In order to avoid strange things with my computer settings, I have removel all data associated with elemental: uninstalling the game and removing all folders that may subsist, remove the My Games\Elemental folder and cleaning the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\Elemental - War of Magic directory

Then I have installed the latest version of  Elemental.

I started a new game, choosing Lord Relias and the Altar without changing anything. I found my first city. The peasant unit needs 3 turn to be build.

I save the game and exit Elemental.

I restart Elemental and load the game. I got the wellcoming message associated with the first turn and check the troop roster for Peasant. I need only now 2 trun to build him.