Eternal Undying Chronicles

The night dragged on, seemingly endless, as Alicarde and Malefica meticulously sifted through the vast collection of data they had acquired from the government's databank. The two worked in focused silence, surrounded by stacks of documents and glowing screens.

Malefica had lent him her laptop, though he didn't consider it an act of kindness—she was simply putting him to work.

He briefly considered snooping through her computer for... personal information, but decided against it.

They categorized each file, cross-referencing names, locations, and crimes, gradually constructing an intricate web of corruption that stretched across the city's power structures. The room was lit by fluorescent light since Alicarde had complained about not wanting to strain his eyes looking at a glowing screen in the dark.

The sound of turning pages and the occasional tap of Malefica's elegant fingers on the keyboard filled the room.

The hit list they compiled was extensive, a catalog of targets that included.

Councilman Garrett: A key political figure with deep ties to Zagarath, responsible for covering up illegal activities and using his influence to manipulate city policies.

Police Chief Ray Richardson: The head of law enforcement, who had been funneling information to the mafia and orchestrating the kidnapping of innocent citizens to feed Zagarath's minions, covering up his crimes, and eliminating witnesses.

Mafia Boss Vito Carmine: Leader of one of the most feared crime families in the city, deeply involved in human trafficking, specifically supplying subjects for government experiments, most of which were directed to Zagarath.

Triad Leader Wei Shen: Another crime lord whose network extended into drug trafficking and espionage, operating under the radar with Zagarath's backing.

Each target was linked to Zagarath in some way—either as a direct accomplice or as a pawn in his grander schemes. Although Malefica doubted these individuals would remain in their known locations, their hideouts were meticulously noted.

As the night wore on, Alicarde found himself occasionally distracted, his gaze drifting toward Malefica. She sat beside him, focused and composed, her black hair swept up in an elegant updo that accentuated her sharp features.

She wore glasses that lent her an air of intellectual authority, and her attire clung to her figure, highlighting her mature beauty. Despite the gravity of their task, Alicarde couldn't help but admire her stunning looks. He wondered how best he could get under the skin of this beautiful professor—now that he wasn't her student, he had nothing to fear.

'Heheheh, here I am sitting right next to an ultra-hot milf. Life sure takes a man places,' Alicarde thought, smirking inwardly.

The clock ticked on, moving from late night to the early hours of the morning. They had spent hours poring over mountains of data, and Alicarde was acutely aware of time slipping away.

He knew Amena, the taciturn maid, could have handled this task in mere minutes, but he hadn't wanted to call her. He wanted to see it through himself. He didn't want Carrisa involved with Zagarath—he would rather die as many times as it took than look pathetic by calling Carrisa every time he got his ass handed to him in a fight.

When they finally completed their comprehensive hit list, Alicarde leaned back in his chair, staring at the names and crimes listed before him. The government was darker than he had imagined.

Beyond those connected to Zagarath, the list revealed a host of atrocities—illegal and inhumane experimentation on children to awaken esper abilities, human trafficking facilitated by the mafia to procure more subjects for these experiments, and the systematic abandonment of loyal soldiers, who were used as scapegoats and discarded when no longer needed.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The sheer scale of corruption was staggering, with the buying and selling of regular citizens who awakened esper powers, and the termination of families who refused to sell their loved ones for money.

"The government is dirtier than I thought," he muttered, his voice heavy with disgust.

"Naturally," Malefica replied, not looking up from her work. "Such things are not uncommon, especially for a second-rate power that is trying its best to keep up with the other three."

"Are they really that powerful? The Order, the Magician's Guild, and the Truth Association?" Alicarde asked, his tone tinged with skepticism.

"They are certainly more powerful than you… so yes," Malefica said, adjusting her glasses with a precise movement. "There are also hidden powers far beyond this world."

"You mean the Demiplane?" Alicarde guessed.

"No, I mean here, in this world," Malefica clarified. "Places like Atlantis the lost kingdom, and other hidden beings. The Underground is also one such dangerous place. But the three great powers are the foremost human forces—they wield immense power, wealth, and influence."

Alicarde was taken aback. This was the first time he had heard of some of these places.

"I've heard about Atlantis, but I always thought it was just a myth. I remember watching the cartoon as a kid. Nothing more, and I heard some conspiracy theories too."

"It's real… but very difficult to reach. The people there do not welcome outsiders, especially humans," Malefica said in her usual strict tone.

"Well, then it's a good thing I'm not human," Alicarde chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

"Actually, you are… While you are an undying, your frame is still mostly human. So, put simply, you're just an immortal human."

"Wait, what? But Carrisa said I'm an undying," Alicarde protested, confusion evident in his voice.

He did not want to be merely human, in his heart, he associated being human with being weak.

"You are, but your frame is still human…" Malefica replied, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered how to explain it.

"If a vampire saw you, they would think of your blood as the most delicious type of human blood, mixed with abundant life force. The taste may be better, but it's still human."

"So basically, I'm gourmet… still don't understand." Alicarde sighed.

Malefica sighed too, sensing his continued confusion. She hadn't expected him to be unaware of something so basic.

"When the Evernight girl transformed you, she didn't change your race. She merely added a layer of immortality to your existence. Let's try this, if a vampire tried to turn you, it would work because..." She grabbed a piece of paper and drew a square.

"This is your frame. Now, I'll color half of it, that's the part that became undying. The other half is still empty, meaning you can fill it with other colors."

"I see," Alicarde nodded, though it was clear he was still struggling to grasp the concept.

"You don't get it, do you?" Malefica asked, a hint of exasperation in her usually stoic tone.

"No, I do not," he admitted coolly.

"Good students ask questions. This is why you're always shy of a perfect score," Malefica remarked, sounding every bit the frustrated college professor scolding her student.

"Fine," she sighed, resigning herself to his lack of understanding.

For the next thirty minutes, Malefica patiently explained that while Alicarde was indeed an undying, he was still partially human unless he became something else. She gave examples, explaining that if a werewolf became an undying, it would become an undying werewolf. Similarly, Alicarde was an undying human—his base race hadn't changed, just his state of being.

Alicarde sighed, finally accepting her explanation. As the sun began to rise, casting a pale light into the room, he realized he had spent the night with Malefica.

Although, deep down, Alicarde couldn't help but wish the night had been spent in a more… erotic way.

'I could have finally conquered one of life's hurdles—messing with my teacher,' he mused privately, a mischievous glint in his eyes. If she knew what he was thinking, she would undoubtedly roast him with a fireball.

Malefica stood up, her posture as perfect as ever. "We move on the precinct tonight. Try not to cause a big ruckus this time. For now, we will go our separate ways and meet back at sundown."

"Yeah sure, it was a fun night out together," Alicarde nodded, rising to his feet as well. Despite the long night, he felt a strange mix of exhaustion and anticipation. As they prepared to part ways, he couldn't shake the feeling that their mission was only just beginning.

As Alicarde left Malefica's residence, she walked beside him to the door, her expression a mixture of concern and sternness.

The grand hallway leading to the exit was lined with antique artifacts and bookshelves crammed with tomes. Soft light from ornate chandeliers cast a warm glow, giving the space a timeless feel.

Malefica's tone was measured, each word carefully chosen as she delivered warnings and advice, much like a professor addressing a particularly troubled student. She paused at the threshold, her sharp eyes narrowing as she looked up at him.

"Alicarde," she began, her voice carrying an air of authority, "you must be more cautious in how you wield your power. You may have restrained yourself tonight, but the consequences of your actions will ripple far beyond what you intended. The world is watching, and they will not be so forgiving next time. The path we are on will only become more treacherous.

The forces aligned against us are formidable, and your recklessness will only embolden them."

She continued, her voice lowering as if to emphasize the gravity of her words. "The government may seem weak, but they are not insignificant. And then there are the others—the three great powers have kept the secrecy of the supernatural world for years. You may be a threat to them."

She placed a hand on his arm, her grip firm. "You have potential, but potential can be as dangerous as it is promising. I expect you to think, Alicarde, not just act. We cannot afford for you to be ruled by emotion."

Alicarde met her gaze, a half-smirk playing on his lips. "I appreciate the concern, professor, but I've got this under control. Besides, no one died tonight."

"No one died," Malefica echoed, "but remember that there are fates worse than death. Be mindful of what you leave behind, Alicarde. Power without wisdom is a curse."

With those parting words, she stepped back, watching as Alicarde finally exited the house.

He made his way to his car, a sleek, black luxury vehicle with tinted windows that reflected the dim light of the early morning. The car was a masterpiece of modern engineering, its engine purring softly as Alicarde slid into the driver's seat without a care in the world, the supple leather interior hugging him like an old friend.

The dashboard lit up with a soft glow, displaying the time—just enough time to get home, change, and head to morning classes. He smirked at the thought, despite the chaos of the night, he wasn't about to let anything interfere with his academic routine.

"Anne would murder me if I missed my classes."

As he drove off, the car gliding smoothly down the deserted streets, he remained blissfully unaware that he had been under surveillance.

Across the street from Malefica's house, parked inconspicuously, was an average-looking car. Inside, a young man sat in the driver's seat, his hands trembling as he held up his phone, capturing images of Alicarde and Malefica.

The young man had dark, tousled hair and wore thick glasses that he kept adjusting nervously. He was one of the three notorious perverts—or "pioneers" as Alicarde preferred to them — they were in Alicarde's class, known for their obsessive interest in the campus's female population. They liked to think of themselves as investigative geniuses.

His eyes were wide as he reviewed the footage he'd just taken, barely able to contain his excitement. The angle he captured made it look as if Malefica was holding Alicarde's hand in a more suggestive manner, and the fact that Alicarde had left so early in the morning, before sunrise, was highly suspicious.

"Did I just discover the campus belle's boyfriend cheating on her with Professor Malefica? Oh no… what do I do… this is the ultimate scoop!" he muttered to himself, his voice a frantic whisper.

He glanced around, paranoia setting in. A male student spending the night at the residence of a beautiful professor was quite obvious what he thought they were doing.

"No, I have to keep this on the down-low for now. That guy's an effing legend. I need to learn his skills… First the class rep, then the campus belle, now our goddess professor? Unbelievable!"

He continued muttering to himself, barely able to believe his luck. "This could make… or break me… But if I play my cards right… maybe he'll take me under his wing. I need to bide my time, gather more evidence… yes, that's it… He has skills with the babes that I can learn. He is a true lady killer, no, he is the boss. I must become his lackey."

Meanwhile, Alicarde drove on, completely oblivious to this new development, and so was Malefica, both unaware of the potential chaos that this small slip of surveillance might unleash in their lives.