29: Chapter 29 Magic Test?

Cordelia handed over a small glass bottle filled with a certain silver liquid.

Shaun took it, looked at it, and asked, "What is this?"

Cordelia immediately explained, "Holy Water. Not the kind from a church, but something we made ourselves. It can detect magic power."

Shaun looked at the silver liquid sloshing inside, thinking to himself, *The witches have stuff like this too?*

While Shaun expressed doubt, Cordelia continued to explain, "Drop a bit of your blood into it. If the liquid turns gold, it means you have witch lineage."

"If it turns red, it means you're an ordinary person with magical sensitivity. If it turns black..."

She paused for a moment before giving an explanation that was as good as none: "It’s best if it doesn't turn black."

Shaun looked at the small bottle and didn't immediately drop his blood.

It wasn't that he didn't dare.

He just felt it was unnecessary.

Of course he had magic power.

And it certainly wasn't a small amount, considering he had just devoured an entire haunted house.

But he didn't know if that magic power resonated from Madison, was given by the golden book, or if he had it all along.

Speaking of which, his magic level hadn't increased; perhaps it was just power belonging to the golden book and had nothing to do with him?

But since the golden book was in his consciousness, it couldn't be completely unrelated.

Cordelia looked at his expression and suddenly smiled.

She comforted him, saying, "No rush. Whenever you want to come, you're welcome anytime."

She took the small bottle back, pulled a business card from her pocket, and handed it to Shaun.

Printed on the card was the address of Robichaux Manor, along with Cordelia's name and phone number.

"If you have time, come by my place. I want to give you a comprehensive test."

Shaun didn't actually need the address; he was more familiar with Robichaux Manor now than he was with the police station.

But he could still keep the phone number.

Shaun took the card, glanced at it, tucked it into his pocket, and said okay.

Cordelia nodded and said no more.

She turned and looked out the window.

Under the moonlight, Hill Manor stood silently.

But it was no longer the eerie and terrifying haunted house from before; it was just an old house.

Turning her head, Cordelia asked, "This house belongs to you now?"

Shaun thought about it; there was no need to hide it, so he said, "It seems so..."

Queenie muttered from the side, "Inheriting a haunted house, badass."

Madison kicked her.

Shaun ignored the big black girl and walked over to Nell.

She was by the window, looking at the moonlight outside.

"Nell."

Nell turned her head.

Her eyes were still red, but her gaze had changed.

The things that had tormented her for over twenty years seemed to have truly vanished.

"I..." She opened her mouth, "What do I do now?"

Shaun thought for a moment and asked, "Do you want to go back?"

Nell shook her head. "No. There are too many... memories there."

Shaun nodded in understanding.

Indeed!

Who could go back to a place where their spirit had been tortured for a lifetime!

Shaun immediately decided, "Then stay in New Orleans for now. Do you have a place to stay?"

Nell froze for a moment and shook her head.

Madison chimed in from the side, "Let her stay at my place. My apartment is empty anyway."

Shaun glanced at her.

Madison shrugged. "What, not allowed?"

Shaun didn't say yes, nor did he say no.

But he was a bit surprised inwardly.

Madison Montgomery, the little witch who was so mean she had no friends, was proactively taking in an ordinary person she'd only known for a few days?

Madison noticed his look and rolled her eyes again.

"What are you looking at?"

"I just think she's quite pitiful. Is that a problem?"

Shaun smiled. "Fine."

Madison huffed and turned away.

But Shaun noticed a slight curl at the corner of her mouth.

Cordelia walked over and gently put an arm around Nell's shoulder.

"Come back to the manor with us for a few days until you've recovered."

Nell looked at her, her eyes reddening again as she choked out, "Thank you... thank you all..."

Cordelia patted Nell's back and offered another word of comfort: "Let's go, dawn is coming."

And so... the group walked out of Hill Manor.

The iron gate behind them gave a soft creak.

Shaun was the last one out.

He stood at the entrance and looked back.

Hill Manor stood there quietly, bathed in moonlight.

No longer eerie or terrifying, it now looked like just an old house.

However... after the contract was signed, Shaun could monitor the situation in the manor at any time, which showed that although Hill Manor had lost its horror, it wasn't purely an ordinary house either.

It just wasn't the time to study the house right now.

Shaun turned around and got into the car.

Madison sat in the passenger seat, while Nell, Cordelia, and Queenie squeezed into the back.

The car started.

It drove away from the overgrown driveway, away from that sleeping manor.

Shaun glanced through the rearview mirror.

Nell leaned against Cordelia, her eyes closed.

Her brow was relaxed.

There was even a slight curve at the corner of her mouth.

It was the first time Shaun had seen such an expression on her face.

He withdrew his gaze and looked at the road ahead.

The horizon was beginning to turn white.

A new day was about to begin.

In his mind, the golden book gently turned a page.

【Current Special Status】

Hill Manor: Contracted

Madison Favorability: 100 (Maxed Out)

Shaun looked at it without a word, but he still pondered in his mind what effect this maxed-out favorability would have on Madison.

Glancing at the rearview mirror, Madison was still bickering with Queenie, showing no sign of looking at him, so Shaun felt he might be overthinking it...

Thinking this way, Shaun began to consider the tasks he still needed to complete.

First was the magic test at Robichaux Manor that Cordelia had just mentioned.

This wasn't urgent; whether he went or not was his choice.

Then there was the most important thing: investigating the death of Officer White.

This matter was becoming more confusing the more he looked into it, but he had to keep investigating...

Also, finding Frank Gallagher.

Given that guy's nature, there wasn't really a need to look for him; he wouldn't die anyway.

But if it involved the witches, then it had to be taken seriously.

Oh, right...

Finally, there was one more thing: he had promised Madison a request.

He wondered what kind of request this witch would have for him...

...

The car drove smoothly on the road back to New Orleans.

The sky was turning pale, and the morning light shone through the windshield.

Nell fell asleep leaning on Cordelia, her brow relaxed and her breathing steady.

This was the first time in all these years she had slept so peacefully.

Queenie was also asleep, her head resting against the car window, still clutching that unfinished bag of chips.

Hmm...

Shaun thought that when he had time, he should study Queenie's snacks; he always felt her snacks seemed to have magic power too.

This one bag of chips... how could she never finish it!

...

PS: Ah! This situation looks like it's waiting for the smart recommendation!