Ixion was in Rudel's room.
It was the last day of the spring vacation, so the students were returning early to avoid being late on the first day.
It was already night, and he was reviewing some recordings about what happened that day.
He was investigating something related to his master.
Suddenly, a recording file from his own processor opened.
Ever since he met Rudel, he always tried to remember fragments.
Today was one of those days to remember his past.
◇◇◇
"It is zero eight hundred hours on the Halkeginia calendar. Today I will begin as the automaton in charge of this aircraft."
"Understood, the change of administration was made correctly. From today, the aircraft, code name Black Sword, is your responsibility."
"Understood."
Ixion was at a dock. The daylight was hidden because hundreds of aircraft over two thousand or one thousand meters long darkened the skies.
The aircraft soaring through the skies were futuristic, like Brynhild.
Ixion was talking with an automaton just like him. The difference was that this one was hexagonal with four arms and three eyes.
Ixion had been assigned to this ship. One four hundred meters long, black in color, with a front that looked like a sword.
Ixion was saying goodbye to the former administrator when, before entering, he saw something being loaded into the anchored ship.
"That is the famous close-quarters warrior being developed at the weapons factory."
There was a strange, illegible name on the crate transporting the mysterious warrior.
When they took it out, there was a large machine similar to a mobile knight. It was pure white, its chest had an intense red light that emanated even when powered off. It was fifteen meters tall and had several black joints located all around it.
Ixion pronounced the name written on the crate, which only someone who knew his language could understand.
"Prototype Airframe without Thrusters. Battler."
Ixion floated inside while human personnel and automatons worked.
◇◇◇
"Nice to meet you. I am the new administrator of this aircraft, serial number *recording blurred*. It is a pleasure to meet you, Captain."
Ixion was in the cockpit talking to a man in a blue and white uniform.
His face was blurred, his body was tall and toned, he had a beard, but the color wasn't visible.
The captain with the blurred face said something unexpected to Ixion.
"You're the most serious kid I've ever met. Relax a little."
Ixion didn't know how to respond to what he heard.
"Sorry, but my configuration states I must be serious. The former administrator was hacked by the enemy and therefore had to be returned for maintenance."
"...I know, I feel sorry for what happened, but a mistake is a mistake. You can't condemn anyone for that."
"..."
Ixion was confused about what he heard.
The captain spoke calmly.
"Alright, men, let's patrol the border of the Germania Federation."
"Let's make sure those bastards don't attack the grain transport cruisers."
The subordinates and automatons got to work. The ship lifted off from the dock and moved away slowly.
From a distance, Ixion observed the port; beyond it were aerial highways, wheel-less automobiles, and floating buildings.
Undoubtedly, it was a very advanced civilization.
◇◇◇
"Good morning, Captain."
Months had passed since Ixion was appointed administrator of a black ship.
His captain was waking up. It was still very early, and the automatons were piloting the ship and preparing breakfast.
The captain was very sleepy, but his duties as the ship's highest authority compelled him to rise early.
"Munyahh~ it's too early for you to be awake before me."
With a strange yawn, he conversed with his administrator while heading to the dining hall.
"I never sleep; it's normal for me to always be prepared."
"Rest is important for everyone, be they human or automaton," said the Captain.
"Yesterday, a report arrived from our country. It said that besides the Germania Federation, the United Republic of Gallia is making strange movements, including rumors of experimentation with a strange mineral material found underground."
"I understand... but it's too early for that! Take a rest, will you!"
Ixion didn't know how to respond to his captain.
◇◇◇
Four years had passed.
"Damn it!!"
The Captain pounded the seat because he was furious.
"Those useless old men!"
Ixion was intrigued beside him.
"What happened, Captain?" asked Ixion.
The Captain looked at him to calm down a bit.
"Sorry, it's just..."
He sighed because of what he was about to say.
"The old geezers in high command want to accept the peace treaty proposed by the Romalian Anglican Alliance."
His hand gripped the table very tightly.
"Romalia is a bitch that goes with the highest bidder! I'm worried about that strange black gelatinous substance they found at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean!"
His hand started to bleed, and Ixion proceeded to heal it.
"Germania and Gallia were enemies and now are allies; this is all very strange. At this rate, our beautiful country of Tristain will find itself in danger..."
"Don't worry, Captain," said Ixion to reassure him.
"I will protect our country, the ship's crew, and above all you, my Captain."
The Captain listened to Ixion and smiled while touching his wounded hand.
"You're a very strange kid, you know? I've never seen anyone like you."
"...Hey, what if I give you a name?"
"I already have one, and it's—"
"No. I'm talking about a short name that would be better for communication, you know? Back where you were from, they liked to give names like codes; it's really weird."
The Captain stopped Ixion, who thought for a moment.
"If it's short, there won't be a problem with the user identifier."
"That sounds fine. What comes to mind?" said Ixion with anticipation.
The Captain rubbed his beard for a while and then, seeming to have an idea, said.
"It's short, and I think it's an excellent name. What do you think of..."
"¡Ixion!"
Suddenly, someone interrupted Ixion.
Turning around, he observed a person he knew very well.
It was Rudel, his new owner and master.
"What are you doing here alone?"
Rudel had returned to his room and found a thoughtful Ixion.
Ixion looked at him and only said, "Wasting time."
He floated away from Rudel at a moderate speed.
"Hey, where are you going?" Rudel asked as Ixion moved away, and from a distance away from his master, Ixion said.
"I will definitely sever our connection and destroy the new humanity for being unworthy of their ancestors."
While floating down the corridor in view of the students, Ixion once again planned to destroy everyone, including Rudel.