The sun shone brightly through the stained glass windows that lined Canterlot Castle's main hall, decorating the room with many vibrant colors. Princess Celestia sat atop her throne at one end, while a massive pair of double doors were closed on the wall furthest from her. Guards were positioned on either side of her throne, and another pair just outside the doors. The princess had always enjoyed this time of year, when the days were getting longer. The pegasus ponies had done a great job clearing the skies of obstruction, letting the light hit the entirety of the castle. Her attention, however, was not on the light, nor the colors, not even the guards. No, she was listening closely to the sound of hoofsteps outside the doors.

"Princess Celestia?" A muffled voice came from a small pony, one she knew well. As the doors opened, a lavender colored unicorn came in, a baby dragon on her back and a big grin on her face. It was likely due to the excitement of having been taken in by the princess of Canterlot. "When can we start my magic lessons again?" Remembering she was in the presence of royalty, she stopped in front of the throne and bowed. "It's just that- well, yesterday's lesson didn't end well, and I was hoping to get an early start on it with you today and-"

"Twilight Sparkle, your lessons are in the afternoon." The princess paused to look outside. "It's still morning. And it will be for some time." She got off her throne, and walked to the young unicorn. "And, you don't have to be so formal all the time. You'll hurt your neck bowing so often." Stopping, she lowered her head to the filly's level. "And if you're not careful, you could drop him." This time, looking at Spike, the baby dragon, situated on Twilight's back.

Twilight rose to her hooves, careful not to let Spike slip off. "Can you give me a small hint as to how I can teleport? A... pre-lesson, kind of?" Although she had been the alicorn's student for a mere month, Twilight's magic was, to say the least, in much need of control. The memory of how she lost it when she hatched Spike reeled through her mind just then, as if to remind her that she had a vast pool of magic that could go haywire with the slightest provocation. And thinking back, she wasn't even tired from it. Certainly not to the point of collapsing. "I know we tried the teleport spell yesterday... but today will be different. I-"

Celestia put a hoof up to silence her student. "Twilight. I know there is much to teach you. Asking for lessons is all well and good, but if you don't study, how can you get better? No pre-lesson today. In fact, you'll be spending time with Spike as you do some reading in the library." She put her hoof down. "Has he even eaten this morning?"

"Yes, he has. And when he's hungry, there's half of a topaz waiting for him back in my room." Young as she was, she liked having a checklist. Things she had to do. She made one for almost everything she could. "But he won't be for another couple hours. In the meantime, I guess I could go to the library. Get started on that... studying."

"Don't be discouraged. Reading up on magic is just as essential as casting it," Celestia assured. "Chin up, Twilight. I have the utmost faith in you." Her words reminded Twilight of yesterday's... event.

"I passed out yesterday from magic exertion. That's never happened before." Her ears drooped a little. "What if it happens again?"

"Then it happens again. Nopony gets it right their first try. That's why it's called practice," the princess responded. She then went to sit atop her throne once more. "And patience is something you need to exercise as well. You'll get better with time, believe me. You can only improve." Settling in, she shared a smile with her pupil. "Run along now, Twilight. Your lessons are still on for the afternoon. But, it will be a toned down lesson. Just to be safe."

Twilight couldn't argue with that, not that she'd want to. "This relates to your first lesson: When you cast a spell you don't have the magical capacity for, the attempt could drain you completely of magic. And that's what happened. I passed out from using too much. I'm just glad it didn't half-work."

"Correct," Celestia replied. "I know your studies do not go unfruitful, I've seen you grow this past month. But, I cannot teach you everything. As such, you have free access to the library. Day or night, it's all yours."

Upon hearing this news, Twilight's ears perked up. "You mean it? I can read whenever I want to? Late night reading sessions, early morning studies, mid-day bookfort making. It'll be so much fun!"

"Just so long as Spike joins you. You are his caretaker after all." Not wanting to be forceful, she added, "It wouldn't be fair to him if you left him in your room while you had so much fun, now would it?"

"I suppose not." Twilight headed for the doors. "Thank you princess. For all you've done for me." Then, in a change of attitude, "To the library!" Picking Spike off of her in her magic, she ran towards the library, pacing herself as best she could.

The princess could only smile as the doors closed behind the young pony. She may not be ready for a successful teleportation, but her levitating has gotten better. Perhaps a test is in order... she thought. In the time she has had Twilight as her student, she has given only one test so far, and it was an aptitude test to see how much she could do on her own. It may not have been much, but there was so much room for growth.

When afternoon came around, and it was time for Twilight's lesson to begin, there was an absence of Twilight. She must still be in the library the princess pondered. "Guard, could you bring a tray of hay sandwiches to the library for me?" she asked her right hoof guardspony. "Immediately, your Highness," he replied with a bow, and set off for the kitchen. Stepping down from her throne, she made her way to the doors, opening them on her own. "Sirs, you are to accompany me to the library." They simultaneously saluted and began following the princess. I do so hope she's actually studying. She should want to do this on her own, she thought on her way.

In the library, Twilight had Spike next to her in her bookfort, reading a book called, "100 Useful But Not Easy Spells". It was written by Star Point. It was believed to be a pen name. She had to go back to her room for Spike's topaz, which was almost gone now. As he didn't have teeth yet, all he could do was suck on it. The sound wore at Twilight's focus, so she only half-read the book. Closing it, she got up, returned it to its proper place on the shelf and fished another from a stack she had.

It was at this time the princess walked in. "Twilight? You did not come to your lesson. It's afternoon." Celestia walked around to find her young student in a bookfort. Lowering herself to the "door", she saw Spike in there by himself. "Twilight?"

Twilight returned to see the princess, dropping the book she had in her magic. "Princess!" She quickly looked down at the book she dropped and picked it up again. "I'm so sorry. I got lost in the books... again. When is it?" She hurried to put away her books.

"At rest, Twilight. I've brought the lesson to you today." Sitting down next to the crumbled fort, she smiled. "Lunch is also on its way. Hay sandwiches, and your lesson." Looking around at the books, she saw one that caught her eye. "Hmm... 'A Reference Guide to Making Friends'. Did you read this one yet?"

"Hm? Oh, no. Not that one yet. I used it for the fort 'cause I didn't think I'd need to read it." Twilight set the book down and had a seat as well. "Why? Is it a good one?"

"I think so. It may just be me though." The guard walked in with the tray of food.

"Your hay sandwiches, Princess Celestia." With a bow, he offered the plate, and went back to his post by the throne.

"No sooner spoken than it arrives." Taking a sandwich in her magic, she offered it to Twilight. "Here's something you may enjoy. Take it from me."

"T-take it from you? But what about taking it easy?" Feeling a little overwhelmed by the fact she had to earn her food in such a manner, her stomach rumbled impatiently.

"Yes, take it from me. Then you may eat. And it won't be easy, I assure you." The aura around the food glowed bright gold, Celestia's magic color. "This is your test, Twilight. I want you to try your best."

Twilight rose to her hooves, and took a stance. "Tug-of-war, magic style, huh... Well, here goes nothing."

Celestia was holding it a bit too loosely, as Twilight's magic had easily taken over half the sandwich. Getting a better hold on it made Twilight stagger a little. Pushing harder, her own light purple magic aura started to creep its way along the meal. This had lasted a minute or so. The end was in sight when the last corner still in Celestia's control... stopped receding. Upon seeing this, Twilight pushed ever harder, to the point of falling to her knees. Not giving up, she struggled up to her hooves again. She's fighting so hard, the sandwich is getting flattened... Celestia thought. Finally, the princess removed her own aura from it, giving it to her hard-working student.

Falling to the floor, still conscious, Twilight breathed heavily. "Why, would, you, do," she paused to catch her breath, "that, to me?" She finished, looking at the meal she squashed. "Especially when you had told me to 'take it easy'?"

"Because I wanted to see if you had improved as much as I had hoped. And you have. Having a tug-of-war with you was the best kind of test at this point. But don't worry, they won't always be this kind of test. And one other reason: to teach you. Your lesson today is this: magic is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. A good balance between mental growth and physical growth will ensure that you improve." Celestia finished explaining and began eating.

Twilight could barely do the same, but she was still able to levitate the food to her mouth. "That... makes sense I guess... But... Muscles and magic are two very different things."

"Maybe so, but it's the concept that connects them. Now, can you tell me how Earth ponies and Pegasi use their magic?" The princess looked at her student.

"Pegasi use their magic to... uhm... to mold clouds, and to control weather. And also to fly. Let's see.. Earth ponies use theirs to tend the lands, and grow food. Their magic is in their whole body, just like everypony's is, right?" Twilight only sounded half-sure to herself.

Celestia nodded in approval. "Yes, you are right. Without their magic, Earth ponies wouldn't be as strong as they are, nor would Pegasi be capable of staying airborn as long as they do. Now, what about a unicorn's magic?"

"Unicorn magic is the easiest to see. Mainly because it directly affects the area around the pony, and it's channeled through a unicorn's horn. However, because ours is more potent, it requires more focus. Gain equals drawback." Twilight got into a more comfortable position and kept eating.

The two talked, ate, laughed and read well into the evening. After which, the princess left to replace the sun with the moon. Twilight stayed in the library that night, a good book in front of her and Spike by her side.

Next Chapter: Chapter 1: The Next Morning Estimated time remaining: 20 Hours, 41 Minutes