Eternal Undying Chronicles

Alicarde walked over to a library chair and casually dropped into it, facing the three boys.

Akimitsu, the dark-haired one with a wiry frame and sharp eyes, Felix, a chubby blonde with round cheeks and a perpetually cheerful expression, and Alec, the dark-skinned boy who always seemed composed, were all surrounded by a large pile of lecture notes they were diligently transcribing.

The sound of pens scratching against paper filled the otherwise quiet space.

"Yo, what's up, you bastards? Which of you were cursing me?" Alicarde's voice cut through the calm like a blade.

Akimitsu, looking sheepish, avoided Alicarde's gaze. The three "pioneers," as Alicarde called them, looked up at him with sparkling eyes.

They were his self-appointed trio of "loyal followers," though their loyalty often came with relentless teasing.

"Morning, boss," they greeted in unison, their voices hushed in the library.

Alec smirked as he picked up a small stack of papers.

"It must be hard being the most hated guy on campus."

Akimitsu nodded, covering one eye with his palm like a child.

"We only hate him because all the girls wanna do him, and all the guys wanna kill him."

Alicarde's eye twitched.

"Wait... did you just say 'we'?"

Felix sighed, dropping his lecture notes and leaning back with his hands clasped.

"If he died today, I'd be a happy man."

"Seriously, guys, who needs opps with friends like you?"

As they bantered, two more young men approached their table. One, with a stylish combover, wore brand-name clothes that screamed wealth, while the other, with green hair, had a camera slung around his shoulder, ever ready to capture the moment.

"Sup, dude, what's cooking?" Liam greeted as he took a seat with an air of superiority. Marcus, still wearing his cool expression, nodded in greeting.

"You guys won't believe these three asshats are my opps," Alicarde complained.

Liam shook his head, hearing the banter.

"I always knew we couldn't trust poor people."

Akimitsu glared.

"The hell, I'm not poor. My family is moderately well-off!"

Alec shrugged, unfazed.

"My family is average."

Felix grinned, feeling the need to liven things up.

"We is poor in my household."

"Then how the hell are you fat?" Alicarde shot back.

"Fuck you, I'm not fat, I'm chubby."

Liam's face turned thoughtful.

"How many pounds do you weigh, little piggy?"

Alec's voice was deadpan, but a playful twinkle danced in his eyes.

"I always knew this bastard was secretly a pig. Who knew someone other than me would see it?"

Akimitsu stood up to defend Felix, his tone half-serious.

"Come on, guys, stop teasing him. Felix isn't fat... but if a tribe of cannibals caught him, they wouldn't go hungry for months."

The table erupted into laughter, with Felix groaning as he looked to Marcus for help.

"Marcus, you have to defend my honor. Come on, say something."

Marcus sighed, giving Felix a half-smile.

"Felix isn't fat, he's obese. Even a gym and a diet of grass and roots can't save him now."

Their laughter echoed off the high ceilings, earning a few annoyed glares from nearby students. Mark Green, with his auburn hair and a sour expression, stormed over.

"Keep it down, guys! Every time I leave you idiots alone, it's like you all share one brain cell."

Alicarde noticed Mark's dark circles and smirked.

"Who... who let a raccoon into the library?"

Felix, the opportunist, chimed in.

"Someone call animal control."

Liam clutched his pocket, feigning concern.

"I heard these animals are natural-born burglars. Protect your wallets."

"I am not a raccoon!" Mark snapped.

"Could've fooled me," Alicarde teased.

Mark's scowl deepened.

"I lost sleep because the class rep was kidnapped yesterday."

Akimitsu's eyes widened.

"What? The class rep was kidnapped?"

Alec dropped his pen, his playful demeanor vanishing.

"That's serious. How could this happen?"

Felix leaned in, his voice concerned.

"Kidnapped? Are you serious?"

Liam's hand tightened on his pocket.

"Is she okay? What's going on?"

Marcus frowned, the gravity of the situation settling in.

"This sounds bad... really bad."

Alicarde remained relaxed, knowing Anne was safe. He had rescued her after all, but he had to reassure his friends without giving too much away.

"It's fine, though. She's unharmed and home now."

Mark blinked, confused.

"Huh? How do you know that? The police haven't even called back or found her."

Alicarde's lips twitched as he scrambled for an excuse. Remembering that Amena had mentioned Anne calling while he was away, he said.

"Ehm, she called me."

"She called you? What did she say? Is she okay? Is she safe?"

"Erhh, we didn't talk, but she's safe."

Mark still seemed skeptical.

"How would you know that if you didn't talk?"

"My maid picked up when she called, so... she told me that Anne was safe and sound."

"Ohhh, thank God."

"Yeah, thank...erm... God."

Mark finally sat down, relief washing over him. With the tension gone, Akimitsu seized the chance to shift the conversation.

"On a side note, boss, you have a maid?"

"Is she hot?"

"Yeah... she is, super hot even, but I can't tell you more. Sorry, get your own maid in a classic maid outfit with bright blue eyes, brown hair, and a total kuudere."

"This bastard is bragging about his maid," Liam muttered.

The three pioneers groaned in mock tears, their envy clear.

"Nooo, I hate you!"

"This bastard is living the high life."

"I wish I was him while still being me."

Mark sighed, wondering how he ended up with this group.

"Didn't he say he wasn't going to tell, and then proceeds to brag about the maid?"

Liam shook his head with a wry smile.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I always thought I was thick-skinned, but when it comes to shamelessness, I still have a ways to go."

"It's that attitude that got him in trouble with Professor Malefica," Marcus pointed out.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever, guys." Alicarde glanced at the piles of papers in front of them.

"So how are we looking with our punishment?"

Alec rubbed his temples, his expression grim. "Horrible, really horrible. We haven't done squat."

Akimitsu sighed.

"I lose hope every day."

Alicarde gave them a pitying look.

"We still have to do a presentation. That witch really has no chill."

"And it gets worse," Felix whispered, his voice barely audible as he leaned in closer.

"What can be worse than this?" Alicarde asked, already bracing himself for bad news.

Alec frowned, a hint of concern in his eyes.

"The email from last night."

"What email?"

"The one Ma—" Akimitsu began, but stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened as he glanced to Alicarde's side.

A beautiful silver-haired woman had just sat down beside them, a stack of old, worn-out books in her delicate hands. The room seemed to pause, as though her presence demanded attention from everyone within.

Elizalina's beauty was breathtaking, her silver hair shimmering like moonlight, and her porcelain skin glowing softly under the library's dim lights. Her grey eyes held a seductive allure that made it nearly impossible for the boys to look away.

Mark, who had been half-asleep moments ago, was instantly wide awake, his gaze locked on her. Liam, usually calm and composed, found his poise slipping as he took in her ethereal appearance.

Even Marcus, who was rarely moved by anything, was entranced, his eyes unable to stray from her. The three pioneers weren't any different, each silently captivated, as if Elizalina was the only person in the room.

"What are you doing here, Elly? I thought you left for the campus grand library."

"No, I haven't left yet. I intend to, but only after I've thoroughly examined this place."

"Then do you really have to sit here, of all places?"

"And why not here? This is where my beloved boyfriend is seated, after all, and I do get lonely without you." she said, her voice sweet yet teasing.

"Yeah, sure you do," Alicarde muttered.

He leaned closer, his voice dropping into a whisper laced with impatience.

"If you're done, Elly, get lost, woman."

"You're so mean to me," Elizalina pouted.

"Is this truly how one should treat their girlfriend?"

"You aren't my girlfriend. It's all an act we keep up because I don't want to be that one guy who dumped or got dumped by the campus belle."

The boys around them watched, each silently wishing they could be in Alicarde's place, as the pair whispered into each other's ears.

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Alicarde sighed and sat up straight as Elizalina smiled, her expression amused. Liam, having noticed the pile of old, worn-out books she had brought, finally mustered the courage to speak.

"What are you researching?"

Elizalina cast him a somewhat disdainful look, though with her beauty, it appeared more alluring than dismissive. She was about to ignore him, but Alicarde discreetly pinched her thigh under the table, prompting a sharp glance from her. His eyes conveyed a clear message.

'If you want to sit here, be nice to my friends, you goddamn vampire.'

"I'm researching ancient historical records, particularly on a group known as the Coven of the Dawn, as well as other supernatural occurrences from the past."

Akimitsu, clearly out of his depth, nodded.

"Oh, like witches. I see."

Alec, sensing the awkwardness, offered a suggestion.

"You should probably try the campus grand library. Legends say it might be even older than Evergreen City itself, and most of the ancient texts and records are stored there."

"Hm, I didn't peg you as an expert on the topic, Alec." Alicarde remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"I just know a thing or two."

Elizalina didn't bother responding, choosing instead to immerse herself in one of the old books, effectively dismissing any further conversation.

Alicarde's eye twitched at her blatant disregard. Without a second thought, he reached under the table and pinched her thigh once more, harder this time.

She let out a surprised yelp, her composure momentarily shattered.