In the icy night of the North Pole, as the snow fell silently, the reindeer gathered in a silent circle. Their breath formed a silvery mist that rose like a halo around them.
Rudolf gently closed his eyes, and uttered the ancient words that are only spoken at decisive moments.
— “Let’s open the path between the worlds… if Quello allows it.”
At that very moment, the tablet screen vibrated in Groubelin's hands.
A small circle of light appeared around an image: a simple and elegant light-knit hat that seemed to be waiting for something. Then the light slowly spread, forming a tiny passage, still too fragile to pass through.
Pipette felt her heart leap.
— “I think… I think Quello is answering us!”
The golden halo around the screen grows larger with a breath.
Not enough to let a leprechaun through.
But enough to allow something from the human world to pass through:
a gentle warmth, an almost inaudible murmur, a soft vibration that felt like an invitation.
Ludo approached, dazzled.
— “Perhaps Santa’s hat… or some other clue… is behind this passage!”
Groubelin placed his hand on the luminous edge.
He did not cross.
Not yet.
But he felt a warmth that belonged neither to the magic of the North Pole, nor to the world of humans. A familiar warmth, the kind you feel when you give a gift to someone you love.
He murmured, almost to himself:
— “The path is opening up. Tomorrow… we will go further.”
Above them, the winter moon rose high in the sky.
The light reflected in the reindeer's eyes, like a sign.
Something was being born:
a new magic, shared, still fragile, but very real.
And for the first time since the disappearance of Santa's hat, a serious lead was emerging before them.