Occultus Modis Harmoniae or How the Academy of Arcanum is Wrong about Everything

To my dearest student,

I sat down with the Head Master of the Acedemy, and had a nice long chat with him over a cup of tea. Your letter bombardment had him quite distraught. He was very humble and apologetic in regards to the article he published, however, upset by your other accusations, and actions against him.

I read your letter several times, and I am impressed how far you have come in probing the mysteries of the Elements. You have been studious, precise, and your analysis was intriguing. I’ve actually been aware of the synchronization of the Four Core, as you dubbed them, with the Classical Elements, but I’ve never made the connection with the Neighponese model. I’m proud of you.

Yet, I am also disappointed.

Twilight, make no mistake, I am not pleased with the Head Master’s behaviour, and I am incensed at the disappearance of funds from the Neighponese charity ball. What you don’t realize, though, is that you have only complicated the situation.

In your letter you stated that the Academy would survive. I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but the Academy might survive. I’m afraid your zeal has clouded your judgement once again, and you overlooked something very important.

The Canterlot Academy of Arcanum is completely privatized. That is to say, it receives no assistance from the government and depends solely on it’s reputation for it’s income. That reputation is now in shambles. Nopony is going to want to enroll in a school so embroiled in this scandal right now, buy their horoscopes, or donate to them. Believe me when I say this, the staff of the Academy, including the Head Master are going to do everything within their power to salvage their reputation.

The first blow has already been swung.

Personal feelings towards the Head Master’s character aside, in a proper court of law, there is no direct connection to the disappearance of the charity funds with the evidence you provided to the Head Master, as the money is handled by the Academy’s Treasurer. I am not certain if it’s the Treasurer or him and the Head Master that are involved, or if it’s either, but now that you have admitted to going through the Academy’s personal financial records, the case can be made null and void in court. The treasurer of the Academy is making the argument that you magically tampered with their finances, and your letter can now be used as evidence against you.

Twilight, this is a serious matter. As a princess of Equestria, you must learn to conduct yourself in a more diplomatic manner, especially when dealing with your own subjects. Right now, the public is in favor of you in your dispute with the Head Master, but that can change very quickly in this kind of situation. I know that you’re not guilty of tampering their finances, but what you did wasn’t wise. I understand your displeasure with the Academy of Arcanum, but you should have come to me first, before you bombarded your letter all over Canterlot. I had hoped that when I received your letter on your findings, that I would be able to reach you before you did anything rash, but when I saw the angry citizens picketing the Academy, I knew I was too late.

Twilight. Breath.

Everything is going to be okay. There is no need to panic. I have not forgotten about your manuscript and you’ll be happy to know that it is safe, but I need you to try and remain calm in this situation. There are a few more things I must explain to you.

While, I too am disgusted with the wanton burning of Corral’s work, and the restrictions the Academy put on foreign magic texts, they are legally without fault. If the Academy was funded by the government, then they would be subject to the standard rules of education, like my personally funded school for gifted unicorns. Since they are not, and all the texts burnt in question were legally bought by them to begin with, they cannot be held guilty of any crime. This is also why they are able to be as dogmatic in their positions of magical theory as they have been.

You might reason with yourself that it may be no loss if the Academy did go under, but I will remind you, that despite the Academy’s ways, it has done some good. The most notable mages of all Equestria graduated from that Academy, it was founded by Starswirl the Bearded after all. Many of those mages do not still hold on to the Academy’s philosophy, and have expanded their realm of research, however they would not be where they are today if it wasn’t for the rigorous discipline the Academy imparted to them. The damage that the Academy has incurred, will also tarnish their reputation, especially for those who’ve only just graduated.

  As for the students still enrolled in the school, what are they going to do now? Some will enroll to a different school, of course, but others won’t be able too. Also, there is the matter of the staff, not just the upper staff. If the Academy goes under, they’ll be unemployed. Some of them are already putting in their resignations, but may not find employment with other schools because of their association with the Academy. This is how much your actions have colored the view of that school in the eyes of their peers.

Then there is the matter of your manuscript. The manuscript being lost was a cover story, but the Head Master has given a reasonable excuse that he will elaborate on in his letter, that should be arriving to you shortly. Apparently, a talented student at the Academy sneaked away in the dead of the night with the manuscript and misused it, in an experimental spell.

I regret to tell you they’re dead, Twilight.

This is not your fault. I am not blaming you for this, but the Head Master is.

This is their right hook.

You may recall a student by the name Long Reach. It was reported that he died in a magical experiment that wasn’t authorized by the Academy. The Head Master deemed the manuscript a danger, and hid the details of its use. He did this to protect the Academy’s reputation and he’s also saying that the reason he didn’t come forth with this information to you was because he wasn’t sure if you had been compromised by an agent of evil. Now that the cat’s out of the bag, that is exactly what he is accusing you of.

Twilight. Breathe. Relax.

This is not your fault. Long Reach, extended his hoof too far and unfortunately paid the ultimate price. All magic is dangerous in the wrong hooves, and the Academy was accountable for keeping that script safe. Please, do not blame yourself for Long Reach’s death. Grief will not aid you for what is to come.

With all the accusations coming your way, and with the understanding of how profoundly you have impacted the Academy, the staff, and the students, I hope you realize the gravity of what you have done.

Everything is going to be okay, though. This is part of being a princess. You make mistakes, and every once in a while you get involved in a scandal or two. I know I’ve had my share, so please understand that while I am disappointed, I am not condemning you in any way.

I will be arriving shortly to discuss this matter with you in private.

From an understanding heart,

Celestia

p.s. Twilight. Breathe.