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

“I’ll be looking forward to working with you today, Jenn,” Bishop said. “I spoke with Master Chen yesterday, so I have a good idea of where you are. You’re further along than I’d thought. That’s good, because it means I can push you harder.”

Jenn’s smile froze for a moment as she considered what that might mean for her. “I’m eager to learn, Bishop. I’ll give everything I gave Master Chen.”

“Good. A student who will strive is for the best.”

“Your breakfast,” Steva said, bringing over plates for the two older women.

“Thank you, Steva,” Dia smiled.

“My thanks,” Bishop added.

“We all strive with everything we have,” Yukiko said. “We push each other to do more.”

Bishop paused as she held her first piece of food in her chopsticks. “And you stayed friends... Joining the same clan might have been the difference.” Shaking her head, she began to eat.

Yukiko felt a twinge of regret for saying that, recalling what Bishop had told them about Harrison once being her friend. Jenn looked at Yukiko, who shook her head. Jenn nodded and stayed silent.

~*~*~

“That’s what we know of it,” Yukiko said, finishing her explanation of Harrison and Bishop’s relationship for Jenn.

“I’m glad we all joined the same clan,” Jenn smiled. “I hate thinking that I could have ended up that way with you both.”

“It was a possibility,” Gregory said. “Remember when I invited you to dinner with Elder Lightshield? I saw a glimpse of what might be.” Both women looked at him, and Gregory exhaled. “If I didn’t invite you, you would have hated us both and joined the Iron Hand, going after us as often as you could. In the branch that had you joining us, you were wearing a lavender kimono and smiling.”

“An elder?” Jenn asked with a wide smile. “That’s amazing.”

“That might not have factored in what came after it, though,” Gregory said.

“Her training with us and marrying us?” Yukiko asked.

“Yeah, besides it being a distant future, which makes it more susceptible to change,” Gregory said, tempering Jenn’s happiness. “I’ve learned that the future is malleable. We can’t just expect the visions to come true.”

“I’ll work for it,” Jenn said. “If I make it, then you both will, as well.”

“Or more,” Yukiko added, “for him, at least.”

“Well, there is that,” Jenn laughed.

“There they are,” Daciana’s voice came from just ahead near the archive. Victoria, Nessa, and Daciana were on the path that came from the mess hall to the archive. “Morning.”

“Good morning, Daciana,” Gregory replied. “To you two, as well, Nessa and Victoria.”

“Good morning,” they replied to him before bowing their heads to Yukiko and Jenn.

“Daciana has been all but bouncing off the walls this morning,” Nessa grinned.

“This is it,” Daciana said, turning to Nessa. “We’re officially novices today with classes beginning. We’re one step closer to our goals.”

Victoria wore a bemused smile. “Excitable and confident. Those two words personify you, Daciana.”

“I accept!” Daciana grinned.

“Are you all ready for classes?” Jenn asked.

“Yes,” Daciana said quickly.

“I believe so,” Nessa replied.

“I don’t think so, but with my friends, I will be okay,” Victoria said. “The last week has taught me many new things, such as falling.”

“You’ll do fine if you have these two to help you. Yuki had to help me with economics,” Gregory said.

“Help us with economics,” Jenn corrected him. “Magus Han had me confused until Yuki helped me understand.”

“And Greg helped me beyond the start of conditioning,” Yukiko said. “That might be the hardest part for you, Victoria. These two have been drilled for half a year, but you’ve barely had a week.”

“We have our snacks already,” Daciana said. “We listened to your story. We’ll meditate and eat before conditioning, then go for food after bathing.”

“We’ll be here to help you, as you will be helping us,” Nessa told Victoria. “It doesn’t matter if I have eurtik blood or if you’re from the fringe. Our seniors have proven that we can rise above the others if we push ourselves.”

“You only fail if you don’t give everything you have,” Jenn said. “Truthfully, you might still fail, but not doing everything you can will haunt you.”

“I will give everything,” Victoria said. “I just know I’m not ready, yet. Knowing your limitations is good.”

“Overcoming them is better,” Yukiko smiled. “I have a feeling you will, given time and effort.”

Victoria met Yukiko’s gaze before she bowed formally. “I will give everything I have. I will show those who matter that I am worthy.”

“Good. We have studying to do before classes begin,” Yukiko smiled. “Shall we?”

“Yes,” Daciana said, the first one to enter the archive.

~*~*~

Approaching their tactics class, Gregory took in the building with a curious gaze. It was three stories tall and had more windows than any other building on the grounds. The stone was a dark gray, and had obviously been built after the other important structures of the academy.

“Pettit, Bean, and Warlin. Good day,” a firm voice greeted them.

“Magus,” Gregory smiled when he saw Magus Paul Erichson standing beside one of the columns that adorned the front of the structure. “A good day to you, as well. Are you not teaching physical conditioning?”

“Not this year. This year, a member of the Hardened Fist is doing that. I am here to assist Egil Magi-killer, along with a few others.”

“We heard that Magus Harrison was going to be an assistant,” Yukiko said.

“Along with Magus Elkit and Magus Klim,” Paul nodded.

“Elkit?” Gregory asked with a touch of hesitation. “The one who leads the Eternal Flame inside the academy walls?”

“That same one,” Paul agreed. “Go on inside. Class will begin on the sixth bell.”

“Thank you, Magus,” the three bowed.

Gregory stopped a few feet away and turned back to Paul. “Sir, so you are aware, both Yukiko and