"This is how the Four-Leaf Sage perfected her protection spell. Today, we will learn a similar spell. Students, take out your notes and find your partners."
This magic theory class was about the protection spell created by the Four-Leaf Sage based on the friendship between them and their friends, so it works best when at least two ponies perform it together.
Sunset Shimmer originally wanted to team up with Octavia Melody, who was closest, but found that Octavia Melody was already with Lemon Heart; she was the one left over again.
This didn't matter; the magic wasn't difficult, and she could complete it even alone.
Just as she was about to pick up her notes, Aurora poked her head over.
"Even though you lost your partner, you still have me. I can totally be your magic partner, right?"
"If you think you can please everyone, I'll tell you this: don't even think about it!"
Because they were in class, Sunset Shimmer didn't want to be accused of disrupting order again, so she almost hissed these words at Aurora.
This protection spell requires a certain level of rapport between the ponies casting it to synchronize their magic frequencies, thereby exerting greater power. It was clearly impossible for her and Aurora to achieve this, so it was better to work independently than to cooperate.
"...Do you mind if I take a look at your notes?"
Sunset Shimmer didn't say anything, just kept reading.
"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes?"
Aurora reached out a hoof toward Sunset Shimmer's notes.
"Thanks, Senior Sister..."
But just before Aurora's hoof touched the notes, an amber hoof pressed down on them first. Aurora could only watch helplessly as they were moved further away from her.
"Sorry, I need this. You'd better just be a good auditor, Junior."
Aurora retracted her hoof resentfully. Being played by Sunset Shimmer like that inevitably made her feel uncomfortable.
She was just here as a temporary auditor; she had neither notes nor a textbook. Her thirst for knowledge was like a quill scratching at her heart, making Aurora feel itchy inside.
Just then, Aurora felt something tap her shoulder. Looking back, she saw a notebook and a textbook, and a mint-colored pony in another row waving a hoof at her in a friendly manner.
Lyra!
Lyra Heartstrings was one of the most recognizable background ponies, and since Aurora really shipped her and Bon Bon, there was no way she could mistake her.
Aurora looked back gratefully and accepted the notes and textbook Lyra Heartstrings lent her.
The Four-Leaf Sage's protection spell can be seen as a kind of Magic of Friendship; the deeper the friendship between the ponies, the more obvious the effect of the spell.
Aurora quickly sorted out the principles of the magic spell and found that casting it wasn't difficult; the hard part was how to fully utilize the boost brought by the power of friendship.
Have to admit, in terms of talent for the Magic of Friendship, Aurora was about the same as Sunset Shimmer, or rather, far inferior to Sunset Shimmer. After all, Sunset Shimmer was redeemed later and even comprehended the Element of Empathy, becoming the designated protagonist of the Equestria Girls series.
Aurora wasn't a pure pony; her human experiences had firmly placed a shackle on her heart, so she knew how hard it was to find a true friend.
Having long known her own limitations, Aurora didn't expect to achieve any results in the Magic of Friendship. She never intended to walk the same path as the protagonists anyway; she was happy just being able to learn magic. As for the Magic of Friendship, she could just follow the protagonists later and get the leftovers.
However, as for magic, she could choose not to know it, but she couldn't choose not to learn it.
Having memorized the incantation for the protection spell, Aurora looked at Sunset Shimmer, who was listening intently, and suddenly had an idea.
As revenge for her teasing earlier, Aurora directly tested the spell she had just learned on Sunset Shimmer.
"Hey! You!"
Feeling something strange on her body, Sunset Shimmer jumped, then immediately realized what had happened. She looked angrily at Aurora, who was feigning ignorance, with magic surging on her horn, ready to strike.
But before the two ponies could start competing, a shadow loomed over them. Looking up, they met the teacher's stern gaze.
"Young ladies, I believe there is a clear rule that magic cannot be used casually during theory classes, right?"
Then Sunset Shimmer and Aurora were politely kicked out of the classroom.
"This is my first time... being kicked out of class by a teacher..."
Sunset Shimmer's expression was like storm clouds before a tempest.
"Well... congratulations on unlocking a new achievement in your school life?"
Aurora acted as if she completely didn't see Sunset Shimmer's impending temper tantrum and casually made a joke.
It was this lighthearted joke that directly ignited Sunset Shimmer's powder keg.
She cornered Aurora step by step until she had nowhere to retreat, nose to nose, staring fixedly at Aurora.
"If this is your challenge, then I accept! Don't think that just because everyone praises you a little, you're something special. I will use my strength to show you who is Princess Celestia's most favored student!"
Aurora felt that Sunset Shimmer was too close; now, if she just moved a little, she could kiss the Senior Sister's little mouth.
But she wasn't a furry, so never mind.
Yet, hearing the harsh threats Sunset Shimmer made against her, she found the other pony truly cute.
Obviously, Sunset Shimmer regarded her as a competitor vying for power, no wonder she had always been so hostile toward her.
But she would never guess that she only approached The Grand Princess purely for magic and beauty, and in fact, she wished she could become the Princess's heir so she could just enjoy the privileges without having to bear such heavy social responsibilities.
Aurora found this side of Sunset Shimmer quite cute, which gave her the malicious urge to tease her, so she couldn't help but be a bit cheeky again and asked with a smile:
"Are you mad?"
Ponies living in a beautiful fairy tale world had never seen this kind of abstract magic invented by humans.
Sunset Shimmer's expression twisted visibly, then she distanced herself from Aurora, but her expression was even angrier than before.
"Fine! I'll remember you, just you wait!"
Leaving behind a harsh threat, Sunset Shimmer walked away in a huff.
This time, Aurora didn't follow her; she had to return the books and notes to Lyra Heartstrings.
Checking the time, there was still half a class left until it ended, so Aurora simply sat in the corridor outside the classroom and continued reading the textbook, taking the opportunity to use a duplication spell to copy the notes and take them back to study in detail.
It wasn't until the bell rang that Aurora stopped reading. She waited at the classroom door for Lyra Heartstrings to come out, and took the opportunity to apologize to the teacher of the class.
Almost every student coming out of the classroom took a look at Aurora before leaving. After all, the Princess's student being kicked out of class for violating discipline was too fresh a piece of news. In the gazes they gave Aurora, some were just purely curious, some were gloating, and some were condemning her for embarrassing the Princess.
Aurora didn't care about this; the Celestia she knew was also a pony who loved to have fun, and wouldn't be disappointed in her over such a trivial matter.
"Lyra Heartstrings, thank you for your notes and books."
"Oh, you're welcome... By the way, do you know me?"
"Your name is on the notes."
"Aha, that's true."
Lyra Heartstrings took back the books Aurora returned and put them into her backpack.
"Um... Aurora, do you have time later? Would you like to go to the park with us?"
Behind Lyra Heartstrings were Octavia Melody, Star Glow, and Lemon Heart, all looking over with expectant eyes.
Aurora remembered that in the animation, these ponies were all classmates of Twilight Sparkle; she couldn't figure out how they ended up in the same class as Sunset Shimmer.
Seeing that Lyra Heartstrings had something to say to her, Aurora nodded and agreed.