Magi's Path (Aether's Revival Book 3) Daniel Schinhofen (books to read in a lifetime .txt) 📖

“I hope they do well,” Yukiko said once he’d rejoined them. “I know they are well trained. They’re going to fight with everything they have, but that doesn’t always mean you win.”

“They’re better prepared than a majority of their peers,” Jenn said.

“They might have some tricky spots,” Gregory said. “They don’t have rings to help with fire or barriers, but Jenn didn’t either and she made it to the final eight.”

“It wasn’t pretty, but I did, and they’re better trained than I was,” Jenn nodded.

“We’ll find out soon,” Yukiko said.

~*~*~

Seventh bell came and went, and a handful of minutes later, others began to show up. The arena filled up steadily, and Inda only had to turn away one couple looking to take the seats they were saving for the families.

“Ah, here they are, just as the staff told us,” Hao said. “Elder, are we sitting there?” He motioned to the seats that Inda and Indara were bookending.

“Those seats are for the novice’s families,” Lightshield explained. “They will want to save the three seats between them for their children. Your seats are with your children.”

Gufta grinned at them and smiled broadly. Beside him was a woman of middle height and plain features. When Gufta pointed at them, she smiled and waved. Ramon and Vana followed them to the seats, giving them a smile and wave, as well.

“So many of them in this section of the stands,” a snide voice said, catching Gregory’s attention, “as if their children will be more than fodder.”

Yukiko caught Gregory’s hand and squeezed it, stopping him from turning around. “Ignore the idiots, dear one. Our friends will show them, just as we did.”

He gave her a wry smile. “It’s always harder for me to not react when it’s at someone I care for.”

“Care for? Hmm. Do I need to ask Dia about a larger room?” Yukiko asked with a smirk.

“You know what I meant,” Gregory said, rolling his eyes.

“Yes, but it is fun to poke at you a little.”

He shook his head, wearing a smile.

“Do you believe they will do well?” Hao asked as he took his seat beside Yukiko.

“I’ve already had bets placed on them,” Yukiko smiled. “For today, and for them to end up in the final eight.”

“I’ll have to keep an ear open for bets,” Hao said, touching his coin pouch.

“The guy two rows behind us should bite,” Gregory whispered to Hao. “He made a comment that Yukiko had to stop me from responding to.”

Hao’s eyes glittered. “Did he, indeed? Well then, maybe an abject lesson is in order...”

Chapter Fifty-eight

Daciana walked out of the tunnel, the first fight of the day. Gufta yelled her name out and rose to his feet. She looked back at him, waving with an embarrassed smile. Her eyes drifted to the side and she suddenly drew herself upright, giving the clan a nod. Turning back to face the arena proper, she walked toward the adjudicator, who was wearing a cyan-colored robe with a clenched fist emblem on the back.

“Why do they even bother?” the man from before asked behind Gregory. “It’s not like any of the breeds ever win enough fights to make it worthwhile.”

“Missed last year’s fights?” Hao asked, turning to look at the portly man.

“I was away on business, though I heard that someone almost repeated for the novices.”

“Very close. They lost in the finals,” Hao nodded. “I overheard you say you don’t believe the novice on the sands can win?”

“Against her opponent, I doubt she can,” the man laughed.

Hao looked back to see the other novice leave the far tunnel. The young man that came out was nearly as large as the magus adjudicating the match. “Hmm... Yes, he will probably make it difficult, but I’d still be willing to back the first novice.”

The man gave Hao a look that he clearly doubted his sanity.

“If the odds are good, I’d be willing to place a thousand vela on her,” Hao said.

A smile appeared on the portly man’s face. “I’ll give you five-to-one, then.”

“Not as sure about the other novice after all?” Hao asked with a snort.

“Eight-to-one,” the portly man said, giving Hao a smirk, “unless you’re going to retract your bold statement?”

“Agreed. Eight-to-one,” Hao smiled. “Armsmaster, did you hear the bet?”

Gin looked back and nodded. “I did, Warlin.”

“An armsmaster? Here?” the man asked in shock.

Gin turned around so he could look at the man. “I’m the physical instructor for Aether’s Guard.”

“Aether’s Guard? Didn’t they disband?”

“No. In fact, the winners of the last two tournaments are in the clan,” Gin said, “as well as a magi who placed second and third, respectively.” He motioned to the three of them sitting behind him.

“Hmm... I doubt they will be able to resurrect that clan by themselves. Just three of them might have a problem against some of the more robust clans.”

Hao grinned wider. “Would you care to wager on that?”

The portly man’s lips twisted. “And how would I find you to collect?”

“The same way I would,” Hao said. “The armsmaster will back and collect the wager. Surely you wouldn’t doubt him?”

“Fine, but it’ll be an even bet, since you want it so badly.”

“Even odds when they’ll have to win every fight?” Hao laughed, and others around them snickered. “Pardon me if I fail to see that as generous.”

“Fine. What odds would you call fair?”

“Ten-to-one, and I’ll go so far as to bet up to twenty thousand vela that they will win the apprentice tournament.”

“Done at twenty thousand,” the portly man laughed. “Ten-to-one odds are fair, as far as I’m concerned.”

“Your name, sir?” Gin asked.

“Dustin Carlisle, purveyor of fine meats. You might have heard of my company, ‘Carlisle Cuisine’?”

“I have,” Hao nodded. “I’m Hao