During a cheerful stroll around the giant pit, the hours-long academic expedition finally came to a thoroughly satisfying conclusion.
All three attendees declared that they had gained a great deal. They had not only corrected some long-held misconceptions at the Spirit Ash Institute, but had also laid another important cornerstone for the Academy of Revelation's truth-seeking, innovative Supernatural Path.
Professor Lisha, who had successfully been recognized as the youngest member, was in particularly high spirits after humbly accepting the patient guidance of two senior colleagues. Carrying the only test sample they had collected, she led the way back along their original route and emerged from the giant beast's throat.
Of course, the people waiting in formation outside weren't able to share in their joy.
Besides Professor En, who had returned after leaving, several more members of the Spirit Ash Institute had arrived.
Facing the three experts and scholars, they all reacted in exactly the same way, their eyes snapping to the snakeskin bag in Lisha's hand.
Once they easily recognized where its contents had come from, their faces practically fell to the ground.
"We tried to undo the restraints on one of them, and we're planning to take it back for testing."
Unfortunately, Professor Lisha's spiritual realm had been elevated, and she could now handle such scrutiny with ease. Holding up the bag, she calmly explained things to the group.
"You..."
It was clear Professor En wanted to say something, but the two pillars of the Academy of Revelation emerged behind them, and he swallowed the rest of his words.
"Thanks for your hard work."
Dean Cas looked even more radiant than he had on the way in.
En's first reaction was that he didn't want to respond. His second was to realize that those words hadn't even been directed