Chapter 37
A shaman refers to those born with the ability to communicate with beings from the ‘beyond world’ where spiritual entities reside.
Most of the Lauderdale bloodline inherited this ability, but among the Weston Easton brothers, only Easton inherited it.
However, as the Lauderdale bloodline was passed down for a long time into modern times, that ability weakened.
So certain conditions had to be met to see and communicate with them.
“The Lauderdale bloodline wasn’t like this in the past. Even when Sister Gloria was alive…”
Easton muttered like a sigh.
Sister Gloria was a member of the Lauderdale family. Born as a powerful shaman, she became a clergy and a national hero.
Thanks to her, the name of the Lauderdale family was elevated.
“Anyway, did you persuade senior Hastings? Does she know anything about them?”
“No. She didn’t know anything. I made the proposal though. Not sure if she’ll accept.”
“…Raven seemed normal, why does only that senior have such ability?”
“Your brother doesn’t have shaman abilities unlike you.”
Hearing Noah’s answer, Easton finally understood. That’s true.
Raven couldn’t see them and didn’t seem particularly interested in them, but he diligently followed Noah’s words.
This was because Noah was an influential ‘student council president’ at Saint Gloria Private School and the heir to the ‘Duke of Eglinton’ family.
So Easton often accompanied Raven when investigating ghost story incidents.
It was mandatory to move in pairs when investigating ghost story incidents.
“If Raven finds out, it might cause an uproar.”
“That guy seems to be desperately running away from his sister. Does he hate her?”
Noah asked Easton as if he was really curious.
“No way. Rather, it seems he’s running away because he likes his sister too much.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know why he’s like that either. Don’t try to understand. There’s a reason why we call him Crazven.”
Hearing Easton’s answer, Noah stroked his chin and fell into thought.
He thought that things would unfold more interestingly than expected.
🐈⬛
The town was quite bustling on the weekend.
And as the town bustled, the number of ghosts floating around also increased.
I had been here when taking the transfer exam, but I wasn’t a regular student then, so I didn’t have the peace of mind to leisurely look around the town like this.
‘It’s fascinating.’
In fact, this was the first time in my life that I was looking around somewhere with such a relaxed mind.
Even when my mother was alive, I was always busy working with her.
“Melody! Do you want to try this?”
Erica came over with lots of snacks sold on the street and offered me various things.
Sally also offered me snacks with both hands full.
I received snacks from them with a dazed face and nibbled on them one by one.
There were various types like chocolate, salt bread, churros, and the tastes were even more diverse. The taste was so amazing that it made my eyes pop open.
“There are so many delicious things in the world.”
I chewed on the churros while marveling.
Then Sally and Erica looked at me with satisfied smiles.
“Delicious, right?”
“Oh my, you eat well.”
Erica with her prim and haughty face, and Sally bouncing around like a chatterbox, took turns patting my head.
At the unexpected skinship, I widened my eyes while munching on the churros.
“Eat.”
Erica said with a smile.
Why are they being so nice? Is this what friends are like? I should have had friends before to know. I’m not sure either.
“Now that we’ve had snacks, shall we go look at some clothes?”
Sally said, raising her hand high.
‘Clothes? What clothes all of a sudden?’
We were all wearing uniforms, but come to think of it, we were the only ones wearing uniforms among the people walking on the street.
Even peers who looked like students were all wearing casual clothes.
It seems wearing casual clothes is common outside the school gates.
‘I did bring clothes, but…’
I didn’t have many clothes to begin with. I only had 1 to 2 outfits per season that I wore in rotation.
“Looking at your wardrobe, Melody, you have too few types of casual clothes. I-I didn’t look on purpose! We share a closet, so I just happened to see.”
Erica said primly.
“No. I have enough clothes.”
Then Sally countered.
“Absolutely not enough. A lady should have dozens of outfits for each season and situation.”
“But I don’t have anywhere to go wearing all that…”
“I-It’s a gift! Because Melody saved our lives!”
Sally shouted with a face flushed red from embarrassment.
Then, before I could respond, she grabbed my hand and strode forward.
“There will be many occasions to wear new clothes at our school. We often have parties.”
Erica whispered in my ear.
‘Parties are held often?’
This was truly something I didn’t know.
Eventually, I ended up following them into the largest clothing store in town.
“Lady Sutherland, Lady Queensbury! It’s been a while!”
A madam who appeared to be the store owner came running out with a welcoming face. She recognized Sally and Erica immediately.
“Oh my, is this young lady someone I haven’t met before? Was there such a beauty at the school? A new student?”
As I stammered with a bewildered face, Erica and Sally stepped forward, pushing me behind them, and said,
“She’s our friend. She’s a new transfer student.”
Then the owner’s eyes sparkled to an uncomfortable degree as she looked at me.
“Ah! The rumored perfect scorer on the transfer exam?”
I wondered how far that rumor had spread.
The townspeople seemed very interested in the school. Maybe it’s because this island itself was created for the school.
After all, everything on the island revolved around the school.
“Everyone in town is curious about Miss Hastings. Oh my, I must brag about this.”
Even bragging…?
It was an overwhelming reaction, but I understood since this was the first time a transfer student had achieved a perfect score.
“Anyway, welcome. This way. What kind of clothes do you need? For what purpose?”
“All types, everything.”
Erica answered the store owner’s question with a very fastidious face.
From then on, it was a continuous cycle of trying on and taking off clothes.
It only ended after choosing dresses, casual wear, outerwear, and even date outfits (though I’m not sure why these were necessary).
I sighed, sprawled on the sofa, wearing the beige two-piece set we had chosen as outerwear.
I was already tired and exhausted, wanting to go home.
“Melody, stay focused. We still need to choose shoes, bags, and accessories.”
I widened my eyes at Erica’s shocking words.
“So, it’s not over yet.”
“Over? It’s far from over. Shopping is just beginning.”
Sally linked arms with me and pulled me up.
“It’s so fun dressing up Melody.”
“She looks good in everything because she’s pretty. Next time, I want to try that on her.”
As Erica muttered, looking at another dress displayed in the store, Sally nodded seriously.
“It’s a dress I haven’t tried on, but I think it would suit Melody well.”
Listening to the conversation between the two girls, I was already tired of shopping.
🐈⬛
Thank you for reading! ♡
