Ochria was now in high school, like his brother Asur, and they were human all the time, changing back only for a few hours at weekends or in the evenings when physiological constraints forced them to act. They were, after all, only reinforced illusions.

They had plenty of friends and had managed to recreate an environment of trust around them.

They particularly adored Emilie, who taught them empathy, respect for others and how to integrate into society.

She also helped them with their homework and schoolwork, but the dragons' superior intelligence helped a lot, especially the common knowledge that was being rebuilt with their family.

Rudia, who was still alive, transmitted draconic knowledge, art, culture and what she knew of science, which she herself had inherited from Tiamat, into the subconscious, but this interfered with human knowledge, and this is where Emilie came in to correct maths, geometry and physics, as draconic knowledge interpreted everything from an esoteric point of view.

Moreover, they were strictly forbidden to use magic for any purpose, even for healing.

They could only practice it in his strict presence and in the presence of Professor Chardon or an official of the Order, and even then, it was for training purposes and to avoid any excesses.

Offensive spells were strictly forbidden.

Only Emilie could cast spells to monitor her siblings and detect any supernatural interference or events that might be taking place, attracted by the young dragons' powerful mana. Besides, if they had redeemed themselves, Emilie hadn't forgotten the monsters they had become under Rudia's influence and the terrible trials and humiliations they had had to endure as punishment.

Emilie always feared that they would slip back into their ways, and she could be as stern as she was kind. She was particularly attentive to Azur and his friends.

He could have a beer or two, but beware of getting drunk or losing his self-control.

That day, Emilie landed at the farm in Mont, in the meadow that had been converted into a kind of heliport just for her, and rushed to Azur's room.

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“AZUR!!! Where are you? “she shouted.

Azur was playing playstation with his friends and immediately sensed that something was wrong with his big sister's aura.

He let go of the controller and turned around: “Fuck off, she's pissed!”

He immediately reverted to his dragon form, already knowing why by instinct. She was dying of jealousy and was extremely frustrated, even unhappy.

Azur rushed through the barn door and avoided a pinching clack from Emilie, who just missed.

Azur was practicing to avoid his big sister's admonishments and yelled “MAMAN” to stop the red dragon's tantrums.

Of course, Azur's pal Enzo arrived in the kitchen and called for help, and she heard the ruckus.

She dropped the salad and its utensils and went out through the living room, up the stairs to the barn and the dragons' quarters.

Emilie calmed down as she heard her adoptive mother's cries and received the wet kitchen sheet on her muzzle.

“Emilie! I didn't know you were so hot-tempered! I don't recognize you now.” Then Emilie shrank to human size and began to cry into her mother's apron.

“I'm unhappy... I have to start all over again... Tiamat is back. and... and It's unfair... look Azur!!! He's sticking his tongue out at me!

He's human and I'm not...”

Great sorrow.

“The king sent me packing...”

“Godfather takes care of Blackthorne who has returned..”

“And Einrich..?? who will avenge him?? Nobody cares!! and him.. look.. He's making faces at me.. Je je vais croquer le..”

“EMILIE! ...that's enough!”

Then she took her by the horns and leaned her head against his heart.

“I'm here... I'll always be here!..”

Azur had run off to Enzo's to play.

He had disobeyed again and taken his buddy on his back and his bag containing the console by his front paws.

The villagers had learned to turn a blind eye because it was all bullshit, and Azur was still flying high.

Of course, neither his mother nor Emilie would let him get away with it. What if Enzo fell? What if he broke his neck or his back?

Meanwhile, back in town at the university, Blackthorne was sleeping in a dog bed with a comfortable cushion in Professor Chardon's office.

The problem was, there were only a few rooms separating Emilie's office from the professor's. A clash was inevitable. A clash was inevitable.

The black dragonet was trembling with fear and probably having a nightmare.

Somehow, Daathr had instilled a sense of empathy, but this had been masked, inhibited by Tiamat. Turning Blackthorne into a monster who had fought Emilie and carried out the hydra's Machiavellian plans.