The following morning.
Spalding, who had risen early, made his way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the group.
Ruboo, lacking any sense of butlerly duty, rose almost simultaneously with the witches.
As he pushed open the door, he caught sight of Madison, impeccably dressed as ever, stepping out. She waved cheerfully at him, saying, "Good morning, Ruboo."
Ruboo replied, "Good morning, Madison."
She seemed in high spirits, seemingly unaffected by the previous night's events.
No wonder she'd been rubbing shoulders with Hollywood since childhood – her mental resilience was extraordinary.
With that thought, Ruboo greeted Zoe, who had followed behind, and accepted her enthusiastic, forward kiss.
Madison, standing nearby, made no move to avoid the display, merely watching with a slight curl of her lip.
The trio descended the stairs together.
Upon reaching the dining room, Ruboo remembered his duties and headed into the kitchen to lend a hand.
Spalding glanced at him, offering no comment.
Ruboo had to admit he was rather fortunate to have such a capable boss who seemed to prefer his subordinates slacking off and doing nothing.
Not only that, but despite doing very little, he received far more praise than Spalding.
Serving such a master was, for Ruboo, a blessing upon a blessing.
"Ruboo, this morning's breakfast is rather delicious," Madison remarked, her face full of praise as she looked at Ruboo, completely ignoring Spalding's diligent labour beside her.
Ruboo couldn't quite manage to take credit for someone else's work without batting an eyelid.
He shrugged. "Thanks for the compliment, but Spalding did most of the breakfast today. I merely sliced the fruit."
Madison's smile remained unchanged. "I was referring to the fruit, of course. No wonder it tasted so splendid today—Ruboo, you sliced it with such artistic flair. Spalding, you ought to learn a thing or two from Ruboo when you have the time. Stop making everything look utterly hideous all the time."
Bloody hell, that's artistic.
Ruboo hadn't even realised his casual chopping had produced such an effect.
But when a stunning beauty offered such praise, he wasn't exactly a steel-plated straight man—naturally, he went along with it: "Thanks for the compliment. I'll keep at it."
Clang!
Two porcelain plates clattered together with a sharp clink.
Spalding, clearing empty plates, couldn't stomach this pair of lovebirds' nonsense any longer. Slamming down the plate he held, his face darkening, he turned to leave.
Madison, who'd never taken kindly to him, wasn't about to let him off the hook:
"Spalding, losing your temper won't do you any favours. As your customer, is it unreasonable for me to suggest you improve your cooking? If you've got something to say, then speak up."
"Almost forgot—your tongue's gone, Spalding. How did that happen? Did you get into mischief with it? Or is your licking technique just that poor?"
Spalding shot Madison a furious glare before storming off.
"Don't go, Spalding. Let me examine the root of your tongue—perhaps I could restore it with magic."
Madison watched Spalding's retreating figure with a hint of amusement.
Only after he vanished did she turn back, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow at Ruboo. "There's only room for one witch housekeeper. When I finally get rid of Spalding, Ruboo, remember to thank me properly."
Ruboo, who hadn't anticipated Madison's ulterior motive in confronting Spalding, replied with a hint of resignation, "Thank you for your kindness, Madison. However, I'm quite content with my current position."
He certainly wouldn't fancy serving from dawn till dusk like Spalding did.
That said, Maddie's combat prowess was undeniably formidable.
Not just physically, but mentally too.
Taking someone like that out, whether human or ghost, would strike fear into anyone.
Ruboo felt even more certain about his decision.
...
All the young witches had gathered in the dining room.
As the group ate breakfast while watching the morning news on television,
The sharp click-clack of high heels echoed through the room.
"Good morning, girls. I shall be taking over from Cordelia for this morning's lesson." Fiona, the Supreme Witch, made her entrance dressed in a stylish black dress.
She declared with decisive authority: "I've reviewed all your records. Thinking you'll make a name for yourselves at this 'rubbish magic school' is sheer folly, not to mention my daughter being utterly clueless about how to teach you properly. Today we're heading out for a field trip. Prepare to depart."
"Who are you?" Madison frowned, annoyed by Fiona's condescending tone. "You're not some old lunatic who escaped from the asylum..."
Before she could finish, Ruboo swiftly pulled her back, cutting her off mid-sentence.
The girl really had her moments of bravery.
To call an ancient witch—one who dreads ageing above all else—an old woman and rub salt in her wounds? That was practically suicide.
Yet Madison's thoughts weren't entirely off the mark.
Ruboo looked at Fiona. Though she was decked out in designer labels and her face was caked in expensive cosmetics, it couldn't conceal the signs of her advancing years.
Even ordinary folk struggle to accept this reality.
How much more so for a Supreme Witch wielding immense power.
Ruboo dared not linger her gaze, lest her expression betray her inner thoughts.
Upon hearing Madison speak, Fiona had initially intended to teach her a lesson.
Yet when she saw Ruboo intervene, her raised hand froze mid-air.
"You foolish, insolent little witch. Sometimes you ought to learn a thing or two from those with manners. Instead of acting like those illiterate wretches in Hollywood."
Fiona delivered her scathing remark to Madison before turning to Ruboo, her tone softening slightly. "I do appreciate a polite young man. Ruboo, is it? I'm beginning to understand why you've made it this far. Serve the witches well, and you shall reap rewards beyond the reach of ordinary folk."
"I shall endeavour," Ruboo replied respectfully.
Fiona nodded, then snapped her fingers. To the astonished gazes of the young witches, all the candles on the candelabras in the hall ignited of their own accord.
"Now, get moving, fledgling witches."
With that, she turned and walked towards the exit.
As she passed Queenie, her footsteps halted. Staring at the former's hideous orange T-shirt, caked in greasy grime, she remarked with obvious disgust, "Good heavens, change your clothes. Wear something... black."
Quinny stared down at her own T-shirt. Only after Fiona had walked far away did she mutter under her breath, "Who on earth is that woman?"
Newcomer Zoe claimed ignorance.
Madison, equally annoyed, turned to Ruboo.
Just then, Nan suddenly smiled and spoke up, "She's the Supreme Witch."
The Supreme Witch???
Instantly, every witch present except Ruboo wore expressions of utter shock.
The legendary figure Principal Cordelia had recounted to them just yesterday now stood before them in the flesh?
With that realisation, the others wasted no time complying with Fiona's request to change into black attire.
During the process, Madison—who had nearly been reprimanded—deliberately squeezed Ruboo's palm and shot him a look brimming with profound gratitude.