AUG 3 Friday.

I sit not far from the hospital and enjoy the day with Entropy resting on top of my head.

After yesterday was concluded Dr. Stick said that they would give me the results of the test the day after. Normally results are mailed out but for the healers test they give out the results personally. If I had to guess they are trying to build up their network of healers and maybe get one to work with them.

I don't really mind listening to them give me an offer, especially if it means I get my results so soon after the tests. I'll admit to being a little nervous about my results but I don't think I'll be failing, not after seeing the other testers at least. If they can pass then I definitely will.

Then again arrogance rarely ends well so until I have the results I'll plan around failing the test. It might not be the most pleasant thought but ignoring the possibility will do me no good at all. I'm still thinking over my actions and the things I revealed in the test.

As a start I really revealed just how much magic I had, and my true skill at casting magic as well. It's been more of an open secret as I've never hidden some things like my casting speed, but they probably have a good idea of my magical control now as well. It's unlikely to affect me but I don't like the attention it will inevitably bring.

After the Master Healer intervened a few of the other testers kept closer eyes on me and I didn't enjoy it one bit. I don't think acting so calmly helped me blend in either, but I'm not going to pretend to panic and put a pony's life in danger. Overall though I revealed about as much as I expected I would need to and even a little less.

And it's not like their records will be available to just anypony, they are held by only the hospital and the city government, probably the crown as well. And while several Ponies probably are talking about me I can weather that storm, just like I did with the dance at the Gala.

Overall though I think the experience was worth the effort and small secrets. I learned a fair amount and helped a great many Ponies while doing it. I also got to see an actual Master Healer at work up close and that in and of itself is not something many get to see.

I even got a small compliment from her for which I have some pride over. Sure I mostly got lucky with my timing but luck is a factor all its own and I'm pretty happy I've made it this far on my own. Just with time and effort, I've gone from some random Pony who couldn't heal a stab wound to somepony capable of fixing crushed limbs in minutes.

I think this was worth it. I check the time and see that I'll finally have my main question answered. Did I pass? Let's find out. Entropy slips into my shadow as we leave the small park and I walk the short distance to the hospital, taking the back entrance like the days before.

Unlike the other times, I don't take anything off and just make my way to the office areas, finding the office of Dr. Meadows with ease. I knock on the door and it opens on its own, the mare sitting inside waving me in and smiling. "Mr. Evergreen, come in, please make yourself comfortable." She says with a slightly cheery tone.

I raise a brow at the happy greeting but just take it as a good sign and walk into the office, closing the door behind me before sitting down across from her. "Hello Dr. Meadows, I was told to get my test results from you?" I ask bluntly and let my excitement through a little as I really want to know if I passed.

The mare smiles knowingly and moves several papers around on her desk. "That is correct, but there are a few things first. Nothing to worry about but I wanted to ask a few things if that is fine with you? And I also have the report on your testing I wanted to ask some things about." She asks calmly and I feel myself shift internally, suddenly more on guard.

I knew I would raise a few questions and a lot of them I don't mind answering. In cases like this, it's better to answer with little information than to not answer at all. I nod slowly and she smiles, "Thank you, I'm mostly just curious about how you learned to become a healer and why you wanted to become one. Sorry if that's too personal." She asks in a friendly tone.

I let her words sink in for a few moments, I've never made it a secret that I've self-studied but I also was never too clear on that. "I live near the Canterlot Library, I go there often and they have more than enough knowledge to work with. As for why? I thought it would be nice to have the license in case I ever needed it." I choose to be mostly honest as I can't really see a reason to hide these two things, still, I leave out some details.

She finishes moving the papers and turns to me, her head tilting a little to the side. "Does that mean you are unsure if you will continue to practice being a healer?" She asks and I shrug as I haven't had too much time to think about it, before raising a brow at her wording and feeling more excited. "Yes, I just let it slip it seems. Here." She admits.

She passes me a few papers and I read through them with a smile. They are the forms I need to fill out to get my healer's license, after today I will officially be an... Wait. I look through the contract again and turn back to her confused. "I think this is the wrong form, this says Journeypony." I point out and pass it back over.

She just smiles and again passes it over to me. "That would be correct. Are you aware of what the actual requirement differences between an apprentice and a Journeypony healer are?" She asks as I sit there a bit stunned, I shake my head slowly as I never looked into the higher ranks closely, and feel some growing recognition of what she is doing.

She smiles more and leans forward. "It's not as much as you'd think. They need a slightly more robust amount of knowledge, but that's not too much more than what an Apprentice knows. A Journeypony needs to also apprentice under a Master for a full year at a minimum, or another Journeypony for three years minimum. While also knowing how to cast advanced spells, something you seem already capable of." She says and moves a test over to me.

It's a few notes on my testing and an observation from Dr. Stick about me overpowering a spell to a high degree. The thing is that you only really need better control and more magic to cast advanced spells. I showed them I had both without actually using an advanced spell. "I also remember you cast an advanced spell when we first met." She hints at something I hoped she would have forgotten.

I feel my own internal worry increase as she's noticed more than I hoped she would, but it's nothing too bad and I knew the risks when taking the tests. After a long moment of silence, I slowly nod, "I suppose I do have the skill to cast them, at least the lower-end advanced spells." I reveal as there is no point in hiding it now.

She smiles and takes out some other forms while bringing the first ones back. "Fantastic to hear, you have some impressive skill in magic. Not only that but you are very good at the spell work needed and all around you are basically nearing a Journeypony Healer already." She moves a stack of papers over to me and I read through them quickly.

It's a list of notable things about my actions in the tests, and the more I read the more uncomfortable it makes me. They even noticed me pointing out the flaws in a spell matrix during my test, remarking that I surpassed all others in that particular part.

I feel my mouth go a little dry as I realize I showed more than I ever intended. Sure it's not too bad, but them knowing this much is already messing with me. "You can keep that, we make one for each Apprentice Healer so they know how to improve. We also don't keep records beyond the written test results so you don’t need to worry about that." She adds, apparently seeing my concern despite my best efforts.

I still don't like it but I literally can't do anything about it and if they tried to tell anypony else I could probably sue them into the ground someway. I calm down quickly, suppressing my panic for later with a few internal words. :FUUUUCCCCKKK!: And trying to remain happy-looking. "Thank you for the kind words, I never outright asked, but did I pass? And are those the proper forms?" I ask to change the subject quickly.

She nods and moves them over to her. "Yes, they are, once you sign these you are officially a healer. And you did far more than just pass, you got third place in the written test and by far first place in the practical testing." She reveals with some pride and I feel a little bit better knowing this was all at least worth it, but also try to brush off her compliment. "However, I have something, more to add."

I hesitantly raise a brow. "With your skill already being near a Journeypony Healer all you would really need to do is pass a written test, learn a few advanced healing spells, and apprentice for a year." I nod slowly. "If you had the option, would you do that? More interestingly, would you accept this?" She moves over two sets of documents.

I keep my brow raised as I slowly pull one document over, this one asking me to fill out some basic information to get my Apprentice Healers license. I decide not to delay this and quickly take out a quill to fill out the document, completing it quickly as she watches with a smile.

As I fill it out I try to guess what she has planned. It's clear she wants something, but I don't feel like she's malicious to me, she just doesn't have a reason to be. I think she's trying to get me to work for them for a while, maybe by dangling the future opportunity to apprentice here under the Master Healer?

It's not particularly bad, but I still feel off about getting into this situation. But if nothing else I am now officially a healer, and that can mean a lot in the future. Being able to help in a crisis without dealing with it being illegal or having to hide that I'm healing others makes it all so simple.

Being a Journeypony would be better but it's not needed, something to maybe look into later. However, fulfilling the apprenticing requirement can be hard. Am I willing to make a deal if it means I can apprentice under a Master Healer? I'm not really sure.

Eventually, I pass her back the contract and she goes through it for a moment before taking out a small box and passing it over. She smiles widely, "Congratulations Healer Evergreen, you are now officially an Apprentice Healer." She actually seems pretty happy to announce the news regardless of her other intentions.

I look at the small box and decide to just open it as it's not even wrapped, inside is what I expected but was still pleasantly surprised to see. A card, two inches by three inches and as flat as a few playing cards added together. Made completely from some form of copper alloy that gave it a light bronze look, and felt very solid and durable.

I flip it over and read off some basic information, my name, place of birth, and rank. It's pretty simple but the card seems well suited for something you'd carry every day, it's also not enchanted from what I can tell. "Thank you." I offer, not really knowing what else to say in response.

I put the card back into the box and shove it into my saddlebags before turning to the second stack of papers. I start to slowly flip through it and my eyes widen more and more as I read through it. It's basically an offer to start apprenticing under Master Healer Clear Water, immediately.

I would need to take the Journeypony tests one year after signing this contract and I would also need to learn the required advanced spells while apprenticing under the Master Healer. I stare at the paper blankly as Dr. Meadows fails to hide her amusement at my reaction.

I was expecting something... Probably far less than this. "Can I be frank with you?" I ask not really having another way to figure this out. It just doesn't make sense to offer me something like this off the bat, I passed the damn test TODAY for fucks sake. She nods and continues to look amused, something I can't blame her for. "Why? I'm self-taught, and honestly, this is, a lot." I speak much more bluntly with her.

Dr. Meadows just nods as if she was expecting this. "It is done every few years, whenever we find a Pony with enough skill and ability to warrant it." That tampers down my growing suspicion over the offer a little. "And to be frank in turn, why wouldn't we?" She asks with some amusement.

I tilt my head. "You are the youngest Pony to take the test this year, and the lower end for Ponies taking this test in general. Yet you passed with more certainty than most ever hope to have. You basically passed the test after the second day alone. And yet you are far more skilled than that." She praises me as I sit silently, not sure how to react.

She moved a few papers over and copied the paperwork I just signed. "Those are documents you should keep for proof of your rank if it's needed beyond the card." She explains. "You remained completely calm when most others would and DO panic. And that's not even including all the other positives." She continues on.

I nearly speak up but she just keeps going. "And, you are basically a Journeypony already, a year of training, and at seventeen you could hold a rank most hold at twenty to thirty-five years old." She continues happily. "And finally the simple fact that you have made it this far without even the schooling most go through. Why wouldn't we want you to improve further?" She asks, sounding genuine.

I sit in stunned silence for a few moments, lost in thought. What was unsaid is that it would also look good for them. Sure having me around would also be legitimately useful and to a degree I think at least she wants me to actually improve. But it's clear they are also getting something from this arrangement, just not anything from me directly.

There is also the basic logic of having me as a contact in the future, showing me some favoritism now, and building a better future relationship with what they see as a talented healer. Logically the choice makes sense and they aren't wrong either, I already have basically all the skills needed.

From the way this contract is worded the main difference between an Apprentice Healer and a Journeypony Healer is less about knowledge and more about skill. I have the magical control and skill needed to advance, a hurdle other Ponies would normally still be stuck on by this point. If I learned the advanced spells it really would just be a written test and apprenticing under a master for a year, it would be pretty easy.

But do I even want to go that far? To dedicate even more time to this when I have most of what I need? Sure it would be nice but I can live without it and with canon getting closer a year is a large commitment. I stay silent as I read through the entire offer in front of me.

It's a very simple contract all things considered. It's really as simple as taking the written test at the end and making sure to learn what is needed, which is not as much as you would think. A good amount of spell knowledge, something I am already far beyond, and some healing knowledge that is pretty light all things considered.

The advanced spells I would need to learn are also going to be provided by them, I just need to learn them and demonstrate their use when it is time. The only thing that might be hard is actually apprenticing under a Pony, but even there I'm getting a good deal.

As part of becoming Master Healer Clear Water's apprentice, we would be signing a two-way non-disclosure agreement. Apparently, many healers work under them to protect knowledge they have if they are from a guild or fancy school, it's basically standard practice. For me, it would prevent Master Clear Water from spilling any of my secrets, and the same on my end.

I read through the entire document before looking back up to Dr. Meadows. I place the document down, "I'm not sure I'm interested in this." I see her ear twitch a bit. "I have other plans in life, and this would take up time. I need more details, as a start, how much time would I be here for?" I asked, voicing my uncertainty.

She nods and quickly brings out some documents. "We thought that could be the case, and with how much you already know we think you could just continue with the volunteer schedule, same time frame, and everything. As long as you still study it should be enough." She explains and I can tell they did prepare for this to a degree.

That doesn't sound bad, and I'm happy to learn the more advanced knowledge they could provide me. But still, is this really what I want to dedicate all that time to? I probably would have quit volunteering after this so I could have some extra time to try new things, I had nothing left to learn volunteering here anyway so why stay?

I go back and forth for a while in my own head before deciding I needed more than just a few minutes to think about this. Apprenticing under Master Clear Water will also draw more attention I don't need, the same can be said with advancing my rank at my age. I look thoughtful, "Would I be able to take some time to think this over?" I ask after more silence.

She smiles and nods. "Absolutely, but we would need your decision by the end of August. Here, this holds the scheduling information and what would be expected of you in more detail. Take the contract as well and turn it in to me anytime if you are interested." She offers kindly while clearly trying to be nice and convince me.

We're not close so I don't take any offense to her words and actions. I nod slowly and gather the pile of different documents she's given me, "I will, thank you, Dr. Meadows. I am probably going to not be volunteering anymore, is there anything I need to sign?" She doesn't look surprised at that and takes out some paperwork quickly.

It basically just says I'm leaving the program, something I planned to do and feel like is a good choice. If I stayed in it I would have gone back to healing Ponies the old way, because even if I'm a healer that program wasn't made for a healer. "Thank you for the offer, I'll make sure to think it over. Have a good day Dr. Meadows." I am polite and truthful as even if I reject it this is still a big offer from their end.

She smiles as I stand up and offers me a hoof, one I shake happily. "And thank you for all the good you've done, I hope to hear from you soon. Have a good day Healer Evergreen." She says while sounding just as truthful as I am. I pause at the use of my new title but leave her office in thought and quickly make my way back home.

I spent the short flight home in deep thought, I really can't decide what to do. It would mean dedicating so much more time to this, but is it worth it? When I land I walk down my stairs and am greeted by the sight of my three friends in the hallway around Daisy's apartment door. I raise a brow and walk over curious and happy about the distraction they give me.

As I walk to them they turn to me with smiles. "So what's all this, you all planning to go out drinking again? Or just a friendly meeting in a hallway?" I start to joke around immediately as a way to calm myself further from the odd meeting. I receive a chuckle from Blaz and an eye roll from Daisy, with Maple just smiling a little and nodding in greeting.

Blaz stops and shrugs, "Maybe later Colt, but me and the mares were actually talking about you. And the ever so interesting fact that Daisy has barely seen you for three days, even on Friday you weren't home." He smiles more and gives me a knowing smirk. "Spending too much time with your mare friend, are you?" He asks, teasing me.

I blush a small bit at the insinuation and shake my head, only for Daisy to pile on. "Yaaa, did you go see the pretty mare? She really does look nice." I roll my eyes and fight off a stronger blush. Daisy giggles and drops the tone, "Seriously though, what have been up to?"

I huff a bit but pause as a thought strikes me, I never told them about the test. Sure I talked about it with them a little but it seemed rather morbid to bring hospital stuff up on game nights so I don't bring the topic up often. I smile as the idea roots in my mind to get some revenge, "Taking a test." I answer unhelpfully.

They all blink as they all look confused. "What?" Maple asks with a pretty funny tone, one I start chuckling at. "No, seriously, what? You don't go to school, right?" She asks as they all grow more confused, while I just start laughing and enjoying their reactions. "This sounds impressive, stop laughing and explain," Maple demands with her flat tone.

I tail off my laughter and they all give me curious and demanding stares. "Fine, ruin my revenge, I tested and passed. To get this." I pull the box out of my saddlebags and it is snatched away immediately by Daisy. "If you break that I will be very mad, and you might be in legal trouble," I say honestly as she looks at the small box.

She pauses at that and glances at my serious face before carefully opening the box, both Maple and Blaz leaning over to see the inside. Daisy looks at me and the card, back and forth a few times. After several beats of me smiling at their shock, Blaz speaks up. "It has been TEN days since we last met! What the buck Colt?!!" He says with both excitement and utter bewilderment.

I just smile widely at their shock and enjoy the moment. "Congratulations! I can't believe you did this!!" Daisy celebrates and immediately closes the gap between us to give me a hug. "A healer!! When did you even do this?!!" She asks with a large amount of joy as she backs up from the quick but strong hug. I blink at the sudden hug but keep my smile as they continue to amuse me.

Maple looks over from the card and smiles widely, a rare sight from her. "Congrats, so when did you plan to become a healer to give us the news to mess with us?" She asks in a serious tone like it makes perfect sense. "Because you either planned all of this, or you forgot to tell us." She guesses and my smile falters a bit, causing her to chuckle. "Called it." That gets a laugh from the other two as well.

I sigh and glare at her a bit. "You all know I've been learning for a long time, and I studied for a few weeks to prepare. It took three days to get it all done though. But hey, I can at least now heal Blaz whenever he drunkenly hurts himself." I make a joke out of the mood to move past the very sudden celebration.

Blaz lets out a hard laugh. "Ha! Like you're getting out of this with a joke Colt. You've done some impressive stuff, but this, it's second best." I raise a brow. "The dance." I glare at him a bit as he smiles more. "Ok, plans changed. We're taking him out to celebrate, he's not getting out of this one." He says with complete confidence while my other two friends nod in agreement.

I blink and almost decline, but they give me looks that tell me just how much of a choice I have in the matter, that being none. I sigh, "At least let me take a shower and grab Entropy." My defeated tone earns a chuckle as they all nod. "I'd say thank you, but no," I add to mess with them.

Daisy smiles brightly. "Well, when you learn to stop being so humble that you SOMEHOW forget to mention that you're becoming a healer! Maybe we'll go easier on you." She jokes back. "To be honest though, it's so amazing! You didn't even go to school for it!" She gushes some more.

Blaz nods. "After apparently becoming a HEALER, for a reason I WILL get out of you. Sure, you get a shower, make it quick though." Blaz jokes back as I walk over to my apartment door. "And don't even try to lie, we're getting EVERY detail, Colt." He adds as I walk inside and start to prepare for an unplanned celebration.

Once I'm inside I feel my smile shift, happy that my friends are willing to celebrate all this, even if I would rather just sleep. I guess I will be explaining everything, after all, just got to tone it down a little.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading. :)
Current year is 996

I wanted a chapter as something of a finish to all this, but I didn't want to make another chapter just for his friends to find out. So I mixed them, it might not be a long reaction, but it fits well and lets him explain the details without us having to hear them yet again.

Also, what do think of the offer Shade got?