this is the expected way it works, right ?
That's (at least very large part of) what makes the "optimized" kernel special... that there is this possibility of optimization (but also the disadvantages if you need larger lengths, because it's restricted to certain lengths) with smaller combined length (among other optimizations).
The optimization only works if only 1 transformation needs to be done... if multiple transformations need to be done, it becomes slower... pure kernels (without -O can do that).
It's also highlighted in the test units (min/max pass length, min/max salt length, min/max combined length.... for optimized and pure kernels):
https://github.com/hashcat/hashcat/blob/...510.pm#L13
https://github.com/hashcat/hashcat/blob/...710.pm#L14
That's (at least very large part of) what makes the "optimized" kernel special... that there is this possibility of optimization (but also the disadvantages if you need larger lengths, because it's restricted to certain lengths) with smaller combined length (among other optimizations).
The optimization only works if only 1 transformation needs to be done... if multiple transformations need to be done, it becomes slower... pure kernels (without -O can do that).
It's also highlighted in the test units (min/max pass length, min/max salt length, min/max combined length.... for optimized and pure kernels):
https://github.com/hashcat/hashcat/blob/...510.pm#L13
https://github.com/hashcat/hashcat/blob/...710.pm#L14