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

trained the way we have been if they weren’t interested in us.”

“She’s right,” Victoria nodded, “though I can understand the worry.”

“I’m not worried!” Daciana said quickly. “I just wanted to make sure.”

Gregory’s lips twitched, and he managed to keep the smile off them. “We have studying to do and, while we won’t be here tomorrow morning, I’m certain you three will be.”

“Of course. We stick to our training regimen unless we’re watching you train,” Nessa said.

“Speaking of, it’s time for Magi Squares,” Yukiko said. “Tomorrow will be here soon enough.”

“Yes, Yuki,” Nessa said.

“Okay,” Daciana nodded.

Victoria smiled at how deftly Yukiko had gotten the other two focused on work. “Understood, Yuki.”

~*~*~

The adept on duty at the gate had been surprised at the rank showing on their medallions, but let them go out without issue. Once they were outside the walls, they jogged to Gin’s home. The sun was just barely cresting the horizon as they jogged and the city was slowly waking up around them.

“Maybe we should have told them we were coming?” Gregory asked.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Yukiko said.

Something about her tone made Gregory give her a sideways glance.

It didn’t take them long to reach Gin’s. Yukiko had been a little ahead of them, so she was the one who knocked. They waited for a few minutes before the door opened.

Baylyss gave them a smile when she saw who it was. “Magi, it’s good to see you again. Please, come in.”

“Good morning, Baylyss,” Gregory greeted the older woman. “Is everything okay here?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I guess there isn’t a reason... I just got used to Elsa being the one to answer the door.”

“She would have, but I had just given her another task to complete,” Baylyss replied. “Are you here for the day?”

“And night, if that’s okay,” Yukiko smiled. “We’d also like to stay the following day, though we’d leave shortly after the novices do tomorrow.”

“I’ll make sure the room is prepared for you while you train in the garden,” Baylyss said. “I’ll let the children know you are here and get them gathered for you while you change.”

“Thank you,” Gregory said.

“Of course. Follow me, please.”

~*~*~

They were changed and on their way to the garden in short order. Both women wore smiles and exchanged glances behind Gregory’s back.

When Gregory stepped into the garden, he faltered. All of the children were lined up, holding up a sign that read, “Happy belated birthday, Sensei.” Elsa was in the middle of the group with a large smile on her face.

“Thank you,” Gregory chuckled. “I wasn’t expecting this.”

“I set it up with Dia yesterday after training,” Yukiko giggled. “We will train like normal, but otherwise, we’ll be celebrating your birthday. Elsa is making a cake, I believe.”

Elsa’s cheeks flushed slightly. “I will be doing my best.”

“I’m sure it’ll be delicious,” Gregory smiled. “I’ll look forward to it, as I’m sure the rest of you are, huh?”

The other children gave a chorus of agreement to his question. Yukiko and Jenn joined in a second later, making Elsa’s blush deepen further.

“First, we have training,” Gregory said, helping Elsa out. “After the Peaceful Fist, we’ll have you all do some sparring, okay?”

That got a cheer from the children. They set the sign aside and took their places.

~*~*~

“Good. That was good,” Gregory said, moving onto the mat. “Do you understand how she did that to you?”

The little boy picked himself up and nodded. “I went too far, and she used that to grab me.”

“You overextended on your punch,” Gregory agreed. “That broke your balance and, when she grabbed you, you didn’t have the leverage you needed to stop her from throwing you.”

“Excuse me, magi,” Baylyss said from the doorway. “It should be time to bathe before dinner.”

“Of course,” Gregory replied. “Everyone, rise. Bow. Dismissed.”

Jenn and Yukiko left the room, leading the girls toward the bath. Gregory took a seat on the floor of the room as he watched them go.

“Are girls really that special?” one of the young boys asked, staring at Gregory.

“Huh?”

“You always stare at them,” the same boy, with an upturned nose and beady eyes, said.

“Well, I’m married to them, and they’re beautiful to me,” Gregory replied with a grin. “One day, you’ll see girls the same way.”

“No way. Girls are weird!” the boy exclaimed.

Gregory chuckled. “Yeah, they are strange, but when you get older, you’ll find that strangeness is intriguing. I thought much the same as you do when I was your age, and now… well, now I can’t think of a day without those two.”

One of the older boys looked away, his rabbit ears twitching. “I, uh… I think that Monica is cute.”

“What?” the first boy asked, his nose scrunching up as if his friend had just betrayed him.

“Well, I mean... she’s still a girl, and weird,” the second boy said, his ears twitching more, “but… I like it when she smiles.”

“Yeah, I know how that feels. When I was your age, my best friend, Gunnar, and I used to hang around with Ria and El. The day that they went from just being weird girls to wanting to see Ria smile more... that was a shock.”

The first boy looked bewildered and altogether befuddled. “But…!”

“It doesn’t mean he isn’t going to agree with you,” Gregory said gently. “He’s just growing up. In a year or two, you’ll understand what he’s saying. Until then, let them be weird, but be nice to them. Men should treat women with respect, care, and protect them.”

The first boy nodded vigorously. “Yes, I will. Except Elsa. She’ll be the one protecting us.”

Gregory laughed. “Yeah, yeah she will. She was afraid, too, though. Did you know that?”

The boys drew closer and sat down in