Yu nodded, not forgetting to pick up her notebook. One by one, they left the room on the second floor. The Naterellis live in a house on the west side of town. The building, with its white walls rather faded by time and weather, borrows a charm from the old wooden beams that support it. With its large, tarnished-glass windows and tower, it resembles a tiny château. Or a large house. It stands in the middle of an immense garden. A garden that can be admired from the third and top floor, if you don't count the attic.

This green space, decorated to the tastes and desires of the mistress of the family, has probably been Yu's favorite place since she arrived. She spends most of her time here, and is never bored. One hour she'll be gazing at the shrubs carved in the shape of creatures representing the family, as if they were talking to her, and the next she'll be chasing insects along the low hedge. There's no doubt that the sweet yet powerful scent of the flowers adds an enticing power to their thousand and one colors. A power that our young sprout can't resist.

After descending the steps of the oak staircase, worn by the passage of time and the numerous visits of the servants, the two children make their way along the garden paths to the gate at the entrance to the estate. Don't get me wrong, it's perfectly possible for them to use the double red granite staircase in the manor hall. However, despite its warm colors, Yu finds it cold and lifeless. The wooden staircase, on the other hand, is lived-in, and its creaking adds charm to its tired appearance.

Once through the gate, Yu and Leo head for the production area, where you'll find the forge, weaver's, carpenter's, jeweler's and potter's workshops, etc. It's the shortest route to the school. The two youngsters never forget to say hello to every craftsman they come across. Exchanging warm smiles has become a ritual. A ritual that Yu greatly appreciates, as each smile gives her energy. Not just positivity, but with every smile an energy tickles her, warming her heart and recharging her like a battery.

Arriving in front of the school, a stone building with several long windows, Léo says goodbye to his little sister. He leaves her in front of the large front door on the left-hand side, accompanied by her class teacher. He continues on his way to the martial arts academy on the opposite side of town. The martial arts academy, the magic academy and the school that teaches both at the same time welcome disciples from the age of ten, if they are ready. 

Yu is never happy to see her brother go. But her class teacher always manages to reassure her. Mister Sgoïl is an elderly-looking man with salt-and-pepper hair slicked back. His fine aquiline nose and well-groomed mustache give him the air of an aristocrat. This air is accentuated by his long coat and sleeveless vest adorned with embroidery. Although his attire and manner of presentation are very neat, this man is richer in knowledge and heart than in coin.

With all of the young Naterelli's classmates having arrived, Mister Sgoïl rings the bell on the wall. Once the class has assembled in the classroom, everyone is seated. Yu settles down at her little desk just in front of the teacher's. She feels at home in this classroom. She feels at home in this warm classroom. The wooden floor, desks and door naturally soothe the young child. She feels particularly well surrounded by the green plants scattered around the room and on the desk opposite hers. With everyone finally seated, the middle-aged man opens his history book to begin the lesson. 

• So today we're going to talk about a phenomenon that has changed the course of history. And which has turned the evolution of several magical species and that of humans upside down. he announces

• Humanization! exclaims a student at the back of the class.

• Yes, continues Mr. Sgoïl. Humanization is the period during which several magical creatures began to learn metamorphosis in order to change into Man, or a form that comes close to it. he explains, writing and drawing on the chalkboard. 

• The aim of these creatures at the time was to enable better communication between them, despite their differences in species. And this need, previously non-existent, took on its full meaning after a disastrous event that upset the balance of magic. He continues. We won't go into detail about it this year. 

A student gets up to speak. Of course, without permission. This student is Yu's adopted cousin. And if they don't go to school together, it's for a very specific reason. This dear child, with her wavy medium-length blond hair with yellow highlights like young chicks, loves to annoy Yu in the most despicable ways. Indeed, Chlotilde, as she's known, with her large eyes of a dull blue that often turns gray, and her thin lips, rejects Yu like the plague. She, who was pampered by the whole family and received all the attention on the outside for her doll-like beauty, is now as good as cast aside. Considered old enough and independent enough for her age, her family's attention is focused on Yu, who has a strange illness. However, Clothilde has no interest for a stranger and refuses to be "robbed" of her family and attention. And it's to get noticed that she gets up to speak.