Mutations:
Rapid Energy Reactive Exo-skeleton +20; Enhanced Vampiric Mandibles +20; Mighty Gripping Legs +20; Clarified Mana Weave Eyes +20; Delicate Discerning Sensitive Antennae +20; Concentrated Melting Acid Gland +20; Gluttonous Stomach +15; Broadened Pheromone Language Gland +20; Elevated Mana Core Lattice +20; Piercing Dungeon Oracle +20; Weaving Dimensional Eye +20; Purified Energy Stone +20; Mana Crystal Weave; Brain
Species: Mature Omni-Seer (Formica)
Skill Points: 37
Biomass: 24
Wowee! She’s got more mental stats than I do! Considering that she essentially abandoned physical development, I shouldn’t be too surprised, but it still stings a little. Unlike me, she invested the whole lot into a single brain rather than spreading it out, which means she has quite the oomph behind a single line of effort, as opposed to my more diversified efforts. Eventually, she’ll reach the required rank in Mind Magic and then be able to craft the mind constructs, much as I can. I see she even went to the effort of making her brain mutable, which makes sense.
Since she became a Mature Omni-Seer, it’s clear she’s followed an evolution chain, and the main reward appears to have been the Mana Crystal Weave, a rather potent organ.
Brilliant has gone down a path I myself will probably have to consider rather soon, the road of investing in the core itself. She has two organs that interact directly with the gem that sits in her centre. First was the Core Lattice, a web of fine crystalline lines that branch off the core in a breathtaking structure. The purpose of this organ is multifaceted, allowing mana to flow in and out of the core more easily, as well as granting finer control over it in the vicinity of the core. Now she’s added the Weave, a sphere that’s part crystal, part flesh that the lattice connects to, further enhancing the effect and making Brilliant exceptionally sensitive to the teensiest vibration of mana that occurs within her frame.
She’s basically set herself up as a detector of all things, able to sense everything that occurs around her to an extraordinary degree, particularly in the realm of mana. I can understand why; she is desperate to understand and investigate all that goes on, and she has given herself the tools to make that happen. With these mutations, she’s also turned herself into a powerful all-around caster, with a steady flow of energy and very fine control over it.
With a few more Skill Levels under her belt, she’ll be able to pump out some mighty impressive magic, no doubt about it. With her absurd rate of improvement, I’m sure it won’t even take her long. Dammit! This feels unfair on quite a few levels…
On the other hand, she’s done basically nothing to make herself more survivable. Her Toughness is too low, she can’t heal herself, and her defensive Skills remain paltry garbage. If I hadn’t insisted on making her run so much, her Dash would still be in a terrible state.
[All in all, I like what you’ve done,] I congratulate her as I remove my antenna. [You’ll be able to puzzle out the secrets of mana and whatever the Dungeon hides in no time. This can only be good for the Colony.]
[Naturally,] she says smugly as she rises. [There’s not going to be anything in this world that I won’t be able to figure out. All I need is a little time.]
[I hope you’re right; there is still way too much that we don’t understand.]
Now that she’s reached tier five, I feel less like I need to be actively pushing her and feeding her experience, but I still think she’s not quite ready for her life as an independent Champion. The moment I let her loose, she’s going to start attracting a following and become another powerful and relatively independent force within the Colony, just like Vibrant is.
Vibrant obviously works together with the Colony and is a massive contributor, but she’s also a little tough to slot into plans and tends to make life a little difficult for other members of the Council without intending to. I fully expect the same will be true of Brilliant soon enough. She’ll help us progress, of that I have no doubt, but things will get a little messy along the way.
That’s a good thing in the long run. The way things happen around here can be a little too rigid at times. I think having Brilliant and Vibrant around to upset the balance is going to be healthy. I just want to make sure she’s ready.
[Alright then, Brilliant,] I tell her, [one more trip and that’s it. You’ll have graduated my teaching and will be able to make your way in the Colony however you see fit!]
The little ant freezes on the spot, then turns her whole body to look me straight on.
[Are you serious? One more. That’s it? One more and I’m free?]
I flick my antennae, a little annoyed.
[What do you mean ‘free?’ You aren’t in prison! Forget it. Yes. I mean it. After this trip, you can go where you want, do what you want, investigate to your heart’s content.]
56. The Lay of the Land
It’d be nice to mutate right now, but I want to build up my bank of Biomass a bit more before I take the plunge. Going through those endless lists and menus is a massive pain in the backside, and I’d rather save it all up and go through as much as possible at once.
That doesn’t mean I don’t tell Tiny, Crinis, and Invidia that they need to make sure they’re 100% ready to go before we head out. I leave my three friends to contemplate their options whilst Brilliant roams free, enjoying a taste of unsupervised freedom before I grab her back into the fold and head out in the stratum once again.
I have several ideas in mind for this expedition, but before I commit to anything, I feel like I should take advantage of the collected wisdom here in Orpule before I go gallivanting off into the wilds once again.
My first port of call is to check in with Sarah. Our last talk was a bit heavy, and I know she has some things to process. I figure the polite thing to do is to invite her out again rather than make an assumption.
[That’s kind of you, Anthony, but I think I’ll rest here in the city for a bit. I don’t want to go out there while my head isn’t on straight. With what’s going on with Jim… I just don’t think I’ll be in proper control of my emotions.]
Definitely not something you want if you’re an anger-fuelled murder-bear.
[I get you.] I give her an encouraging pat on the back. [Take it easy and rest for a while. Head up to the second stratum if you feel like it; might as well enjoy the cold while you still can.]
She shudders a little.
[I might take you up on that. Even with these enchantments, it’s so hot here.]
[You’re just too furry!] I laugh. [You need a nice shiny carapace in your next evolution. You won’t regret it!]
She eyes my diamond perfection askance.
[I’ll consider it…] she says, though I’m not convinced she means it.
What is this reluctance! Bah! Some people can’t accept true beauty when it’s right in front of their eyes… I say farewell to the big bear and head deeper into the city to check on the goings on in the anthill. As usual, my appearance causes a few ripples of disturbance amongst the ants, but it’s something I’m growing used to over time. I feel like the more attuned to them I become, the more attuned to me they get, as if the connection is working in both directions.