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

clan for decades, and the traditions all point to them being tolerant.”

“Fair enough, my darling wife,” Gregory smiled.

~*~*~

The jingle of the bell announced them as they entered the shop. Hemet looked up and greeted them with a polite smile. “Greetings, honored Warlin and Pettits. How might my humble shop serve you today?”

“Hemet,” Hao greeted the older man with a broad smile, “your shop isn’t humble. It’s a gem that others simply don’t know the value of.”

“Ah, flattery. It is still sweet, even at my age,” Hemet chuckled. “Let us talk business, since that is obviously why you are here.”

“Indeed. I’m looking to buy items for three novices.”

“Earth, wind, and spatial magi,” Yukiko added.

“Hmm... The first two are common enough, but the third is fairly rare, even if there were two last year,” Hemet said, stroking his long wispy beard. “Did you have anything specific in mind?”

“It would depend on what you have that would work for them,” Hao said.

“They each have aether storage earrings,” Yukiko said. “We’d like to get them items that will last them the year, at the very least.”

“They will be joining your clan?” Hemet asked.

“That is possible, but the elder hasn’t said with certainty.”

“None of them are enchanters? I’ve been asked to teach someone in your clan,” Hemet said.

“That would be Ling. She’s an apprentice,” Gregory said. “She’ll be joining the clan after the tournament.”

“Which spares her the possible pain and humiliation for this tournament. Not many of us enchanters are skilled in combat. Very well, let me go see what I have for the novices. Please, have a seat.” Hemet paused in the doorway to the back. “Did you want some tea?”

“We’ll be fine,” Hao said. “I’m sure you won’t be long.”

Hemet nodded and left them alone in the front.

“Do you have any ideas in mind for what you hope to see?” Hao asked Yukiko as he took a seat.

“They have aether storage already, so…” Yukiko looked into the distance, thinking of what items would be the most beneficial to her friends.

“The fire rings are always useful, but they aren’t common enough that he’d have more of them,” Gregory said. “Besides those, anything that’s tailored to their magic would probably be best. The shadow leap ring Yuki has was amazing for her.” Gregory stopped and looked at Yukiko’s ring as an odd thought formed in his mind.

“Hmm, that is a good point,” Hao said. “As long as they aren’t deadly, like the spike that almost killed you. I’d prefer not to give them items like that.”

“No. For the second tournament, maybe, but for the first, it’d be bad. Few have truly deadly magics at this level,” Yukiko said. “I can’t think of specifics, but Greg has the right idea.” She looked at Gregory and saw him staring at her hand. “Greg?”

Blinking, he looked up at her questioning face. “Oh, sorry. Different thoughts. I can explain it later, after I think it through.”

“Very well, dear one.”

“They don’t really need help in unarmed combat… maybe Victoria could use a little, but even she is well ahead of most in her class,” Jenn said, wondering what Gregory had been thinking.

“That’s true,” Gregory said, rejoining their conversation. “The arctic gloves that were here last year might do her well. They might even do her well in the second tournament if she can reach through a spatial hole.”

“Oh, yes,” Yukiko agreed.

“All we can do is wait and see what he brings us to look over,” Hao sighed.

Chapter Sixty

 

Gregory entered the private room first, giving the others present a smile. “Sorry for the delay, but it’s going to stretch just a tiny bit longer. Father is asking to speak with all of the parents, you and Umbrose as well, Mother.”

Yoo-jin smiled as she rose to her feet. “Of course.”

The other five followed her, clearly wondering what Hao wanted that couldn’t be discussed in the room. Jenn and Yukiko went to take their seats and Gregory shut the door once everyone had left.

“Did something happen?” Daciana asked.

“In a fashion,” Yukiko replied with a knowing smile. “Who can say when the winds of fortune can blow and in what direction?”

Nessa’s eyes narrowed, her lips pursing as she stared at Yukiko. She never got the chance to ask because a mostly muffled exclamation came from Gufta outside the room.

“But why?!”

“Well, I’m sure that the winds of fortune are met with surprise,” Jenn snickered.

“You did something,” Victoria said calmly, “with the bet that your father won.”

“Hmm… but that might break the bounds of what a clan can and cannot do without getting in trouble.”

Nessa nodded slowly. “A clan can give gifts, but there are... if not rules, then guidelines... that are adhered to. Normally, it is a single enchanted item and maybe some alchemical supplements to assist whoever they’re enticing.” Her fingers touched the earring she wore. The hand she used bore the lingering traces of the burn she’d received during her first match. “No clan has gone that far for us, though.”

“Silly of them,” Gregory grinned. “Once you sweep tomorrow’s matches, I would expect a number of clans to want to speak with you, and others who have spoken with you will want to speak with you again.”

“It’s too bad we’ll be busy focusing on the tournament,” Victoria replied. “If only they had tried to express their deep interest before now.”

The door opened, revealing Hao wearing a large grin as he led the others back into the room. Ramon and Vana looked dazed, while Gufta and his wife, Betty, looked highly uncertain. Umbrose had a bemused expression as she took her seat. Yoo-jin shut the door behind them, leaving Lin in the hall.

“Is everything okay?” Daciana asked before everyone could sit.

“Everything is fine,” Yoo-jin replied.

“Are there