I follow my guide deeper inside the chamber of knowledge, past the gigantic tapestry that depicts the system.
Yet in passing, I see how the scholars are apparently working on something else.
At first, I'm confused about this flat plate, but then I start making out distinct mark points and realize it's showing the topography of the surface.
Yeah, that could be convenient to have.
However, this isn't my purpose for being here.
I continue trailing behind this one scholar and Dimion, who walk at a brisk pace in front of me.
Then, after a while, they stop.
He sounds distinctly proud about this fact.
Well, I guess there are many working at Tarsona's library who are the same about it.
Okay.
Well, as weird as this is, I guess this works out.
Yet I have a bit more of a practical problem here.
My assigned scholar?
Well, makes sense that my junior scholar wouldn't quite qualify.
So I pass the last hallway and enter another hall filled with various pods.
Toris!?
What the heck is my brother doing here?!
I'm rather confused and don't know how to take this.
"T-Toris? Why are you here?" (E)
Right.
I sometimes forget how he's learning to become a scholar.
It's a bit concerning for my taste that he's inhaling the undiluted impressions of Formicean recollections.
Is this really fine for someone his age?
Yet there's another pressing point.
The way he's been here of all places...
"Don't tell me... Are you the one to help me study my stuff?" (E)
Well, he is my brother and has a more human perspective.
A great concern is going to be the interaction with the people of Caradis.
Many are wealthy, so insect neighbors could be an issue.
Nonetheless, I doubt a little that my seven-year-old brother would make for a good instructor.
Or is he already eight?
Not like that would change my assessment.
Though, I need to admit that he speaks quite pronounced in pheromones.
...
Damn, I think I forgot his birthday.
"Sister! Are you still there?" (T)
"Ehk, happy birthday!?!" (E)
"...Do I need to fetch a bucket?" (T)
"Sorry. So do you really think you can help me?" (E)
"They made me smell that nonstop! I'm an expert now!" (T)
At my successive gaze of pure disbelief at what I just heard, Toris throws my scholar a look that can be roughly translated as "traitor".
Well, also literally, as he couldn't help but spew some pheromones, likely supported by A SECOND MUTATION I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT!?!
"Sis! You're loud!" (T)
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Shit!
I really worked on getting my pheromone shouting under control, but still fail sometimes.
Like now when being freaked out is totally justified!
However, I know I should calm down.
So I take in a deep breath.
"Hah... Okay, what happened?" (E)
How come this titan does this behind my back to my brother?!
How did she even know about his birthday?!
Uh, well, it's probably better than what I got.
However, that doesn't necessarily make it better!
My scholar seems to be a bit bossy.
Kinda weird, as usually, my brood has quite a different attitude towards me.
"Is something wrong?" (E)
Not like I demand to be adored, but it's quite unusual.
Either he's just different from all my other drones or something really serious happened.
Either way, it seems like something I shouldn't neglect.
"You didn't visit him, despite him being the only scholar." (T)
Wait!
This is a thing?
Should I've taken more time for my scholar?
But I was most of the time not even present in the hive.
"Is it very bad that I wasn't here?" (E)
"Uh, I was told the first is more special as he's going to instruct the following. They would be instructed on what to focus. He looked a bit forward to it." (T)
Suddenly, there's a shout.
"Iiiiuh. Ammmh. Aable. Too. Uuunderstaaand. Thiiis." (D)
Right.
Their mouths are a lot different from other drones and very dedicated to producing pheromones.
It makes sense that this would be difficult to manage.
What I heard is already pretty impressive all things considered.
(E)
At least this is the only reason I could guess at.
<... No need to. It's my role.> (D)
It seems like I was spot on, the way he appears to be all flustered now.
Whoah, now it's even mild panic.
Yeah, uh, as I said, the articulate ones can be rather intense.
Let's switch topics.
"Ahem. So, Toris. What do you have about building hives?" (E)
Really feels weird to ask my younger brother to give me some kind of presentation.
Okay... I hope his human speech isn't suffering from being neglected.
At this, he smiles brightly at me.
Was he always speaking this intellectually?
Well, he uses pheromones, but that's still not a simple matter.
Is this one of the "adjustments"?
Oh god, what a headache!
That matches why Liseti insisted so much on having them.
I need some way to get through the early plantation time.
Yet it should be possible to get regular deliveries going.
In the worst case, I'll have to ask Olira to help me out till I'm established.
Which would be the worst given how she is.
Hm, he really seems to have put some effort into this.
I know a certain someone who would've liked to know as well what to do in this kind of situation.
Oh, I remember how the glowmoss likes to spread on the applicant.
Could be nice to look at with a whole cave brightened up by it.
Well, until the internal structure collapses due to being eaten away by that stuff.
Yeah, better not try this out.
(T)
At the last word, Toris giggles to himself.
Yet I can't help but notice this insectile pitch to it.
He's really speaking far too intelligently.
I mean, I know he was a smart kid, always fascinated with weird stuff, but that doesn't make him an intellectual.
Also, did I just hear right?
Sigh.
Why am I even trying to keep all those crazies from mutating their bodies?
It's like they see me, with my weird super breeder adjustments, and are all 'Hey, let's just jump behind her!".
Damn, at this point it doesn't matter getting riled up over this.
(T)
I guess those pheromone pods can be very exciting.
At least, they're far more intense than reading papers.
He's truly totally into it.
He's like a... well, kid with an infinite amount of entertainment devices.
Speaking of it, the number of pods I'm seeing here makes me question things.
< They aren't just the recollections of the He-Ora swarm. When our queen conquered hives during the swarm wars, she claimed the knowledge they held as well.> (D)
Huh.
Is this preserving of knowledge a favorable instance of hers or does the fact that she basically stole it outweigh it?
Well, in any case, I should get started.
I walk up to the pod Toris pointed me at, break the seal, and perceive the smell of pheromones.
Just before losing all touch with reality, as all my mind gets overwhelmed by a story of old.