Rumble~ Rumble~
The train heading for New Orleans roared as it sped along.
No matter which world, the trains of America were unspeakable.
Shaken continuously all the way, Rai had no sleepiness.
Zoe, however, used to all this, lay her head on his shoulder and fell asleep with a sweet smile on her face.
Rai propped up his girlfriend, who was about to slide off, then glanced at Myrtle and the suited men sitting across the aisle, and closed his eyes.
It wasn't to rest.
But rather, to gaze within his mind at a book that shouldn't exist here.
At the very moment when he had broken through the shackles and spoken to Zoe's mother and daughter, the image of a book had appeared in his mind.
Over time, what had first been nothing more than a few simple lines gradually turned into substance.
And now, not long after he had closed his eyes, this book finally completed its last stroke.
"This is…"
Looking at the fully formed appearance of the book in his mind, Rai's face was full of astonishment.
-
Wasn't this the very book he had picked up in his original world?
Whether it's style or its patterns, everything was the same.
If there was any difference, it was that the formerly yellowed cover had now been replaced by a vivid crimson.
Not the kind dyed by red, but the true red of flesh and blood.
So this was his cheat?
It… didn't feel quite right.
Just as Rai was muttering to himself, suddenly!
An unbearably eerie chorus of ghostly wails erupted from within the blood-colored book.
Rai hurriedly looked.
In an instant, countless terrifying faces, ugly, ferocious, frenzied, each exuding an aura of evil, surged up from every part of the cover, struggling desperately to tear free from the book.
Yet no matter how they twisted the book out of shape, they could never escape; in the end, as the pages flipped, they were sucked back in with looks of panic and despair.
Everything returned to calm.
As if nothing had happened.
Just when Rai, feeling as if he'd watched a horror film, was about to steady his heartbeat, the once-normal book suddenly moved and flew before him.
Rai caught it on reflex and lowered his head. On the blood-red cover, a line of fear-inspiring words shone with abyssal black light:
[Grimoire of the Eternal Prison]
This was the name of the book in his hands.
Sensing no danger, Rai turned past the cover and looked to the first page. There was only a short epigraph.
[Secure. Control. Use.]
In that instant, it was as if he saw endless vicious ghosts wailing, reaching out and begging for mercy.
Rai blinked, and the illusion vanished.
Puzzled, he turned to the second page. A line of entries came into view.
From top to bottom, from [ID: 000], [ID: 001] all the way to [ID: 999]—and even beyond, into infinity.
The book's third page [ID: 000] introduction.
Here, Rai saw information about himself.
[ID: 000]
[Name: Rai]
[Type: Human]
[Physique: 1.1]
[Spirit: 0.1]
[Abilities: None]
[CP: 0]
[Description: As the nemesis of all supernatural entities and the master of the Grimoire of the Eternal Prison, you hold authority over the most powerful force in the world. Of course, you must also bear the corresponding obligations.]
"What does this mean?" Rai murmured in confusion.
No sooner had he spoken than the Grimoire of the Eternal Prison in his hands burst into dazzling light.
Unable to resist, he was drawn entirely into the book.
One minute, two minutes, three minutes…
A torrent of information about the Grimoire of the Eternal Prison poured into Rai's consciousness.
By the time he opened his eyes again, everything was clear.
Without anyone, Myrtle included, being able to perceive it, Rai had summoned into reality a grimoire that only he could see.
It was precisely because of this book that he had transmigrated into this world and continued to live.
Not only that, it granted him the power to live safely in this bizarre world.
As its name implies, the Grimoire of the Eternal Prison contains all supernatural, mysterious entities that defy common sense.
As the book's master, each time Rai contains a supernatural entity, he can receive corresponding Containment Points.
Containment Points can strengthen his Physique and Spirit, and even grant corresponding abilities.
For Rai, who was about to live with a whole group of witches, this was unquestionably great news.
What troubled him, however, was how to contain those supernatural things.
After all, so-called supernatural entities are, in all likelihood, ghosts and evil spirits and the like existences beyond scientific explanation.
How was he, still an ordinary person, supposed to handle them?
Moreover, while enjoying the fun of adding points, he would also have to bear a contained mission every ten days missions which could accumulate.
This matched the relationship between authority and obligation noted in the introduction.
Damn!
This was basically forcing him to go head-to-head with all things supernatural in the days to come.
Who knew whether it might change in the future?
After all, Physique, Spirit, Abilities, and CP would all change.
Surely the missions couldn't remain the same forever.
If he were to contain all the world's supernatural entities someday, would the book demand he pay with his own life?
Rai picked up the Grimoire of the Eternal Prison, flipping his fingers over the pages. Seeing that [ID: 001], [ID: 002], and so on were all blank as if waiting to be filled, he comforted himself that this might be some sort of qualification trial.
Suddenly…
The Grimoire shone with a scarlet light, and a line of information entered Rai's mind.
[Containable target detected]
Containable target?
Rai looked around and finally fixed his gaze on Zoe and Myrtle.
So-called supernatural entities should also include witches, right?
Contain them?
What a joke!
Leaving aside whether he could win right now.
Even if he could, a whole group of witches would grind his bones to dust afterwards.
Besides, Zoe was so beautiful; how could he slaughter his girlfriend for power?
Rai shook his head and ignored the prompt, returning the Grimoire to his mind. Anyway, there were still ten days left; he'd take it one step at a time.
…
Louisiana, New Orleans.
As a southern port city of America and the state's largest city, its economy was decent; however, constrained by the devastating hurricane that struck after the millennium, the city's population plummeted off a cliff and has yet to recover, even now.
Of course, that pertains only to ordinary people.
For historical reasons and because of the surrounding vast swamps and wetlands, New Orleans is tied to almost every American ghost tale, strange rumour, and voodoo myth.
Though the vast majority are false, a few are true.
For example, witches.
After the Salem witch trials, the descendants of the Salem witches moved to New Orleans and have continued there to this day.
And today, at the gate of an institution in New Orleans called Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies, which in fact is a witches' academy, there arrived a new student and… a male servant.
Myrtle disappeared after bringing them here.
Rai looked at Zoe, seeing her gazing at him with pleading eyes, at a loss for what to do, he shrugged and pressed the doorbell.
Ding-dong~
The moment the chime rang, the door opened automatically.
"Let's go."
Dragging two large suitcases, Rai led Zoe into the white, old-fashioned residence.
No sooner had they entered than they found the interior dim, with not a sound to be heard.
It felt as if they had entered a haunted house.
Thinking of this being the legendary dwelling place of witches, Zoe spoke nervously: "Is anyone there?"
Thud!
The front door of the residence suddenly closed on its own.
As Zoe turned back, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a dark shadow flashing swiftly past.
Startled, she quickly asked again, "Is anyone there? Is someone here?"
No one answered.
At the same time, one eerie black silhouette after another darted rapidly through various parts of the house.
Zoe quickly grabbed Rai's arm and looked around uneasily: "Rai, did you see that?"
"Of course."
Rai nodded calmly.
A welcome ceremony for new students, huh.
Though a bit otherworldly, wasn't that just in keeping with the nature of witches?
Zoe looked around with a tense expression.
Noticing three figures in black robes and raven masks, eerily strange, suddenly emerge from all sides and approach quickly with daggers in hand, she could no longer hold it in and shouted:
"Rai! Run!"
With that, she grabbed Rai's arm, about to drag him to flee outside.
Unexpectedly, Rai not only didn't move, but pressed her in place instead.
"Zoe, relax."
Rai patted Zoe's shoulder, then looked at the three robed figures drawing nearer and greeted them with a smile: "Hey, ladies, I've got to say your welcome ceremony is pretty novel."
The three robed figures halted, glancing at each other.
One of them, seemingly unwilling to give up, came right up to the pair with her dagger, muttering, "Dark Mother, we offer you these two fresh bodies…," and raised her arm, about to thrust the blade.
Yet Rai still looked at her with a smile, and though Zoe was still somewhat afraid, trusting her boyfriend, she no longer tried to run.
The robed figure instantly lost interest, simply tossed the dagger aside, removed her mask and hood, revealing dazzling blonde hair and a delicate, beautiful face.
She curled her lip. "The plot didn't develop as expected. Boring to death."
"That's because your acting is terrible." The other two also shed their disguises, and one of them, a black girl round as a ball, sniped.
The blonde beauty arched her long brows and shot back with disdain, "Really? I'd say your massive figure gives everything away. No cultist gets as fat as you."
The girl flared up in anger. "You bitc-"
Before she could finish, Zoe, having just come back to her senses, cut in, "Everyone, could you explain what exactly is going on?"
"Seriously speaking, we wanted to give the newcomer a welcome ceremony."
The girl who had stayed silent, petite, with somewhat unusual features, smiled and said, "The idea was Madison's. I'm Nan."
"Madison Montgomery, Hollywood star. If you need an autograph, come to me anytime."
The beauty of the coven, the blonde girl Madison, rolled her eyes at the black girl, then greeted Zoe while fixing an interested gaze on Rai beside her.
"Bullshit. When was the last time you even shot a movie?" After her habitual jab, the girl introduced herself: "Queenie."
"Zoe. And this beside me is…"
Just as Zoe was about to introduce her boyfriend, Madison cut in of her own accord: "Rai, I know. Cordelia already told us. I heard you're here to take Spalding's place."
"I've long been sick of that perverted old man with the stiff face all day. A young, exotic, handsome guy joining is great. Rai, can you cook asian cuisine? I'd love a change of taste."
A sweet fragrance drifted over as Madison moved closer, her sultry almond eyes openly fixed on him with heat. Having gradually blended into this society, Rai said calmly:
"I can make some simple dishes; I just don't know if they'll suit your palate."
Madison, in a good mood, said, "I think I'll adapt."
Watching this, Queenie muttered to Nan beside her, "That bitch, her mind's on guys all day long."
"No, Madison is just interested in Rai's fresh face. It hasn't reached that level," Nan, who had mind-reading, explained.
Then she looked at Rai, smiling happily: "I really like this new butler."
Queenie was surprised. "Why? You've got your eye on the newbie?"
"No. His mind has no noise. That's good, it makes things much quieter for my ears."
Nan's mind-reading wasn't under her control; she had always been tormented by the constant clamour of others' thoughts.
Today, with this unexpected situation, Rai was the first person she couldn't read.
Nan hadn't yet realised what that meant, but she was very happy to meet a quiet person.
At this moment, having sensed Madison's overenthusiasm, Zoe hurriedly wedged herself into the conversation.
Rai, meanwhile, took the opportunity to size up this year's freshman witches.
Zoe with her Black Widow ability; Madison with telekinesis; Queenie, the human voodoo doll who transfers damage; and Nan, who could read minds.
Before coming here, he'd worried that Nan's mind-reading would expose his secret.
Fortunately, after gaining the Grimoire of the Eternal Prison, abilities like mind reading and possession were ineffective against him.
That put him at ease, and he planned to live here for a while first.
At least being the witches' manservant came with a salary.
In America, life with money and life without money were two completely different worlds.
For the original body whose parents had been missing since childhood, shuffled between foster homes, and who hadn't saved much, ignoring the danger for the moment, having room and board plus wages here was indeed a decent job.
Seeing that no one else had come for a long while, Zoe asked in surprise, "So there are only you three students at the school?"
"For now," a voice interjected.
They looked over to see a mature woman walking up.
"I'm your headmistress, Cordelia Foxx."
Cordelia smiled as she introduced herself to Zoe, then looked to the trio:
"All right, girls, that's enough chit-chat. The truck full of daily necessities is parked in the driveway, waiting for you to unload. I'll take Zoe to her room. See you at the midday assembly."
"Oh, and Rai as well." She looked toward Rai.
Rai hurried to say respectfully, "Hello, Miss Cordelia."
"A very polite boy." Cordelia looked Rai over a few times. "Spalding will arrange your tasks next. Learn well from him. Remember, the most important rule in working here is confidentiality."
"I understand, Miss Cordelia," Rai promised.
Cordelia nodded in satisfaction, then called Spalding over and said to him, "Spalding, your assistant has arrived. Please handle his lodging and duties from here."
Spalding his hair sparse, his face long and stiff, nodded silently.
Tongueless, he motioned for Rai to follow.
At this moment, the life of a manservant officially began.
After a brief farewell to Zoe, Rai took his suitcases and went with Spalding.
As a witches' school, the residence where Rai stayed was very large; at its peak, it could house more than sixty people at once.
Because of that, Rai enjoyed the treatment of a luxurious single room.
Perhaps considering his relationship with Zoe, his room was very close to Zoe's and Madison's, both on the second floor, quite convenient for doing some shameful…
Stop!
Rai hurriedly reined in that dangerous thought.
Zoe was a Black Widow.
He had survived last time because of his transmigration.
If it happened again, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't follow in his predecessor's footsteps.
Sigh!
Home was right there, yet the door could not be passed through.
How unfortunate.