Zoe looked around nervously.
When she noticed three figures clad in black robes and wearing raven masks—looking utterly sinister—suddenly materialising from all sides and striding towards them with daggers drawn, she could no longer contain herself and shrieked:
"Ruboo! Run!"
With that, she grabbed Ruboo's arm, intending to drag him towards the exit.
To her surprise, Ruboo didn't budge. Instead, he pinned her to the spot.
"Zoe, relax."
Ruboo patted Zoe's shoulder, then turned to the three cloaked figures drawing nearer. With a smile, he greeted them: "Well now, ladies, I must say your welcome ceremony is rather novel."
The three cloaked figures halted, exchanging glances.
One, seemingly unwilling to concede, advanced towards Ruboo and Zoe, dagger in hand, muttering incantations: "Mother of Darkness, we offer you these two living bodies..." She raised her arm, poised to strike.
Yet Ruboo continued to gaze at him with an unbroken smile. Zoe, trusting her boyfriend, though still fearful, made no attempt to flee.
The cloaked figure instantly lost interest, flinging the dagger aside before removing mask and hood to reveal dazzling golden hair and exquisitely beautiful features.
She pursed her lips. "The plot hasn't unfolded as anticipated. Utterly tedious."
"That's because your acting's rubbish," retorted one of the other two hooded figures, a plump, dark-skinned woman who looked like a ball.
The blonde beauty arched her slender eyebrows, turning back with a scornful sneer. "Is that so? More like your enormous frame gives you away. No cultist is as bloated as you are."
The dark-haired girl flew into a rage: "You bloody..."
Before she could finish, Zoe, who had just regained her composure, cut her off: "Now, ladies, could you please explain what on earth is going on here?"
"Seriously, we wanted to give our new recruit a welcome ceremony,"
The petite girl with the slightly peculiar features, who had remained silent until now, smiled. "It was Madison's idea. I'm Nan."
"Madison Montgomery, Hollywood starlet. If you need an autograph, just ask me anytime."
The most striking of the witches, the blonde Madison, shot the dark-skinned girl a dismissive glance before greeting Zoe. Yet her eyes lingered with keen interest on Ruboo standing nearby.
"Blimey, when was the last time you filmed anything?" After her customary sarcastic remark, the dark-haired girl introduced herself. "Quinn."
"Zoe. And this is..."
Just as Zoe was about to introduce her boyfriend, Madison cut in, "Ruboo? I know him. Cordelia mentioned him earlier. Heard he's taking Spalding's place."
"I've never warmed to that perpetually sour-faced old codger. A fresh, exotic young chap joining us is rather welcome. Ruboo, do you cook Chinese food? I'd love a change of palate."
A fragrant breeze wafted over, and Ruboo, who had gradually integrated into this society, remained composed as he noticed Madison's alluring almond-shaped eyes, unabashedly fixed upon him with a hint of warmth.
"I can manage simple Chinese dishes, though I'm not sure if they'll suit your taste."
Madison, in a good mood, replied, "I reckon I'll adapt."
Watching the scene, Quini muttered to Nan beside her: "That bitch, always thinking about fucking."
"No, Madison's merely intrigued by Ruboo's fresh face. It hasn't reached 'fuck' levels yet," Nan clarified, her mind-reading ability at work.
She then turned to Ruboo, beaming, "I rather like this new butler."
Quini exclaimed in surprise, "Why? Have you taken a shine to the newcomer?"
"Not at all! His mind is free of noise. That's rather pleasant—it gives my ears a welcome respite."
Nan's mind-reading ability was uncontrollable, and she had long been plagued by the constant stream of thoughts from those around her.
Today brought an unexpected twist: Ruboo was the first person whose thoughts she couldn't read.
Nan hadn't yet grasped what this signified, but she was delighted to have encountered someone so quiet.
At that moment, Zoe, having realised Madison's overzealousness, promptly interjected into their conversation.
Ruboo took a moment to survey this year's intake of new witch apprentices.
Zoe, with her Black Widow abilities; Madison, who could manipulate objects with her mind; Queenie, the voodoo doll who could transfer pain; and Nan, who could read minds.
Before arriving, he'd harboured some concern that Nan's mind-reading might expose his secrets.
Fortunately, since mastering the Book of Supernatural Containment, abilities like mind reading and soul-stealing no longer affected him.
This put his mind at ease, and he resolved to stay here for a while.
At least being a male servant to witches came with a salary.
After all, in the United States, having money and not having money meant living in two entirely different worlds.
For someone like his former self—whose parents had vanished without a trace since childhood, who'd bounced between foster homes, and who'd never managed to save much money—this job was genuinely quite good. Setting aside the dangers, it provided room and board, plus a salary.
Noticing no one else had arrived, Zoe asked in surprise, "So, are there only three students at this school?"
"For now," a voice interjected.
All eyes turned to see a mature woman approaching.
"I'm your headmistress, Cordelia Fox."
After introducing herself to Zoe with a smile, Cordelia turned to Madison and the others.
"Right then, girls, that's enough chatting. The lorry loaded with supplies is waiting in the driveway for you to unload it. I'll take Zoe to her room. See you all at the midday assembly."
"Oh, and Ruboo," she added, turning to him.
Ruboo promptly replied with respect, "Good day, Miss Cordelia."
"A most courteous lad," Cordelia remarked after observing Ruboo for a moment. "Spalding will assign your duties shortly. Learn well from him. Remember, above all else, confidentiality is paramount in this establishment."
"Understood, Miss Cordelia," Ruboo assured her.
Cordelia nodded with satisfaction, then summoned Spalding. "Spalding," she said, "your assistant has arrived. You shall arrange his lodgings and duties from now on."
Spalding, his hair thinning and his face long and rigid, gave a silent nod.
Without a tongue, he gestured for Ruboo to follow.
And so began the life of a male servant.
After a brief farewell to Zoe, Ruboo took his suitcase and followed Spalding.
As a witches' academy, the residence where Ruboo was staying was quite large, capable of accommodating over sixty people at its peak.
Consequently, Ruboo enjoyed the luxury of a single dormitory.
Perhaps considering his relationship with Zoe, his room was situated close to hers and Madison's dormitory, both on the second floor. This proximity proved convenient for engaging in certain... intimate activities with his girlfriend.
Stop!
Ruboo hastily quashed that dangerous thought.
Zoe was a veritable black widow.
Last time he'd survived only because of his time travel.
If it happened again, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't meet the same fate.
Oh dear!
Home lies right there, yet the door remains impassable.
Alas, alas.