EROS [Zerg]

"How could that be? No matter what, you are still a male insect of the Empire, a very precious male insect. Your life and health are constantly monitored by the Male Insect Protection Association."

Sailor thought the little boy was overthinking things.

"Is that so?" Kam seemed comforted, but a vague unease still lingered in her heart.

That evening, he dialed Eros's terminal communication.

The female insect was very busy. Camo thought that Eros would at least rest for a few days after the match, but it seemed that this was not the case.

"Eros, what are you doing?"

Kamo watched as the female insect, burdened with a heavy load, moved through the night on the communication screen.

"I'm training." Eros ran out from the team, then wiped the sweat from his face. "Is something wrong?"

After Eros achieved second place in the Imperial Insect Planet Military Machinery Competition, Principal Joseph promoted him from the Comet Class to the Star Class as a reward.

It's currently the star team's nighttime training session.

"I'm sorry, Eros, I killed the Bubble Turtle." Kam's voice was full of frustration.

Eros wasn't surprised by the fate of the bubble turtle, but considering the little boy's feelings, he lowered his voice and asked, "Are you upset because of your pet's death, or because you're worried that Eros will blame you?"

“Both… I’m worried Eros will blame me more, and also…” Kam hesitated for a moment, then pouted and asked Eros the question that was on her mind:

"Will Kamo die like that bubble turtle?"

"Why is Kama asking that? Is it because the dead pet is making Kama feel scared?" Eros looked at the uneasy expression on the little male's face reflected on the screen.

"Kamo is a male insect, a male insect that is under the key protection of the entire insect race, so of course he won't be like the Bubble Turtle."

"But will Kamo be protected forever?" The little boy frowned and pouted sadly, "At first I really liked Bubble Turtle, but later I found it troublesome."

"Because that turtle can only blow bubbles, it won't play with me, and it can't talk, so it's useless."

"But Kamo doesn't know anything now, he's completely useless."

"What if one day, no one needs male insects anymore, and they'll despise me for being useless and dislike me, and then Kam will starve to death?"

Eros looked calmly at Kama, "Eros will work hard to earn lots and lots of star coins, and even if that day really comes, I will protect Kama from starvation."

"But Eros hopes that Kam can also become strong and independent, so that if one day Commander Enl and I are no longer here and we are unable to take care of you, you can still live well on your own."

The little boy's voice was pleading. He was deeply hurt by Eros's words and felt that he was about to be abandoned: "Kam, don't let Eros and the female father die. Please don't leave me behind."

Eros comforted him, "Kamo, don't think too much about the future. You have to believe that neither your female father nor Eros are useless female insects."

Kam nodded, and just as he was about to say something, he heard a female insect behind Eros calling him to join the team.

Not wanting to disturb Eros's training, the young boy could only mumble a goodbye to Eros and then end the communication.

Eros understood that his communications had been interrupted.

The instructors behind him were still calling his name. Eros shouldered his weights and rejoined the night training group.

Eros, who had joined the star team, clearly felt the pressure increasing.

The already packed schedule was squeezed even more.

The competition in the star class is fierce, and Eros's underdeveloped body makes him particularly disadvantaged in various physical training exercises.

Fortunately, his academic performance was among the best, and on average, his grades were in the upper-middle range of the class.

After the prize money for the Imperial Insect Star Military Machinery Competition was distributed, Eros took the second-place prize of 100 million star coins and invited Pomi Xiongzi out to keep his promise and exchange it for the mechanical wings "Obsidian Black".

Eros arranged to meet Pomi in a quiet and elegant little restaurant. After the two insects exchanged what they needed, Eros was surprised to see that Pomi looked travel-worn, and was astonished that this male insect was not even as well-off as an ordinary female insect.

However, Eros's focus was not on Pomi's treatment and finances. What he really wanted to know was why Pomi, a male insect, would choose to participate in the competition and achieve such good results.

"Permi Male, I've always had a question, and I hope you won't mind my intrusion." The female insect thoughtfully cut the difficult-to-cut meat into small pieces and handed them to the male insect, while posing her question.

“It’s alright, go ahead and ask.” Permi was a little flustered. To be honest, even with his financial means, he would have to think twice before going to a mid-range restaurant like this. Since Eros had invited him to eat here, he naturally felt embarrassed to refuse the female insect’s questions.

“I was quite surprised when I first saw you on the field,” Eros said, trying to keep his words polite. “I have rarely seen a male insect like you who enjoys mechanical repair as much as you do, and who is so good at it.”

"I'm a little embarrassed by what you're saying." Pomi touched his nose and chuckled, "I didn't start liking mechanical repair out of interest. It's just that military mechanics earn more star coins on our planet, so I learned this skill. And luckily, I discovered that I have some talent in this area."

"May I ask if Your Excellency Permi is self-taught?" Eros thought of Camus.

This male insect is still a juvenile, and its personality and habits are most easily shaped at this stage.

Eros didn't want Kam to become one of those depraved male insects who only knew how to eat, drink, gamble, and whore. Eros was very interested in knowing how his brother Pomi found his profession.

“My skills were taught at school,” Permi shook her head slightly. “How could I possibly be self-taught?”

“On our third-class planet, low-level male insects don’t receive much preferential treatment. You have to reach at least level C to get a monthly allowance.”

"I'm just a D-class male insect. To survive there, I either have to marry a female insect that can make money, or I have to find a job myself."

“But it’s very difficult for male insects of too low a rank to marry female insects.” Pomi sighed. “And there are probably just too few jobs suitable for male insects, so jobs are very hard to find.”

"At the time, I had no choice but to enroll in a private technical school, hoping to learn a skill to earn some Star Coins to make my life better."

"The principal of Kalanron Academy is a great male insect of the B rank. On my planet, male insects of the C rank and above enjoy very high treatment, but the principal did not indulge in pleasure. Instead, he created a school for lower-ranking insects to learn skills."

"Although we studied at that school, we didn't get a degree that was recognized by the Empire after graduation, but jobs on a Level 3 star don't emphasize academic qualifications."

“At least after studying at Caranlong College, we can acquire a skill and get a job to support ourselves.”