//------------------------------// // The Road is Paved // Story: The Eternal Pursuit of Academia // by artimus //------------------------------// Pre-note: Okay, so I realize this chapter is a bit shorter. Subsequent updates aren't always going to be so short, but I want to put this up as something of a feeler. So, feedback is appreciated as usual. Consider this a preview chapter, if you'd like. I'm not certain it'll stay up, but right now that is the plan. So, enjoy the chapter! \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Now that I’m taking the time to really think about these events, I’m getting a clearer idea of how I landed in this awkward situation, being forced to make a heavy choice. For the most part, it’s because of my actions and mistakes that got me here, both to Canterlot and my predicament. Though, I can’t say it was only me. Far be it from me to place any blame or accuse the Princess of thoughtlessness or malevolence. Quite the opposite in fact! After all how could she have known my feelings? Still, now that I’ve come to the next big event on this road I’ve travelled, it feels that while I was the one walking down this path, my mentor had a hand in laying the steps. As I came to a close on my report, the knot that had been so tight in my stomach unraveled and I felt relaxed. The Princess, meanwhile, watched me talk with rapt attention. Yet, rather than feeling anxious at her scrutiny, the Princess’ gentle, patient eyes calmed me. Speaking the final words of my presentation, I nodded gently to indicate my closing, rolling up the scroll and replacing it in my satchel. The Princess’ ever-present grin expanded by a hint as she sagely nodded back. Her hooves lifted into a light applause. “Excellent work, my dear student! It sounds like your efforts weren’t in vain. Though, I’ll admit I wasn’t sure if this particular issue was such a problem, you’ve convinced me that your solution is an ideal!” I felt my heart leap as the familiar feeling of the Princess’ praise washed over me. I allowed myself a grin. “Thank you, Princess. It’s true, nobody ever really talked about it before, but I’ve long felt that the ability to only read one thing at a time is a hindrance.” “Well, I can’t argue the usefulness of such a thing. Though, if you’ve become so devoted to your studies that you require this spell, does that mean you no longer have time for your friends, Twilight?” She looked over me skeptically, but not harshly, though I felt an immense guilt at her glare all the same. I stuttered in my response, “Well, of course I have time for my friends!” I tried to continue but stopped, casting my eyes down in shame. “But, maybe I haven’t been making as much time as I should have lately. I’ve been so busy putting the finishing touches on my work that I’ve barely even been outside the library. I’ve had Spike running my errands and whenever any of the girls come by, I’ve been brushing them off,” I felt a pang in my heart as I recalled several cases of my refusing to help my friends because of some recent breakthrough, “even if they needed me.” I looked back up at the Princess, somehow expecting a judgmental stare at my neglect. She sent me to Ponyville specifically to make friends, after all. Instead, I saw understanding in her eyes. “Your studies are important, Twilight, but so are your friends. You must remember to make time for them and to be there for them when they need you. Otherwise, my faithful student, you could find yourself alone when you most need someone at your side.” I felt the truth in her words but could only nod. “You’re right, Princess. I’m sorry.” “You don’t need to apologize to me, Twilight, though a few words to your friends could do some good.” The Princess stood from her seat, approaching me. Her horn lit and pulled my report from the bag at my side. “Of course, you didn’t come here to be lectured. So, let’s have a look at your work.” Grateful at the opportunity to change subjects and redeem myself, I prepared myself to answer any of the Princess’ questions. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ “Well, the problem with that is that using the Higg’s method, while easier and less straining, results in a minor case of extreme spontaneous combustion.” I heard the Princess swallow at my response to her question of ways to reduce the wear of the spell, one of the only real problems with my spell. “That sounds quite painful. So, it seems that’s out for now. But, Twilight, so far using this spell, assuming an average of reading one book for 8 hours without it, with the strain this magic uses, it won’t even double that amount. A unicorn with a strong conviction could only gain about the equivalent of 2 more hours. While it’s a major step forward, it hardly seems worth the magical effort. One would be far too drained to even eat after even 5 hours of continuous use!” “Actually, I’ve managed 8 hours myself.” “Twilight, that’s incredible!” “But the amount of time I had to spend in the hospital resting afterward sort of nullified that advantage.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Princess’ features contort into concern. “Twilight…” She began. “I know, Princess, but I’ve learned to be more careful since then, I promise.” The Princess’ didn’t appear reassured. “Twilight, I’m not sure if you should continue this research alone if you’re being so reckless.” What?! How could I stop now after so much work?! “Well, what do you suggest,” I responded, a bit more vitriolic than I intended. “Maybe you should take a break. You’ve made wonderful progress, perhaps it’s time to step back.” “But I can do so much more! I just need the time and resources!” “Like the kinds of resources Canterlot’s labs can offer?” “Yes, but I don’t know where I can find that kind of equipment and know-how in Ponyville!” I brought my hoof to my temple, rubbing it vigorously in frustration. It wasn’t for lack of trying that saw me without much to work with in Ponyville. “Then, why not work here?” \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Have you ever been asked a question that you know can change the course of your life? Sometimes it’s obvious. “Do you want to move to a new city or stay where you are?” Sometimes you only have a vague inkling that it’s an important question that will lead to a big change. “Should I stay in tonight or go to the club?” This was one of the latter questions. At the time, I didn’t stop to consider the implications as I would have now. If I felt the same way I would even later that night, my answer might have changed. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ “Work here?” I asked, not sure I understood the Princess. “You mean, away from Ponyville?” “Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. Come back to the castle to continue your research, Twilight. It’s not as if I exiled you when I sent you to Ponyville.” “But, what about my friends? Didn’t you just tell me that I should make more time for them?” “And you should, but you know your friends are always welcome here and you can always take time off to return to Ponyville. Twilight, I don’t want to send you back home and have you being careless with your research again. At least let me help you in any way I can. Surely, you can get more done here?” But what about Spike? Could he take care of himself? What about Owlowiscious? If I stayed here, would I even want to go back to Ponyville? What about the library? No, I can’t stay here, I have too many commitments in Ponyville. I should just relax with my research and focus on my friends. “Yes, of course I can, I’d love to stay!” Ah. Thank you, mouth. You’re always there for me when I need you. “Well, it’s settled then! Of course, the library and Spike will be taken care of. I will send one of my experienced librarians to tend to him and your home. Of course, you can communicate with Spike whenever you’d like with my help.” I knew Spike wasn’t going to be happy, but now that I had said yes, I couldn’t bring myself to change my mind. “Thank you, Princess.” “It’s no trouble at all Twilight. Now, if you would like to take in the castle, I will see to it that your room is prepared to your liking. I will come find you once it’s ready.” Before I could respond, the Princess returned the scroll to my bag and left the hall, the doors opening and slamming shut. The sound echoed through the empty, quiet hall as I went over what had just happened. After ten minutes of replaying the conversation in my head, I sighed in resignation, deciding that I might as well relax in the one way I know how: Reading in the library.