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.

moved seamlessly through the 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 seamlessly in tandem, scything

wouldn’t be a time record, due to the nature of their strategy, but it was certainly the most effortless victory she had ever seen. This group

“An excellent strategy, and one you executed so well! I’m particularly impressed with

to try and improve our aim,” one hatchling explained. “Two sets of eyes are better than

the enemy to defeat themselves,” Solant nodded with satisfaction as she looked down on the waiting Biomass. “Why should we fight when our enemy

is,” Poppant agreed, “though not always feasible. Now, scurry down there and eat. Don’t let any of it go to waste! Then come back here to me, I have an exciting announcement 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 be granted special cores for your evolution!” she clacked her mandibles joyfully. “Isn’t that

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

bubbly positivity for even a second. “Let’s head

them, giving them the best possible start to life. An exciting opportunity to be sure, and not one that they would waste! Before they

in and absorbed the cores needed to reach the limit for their tier, then eyed the special

Poppant assured them, “it is certainly painful