I made contact with the Razor Bee. The amount of information a Razor Bee possesses is around 3,500 units. There are slight variations between individuals, but they don't deviate much from this figure.

'Totaling 7,000 since there are 2 razor bees. In the past, this would have taken 20 hours.'

The more you use a skill, the better you get at it. Instead of contacting aliens, I repeatedly connected with myself to improve my skill proficiency.

Compared to when I first started, my information processing speed has increased more than threefold. Even so, it will still take around 7 hours to complete.

'This is too long. I need to save time and extract only what I need.'

My goal is clear: Strong Wrist [48%: 11/29]. To complete this trait, I need 18 fragments.

Considering I could harvest 11 fragments from one wasp, these two should be enough to complete it. I intensely analyzed the Razor Bees to find the necessary information.

- Venomous gland.

- Compound eyes.

- Strong wing bones.

- Blood conversion [explosive]

The Razor Bees possess various desirable traits. Though tempting, most of these traits are like trap cards. 'If I didn't care about appearance, my options would increase.'

The physical changes that occur during application are beyond my control. A body part could become excessively developed, or a non-existent organ could protrude.

Who would appreciate such changes? Compound eyes, in particular, are quite problematic. Who would want eyes that look like a fly's?

Even in a future society with a deep understanding of diversity, such traits would surely be rejected.

'Found it.'

After collecting the fragments of strong wrist, I looked at the elapsed time on the panel, which read 7 minutes and 22 seconds.

I immediately began analyzing the remaining one and finished the task in about 6 minutes. However, I can't apply it right away. Doing so could result in debilitating aftereffects, especially during the test.

"I've taken care of everything. Let's move on."

Remembering my lessons, I temporarily stored the information. Even in this state, there are subtle adverse effects, but they're much better than the intense initial impact of the application.

'This way, huh? As expected, the top-scoring area is vast.'

This place, like the first mission I completed, seems to be a laboratory. Its scale is over 30 times larger.

Moreover, the number of Razor Bees and the extent of alien contamination spreading through the buildings make it seem less like a test site and more like an area truly overrun by aliens. I can't help but worry.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

'At this rate...'

It's quite serious.

[Forced mission change.]

[Eliminate the alien contamination in the designated area.]

[Time limit: 3:59:49]

[All other missions are nullified.]

[Additional points will be awarded based on contributions.]

[Failure will result in point deductions based on activity records.]

As expected. It seems this was the reason the initial guidelines mentioned the possibility of mission changes.

No matter how artificial they are, aliens are still aliens. The administrators were preparing for any potential incidents.

"You heard that?"

"Yes, sir! What are your orders?"

"Let's maintain our tactics. Going in now would be foolish."

The aliens are highly alert. The dangers inside the laboratory will be on a different level than those outside. Since we're currently in a blind spot along the Razor Bees' patrol route, eliminating them while increasing our contribution points isn't a bad option.

I ended the communication and concealed myself again.

Truly, the hunt begins now.

**********

Meanwhile, inside the supervisor chamber.

"We're in the final stages of the test."

"How's the level of cadets?"

"What do you think? It's those four, of course."

Outside the atmosphere, on the special purpose ship "Obsidian Eye," prepared to observe the Academy's practical test site, many spectators were gathered. Their attention was focused on four individuals.

"I've only heard about them, but I didn't expect it to be this intense. Rose, was it? Already a master of her style at that age?"

"She's practically a tank. It's almost pitiful for the aliens."

"I'm more interested in that nerfy kid."

The names of the four were constantly mentioned in their conversations. Although other cadets' names came up occasionally, they only held momentary interest.

However, not everyone shared this sentiment. The frontline commanders, who would soon be leading these academy cadets, were keenly observing the scenes.

There's a saying that while heroes decide victories, it's the soldiers who maintain the momentum. What they truly needed to know were the cadets other than the four from the miracle generation.

"They're still rookies. Despite being over six months since they joined the academy, they're still drunk on their power, causing chaos. It's disappointing."

"What a reckless fool! How does he view the sacrifice of his soldiers?"

With a squadron of thousands running amok, all sorts of incidents were bound to happen. Abandoning their squad to act alone was one of the more conscientious behaviors.

There were cadets who recklessly endangered their squad, and even worse, those who insulted the deaths of comrades who sacrificed themselves. The special purpose ship Obsidian Eye was recording and observing all these events.

This wasn't mere documentation. Cadets whose actions went against the banner of humanity's protection would face severe sanctions from the Human Alliance after this test, and these records would be used as references for future evaluations.

"Isn't that kid somewhat decent?"

"Leonard Monarch? He's from the Monarch family."

So far, his records have been quite impressive. Judgment, decisiveness, leadership, tactical understanding—all were consistently high for Leonard Monarch, making him the type of talent commanders favored most.

"As expected from the Monarch family. Even if he's not from the main branch, the secondary lines are solid."

"Speaking of which, didn't the Monarch family send someone to observe this event?"

"Look over there."

Where the commander pointed, a woman with bright golden hair, resembling Leonard Monarch, was present. The Monarch family, one of the top ten families of the Human Alliance, had long enjoyed its brilliant reputation.

If it hadn't been for the destruction of their home system by aliens, they might still hold their position. Even in their fallen state, they held a top position among the hundred families, hinting at their former glory.

'Leonard.' The woman gently caressed the screen showing Leonard with an inscrutable gaze.

On the screen, Leonard was fearlessly confronting ferocious aliens, securing small victories against the razor bees.