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

“You will be fine, too,” Dia exhaled. “Jenn still being asleep is troubling.”

As if waiting for those words, Jenn hissed and sat up. “That feels horrible,” she whispered, “like my veins caught fire.”

Dia was beside her before Jenn realized she was there. She blinked at Dia when the older woman began to poke and prod at her. Jenn watched her with confusion, but not showing any pain from the examination.

“Hmm... you are in a better state than the other two,” Dia said.

“She was on just the body path before she joined the clan,” Gregory told Dia.

“Ah, that might explain it,” Dia nodded. “Your veins feel painful?” Dia asked Jenn.

“It’s fading now, but yes. I also feel tired... worn.”

“We can fix that,” Dia said. “You three are to stay here tomorrow. No physical training, or work. Understood?”

“Yes, Dia,” Jenn said as she shifted in her seat.

That movement brought her medallion out of her kimono, the disk spinning slightly before settling against her chest. The third ring was glowing a sunflower yellow. Yukiko and Gregory saw it before Jenn did, and they both smiled.

Jenn looked down to tuck it away, but she held it as she stared at the third ring. “I ranked up? I ranked up!”

“You did,” Gregory smiled. “You’ve tied us again.”

“I’ll be in sync with you at rank five,” Jenn said softly. “Darkn—” She cut off, glancing toward Dia, who was pulling things from her pouch. “I hope,” she said instead.

“Dia,” Yukiko said, “since we’re being restricted from physical training and work tomorrow, would it be possible to shop a little?”

Dia looked thoughtful. “That is possible... We’ll discuss it tomorrow. You all need to sleep after taking this medicine. You’ll also need someone close to watch you, just in case.”

“Jenn can sleep in here with us,” Yukiko said before anyone could suggest otherwise. “This way, we’ll all be able to keep an eye on each other.”

Dia gave Yukiko a look before she nodded. “Very well. Did the dinner at least do what you’d hoped for?”

“It did, Dia,” Gregory said.

“Hmm... Each of you, drink these,” Dia said with a touch of a smile on her lips. “I’ll have bedding brought in.”

They took the offered vials and drank them down. Gregory’s lips twisted as he forced down the anise-flavored liquid. Grimacing, he put the vial on the table. Jenn didn’t seem to mind it, and Yukiko was smiling as if she actually enjoyed the flavor.

“I hope you all sleep well,” Dia said, collecting the vials. “If you experience any troubles tonight, come for me at once. Understood?”

“Yes, Dia,” they answered.

“I tried to before we collapsed,” Gregory said softly. “I tried to get up and get you when I felt the lethargy start to take me. I couldn’t force myself out of the chair.”

Dia gave him a nod. “If not for the meditation I had thrust upon me, I would have been here sooner. It was how I knew you were in danger.”

There was a knock on the door. Dia went to it, opening it to reveal Brown. “Yes?”

“I brought something in apology,” Brown said stiffly.

Dia stared at him for a long moment before she stepped aside. “Go ahead. Apprentices, if you do not wish to, you do not need to partake. He will not take it badly.”

“Dia, I don’t think any of us wish him ill will. We did ask for his help, after all,” Gregory said. Jenn and Yukiko nodded in agreement. “And his food is always amazing, so we’ll accept.”

Brown bowed his head and went over to the table. “Apprentices, I put you all at grave risk. While I thank you all for not holding my mistake against me, you shouldn’t be so quick to forgive. Others might do similar to you intentionally in the future, and act as if it was a mistake.”

“That is a valid point,” Yukiko said, “but your remorse is clear. If I thought for a second it was malicious, I would not forgive you an inch, for you would have endangered my heart.” There was an edge of steel to Yukiko’s words. “I might not have been able to repay you now, but I would never forget, and when I became stronger, I would make sure it was paid back with the appropriate interest.”

“He’d be paying it back now,” Dia said simply.

Brown placed three small plates on the table. Each had a single purple disk that reflected the lamplight. “These are based on purity plums,” Brown said. “It’ll help ensure that your aether is able to shed anything harmful. The flavor is plum, infused with honey and spice. They will dissolve the moment they touch your tongue.”

Gregory ate his first and blinked as the intense flavors hit him. The disk might have vanished, but the flavors lingered. “That…” Gregory trailed off when the flavor suddenly came back three-fold. “Huh?”

Brown smiled. “I call it triple plum.”

Gregory was about to ask him why triple when the flavors came back again, magnified even more from the last time. “That… I don’t even know what to say.”

Jenn and Yukiko both ate theirs. Gregory grinned when he watched them deal with the shock of flavor intensifying and coming back repeatedly.

“Thank you, sir,” Gregory said. “I will remember that for years.”

Brown bowed slightly. “I have only shared it with a select few. It takes a year to make a single disk.”

“We accept the apology, sir,” Gregory said, bowing along with the other two.

Brown smiled, collected their plates, and left.

Dia gave them a smile. “That was well done, but he was right.” She stood up and looked at them one more time. “The bedding will be brought up shortly. I will see you in the morning.”

The moment Dia left the room, Jenn