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

main force out,” Jenn said. “You delayed yourself to show them more, didn’t you?”

“Of course. That’s what we were told to do,” Yukiko smiled.

“Thank you for doing so,” Ling said. “I learned a lot by watching the game.”

“So did I,” Clover added. “I can’t wait to try Krogga for myself. Some of the advanced strategies make a lot more sense now.”

“They do,” Ling agreed. “We’ll see you tomorrow. Thank you for helping us grow.”

“It’s what friends do,” Jenn smiled. “Pushing each other to grow stronger and helping while doing it.”

“Not that we’re doing a lot of that for you,” Ling sighed.

“But you are,” Gregory said. “We’re learning how to explain things better, which will make it easier for us next year.”

“Next year,” Clover said, her normally bright voice dim. “That will not be a good year... No clan, no troops except what they can find for us.” She shuddered. “No more friends...”

Gregory felt like he’d watched someone kick a puppy. “Hey now, chin up. That’s still a ways off. Who knows what might happen between now and then? Some clan might hear about how well you’re doing in the class and take an interest.”

Clover looked at him with hopeful eyes. “You really think so?”

“Yeah, yeah I do,” Gregory said. “You and Ling are growing fast, and learning even faster. Some clan will scoop you up before the year is over.”

“That is hopeful,” Ling said, going to stand beside Clover, who had stopped walking. “I will hold to that hope, and maybe even hope for more— that it’ll be a good clan that won’t discriminate against us too badly because of our heritage. If one is to dream, they should dream for the moon.”

“They should,” Jenn said softly. “And if they dream hard enough and work even harder, they might even catch their dreams. I did.”

Yukiko and Gregory gave her loving smiles.

Clover’s smile grew wider, as she could see the love that they had for each other. “That’s so cute.”

“It is,” Ling nodded. “Come on. We should get some food, a bath, and then sleep, Clover.”

“Yeah,” Clover said as the two of them turned away from the others.

They watched the pair go and smiled at their backs before heading for the clan hall.

“Do you think a clan will really pick them up?” Yukiko asked Gregory.

“Yeah. They’re both serious about trying to grow, and they’ve been making great strides toward it.”

“Is that because of you or Darkness?” Jenn asked.

“I’m not sure. Maybe both? I do consider them friends. If no one else approaches them by the first tournament, I’m going to see if Dia is willing to.”

“That’s a good idea,” Yukiko smiled.

“I agree, too,” Jenn nodded.

Chapter Forty-one

 

Weeks zipped by for them— the games sometimes ran late, but other times, someone made a mistake and their matches ended early. They were glad for the early days, using the extra time to train their bodies and their magics. Gregory didn’t use his foresight when playing in class, as he wanted to get a good feel for the tactics.

Gregory’s birthday came and went with little celebration, as they’d been in a long class that day. The staff had made a small cake for them to enjoy, but only the three of them and Velma had gotten to eat any of it.

They had their second week off shortly after that, and now, it was almost over with. The grueling sparring against members of the Hardened Fist taxed them nearly to the limit every day. Magus Vemril continued to bring in different magi to help her, mixing the combination of magics daily. They won a match occasionally, but lost more than they won. Every fight taught Gregory, Yukiko, and Jenn something new.

Mindie worked hard on those days, since accidents and injuries happened with each bout. She was surprised at the tenacity of the group, but also how they never devolved into finger-pointing. Each of them took the blame when a mistake of theirs cost them the match, even if they were being mended by Mindie at the time.

When the fifth day of sparring with Vemril came to an end, Gin told them they had the last two days to do with as they wished. They had dinner with the clan that night before retiring to their room, each looking forward to two days outside the walls of the academy.

~*~*~

“Good morning,” Daciana grinned. “Going outside today?”

“Yes, and we’ll be at Gin’s tomorrow morning when you get there,” Yukiko replied. “I don’t know if we’ll have another week off before the tournament, so we’ll drill you hard tomorrow.”

“We’ll be prepared,” Nessa said, taking her seat. “Vicky’s been coming along fast. You might be surprised by her.”

Victoria smiled softly. “I don’t know about that, but I am trying very hard.”

“Ness is right,” Daciana said. “You’re improving quickly, Vicky. The three of us are rapidly becoming the best in the class. Even Magus Igorson admitted it.”

“Have the clans approached you all now?” Jenn asked.

“We’ve had more ask to speak with us,” Nessa nodded. “Vicky has been invited to speak with the Iron Hand and Hardened Fist, as well.”

“I do not want to join the Hardened Fist at all,” Victoria shuddered. “They are ruthless and cold... All they care about is the money for the contracts. The Iron Hand has something they strive for at least, but I won’t join them, either. The three of us already know where we want to go.”

“Dia hasn’t approached us at all,” Daciana said, her ears twitching. “She will, right?”

Jenn put her hand on Daciana’s arm. “I’m sure she will after the tournament.”

“They’re waiting so we don’t get an even larger target placed on us by some of the other clans,” Nessa reassured Daciana. “Just wait. It’ll be okay. We wouldn’t be