[Arc 1]Chapter 7

Arno F. Fabian's POV

BEEP... BEEP BEEP... BEEP...

Hmm... Someone turn off the alarm...

'Hmm?', I nocked my head to the right

An alarm? But I didn't have any--

"Ardis.", I called out without opening my eyes.

(Yes?), A male slightly robotic voice inquired.

"Your here, aren't you.", I asked in a disinterested tone.

(Most definitely.), A male slightly robotic voice clarified.

I opened my eyes and stared at my long time family. It was a small white orb with one blue eye, with blacks instead of the whites of the eye. However, this time it looked a bit strange, he had 'changed'.

"Did you give yourself an upgrade?", I asked Ardis.

(Yep.), He responded.

"Haa... Okay, what did you upgrade?", I asked with a visible sigh.

For some reason when I asked him this question, he seemed slight happy.

(I was able to input [Aura] on myself.), When I heard this I gave him a genuine smile.

Since only beings with a soul can have [Aura], then this means that he has a soul. In other words, his original creator succeeded in what he wanted to do - create a living machine - and could probably make more if he was alive.

'It's nice to know, so he doesn't have to worry anymore.', I secretly thought to myself, because I was aware that he always felt distressed that he wasn't 'living' but just another hunk of junk.

I looked at his 'change' and asked him about it.

"So. Does that flying ring over you mean something?"

When I asked him this he visibly made noises of excitement.

(Indeed! This is a ring that ensures my control over [Aura] and my [Semblance]!), He stated energetically.

"Err... Control?", I asked unsure.

(Yes. My [Semblance] dubbed '[Absolute Replication]' allows me to replicate anything inorganic.), He stated with a twirl of his eye, pleased.

"And what's the catch?", I asked annoyed.

(The catch is that I need a large supply of [Aura], which I already have!), He exclaimed while flying around.

My jealously slightly leaked when I muttered:

"Why does he get the cool superpower."

I didn't expect Ardis to respond to my mutter, but he did.

(No, no! Your [Semblance] is dastardly too, depending on what you create at certain times you could escape from tight pinches), He clarified.

(Hence I've dubbed your [Semblance] '[Creation]'.)

When I heard what he said I asked him one question.

"How did you know information about my [Semblance]?", I asked uncertain.

When I asked this question, the small robot looked at me as if it was reminiscing.

(You truly have not changed... You wrote some notes about it in your bracelet.), I didn't hear the first part however I did hear the second part.

(Well then, time for breakfast.), He stated suddenly.

When I heard this I tilted my eyebrow.

"How exactly do you know my schedule?", I asked conflicted while thinking:

'I should really limit his curiosity one of these days.'

(I investigated all the schedules of the residents of this household.), He stated calmly which was slightly creepy.

'I should definitely limit it.'

After some back and forth conversations we headed to the dining room.

I sat down using my new-found talent of 'etiquette', while ignoring the questioning stares.

When the food arrived I said my thanks and greetings - while still ignoring their questioning stares - and began to eat like a gentleman, because it would be rude not to in another's house.

After everyone finished eating, Mr. Marielle decided to address the elephant in the room.

COUGH COUGH

"Hmm?", I murmured while tilting my head towards Turquoise.

"So, I'm going to be the one talking for everyone - because they're all dumbfounded - what's that?", He said while pointing his finger towards Ardis.

Oh. I forgot about it.

"Oh."

COUGH COUGH

"So umm, this is my only relative - Ardis Fabian.", I clarified his identity with a fake cough "Ardis, from right to left it's Mr. Marielle, Mrs Marielle, Mara's older sister and Mara Marielle.", I stated calmly.

Everyone at this moment had one thought - even me - and that was--

'--That doesn't explain anything!'

Realising my mistake I decided to clarify even more.

"Ardis is an AI with his own soul that was created from a long time ago, about more the 2500 years ago.", I stated and the continued "He's also been with my family since my Great, Great Grandfather beat him up.", I intentionally forgot to add 'With his bare hands.'

He nodded and asked with a dangerous expression.

"Will he bring any harm to my family?", He asked, to which I felt realisation fall into my eyes.

'He's slightly scared huh.'

I turned towards Ardis and asked him the same question.

"Will you?", When I asked this I could see people tensing up.

(I will most definitely not.), He replied with a firm tone (I have no desire to bring any harm to my family's benefactors.)

When everyone heard this they all calm down, and took a sigh of relief.

When there was this question answered, another was asked.

"So, how was he made?", Mara's older sister asked curiously.

I tilted my head to the side to think but then decided to give an honest answer.

"To be honest, I don't know. I can apply upgrades and the such to him, however the very foundations of his existence is too complicated for me.", When I said this I could see clear curiosity in their eyes.

(Although, you probably would eventually.), He said sarcastically which made the Marielle Household hold questions.

"Dude, do I look like my mo--", I tried to brush it off, but then decided to forget the whole topic altogether "O-oh yeah, did you finish that weapon I asked for?"

When they saw me immediately change the topic they had more questions, however decided to just stay on the new topic.

"Weapon?", Mara tilted her head in confusion.

(Yep.), He said while letting out a blue light which materialised a black-white combat knife - which seemed more 'geared' than normal - on the table.

"T-this is..!", I heard Mr. Marielle mutter in astonishment, while all the other family members had similar reactions.

"Did you make any changes?", I asked Ardis.

(Yes. I configured the scheme to be more effective, and so that the transition from knife to gun would occur more smoothly.), He explained while also adding on (I've also created it from 'that' material)

When he stated this, I picked up the knife to find the centre of gravity and spun it for a few seconds while thinking.

'Since I died on Mother's grave, and she died for the sake of helping me - who helped cleanse the world of the problems - then there's only one name.', I thought with a nod.

"Yep. I'll name you '[Noir Blanchette]'."

Before anyone could ask why I decided to name my weapon '[Noir Blanchette]', I asked Mara one simple question.

"Wanna have a spar?"