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

“Sorry. I’m still adjusting to her being a magi.”

“We understand,” Jenn said. “We didn’t mean to cause you concern. We just came for dinner, as this is one of our favorite places.”

Ramon brightened up. “I’ll go let Vana know you are here.” He started to head into the kitchen, then paused. “Ah, would you mind if she talked with you? She has questions about the academy.”

“Not at all,” Yukiko smiled softly. “We’ll answer what we can. You’ve been so kind to us, it would be wrong to refuse such a simple request.”

Ramon bowed his head. “Thank you. I hope my daughter can join your clan. I’ll worry less if it happens.”

Chapter Thirty-eight

 

“Good morning, Apprentices,” Rafiq greeted them. “Did you enjoy your days off?”

“It was different,” Gregory replied. “We missed being able to be here yesterday morning, but we were outside of the walls of the academy at the time.”

“I figured something kept you away. It isn’t like you to miss a day of study. It’s interesting, though… we’ve had two other apprentices in here for the majority of the day over the last week.”

“Ling and Clover,” Yukiko smiled. “They’re in our group for tactics.”

Rafiq’s voice reflected his puzzlement. “Group? Tactics is a single large class.”

“It was,” Jenn corrected him. “Egil Magi-killer got approval to change things up this year.”

“Hmm... Intriguing. The council isn’t known for drastic changes in policy. I wonder…” Rafiq trailed off, looking into the distance.

“Wonder?” Gregory asked.

“Hmm? Oh, nothing to concern you. Did you need new books?”

“We’re still working on the ones we have,” Yukiko replied. “Thank you for all of your help.”

“No thanks are needed. It’s my joy to see young minds expand and learn,” Rafiq grinned. “Good studying to you.”

“Thank you,” they replied.

“I wonder what he didn’t say?” Yukiko asked. “It isn’t like him to not answer a question.”

“Maybe it touched on something they aren’t supposed to discuss with apprentices?” Jenn suggested.

“Could be,” Yukiko said slowly.

They had barely begun to make their Magi Squares when their friends joined them. Daciana was the first one at the table, as she normally was.

“Good morning,” Daciana greeted them. “Did you enjoy the day outside the walls?”

“We did,” Yukiko replied. “We were able to visit some shops, and even had an early dinner at Stabled Hunger.”

“How were my parents?” Nessa asked as she sat.

“Good. Your mother spoke with us for a while. We were able to reassure her about some of her fears.”

Nessa looked down. “Did they bother you?”

“Not at all,” Gregory said. “You should be proud to have parents who love you so much.”

“I am, but I also don’t want them to bother you,” Nessa said, looking back up. “I’ve told them time and time again that everything is okay.”

“But you could just be putting up a strong front to make them worry less,” Jenn told her. “Hearing it from others can help.”

“True...” Nessa said. “As long as you were okay with it.”

“Did my dad bother you?” Daciana asked.

“We never saw him,” Jenn told her.

Daciana exhaled in relief. “That’s good. I know he can be aggressive at times.”

Gregory’s lips trembled as he tried not to laugh. His shared glance with Jenn found her in the same position.

“At least you come by it naturally,” Nessa grinned.

Daciana blinked, looking as though she were about to object, then shrugged sheepishly. “I try to temper it.”

“We know,” Nessa smiled softly. “You do well until you get excited.”

“Then she gets very forward,” Victoria nodded. “I’ve noticed. That isn’t bad, either. It lets us all know where you stand on a point.”

“Agreed,” Nessa added.

“Okay, but I’m trying to be better about it,” Daciana said.

Gregory finished off the Magi Squares he’d been making. “There’s nothing wrong with being who you are if it doesn’t hurt those you care for. Yuki, for instance, can go a little overboard when it comes to helping her friends.”

Yukiko gave him a smile and shrugged her shoulders. “I treasure my friends. I’ve had so few that I want to make those who are my friends happy. Speaking of, we have Magi Squares made for you today.” She pushed a folded page to Victoria.

“For you, Nessa,” Jenn said, pushing a page to her.

“And for Daciana,” Gregory said, nudging his to her. “We have studying to do upstairs. We wish you the best in studying.”

“Have a good day,” the novices told them as the apprentices left.

“Don’t they normally do their Magi Squares with us?” Victoria asked as she opened up the paper she’d been given. “What?” As she looked down at the Magi Squares, she saw the two small stud earrings resting in the middle of the page, along with a smaller slip to explain what they were.

“It looks like they were speaking the truth...” Nessa smiled as she picked up the earrings on her page.

“‘Holds aether, so you can do more,’” Daciana whispered as she looked at the studs. “Wait, these used to be Jenn’s…” She coughed. “I mean... we’re lucky that we found these.”

“Indeed,” Nessa said, looking up just as the other three got out of their line of sight. “We’re very lucky to have found our friends, too.”

“Friends, yes. Friends are good,” Victoria smiled. “But some friends can grow close...” A hopeful gleam was in her eye as she said the words.

“They understood,” Yukiko whispered as they went up the stairs. “We’re treading some thin ice by doing that, but no one saw us, I think.”

“Apprentices, how is your studying going?” Sarinia asked, coming out of a dark alcove.

All three stiffened before Gregory replied, “Very well, Chief Archivist. Oh, and thank you for all the help you and your staff have given us.”

Sarinia’s smile grew slightly. “All who work here love to help