 By the time the narrative opens, Candy has acquired a high school education, some college, and learned karate, having achieved her Fifth Degree Black Belt from her neighbor, 73-year-old Soo Kim McDivott, who she is led to believe is merely a retired schoolteacher.McDivott, whom she calls "Teacher", is actually the discoverer of the "H. post hominem" species, and has identified and continues to mentor and lead a group of them, the AAs.As part of her karate training, she has learned to release her hysterical strength, which permits brief bursts of nearly superhuman activity.