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Chapter 1162 - Final Preparations
🕑 Added 2023-05-17 02:47:40 +0000 UTCTurns out the rules are pretty straight forward. I question the poor man for far too long, getting him to explain the foundations of the game and how it’s developed over time, as well as asking him about my specific opponent.
As expected of a Champion general, it appears that Solant has already developed quite the reputation for devious strategies, trickery and ingenious tactics. The twenty members of her training group have followed her, forming the core of her following, and they rotate members in and out of the team depending on the opposition and the way they want to play.
It’s hardly going to be enough against me of course, but their undefeated streak is certainly impressive. Even as superior hatchlings, who are significantly weaker, stats-wise than mature workers at the second tier, they still wouldn’t lose.
In terms of the rules….
[Are you sure that only basic elemental magic is allowed?] I ask for the tenth time.
The poor chap nods wearily.
[The game has its origins as a training exercise for hatchlings. The young mages can’t use anything but basic elements, so those are all that have ever been allowed….]
[Hmph.]
I could end the match instantly with gravity well, flattening the Endless to the floor and walking on top of them to score at the other end. It would have been glorious! Those plans are out the window dammit.
[Considering I’m playing as a one ant team, they really should make allowances and let me use whatever I want.]
Peter just shrugged.
[I couldn’t say anything about that, I wasn’t involved in organising the match. I do think it’s reasonable that you are handicapped though….]
[More like mandicapped. We don’t have hands, remember?]
I clack my mandibles to demonstrate and the poor man flinches back from the sharp cracking sound that emanates from them.
[Alright. So if I’m on offence, and I drop the ball, or can no longer advance it, my turn is up and I switch to defence, right?]
[Yes.]
[And if I manage to get the ball to touch the other wall, I score a point?]
[That’s right.]
[What happens if I crush the ball?]
A very real risk considering my strength.
[You lose your turn on offence. You have to protect the ball from the opponent, that’s part of the game.]
So I can successfully defend by destroying the ball while the Endless have it? That should make it easy enough.
[This was included in the training exercise to train mages about controlling mana,] Peter enthusiastically elaborates. [If you can’t control the mana around your own team then you risk being unable to advance at all. Likewise, controlling the mana around your opponent is a powerful advantage. There are several mage-heavy teams who use this as their primary strategy. In fact…]
Hmmmm. Well, if the opponent is smart, they’ll bring along four mages at least if they want to contend with me. In fact, if they don’t bring at least that many, I’ll smash them with superior mana control. I’m no slouch at elemental magic after all.
[Other than that, there’s basic safety rules in place. No killing, removing legs, blinding or any other such shenanigans?]
[Ah… yes. Although in some training exercises the ants were allowed to cause non-fatal damage, for the sport of Tunnel Ball, the less… violent version of the game was adopted.
Fair enough.
[Are there limits to how much I can modify the terrain?]
[You may not exceed the height of the pit.]
[Hmmm. Well, thank you for your time. If you see priest Beyn out there, tell him I said to shut up. I know he’s going nuts out there, he’s bothering people.]
Peter smiled in relief, then his face took on a slightly green shade. I guess he’s happy he can tell the one-armed idiot to be quiet, but isn’t too happy to be the one bearing the news.
[Ask one of the Colony to pass the message on,] I advise him.
He nods, relieved.
[I’ll do that. Thank you.]
[Nono, thank you.]
As the elder farmer takes his leave, I reach out with my senses and grab hold of the thread I’m after. Here in the nest, my Vestibule is absolutely jam packed with incoming Will. An absolute ocean of the stuff, pouring into me every second. Discerning one ant from another in that tidal wave of energy isn’t easy, but I’ve had my constructs picking through it all for ages until I managed to grab hold of the few I was looking for.
The Endless, obviously. It’s not really cheating if I spy on them like this, right? I’m allowed to use my abilities, just as they are allowed to use theirs. It’s not like they aren’t trying to spy on me right now, after all.
She’s doing a good job of it. The scout managed to sneak into the chamber while I was talking with Peter and is currently positioned in the shadows in one corner, doing her level best to remain as still as possible as she observes me.
I could try and pass on a heap of false information, but I hardly think I need to.
“Leonidant.”
….
“Leonidant….”
….
No reply.
Irritated, I turn to face her directly.
“Oi. Answer me already.”
….
Still nothing. Does she really think she’s hidden?!
THWACK!
“Ouch!”
“How many times do I have to address you before you answer me?” I demand. “What about showing respect to your Eldest?”
“I thought you were guessing….”
The little scout rubs at her head with a foreleg as I glare down at her.
“I don’t need to guess,” I state haughtily. “I know where you are and what you’re thinking at all times. The same is true for each and every member of the Endless. I can tell you what Solant is plotting down to the finest detail.”
She stills.
“That… shouldn’t be possible,” she says slowly.
“You’re barely hatched!” I declare incredulously. “The things you know couldn’t fill a thimble! You think because no other team of newly hatched weaklings can beat you that you’ve achieved something special? That you have something to show me?”
I scoff.
“Run back to the others and get ready for the match. I need to try and refill my core. Shoo!”
I push her towards the exit with one antennae as I sit and begin to manipulate the mana around me, actively pulling it inward and forcing it into my core.
___
“The Eldest can read our intentions, you say?” Solant asked intently.
“That’s what they seemed to suggest. They said they knew exactly what you were planning.”
“It isn’t necessarily true,” the general pointed out, “just because the Eldest knew where you were doesn’t mean they can sense our locations and intentions all the way across the nest. The one doesn’t lead to the other at all. Perhaps the Eldest is simply very good at detecting stealthed monsters.”
“It is possible,” Leonidant said hesitantly.
To the scout, having been so close to the massive ant, it was difficult to believe there were any limits on a creature that powerful. Solant seemed to sense the scout’s hesitation.
“Don’t worry,” she comforted her, “the Eldest is of course the mightiest of all the Colony, but they are restricted by the rules of the game. Much of their power is sealed.”
“That’s… true.”
“The question is, what counter measures should we take if it turns out the Eldest was telling the truth? If they can read our intentions, then we’ll need to prepare plans within plans. This could prove to me a most interesting distraction.
Comments
Ashrothe
Either way, Endless loses - either the match, or their faith in the Eldest (unless they assume he throws the match to them).
Icharris
Yeah this is the best way I see this play out with Solant still establishing herself as a champion but still remaining consistent in regards to the massive gulf in power and ability between them.
Icharris
I have a feeling it won’t be a stomp though. If based on previous champions they always can manage to give Anthony a challenge. Those ones made sense though because Anthony wasn’t quite so godly then and they usually gave him a challenge by running away when he was distracted. This time it’s just a single match that he’s focused on. But yes you are right this is all predicated on them somehow giving him a challenge. Which I’m mixed on because I’d love to see an interesting Tunnel ball match where they DO challenge him. Just wouldn’t make sense to me unless they are all at least tier 5… and even then only due to the restrictions of the game.
Gopard
Why is it weird though? They are still a "new generation" of hatlings it was always clear that this wouldn't be any kind "fair or even actual game". Anthony was basically asked to come up and stomp Solants optimism/arrogance into the ground as an educational exercise BEFORE they reach beyond the "Hatchling stage" and bad habits ingrained themselves!
Shaitan
That could work. Maybe it’s a steamroll but at the last second, Solent scores a symbolic point
Arillius
It does feel a bit like that. He updates a loooot though so it's hard to complain to much. My preference is normally to wait on Anthony's story for a few chapters but this arc has been highly entertaining.
BelligerentGnu
I want Solant to lose, but come close to pulling off a few neat tricks on Anthony. That seems about the right balance to me.
alt31415
There was a weird wording in the chapter where they 'wouldn't lose even back when they were superior hatchlings', with some odd past-present tensing.
alt31415
Well it's like they said, the rules of Tunnel Ball hamper much of Anthony's options. One of Solant's followers even stated that in a straight up fight they'd stand absolutely no chance. It's not like he's gonna be Void Chomping them.
Thunderhoof
Moar??!!
Icharris
Yeah I agree. I want an interesting match. But think I’ll be more disappointed if it isn’t a complete steamroll just because I don’t see how some large dog sized ants with bodies comparatively made out of clay (or maybe small car) can stop a buss sized armored tank made out of reinforced steel which is in controls of much more firepower than the other ants. In the end it’s not just a difference of size. Anthony literally is made out of different substance (magically hardened and reinforced). Just wouldn’t stack up if it’s not a steamroll…
Icharris
Yeah this make sense (such as healing and mind magic being used on yourself) but it also makes sense if these are not allowed since how many T2’s would even have these kinds of magic? Will need to see
Icharris
That would make it (a bit) more understandable. The way it said it made it sound kinda like they are still superior hatchlings
Shaitan
I honestly can’t decide how I want this game to go. I don’t want it to be a complete steamroll, but I think it would be kind of unrealistic if it wasn’t
alt31415
Is it standard practice for new mages, though? Peter stated the ruler was specifically because young mages don't even have access to mind magic yet.
CUI13
I would assume that the restriction applies to the external application of the various schools of magic. Using mind magic to manage your other schools of magic is, as far as we've been told, standard practice for mages.
alt31415
No, I think they passed T2. Their t2 was Superior Hatchling, and we saw Solant mulling over some T3 choices.
Anthony Romanov
That they all can consantrate of pumping water magic and flood entire field
Nanashi
Can't wait for the game.
alt31415
"Doesn't mean they can sense our locations and intentions all the way across the nest." - Technically true, one doesn't mean the other. In this case its true tho, Solant Edit: Wait a second, if only Elemental magic is allowed, what does that mean for Anthony's mind constructs?
kalada William-jumbo
Soooooooooooo shooooort!!!!!! I needed more …
Icharris
Thanks 🙏 A bit shocked these ants are stil T2… I don’t see how 4 T2 mages could hope to resist his mana manipulation. I thought they’d be T4 or T5 by now. Mostly because I can’t see how else they can complete against Anthony even if he can only use elements. He has T6 Omni elemental construct… he could just brute force seal them in stone no? Author is making questionable choices I feel. First he has Anthony body a bunch of T8’s which many people felt was a bit OP. Now it seems he’s going to make an interesting matchup between a bunch of T2’s and Anthony? I get its filler content (side content is maybe nicer but it’s not progressing the main plot) but still feel the power levels are getting really mixed up here.. T2 Anthony was like a mosquito to his current self. Anyways content otherwise is good. Thanks again!
