Gregory was surprised at how high Samuel’s voice was, but his eyes were already going to the next magus.
“Magus Leah Riftwalker, a name she took when she became a magus,” Bishop said with a smirk. “She is a spatial magi who was a troubled child when she was studying at the academy.”
Leah glared at Bishop. “Says the woman who was always fighting.” The glare faded and she laughed. “And now look at you. Leading a clan when your elder isn’t here.”
“Your novice is Victoria Wilson. She managed to punch an opponent in the throat via a rift during the first tournament.”
The red-headed magi gave Victoria a long look, her green eyes seeming to cut straight to Victoria’s core. “Did she? Maybe this will be better than I feared.”
“Magus, I will give you everything I have. I only wish to be the best I can to support my clan and friends,” Victoria said, bowing formally.
“And humble, unlike someone I know,” Leah said, giving Bishop another smirk.
Bishop ignored the remark and turned to Rhea. “Magus Rhea Alvis, daughter of Aldor Alvis and an accomplished alchemist like her father. Your student is Clover Clougdah. She is eager to learn and can be excitable, but she is very intelligent.”
Clover’s ears twitched and she bowed to Rhea. “It’s true, I’m excitable, but I’ll learn everything you teach me.”
Rhea gave Clover a smile. “I will push you hard. My contract was very specific on that. An eager student makes teaching much more enjoyable.”
“And while he may be last, he is not least,” Bishop smiled kindly at Hemet. “A former member of the clan, Hemet Herstat. He is a grandmaster enchanter and the owner of Hemet’s Curiosities here in the city. Your student is Ling Lao. She has a keen mind and asks sharp questions.”
Hemet gave Ling a grandfatherly smile. “I will enjoy spreading my knowledge to one of the clan. I do need to speak with you and the elder, Bishop. I think it is time for me to rejoin.”
Bishop blinked, clearly not expecting that. “I will inform him, Grandmaster.”
“Hemet. Everyone may call me Hemet. I’m past the need for my rank to define me.”
“I am honored, sir,” Ling said, bowing deeply. “I will do my best to absorb all you can teach me.”
Hemet’s smile grew wider. “Good. I will push you to expand your mind and see things outside of what the normal texts say.”
“Now that you’ve all met, you can begin your first class. Dia will show you,” she pointed to Hemet and Rhea, “to the rooms that have been set up for you.”
“Follow me, please,” Dia said smiling. “Ling, Clover, you, as well.”
“William, the rock garden to the side,” Bishop motioned, “is set aside for you and Daciana.”
“Very well,” William said. “Come on, Novice. Let’s see what you can do.”
“Samuel, one of the staff will show you to the roof,” Bishop said.
Samuel looked up and nodded. “Even with the wall, that’s a good place. Novice, follow me.”
“Yes, sir,” Nessa said, following Steva and Samuel.
“Leah, you and Victoria have the other side of the manor,” Bishop said.
Leah nodded. “We’ll start there, at least. Come, Victoria. I want you to demonstrate the rift you used.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Victoria said.
“Yukiko, you and Inda will be using the inside garden,” Bishop said.
“Understood,” Yukiko nodded, turning to find Inda right there.
“Leap,” Inda said as the shadows swallowed her.
Yukiko gave Gregory and Jenn a smile before her shadow did the same.
“Gregory, watch any or all of them as you see fit, per the elder,” Bishop said. “Jenn, we have front and center.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Jenn said, walking into the yard.
Gregory stayed where he was for a moment, feeling a rightness with everything around him. With a grin, he opted to watch Victoria first.
~*~*~
Magic training came to an end, and Dia led the teachers off to show them to their rooms. Gregory hadn’t expected the teachers to stay within the clan hall, but it made sense. The novices would learn every day, and the apprentices’ schedule was so odd that they had to be there just in case.
Gin had looked over the new students before starting them off as he did every day— stretching on the roof and a lap around the walls. With that done, they went back down to the yard proper and worked on unarmed combat. Inda and Indara were there to help Gin teach them all, making it easier.
Clover and Ling were struggling to keep up with the novices, and Gregory could see the strain it was having on them. When they stopped for weapons training, Gin had the apprentices step aside, as the novices had to find their affinities first.
Gregory took a seat next to Ling, and Clover sat on Ling’s other side. “They’ve been training hard for the last six months using a similar pattern,” he said softly. “Don’t compare yourselves to them. They will be combat magi, while alchemists and enchanters aren’t.”
“We should still be good enough to assist you three, but we aren’t,” Ling sighed.
“You will be,” Gregory said. “If you focus on improving and don’t give in to thinking you’re inferior, you will improve faster than you think.”
Clover nodded. “We will. I believe we can be everything we need to be if we just try as hard as we can.”
“You’re always so positive,” Ling chuckled as she nudged Clover. “I want that, too, so I will.” Taking a deep breath, she turned her head to Gregory and smiled. “Thank you. I’m sorry. I will come to terms with everything.”
“We know,” Yukiko said from Gregory’s other side. “Everything is in flux for you right now. Some anxiety is natural.”
“The cases are all open,” Jenn said. “I wonder what weapons they’ll pick?”
When the novices were done, Gregory was surprised. Daciana
