[Studying] You roll a 13 (required 10). Success!

You decide to focus on mastering what you've learned so far. Learning a spell is a good start, you figure, but being able to cast it in a timely fashion would make all the difference. With that in mind, you plunge your muzzle back into your spellbook, and resume your studies.

Honourshine and Moonflower do the same; if there is anything useful to be found in a book about the Kirin Empire, then they intend to find it. That said, the book seems to mostly cover historical events and characters, none which sound particularly relevant to your quest...

You spend most of the sunless day practising your spellcasting. After a while, however, you begin to feel the distinct tension of a drained magic pool for the first time, forcing you to take breaks every now and again.

Meanwhile, your friends finish reading The Mystical Empire, and conclude that it is titled as such because after all, very little is known about the Kirin. While unicorns of old travelled to then Ponyland — and later, Kirin to the Peaks of Peril —, the culture itself never left the island.

As for their history, it is impossibly chaotic. Accounts may be taken either literally or metaphorically, neither of which making much sense. But were any of them to be believed, demons would hide between every other line, manifesting as anything from vicious beasts to household objects — a far cry from the peaceful life you've grown accustomed to.

Either way, by what you believe is the end of the day, you manage to cast the Camouflage spell entirely from memory. You still make a mistake here and there, and have to retry a few times, but you think you're getting the hang of it. With enough luck, you won't draw a blank when you need it most!

You learn Camouflage!

The next morning, you are awakened by golden light beaming through your cabin's window. Over waves of glimmering jade, a warm sun shines brightly in the familiar deep azure of a fair summer sky, flanked by twin moons.

Your party climbs upstairs to the upper deck, and as you step outside, you take in a deep breath of fresh air. A light breeze circles down from the mast to brush through your mane, and after a few blissful minutes, a bell rings at the front of the ship.

Crewmate: "Land ho!"

As the ship approaches the docks of a coastal village, you and your friends make ready for your journey. You fill your saddlebags with enough food to last a week, though Honourshine ends up carrying most of it.

You get 3 Rations!

Sunshine Berry: "All set? This is the town we'll be staying at. If you need a refill, just come back here; we've got enough supplies to last about a moon. Well, a moon in Equestria, anyway."

Cerulean Drift: "Think we'll make it back in time for Nightmare Night? Ah, don't rush it — it sounds like you've got a lot on your plate."

Cloud Wayfind: "Aye, and remember: if you get in trouble, blow your sealwhistle. In these lands, mail critters may be your only friends in a day's walk."

You nod, and once the ship is moored, you step out onto the wooden pier and take in the sights. Workers move cargo to and from a dozen sailboats along the docks, while others sail along the sandy shores.

To the east, a red gate marks the entrance to the village, behind which a path leads to overgrown uplands. Several buildings peek out from the thick foliage above, each stylized with architecture both foreign and welcoming.

In the distance to the northeast, far beyond the incessant chirping of cicadas and the gentle sound of wooden wind chimes, towers a colossal portal. A large banner hangs from the top of the structure, displaying to far and wide a label in a language you cannot read.

Sunshine Berry: "Welcome to Shui-Ti! This is as far as we go, but as long as you're in the area, your cabin's got free beds to rest in."

Cerulean Drift: "And while you're here, this port's probably the best shot you'll get at finding someone you can talk halfway to. And if you're lucky, you might even find someone to trade your bits in with. That said, best of luck to you!"