Chrysalis

Postgraduate, or postgrantuate, education was another concept the Colony adopted in a manner very differently to most other societies. While it is normal for there to be scholarly communities, such as the Tower, who accept only the finest minds and greatest learners into their ranks, those who are able to make the most of these opportunities are very few in number.

It has been noted many times that only the wealthy can afford to tutor their children to the exacting standards expected of these institutions. A farmer's children will be put to work on the farm as soon as they are able, seldom completing even basic education. This lopsided representation amongst the scholars of most empires leads to bias and gaps in thinking, with those lacking in material understanding of common tasks called on to devise policy or advise on matters they do not comprehend.

Among the Colony, further education is available to any ant who wants it. Once a hatchling has completed their training, they will be a tier four monster with a set caste and a well understood list of capabilities and responsibilities. At this stage, most of them will journey to those places where their skills are needed, ready to contribute and join the general workflow of the Colony. Some, however, choose to remain and pursue ideas and concepts until they are satisfied.

Perhaps only the ants could tolerate this generous attitude, since they are always supremely confident the studious hatchling is working to better themselves or the Colony rather than shirking work.

- Excerpt from ‘Antucation: Teaching and Learning, Pedagogy among the ant’ by Karliet Magron.

Poppant observed as the hatchlings watched the battle unfold below them. Like shadows, they clung to the ceiling, hiding themselves amongst the folds in the stone as dozens of monsters fought desperately beneath them. They weren’t completely passive, though.

Whenever it seemed that one combatant would overpower the other, an ant would intervene, firing acid down to help swing the fight back to a neutral playing field. In this way, they dragged out the battle until every combatant was exhausted and injured. Fruit ripe for the plucking.

“Dragon Claws!” Solant bellowed.

manoeuvre, sliding into four columns of five each and collapsing on the prey from the flanks. Their jaws flashed as each five ant unit worked

nature of their strategy, but it was certainly the most effortless victory she had ever seen. This group was acting… differently, than expected.

well! I’m particularly impressed with

aim,” one

on the waiting Biomass. “Why should we fight when our enemy is strong? Instead, we make them weak, and then strike. This seems like a viable way to do

Poppant agreed, “though not always feasible. Now, scurry down there and eat. Don’t let any

they divided the food as evenly as they could. It was almost time for them to evolve for the first time, after they’d formed their cores the previous day, and it was paramount that each member of the group achieved a full set of mutations. When the food was consumed, they returned to their

will

had expected, the hatchlings simply nodded, a cold and determined energy rising from them as their eyes

said, not losing her bubbly positivity for even a second.

out every one of the twenty hatchlings and then a special core for each of them, giving them the best possible start to life. An exciting opportunity to be sure, and not one

needed to reach the limit for their tier, then eyed the special

need to worry,” Poppant assured them, “it is certainly painful and uncomfortable, but I have