Chrysalis

Chapter 1033: Antcademy pt 4

All in all, there is much we can learn from the Colony’s approach to training and teaching their members. I’m aware that many dismiss the studies and examination of the ant’s methods as inapplicable to any other, non-monstrous race, but that simply isn’t the case.

Because the ants don’t only teach themselves, they welcome and teach their allies also.

The ant-riders, the devastating cavalry unit formed of human, golgari, folk and even one example of a brathian rider and ant ‘mount’, are a perfect example. Interviewing those who chose to become members of this respected and renowned brigade, it quickly became apparent the respect and admiration they had for their ant tutors. Many spoke of the harsh and unforgiving nature of the training that demanded the riders meet the same standards as their chosen ant allies, but reported how effective and motivating the monsters were.

The training is almost universally seen to result in a rapid development of Skills and abilities related to the unique Class. That would be enough for most, but trainees are not permitted to leave the Antcademies until they have met the truly exacting standards of the Colony.

My greatest frustration is that all members of the brigade that have been spoken to refuse to detail the exact methods used in their training. Perhaps some secret techniques are utilised and the Colony refuses to spread their knowledge?

Regardless, the existence of this successful program speaks volumes to the efficacy of the ant methodology.

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

“ARE. YOU. READY. TO TUNNEL BAAAAAALLLLLL!?”

Solant did her best to ignore the humans going wild around them. It had been vaguely explained to her what they were here for. Entertainment of some sort? Apparently, this training exercise was popular to watch even amongst the Colony deeper in the Dungeon, which surprised her somewhat. As she understood it, this drill was an excellent test of cooperation and strategy, something her broodmates excelled in.

Which was lucky, since they were currently weaker than their competition.

“Box formation! Prepare the Dragon Claw!” Solant yelled to her allies as the chaos across the field began to resolve itself.

The two frontlines smashed into each other, chitin grinding on chitin as the largest and strongest ants in both teams pushed as hard as they could. Currently, her team had possession of the ball, and so far, they hadn’t failed to run it to the other side a single time, but their opponents were catching on to their tricks and grinding them down with their superior bodies.

Solant was forced to get inventive.

“Teatime on the left flank!” she called from her position perched on the stone ball and watched as her team flowed to execute the strategem.

Pharlant, the fastest member of the team who had recently named herself, feinted left, then right, before attempting a shoulder charge against the juvenile scout who was marking her.

With her well trained dash Skill, thoughtful leg mutations and agility, combined with Solant’s formations, and manoeuvres that maximised those strengths, Pharlant had been their main scorer in this game. Now, she was tightly followed by at least one opponent at all times.

Followed by another quick superior hatchling, Pharlant attempted to push hard into open space, only to be checked at the last minute. Straining too hard, the hatchling went down in a brutal fashion, legs flailing as she collapsed. Solant winced, that had looked dreadful.

“Pharlant is down, injured! Reinforce the centre and we’ll push down the right side!”

Her squad moved seamlessly to shift their pressure to the other side of the field, acting with complete trust in her instructions. Their faith warmed her heart, but her mind remained razor focused on the game. They couldn’t fail. She would never fail.

In the middle of their line, Sumant was the rock that anchored the formation and they pivoted around her.

“AFTER A NASTY SPILL ON THE LEFT SIDE, TEAM TINY IS LOOKING TO SHIFT THE PLAY! CAN THEY SCORE YET AGAIN, EVEN WITHOUT THEIR STAR RUNNER?”

Solant wished the humans would be a little more quiet, there had to be a thousand of them up there. She was trying to concentrate!

Every minute shift, every tiny adjustment was caught by her as she hyper-focused on the field of play. There was no excuse for mistakes, and no reason for them.

She could see the opponents were beginning to sense victory. With their larger bodies, they were starting to grind down the centre, pressing Sumant back step by step. All she needed was for a slight gap to open up, then they could strike.

And then it came. Overeager, the opposing team leapt at the first break in the line, desperate to prevent their tenth straight loss. It was subtle, but it was overcommitment, they came too far forward too quickly, leaving open space behind them.

“Flick the tail!” Solant called, before she leapt off the ball and it was swept up from under her, racing toward the right side of the field.

The timing was tight, a tenth of a second slower and the enemy would have intercepted, but they didn’t get there in time and then the ball was past them. After being taught several painful lessons, the opposition had begun to defend in depth, and the second wave closed in on the ball runner, trying to hem her in.

Then Sumant was there, throwing herself forward to block the line, crashing into the smaller, more agile of the opposing ants to buy just a little bit of time and space, which the runner used to expertly flick the ball in her mandibles.

A high difficulty pass that required expert mandible control, executed to perfection. The ball travelled from the right side, through the centre and onto the left, where it landed in the waiting grip of Pharlant.

She was finally unmarked.

The nimble ant sprang to her feet and dashed forward in an instant, putting her incredible speed to good use. Caught unawares, the opposition could only watch the speedy ant complete the run, taking the ball across the line with ease.

Solant watched the play unfold with a cold gleam of satisfaction in her eyes. She had made the team’s greatest strength appear weak, and the opponent had fallen for it completely.

“AN UNBELIEVABLE PASS HAS SNATCHED VICTORY FROM THE JAWS OF DEFEAT. THE UNMARKED SPEEDSTER HAS SCORED THE EASIEST RUN OF HER LIFE AFTER THE MIRACLE PLAY!”