Somewhere on Xinzauriaa
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On an island in the middle of the Red Sea, the inhabitants of a town are restless. The only town on the island, in fact. But it's not small. It's made up of large areas. Indeed, the entire outskirts of Avandale are laid out with large houses and pavilions where large families live. These families, by the way, are not renowned for their wealth or political power. They are known and respected for their talents in the martial arts and magic. Closer to the center, you can distinguish several districts of activity with their own specialty(ies): medicine, trade, tool and weapon production, teaching school, martial arts academy and magic academy with a facility instructing both. Finally, in the center, just in front of the town hall, a large arena. And it's towards this arena that the hustle and bustle takes place.
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At this time of year, the Great Games take place. We're not talking about card games, of course. During these, trials are prepared in which candidates must demonstrate their martial arts and/or magic skills. As families stand out for their place in the ranking, it's important to be well prepared.
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This year, however, it's still too early for Yu. She's a puny-looking six-year-old girl who's been adopted by one of Avandale's most renowned families. The Naterelli family. Yu wasn't chosen from an orphanage or found on the streets. No, this strange little child was found in the depths of the forest. And just to tell you how deep, imagine an island, a mountain in the middle, a huge coastal city and the rest is the forest. And even stranger enough, she was first spotted asleep in the midst of wild animals and creatures that had no business being there together. All looked peaceful. So peaceful, in fact, that Leo couldn't bring himself to disturb them that day. Then went to look for her the next day.
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Léo became Yu's big brother. He's a sweet-faced young man, with heliotrope purple eyes, like the flowers, and light blond hair. At fifteen he's already an experienced explorer. He sometimes strays from the adult group to follow his instincts. Which is exactly what he did when he found Yu. She was four years old at the time.
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Before accompanying his little sister to school, Léo wants to be sure that she has learned her lesson, so as not to be mocked by the others yet again. Indeed, the other children, not quite understanding where she comes from, often make fun of her.
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- Yu, are you ready?
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- Yes, this time I've reread everything over and over again, she replies proudly, holding her little notebook in her arms.
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- So here we go! How many seasons are there? begins Leo.
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- Five! She begins, her finger on her chin and her eyes on the ceiling of her room. Ah! Igör season when it's cold, Naélie season when the flowers open, Solhan season when it's hot, Meilün season when there's a lot of rain and Fallia season when the leaves fall. Is that right?
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- Yes! exclaims the big brother, surprised by so many details. Very good, indeed! Now for the hard part: how many months are there in each season? How many days per month and week?
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- Ho ! hum. . . she takes the time to think, her eyes still on the ceiling. There are three months in a season, thirty days in a month and six days in a week, she replies.
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- Bravo! exclaims the young boy. Last question. Who's the best big brother? he asks, grinning.
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- Leo! exclaims Yu, jumping into his arms and dropping his notebook in the process.
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- Ten out of ten. I'm proud of you, little sister. Off to school now! he declares, putting the notebook back on the ground.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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- 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
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- Humanization!" exclaims a student at the back of the class.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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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.
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- Sir! Not all creatures turn into humans, right? she asks. They don't all have the power to do so, even if they want to, do they, sir?
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- Mr. Sgoïl, not surprised by this behavior, doesn't even bother to reprimand her. The question being pertinent, he replies:
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- Indeed, not all creatures have learned to metamorphose. You can sit back down now, he adds reprovingly.
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- As you know, not all creatures that are said to be magical - because they use and/or are made of elemental or magical energy - are on an equal footing. Some are more imposing than others, and some far more powerful. What's more, in their behavior, some are harmless to other living beings, while others are dangerous and act like predators," he explains. That's why you're not allowed to go into the forest on your own, he adds.
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Yu raises her hand, cheeks and ears flushed from his shyness in class. Head down towards his desk, but her fern-green eyes with golden hints rising towards the master.
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- Yes, Yu? What's your question? inquires Monsieur Sgoïl.
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- In that case, sir, I guess the weaker ones couldn't learn this magic. But what about predators and divine beasts?
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- Good question, Yu. As your comrade said, creatures at the bottom of the magic power ranking, from zero to three, can't use this magic. It's mainly the species between levels four and seven that use it. However, there are a very small number of predatory species that have assimilated it. Imagine making friends with a creature knowing that you ate its brother or sister yesterday? I think this is one of the reasons why predators haven't wanted to try metamorphosis. But there are also so-called harmless species that have chosen not to learn it, in order to perpetuate their lineage and retain all the characteristics associated with their species, explains Mr. Sgoïl, continuing to illustrate what he's saying on the board.
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- As for the more powerful creatures between levels eight and ten, very few - perhaps two or three out of the twenty or so recorded - did the same. As magical and elemental creatures want to respect the balance of all things and of magic, the majority wanted to preserve the birth rate per generation, he continues.
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- Finally, it's difficult to determine the number of "divine" or "legendary" creatures, whose numbers per continent can generally be counted on the fingers of one hand. It's very rare to come across them, or even to see them, as they live in seclusion, waiting for the world to need them. And there was even one exception to these creatures. A species now extinct. Their power could change the course of life, and there were only two of them. One watched over the northern part of the planet, and the other the southern part.
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- What were the names of these two creatures, m'sieur? asked a student, obviously too curious to wait for permission.
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- They were Jetanēi hakki. Large, flamboyantly colored birds. It's a pity they're extinct. . Well that will be all as new information today, please take the time to write it all down. Don't forget that tomorrow is your first visit to the forest, and you'll all be accompanied by an experienced guide.
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Chlotilde suddenly had a flash of evil genius running through her head. Unable to leave her cousin in peace, she calls out during a silence:
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- Hey Yu, you must be a native human, the way you're so weak.
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- You couldn't even learn martial arts, you're not even in level 0," she laughs, not forgetting to look superior.
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- That's enough, Chlotilde! snaps Monsieur Sgoïl, imposing a heavy silence on the room. You'll stay once the rest of the class has left. I'll have a word with your mom. The rest of you can go," he announces, giving Yu a supportive smile.
