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

Farin looked at the three of them, then bowed his head. “Very well. I’d ask to fight you.”

Gregory took his helmet off and handed it to Jenn, and then passed his naginata to Yukiko. “No enchantments, either.”

“Agreed,” Farin said, giving his helmet and weapon to Dave.

Yunlo raised the glowing disk and announced the modified fight to the stands. Some boos were mixed in with the cheers when he finished. Lowering the disk, he glared at the three not fighting. “Back away to the tunnels.”

Gregory bowed when directed, keeping his focus on Farin. He wasn’t going to use foresight, but he wanted to make sure that the fight was fair, so he triggered his aether sight.

The fight started and Gregory met Farin halfway. The kicks and punches were fast, but after that first clash, it was obvious that Gregory was still far better than Farin. They traded blows two more times before Farin dropped to his knees, holding his left arm.

“It’s strained, not broken,” Gregory said.

“I yield!” Farin announced.

Yunlo called the match, and Gregory helped Farin back to his feet. Bowing together, Gregory patted Farin on the back before stepping back to allow Klim to see to him. Mindie got to Gregory and, after a brief pulse of healing, the few bruises he had vanished.

“Thank you, Mindie. I hope the rest of the fights are that easy for you.”

“That would be nice,” Mindie said. “One more apprentice fight, then the novices.”

“Need to make sure we have good seats for that,” Gregory said. “You’re healing for the fights tomorrow as well, I hope?”

“Yes,” Mindie smiled. “I hope you have a good night.”

“We will, Mindie,” Yukiko smiled at her. “May the last few fights be easy for you.”

Saying their goodbyes to Mindie, the trio dropped their things off in the waiting area and made their way up to the stands, wanting to be ready to cheer for their friends.

Chapter Seventy-two

 

A cheer went up through the crowd as Frederica walked onto the arena floor. Raising her hand, she waved to them and smiled. She came to a stop near Grandmaster Yunlo and stared at the far tunnel, waiting.

Nessa exhaled slowly and shook her arms out before coming out. There were cheers, but not as many, and some boos were mingled in the noise. Nessa kept a smile on her face and waved to the crowd. The late afternoon sun came from her left, casting sharp shadows on the ground.

“I hope for a good fight,” Frederica said when Nessa got closer. “I wonder what tricks you have planned for me?”

Nessa bowed her head. “I hope for a good fight, too. I don’t know if my plans will do me any good, but I will hope.”

“If you two are done?” Yunlo asked. He stared at each in turn before nodding. “Good. The rules remain the same— turn to the boxes and bow.”

Nessa exhaled slowly and settled into a defensive position, but she wasn’t planning on letting Frederica get a hold of her. Okay, we’ll start with what she’ll expect and hope to lull her a bit...

“Fight!” Yunlo called out.

Frederica’s legs burned with blue flame as she streaked across the arena toward Nessa. A sharp gust of wind came up and Frederica had to turn her head, closing her eyes to avoid being blinded. The wind stayed up a little longer than she expected, but as soon as it stopped, she opened her eyes and slowed, as Nessa wasn’t there.

Nessa kicked with everything she had— not for Frederica’s knee, which was covered in flame, instead aiming for her tailbone— but Frederica had started to turn the instant she realized Nessa wasn’t in front of her. The kick caught her in the hip, and Frederica staggered a step away. When her foot came down, Nessa began to back up.

“You failed to blind me,” Frederica said, lunging forward to close the distance.

Nessa went with her second plan and shoved her hand out at her opponent. Frederica snorted, as she was still too far away from Nessa to hit her. The snort was cut off abruptly when a gust of wind slammed into her face. Blinking away tears, she stopped moving and shook her head. Nessa grimaced and continued to back away.

Yunlo was impressed with Nessa— not many wind magi considered condensing wind down into a ball that could impact like a fist, but against a physical magi, it wasn’t as useful as it would have been against others.

“Not enough,” Frederica said, giving Nessa a nod of respect.

Nessa stopped backpedaling and sighed. “I did what I could.”

Frederica didn’t start forward, instead shaking her head. “No, you have another trick.”

Nessa bowed her head. “Perhaps...”

“I didn’t want to use too much aether at once… I dislike harming others more than I have to. Regardless, I am going to win.”

“I will make you,” Nessa said confidently, extending her hand to beckon Frederica.

Lips pursed, Frederica’s aether burned brighter on her legs and she blitzed forward. Nessa inhaled sharply as the other woman came at her faster than she’d expected, but she focused and played her last card.

As Frederica closed in in a rush, she kept waiting for a gust of wind and sand. She frowned when she got in range and it never came, but she thought it was possible Nessa had used too much aether already. She wasn’t prepared when Nessa lunged for her just as she planted her leg to kick.

Nessa triggered her barrier and slammed into Frederica, using the barrier to knock the other novice to the ground. As they went down, Nessa pressed her right hand to Frederica’s face, ready to use the rest of her barrier to stay on top. With a force of will, Nessa pulled aether from her earrings and core and pushed wind out her hand.

Frederica was