Eternal Undying Chronicles

Alicarde came to the conclusion he was screwed big time, and his friends were not helping matters. Elizalina still had her face buried in a book, paying him no mind.

He glanced at her, weighing the idea of asking for help but quickly dismissed it. She would no doubt demand blood as payment, probably with a sly smile.

'As if she doesn't take enough of my blood already.'

Turning his gaze to Anne, he shook his head. She had already been through enough the day before, and besides, she couldn't exactly help on such short notice.

That left the boys. Honestly, all of them seemed to share the same brain cell. He was better off on his own.

Felix glanced at his wrist as if checking a watch he wasn't wearing.

"Would you look at the time? Let's get going, guys. We have a class and a presentation."

'You aren't wearing a watch you bastard'

"Right, let's go."

the others chimed in, already making their way to the door.

Alicarde watched with a sour expression.

"Guys, come on, you can't leave me like this."

Anne turned back with a pitying look.

"You didn't listen when I told you to get your presentation done first. Do you remember what you said to me?"

"Hmmm, I think I said something along the lines of 'Woman, stop nagging me... I have enough time."

He recalled the conversation with a sheepish grin.

Anne's deadpan expression conveyed one thing, 'I told you so.'

"Anne-chan, you can't stoop to my level. Guys, stop. We need to think about this. Let's join heads—the power of friendship and all that."

She sighed.

"Fine. I hope you realize I can't do anything on such short notice."

"I need you, Anne-chan."

"The only thing that might help is using an AI, but it's risky. Professor Malefica will flag it, which will only make things worse."

"What do I do then?"

"Speak from the heart, or find someone who can write it live as you go. You'd need someone as fast as a machine."

Anne glanced at the boys, who were watching the scene unfold. She sighed again.

"I can't type that fast. Can any of you?"

They exchanged quick glances.

"Nope, can't."

"Yeah, same here."

The group turned to Elizalina, still absorbed in her book. Noticing their stares, she looked up briefly.

"You already have someone who can do that—a certain maid."

Alicarde's eyes lit up like he'd just found salvation.

"You're right! I could call her... Elly, I love you!"

Elizalina's face flushed slightly as she pulled her book closer.

"Let us depart."

"Hehehe, okay, boys, I'm ready. Just need to make a quick phone call."

They left the library and made their way to the lecture venue, Liam and Marcus tagging along. It was an elective class, but Alicarde suspected they just wanted to live-stream the whole thing.

As soon as they arrived, Alicarde called Amena. She picked up immediately. He explained his situation and emphasized that she needed to write in his tone, using words he'd normally use. He repeated that part several times.

While he was still explaining, Malefica walked in, silencing the murmurs in the room. Alicarde quickly ended the call with.

"Whatever you do, Amena, make sure it's what I'd normally say, okay? Keep my personality in mind. Bye."

He hung up, took a deep breath, and waited for Amena to save him.

Malefica's sharp gaze landed on him the moment she entered the room. Her stern, no-nonsense expression made him question how he'd ever had the guts to tease her.

'I must have been crazy all those times.' he thought.

It didn't matter—he was royally screwed. In this setting, Malefica held all the power, and he was just another student. He could still feel her gaze burning through him.

'Is she still mad about all the times I called her a spinster?'

He was pretty sure no woman alive would let that slide, but it was too late now. He was resigned to his fate.

His phone buzzed, signaling a new message.

'Hehehe, Amena sure works fast.'

Malefica finally broke eye contact with him and addressed the class.

"Now then, class, I would've liked for us to continue where we left off last week. However, due to a certain group of troublemakers, we'll be holding off for now. Instead, they will be making a presentation."

She turned her eyes back to Alicarde and his group.

"You boys may come forth with your presentation. I hope you've learned your lesson."

"Yes, ma'am."

Alicarde and his three comrades stood up, while Liam excitedly whispered to Marcus, telling him to get the camera rolling.

"Go live immediately we can't miss a thing"

'These two are enjoying this'

Alicarde resisted the urge to smack the two. While they were about to potentially die a social death, those two were trying their best to broadcast it to the world.

They took their places in front of the class. The murmurs from the audience were impossible to ignore.

"Damn, I waited weeks for this."

"It was such a bummer when Professor Malefica postponed it."

"I'm surprised they haven't been rusticated yet."

"Don't worry, the professor just wants to toy with them first."

Malefica activated the projector, dimming the lights. The boys uploaded the files and stepped aside.

She adjusted her glasses and gestured to Alicarde.

"You may go first."

Alicarde circulated magic power through the mark Malefica had placed on him, contacting her telepathically.

"Why are you trying to make things difficult for me?"

"Hmm, hello, Reaper. I didn't expect you to contact me during the day. You'll have to excuse me; I have a class to teach and some wayward students to discipline."

"Stop acting like I'm not right here."

"I don't see you, all I see is a student."

Alicarde finally understood what she was getting at. When they met at night, it was a partnership. Here, she called the shots.

'Fine, be like that, you witch. I can handle this.'

He turned his attention to the presentation and began reading the ten-page essay Amena had sent him.

At first, it was smooth sailing, much like how politicians read speeches they clearly didn't write.

"To that extent, I believe that all students should be on their best behavior around their professors, no matter who the professor is. Even if it's an old lady who has crossed fifty without a husband and is clearly not getting any younger, age is just a number. I'm sure a desperate guy or two wou... would co... come along..."

It was only after he had finished that part that he realized what he had just said.
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Alicarde let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

'Amena has killed me.'

Though, to be fair, he was the one who told her to make it sound like something he would say. And she had certainly delivered.