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.

five each and collapsing on the prey from the flanks. Their jaws flashed as each five ant unit worked seamlessly

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

she praised them with genuine affection. “An excellent strategy, and one you executed so well! I’m particularly impressed with how well you were able to deploy your acid, and

aim,” one hatchling explained. “Two

nodded with satisfaction as she looked down on the waiting Biomass. “Why should we fight when our enemy is

scurry down there and eat. Don’t let any of it go to waste! Then come back here to me,

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

been agreed by the Tenders that you will be granted

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

said, not losing her bubbly positivity for even a second. “Let’s head back

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

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

is certainly painful and uncomfortable,