Magi's Path (Aether's Revival Book 3) by Daniel Schinhofen (best black authors .TXT) 📗

“That could be disconcerting,” Dia said as she set her cup down. “What do you call it?”

“‘Plum-Emitting Warmth.’”

Dia’s eye twitched. “Ah, yes. That does suit this.”

“I’m glad you all like it,” Brown said, giving everyone a smile. “Good evening to you all.”

“Good evening, sir,” they replied.

“I’ve been meaning to ask, have those books been useful?” Dia asked once Brown had left.

“We’re working through them,” Gregory said. “Some of the tactics for Krogga will make it easier to play them in the future.”

“Buldoun’s are very easy to understand,” Jenn grinned. “It all comes down to building wealth then using it correctly. The book helps describe the different tactics that might gain you the most use at the least cost.”

“Limaz’s book is the thickest of the three. Their tactics are more varied, shifting against each nation, more so than the others do,” Yukiko clarified. “It’ll take some time to understand it all.”

“The fact that you three are this invested already will make your class much easier,” Dia smiled. “Will your game be coming to an end soon?”

“Tonight,” Yukiko smiled. “I believe this time, they have no tricks to stop me.”

Gregory sighed. “She dismantled me last turn. Unless the upkeep gives me something surprising, I’ll probably have to concede.”

“I walked into her trap three turns ago and have been trying to regain my ground,” Jenn grumbled. “I spent my funds badly at the start and have been paying for it since. Buldoun is tougher to command than I anticipated.”

“I assume, then, that Gregory has not used his magic during the game?” Dia asked.

“No,” Gregory replied. “I’m learning as they are. I’m sure our instructor will stop me from using it, anyway. It’ll make it harder for me, though, as the game has no commander with my magic.”

Dia nodded in agreement. “I doubt they will have one in place before the year begins. What has your solution been?”

“Picking one. It helps me understand what the commanders can do, and also helps them know what tactics to expect.”

“A solid plan,” Dia smiled as she rose to her feet. “I wish you all a good night. I will see you in the morning.”

“Night, Dia,” they said.

As Dia walked away, Gregory looked toward Jenn and Yukiko. “Should we go finish the game?”

“Of course,” Yukiko smiled. “I look forward to my victory.”

~*~*~

Yukiko had her victory an hour after they began. “It was a good try, Jenn.”

“It was a long shot, and you knocked it down quickly.”

Gregory started putting the pieces away. “You did better than I did. I had no feel for the Limaz troops.”

“We’ve never used them before,” Jenn said as she helped him. “It’s not surprising that you had trouble with them.”

“She isn’t wrong, dear one. I think you did as well as could have been expected. I’ll try them for the next round.”

“Hmm... I want to try Krogga,” Jenn said.

“I’ll give Buldoun a go,” Gregory said. “No home ground rules, since none of us will be the empire.”

“That makes sense,” Jenn nodded.

They finished cleaning up and headed upstairs. Gregory was busy thinking over what he could have done differently during the game. When they stopped outside their rooms, he blinked, having been lost in his thoughts.

“Good night, Jenn.”

“Before she goes, there is a matter of my victory,” Yukiko said.

Gregory laughed and gave her a quick kiss. “Paid to the victor.”

Yukiko gave him a smile and a wink before she turned to Jenn. Jenn hesitated, but stepped forward. Yukiko lowered her head, turning her head slightly for Jenn. Jenn leaned in, kissing the side of Yukiko’s mouth instead of her cheek.

Stepping back quickly, Jenn gave her an uncertain smile. “To the victor.”

Yukiko’s eyebrows had gone up and her pale cheeks had turned pink when she met Jenn’s eyes. “If that’s what I get for winning once, I wonder what a repeat win would net me?”

“Do it and find out,” Jenn said, her cheeks reddening more when she said it.

“I will do my best. Good night, Jenn,” Yukiko smiled. “Pleasant dreams.”

“Night,” Jenn said as she watched Yukiko pull Gregory into their room. Letting out a giggle, she went into hers.

Gregory blinked when Yukiko dragged him inside their room. The image of Jenn kissing Yukiko, even as obliquely as she had, was lodged in his mind’s eye.

“I see that you don’t object to it,” Yukiko said softly as she embraced him.

“Huh?” Gregory asked, blinking.

“Jenn kissing me,” Yukiko clarified. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be jealous.”

“Not jealous,” Gregory said, his arms going around her. “Wasn’t expecting her to be that bold, though.”

“Neither was I,” Yukiko giggled. “We’ll table that for now, as there’s something I want. As the victor, I demand more tribute than just a simple kiss from you.”

“Oh, and wh—?” Gregory began before he was silenced by Yukiko kissing him hard, her leg wrapping around his waist.

Chapter Twelve

They followed the schedule that had been laid out for them— Gregory progressed past making the basic self bow, and was starting to learn what to look for in subpar craftsmanship. Yukiko had moved on to making bracers and greaves while being drilled on how to tell quality from rushed craftsmanship. Jenn had finished making her sword— which was now in her room— and had gone back to assisting Kassidy, actually working with her now instead of just helping on the bellows.

Their morning meditation and stretching was peaceful, and few of the townsfolk even realized they were using the park for it. Dia was excited, as she was able to see the embers in her cave with slightly more frequency.

They all eagerly looked forward to each meal Brown came up with, as he continued to surprise and delight them with inventiveness and flavor. Even when Magus