Aurora tested it for several days in a row, but gained nothing.
Later, Aurora's methods gradually became more daring, such as sleeping while wearing the helm of shadow.
As a result, after one night, besides a stiff neck, nothing special happened; she didn't even have a single nightmare.
This left Aurora feeling a bit discouraged. To avoid other ponies discovering that she had the helm of shadow, she didn't have much time to spend on Nightmare Magic anyway.
If the results continued like this, she would have to consider giving up her research on it and instead devote that time to the research and development of Supernatural Magic and Harmony Magic.
After viewing the Rainbow Cannon up close last time, Aurora had received quite a bit of inspiration, which made her thoughts drift back toward replicating the path of destiny.
But after her excitement cooled down, she immediately regained her reason. She had been exposed to too much high-end magic recently, making her get carried away.
But no matter how delicious a meal is, you can only eat it one bite at a time. She had already started enough projects, and given her magical level and genius reserves, it was better to take it slow.
For now, her main focus should be optimizing Supernatural Magic, with the analysis of Harmony Magic as a secondary line.
After all, Twilight Sparkle lived right next door now, so magical exchanges were already very convenient.
As for the hidden thread of Nightmare Magic, Aurora could only pin her hopes on the promised tutoring sessions with Princess Luna to provide enlightenment for her studies in mental magic.
Of course, the matter of the helm of shadow had to be kept secret from Princess Luna.
She was, after all, a seasoned victim of Nightmare Magic. If Princess Luna found out that her top-tier crit-damage helmet was being used by Flying Light as a nightcap all night long, she would probably be at Flying Light's bedside the next second, gently waking her sleeping soul with her standard Canterlot Royal Voice.
The consequences were truly terrifying to even think about.
Whenever she thought about this, Aurora couldn't help but frown, and then warned herself in her heart to be careful in everything.
"Flying Light, do you have something on your mind? It seems like I see you frowning often lately."
Spike waved his claw in front of Aurora's eyes to attract her attention, and while asking with concern, handed over the menu he was holding.
"It's nothing, just that my schedule has been quite tight lately, and various research projects have left me a bit neurasthenic."
Aurora lightly brushed off the abnormality she had been showing recently, and took the menu, preparing to just pick a set meal to get it over with.
After Twilight Sparkle and her son moved to Ponyville, Aurora would spend her days with them regardless of whether she had anything to do, so having lunch together like this was just a common occurrence.
They were originally fellow students who had grown up studying together, and living close by made it even more convenient to visit each other.
And after Twilight Sparkle also moved to Ponyville, that Academic Cabin was not abandoned.
It was said to have been taken over by Aurora Glow.
When she first heard that her younger sister had taken over, Aurora was taken aback for a moment, after all, that child wasn't exactly enthusiastic about reading and studying.
But a while ago, Aurora received a letter from Aurora Glow, which had no words, only a photo.
In the photo, Aurora Glow was facing the camera with a smug look, holding up the key Twilight Sparkle had given her, with the interior of the well-organized cabin in the background, where Moon Dancer and Gilded Lily were quietly reading.
Seeing such a cute creature, Aurora couldn't suppress the doting smile on her face, and picked up her pen to write a praise-filled letter to send back.
Her sister was truly worry-free when she was being reliable.
In short, everything in Canterlot was well taken care of, which made Aurora feel very relieved.
'But I always feel like I've forgotten someone...'
A trace of confusion flashed in Aurora's eyes, but she was tied up with matters and really couldn't immediately recall where this momentary blankness came from.
Spike looked at Aurora, who had fallen into thought again, and then at Twilight Sparkle on the other side, who was also caught in self-entanglement and hadn't made a sound from the beginning, and felt speechless in his heart.
It was no wonder these two were fellow sisters from the same sect; they always had that deep look like things were more important than anything, not even eating their meals properly.
Aurora finished ordering and casually handed the menu to Twilight Sparkle beside her.
However, Twilight Sparkle's processor wasn't like Aurora's, capable of multitasking; she was completely lost in her own thoughts, with no reaction to the changes in the outside world.
Seeing that the waiter taking the order was getting a bit impatient, Spike had to poke Twilight Sparkle with his claw and speak up to remind her.
"Twilight, have you chosen?"
"I don't know!!!"
Twilight Sparkle's earth-shattering roar startled all the ponies around. Aurora also shuddered, looking in surprise at the suddenly manic Twilight Sparkle.
After her outburst, Twilight Sparkle finally returned to the real world. She awkwardly picked a sandwich set meal at random and then buried her head to hide herself.
After the surrounding atmosphere became lively again, Aurora leaned closer to Twilight Sparkle, who was playing quail, and asked with concern.
"Twilight, did something happen to you today?"
'Why do you look even more unhinged than me?'
Someone who didn't know better might think it was Twilight Sparkle who was researching the helm of shadow.
"Sigh, don't even mention it, I'm about to be tangled to death..."
Twilight Sparkle's face was buried on the tabletop. Hunger and annoyance seemed to have worn away all her enthusiasm and motivation, and she could only make a muffled sound in a state of giving up.
Helpless, Spike spoke on behalf of Twilight Sparkle about what had happened to them this morning.
It turned out that the letter from Celestia invited Twilight Sparkle to attend this year's Grand Galloping Gala and gave her two tickets, allowing her to bring one extra friend along.
Twilight Sparkle originally wanted to let Spike go with her, but Spike felt that this kind of ball was too girly, so he declined the spot.
Then, the news that Twilight Sparkle had an extra Grand Galloping Gala ticket became known to her five good friends, and each of them had the desire and sufficient reasons to want that spot.
What Twilight was worried about now was exactly who it was most appropriate to give this spot to.
"So it's this matter."
Aurora let out a sigh that other ponies couldn't discern the meaning of.
Because this episode was one of the episodes paving the way for the season finale of the first season, Flying Light had a deep memory of this plot.
But then again, it was impossible for Celestia not to know that Twilight Sparkle had five friends, yet she only gave one extra ticket.
Was it intentional or accidental?
It was fortunate that the subjects of the test were a group of kind and simple ponies; otherwise, using huge benefits to test human nature, the little boat of friendship would likely capsize just like that.
While Aurora was digesting this information, Twilight Sparkle suddenly remembered something, sat up abruptly, took out a Grand Galloping Gala ticket, and pushed it in front of Aurora.
"Flying Light, this is for you."
Looking at this golden ticket she hadn't seen in a long time, besides being touched, Aurora felt more of an instinctive resistance in her heart.
She was touched that Twilight Sparkle would actually choose to give the spot to her; it meant her junior sister hadn't been pampered in vain.
And as for the reason for her resistance, those who know, know.
"Thank you, Twilight, but I—"
"This was specially reserved for you by the Princess."
"..."
Fine, fine, fine. It was just a leader forcing attendance at a long and tedious team-building activity; there was nothing surprising about this.
"It is said that Princess Luna reserved it for you."
"But then again—"
She hadn't seen Princess Luna dressed up yet; clearly, she would have to go this year.
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