Whether the Western Continent could withstand the impact of the falling meteorite was something Darwin and the others couldn't verify for the time being. They could only wait for a future opportunity to gather news.
The three rested in place until their strength returned, then set off once more toward the previous valley.
However, it could no longer be called a valley. To call it a plain would also be a stretch, as the ground was littered everywhere with rubble and craters.
"That Thunder Dragon seems to have been completely buried under the stones."
"Is it dead?"
"Maybe."
"For some reason, it feels a bit anticlimactic for it to die just like that. Are dragons actually such weak creatures? I've looked up to them for so long since I was a kid..."
"Is it possible it's not that he's too weak, but that we're too strong?"
Amidst their chatter, the three arrived at the spot where Eclixion had been slammed into the ground by Darwin's palm—the exact center of the meteorite's fall. A massive stone, still smoldering with embers, stood upright over the pit.
Chris assessed the surroundings and said, "That Thunder Dragon should be at the bottom of this pit, and in all likelihood, he's pinned right under this meteorite!"
"So, does anyone want to go down and dig it out?"
Erza said, "Is there a point? Leaving him in there and letting this place be his grave seems fine, doesn't it?"
Darwin shook his head in disagreement. "Don't forget, our goal this time isn't just 'challenging a dragon,' but 'completing our field study practice'!"
"Since we have to finish our homework, text alone isn't nearly as convincing as text with pictures!"
"If we have text, pictures, and even a dragon's corpse, I think this project will definitely get an 'S'!!"
As Darwin spoke, he pulled out his Magic Mobile Phone from his pocket and began taking various photos of the battlefield. Seeing his actions, Erza and Chris finally remembered that they hadn't come here purely to fight a dragon.
"Oh no, oh no!!"
Chris looked at Erza. "Did you take any photos during the battle?!"
Erza: "Are you joking? How could I possibly remember something like that at a time like that?!"
"Eh?!!"
Chris was utterly disappointed, clutching her hair tightly with both hands. "If that's the case, there's no proof at all that I'm the one who defeated this dragon?! What am I going to do about my final project??!"
"How should I know?!"
Erza's eyes darted around, and she suddenly thought of a way: "How about we dig out the dragon's corpse, and then you stand on top of it for a photo?"
Chris's eyes lit up. "Great idea! Let's do that!"
That said, when the two girls turned around and saw the meteorite pressing into the pit, they froze.
"How are we supposed to move such a huge rock?"
Chris rolled up her sleeves, preparing to use magic again. "Step aside, I'll just destroy it with a storm!"
Erza said blankly, "But wouldn't that ruin the scene?"
Chris thought for a moment. "We'll take a photo first, then dig out the corpse and take another one! It's settled! Bro, come over and help us take the picture!!"
Erza instantly swapped into a clean, beautiful outfit and posed by the meteorite, not forgetting to warn: "Remember to make it look good! Or else you're in for it!!"
Darwin: "...What exactly are you guys here for?"
An hour later.
The three broke the meteorite apart and dug Eclixion's corpse out from underground. By the time it was out, the body was completely cold.
Even though Eclixion was a wicked dragon that preyed on humans, the three were kind enough to mourn him for three minutes before they began tinkering. After a long while, their work was finished.
"Now what?"
"Regarding what?"
Erza pointed to Eclixion on the ground. "The dragon, of course! How are we going to handle the corpse?"
Chris blinked. "Aren't there 'How to Process Beast Corpses' classes at the Academy? Although the 'Dragon Chapter' is very brief, it's enough. We'll just follow the instructions."
Among the elective courses at Fairy Academy, there was one called "Wilderness Survival." In the textbook, one unit covered "How to Process Beast Corpses," though most of it focused on wild boars and bison. The "Dragon Chapter" was only a page long and rarely appeared on exams. After all, for most wizards, they might live their whole lives without ever encountering a dragon.
However, Darwin and the others were model students. Plus, since they had long intended to hunt a dragon, they had studied the "Dragon Chapter" very seriously, even if it was brief.
Scales, hide, horns, blood... all these tissues and organs could be collected for forging magic items or refining magic potions. The heart was especially important, as it could be used to create Dragon Slayer Lacrima.
As for the meat, the processing method wasn't much different from other beasts. However, eating dragon meat allowed one to learn the corresponding attribute of Dragon Slayer Magic, granted immunity to motion sickness, and carried no risk of "Dragonification." Thus, dragon meat was far more precious than that of ordinary beasts!
"Follow the instructions? Do you even know how to perform an autopsy?" Darwin walked up from behind.
Chris answered loudly: "Not at all! Erza?"
"Me neither!" Erza shook her head but added, "But I use swords. I can give it a try. You know my swordsmanship; I'll be quick and clean!"
Darwin and Chris nodded; they had total confidence in Erza's skills.
"But it is my first time dismantling a dragon. If I don't get the positioning right and end up shredding the stomach or liver, don't blame me!"
"Uh... maybe let's forget it then!"
Chris got anxious. "Forget it? How can we forget it? If we just turn and leave him here, it's not only a waste of food and a desecration of life, but it's also disrespectful to the Academy and our teachers!!"
"When we go back, how will we face Uncle Precht, who wrote our textbooks?!!"
Darwin looked speechless. "You're so dramatic. Don't you just want to taste what dragon meat is like?"
"Don't you guys want to eat it too?"
Well...
Darwin and Erza were silent for two seconds, exchanged a look, and then said in unison: "We do!"
Chris was overjoyed, her face flushed with excitement. "Then..."
The three turned together, looking at Eclixion's corpse with eyes full of gratitude, apologies, and anticipation.
"Pardon us, Unknown Dragon-san!"
"In your next life, remember to be born into a better lot and don't do wrong again!"
"We'll remember you!"