The entrance exam questions for the School for Gifted Unicorns were very simple for Aurora.
Do not underestimate the test-taking ability of a Chinese-ethnic pony; for the entrance exam, Aurora had specifically gone through the previous years' exam questions.
She had also trained specifically for the magic that might be tested.
She had originally expected a written portion, but she didn't expect to pass just by taking a practical exam.
The exam question prepared for Aurora was: make a seed sprout and grow to maturity.
It was said that this was also the question for the academy's last midterm exam.
"It's quite easy, at least it's not hatching a dragon egg..."
Aurora muttered to herself.
She had researched the magic for hatching dragon eggs herself, but had never had the opportunity to put it into practice; after all, dragon eggs were not easy to come by.
Aurora didn't want to steal Twilight Sparkle's little brother, and she wasn't very interested in Western dragons either.
Aurora buried the seed in a pot and glanced at the three proctors sitting under the podium. They were watching every move Aurora made seriously, occasionally writing down their comments on the scorecard.
This test mainly evaluated the students' control over magic and their total raw magical power.
According to the standards for a Little Unicorn of this age, being able to make a seed grow into a sapling within a few minutes was considered a pass, while being able to produce a mature tree could be rated as an excellent grade.
Of course, this standard was for the average Unicorn. Aurora had tested her growth magic before; letting the plant poke through the ceiling was the limit of the seed, not her own.
Before casting the spell, Aurora looked at the ceiling, which seemed precarious at this moment.
Since she already knew the passing standard, she should be able to stop when she met the requirements. There was no need to make a scene by poking a hole in the ceiling; that would be too exaggerated and didn't suit her introverted nature.
Also, Aurora didn't know if she would have to pay for damaging the school building.
Paying for it was a small matter; she had considerable family wealth, and donating a teaching building wouldn't be a problem.
The main concern was leaving a bad impression on the teachers; having her credits deducted on the first step of enrollment would be very uncomfortable.
Furthermore, if the ceiling fell, it might hit other ponies, which would be very immoral.
"She's hesitating. When I took the exam, it wasn't as difficult for me as it is for her!"
To the ponies' surprise, while Aurora was concentrating on the exam, two horses, one large and one small, were watching everything that was happening from outside the classroom window.
The speaker was an amber-colored Little Unicorn, her red and yellow mane looking as flamboyant and enthusiastic as fire.
She looked at Aurora, who had yet to cast a spell in the classroom, her eyes full of contempt and disdain.
The large horse beside her was none other than Celestia. She had come to examine Aurora's magic level and, by the way, brought her student, Sunset Shimmer, to meet the new friend she had introduced to her.
However, she looked very reluctant; if she weren't her teacher, it might have been difficult to convince her to come.
But Sunset Shimmer had to try to change her current personality; otherwise, with her current disposition, she would not be able to shoulder heavy responsibilities.
"She just got her cutie mark very early; that doesn't prove her talent can compare to mine!"
Sunset Shimmer arrogantly admired her own hooves, seemingly feeling that the exam inside was not as exciting as her freshly groomed hooves.
"Oh, Sunset Shimmer, she is younger than you."
"That's not much younger, and when I was her age, the exam didn't take me this long."
"As long as they finish the exam within the allotted time, they are excellent Unicorns; there's no need to be too impatient."
"You are right, Your Highness. Not all ponies can do it in one go like I can; we really must give ponies with lacking abilities more time."
Celestia could only roll her eyes helplessly at her student's attitude.
Her student was good in every way, except that her personality was too arrogant.
She hoped that Aurora wouldn't mind this and would make friends with Sunset Shimmer, and preferably, that Sunset Shimmer would learn the meaning of humility.
During the conversation between teacher and student, Aurora had also decided what to do.
After preparing the magic, she finally began to complete her exam.
Without thinking of too many exaggerated special effects, under the guidance of Aurora's magic, the seed began to sprout, and three stems broke through the soil, growing upward in an intertwined manner, neither fast nor slow.
It stopped when it reached the appropriate height, and then immediately spread its branches and leaves in all directions.
Under Aurora's control, there were no complications, and everything was as orderly as she had envisioned.
The light green leaves were lush and dense, and then some small red fruits grew on the branches, like small lanterns hanging on the tree, looking very festive.
The whole process was done in one go, as if this small arbor had grown into a bonsai tree on its own; this was the power of magic.
"Oh, this tree is so beautiful!"
One of the proctors' eyes lit up as he looked at the potted plant that could be called a work of art, and his originally serious expression couldn't be maintained.
"Miss Aurora, after the exam is over, could you give it to me? I want to put it in the most conspicuous place in my office!"
"Please do, madam. This evergreen arbor is very suitable as an indoor bonsai. It also has a nickname called the 'Money Tree,' which has the auspicious meaning of abundant financial resources and career advancement. It is also very easy to care for; it only needs a warm environment and plenty of water, but be careful not to water it with hot water."
Aurora explained while using transformation magic to change the shape of the flowerpot, and wrote "Rolling Wealth" in the Pony language on it, feeling satisfied only then.
Hearing this, the other two proctors suddenly regretted that they had been a step too slow and had missed the opportunity to own this Money Tree.
But thinking that the three of them were in the same office, they felt much better.
"I can do this level of work too. And her effect is too small; last time I conjured a towering tree!"
Celestia looked at the tsundere Sunset Shimmer with amusement. She knew that her student had a preliminary recognition of Aurora's level in her heart, but her arrogant self was unwilling to admit that there was a pony as excellent as herself.
"Yes. You just submitted excellent exam papers in different ways; you are both very excellent Unicorns."
Celestia gently nudged Sunset Shimmer with her hoof and asked.
"I'm going inside to take a look. Do you want to come with me? You will meet a new friend who is equally excellent."
"I'd better not, Princess. I'll just wait for you outside."
She refused Celestia's invitation, her eyes looking vigilantly at Aurora, who was waiting for the exam results inside.