It was time to see the results of the training of my Beehounds!
I barely saw them since they emerged from their brood cells a week ago.
After their rapid rush through obligatory general education, they dutifully accepted their vocation and went to undergo Commando training.
Their training was unlike that of ordinary Commando Bees, just like Beemarines had different training regimen from Warrior Bees. I instructed Bloodhero to instruct the Commando instructors to teach Beehounds how to survive in the wilderness almost alone for prolonged periods of time.
The Beehounds studied in practice.
The entire training of Beehounds happened in the wild. After passing their spelling exam, the Beehounds—all 3 thousand of them, over half of their brood!—followed their instructors to a boot camp.
Since then, I only heard daily reports that they were doing well.
But now, five days later, they have returned, and I could finally look at them.
3 thousand Beehounds and several hundred of their Commando instructors gathered at the foot of Hive Supremo, attracting the attention of passersby and three curious, ever-hungry dragons.
Unlike Warrior Bees, Beehounds didn't gather in neat lines, instead presenting uneven clusters. As I flew over them, several Beehounds raised their heads to look at me, but most others instead looked at their feet or their hands.
After making a circle over the gathered crowd, I landed in front of it, where Bloodhero was already waiting.
At my approach, she saluted me.
"Father, you are here! I'm glad that you've put on Forever Great—you look extremely heroic. It will certainly inspire the Beehounds before their mission."
I looked at the Beehounds again, now able to see more than their heads and tails.
They didn't look different from an average bee, except that their antennae were larger and fluffier. All of them had standard-issue Commando equipment: bone armor, leather clothing, stone knives and spears (a weapon for hunting, not fighting; Commandos often had it instead of hammers). Over their shoulders hanged bags with survival supplies and equipment.
More notably, almost no Beehounds looked at my face!
All but a few avoided my eye! Even those who looked at me only did this when my face was turned away from them. Also, every Beehound tried to not be too close to too many other Beehounds, how they didn't look at Bloodhero either, or just how quiet their swarm was despite its size.
Unlike Beehounds, Commandos, who just calmly and quietly waited for my orders.
I stared intently at the Beehound, who looked more bold than others.
〔Beehound〕 〔Ally〕 〔Progeny〕
〔Active title〕: Commando Bee
〔Species〕: Common Honey Bee
〔Remaining lifespan〕: 497 d
Flight, Barbed Stinger
Increased Lifespan IV, Enhanced Strength III, Enhanced Endurance II, Enhanced Defense II, Enhanced Intelligence X, Olfactory Perception X (MAX), Faster Regeneration X (MAX), Improved Metabolism V, Fast Learner IV, Improved Immunity V, Thick Skin II, Flying Carriers, Throwing Wrists, Meat Digestion, Perfect Memory, Grass Digestion, Danger-Averse Reflexes
The stats were just like how I've seen them be. But the girl herself met my eye for a second, then hunched her shoulders and looked at her fingers like they were the most interesting thing in the world.
I turned to my Military Adviser.
"Are you going to tell me that the training of Beehounds went well, Bloodhero?"
She puffed her chest.
"Yes. Over the last five days, these bees accompanied experienced Commandos in groups of five and ten. All of them had no supplies and had to survive only with what they could find themselves. But despite two storms that happened over this time and several minor dragon attacks, they not only all survived but also tracked out several wasp nests and small anthills that we didn't find and eliminate earlier!"
I raised my eyebrows.
"Not bad! But if my girls did so well, why did they look like I'm about to punish them? Hm? Bloodhero, what propaganda have you fed them *this* time? HMMM?!"
As I leaned toward her with a scowl, Bloodhero leaned back, trying and failing to keep her expression stoic.
"Father, I swear! I told the instructors to treat Beehounds like any other recruits! Besides preparing them for their long-distance missions, of course. Their behavior—I don't know why they act this way, but I'm sure it won't affect their effectiveness!"
I stared Bloodhero down some more, then turned to the nearest Commando, who had a Chief's dot on her forehead.
"Chief Commando Stab-Stab, do *you* know why Beehounds can't look me in the eye? Why are they so afraid of their own father? Their dear dad! They don't really think I will scold them, no?"
Stab-Stab frowned in thought. She glanced at me, then at the Beehounds, then shrugged.
If she didn't know, I could only ask the Beehounds themselves.
Slowly, as if she was an easily startled animal, I approached Quietstep. Sergeant Quietstep—from up close, I noticed the cross on her forehead.
"Quietstep, what's wrong?" I asked gently. "You all gathered here for congratulations, and you look like you don't want to be here at all."
Quietstep looked away from me and mumbled something.
"Huh?" I leaned closer.
"I… I… Um. It's just… I'm… There are so many people… Sorry, Father."
I blinked, then stepped back.
Finally, it dawned on me.
This was absolute social anxiety behavior! The education of these bees gave them social anxiety, and I knew just how!
'As soon as they finished school—and school lessons happen in relatively small classes of 20-30 bees—they were sent to live almost on their own. Unlike any other bee, including even Commandos, these bees grew to be absolute loners by bee standards! They will act this way around anyone but their own squad, I'm sure.'
Shaking my head, I stepped away from Quietstep.
"Father, if you are unsatisfied with the results of the Beehounds' training, I can—"
"No, Bloodhero. This… this is fine! Just fine. They will work effectively in the field, and we need them there. But I won't give my girls any more anxiety if I can. From now on, Beehounds will receive their orders on wax tablets."
"And are the Beehounds ready to start the search for the green giants, Bloodhero?"