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

“Stop!” Inda shouted, rushing to Gregory.

Bishop stepped back and frowned. “Krog’s bollocks... I broke three of them.”

Inda pushed Gregory’s kimono off his shoulders, baring his chest to everyone. She had a container in hand and was swiftly rubbing a salve into his skin where a bruise was just starting to color. Gregory inhaled sharply as her light touch sent fire shooting through his body. Indara was beside her sister a heartbeat later, pushing a potion into his mouth. Gregory swallowed, and the pain started to fade.

“Greg?” Yukiko asked with an edge of worry.

“He’ll be fine,” Inda said from where she worked. “The salve is already working, and the potion will speed it up.”

“It shouldn’t have been needed,” Bishop said, angry with herself. “I went too far. I hit him like I would Harrison... I’m supposed to be better than that.”

“Like Egil, you lost yourself to a challenge,” Gin said, having gotten to his feet. “Like Egil, you hit him harder than you should have and injured him. But tell me— what do you think now?”

Bishop looked back to Gregory. “You broke the meditation I had.”

“Used most of my aether,” he panted. “Draining to do, but yes.”

“No single apprentice will come close to him now,” Bishop said simply, “if he’s given time to reach them. Yukiko and Jenn will need to be trained hard to give him the time needed to do what he can.”

“I will be training them as a unit,” Gin said. “I’ve even enlisted some aid in that regard. They will push themselves to learn. They all want to be the best.”

Inda and Indara helped Gregory get his kimono roughly back in place, and then to his feet. Gregory exhaled slowly, but deeply, the pain fading with each breath. Yukiko and Jenn were right there, ready to help support him if needed.

“Pettit, I’m sorry for my mistake,” Bishop said, bowing her head to him.

“No lasting harm done,” Gregory replied. “Thank you. That push was what I needed to see what I had to do to defeat the block. Just, maybe next time, not three ribs? And call me Greg, please? Like Jenn, I’d like to be a friend and maybe less of a practice dummy.”

Bishop gave him a twisted smile before bowing her head again. “Very well, Greg.” She looked toward Yukiko. “Shall I call you Yukiko?”

“Yuki,” Yukiko said. “I’m not sure how I feel about you right now, but he believes in you, so I will, as well.”

Bishop blinked and chuckled. “Honest. I’ll do my best to show you who I am. This clan is my life and, as you three are the future of this clan, you three are my life. I might have to hurt you all a little, but I will only do what I have to to make you stronger and ready for the others.”

“Acceptable,” Yukiko replied, bowing her head. “May I spar with you now?”

Bishop raised an eyebrow, then laughed. “After what I just did?”

“Even more so. My wife and husband have tested themselves against you. I want to do the same to see if I am still equal to them.”

Bishop’s face grew serious. “Very well, Yuki. I’ll fight you, but be warned— I have fought and killed shadow magi before.”

“Understood,” Yukiko said as she went over to where the practice wakizashi had been left. As she picked up the blade, she looked back at Bishop. “You won’t use more aether than an apprentice, right?”

Bishop snorted. “I won’t make that mistake again. Not today, at least.”

“Thank you,” Yukiko said. She paused next to Gregory to kiss his cheek. “Baths after this?”

“Yes,” Gregory agreed.

Chapter Twenty-seven

At breakfast the next morning, Gregory glanced at Dia and Bishop, who were talking softly. “Dia, how long have you two known each other?”

“Decades,” Dia replied.

“Then why did Bishop ask for your name as if she didn’t know you when I was brought into the dormitory?”

Bishop chuckled. “So you wouldn’t think she might give you preferential treatment.”

Dia shook her head. “She was observing the fact that keepers have no clan as well.”

“Well, yes, there is that,” Bishop smiled. “Today is your last day of freedom. What do you three have planned?”

“Visiting our friends, and then training,” Yukiko said. “Would you be willing to spar with me before dinner?”

“Didn’t have enough last night?” Bishop asked.

“I learn best through doing,” Yukiko replied. “I want to find a way to stop you from pulling free so easily.”

“Your control over the shadows was surprising. Not many apprentices have such strength and control,” Bishop said. “Honestly, though, it’s a matter of power. Even toning down my aether, my channels are so well-developed that it’s hard to dampen my power down that far. I believe that if you keep training, few would have the ability to break free of your bonds right now. Jenn would be able to, but it would tax you both if she struggled in such a way.”

“We did in the last tournament,” Jenn grinned.

“You didn’t say yes or no,” Yukiko pointed out.

Bishop chuckled. “I will give you a match.”

“And me!” Jenn was quick to add.

“And you,” Bishop agreed. She looked at Gregory. “Not you?”

“I don’t want my ribs broken again,” Gregory said wryly.

Bishop’s eyebrow went up. “That’s fair, but don’t you want to test yourself again?”

“I would like to, yes,” Gregory replied.

“Very well. Two hours before dinner,” Bishop said.

“Breakfast is ready,” Velma said, bringing over their food.

~*~*~

“Good morning, Apprentices,” Simon greeted them. “Welcome back to the archive.”

“Thank you, Simon,” they replied.

“Your scrolls and books are waiting for you.”

“Thank you again, Simon,” Gregory replied.

Making it over to the table, they had paper and charcoal pencils out in no time. They were