Chrysalis

I'm kind of surprised that the hatchling, I mean Brilliant, didn't try and escape after evolving, but here she is obediently waiting for me after waking. Has she finally learned her lesson? That would be a good thing indeed! Growth! Actual growth! And here I thought I was going to have to change her name to Massive-idiant.

[Well, well, well,] I look down on the emphatically no-longer-a-hatchling and clack my mandibles happily, [tier five. You made it to the big leagues! A big bad ant now! This is actually the level that the majority of the Colony hasn't reached, you're now part of the elite.]

I can tell that she wants to reply something to the effect of 'naturally' but knows that she'll get a thackin' for it. As she should! Who did all the work!?

[I feel good,] she eventually says, [strong. I feel like I can see things more clearly than I could before.]

[Oh? You mean you understand things better? Or your literal sight has improved?]

[…Both? I think?]

[Interesting. Well, I'm keen to take a peek at your core and see what you chose. Hold still for a second.]

I reach down with one antenna and throw my mind into her core, swimming through the rush of mana and information that is held within until I manage to sift it down to the parts I understand.

Name: Brilliant

Level: 1 (Special) V

Might: 50

Toughness: 50

Cunning: 150

Will: 150

HP: 100/100

MP: 0/250

Skills:

Bite (III) Level 16; Rapid Dash (III) Level 19; Exo-Skeleton Defense (I) level 4; Advanced Stamina (III) Level 13; Mana

Mutations:

Sensitive Antennae +20; Concentrated Melting Acid Gland +20; Broadened Pheromone Language Gland +20; Elevated Mana Core Lattice +20; Piercing Dungeon Oracle +20; Weaving Dimensional Eye +20; Purified Energy Stone +20;

Species: Mature Omni-Seer (Formica)

Skill points: 22

Biomass: 24

Unlike me, she invested the whole lot into a single brain rather than spreading it out, which means she has quite the oomph behind a single line of effort, as opposed to my more diversified efforts. Eventually she'll reach the required rank in mind magic and

the main reward appears to have been

organs that interact directly with the gem that sits in her centre, first was the Core Lattice, a web of fine crystalline lines that branch off the core in a breathtaking structure. The purpose of this organ is multifaceted, allowing mana to flow in and out of the core more easily, as well as granting finer control over it in the vicinity of the core. Now she's added the Weave, a sphere part crystal, part flesh that the lattice connects to, further enhancing the effect and making Brilliant exceptionally sensitive to the teensiest vibration of mana that occurs

extraordinary degree, particularly in the realm of mana. I can understand why also, she is desperate to understand and investigate all that goes on and she has given

impressive magic, no doubt about it. With her absurd rate of improvement,

nothing to make herself more survivable. Her toughness is too low, she can't heal herself, and her defensive Skills are still paltry garbage. If I hadn't insisted on making

remove my antenna. [You'll be able to puzzle out the secrets of mana and whatever the Dungeon hides in no time. This