Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 225 What if we switched roles?

Interstellar travel was a novelty at first.

Because they are doing the same work every day.

Even though you can see the equally dazzling yet differently shaped Milky Way outside the porthole.

Enjoy this beautiful and stunning view.

After a while, it will become boring and tedious, just like other things.

The most intuitive analogy is navigation.

Go on a yacht trip, go sea fishing, have a party, and play online gambling;

Being a seaman and living on various ships year-round as a profession are two different things.

Fortunately, this interstellar voyage only lasted three days, so Link didn't find it boring at all.

He still maintains a positive view and love for interstellar travel.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The "Cloud Neon" successfully arrived at the Heng system where the mission world is located.

Even though this star system is isolated outside the Milky Way, it was once the territory of the super-civilization Zerg world.

However, it is now within the sphere of influence of the wizarding world.

Therefore, it would be difficult for the "Yunni" to have an unsuccessful voyage.

What?

Space pirates?

Which wizarding organization would willingly become a clandestine pirate?

Low returns, no status, and easy to be robbed, sanctioned by the High Council, and lose the protection of the Wizarding World's will.

Which other civilization's space pirates would dare to rob a wizard?

Are you tired of living?

Putting aside the Wizarding World's subsequent retaliation, they wouldn't even have the strength to rob them.

After entering the Heng system, the "Cloud Neon" began to decelerate.

Soon, they arrived near the mission world from the periphery.

Sandra did not arrange for the "Cloudy Neon" to land in the mission world, an ugly planet with a sparse atmosphere, no green vegetation, and full of craters.

Instead, he led 11 members of the miniature legion to the lower belly compartment of the "Cloud Neon".

Several shuttles are docked here, which can be used for travel between planets and interstellar warships.

In this way, the "Cloud Neon" interstellar warship does not need to land and remains in a completely safe zone, ensuring the retreat route for the micro legion.

In emergencies, the magic rune array can be used to directly transfer wizards in danger to the interior of the warship.

"Set off."

Sandra waved her hand, issuing commands with great enthusiasm.

As the great-granddaughter of two great sages, she grew up in a privileged environment, enjoying the most stringent security.

I have never encountered any danger.

This experience, ironically, fostered her love of adventure.

This mission to form a miniature legion and investigate the anomalies in the Level 3 Zerg world can be considered her first truly independent adventure in her twenty years of life.

I'm quite excited.

The group boarded one of the shuttles.

This time, Sandra did not pilot the shuttle herself. Instead, she had a round-faced member of a family from the main campus of the academy, whose eyes were always smiling, take charge of operating the shuttle.

The person received the order and cooperated very well without any delay.

To be a tutor to the crown prince, one must know how to navigate social situations.

He sat in the cockpit, quickly started the shuttle's engine, and prepared to detach from the "Cloudy Rainbow".

After consulting with Sandra and communicating with the spirit of the "Cloudy" tower.

The shuttle was launched directly, tracing a straight line as it hurtled towards the cratered Zerg planet.

"Wear protective life support clothing."

Sandra demonstrated by taking out the suitcase, placing it on the floor, and stepping on it with both feet.

It emitted a special fluctuation of mental and magical power, activating the suitcase's transformation function.

The suitcase opened in all directions, first locking her feet, then gradually covering her from the calves upwards, quickly enveloping Sandra completely.

The process is smooth and aesthetically pleasing.

The protective life-sustaining suit is not thick and has a reasonable design that does not affect joint mobility.

The faceplate is transparent and does not obstruct vision.

It comes with a series of protective functions, including radiation protection, protection against biochemical viruses, and protection against toxic air, as well as the most important function of low-temperature suspended animation.

After putting on his protective life support suit, Link tested it and found that his innate sorcery, "Battle Armor," could be used as usual.

Moreover, there are two modes.

One method is to wear it close to one's own skin, hidden inside a protective life support suit;

Secondly, it is wrapped outside the protective life support suit.

After thinking it over, Link decided to wear the "battle armor" on the outside to protect himself and the protective life support suit at the same time.

What he valued was not the protective function, but the life-sustaining function.

Link's action didn't seem abrupt; many people do the same.

When it comes to matters of life and death, no amount of caution is appropriate.

The innate sorcery is also armor-based, and like Link, it involves three layers of defense: a defensive suit, a protective life support suit, and armor, from the inside out.

If your innate sorcery is not armor-based, then you should wear an exoskeleton over your protective life support suit.

Lani Taylor is a prime example.

This exoskeleton device provides significant speed and strength enhancements, as well as an extremely thin but highly protective membrane.

Everyone is ready.

The shuttle then landed on the surface of the Zerg planet.

"Remember to adjust the gravity coefficient."

Just before the hatch was opened and the operation was about to begin, Sandra spoke up to give a reminder.

This is an auxiliary function of the protective life-sustaining suit: adjusting the gravity coefficient.

It allows wizards to adapt to the gravity of the Zerg planet, making their movements feel no different from those on their home planet.

Avoid walking like a toad, hopping and bouncing with every poke.

Jumping and hopping around isn't cute at all; it's embarrassing.

The 12 people who had activated all the stealth effects stepped out of the shuttle, which had been invisible, and descended to the surface of the Zerg planet.

The shuttle remains powered on, stays invisible, and remains stationary, ready to take off at any time.

If the micro-corps encounters an emergency and needs to retreat or relocate, it will not necessarily need to immediately move into the "Cloud Neon" starship.

The miniature legion can then choose to return here and board the shuttle.

Whether to advance or retreat, one can move freely.

"Search in progress."

As the shuttle door behind her closed, Sandra immediately used "Mind Link" to pull everyone into mind communication mode and issued commands.

It's unclear whether Sandra minored in True Spirit Wizarding or has completely switched from the Elemental Wizarding faction to the True Spirit Wizarding faction.

In terms of skill in performing witchcraft, he is in no way inferior to Asander.

The entire miniature legion immediately obeyed the order and deployed into search formation.

Of the eight members responsible for reconnaissance and combat, one person led the way.

Next, the three stood side by side, guarding the sides and scouting in the center;

Then there were three more people standing side by side, also on guard on both sides and scouting in the center;

The last person to hold the rear.

Two teams responsible for biochemical research were sandwiched between two groups of three, enjoying protection.

Sandra was positioned in the center of the first group of three, responsible for both command and reconnaissance.

Identity, status, and background were quickly discarded by her once she entered mission mode.

At this moment, Sandra truly saw herself as a member of the miniature legion, rather than the great-granddaughter of the two great sages.

She is strict with others, but even stricter with herself.

After glancing at her watch and confirming the route, Sandra gave the instructions: "Go straight for 100 meters at the 2 o'clock position and enter the pit."

The group immediately moved in silence toward the direction Sandra had indicated.

What makes the Zerg so detestable is that they only destroy and never build.

No matter what it is, whether it's a plant, an animal, or even a mineral, the insectoids can eat it all.

Once they've eaten one planet out of business, they move on to the next.

Once they've bankrupted one galaxy, they move on to the next.

The Zerg have consumed so much food, of course they have some output.

Only three of their products are valuable: their excrement, the mucus they secrete, and their remains.

The insectoids' excrement is a natural soil fertilizer, which can greatly nourish the land and promote plant growth.

From this perspective, it's impossible for the Zerg's world to be completely devoid of vegetation, like the planet before us.

Unfortunately, the Zerg are just too prolific in reproduction and have an enormous appetite.

In the end, the soil became increasingly fertile, and the plants became increasingly scarce, eventually leading to their extinction.

It's like if goats were released to graze on pastures, they could eat up all the grass roots and destroy the pastures.

The Zerg's slime is a natural, high-strength defensive coating.

Their mother nests are covered with layers upon layers of mucus, giving them extremely high defensive capabilities.

The remains of the Zerg are a natural source of clean energy.

Back then, that super-civilization of the Zerg world traversed countless realms, with its densely packed mother hives, relying on burning countless Zerg remains to conduct long-distance interstellar travel.

As for interstellar warfare, many Zerg races possess the ability to conduct short-distance interstellar travel and survive in space.

This planet is on the verge of being devoured by the Zerg.

The surface soil is thick, dense, and glossy black.

If you step on it, you're bound to make a deep hole.

The miniature legion of 12 people never actually moved on solid ground.

It floats against gravity, moving forward like a moonwalk, leaving no trace.

Sandra did her homework very well.

Once inside the tunnel, the route and the destination were clear, allowing for extremely fast progress.

In less than an hour, the micro-legion arrived at its first destination: a small Zerg settlement that had undergone abnormal changes and was almost completely wiped out.

"Reconnaissance, vigilance."

Sandra gave the order, concise and to the point.

Eight members of the main academy family, including herself, immediately entered the insectoid settlement and searched it thoroughly to ensure there were no dangers or traps.

They then occupied various strategic positions and carried out vigilance work.

Create safe and favorable conditions for the two groups responsible for biochemical research.

"The research team has entered the site."

Sandra's voice rang out again.

Link and Tiffany exchanged a glance, then each chose a direction and entered the Zerg settlement.

Each began their research work, attempting to overcome the three original objectives of this mission:

Investigate the ecological structure, abnormal changes, and the causes of these changes.

"First, collect samples of soil, water, food scraps, and air, make backups, and then conduct tests and examinations."

Reaching a relatively flat and open area, Link stopped and, while taking out a series of miniaturized testing and inspection devices from his "small world," spoke to Lani, who was in charge of providing assistance.

Link chose to start his investigation by examining the ecological structure.

"clear."

Lani is definitely a top student.

His overall performance was once on par with Link's!

Even if his expertise in biochemical research and pharmaceutics is not as profound as Link's,

But he is proficient in all the fundamentals of these research and experiments.

The two each designated an area and began taking various samples.

Whenever you feel it's necessary, no matter how strange or inconspicuous the sample is, you must keep at least three copies.

Samples were taken on-site, and testing and inspection were conducted on-site.

Anyway, as long as Sandra doesn't call for a stop or any unexpected situation arises, Link can proceed at his own pace, not leisurely, but in an orderly manner.

Security?

Someone will take responsibility.

More than an hour later, Link and Lani finally finished taking samples.

Some of the tests and inspections conducted concurrently with the sampling work have not yet yielded results.

Let's leave it for now.

"Collect some corpses and perform autopsies."

After glancing at the sample test results that had already been released, Link said without delving into them further.

"Um."

Lani readily agreed.

Afterwards, together with Link, they searched for relatively intact and fresh Zerg corpses in the pits of this small Zerg settlement for dissection.

Tiffany and Fried had their own research methods and their own research pace, but they also reached the stage where they needed corpses.

The two groups searched the small Zerg settlement thoroughly and soon met.

"Have you discovered anything? Would it be convenient to discuss it?"

Tiffany made no attempt to conceal the real-world rivalry between her and Link, and openly asked the question.

It resembled a normal academic exchange.

Link replied, "Some. You're planning to exchange information with me?"

Tiffany nodded: "Indeed. Each doing their own thing doesn't prevent the exchange of information."

"Well……"

Link pondered for a moment and said, "Based on the existing data, there are no signs of large amounts of toxins in the soil, water, or humus. The large-scale death of the Zerg, at least, is the extinction of this settlement, and doesn't seem to be caused by changes in the natural environment. Considering the descriptions in the mission's background about the resurgence of the Zerg in this world, I think there may be one or more currently unknown external forces influencing the Zerg."

After a pause, Link simply stated his guess:

"Survival of the fittest."

This external factor is very likely to promote the evolution of the Zerg.

However, the insectoid race in this world has been degenerating for nearly a thousand years, and most individuals are unable to withstand such stimulation, resulting in failure to evolve and instead death.

However, for the Zerg, a settlement is considered successful as long as one Zerg individual survives and completes its evolution.

Their reproduction rate is simply too fast.

I agree with your deduction.

After listening to Link's account, Tiffany first agreed, then shared their findings: "We noticed that some of the Zerg corpses showed signs of biting, and we also found some undigested limbs. From this, we can make two possible inferences: either this external influence caused a change in the Zerg's rationality, leading to a tendency to kill each other; or, just like in many animals in nature where males voluntarily sacrifice themselves to be eaten by females during reproduction, some Zerg have willingly given their lives for the evolution of their race."

After a pause to allow time for digestion and understanding, Tiffany emphasized, "We lean more towards the second interpretation, and are also more wary of its validity. This means that something unknown has led the Zerg, whether willingly or forced, to make this life-or-death choice."

In a secluded corner, Link and Tiffany were talking.

The round-faced youth who had previously been piloting the shuttle walked up to Sandra and, using a telepathic connection, said, "They're doing this for you, aren't they?"

"really."

Sandra first affirmed the round-faced youth's words, then countered with, "So what?"

"It's not that great, it just feels a bit fake."

The round-faced youth curled his lip, not thinking much of Link and Tiffany's behavior.

Sandra gave the round-faced youth a deep look and said meaningfully:

"I don't find it fake; on the contrary, I admire it. If you didn't have a distinguished background, and were in Tiffany's, or even Lanny and Link's, situation, what could you do?"

After saying that, Sandra ignored the round-faced youth.

Instead, they were two research groups that were carefully observing and demonstrating their value or attitude in their own way.

Some people are born with it, while others spend their entire lives without ever having it.

Those who have something should not mock those who don't.

And never ridicule the efforts of those who strive for success.

Effort is not a crime.

(End of this chapter)