CHAPTER 43: MISSION IN SCAFELL MOUNTAINS

On the way back to the dormitory after class, Celes Wester happily linked arms with Sarah Everleigh, her expression sweet and content.

Sarah thought she had come to terms with things and was willing to return to their old friendship, so she didn’t pay it much mind.

Back in the dorm, Sarah said to Lucas, "Master, I want to go to the Scafell Mountains."

The Scafell Mountains—that was where Jameson Everleigh had met his end.

Lucas understood. "You want to..."

Sarah nodded. "I want to recover my brother’s body and bring closure."

She took Lucas’s arm and gently swayed it, asking softly, "May I?"

This was the first time the ice-cold beauty had ever acted coy. Lucas smiled and agreed. "Yes, we’ll go together when the time comes."

After Jameson’s accidental death, both the Imperial Academy and the Everleigh family had sent search parties, but neither had found his remains.

Sarah wasn’t holding out much hope—this was simply her final effort.

Little did she know that Lucas, with the System’s omniscient function, could easily locate Jameson’s body.

"Thank you, Master." Sarah rose on her toes and offered a sweet, lingering kiss.

During the semester, the Imperial Academy operated under a semi-closed policy, with a two-day break every ten days, known as the "decad rest."

Two days was too short, so Sarah decided to request leave directly from her grade advisor.

As Sarah typed on her phone, Lucas suddenly remembered and added, "Let’s bring Carmena Chai, Blanche Nord, and Celes Wester along too."

Having just taken these three delicious little pleasure slaves, of course he wanted to keep them close to savor at any time.

Sarah naturally understood Lucas’s intention. Internally, she scolded him for being so lecherous and shameless, but she obediently carried out his command.

Upper-year students already enjoyed considerable freedom, and those requesting leave were top-tier young nobles from families like the Everleighs, the Chais, the Nords, and the Westers. The grade advisor approved immediately.

After Lucas notified Carmena and Blanche about the trip, everyone began packing. But half an hour later, the grade advisor sent a message: the Everleigh siblings were to report to the administration building at once—the Chancellor wished to see them.

The Chancellor was the highest authority at the Imperial Academy, equivalent to the president.

From what Lucas knew, the current Chancellor was Putri Sun, the second princess of the royal Sun family.

The Everleigh siblings didn’t dare delay and set out immediately.

The administration building was on the far side of the campus, quite a distance from the dormitories—it took nearly half an hour to walk there.

They took the elevator to the top floor and, guided by an assistant, entered Putri Sun’s office.

The office took up nearly a quarter of the top floor, lavishly decorated with carpets, furniture, and wall art that all looked immensely valuable. But the most striking feature was the woman in formal attire seated behind the large desk.

Putri Sun wore the most traditional official robes of the Great Sun Empire: wide sleeves, a high collar, and a broad sash—like an ancient beauty stepped right out of an ink-wash painting. Her lips were red, her skin fair, her nose delicate, her forehead smooth, and her neck elegantly straight and slender.

Lucas silently admired the second princess’s beauty, almost convinced that her younger sister truly deserved her place at the top of the Twelve Beauties ranking.

Once the Everleigh siblings were seated, Putri Sun spoke gravely, "I heard you plan to go to the Scafell Mountains?"

"Yes," Sarah replied. "I... we wish to search for my brother’s remains."

"Two previous search teams found nothing," Putri Sun said. "What makes you believe you can succeed?"

"I am his sister," Sarah said, biting her lip with a hint of frustration. "I must find him."

"That sounds noble, but it is logically unconvincing," Putri Sun shook her head. "Please provide evidence or reasoning to support your claim."

Sarah asked, "Are you refusing to approve my leave request?"

"When did I say that?" Putri Sun frowned slightly, seeming puzzled. "I am asking you to provide a valid reason for your leave."

Lucas noticed that although Putri Sun’s voice was pleasant, her delivery was overly rigid.

The princess had graduated just last year and had been in her post as Chancellor for little more than a semester.

Yet, perhaps because of her gold-rimmed glasses, she gave off the stern, formal air of a veteran teacher with twenty years of experience—along with a somewhat bookish, endearing awkwardness.

For a young woman of just twenty, her demeanor was oddly mature and serious, which Lucas found intriguing.

"We misspoke earlier," Lucas interjected. "We are requesting leave to visit the Scafell Mountains to pay our respects."

"Pay respects?" Putri Sun considered this. "Why not go during the decad rest?"

"The break is too short," Lucas explained freely, inventing as he went, "and our grief is too great."

"It’s understandable that Sarah would have deep memories—she grew up with her brother," Putri Sun said, puzzled. "But you, as far as I know, never met Jameson. Why would you have such strong sentiments?"

"I don’t," Lucas admitted. "I’m going to support my sister, so she won’t grieve alone. The other three joining us are also coming to accompany her."

"I see," Putri Sun nodded, seemingly satisfied. "That is reasonable. I approve your leave. However, I have a task for you."

"What task?" Lucas asked curiously.

"Jameson and his team went to the Scafell Mountains to investigate a sudden mana fluctuation there. But due to the accident, the investigation was never completed," Putri Sun adjusted her glasses. "I want you to continue that investigation."

Lucas and Sarah exchanged a glance. Before they could respond, Putri Sun added, "Although the Imperial Observatory did not prioritize this mana disturbance, the evidence I’ve gathered suggests it is significant. I plan to appoint a Heaven-rank Wizard as Dean of Investigations to look into this. So, do not feel pressured—just do what you can. Any information you bring back will be helpful."

Since there were no strict success metrics, the siblings felt at ease accepting the task.

With nothing further to discuss, Putri Sun politely dismissed them.

Back in the dorm, Sarah booked five tickets for the next morning’s flight. Lucas messaged Carmena and Blanche, instructing them to pack quickly and meet at Sarah’s dorm by 8 p.m. for a gathering.

Before departure, Lucas decided to indulge himself—tonight, he would gather all four of his little pleasure slaves together for a night under one blanket: one dragon, four phoenixes.