Before everyone, my body began knitting itself together with incredible speed. The sight caused murmurs, especially among the knight order, many of whom had dropped to their knees at the sight.

Not only had it knitted together my injured parts, my body mass had also improved. I was slightly wider, more muscular and had grown at least two inches, making me stand now at a respectable 7ft5.

’Well this is unexpected?’ I thought to myself before immediately checking that this sudden growth had not fucked up my enhancements. It was on the contrary the slight impurities I had from last time, the occasional muscle that was not perfect, now was. On top of them being bigger. I wouldn’t be able to call myself a sleeper body now, no shirt could hide this muscle gain.

The main question though was. "Why am I floating?" And as soon as I acknowledged it, I fell, landing on my feet. I then proceeded to give my body a quick stretch and nodded. I didn’t even need to go through the getting used to the new body proportion size phase, this just felt right.

Right up until Nerissa grabbed my arm and began to audibly sniff me. Usually I would let such hive-like behaviour slide, but in public? With hundreds of people staring at me? I had my limits.

"Um... Loch Ness Sniffer? W-Why are you doing that? People are staring?" I asked, and the moment I did, Nerissa clicked a combination on her suit and an opaque dome emerged around us and she continued to sniff.

...

Skaja looked at the dome and felt a shock that was not entirely her own. ’Did that man just?’ Artemis thought in shock before urging Skaja to walk forward.

Some people were already trying to look and get through the dome. Gabrielle was banging on it trying to get inside, but she just walked right through, like she had the authority to do so.

...

"What the fuck is going on?" I heard from my left and turned to Skaja, who had somehow gotten through Nerissa’s barrier.

"Um? Good question? I am the victim in this scenario, ask Nerissa." I replied and at that point Nerissa pulled back and explained not to me, but to Skaja.

"His body has changed on more than a genetic level. His sweat smells like- hold on-" She proceeded to extend her tongue out of her cover and ’mlemed’ my arm. "-Yes, even tastes like birch sap. And his entire body smells like petrichor after rain. It’s intoxicating. Smell for yourself."

At Nerissa’s instruction, Skaja walked forward and took my arm before inhaling. In another scenario, hot females sniffing my aroma would be a sensual experience, but not here. Not now. It was just odd.

As she took in my... musk? Her eyes went wide and she pulled back, her face turning flush. "*Ahem* A-Apollo, you smell really good right now. Like freshly brewed hot cocoa after a long day of hunting in the snow. It’s uh... Can I get another whiff?"

Just as she said that, her eyes turned green and her hair amber. I thought I was about to get ready for a fight considering the last time I saw that, but she spoke to me calmly with a trace of authority.

"Apollo, put on your armour and keep it on. We cannot have distractions now. Just say to everyone you have awakened a new Psionic power, even though you clearly haven’t as this is... Not something I have seen before."

I shrugged my shoulders. I had no problem with that as I had no idea what just occurred, and if I had awakened something I would know it... Probably.

The events leading up to Kathrine’s slave state came to mind.

"Hey, Ness, can I have a shirt?" I asked as the current one was just a neck hole at this point. Nerissa simply nodded before handing me my regular size. As I put it on, it was now like I was wearing a second skin with all my muscles in clear definition.

"Oh dip, I might have to start wearing 8XL. This is fine for now though." I thought aloud before covering myself back in my armour. The moment I did. it was like something visibly hit Nerissa and Skaja as they looked between each other in realisation.

Skaja’s eyes then went wide and spoke. "Nerissa, your hand." She said before her hair and eyes returned to their usual colour.

Nerissa then looked at her hand and so did I. Her skin was multi-coloured.

"Again?!?" She shouted, losing her composure. She then removed her helmet and looked directly at me. I freaked out as Skaja was here, but she seemed to know? Judging from her shocked, but not violently so reaction.

Turning back to Ness, her face was actively changing colour again. It was still mostly green, but tiger-like streaks of blue and orange were beginning to show.

However, I couldn’t focus on that for long. She was looking at my helmet with a gaze so soft and sweet, it took me by surprise and I actually felt myself blush, which I now had the luxury to do.

"Apollo... Are you-"

"-Ready to go back out?" Skaja interjected and walked over to me, patting me on the back. She then turned to Nerissa. "Nymph, helmet and gauntlet. We have been in here for too long, it will begin to make everyone antsy."

...

As the dome dropped, Gabrielle must have been on top of it, kicking it aggressively as her leg was extended at an odd angle as I caught her fall.

"You ok?" I asked?

"Are you? Apollo, what was that? I’ve not seen you do that before?"

"Oh, I awakened a new power. I still don’t quite understand it yet, but the bottom line is, I am fine." I then put Gabrielle down with her letting out a dissatisfied moan before Knight captain Cassian announced from his mech.

"What a glorious display of your regenerative arts! The sight was like the stories of our ancient order. I am honoured to have borne witness to such a sight and relieved you are well, my Lord sentinel."

I was about to brush the compliment off, but suddenly realised that I would be leading these people into battle once more in a few hours upon sunrise, so I gave the man a salute by placing my hand above my heart.

"Thank you Captain, now. Muster your men and tend to your wounded. A thousand victories."

"A Thousand victories, Lord Sentinel!" Cassian shouted at the top of his modulator and then his order followed suit

"A thousand victories!"

...

A few hours later, we relocated from the battlefield we were on and travelled to the west of the fort. The Phalanx had managed to drive the Drakoshi back in what can only be described as a bloody feat.

Hundreds of thousands of lives were lost in one battle. A battle considered ’Easily won’ from the high ups I have been in contact with.

Not long ago I was given command in lieu of Skaja. However, unlike Skaja, who only had authority to lead us, the college elites, given my title and the status that came with it, I had now been promoted as direct ground commander of the forces.

Those above me in the chain of command, the warroom, would give me intel on how I should approach a battle, but considering my authority, I could adapt this in any way I saw fit.

Most would buckle under this type of stress, and while I did not enjoy having such authority, it did not allow me to kick back and relax, I have had over a decade of battle tactics controlling Jewel’s swarms through a bio pad.

Honestly, this wasn’t going to be much different. The Spartari higherups treated the Phalanx like hive lower castes. Just send them into the meat grinder and hope they come out intact on the other side.

However the difference this time was that I was not looking through a Freethinkers point of view. I was here. Commanding an entire army. I would not half ass this. I also would not be leading from the rear.

I was currently standing in a command tent, surrounded by a bunch of Phalanx captains I did not know, Skaja and Nerissa by my side alongside Centurion Cockburn. One of the Phalanx leaders, while respectful, did not like the idea of me taking to the battlefield.

"My Lord, I strongly advise against this course of action. While I am not doubting your strength, the leadership must survive so the Phalanx does not lose mor-."

I slammed my first into the metal table, denting it deeply to shut the man up before speaking my mind.

"I will not put the safety of my soldiers before my own. I will fight with them. Shoulder to shoulder in the line of fire. How can I expect them to give their all, to muster all their courage if I do not? No, I will be there with them as their embodiment of courage. To show them that their leader is not sending them to their deaths, but has set forth a plan so sound, that their leader willingly joins them in the charge."

The room went silent. Each face told me a different story as they reacted to my words. I nodded, all seemed ready to listen, not bicker.

"Now, here are the amendments to the assault."