Chapter 190

“No way! I’m here just to see our girl Winnie!”

“Next episode is the last one before summer break. Once school starts, I won’t be able to catch every live show. How can you be so cruel not to turn up?”

“If Winnie doesn’t show, neither do I!”

“What’s Winnie got going on that she needs to take off? School hasn’t even started yet, right?”

The chat was ablaze with discussion and disappointment over Winnie’s upcoming absence. Bagot watched the flurry of comments, unsurprised by the viewers‘ reactions.

Though he hadn’t planned to address it directly in the show, with Winnie having mentioned it, Bagot cued the host through his headset to shed some light on the situation.

Ned picked up on the cue and turned to the camera to explain, “So here’s the deal, folks. Everyone knows Winnie’s a freshman this year, and EU Supernatural Department’s a bit different from other schools. They require freshmen to report in half a month early for some physical training. This just happens to clash with our next episode’s filming schedule.”

Once the live audience heard the reason, their disappointment was mixed with understanding.

After all, freshman orientation isn’t something you can just skip.

Candace, too, was taken aback. Winnie always seemed so mature that she often forgot the girl was a fresh eighteen–year–old just out of high school.

“Freshman orientation is definitely not something you can miss.”

On a whim, Candace mused, “What if we tag along for your orientation? I’m kinda curious to see what the Supernatural Department is like.”

Candace’s offhand suggestion opened the floodgates of the audience’s imagination.

“Now that you mention it, I’m kind of curious, too.”

“I’ve heard so much mystery about this Supernatural Department online, but there’s no info anywhere!

Want to see!”

“Is this academy not open to the public? The show could get clearance, right? It’d be good publicity.”

“Hey, director, are you listening? Get in touch with Supernatural Department. Let’s go with Winnie for the next episode!”

“Great idea, count my vote!”

Count my vote!”

The chat moderator was taken aback by the barrage of supportive comments, thinking to himself how unpredictable netizens can be.

The Supernatural Department might align with the show’s mystical themes, but each episode was a carefully planned affair by the production team. There’s no way the director would just change plans for Winnie on a whim.

But as he glanced at Bagot, he saw the man looking at the chat, not with disbelief, but with a contemplative air. Could this actually work?

Unaware of the little scheme Bagot was considering under the influence of the viewers, Winnie responded to Candace’s suggestion instinctively, “I doubt that’ll work.”

Candace pouted, “Why not? What if I pretend to be your sister and escort you?”

Winnie gave her a glance but didn’t argue about the sister part, replying earnestly, “The academy doesn’t allow any family members to accompany new students during orientation. It’s one of their rules.”

Her statement shocked not only Candace but also Kane, Gentry, and even Joseph, who couldn’t help but interject, “These days, some scammers send out fake acceptance letters and create convincing websites. But if you look closer, you’ll find they’re bogus institutions. What if your Supernatural Department is one of those traps?”

Joseph’s comment stirred some nerves; after all, despite being touted as a legitimatel national university, no one could find the Supernatural Department’s address online. And now they’re saying family can’t come to orientation? It sounded suspiciously like one of those scam schools.

The live audience, previously oblivious to this angle, began to worry for Winnie’s safety.

But others thought the concern was unwarranted.

“Think about Winnie’s family background. If the EU Supernatural Department was shady, her family would have exposed it long ago.”

“That’s a solid point. No comeback.”

“There’s already been a deep dive into the school. It’s confirmed to be legitimate and accredited, just a bit unusual.”

“Might not be a scam, but the rules sure are weird.”

“I don’t believe it! For Winnie’s safety, I suggest the show follows her during orientation.”

“A bit obvious, aren’t we? With family not allowed, the show has even less chance.”

“Agh, I’m getting more curious by the second.”

As the other guests started to fret, Mervin finally spoke up, “I’ve been to the EU Supernatural Department. It’s no scam; it’s safe.”

Hearing Mervin’s assurance, everyone rallied around him with questions.

“You’ve been there? Were you a student?”

“Didn’t you graduate from Breeze University?”

“Mervin, what’s it like there?”

The guests bombarded him with inquiries, but Mervin remained unfazed, his usual calm composure intact, “I attended a Supernatural Association conference there a couple of years ago with my mentor.”

With that, Mervin said no more, but his words were enough to alleviate concerns about Winnie’s new school.

Just in time, the host steered the conversation back to the episode’s main topic.

“This time, we’ve ventured into the heart of the legendary Mandrake Meadow, an area steeped in a rich history of foraging that spans over a century. Just over my shoulder, nestled within the hills, two ancient Mandrakes were once unearthed, fetching over three million dollars each at auction.

As many of you may know, wild Mandrake is rarer. With the increased exploitation of our forests in recent years, ancient wild Mandrake has become a scarcity.

We chose Mandrake Meadow as our third episode’s location because this area has been plagued by animal disturbances and destruction for the past six months. Even freshly planted seeds have been dug up and ruined.

Despite several investigations by forestry officials and related departments, the culprit remains at large.

It’s almost as if someone–or something–has been provoked. Recently, members of the Mandrake Meadow Watch, those tasked with guarding the Mandrake, have been mysteriously found asleep by the roadside at the foot of the mountains.

This has left the townsfolk on edge, whispering of the God of Nature’s wrath toward the foragers, vowing to end the village’s reliance on the cultivation and harvesting of Mandrake.”

Mandrake Meadow is, after all, a renowned locale. Cutting off the main source of livelihood for the residents would be devastating. The mayor even secretly brought in a mystic in hopes of resolving the situation, to no avail.

Desperate for solutions, the locals reached out to our show, “Ghostly Guidance,” in the hopes of finding some assistance.

Even if they can’t crack the case, perhaps the exposure from the show will draw someone with the right skills to put an end to the mystery once and for all.