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Chapter 1142 - Antcademy pt 2
🕑 Added 2023-04-13 09:06:37 +0000 UTCGiven the nature of the ants as a social insect, one with a particular obsession toward the care and rearing of their young, it may be understandable, even expected, that they would focus so intently on education. However, the depth and complexity of their methods is astounding, no matter how one thinks about it.
Even among monsters, not all are born with the same interests and passions, this is especially true for those above a certain threshold of intelligence. The Colony were quick to realise this fact and naturally sought to implement measures that would not only accommodate, but maximise the potential of this difference.
Thus was born the concept of ‘differentiation’. Certain ants excel at one task, whereas others are lacking in this area. The Colony quickly identifies these gaps and moves to specialise their curriculum from the earliest moment possible.
Using this method, the ants are able to find the most suited path for an individual and guide them along it within days of that hatchling emerging from its cocoon.
- Excerpt from ‘Antucation: Teaching and Learning, Pedagogy among the ant’ by Karliet Magron.
“Congratulations, hatchlings!” Poppant praises them, her antennae wiggling with joy.
The twenty young members of the Colony preen under her attention, basking in the approval of Tender who had cared for them since they were eggs.
“That was quite an achievement, I am extremely impressed with all of you. A new Antcademy record for a third day clear! Of course, there are things we can improve on and each of you will need to write a four page report on what you can do better next time when we get back.”
The hatchlings cheered.
“Now off we go!”
With that cheerful declaration, Poppant began to march back to the Colony, her pheromones wafting happily behind her as the twenty tired, but excited ants marched in their wake.
Well, nineteen of them were tired but excited.
One of them was frustrated and disappointed.
The movements had been slow, her orders had been late and the firing discipline had been sloppy. It may have been a record setting pace for the third day of training, but Solant was far from happy. Imperfections were everywhere, she couldn’t think of a single manoeuvre that the group had executed without flaw.
And that knowledge burned in her like acid in the gut.
As the ants returned to their chamber, they marched under the great and watchful eyes of the Eldest, carved into the ceiling above. The statue had been updated recently to ensure it depicted the oldest and greatest member of the Colony in all of their current glory, colossal in size and regal in posture.
Solant cringed away from those judgemental eyes.
The Eldest demanded each ant in the Colony perform to as high a standard as they did, at least, that’s what the Tenders had told her. She knew that so far her broodmates had utterly failed to meet that standard. It couldn’t be allowed to stand!
After Poppant had led them through their drills, rehashed several key moments of the fighting, and inspected each of their written essays (Solant produced twenty pages of dense pheromone lines for hers), she left to allow the hatchlings to enjoy their eight hours of rest.
Before her siblings could settle in for torpor, Solant stepped forward.
“We aren’t performing well enough,” she declared.
They turned around and faced her in the centre of the chamber, antennae wiggling with surprise.
“We aren’t?” one of her siblings asked. “Didn’t we just get a record? I thought that meant we were doing well….”
“We’re working hard,” another piped up.
“Our teacher is proud of us…” another said.
Solant slashed those words away with a swipe of her antenna.
“And? Didn’t you all just write a report of all of the things we did wrong?! Didn’t Poppant just demonstrate a long list of mistakes that we made to improve on tomorrow? How can we possibly say that we are doing well?”
She clacked her mandibles in irritation.
“And I’m not excusing myself from this criticism. If anything, I’ve been the one making the most calls, and many of those were either late or unclear. If anyone is performing the worst in the group, it's me!”
“That’s not true… my aim has been extremely poor…” one hatchling lamented.
“I lose the timing when we change formation…” another sighed.
“I tripped over my legs when dashing… I hoped nobody noticed.”
“I noticed.
“Dammit.”
“The point is,” Solant declared, trying to get them back on track, “that our current rate of improvement isn’t enough. Even if we turn around and set another record tomorrow, I don’t think we should be satisfied. Unless we perform flawlessly, we should never be satisfied!”
“Are you suggesting… we… skip… sleep… and practice?”
Solant recoiled in horror.
“What? Never! I’m saying we need to use our training time more effectively than we have been. Our focus hasn’t been sharp enough, our drive not committed enough! If another group would work their carapace off for the Colony, then we need to work until our muscles melt!”
“FOR THE COLONY!” the hatchlings roared in response, their eyes blazing.
When Poppant came to greet them after they woke, she was a little unnerved to see the cold, burning light in each of their eyes.
It was normal for ants in the Colony to be fervently dedicated, they worked themselves as hard as they could and took pride in it. In fact, manic dedication to the family was absolutely the standard that each hatchling possessed from the moment they were born.
But this… focus… was something else.
“G-Good morning hatchlings!” she greeted them. “Are we ready to work hard again today?”
Instead of the normal cheers and calls she would expect from her charges, she got only steely, determined glares.
They were so unified.
When they marched out to meal time, they moved as a perfect unit. They radiated an intimidating aura as they ate, unnerving the hatchlings around them, unsure what to make of this cold and laser focused group.
Once they reached the farms, they trained with a brutal and cold efficiency that Poppant had never seen before.
Often, when she gently pointed out an error, the ant in question had already begun to correct it, and apologised to the whole group as they did. Whenever this happened, the rest would nod firmly and carry on as if the mistake had never occurred.
When she finally unleashed them on the monsters in the farm, they cut through them like a gleaming blade. The fourth day record had been smashed.
Comments
Rahsheem Reid
I never said not being a champion was a bad thing you did…
Gonvas
Yes because I don't get why U mentioned that group in specific. What was wrong? What day do I deserve?
Rahsheem Reid
Vibrants group is a fast moving hit and run type unit. Do I need too go in more detail? Oh did you read the most recent chapter. I’m so happy too inform you about how you were wrong have the day you deserve.
Rahsheem Reid
@Gonvas you should read the next chapter bud
Michael Kelly
A new champion!!! A general?
Gopard
Thanks for the chapter!
Pordgy
Got it - I'mma assume it's like Sol as in Soldier, then, like Soldier Ants
RinoZ
exnay on the latinay
Nathan Patrick
The above "Sol->Sun" suggestion is amazing though the champion arguements going on have me thinking. Anthony isnt around to deal with this current addition to the colony, HOWEVER the brood tender present is already reacting to the situation in a different way. A better ant than another, has to be a common thing at their population. An ant that influences those around them, perhaps....something significant.
Nanashi
I can only assume that as Queen grows too high a tier for a particular level, that the colony has already started construction on a hill one level down.. and i would also assume that larva would be cared for on there native level, meaning we are gonna REQUIRE Rambo level nanny's.. witch leads me to my current fever dream of a black butler type ant running around the colony being in the perfect place at the perfect time with the perfect thing to assist ant generals or random ants in random situations.. always there when she is needed to help a member of the colony to the the best an ant can be all while staying unassuming and out of the spotlight. So basically .. Because she is one hell of an ant 0_o
Runaway_Cactuar
So far, for confirmed Champions like Vibrant and Brilliant, Anthony could tell they were special as grubs. They also have this quality that enables them to attract followers. And lastly, they have hyper-specialized builds. You can maybe make an argument for the followers, but we haven't seen any other character deeming her special or her hyper-specialized build.
The Retryer of Worlds
Maybe the brood tenders go through sessions like the queens, where experience and biomass are brought to them?
Gonvas
Are U talking about the ant cavalry (like Isaac and Cavalant) or Vibrant group?
Gonvas
Why would I need to apologise? So far we've no clear indication she's a champion. That's the truth. If she is indeed a champion, we need more information that shows it. An ant doesn't need to be a champion to behave in a different way and have a group of followers: Leeroy and the Immortals, Smithant and the armourers, Michelant and the artists, each Council mage and their school of magic, etc. So far we only have 2 confirmed champions, Vibrant and Brilliant. Dunno why U think that not being a champion is such a bad thing @Reid. Plenty of interesting characters that aren't champions...
Rahsheem Reid
Kinda like Vibrants Calvary huh 🤔
Rahsheem Reid
Uhhh yes there is. And I want you to apologize when it’s confirmed for being such a party pooper @Govans
Philldoran
Sol means sun in Latin.
David Burchfield
My take is that she is like the general equivalent of Smithant or Michaelangelant. I dont think she is a champion (I only count Vibrant and Brilliant as such so far) but I could very well be wrong. I see her more as a prodigy/genius. I also wonder if Sol = Sun as in Sun Tzu.
Wensber
I imagine if they somehow can evolve to too high a tier they can just choose not to evolve. Or there might be ways to stay lower, like large amounts of mana generation.
CentaureHeart
@Gonvas : I didn't think so at first but given how she dragged all the others forward with her I'm starting to think so.
Gonvas
Idk, Sol and Sun seem quite distinct from one another.
Fistro nio
I hope so, a kind of war general one. Her squad could be called the Spartants 👀
Gonvas
So far there's no indication of her being a champion.
Gonvas
If for some reason, we end up with high tier B. Tenders, they can only help during the egg and larva stage since the academies are in the 1st stratum. Unless something changes and we have new academies in deeper strata, e.g., a special course for elites.
Gonvas
Brood tenders are not fighters and shouldn't reach high tiers. It isn't worth the resources.
CentaureHeart
Is Solant another Champion?
Nathan C
Good question I've never considered. I imagine the Brood Tenders don't actively hunt monsters though so they probably don't level quickly. They might honestly be able to stay T5 for years if they actively try not to gain combat lvls, though that would soft-cap their skill levels at 5 as well, which seems inefficient.
Desmond Cheong
Question about brood tenders.. as they revolve to be more powerful they are forced to go deeper, however this forced them to be away from the broods which I assume tier 1 strata 1. How can the brood benefits from t6 or t7 tenders if they are so deep under?
Kenneth
was wondering the same thing, this would be really sick if true
Karissa Hopps
The art of War. Written by Solant
Pordgy
Is this Solant a 'Sol' as in 'Sun' as in 'Sun Tzu'?
Koala Man
Ooh , so yeah the ants have been fighting like , well ants and now one is going , yeah nah we can do so much better than that. Solant is going to bring so many efficiencies to the colonies battle abilities it’s actually terrifying
Quinton Thornes
Solant is probably another champion type. Fortunately this one is more self aware.
Gonvas
This made me think that Solant might create the Special Forces of the Colony. The elite branch of the Colony forces.
Zerdiron
New Elite Antsquad is coming. I wonder how they will be named
SkyTetsu
the trainer will be really harsh tho, i imagine it hellish O.O
Nathan Emerson
It sounds like solant will either be a great trainer or general.
Shimelton
“I noticed” …. 😂
