The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 762: Step 7: Take Command

Right in front of the crowd, my body mended itself at a breathtaking pace. Whispers erupted from the spectacle, particularly among the knight order, where many had already knelt in awe.

Not merely repairing my wounds, my physique had also bulked up significantly. Broader now, packed with more muscle, and taller by at least two inches, I towered at an impressive 7ft5.

‘Well, this is unexpected?’ I pondered silently, then swiftly inspected whether the abrupt expansion had ruined my modifications. Far from it—the minor imperfections lingering from before, those less-than-ideal muscles, were now perfected. And larger too. No longer could I claim a sleeper build; no shirt would conceal this muscular development.

The big question remained: “Why am I floating?” The instant I noted it, I dropped, landing steadily on my feet. I stretched quickly and nodded. No adjustment period needed for the new proportions—it simply felt natural.

This lasted until Nerissa seized my arm and started sniffing it openly. Normally, I’d overlook such hive instincts, but in public? Hundreds of eyes on us? Even I had boundaries.

“Um... Loch Ness Sniffer? W-Why are you doing that? People are staring?” I questioned, and right then, Nerissa activated a sequence on her suit, erecting an opaque dome around us as she kept sniffing.

…

Skaja gazed at the dome, struck by a jolt that wasn’t fully hers. ‘Did that man just?’ Artemis wondered in astonishment before prompting Skaja to advance.

A few onlookers probed the dome, attempting to breach it. Gabrielle pounded on it fiercely, desperate to enter, yet she passed straight through, as if granted permission.

…

“What the fuck is going on?” came a voice from my left. I turned to find Skaja, who had somehow penetrated Nerissa’s barrier.

“Um? Good question? I’m the victim here, ask Nerissa.” I responded, and that’s when Nerissa withdrew, addressing Skaja instead of me.

“His body has transformed beyond mere genetics. His sweat smells like—hold on—” She extended her tongue from beneath her cover and licked my arm. “—Yes, even tastes like birch sap. His whole body carries the scent of petrichor after rain. It’s intoxicating. Smell it yourself.”

Following Nerissa’s cue, Skaja approached, grasped my arm, and inhaled deeply. In different circumstances, alluring women savoring my scent might feel erotic, but not this time. Not here. It was bizarre.

As she absorbed my... musk? Her eyes widened, and she recoiled, cheeks flushing. “*Ahem* A-Apollo, you smell amazing right now. Like steaming hot cocoa after a day’s hunt in the snow. It’s uh... Can I get another sniff?”

Just then, her eyes shifted to green, hair to amber. I braced for conflict, recalling the prior instance, but she addressed me steadily, laced with command.

“Apollo, don your armor and keep it equipped. No distractions allowed now. Tell everyone you’ve unlocked a new Psionic ability, though you obviously haven’t—this is... unprecedented, not something I recognize.”

I shrugged. Fine by me, clueless as I was about the event, and I’d sense any true awakening... likely.

Memories of Kathrine’s enslavement surfaced.

“Hey, Ness, got a shirt?” I requested, since mine was reduced to a neck hole. Nerissa nodded, passing my usual size. Slipping it on, it clung like a second skin, outlining every muscle sharply.

“Oh dip, might need 8XL soon. This works for now.” I muttered before re-armoring. Instantly, it struck Nerissa and Skaja visibly; they exchanged knowing glances.

Skaja’s eyes widened as she said, “Nerissa, your hand.” Then her hair and eyes reverted to normal.

Nerissa examined her hand, as did I. It shimmered with multiple colors.

“Again?!?” She exclaimed, composure shattering. She doffed her helmet, staring straight at me. I panicked with Skaja present, but her reaction was shocked yet calm.

Facing Ness again, her face shifted hues once more—mostly green, streaked with tiger-like blue and orange.

Yet I couldn’t dwell on it. Her gaze on my helmet was so tender and warm, it startled me into blushing—a novelty now possible.

“Apollo... Are you—”

“—Ready to head out?” Skaja cut in, approaching to pat my back. She faced Nerissa. “Nymph, helmet and gauntlet on. We’ve lingered too long; it’ll unsettle the crowd.”

…

As the dome vanished, Gabrielle—poised atop it, kicking wildly—tumbled awkwardly until I caught her mid-fall.

“You ok?” I inquired.

“Are you? Apollo, what was that? Never seen you pull that off before?”

“Oh, awakened a new power. Still figuring it out, but bottom line: I’m good.” I set Gabrielle down amid her reluctant groan, then Knight Captain Cassian boomed from his mech.

“What a magnificent showcase of regenerative prowess! It evoked legends of our ancient order. Honored to witness it, and relieved you’re hale, my Lord Sentinel.”

I nearly dismissed the praise, but remembered leading these warriors into battle at dawn. So I saluted, hand over heart.

“Thank you, Captain. Now, rally your troops and care for the injured. A thousand victories.”

“A thousand victories, Lord Sentinel!” Cassian bellowed through his modulator, echoed by his order.

“A thousand victories!”

…

Hours later, we shifted from the battlefield westward past the fort. The Phalanx repelled the Drakoshi in a brutal triumph.

Hundreds of thousands perished in that clash—deemed an ‘easy victory’ by the brass I’d consulted.

Recently, Skaja ceded command to me. Unlike her limited role over us college elites, my title elevated me to overall ground commander.

Higher-ups in the war room supplied battle intel and suggestions, but my rank let me adjust freely.

Many would crumble under such pressure. I didn’t relish it—couldn’t slack off—but a decade commanding Jewel’s swarms via bio pad had honed my tactics.

This felt similar. Spartari brass viewed Phalanx as expendable drones: feed into the grinder, pray they emerge.

But now, no Freethinker detachment. I stood here, directing the full army. No half-measures. And I’d lead from the front.

In the command tent, Phalanx captains unfamiliar to me surrounded me, flanked by Skaja, Nerissa, and Centurion Cockburn. One leader, polite yet reluctant, opposed my frontline plan.

“My Lord, I urge you against this. Undeniably strong, but leaders must endure lest the Phalanx suffer morale—”

I pounded the metal table, crumpling it to silence him, then voiced my resolve.

“I won’t prioritize my safety over my soldiers’. I’ll battle alongside them, shields locked in the fray. How can I demand their utmost valor if I won’t show it? No—I’ll stand as their beacon of bravery. Proving our strategy’s ironclad by charging with them.”

Silence gripped the tent. Faces revealed varied emotions, but all seemed poised to heed, not argue.

“Now, these are the changes to the assault plan.”