divide their stacks into half each. Half for today, and half for that,” Yukiko said.

“Do the same for me as Yuki,” Jenn said.

“Very well. This will be the most I can do for you, but I will make sure it is handled. Have a good day.”

They wished him a good day, then jogged back to the clan hall as the sixth bell chimed.

“There they are now,” Lightshield said. “Let us go.” He started walking as soon as he saw them. Dia, Bishop, Gin, Inda, and Indara followed him, and the three apprentices fell in at the end of the line.

The trek across the academy grounds was peaceful. Dawn was coming— the sky was only just starting to take on light, and the sun hadn’t quite risen yet. The gentle breeze held a bite of winter chill, but that was nothing compared to the misery of the previous sleet storm they had fought in.

“Elder,” Gregory said, moving up to speak with him, “the chief archivist said she would speak with you in her office later, if you wanted.”

“Thank you. I will do so,” Lightshield replied. “Today will be a good day.”

Gregory bowed his head and dropped back to walk with his wives, as they had to go single file over a