“Starswirl, if you ever expect to get any better at spellcasting, you simply must remember the basic components of the feat.” Spelltome ran a hoof up and down his beard.
“First, you have to raise the energy from your center into your horn, and then program it to do what you want.”
“Yes, I know.” Starswirl conceded, getting his bearings for another try.
“Now then, no pressure. I want you to focus. Don’t worry about failing or succeeding. That isn’t what this is about.”
“Then how am I supposed to gauge…”
“I already said don’t worry, didn’t I? Just trust me.” Spelltome winked.
Starswirl set his mind on gathering energy for the spell. His mentor wanted him to lift a rock as training today. Not a rock, really, more of a pebble. Spelltome didn’t want the colt to get too tired out. After all, Starswirl was just starting his magical training. He had learned quite a bit in the way of book-smarts, but this was his first field exercise. Starswirl braced himself and sent his gathered willpower to the pebble that lay there almost mockingly, but it did not lift. In fact, it did nothing.
“Dammit…”
“Heheh, that was great!” Spelltome declared.
Starswirl interjected. “I’m sorry Spelltome, but…what?! That was miserable!”
“No it wasn’t! Not at all. That was perfect. It’s going to take time to get stronger, but you did exactly what you were supposed to do, and you did it quite well.”
“Oh. Well, I suppose you’re right.”
“You know, when I was younger, I was taught differently. I was taught that power was everything and that failure was not an option. This is not the way of the universe, Starswirl. It was only much later that I discovered that power and success meant nothing and only happiness truly mattered. This is what will make you a true sorcerer, detachment and the removal of all illusions.”
“That’s what I taught him. He had wanted to learn magick ever since I used it to save him from an Ursa Major. When I arrived to help, his parents were already dead, mauled by the monster. I could only save him. He was, strangely enough, not all that flustered about his parents’ death. Personally, I think it was a grief induced taciturninity. I did not want him to use the magical prowess for revenge against the monster, so for the longest time, I declined his wishes. I told him that he would never reach a high level of skill with such blatant intentions to use the gift to annihilate a beast which was, in the long run, innocent, as all animals are.”
One day, Starswirl asked Spelltome to come along with him to one of his famous meditations. Spelltome contemplated this for a moment, he did not know if the colt would be able to fully appreciate such matters, but decidedly, he said,
“Very well, I’ll make it an easy one for you!”
“Thank you!” Starswirl was quite happy about this due to the fact that this could mean gaining Spelltome’s hard to get trust with his teachings. With both of them agreed, the Stallion and colt were off.
“Now then, let us try something rudimentary, yet powerful. This is the first thing I’d like you to remember: never forget the bare basics.” Spelltome blurted. They were now at a beautiful lake after travelling for some time. “…you like it?”
“Yes, it’s breathtaking.” Starswirl responded promptly.
Spelltome continued, “It’s one of my favorite spots around this mountain. You see how the water trickles perfectly down those rocks over there, and how the waterfall is divided just so…? Pretty nice view.”
“Anyways…” Starswirl started, “Is this gonna be my first lesson?” He said it with hope and apprehension.
“You have grown quite a lot since the day I saved you. I think you are ready for this.”
With pride, Spelltome had taken a pupil. The only one ever. Be it a stroke of luck or divine intervention. Starswirl was on his way to becoming one of the best spellcasters in Equestria.