**

But that was pretty good. She said. You controlled your anger and paid attention to me instead of giving away reason to anger. You are much better than someone else. What do you think? I thought she had asked me. I was wrong.

I thought he would be going down a few more times before getting somewhere. It was the Princess. What was she doing there?

I should be asking you that. I thought you were done with them.

Everyone changes.

Yeah? Well, if you say so. Don’t mind me. Continue your lesson. Don’t you have something to ask her?

Yes? I did? Oh yes, there was one thing I was surprised about. Antennae can be used as a weapon? I asked the aged warrior who had gone to sleep, standing in the middle of the ruckus.

I went to wake her but she didn't need my help. She was faking it; and I found out with another slap to the head. It hurt more because I wasn’t expecting it. I finally understood why the others stayed away from her. To put it nicely: she wasn’t very social.

These younglings are so easy to fool.

That was uncalled for!

All bark no bite; can’t even handle a cripple. You are not any better than that smelly brat. What? She continued taunting. Think otherwise? You really do? Don’t make me laugh.

Princess intervened. Teacher, She stressed the words, as if trying to get the attention of a mischievous child. Give him a break, will you? He’s not a soldier.

Really foolish, She finally gave in when Princess pressed. Alright, alright, don’t start chocking me with your bullshit either. I know you in and out. Save your nonsense for someone who doesn’t know you. Want me to tell him what you really want? Huh?

I’ll leave, okay.

You better do! The passing slaves shuddered at her outburst and quickly scampered away. They pitied me, and showed it openly with their low antennae and shaking heads. They seemed to consider the war simulation a better place to be at than around her. I agreed with them. I wish I could also be there, instead. In between the highs and lows, I wondered who the aged warrior was when she was still active.

Someone like her must have been very popular with the soldiers. The sarcasm filled thought was enough to lighten my mood.

Princess went and sat on the ledge by the wall from where she could keep a sight on me, but wouldn’t be able to disturb us.

Now, as for you, The aged warrior faced me. You did well — much better than I expected.

Did she just praise me? It felt odd, unnatural even; especially since it was coming from her.

You didn’t lose hope or gave reason to temper. I know anger fuels your strength, but it also takes away from you. Internal connection, just so you know. Was she teasing me? Was this another one of her sick tests? And that thing that you did to get close, it is shading invigorating. It gives me the jitters every time I see it. I want to know your secret, but you better hold tight to it. She scented and tapped my forehead as if to get the point through. Secrets are your weapons. And that’s your second lesson: hide your secrets.

What was the first one? I asked and had to dodge an antenna stalking my head.

What did you learn?

To stay alert,

That’s right. She said. Stay alert. Out of curiosity, what else did you learn?

She was testing me. I had learned to keep my eyes on her because she was crazy. Of course, that was not for her to know. And I had learned that charging madly at a target was not the safest of options. I wondered how I was still alive. My opponents had been wizened soldiers not exactly like her, but they were soldiers and must have had a fight or two before I faced them. They had killed before, unlike me. Yet, I survived. It made me wonder if they were sane or not. There was one more thing I had learned from her:

That. mandibles are not the only weapons I have. I was not just talking about the antennae that I would learn to whip-like her even if it took all of my time, but also the skills, the mysterious phenomena that only I was privy to. She didn’t need to know, however. It was my Secret.

You are an intelligent little something, aren’t you? She might have praised me, but all I heard was sarcasm. She had given such a bad first impression that I didn’t know if it would ever wash off. War is hard enough on its own; you don’t want to limit yourself by only rushing or, biting. You either throw your whole body into the fire or don’t expect to retain it afterward. Expect to be surprised, and stay focused.

Now come; let’s see what you have learned so far.

We tussled for an unknown number of times. She gave me the job of touching her and I wholeheartedly went into it. Her antennae sped up drastically every time I managed to dodge them. She struck me many times and I got up every time, only to be struck back down again.

Slowly, I manned to increase the number of whips I could dodge before falling. My inherent ability to stay focused for long intervals of time shined here. I know she was impressed, and she showed it by becoming incessant at keeping me away from her body. It was difficult to break through her offensive defense.

I learned to Dodge and tolerate the pain during our exercise. They were new skills, important skills that gave me a slight edge against her. One allowed me to evade danger to a thinner margin, and other increased my capacity to handle pain, nothing too fancy. Now, if I could only solve the mystery behind them that would be a burden lifted.

Keep moving. Don’t stop. Keep moving. Yes, right, now left, now roll, and stand, jump and rest. You have successfully evaded masculinity.

You have acquired a new skill: Dodge.

***

Does it hurt? How about this? No? Let me get a bigger needle.

You have acquired a new skill: Pain tolerance

[Dodge][Tier-1][Lv-1/10][Passive]

[The world will constantly throw shit at you. it’s entirely up to you whether to push through or evade it.]

[Effect: Increases the efficiency of your evading action.]

[Reward: Your Agility increases by .1 points every skill level.]

***

[Pain tolerance][Tier-1][Lv-1/10][Resistance]

[Mortal body is fragile and breaks easily. Pain is not a nuisance; it’s a warning of the absolute limit you can take before shutting down. So be extremely careful]

[Effect: Increases your ability to handle pain.]

[Reward: Your Constitution increases by .1 points every skill level.]

The one time I managed to reach an arm’s length within her reach, believing I was about to win, she got up, evaded my touch, and disappeared behind me. I was so surprised that I couldn’t react when her cold antenna touched the back of my head and announced me dead for the zenith time.

Secrets, she sprinkled the scent atop of my head and moved away, giving me space to react.

My head fell to the side from the surprise. She seemed pretty smug about her achievement. A crowd had gathered I noticed and they were also pretty amused by my reaction. Some were even lost in nostalgia. They must have fallen to the same trick before. It was just sad. The training had ended as far as I could tell, and the slaves were resting. How long had we been at it?

You can walk? I asked. I assumed you were—

Don’t assume anything. The aged warrior interrupted me. Always keep your antennae open and sense wide. Everyone holds a trick or two down the fold of their plates, waiting for the right time to plunge their opponent in a world of hurt. That is your fourth and final lesson of today: be wary of your opponent’s secrets. She said, breaking form and standing at ease. Alright, that’s enough for today.

That’s it? But we have only just started?

We have been at it since the last moon, kid. It’s already morning. And four lessons are enough for one day.

I counted but she had only told me three. What’s the fourth one?

Are you in a rush somewhere? Want to join the war?

I shook my head.

Then digest what you have learned. We’ll continue once you have figured out the fourth lesson. The crowd flinched when she looked at them. What? You lot still has the energy to move around? Let me help you all if you can’t help yourself. The slaves dispersed as if a disease had been let loose in their midst. They ran to the corners, the aged warrior right after them, her guards keeping even pace behind her.

Princess approached.

When did you arrive? I asked her, and she tapped the side of my face in response.

I arrived when you were getting slapped left and right by master. She let out amusement. Yes, I saw everything.

It was good to see her happy for a change. The termites had irritated her for so long I had almost forgotten that she could also joke.

You called the aged warrior master. What did she teach you? She glared and this time I let I trickled out laughter. I knew the answer. She was taking lessons in sarcasm.

We watched the slaves go about their work. The workers nervously went to cultivate the fungus, and the others started stretching and massaging each other. They had done everything to prepare. Now they would wait for the future to be decided for them; their only burden was to stay alive.

We said our farewells and left. Back in the ruling society, the fortieth floor, soldiers buzzed with anticipation. The committee would be announcing its decision any minute. It would matter for not just the soldiers, but us too. However, before that future could unroll, someone had left a message for us at the camp guards. And it got us both more nervous than the confirmation of war would have.

The explorers wanted us at the mushroom farm. They had found the missing ant.