Several days had passed and Starlight and Spike were back up in their study tower. It had been a rather boring that day as Celestia had been in meetings all day so she was pretty much left to do her own thing. Spike noticed that Starlight had been studying battle tactics, geography and changelings that day. He asked, "Starlight, why have you been studying such strange things today? I honestly don't see how those subjects are going to help you with what Celestia has you working on right now."

Starlight replied, "Spike, I don't know what it is but something in the back of my mind is telling me to study these things, almost as if I have to learn it."

Spike replied, "Oh alright. Don't get upset if Celestia isn't happy over you studying these things."

Starlight pretty much brushed off what Spike said. She knew that she should be studying more of Starswirl's works but deep down she felt this stuff was beyond important. While she would never admit this to Spike or anypony else, she felt almost as if learning this stuff would not only be beneficial to her, but that all of Equestria might depend on it.

Starlight likely is a manipulation mage that specialises in time magic which is why this happens.