For humanity, burn the stars.

After his mentor spoke, Luke seemed somewhat tempted.

After all, it's one thing for other Vera players, but the mentor is indeed an expert in this field; this isn't even considered a minor surgery.

Seemingly sensing that Luke was beginning to soften his stance, the mentor continued:

"You must know the effects of medical gels; they are sufficient to perfectly heal surgical damage without causing permanent harm."

"And we can record this process, so it's not just for our exhibition, but also for the whole school, or even the world."

"At that time, you will truly become famous as a genius student who has recreated humanity."

"I think our exhibition will be a great success."

Amidst the anticipation and compliments, Luke seemed quite interested in the future his mentor described.

It would certainly be very satisfied with that situation, allowing its name and achievements to be known by more Villars.

Its fiber optic organ on its head swayed gently, as if it were weighing its options.

Ultimately, the vanity that swelled with flattery and anticipation prevailed, and Luke relented.

It looked at Qin Heling in the force field chamber, and a synthesized voice sounded, which was more of a notification than a question:

"Qin Heling, cooperate with me."

"It was just a small teaching demonstration."

From beginning to end, no one asked Qin Heling for his opinion.

Varian, who had participated in brain transfer, looked at Qin Heling on the stage with some unease.

Losing skin is a very significant event for a human being.

It's not that they're particularly deadly, after all, they have many powerful medical treatments.

However, the pain and humiliation were extremely great.

Varian, who was full of curiosity about and studied humanity in depth, was well aware of this.

Varian hovered in a corner of the classroom, his whiskers intertwined.

It looked at Qin Heling, then at the excited classmates, its optical organs drooping slightly, but ultimately said nothing.

-----------------

However, even in this unexpected situation, Qin Heling on stage remained silent and calmly accepted everything.

Because he knew that even if he refused, it might not have any effect.

He had expected to be controlled by others.

Anyone who thinks they can enjoy a more advanced technology and a more comfortable life than humans while in captivity is an absolute idiot.

Those humans who thought that way were transformed into shell people long ago after surrendering.

Qin Heling's gaze met Luke's for a brief moment.

In the depths of those human black eyes, a fleeting, chilling emotion seemed to flash by, too fast to catch.

He didn't speak, but nodded very slightly.

Meanwhile, the instructor had already excitedly set up the teaching equipment table.

A semi-circular operating arm rises from the floor, its end tipped with several delicate, gleaming dissecting tools.

A certain force field unfolded, emitting a slight hum, and then beams of light of various colors scanned the entire area to disinfect it.

The recording program was set up, and the instructor's gentle yet undeniable voice rang out:

"Major General Qin Heling, please stand in the operating area."

Qin Heling glanced at it, then strode over without hesitation and accepted the mild anesthesia.

The control arm wrapped around him, and several gentle constraint fields fixed his limbs and torso with moderate force, restricting his movement.

The teacher manipulated the tool with one tentacle and pointed to an anatomical diagram that appeared in the air with the other tentacle, explaining to the students.

"We are about to perform a skin peeling surgery."

Human skin consists of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue.

"We will completely peel off the epidermis and part of the dermis to expose the underlying muscle layer."

"Pay attention, this process should ideally follow the Lange line to minimize damage..."

The sharp blade was close to Qin Heling's neck, and even though he was anesthetized, a faint, cool sensation could still be felt.

Then, the cold, sharp blade gently sliced ​​in.

The pain wasn't intense; it was a sharp, lingering sensation that spread along the path of the cuts on the skin.

Qin Heling's body tensed up for a moment, then gradually relaxed amidst the ongoing pain.

Fortunately, the anesthesia was quite effective; otherwise, even if he could endure it, it would only be psychological, not physical.

Even when faced with the recording, he still wanted to leave a good impression on humanity in the end.

So he opened his eyes, looked ahead, and tried to regulate his breathing.

The mentor's technique was indeed superb; even though he had never actually performed an autopsy, he was still incredibly accurate.

The blade moves smoothly along the preset path, gradually separating the skin from the underlying muscle tissue.

A faint hissing sound could be clearly heard in the quiet classroom; it was the sound of a blade moving across the skin and tissue being cut open.

Pale pink muscle fibers were gradually exposed to the air, covered with an extremely thin, transparent fascia, which trembled slightly with Qin Heling's suppressed breathing.

Blood seeped from the cut edge, forming fine droplets that flowed slowly along the muscle grooves.

A faint, human-like stench of blood began to fill the classroom air.

The students at Vera stared wide-eyed, completely captivated by the vivid teaching material before them, filled with amazement and curiosity.

"Look, this is the color that myoglobin gives it!"

"The muscle arrangement is exactly the same as in the atlas!"

"It's moving! Look! Its muscles are contracting as it breathes!"

With a single cut, Qin Heling's entire skin, including his eyelids, was completely peeled off his body.

The muscles, without skin covering them, are directly exposed to the air, causing an indescribable and extreme discomfort.

Every slight breath tugs at the exposed muscle fibers, conveying the pain that is constantly resurfacing and amplifying.

The instructor stopped, satisfied, and swayed his beard slightly.

"Now, we can observe the coordinated work of muscles during exercise."

"Major General Qin Heling, please try to slowly and repeat the previous action."

As soon as he finished speaking, the binding force field released Qin Heling's entire body from its restraints.

Qin Heling felt an unprecedented discomfort in his body, but remained silent.

But this time, under the watchful eyes of all the Vera, Qin Heling's facial muscles twitched.

A smile struggled to appear on his face, which had lost its skin, eyelids, and lips, making it look incredibly strange.

It was very strange, as strange as the smiles that the Vera were mimicking.

The Veras learned from the emotions they had acquired in human civilization that a smile with the corners of the mouth up is a symbol of joy.

They immediately understood.

He's laughing!

He looks very happy!

"Is it because our learning brings him pleasure?"

So the Veras mimicked smiles with their stiff facial muscles, their fiber organs swaying happily, and their whiskers waving gently.

The entire classroom was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

They believed that Qin Heling understood the value of this lesson and expressed his approval and cooperation with a smile.

But they will never understand what emotions are surging deep within those human eyes, slightly bloodshot from the pain.

The abyss-like black pupils held no pleasure.

It was hatred suppressed by cold rationality, yet still boiling.

Qin Heling will not lose his temper because of this humiliation.

The humiliation and pain he felt at that moment only fueled the flames of revenge in his heart.

Until one day—the entire starry sea is completely burned away.

A smile is one of the most complex masks a human being can wear.

At this moment, it became Qin Heling's best disguise.

Despite his extreme physical discomfort, Qin Heling maintained a smile and continued his exhibition.

The bright red muscles stretched into a hard outline under the force, the surface darkening with blood, and the blood flowing faster from the cut edges.

The movement trajectory of every muscle, the rhythm of its contraction and relaxation, are laid bare before the eyes of all who watch.

With every step he took and every activity he performed, he experienced a profound sense of unease due to the loss of his skin.

Without the protection of skin, his body continuously oozed blood and tissue fluid, leaving a trail of footprints in the path he passed.

These are the marks of his humiliation and pain.