Caesar, the Adeptus Custodes warrior who had heard this, looked at Axis expectantly, hoping he would say, "These useless fools aren't worth fighting," and put an end to this painful training.
But Axis's answer disappointed him.
"Let's have them keep sparring with me! I'll use my ki to strengthen their bodies," Axis said.
These Golden Corn were quite durable. Apart from them, the strongest were the Primarchs.
But even the Primarchs couldn't beat him without awakening their Warp Essence. He couldn't exactly call the Emperor over, could he? So these Custodians would have to put up with it.
Besides, the Custodians could also grow stronger. Axis wanted to see what changes Legendary Super Saiyan ki would bring about in them. Before, he had only been an ordinary Saiyan.
Now, after his transformation, he had become a Legendary Super Saiyan, and the strength of his ki had undergone a qualitative change.
"I understand. Then I'll announce the Emperor's orders!
"Axis, you will officially serve as Shield Captain to these sixteen Custodians and lead this squad," Malcador said.
The Custodians were nearly all in disbelief. Shield Captain was a position of real authority among the Adeptus Custodes, not an honorary title.
Usually, a Custodian had to serve for at least a century before receiving an honorific title, such as this or that admiral, governor, or castellan. (During the 40K era, it was five centuries; the Adeptus Custodes had not even been around for a few hundred years yet.)
Only after that would they be promoted to Shield Captain and put in command of a squad. Axis clearly didn't meet the requirements for promotion among the Adeptus Custodes.
He hadn't even undergone the ceremony in which the Emperor personally bestowed weapons and armor upon him! He couldn't even be considered an official member of the Adeptus Custodes yet.
The other Custodians wanted Caesar to object, but to their surprise, he was the first to bow to Axis.
"Please accept my highest respects, Shield Captain Axis!" Caesar came before Axis and gave him the Imperial Aquila Salute.
He had known for decades just how much the Emperor valued Axis. This was all part of the Emperor's plan, and that alone was enough.
There was no need to make things difficult for himself. By following this powerful Shield Captain, he could carry out the Emperor's orders more effectively.
"Hahaha! No need to be so formal, Caesar!" Axis said with a laugh, then glanced at the other Custodians.
After hesitating for two or three seconds, the rest of the Custodians bowed and saluted Axis alongside Caesar, recognizing him as their Shield Captain.
Malcador nodded with satisfaction at the sight. Axis had successfully earned the Custodians' recognition.
"Axis, your power armor and weapons are already being forged. What kind of Power Weapon would you like?" Malcador asked.
"Give me a pair of Power Fists! I prefer this kind of close-combat weapon," Axis said.
A fight where fists landed flesh to flesh was what Saiyans loved most!
"I understand! For the time being, train with them properly. I also want to see the results of your ki strengthening," Malcador said, waving to Axis before leaving the Training Room.
For the next ten or so days, Axis would stay here, getting accustomed to his new subordinates through sparring and training.
"Caesar, you're the only one here I know. Introduce me to the rest of my colleagues, would you?" Axis said.
Caesar nodded. Starting with the first Custodian, he introduced Axis to the first name of each of the other fifteen, helping Axis get acquainted with his new subordinates.
"Now, everyone sit cross-legged beside me and form a circle.
"Then hold hands. I'm going to use my ki to strengthen your bodies," Axis said.
At his words, Caesar nodded to the dozen or so Custodians beside him. They took off their power armor, joined hands, and sat together in a circle. Axis sat beside two of them, holding their wrists.
Then Axis channeled his powerful Legendary Super Saiyan ki into the Custodians.
The Legendary Super Saiyan's aura was even more violent and savage, but after years of training his will, Axis had kept it relatively calm when he wasn't transformed.
Without transforming, no one would have guessed just how violent his aura could be.
His ki far surpassed that of an ordinary Saiyan! It flowed through his hands and into the other Custodians.
Axis could clearly feel his ki coursing through the sixteen Custodians, strengthening their cells and nourishing their bodies, making their cells more resilient.
The Custodians could also feel their bodies changing, though it was a sensation beyond words.
It was like soaking in a warm spring, basking in the sunlight, or even returning to the womb—a comforting warmth all around.
Axis's ki flowed through the Custodians like golden streams washing over every inch of their flesh and blood.
Their bodies, already enhanced by gene modification, began to undergo subtle changes as they were nourished by this foreign energy.
"Mm..." Caesar furrowed his brow slightly. He could feel his muscle fibers trembling faintly, and his bone density seemed to be increasing.
Even his nerve response speed had become sharper. The other Custodians wore similar expressions.
Axis closed his eyes and focused, carefully guiding the flow of ki. The Custodians' bodies were far beyond those of ordinary people, and their genetic structures were already stable. The ki acted more like a catalyst, further unlocking their potential.
After eight hours, Axis stopped channeling his ki and drew it all back.
The Custodians slowly opened their eyes, released each other's hands one by one, and stretched their bodies.
They could clearly feel the difference—their strength, speed, stamina, and even sensory acuity had all improved significantly.
"This... is incredible."
One Custodian clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking sharply. "My strength has increased."
"My reaction speed is faster, too." Another Custodian raised a hand and grabbed at the air, moving so quickly his hand almost left an afterimage.
Caesar stood up and took a deep breath, then suddenly slammed his fist into the ground.
Boom! The Training Room's specially reinforced metal floor was left with a shallow dent. His destructive power had increased significantly.
"This is only the initial strengthening from my ki. If you keep receiving its nourishment, your bodies will grow stronger under its influence," Axis said.
Eight hours of nourishment from Legendary Super Saiyan ki was equivalent to a year of nourishment from an ordinary Saiyan's ki. The Custodians' combat strength had increased by at least dozens of points.
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