Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:VolumeEF Chapter7 (section)

===Part 6===

"&mdash;I think this place is very suitable."

Where Fianna had brought Team Scarlet for training was&mdash;

The fountain plaza at Undine Street in the Academy town.

The plaza was surrounded by a dense cluster of classy cafes and trinket shops. Big spenders were plentiful here, resulting in much prosperity. Furthermore, due to the abundant divine power released by the pure fountain, it was also famous as a place where spirits rested.

"I see, it's definitely a great location," said Kamito.

"...D-Do we have to dance here with so many people around?"

Claire, being shy, asked worriedly in a whisper.

"Hmm, I would prefer a more secluded place, if possible&mdash;"

"What are you talking about? For the real thing, you'll need to perform for an audience at an even bigger arena. As idols, it's ridiculous for you girls to be so shy."

"My goodness, Her Highness is completely right."

"B-But still..."

"Ooh~..."

Ellis and Claire looked around shyly.

"Since it's just practice, you don't need to be so nervous."

Fianna approached the fountain. The spirits gathered in the surroundings began to spin in the air, looking very interested.

"Hmm, a bigger audience would be better. Let's add more audience."

"Y-You don't have to do that!"

Ignoring Claire's protest, Fianna drew a simple magic circle on the ground and started to chant incantations in spirit language.

&mdash;The magic circle drawn in chalk began to glow faintly. From there, spirits of various forms, big and small, came forth.

The summoned spirits instantly buried the entire fountain plaza.

Also, people in the surroundings also gathered, curious to know what was happening.

"Hey, are you sure it's okay to summon so many?"

"Perhaps you summoned a bit too many."

"Hmph, this is perfect."

Rinslet puffed out her chest proudly.

"..."

"...Sigh, I think I'd prefer a blade dance instead."

"How rare for us to agree. I find wielding an elemental waffe more comfortable too."

Claire and Ellis simultaneously shrugged and sighed.

"Pull yourselves together and stand properly out front."

As the instructor, Fianna adjusted the girls' standing positions.

"Well then, I'm going to watch with Est. Do your best."

"Hold on, that's so unfair, traitor~!"

Amid Claire's protests&mdash;

Kamito took Est by the hand and sat down at a cafe's outdoor seating.

"Kamito, can we order this pudding?"

"Sure."

"Can we order two?"

"Of course."

"Kamito, I love you♪"

Indulging Est as usual, Kamito ordered a coffee for himself at the same time.

He turned his gaze to the fountain, just in time to see the nervous girls announce that they were about to finish preparations for the performance.

(...Let's see the fruits of their training.)

And so&mdash;

Solemn music was played out from the spirit crystal that Fianna set up.

Bi~, hyarabi~, hyarabi~, hyarahyarabi~bi~...

Instantly, sacred sounding notes of a flute filled the plaza where spirits had gathered.

Claire, Rinslet and Fianna moved their arms and legs fluidly, using their entire body to extol life.

The vast earth, the distant sky, as well as the endless cycle of birth and death...

Bi~, hyorobi~, hyorohyorobi~...

...Sweat drops were sliding down Kamito's forehead.

(F-For some reason, I suddenly feel so sleepy...)

Kamito involuntarily looked around him&mdash;

The intrigued audience that had gathered initially were yawning with boredom. Among the summoned spirits, it looked like roughly half had returned to Astral Zero...

Then soon after&mdash;

The majority of the spirits gathered around the fountain were gone.

"&mdash;Wait, what the heck!? Why did they all go back!?"

Claire's twintails stood on end as she brandished Flametongue. Not intimidated at all, the last of the spirits escaped.

"My goodness, how rude!"

Rinslet nodded with anger on her face.

"...My apologies, perhaps I screwed up."

Ellis bowed her head at Claire and Rinslet.

"No, this is not your fault, Captain."

"I agree, no matter how I look at it, the chosen music is the problem!"

Holding her flaming whip, Claire accused Fianna.

"What kagura from the Divine Ritual Institute? This is totally useless."

"H-How odd. Back in the Divine Ritual Institute, the Ritual to Pray for a Bountiful Harvest is considered one of the ultimate kagura no matter what kind of application..."

Fianna avoided eye contact.

"Well, I guess it's a bit of a stretch to start off the bat with ultimate kagura."

Arriving at the side, Kamito shrugged and remarked.

Sure enough, proper training of the basic forms would be necessary to perform a kagura dance up to standard. This was not something that could be mastered in a day or two.

"Furthermore, it looks like city spirits don't really like stiff and formal kagura."

"...That might be true."

Fianna shrugged and nodded.

"Sigh, and we specially trained in it..."

Claire slumped her shoulders, looking very demoralized.

&mdash;Just then.

On the other side of the road, lively-sounding music could be heard.

It was very festive and grand music, standing in stark contrast to the kagura Claire's team had played.

"What is that?"

"Let's check it out&mdash;"

The girls ran towards the source of the sound.