Fiona led the young witches to Poplar Springs, the former sanctuary of witches, for an on-site investigation.
Cordelia also departed the residence, seemingly to meet her husband.
Only Ruboo and Spalding remained at the entire witch academy.
When not working, Spalding would lock himself away in the attic, playing with an entire roomful of exquisite dolls that would undoubtedly elicit delighted screams from little girls.
Ruboo did not disturb him.
He first returned to his room, took a nap to recharge his spirits, and then pored over information he'd found online about various locations in New Orleans where paranormal activity might occur.
To avoid being institutionalised, however reluctant he was, he had no choice but to steel himself and engage with these legendary entities.
He hoped to find something useful.
Ruboo wiped down his Glock, dipping the bullets into holy water like he'd seen in films (though to him, the so-called holy water looked no different from ordinary water), hoping his American-style iaido would prove as reliable as ever.
Finally, after a last-minute, last-ditch prayer to the Almighty in the style of the Celestial Empire, he glanced at his watch and saw it was noon. Ruboo descended the stairs, ready to treat his stomach to something decent.
Before long, the girls' chatter drifted from outside.
"Hey, Ruboo," Zoe greeted him familiarly as she pushed open the door.
"Hey, Ruboo," Madison called out in the same tone, removing her sunglasses as she followed close behind.
Zoe glanced back at her.
Watching it all, Queenie pushed Madison aside and approached Ruboo. "Ruboo, is there anything to eat? Walking all morning has worn me out."
"Of course, I've just prepared some," Ruboo replied. "By the way, where's that Supreme Witch? Hasn't she returned yet?"
Zoe stepped in to explain, "She had to step out on business."
Ruboo nodded in understanding.
After a reasonably satisfying Ruboo-style lunch, the young witches dispersed for the remainder of the day.
The Witch Academy's curriculum was light, meaning everyone had ample free time to pursue their interests.
Nan, clutching her books and noise-cancelling earphones, retreated to a secluded corner to read.
Quinny, still hungry after lunch, ordered another portion of popcorn takeaway, planning to spend the afternoon watching black cinema.
Zoe, the most diligent among the witches, returned to her room to diligently review her witchcraft knowledge.
She wanted to resolve her physical condition as soon as possible so she could give her boyfriend loving care.
As for Madison, true to form, she would likely head to a bubble bar or go shopping at designer boutiques.
Instead, she lingered beside Ruboo, engaging in a half-hearted conversation.
As it happened, Ruboo was looking for her.
"Fancy popping out for a stroll this afternoon?" he inquired.
Madison's eyes lit up, a delighted smile curling her lips. "Is that a date?"
So direct?
Don't you know I have a girlfriend?
Ruboo hastily clarified, "Merely a friendly invitation. You know this is my first time in New Orleans, and I could use a guide to show me around properly."
"No problem. I'll be your personal guide then." Madison emphasised the word 'personal' deliberately before asking pointedly,
"Should we tell Zoe about this?"
"No need to trouble her. Let her focus on her studies."
"I see~~~"
With that, Madison stepped forward, her long, slender legs striding evenly. She leaned in, her sensual red lips brushing Ruboo's ear as she murmured suggestively:
"I wouldn't mind."
Ruboo: "..."
Bloody hell!
That little minx!
Ruboo mentally chanted the Great Compassion Mantra, swiftly clearing his mind.
Ignoring his earlier words, he remembered there was one more thing to discuss. Finally, with a touch of bashfulness and embarrassment, he said:
"Er, I'm a bit short on cash. I'll have to be a bother to you, Madison, when we go out later."
Madison: "..."
...
Though a has-been film star, Madison had amassed considerable savings from her childhood acting career as a child star.
Even if the majority had been siphoned off by her unscrupulous parents.
She could certainly afford to treat someone.
What surprised Madison was that, while she was accustomed to attentive men footing the bill when they went out together, this was the first time she'd encountered someone who felt perfectly justified in expecting her to pay—especially when he was the one heading out for leisure.
Yet, as with anyone one finds pleasing, one can find a suitable explanation for their every action.
After last night's drugged encounter and this morning's warning, coupled with Ruboo's striking and novel Asian features, Madison agreed to treat him to a meal.
It was his first time treating a man, which he reckoned was a rather decent experience.
With this mindset, Madison—still dressed in her black dress, looking coldly elegant as Ruboo complimented—followed him around New Orleans, exploring the city according to the tour map he'd provided.
Initially, all was well.
They visited several famous New Orleans landmarks along the way.
However, as time passed, Madison grew uneasy. She noticed Ruboo had lost interest in the city's historic, exquisite architecture, instead fixating on visiting all sorts of peculiar places—even cemeteries.
Until Ruboo pulled her to the entrance of the renowned Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.
Observing the gloomy atmosphere that lingered here even under the bright sunshine, vastly different from her imagined date, Madison finally couldn't help but ask:
"Ruboo, why did we come to a place like this?"
After all that effort without encountering a single paranormal incident, Ruboo sighed, his online accounts of vivid firsthand experiences now seeming rather pointless.
"Forgot to mention, I'm a paranormal enthusiast. Came out today hoping to get lucky and encounter a ghost or something. Heard Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is the most haunted spot around, with legends about vampires, zombies, and the like. Thought I'd come see for myself."
Madison nodded knowingly. "I hadn't realised you had that sort of interest."
Though paranormal interests were rather niche, compared to the men she'd encountered before—those with peculiar inclinations like courting danger, seeking backdoor access, exhibitionism, cross-dressing, and other unconventional fetishes—Ruboo's hobby still fell within the bounds of normality.
Madison asked curiously, "Do you genuinely believe in ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and flaming-headed spectres?"
"If legendary witches can exist, then surely these other legendary creatures have a chance of existing too," Ruboo said, gesturing towards Madison as the perfect example.
"That makes sense."
Madison, her interest piqued by Ruboo's words, shifted her gaze around the room with renewed enthusiasm, a far cry from her earlier impatience.
"If there really are any, we could capture one and bring it back to frighten Quini and the others."
The image of Quini—who always seemed to be at odds with her—crumbling to the floor in terror made Madison eager to act immediately.
"Brilliant idea!" Ruboo exclaimed, clapping his hands.
He'd been pondering how to persuade her, but hadn't expected such initiative.
Truly, a young American with a tradition for courting disaster.