Setting my armour into standby mode, I immediately felt under my clothes that the mass of the creature meant it could no longer stay just a vambrace. The standby mode had extended all the way up my arm to the shoulder, stopping as it just encroached on the shoulder blade.

I then tested my movement to make sure nothing was impeded. I felt a little heavier on the left side, but after a few hours I was sure I would get used to it.

...

A few hours later, We had collected all the crystals visible in the cave alongside a couple of geodes for transplanting and creating other crystals. With the new weight to my body, I found myself sweating a little, but it was manageable.

It was good training for my Gyrokinesis as well due to the fact that after the bottleneck, my passive Gyrokinesis had become a little trivial. So for me to have to think about it, just a little bit, It was good to have struggle, it led to progression.

With all the crystals loaded up into crates. Nerissa, being the little transmuter that could, manifested some heavy duty trolleys and we were pushing the crates up to the surface.

As we arrived at the top, Phoebe had mentioned we had allies waiting for us, I then reapplied my armour as I wasn’t in the mood for doing radiation experiments yet. I also noticed with the new biomass gained, the process of armament was also faster, by at least a second.

It doesn’t surprise me though. Jewel used prime biomass for my armour, so for that biomass to crave the insect killed so much, it was clearly an upgrade.

As we arrived at the surface, my mind began to daydream about a fight between free thinkers and the insect, but it was unfortunately interrupted by the sound of weapons being drawn.

My mind came to, just as Phoebe began to chastise. "Phalanx, you dare raise your weapons against a sentinel? In the presence of Praetorians no less? If I was less merciful, you would all hang for such treason. Now go and fetch your superior!"

Phoebe then turned to me and put a hand on my arm. "Apollo? I’m sorry for their actions. Are you ok?"

"Huh?" I mouthed, genuinely confused by her reason for checking in before continuing. "Um, I’m fine? it’s not the first time someone has pulled a gun on me for the way my armour looks... But to be fair, have you seen the way it looks now? I look kind of scary, I wouldn’t hold it against them."

"I see." Phoebe spoke before pulling her hand back. "Forgive me. I forgot you are more mature than your years suggest. Plus, you are different from most nobles. I was attempting to calm you down, but it was futile. As you are not arrogant. A rare find in today’s empire."

I shrugged my shoulders and chuckled. "I wouldn’t say I was without arrogance. I just don’t feel the need to put myself above soldiers, especially since I was daydreaming."

...

Phoebe looked at the human in front of her and just blinked. She already knew Apollo was... Different. But his outlook on life in Spartari was bizarrely alien in the current climate. Almost every single noble pup she has interacted with in her thousands of years were all the same. Respectful to the Praetorians, and little pieces of shit to anyone under their respective stature.

Some were of course exceptions, such as those that genuinely went into the army to aid the empire and not just signed up for easy service.

And here was a young noble, fallen Archon turned Sentinel who had led a siege from the front and helped her and her squad combat a Psionic beast. Even his tactic was what saved them from hours of fighting.

Phoebe looked out of the corner of her visor. Nerissa and Rhapso, while continuing their work, their efficiency had dropped slightly as they would occasionally glance over at Apollo. And she knew now more than ever why Nerissa left her post to follow this young being.

She too was intrigued by this anomaly. And now Rhapso was leaving to follow him as well. The intrigue grew. What would cause the youngster to leave with the human? What was said after they prevented him from turning into a woad?"

Outside of combat, she had not had a fixation in thousands of years and yet this seemingly normal Psionic human had a magnetism about him that was just... So familiar. ’But it cannot be. Rhapso even denied that he-’

"Praetorian! Forgive my men! They are loyal soldiers of Spartari. We have been informed that the Sentinel carries alien equipment, but to see it for themselves. It was pure instinct. Nothing more I swear!"

Phoebe frowned, her train of thought ruined as she turned to the Centurion before her. "It is not me you need to Apologise to, Centurion. Your men pulled their weapons on a superior officer."

"Y-yes! Of course, forgive my men, Sentinel. They are good lads. They were just shocked by your sight... Plus they are not fond of being in irradiated territory for longer than needed" The centurion said and off to the side Rhapso then spoke up loudly.

"Oh! Yes! The radiation was here when we arrived.... Make sure that is front and centre on your report Centurion!" She then nudged Nerissa in the ribs.

Phoebe then glared down Rhapso before turning back to the conversation at hand and watched as Apollo put his hand on the centurions shoulder before speaking in a cheery tone.

"Not a problem Centurion. It’s human to fear the unknown. In fact, I commend your soldiers for being alert, even in the company of Praetorians. Come, let us talk to a few of your men, so they can ask some questions and remove that fear of the unknown."

Phoebe then watched for a moment as Apollo, eight feet tall in his armour, walked casually away with the centurion like nothing had happened. She then continued to watch for a moment longer as the Phalanx gathered around the towering figure of Apollo, which quickly turned into them all laughing.

Her mind became like a still lake as she watched the interaction with fascination before she felt a nudge against her arm. At which point she spoke.

"Do you get the feeling like if you look away from him, something unknown and exciting is going to happen? I don’t remember the last time I felt this much interest towards a human."

"Heh~" Nerissa let out a small chuckle. "Every second of every day. He does not get boring to watch. And yes, even when I came home the other month, I dreaded it, scared for what shenanigans he was up to."

"Shenanigans... Good word." Phoebe muttered before she continued to watch.

"You know... If you wanted, Apollo would be more than happy to-" Nerissa started before Phoebe interrupted.

"-No. That won’t be necessary. I still have too many responsibilities to go off galivanting. Though I won’t deny having Rhapso leave Nymph company for a time might do her some good. Just, allow me these few moments of curiosity and then he is yours again."

Nerissa said nothing, just nudged her sister softly before walking away to load up more crates.

Phoebe then gave Nerissa a subtle glance before turning back to Apollo, her mind becoming a still lake once more as she watched.

...

"Sentinel! This low altitude ship will ferry you back into our territory before sending you south. We have received word that your allies will be joining you on a new front. Best of luck to you, brother."

"And you brother. A thousand victories to you in the war to come!" I said, patting the centurion on the shoulder before he saluted and returned to his troops.

I then turned to the Praetorians, Phoebe reached out and extended her hand. I reached out and shook it as she spoke. "I bid you good fortune Apollo." I then heard her tone turn high spirited for a moment. " And make sure to keep my sisters safe, they will need it."

I chuckled at Phoebe’s words. Before continuing the banter. "Don’t you worry. With them at my back, I am sure we will achieve greatness together."

"Hmm~ I am sure your statement is more than true."

Marnes and Aeteos then both reached out for a handshake after Phoebe.

"Good luck lad. The next time you are at the royal Palace, come seek us out."

"Yes, You still owe us that surprise attack. I am looking forward to showing you that our speed is unmatched."

I nodded my head. "You can count on it, my friends. I am sure many more Drakoshi will fall to you during the coming war. Happy hunting."

The duo simply nodded at me after that and with a final look amongst the three of them, I turned and entered the ship.

Nerissa and Rhapso lingered for a moment. A silent look between Nerissa and Phoebe lasted a moment before Rhapso broke it.

"Ok guys, have fun. I’m going to teach Apollo and these other humans how to actually win a war. Good luck!"

She then turned and ran after Apollo into the ship, at which point Nerissa gave Phoebe a nod before following.