New Life, New Task: I'll Be A Mom Then!!!

Just as she was about to attempt to steal the notes on the table, Eli was already walking out of the ensuite stockroom.

"Here you go, a clean set of your robe." Eli gave a fresh set of black robe to Alicia.

Alicia bobbed her head with unease and reached out for the robe. An awkward silence dominated the room.

"Let me take the soiled robe to the wash bin.." Eli initiated with a polite tone.

Alicia then quietly proceeded to take off the robe revealing a simple dress underneath. It was not the blue velvet dress that she had fancied earlier, but it is one of the dresses she bought during her shopping trip in the Forgeworn Boutique.

It was a lilac A-line puff sleeve dress with an off-white puff fabric waist belt.

Eli could say that this dress completely masked Alicia's explosive aura, she now looked like a demure and dainty noble lady. This didn't make Alicia's appearance awkward nor unnatural.

In fact, seeing Alicia like this was really refreshing and pleasing in the eyes.

"Your dress looks good on you! It's such a shame that you have to hide it in your robe…" Eli gently complimented with a gentle smile.

Alicia was actually taken aback from receiving such random praise. It also gave her an awkward feeling because as far as she knew, she was still annoyed at the person in front of her.

"T-thanks.." Alicia unnaturally replied, however her annoyance towards Eli lessened for a little bit. "I just bought it a few days ago at the Forgeworn Boutique."

"It really looks good on you. You should wear dresses like this more often. You are a pretty lady." Continued to throw compliments at Alicia, making the other person scrunch her brows and blush uncontrollably.

"Y-you don't need to tell the obvious! I know I look nice." She retaliated, but she was utterly defeated by the conflicting feelings she had right now.

She was here to scheme towards the girl in front of her however, what she had received so far was fair treatment and a sudden ambush of compliments.

As she was known to have a haughty personality, Alicia was actually shunned in high society as the standards for being a noble lady should be gentle, graceful and meek. They weren't supposed to be acting all knowing and opinionated like her.

No no! She must not be swayed by a mere compliment!

She was here to get a chance to steal her learning materials, not to receive Eli's compliments! At the thought of her initial goal, Alicia's chaotic emotions slowly settled down.

Eli on the other hand shrugged. She was genuine when she gave her the compliment, she meant nothing else.

She didn't take it to heart when Alicia didn't seem to receive her words wholeheartedly. She also knew that Alicia really acts like this, it is in her personality.

"A-are you done with your lecture?" Alicia tried to change the topic to her favor.

"Uhn.. Dean Zeke and Vice Chairman Bramwell were the ones in charge to facilitate the rest of the day." Eli replied with a matter of factly tone.

"How many days will the bootcamp go from today? Are you going to do the same for us, the remaining faculty members?"  Alicia tried to probe information by disguising her real intent as being concerned that she would be left out with learning the new knowledge.

"The boot camp will last until the third school day next week. Do not worry, Dean Athena and Dean Simone would be the ones to organize your turn on the bootcamp. The reason why they participated with the research branch was for the same reason. Because unfortunately, I can only do this much." Eli didn't suspect anything and patiently explained the situation to the curious Alicia.

Upon hearing the reply, Alicia's eyes showed a glint of interest. It was so subtle that Eli didn't notice the change in Alicia's mood.

"I see, then I only wish that you finish the bootcamp successfully, so that we can also have the chance to be taught of the new concepts you offered… Counselor." Alicia replied with a stiff expression, it took her a lot of self control to squeeze out the word 'Counselor' as a way to address Eli.

This is also so that she can have a civil, if not amicable relationship with Eli. This is in case she failed to steal a copy of the book set, at least she can still attempt to obey the Empress.

Finally, she looked at Eli with a seemingly honest expression and asked, "Are we going to receive our own copy of the materials? To be honest, I am quite excited and curious about the boot camp…"

This is the last string of hope for Alicia, she wanted to try if she could get what she wanted without technically stealing. That way she would not be charged as a thief outright. She thought.

"I'm sorry, because the boot camp was organized on rather a tight schedule, we only managed to print the exact number of copies. But do not worry, after the boot camp, the Vice Chairman will be starting to organize the next batch of printing." Eli then again replied without suspecting anything.

She thought that it was rather normal for someone to ask about these things as it was not the first time she received such inquiries. Typically every faculty member of the institute was enthusiastic about the bootcamp.

"I see, I look forward to it!" Alicia was slightly disappointed that she was not able to accomplish the task the easy way. But she comforted her heart that at least she knew how many days she had to attempt stealing one book set.

After exchanging a few awkward pleasantries Alicia bid goodbye to Eli under the pretense of having a class.

Eli didn't hold her back but instead went with her on the way outside. Which Alicia didn't like at all!

How could she sneak around the interior of the amphitheater if Eli would be going with her?

However she could only hold her grudge and go with Eli on the way to the exit. At least she didn't wet her robe for nothing!

With that in mind, Alicia then proceeded with her duties as a faculty member and decided to continue her attempts on the suceeding days.

Alicia roamed and investigated for another three school days before she was able to see an opening to finally make a move.

During her investigation she determined that the only time that the research branch take their books out in the open was on the lecture venue and their dorms, both of which Alicia was not allowed to access because of the rules.

Thus, Alicia came up with a scheming plan. She would target the most timid researcher and do something to 'replace' him while the real one was absent.

Then, she thought of a way to create a scenario for that researcher to be missing. After thinking for so long, she found that the best and the most subtle way to do it would be through the canteen!

As for her plan, she would just simply put a covert spell on the target researcher's food and activate it at the right time.

As for what kind of spell it is, it was something that would make the victim suffer from an uncontrollable urge to go to the toilet no matter what the situation was!

In other words, Alicia, the noble lady from the Cross aristocratic family, will be spiking some laxative spell on the food of an innocent researcher!

However, Alicia didn't mind, she only had three days to execute her plan or else the boot camp would already end.

It was Monday morning when she decided to move.

Alicia covertly stationed around the canteen, looking for any researcher who regularly takes breakfast in the canteen.

Soon, a young researcher with panda eyes and lethargic appearance walked inside the canteen.

She had already observed this timid researcher for two days and determined that he would stay sluggish until he got his morning coffee.

Alicia quietly observed the young researcher and waited until he fully ordered his food.

The moment he sat on his usual seat, Alicia immediately walked behind him while she secretly prepared her spell underneath the sleeves of her robe.

Since the researcher was still sluggish because of the lack of coffee, it was the best time for Alicia to cast the spell just before the victim took a sip to his coffee.

Taking advantage of the chaotic and lively atmosphere of the canteen, as well as her innate talent to engage in stealth magic combat as part of the Cross Family, Alicia was able to successfully cast the spell on the victim's cup of coffee.

She didn't dare to let the researcher notice her presence in case the person realized that she had a connection on the future problem he was about to face - losing his learning materials!