//------------------------------//
// Loop 10 Part 4 
// Story: The Time Thief 
// by Reading4HalfMyLife 
//------------------------------//

"Elemental Spells for Elementary Students?" Astral read the cover before turning to look at her mom with a raised eyebrow. After getting her cutie mark, an ecstatic Twilight and Starlight had taken her magic book shopping, dragging Alchemy along for the ride. This book was one of eight they had bought.

"These are all books anypony needs to know if they want to start on the path of being a mage!" Twilight assured her.

Being a mage was a big deal in Equestria. After passing your test, you were given the Mage Robes and License, which meant you were allowed to submit your own spells, and try out some of the more dangerous ones. Many Mages offered their own magic as a service to others, like plumbers or electricians. Just the thought of being one them made the fur on Astral's back spike up in excitement.

"Thanks mom," she said sincerely, giving them both a quick hug and kiss. 

The four walked back to where the carriage was waiting, and they said their goodbyes to Alchemy. "Bye, Assie," he said, leaning down to nuzzle his baby sister. He wasn't sure what was happening, but something told him that something was going on, something big.

"Bye Al," she had to rear back on her hind legs to wrap her hooves around his neck even as he leaned down, but she didn't care. "Say hi to Jewell for me, and say that Jam misses him," she was referring to Apple Jewell, Jams older brother, who was Al's roommate and a very famous model. 

"Of course." It was always nice saying goodbye to Al, there was always an undercurrent of we're going to see each other again, we have unfinished business with him.

While on the way back to Ponyville, Astral decided to use the journey as an opportunity to read the contents page of the spellbook. As expected there was a list of spells

Beginner
Water
Ice
Smokescreen
Fire

Intermediate
Lightening
Cloudwalking Spell
Stun
Air

Advanced
Weather Control
Phase
Mind Magic
Earth

She recognized a lot of the spells from watching her mothers, but she didn't know unicorns could manipulate the earth or the weather. She knew Earth Ponies and Pegasi could do so naturally, but she had never seen a unicorn do it. However, if she wanted to do this, she would have to start at Beginner, then take the test to pass to Intermediate.

Upon arriving home, Astral quickly went to an empty room to practice. First going over the spells she already knew; telekinesis, illumination, reverse illumination, heat and sound and she was pleased to note that she had dramatically improved in all five of the spells.

Then she tried the new spells. That was less successful. Instead of a steady stream of water, only a couple of drops dripped from her horn. She did manage to freeze the drop midair, so she had better look with the Ice spell. She didn't particularly want to do the fire spell while inside her house, so instead she decided to focus on Smokescreen Spell, only to watch in dismay as a couple of puffs of smoke rose to the ceiling.

Definitely need to work on these . . 





11:58

This loop was almost over, and all of a sudden it hit Astral that she could lose her cutie mark. So she was staying up, anxiously checking her flank and the clock every two seconds.

11:59

00:00

Nothing. She still had her cutie mark. She breathed out a sigh of relief, and imagined showing it off to Apple Jam and Butterscotch as she crawled into bed. Maybe all three of them getting their cutie marks could be the key to her getting out of the loop.

I can hope.





Goals



Get a cutie mark

Help CMC get cutie marks

See Alchemy

Graduate from Beginner to Intermediate