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

Daciana’s edge shifted and she glanced toward the box where Nessa was sitting. “I’m still going to win.”

“If you two are done,” Yunlo said, “the rules remain the same. Only one of you will be in the finals, so fight with everything you have. Now, turn to the boxes and bow.”

Victoria knew she’d have a hard time, as Daciana had gotten more training for combat to start with. Pairing that with her magic to pepper Victoria with dirt balls while she would have trouble forming more than a single rift, the advantage increased for Daciana.

If you want to prove to them that you can stand beside them, you have to weather the storm, Victoria told herself as she took a defensive stance.

“Fight!” Yunlo called.

Daciana didn’t move from her own defensive posture as a hard-packed ball of earth launched itself at Victoria. Her eyes narrowed when the ball suddenly vanished. A heartbeat later, her own projectile hit her in the back of the head and staggered her forward.

“You can’t do that often,” Daciana huffed.

“Probably,” Victoria said with a smile. “More than one at a time is the real problem.”

“Yes...” Daciana agreed as a dozen balls all rose and shot toward Victoria.

Victoria smiled as they impacted the barrier that sprung up a foot away from her. “And that should just about do in your aether.”

Daciana grimaced. “Baited.”

“Yes, but now we can have a fair fight.” Extending her left hand, she beckoned Daciana to her. “Come on. Hand-to-hand.”

Daciana nodded and charged forward, her lips pulled back in what could be a smile or snarl. Victoria felt her heart speed up when she saw her friend coming at her with teeth bared.

The ensuing fight had them both bloodied, bruised, and panting. Victoria gave everything she had, but Daciana had more training, and it showed as the fight wore on. Separating again, they stared at each other.

“You fought well,” Daciana said, spitting some blood to the side.

“You, too,” Victoria admitted, wiping at the blood dripping from her nose.

“I win, though,” Daciana grinned, her bloody teeth giving it a grim cast to it.

“Not until you knock me out.”

“Okay.”

Yunlo watched the two of them, glad they were pushing as they were. Friends could end up going soft on each other, which always irritated him. The crowd had enjoyed the brutal fight, cheering louder and louder as it went on. He knew the end was coming soon. Both of them were breathing hard and had taken damage from each other.

Daciana managed to catch Victoria’s arm and, using it as the pivot, she pulled the other woman in to slam her to the ground. Victoria wheezed when she fell, her breath nearly knocked out of her. Daciana straddled her and pounded her face, forcing Victoria to cover herself with both arms.

Daciana didn’t want to brutalize her friend, but Victoria was refusing to give up. “Just surrender!” Daciana grunted as she continued to hammer at her friend.

Victoria grimaced and, with a heavy heart, she turned her head to free a hand and tap the ground.

“Break! Healers!” Yunlo’s voice cut over the crowd.

Klim and Mindie rushed out to help them.

Chapter Seventy-three

With the last fight of the day over, the crowd dispersed in bits and pieces, but others stayed to watch the remaining demonstrations. Dia wished them a good day, choosing to stay with Bishop, Gin, and the others. Hao led his family out away from the arena and found a place to wait for the novices and their families.

“That was a brutal fight,” Gregory said.

“Yes. Nessa was surprisingly vicious in her win,” Jenn agreed.

“I had no idea an air magi could do that,” Yukiko said. “It’s something to keep in mind for when we fight them.”

“It requires allowing yourself to be in melee range,” Jenn said. “I don’t think anyone at our level or higher wants to let that happen.”

“Only for our tier,” Yukiko countered. “Bishop said she’d seen the same thing done at a distance. Otherwise, we’d still be trying to figure out what happened.”

“She’s right,” Gregory said. “I wonder how Vicky is taking her loss?”

“She didn’t seem upset when she left the arena,” Jenn said.

“But they were walking away from us, as the other side is closer to the boxes,” Yukiko pointed out.

“She seems like a levelheaded woman,” Yoo-jin said. “I’m sure she’s disappointed, but I doubt she’s upset with Daciana.”

“No, they get along well,” Umbrose smiled. “It reminds me of Ulga.” Seeing Yoo-jin’s questioning look, she went on, “Ulga is my best friend. She’s never had a child, so she always helped me care for Jenn. Though...” Umbrose looked over at Jenn before her cheeks reddened. “You’ll have more family when I get home.”

“What?” Jenn asked, clearly caught off guard.

“Well, your father and I were talking, and he and Ulga have always gotten along well,” Umbrose said. “I’d always hoped she would find a good man to give her a child, and when we agreed to your wish, I asked Adolphus if he’d consider something similar.”

Jenn blinked at her mother, shocked at what she was hearing.

“It’s one of the reasons I came with the Warlins. I’m letting them have some time to get used to being together.”

“Aunt Ulga?” Jenn asked, clearly trying to grasp what she was hearing.

“We’ve always had you call her that, but she isn’t related to either of us. She’ll just be Mother Ulga now.”

Yukiko giggled and gently nudged Jenn. “Not like we can cast stones, dear.”

Jenn shook her head. “I… no… but…!”

Umbrose looked worried and glanced at Yoo-jin for help.

Taking a deep breath, Jenn exhaled slowly. “It’s fine, Mother. It’s just… unexpected. You know I like Aun… Ulga. If you all agree, I’d be a hypocrite to say anything against it, even