The following days passed without incident.
Under the guidance of Cordelia and the elusive Fiona, the young witches learned to wield their powers more effectively.
With no household chores to occupy him, Ruboo either exercised or played with Zoe and Madison.
Of course, he hadn't forgotten to search online for more paranormal incidents.
However, having fulfilled the containment objective for Heather and inadvertently placed Madison under special containment, the twenty-day buffer period meant he was no longer in such a hurry as before.
Regrettably, special containment did not yield containment points, thwarting Ruboo's plans for levelling up.
"If only there were reliable sources for paranormal news,"
Ruboo scanned the myriad paranormal forums across the internet, filled with all manner of ghostly tales. Yet, having experienced the truth firsthand, he knew just how utterly disappointing reality could be.
After all, when truly confronted with the supernatural, how many could escape unscathed?
The dead don't post online.
Just as Ruboo pondered alternative means of encountering the supernatural, a sudden commotion erupted outside.
As the newly appointed security chief, responsible for safeguarding the academy, he immediately rose and headed towards the balcony.
Reaching the balcony, Ruboo looked down to see a van laden with household goods parked before the long-vacant residential gate on the academy's left flank.
Evidently, a new occupant had arrived.
Watching this scene, Ruboo felt a vague sense of familiarity.
Too much time had passed, and most of the finer details had become hazy in his memory.
But it didn't matter. With his own involvement, and given that this world still held countless stories beyond the American horror genre, everything had already changed beyond recognition.
Just as Ruboo was about to turn away, he spotted Zoe, Madison, Quini, and Nan approaching.
"What's going on outside?" Zoe inquired.
Ruboo gestured casually. "We've got new neighbours."
"Is that so?"
The young witches perked up, walking to the railing to peer down. There, the son of the neighbouring lady of the house—a young man with a rather fine physique—was moving goods, bare-chested.
"He's rather handsome!" Nan exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.
"As creamy as butter," added Queenie vividly.
Zoe glanced at the two girls and suggested with a smile, "Fancy that lad? Why not give him a go?"
Quini was about to nod when—
"Pfft!"
Madison burst out laughing.
Quinn immediately snapped, "You little minx, don't think I don't know what you're thinking!"
Madison shrugged her shoulders. "What did I say?"
Seeing this ill-matched pair about to clash again, Ruboo hurriedly stepped in to prevent matters from escalating.
Quini, having no desire to watch any longer, stomped down the stairs, clearly intent on channelling his anger into appetite.
Madison shrugged, flashed Ruboo an innocent look, then drifted away, equally bored.
In the past, she might have flirted with the young, handsome neighbour.
But now that someone better-built and more handsome had arrived, she naturally saw no point in chasing after mere superficiality.
Zoe cast a helpless glance at her roommate's retreating figure and shook her head. "Don't let them get to you. Nan, fancy going to meet the new neighbours?"
"Absolutely!" Nan exclaimed excitedly. "He's lovely. I like him, and he'll like me too."
"Is that so?" Zoe, who knew Nan's capabilities, glanced down at the young man with some surprise. "Then let's pay him a visit. As neighbours."
"Right! Just give me a moment to prepare a gift." With that, Nan happily scampered downstairs to get ready.
Zoe turned to Ruboo: "Care to join us?"
"Nah, you lot go ahead." Ruboo showed little interest.
Soon, Nan arrived at her neighbour's doorstep bearing a homemade cake.
Zoe, unwilling to leave Nan alone, followed suit.
Back in the living room, Ruboo and Madison sat on the sofa watching television, the screen showing footage of President Obama delivering a speech.
Delphie, who was preparing food for Quini, happened to pass by and caught sight of the scene. Her face contorted with despair as she exclaimed, "Good heavens! Have you abandoned this nation you once held so dear?"
"What did you say?" asked Madison, who didn't know Delphi.
Ruboo explained, "It's simply the natural reaction of an old fogey, out of step with the times, seeing a completely different new society and having their worldview collapse."
He then turned to Delphi and kindly advised, "Trust me, what you're witnessing now is merely a small fraction of the changes in this new era. You'll need a much stronger heart."
Delphi drifted away, dazed and disoriented, whether she'd taken Ruboo's words to heart or not.
Madison ceased her concern for Delphi. After browsing through some current affairs news and Hollywood gossip, she complained to Ruboo, "This daily grind of student life is utterly tedious. There haven't been any events or parties lately either. Ruboo, why don't we find time to go camping in the nearby marsh park? I'm rather missing those adorable crocodiles."
Madison made no mention of the sights in downtown New Orleans, which the pair had explored not long before.
"No problem. We'll invite Zoe, Quini, and Nan along too," Ruboo agreed.
The three-day road trip, filled with diverse landscapes, had stirred his wanderlust considerably. He was no longer as much of a homebody as before, instead aligning more with the American youth.
Moreover, the boundless marshes carried an innate air of mystery, long serving as fodder for urban legends and horror tales.
It would be splendid if he could casually complete a containment target along the way.
"Zoe..."
Madison frowned. She'd been hoping for a quiet trip for just the two of them, but Ruboo had brought a whole group along.
After a moment's thought, she nodded her agreement.
An hour later, Nan and Zoe returned safely.
Without Madison—a woman the parents clearly regarded as a temptress—joining them, Nan and Zoe successfully completed this visit.
Though the boys' rigidly devout mother had left a rather strong impression on them.
Upon hearing Ruboo's camping plans, Zoe naturally wouldn't refuse.
Nan, however, gave it some thought before shaking her head and cheerfully declaring, "I shan't be joining you. I've got to strike while the iron's hot and build on my rapport with Luke over the coming days!"
Luke was the name of the boy next door.
Hearing this, Madison looked astonished. "Bonding? That lad Luke has accepted you?"
"Of course!" Nan declared proudly. "He likes me just the way I am. He's not the slightest bit interested in a wild, fiery girl like you."
"Then he's no man," Madison rolled her eyes in exasperation before shooting Ruboo a triumphant glance.
Ruboo didn't take it.
In that case, with Quini already having agreed to come, there would be four of us going camping.
Without much deliberation, the date was set for tomorrow.