The Professor's Exploit
587 Words
The professor didn't chide him. Instead, she focused on a faint scent of alcohol permeating the air. Among those present, no one seemed to be the drinking sort, yet she suspected him—Nick was the most likely culprit. Alice gave him a penetrating look.
Nick felt her gaze and frowned, pondering her intention. Joe, also aware of the attention, grew more convinced that their teacher favored Nick.
Feeling dejected, the dark-haired youth lowered his head even further.
Unnoticed by Alice, who was lost in thought with her chin resting on her hand, her green eyes eventually gleamed with an idea.
A bad premonition dawned upon Erin as she watched Alice, mentally preparing for an all-nighter.
Sure enough, the professor's gaze shifted toward her. “Erin, how many of those creations are left in the warehouse?”
Flipping through her notebook, Erin's voice trembled slightly as she replied, “Two... no, twenty-three thousand and seven hundred sixty-one.”
Alice nodded before turning her smile towards Nick and Joe. “Since you both are here, why not start work this afternoon? I have a task perfectly suited for you.”
Her tone was as inviting as an afternoon tea invitation, yet Nick sensed an underlying menace.
Remaining silent, Nick resolved to hear more details before committing.
However, Joe enthusiastically stepped forward, “Professor Alice, it's an honor.” His exaggerated bow startled even Alice, who, realizing he might have been up all night, decided to give a gentle reminder: “Joe, you realize that means twenty-three thousand seven hundred sixty-one tasks?” she reiterated the daunting figure.
Unfazed, Joe’s pink eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Even if it were thirty thousand, I'd be honored to work sleepless nights for you.”
Nick was dumbfounded, unable to decipher Joe’s mindset or the triumphant look he threw him. Voicing his confusion seemed moot as Joe's attention shifted back to Alice, who appeared equally moved by his dedication.
What a find, Alice mused. The task Peyton had pressed her to complete seemed not only feasible but potentially ahead of schedule.
“Let's get going, Joe,” she suggested cheerfully, her voice akin to inviting a child outdoors.
“Absolutely, Professor!” Joe responded with equal zest.
Once the pair was out of earshot, Nick turned to Erin, voicing his suspicion.
“Is Joe paid significantly more than I am?”
“No such thing,” Erin replied. “Honestly, even if he weren’t paid, he might still do it.”
Erin, enthralled by the thought of romance blooming between Alice and Joe, barely noticed Nick—a newcomer who remained baffled by the work set before him.
It wasn't until Nick spoke up that Erin returned to reality. “Ms. Erin, what am I supposed to do?”
“Oh,” came Erin's flustered reply as she turned to Nick. Barely half an hour ago, Erin had persuaded Nick and her two intern assistants, Ryan and Chris, to join Alice and Joe in tackling the monstrous workload.
“Professor Alice often says we need to be united,” Erin conveyed, gesturing towards Alice, who gave Nick an affirming thumbs-up.
Nick felt Joe’s glare of palpable hostility directed at him—was Joe really worried about losing his workload?
Erin continued, “Which is why, in natural magic studies, we tackle overtime together.”
Nick sighed inwardly, his sole desire now being to return home.
The author comments:
Is this truly a human workload? Not exactly, but for a succubus, perhaps so.
- Writer
