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

“Let me see what I have,” Hemet said, going into the back.

“This is going to cost a lot, Yuki,” Gregory said softly. “Are you sure it’ll be okay?”

“Mother told me what limit I have with the bonds they left with me,” Yukiko said. “As long as we stay under that, it’s fine. If I go over, it’ll be okay, but I will need to explain to them.”

“We don’t need them, yet,” Jenn said. “My ring from the elder holds more than the earrings.” As she said that, a frown formed on her lips. “I don’t know what it can hold actually, as it hasn’t pushed back at me at all.”

Both Yukiko and Gregory looked a little surprised at her comment. Gregory was the first one to reply, “Lightshield said it was the ring of a woman that Aether favored. Maybe it’s like the medallion except it wasn’t already holding aether when Jenn got it?”

“Hmm… we could have Hemet examine it for us,” Yukiko said. “The ring,” she clarified when Gregory’s forehead creased. “He should be able to tell us how much aether it can hold.”

“Oh, that would be good,” Jenn nodded. “If it holds enough, we can pass on getting me another item.”

Yukiko pursed her lips, then nodded. “If it holds enough, but extra aether isn’t a bad thing.”

“I’m not arguing that, but why spend the vela on it now if my ring can hold enough?”

“She has a point,” Gregory said, siding with Jenn. “We’ll still want the ring looked at first before we decide one way or the other.”

“Agreed,” Jenn said.

“I will agree to those terms,” Yukiko said.

They had to wait another few minutes before Hemet came back. “I have good news and bad,” Hemet said, bringing a small case to the counter. “I have a few aether storage items, but only one set of earrings, and some of them are expensive.”

“Before we go further, we have a request. Can you examine a ring and tell us how much aether it can hold?” Yukiko asked.

“I can do so,” Hemet said, producing his monocle. “I do charge a flat fee to examine an item— one thousand vela.”

“Accepted,” Yukiko smiled. “Jenn?”

Jenn slipped the ring off and set it on the counter. “I got this from our clan leader for winning the second tournament. I’ve pushed energy into it every day since then, and it hasn’t given indication it is full.”

Hemet’s lips pursed as he picked up the ring. Setting his monocle in place, he stared at it, turning it over and over slowly in his hands. “Hmm... very intriguing. It’s also a storage ring with a large capacity. There’s also a faint trace of aether on the band... a glamor to hide a marking.”

When Hemet said those words, Gregory knew what the hidden marking was. A snippet of a vision came to him, showing the ring being held in a large, masculine hand. The inside of the band had the same markings that the temple had, but in tiny detail and with one difference— the triangle was replaced by an aether flame. Its flames went up to each circle instead of lines.

“I can erase the glamor, if you wish,” Hemet was saying as he removed his monocle. “As for how much aether this ring will hold...” One aged hand came up to stroke the wispy white beard. “All I can safely say is an elder’s aether, but possibly more. Your clan leader gave you this?”

“Elder Lightshield,” Jenn said, her eyes wide as she looked at the ring in Hemet’s hand. “An elder’s aether? And I have it?”

Yukiko stared at the ring, then glanced at Gregory, who stepped forward and held out his hand. Hemet exhaled sadly and placed the ring on Gregory’s palm.

“I couldn’t interest you into selling it, could I?” Hemet asked, though his tone gave away he knew what their answer would be.

“No,” Gregory replied kindly. “If the elder gave it to her, I’m sure he had a reason to.”

“Did you wish the glamor removed, at least?” Hemet asked.

“There’s no need,” Gregory said as he turned to hand the ring to Jenn. “I’m sure if we need to know, it’ll become clear in time.”

Meeting Gregory’s gaze, her eyes widened a little more and she took the ring, slipping it onto her finger. Yukiko took a step forward, making Hemet look her way.

“It seems we’ll only need two items instead of three,” Yukiko said, “though if you have a storage item— a belt pouch, for instance— I would be interested in that.”

“That all depends on how much storage space you want,” Hemet said. “First, though, let’s talk about aether storage…”

~*~*~

Gregory shook his head as they walked down the street. “That was much more than I thought it would be, Yuki.”

“They’ll last us for years,” Yukiko replied. “I only went over Mother’s budget by a little. I’m sure she’ll understand.”

Jenn exhaled deeply. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to how much vela your family is okay with spending.”

“Agreed,” Gregory nodded. “She only spends like that for us, though.”

Yukiko looked down. “I just want the best for us...”

“We know,” Gregory said, going to put his arm around her waist for a second before moving away a half-step. “We thank you for it, but it’s still staggering to me.”

“To us,” Jenn corrected. “And we aren’t complaining, Yuki, but that was nearly what my father makes in a year.”

“And more than my village would make in that same time span,” Gregory added. “It just reminds me of how lucky I was to be caught by you.”

“We were,” Jenn smiled. “Not only did she accept me, she also let me have a desire of my own.”

Yukiko’s lips turned up and she shot them both glances. “I will temper my spending