Learning Magic

I would like to give a big thanks to InquisitorM for editing this chapter, but mainly for teaching me how to write a story. Thanks to him, my next chapters will be of higher quality (like this one). That being said, I will have to rewrite the first four chapters after finishing this story.

Chapter 5: The Ambition

For Rarity, this morning was nothing like the previous ones. While she felt great physically - the sleep was just as refreshing as yesterday, she certainly didn’t feel that way mentally.

“...it’s not really what I had in mind...”

It wasn’t her magic what made her feel this way.

“...I thought you said you know all about them and that I can skip that...”

It was her emotions, specifically sadness and regret.

“...WHAT THE HAY WERE YOU THINKING!?!...”

While yesterday she was completely focused on the bet, today all that happened in the past few days loomed over her. As she walked into the bathroom, she looked into a mirror and noticed what a mess her mane was and that while she felt refreshed, her bloodshot eyes seemed to suggest otherwise.

I’m just a one big failure, aren’t I?

Rarity brushed her mane while staring into a mirror.

First I refuse an advice, thinking I’m just too smart for that...

The brushing started to get more intense, the strokes tugging hard on her mane.

...Then I try to show off and almost kill myself in the process...

She was destroying her mane at this point, rather than making it look better, as several threads of her fine purple mane were caught on the brush, being torn in the process.

...And finally, I win a stupid bet on a technicality, rubbing Twilight’s nose in it, thinking just how great I am!

She threw the brush against the nearest wall.

Alright Rarity, deep breaths, deep breaths. I’ll just make it up to Twilight by doing better than ever.

Rarity picked up the brush and started brushing her mane again, this time being gentle, careful not to damage it any further.

———

Today, there weren’t any books on the table. Instead, small pieces of metal were strewn across it in no particular order. Each of the pieces was slightly different – some of them were engraved with various runes, some were plain, but generally, they all were cylindrical in shape.

“These are the tools you need in order to increase your magical stamina,” Twilight said.

“Each of them is slightly different; it is your task to order them into a circle and send some of your magic through it. The magic sent will return to you, increasing your stamina. The best arrangement is different for each pony, so you’ll have to figure it out through trial and error. The better the arrangement, the more will your stamina increase.”

Rarity nodded and started to order the pieces into a circle, but then she noticed a small purple dragon, slowly going to the front door of the library.

“Spike? Where are you going?” Twilight asked.

“Did you forget already? We’re going to Canterlot tomorrow and I’m going to book us a chariot, so we don’t have to ride by train.”

“It’s tomorrow already? I thought it was next week.”

“Geez Twilight, for someone who schedules everything to the last detail, you sure forget a lot.”

At this point, Rarity couldn’t stay quiet any longer, they talked about Canterlot after all. That, plus Twilight didn’t mention anything about leaving before, and Rarity hated being kept in the dark.

“Canterlot?”

“Yeah, we are going to a magic competition, Twilight is sure to win!”

After hearing this, Twilight blushed and looked down at her hooves.

“Come on, Spike. There are many mages more talented than I am.”

“Wait, what magic competition in Canterlot?”

Twilight looked up, smiled and started to speak in a very proud and excited tone.

“It’s an annual competition; mages from all across Equestria go to Canterlot and compete between each other. There are several categories based on their skills and this year I’m going to be in the ‘master’ category instead of just ‘very advanced’.”

“Do you think I could join?”

Twilight’s eyes shot open in surprise at this sudden question. Rarity wondered if Twilight thought she was trying to compete against her, or maybe she just couldn’t believe the nerve Rarity had, thinking of challenging an accomplished mage after only a few days of training.

“W–why would you want to join?” Twilight asked.

“You said there are several categories, correct?”

“Yes, what are you aiming at?”

“I’ll just try my luck at the lowest category; don’t tell me I don’t stand a chance against even the weakest of magi.”

“But–but... Why?”

Twilight was sweating at this point. Maybe she noticed Rarity’s lack of confidence these past few days and thought that another failure would ruin her utterly. Or maybe she was just afraid Rarity was going to embarrass her in front of everyone.

Because if I win this, then I will finally feel less like an incompetent fool and more like someone you can be proud to be teaching. I won’t disappoint you again, Twilight.

“What better way is there to learn magic than to see all the mages of Equestria in one place, performing all their advanced magic, and even competing with some of them?” Rarity asked.

“But the beginner’s category is for mere students of magic, the oldest of them being around 14 years old. It would look strange and even inappropriate if you participated, not mentioning the humiliation if you were to lose.”

Rarity cringed after hearing this – her smile lost some of its vibrancy and her pupils slightly dilated as she imagined it. She quickly regained her composure, however.

“Nonsense, dear, while I might be quite inexperienced, I’m sure I can surpass few foals. What are the rules, by the way?”

Twilight sighed. She probably finally accepted that Rarity was going whether she liked it or not.

“The rules differ from category to category, however, beginners all just perform their most advanced spell and try to maintain it for as long as possible.”

Rarity’s eyes sparked when she heard this.

Twilight said that the fireball spell is quite an advanced spell and I learned how to maintain it yesterday. This is going to be easy!

Twilight frowned when she saw her change in demeanor.

“Don’t think your fireball will win this. That little spark will impress nobody and will make you look weak. If you want to stand a chance, your fireball must look like an actual fireball.”

Spike, who was just listening to the conversation up until now, decided to step in.

“So Rarity is going too?”

“Yes Spike, Rarity is going too,” Twilight replied.

“Sweet! That means I can cheer for two of my best friends instead of just one. I’ll book a chariot for three,” Spike said as he was leaving.

When the door closed, Twilight looked Rarity straight in the eyes and spoke in a very serious tone.

“Today, you will have to train like never before. You will train your stamina and your fireball spell, nothing else.”

Rarity was taken aback at this sudden change in mood of her friend, but then replied in the same manner.

“I will. I will train until I pass out if I have to and I will win the tomorrow’s competition.”

Twilight nodded and pointed towards the pieces of metal.

“Now, the thing about ordering them is...”

———

Rarity continued to train deep into the night, until she finally felt she was about to pass out. Afterwards, she said her goodbyes and went home. As she walked towards her boutique, she couldn’t help but wonder about what is she going to face tomorrow.

I hope I made the right choice.