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

been doing similar. That is past now, so instead, we will try to build a strong foundation so you can understand what war might look like to you. Everyone, get paper ready. We are going to start explaining the different pieces that comprise this game.”

Chapter Twenty-nine

 

Gregory pushed the mask from his face and wiped the sweat from his brow when Gin called a break.

“You’re still one of the most dangerous men with that weapon I’ve ever faced,” Gin said. “If you used aether as well, I’d never have a chance against you.”

“You make me work for it, Sensei,” Gregory replied. “Thank you.”

“Another year and I won’t be a challenge at all,” Gin shook his head. “Inda, Bishop, are you two ready?”

“I’ve been waiting,” Bishop said, coming off the porch.

Inda came back with Jenn and Yukiko, having been removed from Gregory and Gin. “I am ready, Master.”

Gregory and his wives faced the other three. “What are the rules?” Gregory asked.

“Indara will be the adjudicator,” Gin said. “Since we are just starting group fighting, we will limit it to no aether. You three need to learn how to work together. A blow that would remove an arm or leg needs to be acted on accordingly. Strikes to the head will be death blows. Once one side is eliminated, we will pause to discuss the bout before going again. Questions?”

None of them had any questions, so Gin lowered his mask back into place. Everyone else donned their sparring helms, as well. Indara moved to stand between the groups, looking at both before backing away.

“Bow to the audience,” Indara told them.

Gregory blinked and looked toward the porch. Dia and the staff were seated there, watching them. He bowed out of reflex to them.

“Bow to me,” Indara said.

Gregory did so before turning back to face Gin.

“Bow to your opponents.”

Indara stepped farther back as they all bowed.

“Begin!”

Bishop rushed them, Inda circled to the right, and Gin dashed a little wide toward the left. Gregory stepped forward, intent on taking Bishop. Seeing Gregory intending to take Bishop, Yukiko stepped to the side, knowing she’d be targeted by Gin. Jenn stayed closer to Gregory, keeping her eyes on Inda.

“I won’t be able to hold him long,” Yukiko said.

“Without aether, we’re outmatched,” Jenn said. “Only Gregory will be equal to any one of them.”

Bishop wore a smirk as she deflected Gregory’s first attack. “She’s not wrong,” Bishop added as she deflected his second and third attacks. “Gin and Inda will defeat your friends, then they will flank you.”

Gregory frowned, but stayed focused on Bishop. He caught glimpses of Yukiko and Gin clashing a few yards to the side, but trusted Yukiko to hold him until he could take Bishop out.

The sound of training weapons impacting over and over filled the yard. The audience watched with rapt attention, eyes darting between what had become three single fights. When the shift came, they were all surprised.

Jenn was barely holding Inda back, and Yukiko was being pushed back by Gin. Jenn was shocked when Inda’s weapon went flying past her. Taking the loss of weapon as her moment, Jenn rushed forward as a grunt of pain came from behind her.

“Yukiko, eliminated!” Indara called out.

Jenn’s eyes widened, but she knew the best thing she could do would be to finish Inda quickly. Inda had jumped well back and was backing away even farther.

Gin pivoted, aborting his thrust at Yukiko’s chest when Indara called her out. With his opponent gone, he rushed Gregory’s back, who was just glancing back when he heard Yukiko was eliminated.

Frowning, Gregory lashed out to keep Bishop back as he half spun and began to backpedal away from his two attackers. His naginata wove a defensive wall as both Bishop and Gin pushed him back.

Jenn growled as Inda kept just ahead of her. Without her aether to fuel her speed, she couldn’t catch the other woman. She knew that she was being led away from the other two and made the decision to turn, rushing back to Gregory.

Gregory was focused on the two wooden katanas that darted and slashed at him over and over again. They were coming from nearly opposite sides of him— he had his hands full keeping both of them from striking him. When Gin darted back, Gregory was sure another surprise was coming for him, but he was wrong.

Gin darted back to make sure he was clear of Gregory’s range before he charged Jenn. Jenn slowed her own charge, setting to meet the armsmaster. Just before Gin reached her, two arms wrapped around her legs. Jenn looked away from Gin and she saw that Inda was entangling her. Jerking her eyes up, she was just in time to find Gin nearly on top of her. She managed to deflect two strikes before the armsmaster hit one arm, then the other, following it up with a tap to Jenn’s head.

“Dammit!” Jenn hissed.

“Jenn, eliminated!” Indara announced.

Bishop smiled as Gregory frowned. “Now, three on one.”

Gregory attacked hard, wanting to end Bishop before the other two could reach him. Bishop was focused on only defending herself, knowing that her allies would be there soon, but with her not attacking him, it allowed Gregory the chance to back off.

Inda collected her wakizashi before joining Gin and Bishop in facing Gregory.

“You threw your weapon?” Gregory asked, watching her.

“It worked,” Inda smiled. “A hit to Yukiko’s back— it would have severed her spine if my weapon had been steel. I might have been caught and finished if Jenn had been able to use aether, but without it, I will always be faster.”

Taking a deep breath, Gregory nodded. “You were willing to risk that, though, because this is a team format.”

Inda nodded. “Yes. Even if it had been life and death, I