That week was filled with new classes. Professor Mortimer worked with the ponies on weather skills. “The ponies most skilled at weather casting can summon a rainbow, which as you know strengthens our magic.”

So far, Daisy was only able to stir a weak breeze. Duke managed to create a swirl of snow on his first try.

“All these classes are a lot harder than I thought,” Daisy told Skydancer.

Skydancer rustled her wings. “It’s challenging, but I’m having fun, aren’t you?”

It would be a whole lot more fun if I was better at this, Daisy thought.

Next it was off to pageantry. The ponies had to learn basic skills in all the study groups. Luckily, prancing prettily doesn’t require magic, Daisy thought as they strutted around the track on the training field.

But then in tricks class, she had to try casting spells to make items appear.

No matter how many times she said, “Right here—make a flower appear,” it just wouldn’t work. Duke managed to get a sugar cube to show up. Which he gobbled up with a smile.

When classes were over, it was a huge relief to finally go to lunch, a place where she didn’t need magic.

The ponies who knew their Glitter Gifts spent an extra hour after classes focusing on their area of study. That meant Daisy had a free hour to use however she wanted.

So Daisy nosed around the library, where she discovered books on the history of the academy that she’d never seen at home. There was so much more to learn! She discovered the seaponies had an academy underwater, to train for the day they are matched with their mer-princes and princesses. “Cool!” she whispered to herself.

Excited, she raced to the river, singing to the seaponies who occasionally popped their heads above the water to listen. Then she relaxed under a tree, studying more new books.

She read about other magical creatures that disappeared after the Age of Recklessness, the horses and dragonflies even tinier than Professor Xayide, who hadn’t been seen since. Her head spun with this exciting new information.

The next day during her spare hour, Daisy made her way down to the kitchens. The head pony chef was going out to pick apples from the orchard.

“Can I help you?” Daisy asked.

“Sure,” the pony chef said.

They walked to the orchard, where the trees were full of fruit. “You want to pick the ones on the outside of the tree. Those ripen first,” the chef explained.

Daisy quickly filled a bucket with apples and shared them with her friends after they finished class.

“These are so good!” Razzle said. “So sweet!”

“Today I learned the apples on the outside of the tree ripen first,” Daisy told them.

“Cool, I didn’t know that,” Electra said. Daisy felt good teaching her friends something new.

The next day, she visited the healing room and observed how those ponies used healing magic.

“I see you’re learning all about our school,” Headmistress Valincia said when she saw Daisy returning to her stable.

“It’s all so interesting,” Daisy said. “Did you know they use lavender to clean wounds?”

“I did know that. But most of the students don’t. I’m impressed, Daisy.”

Daisy blushed and looked down. She felt a bit better about everything.

But when Skydancer got back from class, she had terrible news.

“Did you hear? The princes and princesses will be coming sooner than we thought! They want to see our new class of ponies. We have to put together a special routine!”

“Really?” Daisy gulped. “They’re going to watch what we can do?”

“Yes! The professors will enchant the rainbow so the children can climb through the clouds to visit the school. Isn’t that exciting? We get to show off our magic. I can’t wait!” She flapped her wings and twirled in the air.

Magic? In front of everyone? Daisy had learned some very basic magic spells, but nothing impressive. What was she going to do for her routine?