After the completion of the long-winded incantation, the sturdy chunk of the dragon's heart began to melt away in the cauldron.

Erwin and Onean had found a lush honestrand poison tree and were sitting under the shade of the tree to watch the female wereleopard as she cast her spell. Erwin was on the brink of falling asleep, and he felt as if time had slowed down.

Out of the corners of her eyes, Onean could see Erwin's head occasionally drooping down, only to snap back up as he immediately jerked himself wide awake, pretending to be listening to the incantation along with her. However, after a while, his head would involuntarily begin to droop again, and the process repeated itself. It was like a sleepy kitten that was woken up by its owner as soon as it fell asleep, and it was very adorable in Onean's eyes.

In reality, this was an exact rendition of what Erwin was like during the lectures that he attended back in Teedus Academy.

Right as Erwin's head was about to drop down once again, Onean caught him by the chin, then said with an amused expression, "If you're not interested in watching, then go and take a nap."

"I'm not disinterested, I just can't help but feel sleepy in the afternoon," Erwin protested.

"Looks like the ritual is almost over," Onean said as she cast her gaze toward the altar.

Right after she said this, the group of sickly wereleopards...