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

you,” Victoria said. “One day, maybe I’ll be able to stand near you as an equal.”

“It’s good to have dreams and a goal,” Yukiko said. “The future for all of us is a long road. If one strives and is earnest, then, in time, their dreams might come true.”

“We should head back,” Jenn said to break up the conversation. “Tomorrow comes early, and we will have studying to do.”

“I’ll go see about the carriages,” Gregory said, getting to his feet. “Be back in a few minutes.”

Chapter Sixty-one

 

“Apprentices, it’s good to see you today,” Rafiq greeted them. He placed two bags on the desk. “Yesterday was a good day for some, terrible for others.”

“It was, indeed,” Yukiko said, leaving the money where it was. “Could you take that and bet it again for us?”

“Perhaps. I’m not sure the odds will be good, though.”

“We have faith in them,” Jenn said. “Mine, too, if it’s okay?”

“If you hadn’t heard, there’s a major bet on them to sweep again today,” Gregory grinned. “Carlisle bet against Warlin. If the novices sweep, Warlin will win over a half million. Ours seems paltry in comparison, but we still support them.”

Rafiq blinked, then his lips curled into a smile. “Now that is a big bet, indeed. Very well. Not sure I can do it again tomorrow, though.”

“That’s fine. Take half of what is won today and place it on us to win the apprentice tournament, please,” Yukiko said, Jenn nodding along with her.

“Very well,” Rafiq nodded back, pulling the pouches off the desk. “Are your books still good for today, or did you require something new?”

“Our study material is fine right now, thank you,” Jenn said.

“Good studying to you all, then.”

They thanked him and went to their table. They’d just finished making their Magi Squares when Daciana came into view.

“Looking forward to your matches today?” Gregory asked Daciana as she neared the table.

“Yes,” Daciana said, her tone subdued.

Surprised, Gregory was about to question her when Nessa and Victoria approached. They weren’t smiling as they normally would, either. Yukiko and Jenn both noticed their moods were different.

“Nerves?” Gregory asked once all three novices sat down.

“What if we fail?” Daciana asked. “When we got back to the dormitory, we stayed up to talk for a bit.”

“And I mistakenly asked what if we fail...” Nessa said quietly.

“We’ve all been stuck on it since,” Victoria said, “even Daciana.”

Gregory blinked. The fact that Daciana was stuck on the thought was surprising to him. “What are you all afraid of?” Gregory asked.

“Not being good enough,” Daciana said, her ears down and her tail curled under her.

“That we’ll be excluded from the clan,” Nessa added.

“That I’ll be the only one who isn’t allowed in,” Victoria said.

“You think losing a single fight will do that?” Jenn asked.

“Maybe not a single fight, but two might,” Nessa said.

“I lost to Gregory on the first day,” Yukiko said. “I still made it to the final eight because I won every other match.”

“I made it in with a single loss, too,” Jenn said.

“And even if you lose twice or more, it’ll be fine,” Gregory said. “As long as you give everything you have to win, it’ll be enough. Don’t think about losing— yeah, it might happen. I should have lost to Jenn and again to Jason in the finals, but I didn’t because I never stopped trying. You might end up against someone who just wants it more than you do, no matter how much you want it. I did, which is why Jenn won the second tournament.”

The novices were staring at him, hoping to hear something to help them.

“I don’t think you’ll lose,” he said, looking each one in the eyes, “if you have the fire to prove yourselves that I’ve seen in you since you started working for it. Grab that dream you hold and focus on it— use it to help push you. The only way to truly fail is to quit. I don’t think my friends are the kind to give up, are they?”

The challenge in his words had all three women staring him down.

“I will never give up my goal,” Daciana growled, her lips pulled back in a snarl.

“I’ll outpace my fear and prove to you that I can catch my dream,” Nessa said, her tail flicking in agitation.

Victoria smiled softly, brushing her hair back behind her ear. “I feel like an idiot… like a child afraid of the dark that had to be shown the noise outside was just the tree scratching at the shutters. Thank you, Greg. I’ll be in the finals with them. We’ll win.”

“Damned right, we will,” Daciana said, nodding sharply.

“Friends can help pull you up, as well as push you to do more,” Nessa smiled. “Thanks for the hand up.”

“It’s just who he is,” Yukiko said fondly. “We’ll be right there in the stands beside your families, cheering for you. We know you’ll win today, tomorrow, and into the finals.”

“We believe in you, so believe in yourselves,” Jenn said. “We’ll be looking forward to standing with you on the sands to accept our rewards from the council.”

“Stupid...” Daciana huffed. “We have studying to do.”

“We do, indeed,” Yukiko agreed.

~*~*~

They had taken their seats, and a few other students and magi were still getting settled as the seventh bell rang. Gregory wondered if Carlisle would show up again or choose a different place to sit. He might want to stay away in case they win— he’d want to avoid the embarrassment. Then again, he’d want to be here if they lose so he can declare just how “smart” he is. Hmm... which is more likely? He was still pondering when Hao and the others arrived.

“Here all day again?” Hao asked Lightshield as he took his