The next day.
10:57 a.m.
Hero Association headquarters complex.
Dr. Genus sat in a chair in the lobby of the Biochemical Institute, accompanied by Mosquito Girl and Armored Gorilla.
He listened expressionlessly to the broadcast.
[Congratulations to Ms. Anne for passing the Biochemical Institute's Special Talent Defense Meeting. She has been granted the qualifications and benefits of an intermediate researcher at the Biochemical Institute, a bonus of five million Beli, a detached residence covering three hundred square meters, and Sea Star citizenship for herself and her immediate family, allowing them to settle on Sea Star.]
At once.
The hundred-plus researchers from various places in the lobby erupted into an uproar.
"Someone else passed!"
"And she's the first intermediate researcher!"
"As expected of Ms. Anne, who was once hired by the former Hero Association at a high salary!"
From nine o'clock until Anne's turn.
Nine people had already entered and exited that specially cleared-out conference room.
Each had taken between ten and twenty minutes.
Yet only two had passed successfully.
Both had only become junior researchers, with a bonus of one million Beli and no permission to bring their families along.
However, once they were promoted to intermediate level someday, they could apply to the Foreign Affairs Department.
The key was that all nine of them had some reputation within their circles.
Perhaps that was why they had been invited to this so-called "genius interview."
But now, the Biochemical Institute had told everyone that only two of them counted as geniuses, and only junior-level geniuses at that.
This left the researchers, who had originally been brimming with confidence, feeling increasingly tense.
Naturally, the atmosphere was far from pleasant.
Anne's result was like a shot in the arm, greatly lifting everyone's spirits while filling them with envy.
But then again,