“Alright, it's a bit of a tale, but I can tell it, sure. We are on a bit of a time crunch, though, so do you mind if we work and talk at the same time? I've made a few promises to some ponies here and there that I ought to fulfill, and I could really use everyone's help to do so so we can get to the bottom of everything that’s been happening lately. Speak up if you all have any objections.”
>They all look a little surprise by your sudden take-charge attitude, but they stay silent and let you continue, awaiting their instruction.
>You give them a warm smile before going full business mode.
“Red, babe, I'm hoping that the library here might have something on the malady that Sunwhirl told us about, the one that turns eyes black and skin pale, so do you think you and Twilight might be able to find something in here to explain it?”
>Redheart blinks and looks over at Twilight, and they nod at each other.
>”Sure, I think we can find something in such a large library… After all, it’ll give me time to catch up with my favorite bookworm.”
>Twilight smiles and gives a hoof bump to the nurse.
>”You can count on us.”
“Pinkie, I was hoping you might stop by Drooly Dapper's place and talk to him about helping at Gyro's? I can't see him saying no if you're the one offering, plus, if you tell him he’s going to be working on. After that, our best best to find some engineers that are at least half-qualified for the jobs that he wants them to do you can most likely find at the train station, whether they’re looking for a second job or they just want to help out. Use that excitement and charisma you’ve always got and you should find plenty of business.”
>Pinkie stands on her hind hooves and gives you a proper salute while throwing her new daggers in the air.
>”You got it, Nonny, I’ll be the bestest darndest recruiter since the history of ever!”
>From somewhere offscreen, confetti and streamers pop out everywhere with miniature fireworks.
>Wait, offscreen?
>”Wait, where did the Dapper guy live again?”
“Er, near the park, big emerald two story house.”
>”Okey dokey lokey!”
“Finally, AJ, when I’m done with what I need to do here, I was hoping you, Gable and I could go find Rainbow Dash. I figure you'd know where to start looking, and god forbid she's hurt or in danger, we can get her safe and patch her up. Sound good?”
>Applejack nods, though looks a bit less enthusiastic about being separated with her friends to go with you, and especially Gable.
“Thoughts, suggestions, anybody?"
>Gable pipes up for the first time since you entered the library.
>”What are you going to be doing, exactly?”
>You raise a finger to answer him, yet you stop for a moment to gather your bearings.
>You have a few things that you need to do, but this seems to be the best bet for the current time.
“I’m going to write a letter to the Princesses back in Canterlot telling them of our progress and unfolded events. I was hoping you could send it, Twilight? I could even tell you what I’m writing so I can catch you up.”
>”Oh, uh, sure! Hopefully I can recreate Spike’s fire… spell…”
>The mere thought of Spike sends Twilight into a very noticeable depression.
>You’re pretty sure you’re crazy, but you could’ve sworn you saw her color fade a little too.
>You try not to dwell on it and stop her from doing so as well.
“Hey, he’ll be fine, alright? I bet he’s already back up and moving around by now. We just gotta give it time.”
>She nods slowly, and you ponder about anything that you might’ve missed.
>That’s when you turn back to AJ.
>”So, while I’m writing that letter with Twilight to start, can you, Gable and Redheart go and see if you can find any good books on alchemy, engineering, but more importantly medical and possibly healing magic spells?”
>Twilight interjects at this point.
>”Wait, Anon, why do you need healing magic?”
“Well.. I thought once I got proficient enough, I could try my hand at it.”
>This is the first time you’ve actually said this out loud, and you’re met with…
>Laughter, from Twilight herself.
>”O-oh, Anon, healing magic is a dead art form because of its difficulty, I mean, not even I can do anything like that!”
“Have you ever tried?”
>Her giggling stops pretty quickly.
>”Well, no, because Princess Celestia turned me away for that exact reason.”
“So you’ve never actually seen whether or not you can do it for yourself?”
>She shifts around a little bit.
>”Well, I like to think Princess Celestia wouldn’t lie about something like that.”
>Well, that would be true, you think, she wouldn’t lie.
>But still, not even a single try?
“I’d like to try it anyways. Oh, and, I was wondering if you had the time, if you could teach me a little bit about magic, since I hear you’re the expert on this stuff?”
>She looks you over as if she were sizing you up.
>”Well, so far, has your magic been about the same as a unicorn’s?”
>You shrug, honestly unable to answer that with any accuracy.
>”Well, what are you able to do so far?”
”I can use it in combat, that’s about it.”
>She shakes her head quickly.
>”Wait wait wait, you can use combat magic, but nothing basic?”
>You shrug again.
>”Well, what kind of combat spells?”
“Like, I can fire a big cannon of magical energy, and I can slash my spear with my magic acting as a sort of buffer, and I can put it into the enchantment on my spear --By the way, we got it-- and make like an electric flame.”
>”That’s just… improbable! How did you get this magic, anyways?”
>You fish out your phone to show her the picture you took of the tree.
“Here… By the way, any chance you can charge it again?”
>You see that it is around 50%, but after nearly a week, that’s pretty good.
>Making sure the picture was on it, you allow Twilight to levitate it into her sight, and she gasps.
>”What… What is this?!”
“That’s what gave me these powers. It comes with the tribal tattooes you see, too, probably acting as the catalyst that your horns do.”
>”It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen… But it has the Elements of Harmony engraved into it. Where did you find it?”
“It’s in a cave at the left end of the Everfree ravine, down by the desert.”
>She somehow already has a notepad that her quill is scribbling furiously on.
>”Okay, I’m going to include this in the letter to the Princesses. So I guess to your earlier question, I’ll do what I can, but I’m going to have to explore your markings a bit more, if that’s alright?”
“Sure.”
>She hands you back your phone, and you see that it’s at 100%.
>You’re not exactly sure when she did that, but you certainly aren’t complaining.
“Alright, so you all know what you need to do! We’ve had our fun shopping, now it’s time to get to work!”
>”Got it, partner.”
>”Right…”
>AJ and Gable walk up to the front desk with plenty of space between them, going to ask for directions in a library even bigger than the one in the Everfree Castle.
>”Woowoo, to the train station!”
>Pinkie zooms out of the door before you could even say Pie.
>”AJ, wait up!”
>Redheart gives you a quick peck on the cheek before running out with AJ and Gable.
>Your party disperses pretty quickly, and while Twilight is preparing her papers, she looks around at who is all leaving.
>”So Anon, who’s the gryphon?”
“His name’s Gable, a sort of bodyguard I guess.”
>”Ah, I hope to meet him properly later.”
“I’ll introduce you properly when we’re done.”
>”Okay, and uh, didn’t you have Berry Punch with you?”
“She’s at a tavern.”
>She stops what she’s doing and turns to look you dead in the eyes.
“B-berry’s on a mission, too! She’s tracking down thieves and looking for leads on Rainbow Dash.”
>”Oh. oh…”
“By the way, any luck on that?”
>She comes up to you and leads you to a table for the letter as she talks.
>”Well, no. After she stormed off looking for a way into the palace, she wasn’t seen since. It’s like she vanished, or something!”
“Man… That’s rough.”
>”What if the shadow comes here and we have to defend against it? It’s not like the elements work without all six, and she’s being so… so… Disloyal!”
>She sounded angry, now.
>”Don’t get me wrong, I hope she’s alright, but where could she possibly that’s SO important that she risks all of Equestria to be!?”
“What exactly are the Elements of Harmony, anyways? Nobody’s given me any straight answers about it since I got here, and now that I’m apparently imbued with them, I think I deserve to know, don’t I?”
>She sits down and gives you an apologetic look.
>”I’m sorry, there’s… Just a lot on my mind. Here, I’ll tell you everything right after this letter, okay?”
“Thank you. Oh, one more thing?”
>She looks up and smiles, waiting.
“Do you have any idea what’s been up with Cadance, lately? How sick is she?”
>She sighs and buries her face in her hooves.
>”I don’t know, either, please don’t remind me. I’ve been trying again and again to get a hold of her these last three days, but with my brother being so busy taking over her royal duties, I have no way of knowing! I hope she’s alright, but if she doesn’t get better soon, things are going to start falling apart…”
>An empire without a ruler tends to do that.
>You reach over and give her an empathetic pat on her withers, and she looks up at you, perking up a little.
>”Thanks, Anon. You’re a kind human.”
“No problem. Now…”
>You look down at the quill and parchment, and begin to write.
 
Dear Princess Celestia,
 
>What should the letter say?
 
 
 
Dear Princess Celestia,
 
This letter comes to you from the Crystal Empire, penned by the one known as Doctor Anonymous. I write to you bringing grave portents, to warn of dangers and discuss dire matters.
 
First, and of utmost portent, is an update on the shadow creature which attacked us during our previous meeting. Twilight and her friends wisely suggested consulting Princess Cadence on its nature, so we have made our way to the Crystal Empire to further the investigation. So far we've met with complications, though we do believe we've found evidence of its influence, if not the source itself, out in the Winter Tundra.
 
Also of interest is the subject of magical maladies: It would appear Cadence is struck with an affliction that we cannot identify as yet, and due to her delicate state we've been unable to reach the castle to gather more information. This, in combination with reports of another afflicted with a magical illness of black eyes and pale skin, have sparked a profound curiosity in me concerning these curses (perhaps they have another name?). If you know aught of this or where I might learn more, I would be indebted.
 
Continuing from that: I am apparently now imbued with the ability to perform magic, not unlike a unicorn. While my talents apparently lie in destruction, I am equally a proponent of healing and protection. The subject of healing magics came up in discussion with Twilight, and it has likewise piqued my curiosity; as an aspiring mage and doctor, I would be honored to hear your thoughts on the matter.
 
Additionally, should this creature we hunt prove to be vengeful, I would caution you and your people to be on your guard, and seek defenses both mundane and magical. Using some of my memories of my own land and a generous amount of help from the Crystal Empire engineer Gyro Gear, we've managed to create a defensive measure which in my land was known as a firearm. I would urge you to obtain one of these variants for your own safety and for the safety of your military, until or even after your strength returns to you.
 
I do sincerely hope that this letter has found you well, Princess, and though I know little of the religion or lore of this land, my prayers are with you for your quick recovery. I thank you for your time and attention, and though my time is also stretched thin over many tasks, I look forward to your reply, and await your valued counsel.
 
Your ally and friend,
Dr. Anonymous, Ph.D.
 
>You add in Red’s cutie mark next to your signature out of habit, and you hand this to Twilight for her to look over.
“How is that? Not too idiotic, right? Anything you want to add?”
>She takes the quill from your fingers and begins to add a little something here and there.
>”It’s wonderful, Anonymous! I didn’t know you were such a gifted scribe. I’m just adding a few of my notes with the magical tree, and… There we go.”
>Well. at least Celestia will be updated on what’s happened so far.
“Thanks for doing this.”
>Twilight levitates the wrapped letter with her magic, and purple flames suddenly engulf the parchment.
>...Then nothing happens.
>”Darn… Hold on.”
>You see her try multiple times to do whatever she is trying to do, but fails.
>”I can’t recreate it! Oh well, I guess we’ll have to mail it the old fashioned way.”
“That’s fine, it’ll still get to her, right?”
>You follow her as she gets up to go deliver it.
>”Yes, but with everything that’s been happening lately, the post office might be swamped. I just hope it gets there okay.”
>She sets it in the outgoing box in the library’s lobby, and starts walking back to the center alongside you.
>”Alright, so what is a firearm anyway?”
“It’s basically a bigger, better, stronger bow and arrow that uses kablooie-powder.”
>She clears her throat.
>”That sounds rather dangerous, doesn’t it?”
“Not if you know how to use it. Here’s the first one right here, even.”
>You swing around your F.U.C.K.E.R.
“Twilight Sparkle, meet the Freedom Uninhibited Crotch Kicker Extreme Reaper!”
>”Is that really the name?”
“Yep.”
>Her face begins to turn a shade of red.
>”Well, think about the abbreviation for a second.”
“I know.”
>”You know!?”
>You just smile and nod, and she sighs.
>”Anyways… Thanks for getting me up to date. Anything else I should know about?”
>What would you like to do or say?
 
 
 
“Uh, I just had a question. Do you think RD would’ve went after the royal pass out in the tundra with that missing guard?”
>Twilight gives you an odd look.
>”I didn’t know there was even a missing guard. I guess if she heard whatever you did that it’s possible, but I wouldn’t bank on something like that. Where’d you learn that?”
“It’s a notice in the guard station.”
>”I would doubt she would’ve caught that, but it is a lead, so I wouldn’t put it off the table… But if she’s out there…”
>She trails off without the ability to say what might have happened.
“We’ll find her. Don’t worry.”
>You give her a reassuring smile, and she reciprocates.
“Also, what's your housing arrangement look like? I talked to Shining Armor at the tournament and he said he was going to see about getting you and your friends a room at that fancy hotel. Might beat sleeping on a pile of books or a friend's couch, if he managed it…”
>”Oh, that was you? Thank you for the thought, but I actually love it here in the library! I didn’t get much of a chance to do studying last time I was here because of a few things that happened with this evil spirit named Sombra, but now that I’m here, I’m comfortable! But, I did actually get to see him for a little bit, so thank you again for that.”
>By the time she finishes, you were standing in the middle of the lobby with her, with the rest of the party completely out of sight.
>You believe if you really tuned your ears in, you could hear a bit of arguing with AJ’s and Gable’s voice in the corner of the library.
>”So, you wanted to learn about magic, right?”
“Just a crash course, I’m not going to have much time to be a scholar or anything.
>”Are you sure? I’m quite positive there isn’t really a way to bring you back to your own world so you’re going to be here for what I’d assume to be a long time and it would just be absolutely wasteful if I couldn’t teach you from the ground up and build your foundational knowledge to better yourself in the arts of unicorn magic--”
“Twilight!”
>She looks at you like a deer caught in headlights.
“It’s okay, really. I just want to be able to control my magic so I don’t accidentally destroy anything, and to… well, learn a few spells. I have a few tomes with me, and a beginner’s guide to magic that I was hoping you’d help me out with.”
>She nods with enthusiasm.
>”Even if it’s not going to be the proper education you need, I’m always happy to help a seeker of knowledge! Now get that armor off!”
“... Uhm, what?”
>”I need to see the markings in full detail and record them so I can better understand the way you conduct your magic!”
>Oh, that’s a relief.
>Wait, no it isn’t! She wants you to strip in the middle of the library!
“Do you really have to do that?”
>”I think it would really help, Anonymous! I mean, I’m already withholding very invaluable information so you have time to do whatever you’re doing, so I’m not going to teach you until you show me!”
>She closes her eyes and sticks her nose in the air with a pouting noise.
>It is currently 5:45 P.M.
>Should you follow with her, or suggest a different course of action?
 
 
 
“Okay, fine. I just need to go tell Redheart first, okay? I want to avoid a situation where she might think it’s something that it’s not.”
>”What would she think is happening?”
>You cross your arms and simply stare at her.
>IT takes her a moment to realize what you’re implying, and her cheeks rose with red immediately.
>”O-oh… Right… Well, I’ll be upstairs in my office when you’re ready, you won’t miss it.”
“Alright.”
>You depart from her presence and walk up to the librarian’s counter.
>She is a very old crystal pony who looks like she missed the retirement office by a few years.
>”Oh, hello sonny, what can I do ya fer?”
“Do you remember the three that came up here before, two earth ponies and a gryphon?”
>She adjusts her glasses and looks around for a moment.
>”Oh, I think I do know those few munchkins, they’re out near the back in aisle MZ, somewhere.”
“Thanks.”
>You set down on your path with the hanging signs being your only map.
>FT, GI, LM, MA, MS…
>MZ, there it is.
>As soon as you approach the right aisle, you hear heated, bickering voices. Familiar voices.
>You walk down and see the trio at the very edge, and it wasn’t pretty.
>”-Can’t believe you’d honestly think we’d ever take your word for anythin’ after what you did to him!?”
>”Why would I go out of my way to kill someone who’s obviously much more powerful!? And in the middle of the tournament I was trying to win? Why am I even explaining myself to such a hick?!”
>”WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME?!”
>”HICK!”
>At this point, AJ and Gable were nose to beak, about ready to throw down.
>That is, until you stop them and push them apart.
“That’s enough! I don’t know what’s up with you two, but you better cool it!”
>They still stare at each other, both seemingly getting rushed with adrenaline as they see their object of hatred.
>You look over at Redheart, who was staying out of it completely, as if she was fearing what could happen.
“I need Red for a little while. You two are going to follow a new rule now. If you two say anything to each other at all while we’re gone, it had best be an apology. No talking otherwise, and believe me, I’ll hear with these echo-carrying walls.”
>A long tense moment of silence follows these words, and then Applejack was the first one to speak.
>”Fine.”
>Another moment of hesitation and the other follows.
>”Whatever.”
>They go their separate ways, looking on their own.
>Well, that could’ve gone better, but then again, it could’ve gone worse too.
>Redheart comes up to you and clears her throat.
>”What did you need me for, Anon?”
>You sigh to clear the tension a little, and you give her a sly smile and a beckon.
>You speak while she walks with you.
“You want to play a little joke on Twilight with me? She wants to do a medical exam on me for the tats, and I was thinking I'd, uh... put on a little show. If you get what I mean.”
>It takes her a moment to realize what you’re saying.
>”Wh- Anon!”
“Hey, I could use some 'moral support', as it were... maybe a bit or two tossed to 'pay for my college'-- er, magic lessons? Whatcha think?”
>”You are just one little devil today, aren’t you?... We’ll have to fix that when we get time tonight, hm.”
>Oh, an invitation…
>”Sure. Just don’t actually… ...You know, show her anything, okay?”
“I promise. Unless she strips me or something.”
>She laughs a little bit as the two of you trot and jog up the stairs, and seeing a violet-decorated office at the end of the walkway.
>”The library really must take to Twilight, then?”
“I guess so. She’s to books as you are to gauze, I think.”
>You get to her office and do a quick knock, and the door magically opens for you.
>You and Redheart walk in and greet Twilight.
>”Hey again! I’m just going to analyze and probe his markings a little to see what they’re made of, how they conduct magic and all that, so n-nothing’s going on, totally practical tests!”
>She seems a bit off-put by what you said.
>Your idea just grows more and more devious.
“So, shall we… get started?”
>Twilight has many instruments and records set up on her desk, and she reaches for one to take notes as she watches.
>”Go ahead!”
>Before you begin, you take a look at the two of them.
“Since ponies don’t usually wear clothing, I bet you don’t know what strip dancing is.”
>Redheart starts giggling madly, and Twilight’s ears fall with a powerful blush on her cheeks.
“Allow me to show you…”
>You had been reaching behind your back to play some music on your phone that was the perfect occasion for this.
>After all, if you were going to be stupid, you might as well go full retard.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ5_QxwFjNI]
>With one swipe, you throw off your doctor’s coat and it lands over Twilight’s horn, draping around her head but still letting her see your show.
>She is completely speechless.
>You start taking your armor off piece by piece, slowly and sensually to the beat of the music.
>Redheart starts cheering you on in between your giggles, actually throwing a bit or two at your feet.
>”C’mon stud, show us what bare skin looks like!”
>She’s having a lot of fun, and so are you for that matter.
>You get certain buckles and hooks undone, and in one fell swoop, you break out of your top chainmail and throw out your chest at the same time, making a powerful effect that startles both of the mares, your markings now gleaming in the magical light of the office.
>Every piece of clothing you shed brings Redheart closer to an unstoppable fit of laughter, and Twilight further to the ground as she sinks from the overpowering embarrassment.
>Off goes the greaves, and you’re now in nothing but your leg underarmor and boots, and the latter come flying off when you kick.
>You gyrate your hips to the music, milking every curve and new musculature to the maximum, and now Redheart isn’t so much laughing as she was…
>..Well, you know that look, is all you’re going to say.
>Your thumbs go down the waistband of your underarmor, and you look Twilight directly in the eyes.
“Should I go further~”
>”Anon?!”
>Your head snaps to the door, which you never closed behind you.
>Applejack was standing there, completely dumbfounded at the scene before her.
“...Uh…”
>You are half-naked, showing the top of your asscrack with Redheart and Twilight completely tongue-tied, and AJ is too stunned to even look at you.
>What do you do?
 
 
 
“Hey, AJ…”
>Well… You’re not getting out of this.
>Let’s dig the hole deeper!
“So... I know what you're thinking. And all I'm going to ask is, please don't be jealous. It's difficult, I know. But it's not my fault I was born with,”
>You give your ass a little shake.
“Alllll this!”
>AJ is facing the ground, and her hat covers her expression.
>You’re not sure what’s about to happen, and the air is still with anticipation.
>Whether it’s her just running off, or slamming you with her hammer is left to be seen.
>But all of a sudden, you hear a big, boisterous laugh erupt from the apple pony, snorting and chuckling like she just had a big old whiff of laughing gas.
>”Y-you… Wow.. I can’t believe… ghhhahahahahah-”
>She loses her balance and falls on the floor laughing, well, her ass off.
>Red joins in after this all sinks in, their cackles filling the office.
>You join in as well, your sides leaving the universe just at the sight of Applejack being so torn up.
>Twilight, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be as amused.
>Her eyelid twitches in irritation; you think you see a single hair of her mane pop out of place.
>Noticing this, you curb your laughter just enough to speak.
“Hey Twilight, you alright over there?”
>She shoots you a stern glare.
>”Was that your idea of humor!?”
>You pause for a moment.
“...Yup!”
>You burst out laughing again.
>The purple unicorn lets out a shrill groan of frustration and stomps her hoof.
>Unsurprisingly, Applejack is the first to compose herself.
>You can see her walk over to Twilight as you keep laughing.
>”Now, now, Twilight. We’re just havin’ us a little laugh; no harm in that, right?”
>By now, you’ve calmed down enough to listen.
>”B-but…”
“It’s okay Twi, just a little joke. What are you doing up here anyway, AJ? Thought you were looking for those books?”
>She straightens her hat as she gives Twilight a rub on her wither.
>”Oh, I was just in the neighborhood and I heard that freaky human music, so I decided to pop in… So… Wow, that’s what you look like, huh?”
>AJ is already in arm’s length, and her hoof goes up to prod the markings.
>”Whoa…”
>Twilight interjects at this point.
>”Okay, uh… This is a physical, so AJ, if it’s alright…?”
“Those books are important, though.”
>She nods and clears her throat, heading for the door.
>”Just uuh, next time Anon… eat some more sweets, your bottom’s flat as a plank of wood.”
>She smiles at you and takes her leave, closing the door behind her.
>Redheart wipes the mane from her eyes and clears the air.
>”So uh, now that we’ve had our fun, the uuh… experiments?”
>Twilight snaps out of her zone and throws your coat off her head, which had still been on her this whole time.
>”Right, right… Okay Anon, come over here...”
>...
>You thought their technology wasn’t all that advanced.
>Twilight must be breaking the rules of time eras apparently, because she has graph charts spewing out professional data coming from the electrodes placed on your heart, your forehead, and every apparent element on your body.
“How exactly is this supposed to tell you how I use my magic?”
>”It’s progress, my friend, just give it some time… Now, while everything’s running, I’m going to go ahead and teach you a thing or two about magic. So, what would you like to know?”
>It is currently 6:15 P.M.
 
[Twilight can teach you on a variety of things, but you must manage your time wisely to allow yourself time to speak to your returning party members. What would you like to learn this session?]
 
-General (Raises magical ability, teaches basics of magic and allows understanding of Foal’s Guide to Magic) {1 hour}
-Combat (Focuses on Magical Attack, uses MP) {30 minutes}
-Defense (Focuses on Magical Defense, uses MP and HP) {45 minutes}
-Utility (Focuses on the non-combat aspects of magic to better understand how it works and to learn new abilities.) {20 minutes}
-Advanced/Specific (LOCKED - You need basic understanding of magic first!)
 
[Which would you like to delve into?]
 
 
 
>General selected
 
>”Magic is the life force of the world being manipulated by the instruments of our choosing. Unicorns have the most control over this force with their horns and can use it to many different degrees of strength, utility and entertainment. Pegasi and Earth Ponies use it to their own advantages, the magic enabling Pegasi to fly faster and more effectively than without magic, and giving Earth Ponies an innate connection to nature or practical skills, as well as giving them increased body strength and durability. In your case, whatever this tree has given you has enabled you with the ability to use magic, and from the readings and spells I’ve placed on you, my calculations indicate that you lean most towards the unicorn’s benefits, but you have some aspects of the other races as well. This means, if you’ve noticed, that you have a stronger body than you used to. Now, I’m not sure what that could mean for the Pegasi’s benefits, but who knows, maybe you’ll sprout wings one of these days. The point is, you have many benefits at your disposal, but to keep it short and simple (which I still think you need proper education like any other foal), I’m going to teach you about the main aspects of magic in general and show you what they’re talking about in this book you have here.”
>...
[1 Hour has passed.]
[You have learned the foundations of magic’s properties, usage and history from Twilight.]
[You have finished Foal’s Guide to Magic.]
[ACQUIRED BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF MAGICAL PROPERTIES]
[LEARNED WEAK LEVITATION (Noncombat)]
[LEARNED LUMINATE (Light source, 1 MP per five minutes)]
Magical experience: 150/300
 
>It is currently 7:15 P.M.
>Would you like to continue learning General, choose a different topic, or check on the party members’ status?
 
 
 
>Check status
“Hey Twilight, can I take these things off for a second? I need to go check outside real quick, see how everything’s doing.”
>She groans and lets her magic fall to the side.
>”In the middle of a lesson, Anon?”
“Don’t worry, just pause this machine you got here.
>She goes over and starts pressing the buttons in a complicated manner, and when she gives you the go-ahead, you remove the electrodes and step outside, excusing yourself.
>Holy shit, it’s cold.
>You go back into the warm air of Twilight’s office and grab your coat, excusing yourself again as you wrap it around your highly erect nipples.
>You go back down to the lobby in nothing but a doctor’s coat and black underarmor, and see that AJ and Gable were on opposite sides of the room, but with books all on AJ’s side.
“Hey, how did the hunt go?”
>She tips her hat to you and heaves the books onto the bench to show you.
>”After I got the grubby talons off the ones he picked, we got ya a lot of stuff here, so ya can sort out what you need, I guess. Hope it helps, ‘cause I don’t know any of this mumbo jumbo.”
>You take a quick search through the pile of books, but unfortunately there was only one you could use effectively.
>Guess that’s what happens when you send a farmer looking for medical books, but it works alright.
[You have received Ultimate Knowledge of Medical Expertise: Volume XXVII]
>You might not have gotten the first 25 volumes, but hey, it’s expert level and that’s what you needed.
“Can you keep the rest of these here for Red and Twilight just in case they want to look?”
>”Sure thing, partner.”
>You look over at Gable and see he wasn’t in a very talkative mood, so you just give him a wave.
>He waves back half-heartedly, as if just to show you he was alive.
>You smile at him before you leave, and you return to Twilight’s office, depositing the book into your bag.
>It is currently 7:30 P.M.
>”Okay, let’s get you strapped up again…”
 
[Twilight can teach you on a variety of things, but you must manage your time wisely to allow yourself time to speak to your returning party members. What would you like to learn this session?]
 
-General (Raises magical ability, teaches general magical knowledge and may raise MP) {1 hour and 30 minutes}
-Combat (Focuses on Magical Attack, uses MP) {30 minutes}
-Defense (Focuses on Magical Defense, uses MP and HP) {45 minutes}
-Utility (Focuses on the non-combat aspects of magic to better understand how it works and to learn new abilities.) {20 minutes}
-Advanced/Specific (LOCKED - You need basic understanding of magic first!)
 
[Which would you like to delve into?]
 
 
 
>Defense selected
 
>”All Unicorns, er, magic-users, have certain abilities that come natural to them in a crisis, the same as any mammal has a fight-or-flight response. This is the tradition that began the study of magical defense, whether it be passive shielding or active disarming or offensive defense. From what you have displayed with your power, your attacks are very aggressive and your magic in general is fitted more towards combat than defense, so it might be harder for you to learn defensive magic. I’ll do my best to show you what you’re able to do when you’re faced with a threat. Be careful though, just because I stick my muzzle in books all the time doesn’t mean I don’t sting!”
>...
[45 minutes have passed.]
[You have gained the ability to better gauge when magic can be deflected or blocked, as well as how to properly utilize your magic in defensive purposes.]
[-25 HP]
[-5 MP]
Anon: [HP: 105/130][MP: 15/20]
Magic experience: 175/300
>It is now 8:15 P.M.
 
>Utility selected
 
>”Without being raised in a magical environment, it’s a little harder to truly grasp what magic can do for you. It is a very potent force that can be world-changing, yet it is also a driving matter in every little thing that happens. Magic’s utility can definitely outweight those little fingers of yours, Anon, so don’t plan on making a career out of them. I’m going to show you what exactly you can do with magic in an everyday situation.”
>...
[20 minutes have passed.]
[You now understand magic’s place in the world at large and how it can be used to improve situations where certain things are made easier.]
[LEARNED WALLWALKING (Lets your hands and feet stick to surfaces for 20 seconds, -5 MP)]
Magic experience: 200/300
>It is now 8:35 P.M.
 
>Check party status
“Okay, I think it’s time for another break.”
>”You would fail in school, Anon! You can’t just take breaks every five seconds you know, with these things you need to pay attention-”
“Hey, it’s been over an hour, okay? I need to see if Berry and Pinkie are back yet.”
>You take off the electrodes and put your coat back on, throwing your delicate, hairless body back into the cold, fresh air of the library.
>It takes you a while this time due to the increasing rate of weariness your body is experiencing from using your magic so profusely, and how you didn’t get all that much sleep.
>You get back to the library’s lobby, and see that AJ and Gable have vanished.
>You didn’t blame them, having to wait for so long was asking far too much, but then again, you didn’t anticipate how much time this would be.
>Thankfully, you see that Pinkie has returned, and she looks quite happy.
>As soon as she sees you, she bounces up to you with some odd looking necklaces around her neck.
>”Nonny nonny, look what I got!”
>You take a closer look at her command, and see they were hypno-watches that she tied around her neck.
>”Aren’t they soooooooo cool?! I got them from Gyro when I gave him all those employees cuz’ he said I was super duper nice and really liked my help!”
>All…?
“Pinkie, how many did you recruit?”
>”17! Well, it was 18 but one of the engineers that agreed to go accidentally blew off his toupee with a wind machine he made and got so embarrassed he ran away, and I couldn’t catch him but it’s okay I got all the rest and even that Drooly Dapper stallion who turned out not to be a stallion at all but a mule I couldn’t believe a mule lived in the Crystal Empire so I asked him why he was here and he just said he couldn’t find work anywhere else but I got him to go to Gyro’s and now he’s working there and I got these!”
>...Okay.
“So, that’s a success, then?”
>She nods happily.
 
[Pinkie has received Hypno-necklace and 75 bits.]
[QUEST: NEEDS MORE HOOVES COMPLETED (17/3)]
Reward: Gyro Gear is now freed up to create more patents.
 
>With that out of the way, you were only waiting on Berry and Iron Will.
“Alright Pinkie, I’m going to go back up with Twilight and finish my uh, physical, so we’ll be a little while longer. Is that okay?”
>She nods.
>”Can I come watch? Please, Nonny?”
>At the slightest hesitation, her ears fall and she gets puppy-dog eyed.
“...Sure, you can come. Just don’t poke me again, okay?”
>She bounces with you the entire way back, and starts telling Redheart and Twilight all about what had happened.
>Twilight eventually gets her to calm down, but only after you were all circled up and ready to begin again.
>”Okay, okay Pinkie! We have to get to work now, so, I don’t know, play with Redheart!”
>”Ooooooh!”
>”T-twilight!”
>It is now 9:00 P.M.
 
[Twilight can teach you on a variety of things, but you must manage your time wisely to allow yourself time to speak to your returning party members. What would you like to learn this session?]
 
-General (Raises magical ability, teaches general magical knowledge and may raise MP) {1 hour and 30 minutes}
-Combat (Focuses on Magical Attack, uses MP) {30 minutes}
-Defense (Focuses on Magical Defense, uses MP and HP) {1 hour}
-Utility (Focuses on the non-combat aspects of magic to better understand how it works and to learn new abilities.) {45 minutes}
-Advanced/Specific (Focuses on a specific spell or aspect of magic for greater understanding and improvement, uses MP) {2 hours}
 
[Which would you like to delve into?]