The facilities here were complete. Besides the Library on the first floor, there was an observatory and living quarters upstairs, as well as a basement that served as a laboratory. It was simply a magical clubhouse for academics.
"You have a place like this, I've never heard you mention it."
"Uh-huh, now we're even."
Aurora was referring to Sunset Shimmer not telling her about her legendary experience of hatching a phoenix egg.
There was still some time before the meeting with Twilight Sparkle, so Aurora took Sunset Shimmer on a tour of her private Library.
"This is a place I often came to before I started school. Because the books I bought were too many to fit at home, I simply emptied out a place specifically to store my books."
It housed most of the mainstream magic books, with the most related to Star Swirl the Bearded, as well as many rubbings of rare magic books, which were likely obtained from the Central City Archives. After all, Star Swirl the Bearded was the greatest male wizard since the founding of Equestria, and Aurora would never be missing Star Swirl's books, no matter what else she was missing.
Besides that, there were also some niche and obscure magic books. Sunset Shimmer even saw the Humorous Clown mentioned earlier; the entire series was here.
Every book was preserved in very good condition, and it was clear that their owner had spent a lot of effort maintaining this place.
"This bookshelf mainly houses my favorite books."
Aurora pointed to a bookshelf that was organized exceptionally neatly and cleanly. It was placed in the most conspicuous spot in the house, and she introduced it to Sunset Shimmer.
"I welcome my friends to borrow any books here at any time, but for this one bookshelf alone, I hope that when they are borrowed, a note or remark is left behind."
"You built a place like this, isn't it very troublesome to maintain?"
After Aurora started school, she was almost running back and forth between the school and the castle every day. Sunset Shimmer felt she shouldn't have time to manage this place, but it was spotless, not looking like a place that had been left vacant for a long time.
"I hired other ponies to help me clean this place regularly, about once a week. Obviously, their work results are worth the price I pay."
No matter which world it is, as long as the money is right, there will be a lot fewer troubles.
Sunset Shimmer also recalled that her junior's family background in Canterlot seemed to be a noble family, so no wonder she had spare money to specifically build such a Library to collect these books.
Because one couldn't see any of the bad temper typical of noble ponies on Aurora, it made Sunset Shimmer always forget that Aurora was also one of them.
"Take these books, we'll need them when Twilight arrives later."
Aurora took down a few magic books from the corresponding bookshelf and handed them to Sunset Shimmer.
"And this for you too."
"?"
Sunset Shimmer looked at the key on Aurora's hoof. This thing was exactly the same as the one Aurora used to open the door just now. Not understanding the meaning, she didn't dare to take it for a moment.
Aurora didn't have any intention of avoiding suspicion at all, and directly stuffed the key into Sunset Shimmer's satchel.
"This is the spare key to my house. From now on, whenever you want, you can use this place at any time, no need to ask me."
After saying this, Aurora felt it wasn't quite right, so she quickly added another sentence.
"But this doesn't mean you can skip leaving a note when using my favorite bookshelf, do you understand?"
Aurora stared at Sunset Shimmer with sharp eyes, poking Sunset Shimmer's chest with her hoof in a threatening manner. It was a feigned fierce look, but she quickly broke into laughter.
"Wait... why?"
However, right at this moment, the doorbell rang. Knowing that it was Twilight Sparkle who had arrived, Aurora hurried over to answer the door, and by the way, also tell Twilight Sparkle the rules of her territory.
At this time, Sunset Shimmer's brain was still in a state of confusion, after all, everything happened too suddenly.
Sunset Shimmer took the key out of her bag and looked at it carefully. It was indeed the key to the house, not some insignificant little toy.
How did Aurora manage to give such an important thing to her so calmly and naturally? And why her? It hasn't been that long since their relationship eased, right? How could such a thing happen?
Gazing at the key, Sunset Shimmer felt a strange and unfamiliar emotion in her heart. Perhaps this is the feeling of being completely trusted by someone? But she didn't dislike this feeling, and was even a little flattered and panicked.
Sunset Shimmer thought through everything she had done and couldn't think of a reason why Aurora would deserve to treat her this way, and even felt it wasn't worth it for Aurora.
Although Sunset Shimmer knew nothing about friendship, but given the situation, even she felt from the bottom of her heart that Aurora was definitely the most generous and sincere friend in the world.
Sunset Shimmer couldn't help but think of the words Celestia had instructed her before. She now felt that Celestia must have been wrong.
How could such a Aurora be a pony with a lonely heart?