The early morning sun bathed the grounds of Château Beauxbâtons in soft golden light, the gentle warmth drifting over the ancient stone walls and blooming gardens. Eira and Marin walked side by side, their footsteps muffled by the dew-kissed grass as they made their way toward the outskirts of the school. Birds chirped high above in the towering trees, their songs blending with the faint rustle of leaves stirred by the morning breeze.
"I can't believe we're finally here," Marin said, adjusting the strap of his satchel as he glanced sideways at Eira. His voice was low, almost a whisper, as if the magic of the morning deserved reverence.
Eira smiled, her eyes bright and expectant. "It's not just any class today. Magical Animal Care—Soins Magiques aux Animaux. I heard it's quite special here."
Marin chuckled softly. "You know me. I'm only here for the animals. You'll probably be more interested in the magic."
They reached a pair of tall, ancient wooden doors, engraved with delicate vine patterns that shimmered faintly in the morning light. As they pushed the doors open, a fresh, humid breeze greeted them, scented faintly with moss and earth. The two stepped inside.
Before them stretched an extraordinary landscape, like stepping through a portal into another world. Towering trees, their leaves sparkling with an ethereal shimmer, formed a dense canopy overhead. Exotic flowers bloomed in vibrant clusters, casting dappled colors across the soft ground. The distant calls of magical creatures echoed — birds with feathers of sapphire and emerald, the rustling of small animals unseen but keenly felt.
It was less a classroom and more a living, breathing jungle.
Eira inhaled deeply, eyes wide with wonder. "It's like the heart of the forest itself lives here."
Marin nodded, pushing his glasses up his nose. "And it's hidden from the rest of the school — a secret world just for these magical creatures."
Eira glanced over at Marin, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Since when do you wear glasses?" It was the first time she'd ever seen him with them.
Marin shrugged, adjusting the frames. "Well, my eyes have been feeling a bit off, so I figured these might help."
Eira deadpanned, "That's the most ridiculous excuse I've heard so far. If your eyes really hurt that bad, why don't you just go to the hospital wing and get them checked?"
Marin cleared his throat, a bit sheepish. "I don't want to go there and have the healers dissect my eyes like some experiment."
Eira leaned in, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Tell me the truth. What's the real reason?"
Marin sighed, caught. "Alright, I read in some book that girls like boys who wear glasses—if they look cool and handsome. So, I tried it out. And you know what? It worked. Some senior girls even complimented me."
Eira shook her head with a smile. "So you're telling me you put on glasses just to impress girls? What else should I expect from you?"
Marin grinned. "Well, let's just go—let's ignore the glasses and this conversation."
The pair followed a winding path bordered by glowing mushrooms and delicate ferns until they arrived at a clearing — a large circular space paved with smooth white marble tiles, glinting faintly beneath the filtered sunlight. Around the circle, the jungle thickened, trees arching inward like ancient guardians.
Standing at the center was their professor: a portly man with a warm smile and a slightly imposing stature. His robes were a rich burgundy, embroidered with gold thread depicting swirling vines and mythical beasts. His thick beard curled neatly at the edges, and his eyes sparkled behind round spectacles.
Yet, when he opened his mouth to speak, the sound that emerged was unexpected — light and soft, almost melodious, like the voice of a woman. A few students near the back stifled giggles.
Marin, leaning close to Eira, whispered with a mischievous grin, "Sounds like Madame Bontemps rehearsed with a nightingale."
Eira tried not to laugh but failed, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
The professor cleared his throat and smiled kindly. "Bonjour, mes élèves. Welcome to Soins Magiques aux Animaux — Magical Care of Animals. I am Professor Claude Moreau, and I will be guiding you through the wonders of these incredible creatures this year."
His voice quickly settled into a gentle cadence, and the students leaned in, captivated by his warmth and the air of mystery surrounding the lush jungle.
"Today, we will meet a very special creature," Professor Moreau continued. "The Lutin Sylvestre — the Forest Sprite. This magical animal is unique to the enchanted forests of France and carries both great beauty and great caution."
The professor gestured toward a shadowed part of the jungle. From between two ancient oaks emerged a small, delicate creature no taller than a rabbit. Its shimmering fur seemed to change color with every subtle movement — a soft mossy green, then a vibrant leaf gold, blending perfectly into the foliage.
Large, expressive eyes blinked curiously at the students. Translucent wings fluttered faintly on its back, producing a soft tinkling like chimes.
"This Lutin Sylvestre," Professor Moreau explained, "is a shy and elusive being. Its magic is tied to the forest's vitality. It can heal wounds by touching them with its wings, but beware — if threatened, it can cause illusions so vivid you may lose your way in the woods."
Marin's eyes gleamed as he leaned forward, his hand raised eagerly. "Professor, what do we need to feed them? How do we care for their wings?"
Moreau smiled. "Excellent questions. The Lutin feeds on dew collected from rare moonflowers and small insects enchanted with light. Their wings are delicate and must be kept free of dark magic, which can cause permanent harm. Caring for them requires patience and gentleness — the very essence of magical care."
One by one, the professor invited students forward to gently interact with the Lutin Sylvestre. The creature fluttered around cautiously but responded to the students' calm, kind gestures.
When it was Eira's turn, her heart pounded as she knelt slowly and extended her hand. The sprite hovered near, its wings creating a soft breeze that rustled her White hair. It landed briefly on her palm, its fur warm and silky. The creature's eyes met hers, full of ancient wisdom and quiet trust.
"Bien fait, Mademoiselle White," Professor Moreau praised. "You have a natural connection."
Eira blushed slightly, still awed by the moment.
After the interactions, Professor Moreau gathered everyone around the circle once more.
"This jungle you see around us is a magical preserve — a living sanctuary created nearly five centuries ago by the legendary Headmistress Jeanne de L'toile, a visionary protector of magical creatures. She wove powerful enchantments to safeguard these species and their habitats, isolating this 'mini-world' from the outside."
He gestured broadly, and a cascade of shimmering light rippled across the canopy, making leaves glow softly.
"This place thrives because of that ancient magic and the dedication of our staff. Every creature here, from the tiniest sprite to the majestic Cerf Céleste — the Celestial Stag — has a carefully maintained habitat."
Marine, unable to resist, whispered to Eira, "Imagine having a stag like that wandering your garden."
Eira laughed, her eyes sparkling. "You'd have to mow the lawn daily."
Across the circle, a cheerful girl named Fanny piped up, "I bet the stag would do the mowing itself!"
Professor Moreau smiled indulgently. "Ah, Fanny, always with the jokes. But in truth, care for magical animals requires respect, knowledge, and a deep heart. That is what this class will teach you."
The professor went on, describing the care routines — the need for special diets, the importance of understanding each creature's temperament, the magic used to heal and comfort.
He spoke of dangers as well. "Some magical beasts here have potent defensive abilities. The Lutin Sylvestre's illusions are harmless but disorienting. The Vairon de Nuit — the Night Shimmer Fish — can emit blinding light to escape predators. Learning to coexist with such creatures is the heart of our study."
Students listened intently, some taking notes, others staring in awe at the jungle around them.
After the lesson, Professor Moreau invited the students to explore the preserve further, guiding them to different habitats — nests of shimmering Plumeflies, burrows of mischievous Griffinsprites, and small ponds where translucent Lunamoths danced on the water's surface.
Eira and Marin wandered together, exchanging observations and laughter.
"You're quite good with the Lutin," Marin said.
"It's hard not to be gentle around such beauty," Eira replied softly. "I want to learn everything — how to protect them, how to respect their magic."
Marin smiled warmly. "I think you're going to be the best caretaker in the school."
The morning passed in a haze of enchantment, the students enchanted by the wonders and the gentle wisdom of their professor.
As they returned to the school's main grounds, Eira took one last look back at the jungle sanctuary — a magical haven hidden in plain sight, a reminder of the enduring bond between wizard and beast.