AUG 27 Monday.

I watch as the tree in front of me grows rapidly, while I continue spreading some gold dust over it every few moments to keep its rapid growth going.

The past week has been mostly quiet, with a few things thrown into my life to mess with me as always. The Gala is still a fresh memory in my mind and despite the downright awkward feelings I have about it, it was fun. Spending time simply walking around with Celestia and talking was nice even if it didn't last too long.

I knew it would draw some more attention to me but it was far less than the last Gala, mostly because there were no newspapers spreading the event about. Sure a few at the Gala tried to talk to me after I finished walking around with Celestia, but they mostly saw my presence as gossip.

While we were walking around I'd even fall back sometimes and let the other Ponies walking with us talk to her, letting it all shift about and pretending I was just following Celestia like everypony else. And a fair few did follow her, just talking with each other and observing things.

Celestia even ended up dancing with some mare which helped overshadow what I was doing. There is definitely a rumor or two floating around now, but that's all they are likely to amount to, a rumor that will come and go. I'm still keeping a low profile by spending more time in Gaia's Eden but it all should pass shortly. I really don't like the attention, but it's not nearly as bad as last time at least, and I did agree to do it so I can't complain too much.

Oddly enough my talking to Blueblood got a little more attention than anything else, mostly from mares. You can say what you want about his personality, but he does look attractive, at least to them. On my end this past week has been interesting for a few other reasons, mostly me sending off the new NDA and my request to meet Master Clear Water.

I've also been really thinking about what I actually want out of all of this, really sorting through what I'll gain or lose from it all. I'm still not going to make a decision until I meet Clear Water, which should be happening soon. I got a letter back yesterday saying the NDA was acceptable and that they would line a meeting up.

I thought about what Clear Water could give me that would make this all worth it, and what precautions I'd need to take. As a start, while I am not going to hide my ability to learn and cast spells, I'll be very careful about anything to do with making and modifying them. There is a large difference between the two things and I can play dumb about one of them fairly easily.

I just need to avoid doing anything to any medical spells for a year, which is a small inconvenience but I have plenty of other things I can work on before going back to that later. As long as I don't show much talent in modifying or making spells I should be fine, it's also unlikely to come up as she's going to be teaching me something completely different.

As an extra precaution, I'm not even going to be using any of the modified spells I have, as I can't see a reason I will need them all that much. The main modified spells I use for healing are spells I released to the public so there should be no problem there, I'll also avoid asking about the specifics of a spell if I think it will be too much.

As for what I get out of this? A few things actually, to start I get my Journeypony Healers License. It does the obvious and lets me heal others, but it also lets me go places I normally wouldn't be able to in an emergency. By law, I can heal anypony who needs it in any areas, with very few exceptions. In the future, I can think of several times that should be useful.

Another thing a Master Healer can teach me is how to heal wounds with spells properly, something I really need to know in more detail. I may be a healer, but I'm self-taught and a lot of things simply slipped through the cracks, small things that could help me save lives. And it's more than just casting spells in this case.

There is no perfect Scanning spell and even a healer needs to know how to identify wounds, and they need to do so quickly, something I've gotten better at on the low end through volunteering. But less common things I have no idea how to spot, and I will waste time Scanning spells or even just miss something entirely while failing to see the problem, both of which can be fatal mistakes. She can teach me how to see and recognize those wounds better.

She might be a Healer and not a doctor, but she's still a Master and will know far FAR more than me. I can get somepony else to teach me magic and help me get rarer spells, but she can teach me how to be a better healer. On top of that, she can save me a massive amount of time.

Finding the right healing spell for something can take a long time, as an example I looked into a spell to straighten broken bones inside the body. After my tests I realized it would be good to learn, it took me two weeks to find one and many hours of searching. Clear Water probably knows a spell for this and could point it out quickly, massively cutting down on research time.

Even if she can't teach me private spells there are so many good healing spells open for the public, it just takes so long to find them. Having somepony I can just ask to point me in the right direction would help with that a lot. And it's not like I can't get the more private information in other ways at a later date.

While learning under her will take time she has knowledge that will save me even more time. On top of that this opportunity is pretty hard to ever get again, declining would mean trying to find all those spells when and if I need them, and by that point it might be too late and I might not have the needed time.

Healing others is treated seriously by Ponies, especially when it comes to magic. If some random Apprentice Healer healed somepony wrong and got them killed you have a bad problem. Worse than that they could heal something improperly and make everything so much worse.

So, if anypony is caught healing another illegally, they are faced with a full investigation and probably jail time, and that's if you're an Apprentice Healer. While revealing something to Clear Water is a risk, somepony dying because I can't heal them properly or me getting investigated is again far worse.

That all relies on me doing something desperate or stupid though, but with my luck, it's not impossible. I still have reservations about doing this, but it's looking to be a decent investment for me. Sure it may suck a bit but I can make do and I think it's worth it.

I did realize that I could just focus fully on my life magic, but I decided to not go all in on that. To put it simply, boosting healing spells takes less magic than just manipulating life magic to heal others. And the more magic I use to heal, the less I can heal, again something that could get others killed.

The final thing that she could teach me is simply how to be a healer. Sure I have the skills, and the knowledge, but no real experience with the profession. Apprenticing under her will let me see how it all works and how I will need to act when I act as a healer, which is important as well.

There are things I can learn from other sources though, Celestia could probably teach me more about magic than anypony else. But those also come with problems and things I'd need to look out for, plus there isn't really a better option than Clear Water when it comes to learning about healing.

As for why I think I need to learn more about healing? It's simple, this is not a show. The timeline seems to be altered to some unknown degree and Ponies will get hurt, hell one of the main six could just die at some point for all I know. And I remember what my original goal was, the same goal I've kept to, being a background character and helping when I can.

I may not want this to be my main profession, and it may be a risk, but it gives me a safety net later on when it comes to much more risky things. I hope what I learn is never needed, but better safe than sorry is a saying for good reason, and with the stakes this high I can't ignore the offer easily.

In the end, I'm leaning towards accepting the offer. There is uncertainty and risk, but that can be managed, and while I won't learn anything groundbreaking it is still potentially life-saving. I leave those thoughts alone as the tree in front of me finishes growing, this being my newest generation of Fire Blossom Tree.

After many generations, I've made the bark much more fire-resistant and by adding in the Iron Oak I've made it a fair bit tougher, at this point this project is done. This is all in perpetration for the mark three version of my armor, which is still being worked out, there will be a few upgrades though, mostly to defense.

I want to graft this newly improved bark onto my armor, and then I want to improve the wood the armor is made from. At this point, it's made from Mithril wood, the third rank of Iron Oak Wood, and I want to see what else I can do to it. I don't think I have the ability to push the wood too much further, at least not yet.

However, I might be able to with a little help. I don't think I can push it to the point of calling it something new, like a fourth rank to the wood, but I can still improve it if I do things right. I walk over to the Vita Tree and grab my staff, already having my armor in a box with me.

When I turned my armor into Mithril wood from Steel wood, I did it while inside my apartment. I think by trying to toughen the Mithril wood while inside of the life magic field of the Vita Tree and using my staff I can improve the armor even more. It will take time as the process will be slow, but I can get it done.

I drop down the box of armor and spend a moment checking on the Water Lily inside a barrel next to the pavilion. Over the past months, it's gotten a little better at dealing with the harsh conditions I'm putting it through, and I've found a way to speed up the process slightly.

Through some trial and error, I found out that by using small amounts of gold dust I can increase growth without healing the plant all that much, it still varies things but it works well enough. It seems that the gold dust is better at causing growth than healing plants, it even seems to prioritize it in fact.

My best guess as to how is simply the source of the gold dust. I think the Vita Tree evolved to help others of its kind grow, but not necessarily heal, something of an evolutionary oversight or quirk of the tree. It could also just be some form of intent inside the magic itself.

I'm not sure if plants have a will per se, but they might be complex enough to influence the magic they wield, at least the highly magical plants might. Either way, it's sped up the project to improve the Water Lily a little so it works in my favor, still it's something to experiment with more.

I glance over at my other project, the Fire Blossom tree I've been working on to improve its ability to make fire affinity magic. Things have been going well on that front, the tree is almost done and I've spent some time tracking down and finding the Fire runes I need for heating and shielding.

The shield is already made, it will keep all the heat inside the area so nothing bad happens. I'm still working on the heating spells and if things go well I should be ready to try this all in a month or two. It might take longer if I accept the deal but it shouldn't be a long delay if I do.

I've taken this and my other spell project slow, not really working on things as much as I normally would. I needed the extra time to relax and think through other things. The other spell that is actually complete now is my invisibility spell, something I am proud to say it came out very well.

It took a while to find the right illusion runes and a few others, but once I got them I really went slow and made possibly one of my best spells yet, at least in terms of quality. It's very thorough and its only real defect is that it takes a decent amount of magic to cast and maintain.

I still need to test it in several ways but the spell should protect me from basically all sight and Scanning spells, you'd need a powerful spell or one enchanted on a powerful gem to detect me while invisible. I think I might actually send it to Celestia, I'm not sure I want her giving it to anypony though.

It's a high-end Advanced spell and I really don't want it getting out. I make a few notes on the Water Lily and the Fire Blossom Tree before sitting down at the base of the Vita Tree. I move a piece of my armor over and lay out my enchanted woodworking tools.

I need to remove this old bark first and while I could do it with magic this project is already going to take a while with me dumping magic into it, best to not waste even more when this works just fine. I settle in for the long haul and whistle a tune as I start my work.

time skip

I stretch out my back as I settle onto my couch in my apartment, watching the sunset outside of my window. I bring over my teapot and start to make some apple-flavored tea while waiting for my guest to show up.

Oftentimes I just spend my time with my friends on game nights, but sometimes we meet up to eat, and other times they just drop by and talk for a bit. Daisy is the one who does that last one the most often, but Maple and Blaz also stop by from time to time.

We mostly just end up talking at my door or inside for a while, the visits never last too long, and overall it's just a simple joy of my life. Tonight I invited over my friends for some time, sadly out of the three I asked, only Maple was able to make it so that's why we are alone this time.

It brings up those same thoughts about telling my friends some things they don't know about, I'm not sure now is a good time to go about that though. I'm already thinking about taking some risks in other ways so I don't think now is a good time. I'll let it lie and see where that gets me.

I stop my thoughts as I hear a knocking on my door. I flip the hidden switch and open the door, "Come in. And wipe your hooves." I say loudly as Maple walks inside while looking around. Recently I've added a few more decorations to my apartment, a doormat, a clock, and I even hung up some paintings I bought while I was shopping.

They aren't fancy, just a few paintings of the wilderness really, but they do add something to the room. The clock is actually fairly interesting, being what is commonly referred to as a grandsire clock. Tall with a cabinet space under it, the clock on top being the main showpiece.

It's made from a deep brown wood I don't recognize and it cost a fair amount, not too much but still more than you would think. Clockwork in this world is still made from forged pieces so it makes sense I suppose. I ended up placing the large clock near the far side of the main room, that being the right side of the room next to Entropy's birdbath and perch.

I filled the little cabinet space under the clock with a few trinkets, things I had that were too small to be left out but could be displayed. I turn and put down my book to look at Maple as she walks inside. "Hey, like the new look? I decided to not live in a blank room anymore." I joke a bit and let her look around.

The last two game nights have been at Daisy's apartment so none of my friends have seen my more decorated home yet. She looks around curiously as Entropy chirps in greeting from atop her perch, sitting happily under her disguise. "I would say it looks good, If I didn't know that was a joke about me." She comments back bluntly and walks over to the far side of the room where I am on the couch.

I chuckle a little at her dry and flat tone that makes her comments have a comedic timing I rarely match. It's a well-known joke among us that Maple and I fail at decorating our homes, "At least I'm trying to fix the problem, I bet you still have the same sheets I helped you buy years ago." I jab back while she continues to look around.

She stops and pauses for a few moments, causing me to laugh a little as I get my guess confirmed. "I suppose it's at least good financial practice. As long as you saved right you are probably sitting on a fair amount of bits, or you spent everything on sweets. You're still working with Blaz in book reclamation?" I ask knowing she works at the library but not keeping close tabs on what she actually does, and last I heard that's what she was doing.

She gives me a small glare but it barely shows. "I do, and no." She walks over and sits with me on the couch, I pass her some regular tea a moment later. "I learned yak and do translations now." I blink and raise a questioning brow. She just smiles a bit, "Are you still talking to that mare you went on a date with?"

I blink at the odd language she uses, but give her a small glare back, leaving out any real heat. "Ok, I know that was at least insulting, probably more teasing actually," I say with a deadpan tone and she just smiles slightly in response. "Well, I guess congratulations are in order. Congratulations." I use a Dragon word to mess with her as well.

Over time I've gone over the notes and learned a fair few Dragon words, but a lot of the more complex ones are out of my reach and I'm probably pronouncing things wrong. "I had some time and thought reading up on Dragons would be fun, I bought that new book and tried out some Dragon words," I explain away, feeling a little bad that I had to half lie to her.

She just nods and keeps smiling a little. "I asked you if you have seen that mare again." She suddenly says after a long moment of silence, I blush a bit and she smiles more. "I see." I sigh and give her a deadpan look while she remains unaffected. "Look on the bright side, Daisy will be happy to know that." She teases me in a whole different way.

I could be annoyed but I just shake my head and sigh again, "You are all relentless. What about you? Any stallions or mares catch your interest? Because it seems like you are the only one not getting their life aired out. What are you hiding?" I question her back with an exaggerated detective voice.

I see her lip twitching at that along with her hindleg, but she stays silent for a while while looking out the window at the city all lit up. "And if I did have a secret?" She asks back, still smiling a little. I just shrug and take a sip of tea, "Of course, you would let it go." She mumbles out.

I am curious what she means, but it's not my business. "Every pony, every being, we all have secrets. Keep them hidden or share them around, somepony else will find out eventually. I have my own secrets, the same as everybody else. You leave mine alone, and I do the same, at least until it all comes out. That's what friends are for." My mind gets a little caught up in my own struggles and I give out some advice.

She nods slowly while sipping at her tea. "I guess." She looks up at Entropy as she sleeps on her perch. Entropy and I teleported to a new location earlier today to again increase her range and is still tired, I should try to measure that soon. "What have you been up to?" She asks, changing the conversation from the odd place it was in.

I shrug after a long moment. "I'm thinking about possibly being a healer at the hospital." She raises her brows, at the half-lie I'm making to cover myself if I apprentice under Clear Water. "I'm still very unsure, I like the idea of making spells more, but I do have some talent for healing," I admit hoping for some advice.

She goes silent again and puts down the tea, "Do you like it?" I nod hesitantly. "You don't look sure, so do it anyway." I give her a surprised look. "You worked hard to get this far, see where it goes. It's not like you are old, or maybe you secretly are?" She offers some very simple advice while joking a little.

I blink at the far-too-accurate joke and smile before deciding to mess with her again. "Yup, you got me, I'm actually over forty years old," I say with a completely serious face, she just giggles softly. "I'll think about it, it can't hurt to think a little more. So what have you been up to? Have you finally gotten a hobby? And no pie doesn't count for you." I changed the subject not having much else to say.

She looks a little bit amused. "You are too humble." She states as a fact. "You are a healer and act like it's nothing." She states, sounding genuinely a little confused. "I bake more, and I also took up making cards, or started to." I raise a brow at that and she pulls something from the small bag she has with her.

It's a little crude, but she's made a pony standing on a hill with a sword, all drawn on a blank card that has no markings. "Huh, who could have guessed? Does this go to any game or is it just for fun?" She shrugs and makes a face that points to the latter option. "Fun it is, and it's not bad for a start." I take it and flip it over to see a basic spiral drawn on the back. "Have you thought about making it a game? Or making something to do with them?" I ask curiously as this is an interesting hobby.

She tilts her ears a bit, as if the idea was never given much thought. She lapses into silence and I just let her think as I look over the crudely drawn card, passing it back a moment later. "I can give you some tips for drawing or maybe recommend some books for it?" I offer, I am actually happy she's found something to add to her life and feel like I should support that.

She smiles wider than she has at any other point so far and nods a little quickly, showing some of her excitement at the idea. "I would like that." I nod back and actually reach over to my bookshelf with my space magic. I mostly keep my normal books on it but I also store my sketchbooks here, at least the sketchbooks with nothing I can't show in them.

I bring it over and pass it to her, and she opens it with curious eyes. "No problem, you can also use this as inspiration? I've drawn my fair share of odd things and they might fit well. You can even copy them if you like." I offer while trying to think of anything else I can do to add to her new hobby.

She keeps flipping through pages and looks a tad bit amazed. "You still draw?" I nod as while I don't really show it off as much I still draw a lot when I find time. My notes are filled with drawings of whatever I'm working on at that moment. "I can take this? Do you want to copy them instead?" She asks in a slightly hesitant tone.

I appreciate her trying to be nice in return, but shake my head. "I already have backups, just to be safe and to sort them all," I reveal, not mentioning the backups are stored on gems with everything else. Every time I make notes or a drawing I back them up while keeping the original just in case. "Just bring it back when you are done, take your time though, that book is already full so it's not like I can do much with it."

She looks at the worn sketchbook, one of the oldest ones I have, and keeps that smile. It's hard to break past that stone face she has, but it's always worth it. "Thank you." It's spoken softly, but with some conviction that seems to hold a deeper meaning to it.

I smile widely in turn and take the small victory. "That's what friends are for, now, let's see if I can beat you in chess. Probably not, but who knows? I might get lucky." I joke a bit and settle in for a night of quiet conversation with a friend.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading. :]
Current year is 996

I thought a nice change would fit. Shade thinking about the offer more, and updating his projects, finishing it off with a little Maple. A good day.