Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter4

2012-05-27T12:03:21Z

220.255.2.40: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 4: The Wolf, the Cat and the Knight==

===Part 1===
Yare, Yare.<ref>The term '''Yare, yare''' can be loosely translated as '''Oh dear''', basically it's like an exclamation of slight weariness.</ref> I have suffered quite a lot since coming here.

One hour had passed since then. Slowly rubbing the pain away from his back, Kamito walked through the courtyard of the academy.

Although he had not been turned into cinders after receiving a hit from that flame whip; maybe Claire had held back some of her power, still, it didn't change the fact that it was quite painful.

Claire must be harshly admonished by Madam Freya in the punishment room.

Having eluded those female classmates who had enthusiastically pursued him, Kamito finally obtained a moment of peace.

Unlike other students, he had no classes for the afternoon. After all, he had entered the school just now and had not registered for the courses.

Areishiya Spirit Academy operates on a credit system in which the students can freely choose their preferred courses so long as they meet the requirements. Because of enormous diversity of the contracted spirits of the students, a uniform curriculum will not be able to fully develop the potential of each princess maiden.

"For the time being, I'll make some preparations for school life starting tomorrow. "

Kamito finally came to his specially prepared dormitory, a hut erected on the side of the stable.

Its appearance now looked even worse than when it was seen from the window. On top of that, it had the smell of cattle.

The door opened with a squeak. Kamito stepped in timidly.

"Hmm, surprisingly, it's not too bad."

Kamito expressed his impression of the interior.

First of all, the bed was clean. Looking from the inside, the room itself was spacious. Straw bed, table, chair, cabinet and other furniture were prepared after all. Cooking utensils were present as well. Anyhow there wouldn't be too troublesome living here.

Kamito immediately laid down on the straw bed, although it prickled his back a bit, the smell of sun dried straws was good for a comfortable sleep.

"Oh, well, no matter how I look at it, I just need to endure it for two months."

Lying still on the bed, Kamito fixed his eyes on his left hand, covered by the black leather glove.

Two months from now, the Spirit Blade Dance would be held in the elemental spirit realm Astral Zero.

Before that, he must find four more teammates in order to enter the contest.

It was not clear what Greywhorth would have him do.

But there was something he must check with his own eyes.

A name that was deeply tied to the fate of his own self.

Participating in the contest of the spirit blade dance festival 3 years ago, the Strongest Blade Dancer.

That accompanying her was a spirit of darkness that took the form of a human girl.

Who on earth were they?

Ren Ashbell shouldn't exist in this world anymore. Besides Greyworth, only a very small number of people were aware of this.

Even though one was just an impostor who gained the title of Strongest Blade-Dancer by fraud, it couldn't be for this reason that the witch took this much trouble to summon him here. Greyworth must be holding a huge secret.

No matter what, to find out the truth, the only way was to cross blades directly in the Spirit Blade Dance Festival in two months.

"But, in your current state, you won't be able to defeat her." said Greyworth.

That is most likely true. The witch was not lying. But surely she was not telling the truth either.

In the end, it all comes down to "the current state".

But in merely two months, he had to regain what was lost in the past three years.

"..."

....*Guu*, suddenly his stomach growled.

Feeling exhausted, Kamito lowered his arm that was raised towards the roof.

After all, he had not had anything to eat since wandering into the spirit forest this morning.

However, he decided to endure his empty stomach.

The reason was that he was out of money. Although there were restaurants for the students in the academy, the price was surprisingly high. This had already passed the level of a school for high class ladies, a school for princesses indeed.

What's the point of one cup of soup being as expensive as normal folk's salary?

"It can't be helped. Maybe I'll ask Ellis to show me around the academic town tomorrow. "

One should be able to find cheaper and delicious restaurants in the academic town at the foot of the hill.

With the cooking utensils, he could also just buy the materials and cook it on his own. For the fire all he needed to do was to go to the spirit forest and catch some low level fire spirits.

"Bacon and mushroom pasta sounds really good..."

He got more hungry by thinking about food.

"Should I go to the Spirit Forest and collect some mushrooms now?"

As he started to seriously entertain that thought, from somewhere, the
smell of delicious soup flowed in.

"....hmm?"

Frowning, Kamito got up from the bed.

It seemed the smell was coming in from the gap of the half opened door.

Twitching his nose to inhale the smell, Kamito opened the door...

In front of him was a bowl of soup that gave off white steam.

Filled with a lot of onions and chicken with bones, the soup looked delicious.

"... am I imagining things, or is this the kindness from heaven for my unending misfortune?"

Drawing a blank because of the hunger, Kamito reached out with his hands toward the bowl without any suspicion.

Suddenly the bowl rose up a bit.

He stretched out his hand again.

Once again the bowl was raised.

Then in front of the Kamito was the face of that princess with platinum-blond hair.

Her name should be Rinslet Laurenfrost if he remembered correctly.

Behind her, the girl Carol in maid dresses stood courteously.

"What's the meaning of this?"

Kamito asked with half opened eye.

"Fuu, you must be hungry, right? Kamito Kazehaya?"

"Yeah."

Kamito nodded honestly.

"Bark, woof, and then swear that you will be my slave, and I'll let you have this bowl of soup."

Rinslet held the bowl still, and puffed up her large chest.

"I refuse. Bye Bye."

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bang.*

"Ahh, wait, wait a second. Listen to what I say, you insolent person."

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bang!* *Bang!* The door was kicked repeatedly .

It would be trouble if she breaks it. Kamito opened the door again.

"What's that? Are you going to let me have the soup now?"

"Right away if you lick my foot ... Ah, why are you closing the door again!"

Rinslet quickly stuck her foot into the gap of the door, like a veteran debt collector.

"Ouch! That hurts!"

It looked painful... What the hell was she here for anyway?

"Are you alright, my lady?"

Worried about Rinslet, the Maid Carol asked.

Kamito had no choice but to open the door, Rinslet glared at him with tears in her eyes.

"How can you be so insolent after I offered my hands of kindness towards you? "

"No, you... hands of kindness?"

It appeared that she was serious. Slowly Kamito's head starts aching.

''Sheesh, all the princesses of this academy are so troublesome.''

Kamito complained inside his mind.

"Ah-"

After Rinslet got a glimpse of the inside of the hut, her face started to twitch.

"Ah, you, why are you living inside a stable?"

"The stable is next door. This is my dormitory. Home is where you make it."

"..."

"Stop looking at me with such pity. It makes me feel sad."

Her face looked like that she was seriously concerned about it. Kamito's attitude softened a little bit.

"Rather than living in a condition like this, you should come to my house. I'll specially hire you as a servant."

"Ah, my lady, I believe he will look great if we dress him as a maid."

Carol showed her support with a big smile. This girl was troublesome as well.

Well, after all, it looked like that Rinslet was genuinely worried about the circumstances.

"Your sympathy is appreciated, but I don't plan to throw away my pride." Kamito shook his head.

Displeased, Rinslet perked up her lips.

"So you don't like becoming my servant?"

"That's right. It is no use to try to placate me."

"So full of yourself, even though you wag your tail at Claire Rouge."

"When did I wag my tail at her?" Kamito grumbled with half open eyes. Well, many people might think the same---

Could it be that this princess is trying to get close to Kamito mainly out of her rivalry with Claire?

"Yare yare, such an unexpected annoyance." Kamito let out a heavy sigh.

"I got it. That's fine with me if that's how you want it." Rinslet cleared her throat, and placed the bowl on the ground.

"Hmm?"

"I'll leave the soup here. From the very beginning it was because Carol cooked too much of it and it will be a shame to waste the leftovers. You should be grateful to my benevolence."

"Eh?"

''This young lady, by any chance----''

[[Image:STnBD V01 113.jpg|thumb]]
Rinslet turned around elegantly and was about to leave.

"Ahh, Wait, Rinslet!"

Kamito suddenly called out.

Rinslet winced and stopped in her steps.

"Wh-What is that? Suddenly calling other people's first name---"

"I can't be your servant, but we can be friends."

"Eh?"

Rinslet's emerald green eyes open wide.

"Thank you for being worried and coming to see me."

"Wh-Wha, you, you insolent. Of-Of course that's not true."

Rinslet suddenly blushed and turned her face away.

"Fufu, my lady is so..."

Carol covered her mouth and giggled.

===Part 2===

Right at that moment -

"Rinslet Laurenfrost!"

A voice with which Kamito had gotten familiar, suddenly passes into his ears.

Claire walked towards here, her red pigtails swaying.

It appeared that Madam Freya's admonishing session was finally over.

"Don't feed my contract spirits without permission, you thieving dog."

"You ... who are you calling a thieving dog!?"

Here we go again, Kamito let out a tired sigh.

"What's that? Isn't your family crest a dog?"

"You - Laurenfrost's family crest is a proud White Wolf!"

"White Wolf? Changing it into a Chihuahua fits you better."

"...!"

Provoked by Claire's words---

"Claire Rouge ... you really got my dander up. " Rinslet said with a suppressed voice.

In a flash, a fog-like chill hung around them. The temperature dropped dramatically.

"Wait, you can't be calling your spirit -"

Kamito hastily called out, but it was too late.

The cold wind swirled. Rinslet's hair flew up, rippling.

---Oh freezing beast with Ice-teeth, merciless hunter of the forest.

---Now is the time to abide the contract of blood, hasten to my side as commanded!

As soon as Rinslet finished chanting the summoning spirit spell, a gust of ice storm engulfed all of the surroundings.

Amid the roaring and swirling blizzard, a figure appeared.

A beautiful wolf, with a coat of silver white fur.

Its body exuded a freezing chill.

"This is ..."

"It is the contract spirit of my lady, Fenrir." Carol said with a smile.

The imposing aura that White Wolf carried, was definitely incomparable to a low level spirit.

For the ranking of the spirits, the White Wolf was unmistakably higher than mid-level. To have made contracts with spirits of this level, this young lady was definitely not an ordinary person.

"Well, your dog is still the same, with its coat color barely meritable."

Claire shook her pigtails in disdain.

"You... you called it a dog again, You flat chest! I absolutely will not forgive your insult to the family of Laurenfrost!"

Covered with the chilling air, the White Wolf roared, and dashed toward Claire.

"Who are you calling flat chest!? Come, Scarlet!"

Claire lashed at the ground with her whip. A scorching hell cat immediately appeared from the twirling rising flames.

It appeared that Claire had long conjured up her spirit already.

"-Hey you two! No fighting with your spirits here!" Kamito cried out. The horses in the stables neighed in fear.

"I will not forgive you for putting your hand on my slave. I'll end it here today, you thieving dog."

"I'll surely steal your servant and make him mine!"

Sparks burst out between the two girls.

If one only listened to these lines, it sounded like two women in love fighting over a man.

"The two ladies look like lovers fighting over a man!"

"Carol, you don't have to say that." Kamito looked at the maid standing next to him with squinted eyes.

"By the way, is it really OK to not stop them?"

"Right. They have always been like this."

"These two girls have always been behaving like this towards each other...?"

"Yes, the relation between the two ladies is very good."

"Is this irony?"

Kamito grumbled with a sigh.

"You have always been an eyesore, Claire Rouge!"

"You are the same, Rinslet! Why do you have to always cause me trouble!"

Magic ice spirit Fenrir---

Flame spirit Scarlet---

The two spirits suddenly jumped up in the air and clashed.

Ice and Fire collided, sending a storm bursting around.

From the point of view of Kamito, the levels of the two spirit were almost the same. But it seems that Claire had an advantage in the skill of mastering the spirits.

However, the flame spirit in her command was apparently quite spent out.

''Because she was beaten up by the Sword Spirit a few hours ago---''

Receiving such a large amount of damage, she couldn't possibly have recovered by taking a short break.

Kamito observed the fighting of the two spirits.

"Eh? What?...... a burning smell?"

Kamito frowned and looked around.

When the sight came into his eyes, his expression suddenly froze.

It was burning.

Kamito's hut was burning fiercely.

The straws that stocked next to his hut had caught the sparks of the flame spirit and started burning.

"Ah, my home!"

Hearing the cries of Kamito, Claire quickly turned toward him.

"Rinslet! Pause! We got fire!"

"It is no use to distract me... Huh? It really is burning!"

The hut on fire burned more and more violently. Sooner or later the stables would catch fire too.

"My home---"

"Calm down. Fire of this scale, I'll put it out in no time - Fenrir!"

Rinslet cried out, the white wolf of magic ice instantly came back to her side.

Just as one thought that the white wolf suddenly disappeared in the air, in Rinslet's hands a huge «Ice Longbow» appeared.

"Elemental Waffe" the second purified form of the spirit.

"Oh freezing teeth of ice, pierce your target! «Freezing Arrow»!"

Rinslet drew an ice arrow and shot.

The arrows turned into countless ice pieces and poured down, the burning flame was instantly extinguished.

"Well, with me here it is a piece of cake!"

Rinslet stroked her long platinum blond hair and puffed up her chest proudly.

"......"

Kamito stood motionlessly with a dumbfounded stare.

The hut was smashed into pieces by pouring down ice arrows.

"Kohon", Rinslet let out a dry cough.

"... Seems that I went a bit too far."

"This is not called a bit! Don't you have any control of your power?"

"You... shut up! From the very beginning it was you who lit it up!"

Ignoring the stunned Kamito, those two engaged in arguments again.

At this time -

"What are you doing!"

The footsteps of several people running from the middle court could be heard.

One of them was the ponytail girl in a silver breastplate.

Ellis Fahrengart, the commander of the Knight brigade, Sylphid, who was in charge of up-keeping the discipline of the academy.

Behind her there were two girls in the same dress.

Claire sucked her tongue, and Rinslet also didn't bother to hide her face of displeasure.

"It is prohibited to fight due to private matters in school... What!?"

The hastily running steps suddenly stopped.

Her eyes widened, looking dazed at pile of rubble that was Kamito's home.

Black smokes slowly rose from the charred rubble.

"This is...... what on earth is this?!"

Ellis questioned Kamito, her voice charged with fury.

She drew the sword that hangs at her waist, pointing to the throat of Kamito.

"You, you hate the house that I made! Is that it? Is this your protest?!"

"No... there is absolutely no such thing! This is because - "

Kamito quickly explained.

"It was this stupid dog who blew it up to dust."

"Before that, this pitiful chest lit it on fire!"

Hearing the voices from behind, Ellis turned around.

Claire and Rinslet, pointed their fingers at each other in accusation.

"... That's how it was. It was your work, just like always."

Ellis sighed with an expression that says "I understand".

"Knight commander, your greeting is more enthusiastic than usual."

"It is the usual greeting, isn't it? Problematic students of the Raven class?" Ellis looked sharply at Rinslet.

Soon, the girls from the Knight brigade who were following Ellis finally caught up.

A girl with tea colored hair tied in braids, and another girl with black hair in a tomboy style.

As soon as they saw Claire and Rinslet, the two girls put on expressions like they have bitten some bitter worm.

"... Hell cat Claire! And Ice Wolf Rinslet!"

"What did they do again this time, these guys from the lowly Raven class?"

In the eyes of the girls plainly floated a contemptuous look.

"... What did you say?"

"What did you utter just now?"

Claire and Rinslet glared at the two girls at the same time.

But the girls completely ignored them focusing their eyes on Kamito.

"Are you that newly transferred male Spirit Contractor?"

"Oh, not bad. Very handsome."

The girl with braids looked at Kamito up and down like she was evaluating his value.

The girl's sight made Kamito shrink away in discomfort.

"Wait, this guy is my Slave Spirit that I caught!"

"I tamed Kamito Kazahaya: he is my servant!"

Claire and Rinslet declared arbitrarily of their ownership of Kamito at the same time.

The knight girl with braids snuffs with disdain, said: "Alas, because nobody wants to form a team with you, you use your sex appeal to seduce the transfer student. Such a fitting style for countryside nobles."

"You dare to call me a countryside noble!"

Rinslet's face suddenly turns livid.

It appears that the girl stepped on the mine that should not be stepped on.

"Sure I did. Laurenfrost family has only a big-name, they are really just country bumpkins."

"You ... you ... you ...!"

"My-My lady. Please calm down -"

"Fu-Fufu-Fu, ... Carol, I am quite calm."

Rinslet revealed a bright smile ... although she tried to be ladylike, her face was still quite scary.

Another girl knight turned to Claire, and scorned: "As for Claire Rouge, although she is a noble, isn't she the sister of a traitor? Really, why did the academy accept this person for admission---"

At that instant, Claire suddenly lashed at the ground with the whip.

"-Shut up. Or I'll turn you into charcoal cinders."

Claire snarled with suppressed voice, her voice trembling, her red eyes quietly burning with anger.

''... Claire is the sister of a traitor?''

Kamito frowned.

''...What on earth is the meaning of this?''

The two girls felt the sudden change of atmosphere and fell silent.

"You went too far." Ellis chided the two, then turned to Claire.

She cleared her throat and said: "In short, I will report this instance to the knight headquarters. The charge will be the use spirits to start a small fire and and cause property damage. We'll give you notice for the specifics of the punishment at a later time. Please refrain from doing such stupid things again. We are busy, you know?"

"Let's go." Ellis said and was about to lead the other two away.

However, from behind came a voice.

"Hold on! Ellis Fahrengart, are you trying to run away?"

"What?"

Ellis stopped, turned back to Claire who called out her.

"What did you say just now?"

The calm tone of voice was full of anger. Ellis's hand was on the hilt of the sword at her waist.

"Oh, you heard it? I did not expect the Sylphid Knights to be cowards."

"Claire Rouge, do you think I'll just let it go if someone insults the Sylphid Knights?"

Ellis unsheathed her sword. The other two drew their swords at the same time.

"I'll return that line intact right back at you. You may insult me as you please, but I will not forgive anyone who insults my sister."

Claire stroked the ground with her whip.

"I request a duel, Ellis Fahrengart, with the other two as well."

"Let me join as well, Claire Rouge. It is the Laurenfrost family's injunction to take revenge at those who dare to smear the family name of Laurenfrost."

Rinslet ruffled her hair, and showed an undaunted smile.

At this point, Ellis pointed the tip of her sword toward these two.

"Well, it will stain the name of the Sylphid Knights if we are accused of running away. I accept the request. I can't stand the mess of your Raven class any longer."

"Hey, isn't it prohibited to fight for private matters?"

At such a precarious intense moment, Kamito instinctively spoke out.

"It is forbidden to fight for private matters within school grounds. Anyway, I have no intention of doing it here."

"What do you mean?"

Ignoring Kamito who was tilting his head, Ellis turned to Claire.

"The time will be 2am tonight, in front of the «Gate». I'll leave it to you to decide the format."

"...One-on-one is too much trouble. How about we fight as teams of three."

"That will do." Ellis nodded and put away the sword, then turned around and left.

Claire glared at the back of the knights and cursed viciously:

"Well I will let you regret this, especially that short haired girl. I'll definitely kick her ass!"

"Such a good opportunity. I have disliked the bunch from the Knight brigade since long ago."

"Rinslet, try not to be a burden."

"After destroying the hut, now you are having a duel. Please take mercy on me." Kamito sighed deeply. Then suddenly he realized.

Battle as a team of three. So, who will be the third person?

"As it turns out, -"

Claire placed one hand on her waist, and pointed a finger at Kamito.

"It is time to show us your strength, my Slave Spirit!"

"Ahhh... I knew this is how it would be..."

In front of rubble heap that was his former home , Kamito reluctantly dropped his shoulder.

<noinclude>
==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter3|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter5}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter1

2012-05-27T09:21:55Z

220.255.2.40: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 1: You Are My Contracted Spirit==

=== Part 1 ===

In a quiet forest where the sun rays were shining through leaves.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Paa--*

Suddenly, the rippling sound of water resounded in the air.

Kamito, he--opened his mouth wide and just stood there.

A girl...In front of his eyes was a fully naked girl.

She was cute, extraordinarily cute. Her eyes were big and red like rubies, her cherry-red lips were wet and lustrous, her dazzling white flesh was as silky as milk, and on the surface of the water, her beautiful legs were slender and fine. Also, what caught his eyes more than anything was--

The hair that clings on her gorgeous fine glass work like body, crimson red like burning fire.

Of course, she was naked. Stark naked.

"......"

Kamito felt cold sweat on his back.

Not good.

It's really not good that she has been seen naked.

......I should really run away quickly. Even though he gave that rational advice to himself, his body wouldn't move. Actually, he was ''charmed''. The scene was so surreal that Kamito felt a bit detached from reality.

And at that time, the girl--

[[Image:STnBD V01 013.jpg|thumb]]

Her moist and beautiful eyes blinked, having found the unexpected intruder.
Staring blankly, she seemed yet to have fully grasped the situation.
She didn't even try to cover her still developing small breasts.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Tick.*

The water drops fell from the young girl's bangs. Kamito's consciousness came back at the sound of the water.

"Ah-that......"

Kamito coughed once, and removed his glance from the naked girl who was standing motionlessly.

"How can I say it......it looks like an accident, right? It is an unfortunate accident for both of us..."

At that time, Kamito made two fatal errors. The first, of course, was that he started to make futile explanations. The best choice was to take advantage of the fact that the girl was dazed, and run away from the trouble immediately.

And the other error was--

"Even though it was an accident, I have seen you in such a situation. Sorry, my apologies."

Until here it was still fine, but the last part......

"Though, don't worry. I'm still a healthy boy, so I don't have ''that kind of interest''. I......"

Looking at the young girl's ''still developing small chest''--

"I have no interest towards a kid's body."

Looks like he stepped on a gigantic landmine.

"......"

A frozen silence fell.

Silently, the girl raised her arm with red hair coiled around. Her shoulders were slightly shaking. However the reason wasn't because of the cold, but Kamito was oblivious to that fact.

"Sixteen--"

"Eh?"

The girl's delicate lips were mumbling something, and Kamito lifted his eyebrows.

"I-I-I AM ALREADY SIXTEEN-YEARS OLD!!!"

At the instant when she screamed that out, the young girl's red hair stood on end.

"Huuh!?"

As Kamito opened his eyes wide in surprise--

"Sixteen!? For real? How can you have such a pitiful chest--"

He quickly covered his mouth. But it was already too late.

"......Unforgivable."

The young girl said that in a low, cold voice.

"D-Definitely unforgivable......you-you-you-you peeping demon, pervert, lewd beast!"

"You know it well, words like lewd beast."

Kamito said that in a low voice with narrowed eyes.

"Hn?"

......At that time, he noted that the forest's trees were making a low whisper-like rustle.

''Is that the wind? No, that's--''

'''"--- Guardian of Crimson Blaze, Keeper of the Sleepless furnace!"'''

'''"--- Now is the time to abide the contract of blood, hasten to my side as commanded!"'''

From the young girl's cute lips came a smooth incantation in spirits' language. At that instant, accompanied by the sound of an air blast, a scourging flame whip appeared in the hand of the girl.

''.....a Spirit Contractor!''

Kamito shouted in his head.

Spirit Contractor --- another dimensional layer of this world, the "Astral Zero".

Princess Maidens that have signed a contract with a fierce spirit from that place are called "Spirit Contractors".

Spirit Contractors can use different types of spirits, wielding their powers as their wish.

It seems that the girl in front of him had a contract with a flame type spirit.

The young girl is a Spirit Contractor. It isn't something to be surprised about.

After all, this is the place where the country's excellent Spirit Contractors are gathered together.

''.....However, surprisingly she is even capable of using Elemental Waffe.''

The natures of the spirits summoned into this world from the Astral Zero can roughly be divided into two types.

The first type is the massless, shapeless type that appears in its original state known as a 'Divine Core'. This is purely the summoning of a spirit's power, and is used as a vault of magical power for the spirit magic.

There is another type, the pure state of summoning a part of the spirit's existence as it is. Because of the tremendous amount of power required and the difficulty to control it, it is said that only a tiny portion of the spirit contractors can do it to this extent.

Even so, the girl before his eyes is not just using a spirit, but could use it to the extent of using the spirit as a highly optimized elemental buff.

''.... it means that, eh? – Am I now in a life or death situation?''

As the thought suddenly hit him, Kamito was stunned.

At the place where the flame whip touched the water's surface, a gush of white steam was rising from it.

"You, you have the guts..... "

The girl murmured in a trembling voice. Her face was red. Was it due to her anger, or her embarrassment?

"Rea-Really, you have some nerve, to p-peek , while I, Claire Rouge, am taking my bath....."

"W-Wait, that's a misunderstanding! Let me explain it first!"

Kamito shook his head in panic.

"I will not listen to your excuses. Please turn into ashes, PERVERT!"

The flame whip ignited furiously in the wielder's hand and was moving as if it was licking the water surface.

"Oooooh..!?"

Kamito threw his body and quickly jumped into the dense brushes nearby.

Nearly at the same time, the flame whip brushed its way over his head.

The idle red residue remained on the trees, which were cut off like a complete joke. The cut surface of the tree trunks' remains were surprisingly clean, without any trace of burn. The attack was so quick that the flames didn't even have the time to ignite the trees.

The hair on Kamito's forehead was fluttering down on his mouth while cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

''.....Um, that's a joke, right? I'm not going to die like that, am I?''

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Zing*, *biyutsu* – there was like an endless dance of crimson flash cutting horizontally and vertically in the forest. The bush was mowed down in a blink of eye and losing his place of hiding, Kamito hurriedly dashed out.

"You wild beast, stay still and let me hit you!"

"That's nonsense, I'm not a pervert!"

Kamito screamed out and at the same time, the whip swung downwards on his feet, causing a violent spark to scatter. Rising from the ground, the whip immediately sprang up in the direction of the forest woods, which got ruthlessly severed. But fortunately among all the unluckiness, the girl - Claire's aim wasn't quite accurate. After all, one hand was hiding her pitiful chest from being revealed, and in order to conceal her most important part, she squatted down in the pond. However, considering how she handled her whip in such a position, she should be normally talented at using it.

"How conceited despite being a pervert, please obediently turn into charcoal!"

"As I am saying, I'm not a pervert!"

Kamito stopped and turned around. He pointed out something that he had been mindful for sometime.

"Hey, are you sure that you're hiding it properly? Between the gaps of your finger, you can't hide it delicately."

"......eh?"

Instantly, Claire's facial expression froze. And-

"Kyaaaaaaaaaah!"

Blushing deeply and screaming strangely in a cute voice - she quickly hid her chest with both of her hands.

"Ah, idiot!"

Kamito involuntarily exclaimed.

Claire let go and lost control of the flame whip, and it severed the trees behind the girl. Slowly, the huge trees came falling down right at her. However, Claire didn't notice it since her eyes were closed in embarrassment while embracing her naked chest with both hands. 

''Damn--''

At this instant, Kamito kicked the ground. Running with his whole strength towards the pond, he then jumped while grabbing Claire's shoulders.

"Wha-!?"

Claire's red pupils dilated widely. Kamito ignored it and aggressively pressed her down in the water. The moment Claire's hand touched the water, a gush of steam rose, and the flame whip disappeared. Immediately after, the trees nearby fell down, and giant tree trunks collapsed down on them.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Duuuun!*

The deafening sound almost broke the ears, and magnificent large water columns rose.

Absorbing the heat of the burning flame, the warm pond water poured down like heavy rain.

.....A few seconds later.

"Um......"

With a seductive rising voice, Claire slowly opened her eyes. She had an expression of shock, and her eyes blinked in wonder. Kamito was lying on top of Claire, and briefly he found himself staring into her eyes. Their faces were so close that if someone was to push his back lightly, their lips would likely touch. The crimson red hair clung closely to her nape. Her moist lips were cherry red. Delicate glass doll like perfect face was in front of Kamito's eyes. For a short moment it looked like he had involuntarily fallen for her. Kamito quickly shook his head.

"......Um, are you alright? Are you hurt.."

Claire nodded. Somehow, it seemed she had not fully absorbed the situation yet. Kamito sighed, then tried to stand up.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyuu.*

His hand under the water had touched something soft.

"Hwaaah!"

''What is that? Mud?--''

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyu*. *Munyu*<ref>These are sounds of touching and squeezing</ref>.

"Hm, ya, hwaaa"

From her moist lips came a shallow sweet voice. Claire's submerged naked body twitched for some reason.

"Um ..this is?"

Having come this far, Kimito finally arrived in a certain conclusion. A certain......awfully frightening conclusion.

''No, wait, calm down, maybe --- could I have mistaken''

It can't be. There was no such thing. While releasing a flow of cold sweat, he desperately tried to deny such a possibility.

"When I looked it earlier, it wasn't so..."

"Wh..Wha.. Wha..Whattt .... are..you...do..ing"

Claire's lip trembled, shaking involuntarily. She was blushing with tears in her eyes.

Apparently, it probably wasn't.....a lump of mud that he touched.

"You, PERVERT----!"

"Gwah!"

Because he got hit hard by a knee in the stomach, Kamito collapsed into the pond's water.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gugugugugu....!*

With rising wobbling heat haze behind her, Claire slowly stood up. Before one knows, the flame whip materialized by the flame spirit was again grasped in her hand. The water in the pond instantaneously started to boil, and bubbles began to show here and there.

"No..No, it's a misunderstanding! Wait, I'm really gonna die....."

"Sh..Shut up pervert, you will die here!"

Together with an almost ear breaking deafening sound, Kamito's body whirled highly into the air.

=== Part 2 ===

".....Um"

Few minutes later. Kamito starts to recover his consciousness, before his eyes, trees within the forest unfold.

He tried to rise---

Suddenly, he noticed something which was coiled around his neck.

It was a leather black whip for torturing. ''What is this thing...'', Kamito tried to remove it,

"Finally woke up, You Peeping Tom Pervert"

The thing on his neck tightens.

"Gweh!? Release me...."

Kamito coughed then looked upward-

Scarlet haired young girl – Claire, stood with her hands at her waist. Keeping her slim eyebrow arc raised, she gazed sharply down at Kamito.

This time she was not naked. The girl has changed into an adorable uniform. It has the pattern of black line within the pure white, Areishia Spirit Academy's uniform.

A ribbon tie decorated the front of her chest. Instead of a button, a talisman was sewn on it. Between the gap of knee sock stockings and a pleated skirt, her slender beautiful legs stuck out brilliantly. The tiny ribbons tied her blazing crimson hair on both sides. This was the so called twin tail hair style. Judging from her still wet hair, it seems that he hadn't lost consciousness for that long.

Keeping the neck of Kamito bound tightly, Claire puffed up her small chest.

"Well, be grateful. I went easy and didn't try to kill you"

"That has to be a lie. You definitely intended to kill me. "

"What are you talking about? If I was serious, you would've been cinders by now. "

..... She just said something terribly frightening in a calm manner.

By the way, cinders are the soft ash residue left from incinerated firewood.

"I beg your forgiveness to spare me from becoming cinders. After all, I helped you."

"Yeah, I'm a fair noble, I'll give you credit for that. You are of a higher grade than an average pervert, so you are a high grade pervert."

"In the end the pervert designation doesn't change. By the way, isn't a high grade pervert even worse than an average pervert?"

"Wh.. What.....pretending to help, you ...you touched, my breast!"

Recalling what happened earlier, Claire's shy face suddenly turns red.

''Hmm?''

Seeing such a reaction from her, Kamito had an idea.

.....This girl, could it be that she is that kind of person?

"So it seems, that my lady is a pervert that has a hobby of whipping men."

Kamito teased her nonchalantly -

"What!? Wr-Wro-Wrong, I'm not!"

The response was immediate as expected. Claire shook her head, and her cheeks instantly became bright red all the way to her ears.

"Then do you enjoy being whipped?"

".....m! Wha... What.. are...you..sayi..ng?"

Claire's eyes twirled, as a steam puff rose out from her head. She is surprisingly flustered.

''Oh, as I expected....''

Kamito smiled bitterly in his heart.

''This girl, is really really innocent.''

Perhaps, this girl is not that special. After all, this is the Areishiya Spirit academy, where princess maidens who have made contracts with spirits are gathered.

Only pure maidens are capable of communicating with the spirits from Astral Zero. Among them, those who retain enough divine power so that they can command a contracted spirit, are noble girls from the family of kings or lords of ancient and honorable lineage, whose spirit contractor blood was strengthened through marriage of many generations.

To maintain the purity of their body and heart, these girls are raised in an environment that's completely separated from the males since childhood: the so called elite education for spirit contractors. Therefore, all the girls attending the academy are super boxed-in princesses who are unaccustomed to men.

Finding the unexpected weak point of the girl, Kamito had a slight desire to play a prank on her.

Keeping a kneeling position, Kamito looked up at the embarrassed bright red face of Claire.

"Wh- Then, there is something I have meant to say since earlier."

"Wh...What, you pervert!"

"I can see your panties from this angle."

"Fuwah!" 

Tears begun to float in her crimson eyes, Claire hastily pressed down the fringe of her skirt with both hands.

"You... You saw it?"

"Only a glance, you are unexpectedly quite daring. It has the same color as your hair."

"You... You lie! It is not red! It's white, white!" 

"So, it's white."

"......huh!?"

Realizing that she was tricked, Claire bit her lips-

"U-Uuuuuuuuuh~"

..... Somehow she started to cry.

At this sudden unexpected reaction, Kamito panicked. "What a slutty unladylike person, to confess the color of her own panties," he had planned to tease her more with such words..... but he felt pity seeing her like this. 

Taking the chance while Claire was still in disarray, Kamito removed the the whip coiled around his neck.

"My bad, I went a bit too far with my prank. Sorry."

Kamito stood up and placed his hand on Claire's head. Claire stopped crying, and looked puzzled.

"It's my fault that I have seen your naked body while bathing, and I have .... have touched your breast as well. But those actions were not intentional. Please believe me."

"Wha-What....."

Seeing the truthfulness in Kamito's eye, Claire can not help but to avert her eyes.

"....What-What is this? If you are not a pervert, then '''why are you here?'''"

A question of matter of course. This forest is under the jurisdiction of Areishia Spirit Academy, known as the "Spirit Forest". There is no reason for the presence of a man in the academy where pure princess maidens are gathered.

Even if he is not a pervert, there is little doubt that he is someone suspicious. 

"I was, summoned here by Greyworth."

"Greyworth..... the Academy Director!?"

Claire suspiciously questioned. Indeed, it is only natural to doubt.

"I'm not lying. Look, here's the evidence."

Kamito shrugged his shoulders, and took out a letter from his burned coat's inside pocket. The letter was signed by the renowned academy director. Also, it was stamped with the emblem seal that symbolizes the five great elemental lords.

"Is....that, the first rank emblem seal of the empire!?"

Claire let out voice of dismay from her lips. The first rank emblem seal is produced by sealing spirits with a special technique. It is rated as the highest among the emblem seals issued by the empire, and is said to be completely impossible to counterfeit. Of course, it is something that is rarely seen, but as a spirit contractor, Claire could certainly tell its authenticity. 

".....It seems to be the real thing. But, why would the academy director call a man here?"

"Well, for that you have to ask Greyworth, that old hag. It was troublesome for me, too."

"That... that old hag!?"

Instantly, Claire's face stiffened.

The Dusk Witch, Greyworth is greatly respected by the princess maidens who aim to become spirit knights. It was said that her popularity in the Ordesia Empire is neck and neck with the Strongest Sword Dancer Ren Ashbell. Even after a decade since she retired from the squad of the Twelve Knight Generals, the most elite force of the Spirit Knights known as the <Numbers>, her legendary name as a witch is still being feared and revered to the highest degree. 

''Well, for me, she is nothing but a nightmare....''

Tucking away the letter in his pocket, Kamito shrugged his shoulders.

"Greyworth is an old acquaintance of mine. I came all the way here, but the academy ground is very large, so I have lost my way."

Areishia Spirit Academy ground is incredibly vast. After all, beside the academic town at the foot of the hill, it also includes the entire spirit forest that spreads around it.

"Could it be, that you were misled by the spirits in the forest. That's so lame."

".....Yeah, that's how it is."

Claire chuckled, while Kamito nodded, feeling a bit dejected.

Existing in various location of the continent, the spirit forests are connected with Astral Zero through the GATE, and are inhabited by the spirits that have gone astray to this world. Most of the spirits have no interest in humankind so they are harmless. But there are also spirits who enjoy playing pranks, and they deliberately mislead the travelers who stray into the forest. As he was guided by the spirits'　whispers and went deeper and deeper in the forest, he must have lost the way to the academy.

"Anyway, I'm really glad that I met a person. It is not very appealing to become a victim of the forest. From here onward, which direction should I follow to get to the academy?"

"Which direction.....for your own information, I shall tell you, that it takes two hours to get to the academy from here on foot."

"What, that far!?"

If he was to walk for such long distance, most likely he would be once again tricked by the spirits. Since a student of the academy was here, he had thought that the academy was much nearer than it was. 

''.....hmm? Why was this girl taking a bath at this kind of place?''

A plain question suddenly arises. Today is indeed a bit hot, nonetheless instead of coming all the way here, there should be showering facilities inside of the academy no matter what. Anyhow there are only girls in the school, there is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Being asked, Claire dug her hands into her wet twin tail hair and tried to comb it.

"I was here for the purification ritual for a spirit contract. Being a spring next to a shrine, the water here has the highest holy quality. Do you at least know that spirits like a woman which has a pure mind and body?"

"Spirit Contract?"

The moment he hears those words, a throbbing pain came from the back of his left hand covered in leather gloves. Kamito grimaced from the burning sharp pain.

"A bit further from here, there is an ancient holy sword in a historical shrine. Rumor has it that a powerful "Sealed Spirit" is inhabited there. Since the foundation of the academy, not a single princess maiden has successfully formed a contract with it. It surely sounds like a very proud spirit."

Sealed Spirits – are not the spirits that reside in Astral Zero.

Among the spirits, there are those who were sealed into weapons or armors by powerful ancient spirit contractors. Most of them have brought about terrible disasters to the humans, and are dreadful beings called Djinn or Ifrit by ancient societies. 

Of course, they are not meant to be employed by the human spirit contractors. For that purpose, the ancient great spirit contractors sealed them in weapons or armor so that they will never be summoned again.

"You, do you plan to form a contract with a sealed spirit?"

"That's right! Do you have a problem with it?"

"Stop, it's too dangerous."

"Hmm, you seem to know it quite well, even though you are not a spirit contractor. I'm quite aware of the danger, but I need a powerful spirit no matter what."

Claire muttered, biting her tightly close lips.

Seeing her serious facial expression, Kamito involuntarily shuts his mouth.

"But, don't you already have a contract with the flame spirit from earlier? That is also a quite powerful spirit, won't it be fine if you raise it up?"

For its tribute, a flame spirit is not very rare. But, there are only a handful spirit contractors who can control a spirit of such rank and even capable of <elemental waffe> in the whole empire. Besides, spirit contractors that have formed a contract with multiple spirits are so rare that they almost don't exist. Discordance between the spirits can cause deterioration of the balance of divine power. Without enough talent one can't control them.

"'''Scarlet''' is an important partner. But-"

I need more power-- Claire calmly shook her head.

"I have a goal. To achieve it, I must have a strong spirit."

=== Part 3 ===

Chasing the back of Claire on which her fluffy crimson twin tails swung, Kamito followed her inside the forest. Although Claire's leather loafers looked quite difficult to walk in,　Claire was a well trained spirit contractor after all, and her steps were light and frivolous.

"Here."

Then, suddenly her well proportioned feet stopped walking.

With her hands on her hips, she looked back with a half eye glare towards Kamito.

"Why are you following me? You pervert peeping maniac. "

"Without you, I don't know the way towards the academy. As I have said several times, I am not a pervert peeping maniac. It's Kamito, Kamito Kazehaya."

"Fufu, what a weird name. Kuina's origin?"

Kuina is an empire in the eastern region of the continent. It is said that its language, culture and the relationship of people with spirits largely differed from Ordeshia.

"No, It's not from Kuina. I was born in a far remote island minority group village."

Kamito intentionally obscures his own statement. Certainly, he was born in an island country in the east, but the larger half of his childhood life wasn't spent there.

"Your name also has quite a rare taste, Claire Rouge."

"Don't call my name in a friendly manner. Anyway it's a strange name."

"Really? But, I consider it a nice name."

"Wha-What are you saying, stu-stupid!"

Claire's face blushed, then she suddenly changed back to her former direction, and briskly walked faster than usual.

Claire Rouge ---- obviously a Pseudonym.

Most of the students attending the Areshia spirit academy are surely young ladies of noble families who has been trained as spirit contractors since childhood. But Kamito has never heard of the Rouge residence. For hiding a noble family name, she must have some reason for it, but Kamito had no intention to delve more.

''.....Everyone has some secret they want to hide.''

Kamito glanced in the direction of his left hand covered by a leather glove.

''Even I have mine, too -''

Claire keeps advancing steadily. Kamito hastily chased after her back where the twin tail were swaying. Now, losing sight of Claire inside the forest will bring only trouble for him. Kamito was well aware of the dangers of spending one night inside the "Spirit Forest".

"Is that dress the academy's uniform?"

"Yeah."

Claire nods in a cold manner while walking.

Areishia Spirit Academy Uniform is pretty sturdy and also served as a protective garment, which has undergone spirit's blessing, and it had the effect of raising the sacred attributes. It could also function nicely as a high ceremonial dress for contracting with spirits.

"What, are you saying that it doesn't suite me?"

"No, it suite you gorgeously. Honestly speaking, I am charmed."

Kamito shrugged his shoulder, and then answered it honestly.　Fine feathers make fine birds, Kamito planed to mock her with some caustic words, but it did fit her so perfectly that Kamito couldn't help but to compliment her.

"Wha-What-What are you saying!? Aren't you an idiot!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Kaatsu* Claire blushes in deep red, while *Pyun-Pyun* waving her whip.

"Uwahh, Calm down!"

"Wasn't it because that you said some weird thing?"

"Me saying a weird thing?, I simply speak the truth - *in pain*, I got it, I got it, please stop waving your whip for every little thing."

''....phew, I need her as a guide, but what a bothersome princess.''

Dodging the whip which was swung downward at a paper thin distance, Kamito sighed in his mind.

The shrine that held the holy blade stood quietly　in a clearing in the forest.

Claire easily removed the entry forbidding ward, then stopped her steps, and turned to Kamito.

"From here onwards, it will be really dangerous, so, as a commoner you should stay away."

"If you know that it's dangerous, why not stop?"

"As am I saying, ''I need to have a strong spirit''."

Claire calmly shook her head, and stepped into the shrine.

Disregarding her warnings, Kamito followed her. As for coming all the way, it was true that he needed a guide, but more importantly he was just worried about Claire.

After all "Sealed Spirits" are strong and at the same time have a wild nature. They prefer destruction and chaos; given the chance they would even murder the spirit contractor that employs them.

They are not something that can be managed by humans --- that's why they have been sealed.

Sixteen years of age, with such an innate talent of wielding a spirit, Claire might as well be called a prodigy. However, if by any chance, she was to release a sealed spirit and fail to control it, what would happen?

Although she was just a girl he met by chance, Kamito couldn't leave her alone.

"Why did you follow me? I can't guarantee what will happen to you."

"Don't you have the absolute confidence to tame it?"

"Of-Of course I do!"

"Then there's no problem if I come along. "

Kamito shrugged his shoulder and Claire turned away from him.

"....Suit yourself"

Inside the shrine is a dark gloomy misty atmosphere. Claire frowned slightly at the mold smells mingled inside the air.

"......Flames, let there be light."

A tiny fire ball immediately starts to glow from Claire's fingertips, a basic spirit spell drawing on the power of Flame Spirit. The flickering light of the fire ball dimly illuminates the walls of the shrine which looked like a stalactites cavern.

The sword was at the innermost of the shrine.

"That..... is the sword that the sealed spirit resides in?"

Kamito muttered, while Claire nodded quietly.

A naked sword was stabbed standing in a huge stone. Although without doubt it was an antique of hundreds years old,　it has no rust in its body or dent of its edge. Delicate ancient runes were engrossed on its belly, radiating a dimly blue light.

"Existing here even before the academy was found, <The Holy Sword of Severian>."

"The Holy Sword of Severian? The one that slayed Demon King Solomon?"

Demon King Solomon --- commanding seventy two powerful spirits, brought chaos and destruction to the continent, and '''the only male spirit contractor in history'''.

It was said that the one that slayed the demon king was the sword of Severian.

"Idiot, there's no way that's the real thing."

Claire stated like she was amazed.

"'Holy Swords of Severian' stabbed into a stone can be found everywhere in the empire. Some remote villages even have one for the revitalization the village. Anyhow, even if it is not the real deal, since it is a rune sword, there might be a powerful spirit sealed in itself."

".....Indeed. Certainly, the real thing would not be in such a place..."

Claire walked toward the sword determinedly.

"Hey...."

"You stay back."

Gesturing to Kamito who was coming close, Claire clenched the hilt of the holy blade.

"Don't strain yourself."

"....Got it."

Kamito decided to watch over Claire at the edge where the light barely reached. The sealed spirit might be provoked by the presence of other people. A heavy silence filled the surroundings.

".....Let's do this, Claire Rouge."

Breathing deeply, Claire murmured to herself. Her voice trembled a bit: it seemed that she was nervous after all.

'''"--- Oh Noble Spirit Sealed in Ancient Holy Sword!"'''

'''"--- Thou Shall Accept Me As Thy Master, And I Shall Be Thy Sheath!"'''

From her cherry red lips flew a fluent incantation for contract ritual in spirit language. Her crimson hair stands on its ends. A crashing wind started to swirl inside the shrine.

Holding his breath, Kamito watched her intensively. Once the contracts had been exchanged and the spirit recognized Clair as its master, a spirit seal would be engraved somewhere on her body. The contract vows entered its conclusion. In this moment, a dreadful gust of wind swept inside the shrine.

"......eh?"

But, Claire is unfazed. She calmly recites her contract vow.

---And, dazzling light radiated from Severian's holy blade in her hand.

''I can't....believe it, She was exchanging a contract with the sealed spirit!?''

Preventing being swept by the wind, astonished Kamito raised his voice.

From the holy blade stabbed in the stone　came overwhelming tremendous divine energy. If it was an average spirit contractor, she would have already passed out.

'''"---Thrice I Command Thee, Exchange Vows With Me!"'''

And, Claire's vow reverberates inside the shrine --- in that instant.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Clink!*

"Pulled-Pulled out. I pulled it out."

".....What, seriously!?"

Brandishing overhead the sword pulled out from the stone, Claire exclaimed with joy. In the next second---

The ancient runes engraved in its blade suddenly shone violently!

"......huh!?"

Claire involuntarily releases the blade from her hand ---

The holy blade thrust into the ground. With a flash it blasted into bits.

"Kyaaaaah!"

A short shriek flew, then Claire collapses into the ground.

"Hey, are you okay!"

Kamito quickly runs towards Claire.

"Wha-What? What exactly has...."

Claire held her temple and got up, then looked around restlessly.

"My-My sealed spirit?"

"No, I....can sense something terrible."

Sweat is flowing intensely from the back of Kamito's neck. Wearing a terrified facial expression,　he looked up at the shrine's ceiling. In that place, '''swinging while floating in the air was the blade'''.

It's not the shattered holy sword. But, It was a rough steel blade that looked very sharp.

"Is that.....the sealed spirit in the sword!?"

"So it was of the <sword spirit> class. Looks like it is rather irritated."

"How do you know so much? You are not even a spirit contractor!"

"It is plain to see. No matter how you look at it, that doesn't seem to be someone who pledges his allegiance to his master."

".....Umm, indeed so."

Claire meekly nodded uncharacteristically.

The floating sword slants pointing its tip in a downward direction, suddenly it become motionless.

Then ---

".....Get Down!"

Kamito in that instant, pushes down Claire to the ground. A buzzing sound of an insect grazed the ear, in a flash it went far away.

"Wai-Waa-Wait, where are you touching me, I'll turn you into cinders!"

With her face deeply red, Claire beat on Kamito's chest repeatedly.

"Idiot, stop rampaging!"

Kamito quickly moved his body away, and looked in the direction that the sword spirit had flown to.

Fragments of rocks fall down with clattering sounds. The shrine's ceiling was completely sliced off cleanly.

"It is remarkable to release a spirit of such rank ---"

Kamito glared with half opened eye towards　Claire.

"......but the spirit has completely gone berserk."

"Shu-Shut up. The-The taming of it starts now."

"YOU...."

Kamito was stupefied, but he was in no situation to quarrel with her.

The spirit sword released a chattering noise while approaching them. Inside the shrine, they couldn't move freely, and even their range of sight was restricted.

Kamito grabbed Claire's hand and stood up. Touching each others soft skin, *Doki* a heart beat, but he showed no vexed expression 

"Hwaah."

"Stopping making a cute reaction at every little thing. Let's flee."

"Wha.. whaa. whatt.. Cute.. what, me? Kyaa!"

"Let's run outside!"

Pulling Claire's hand, while running towards the direction of the shrine's exit that was basking with sunshine.

The spirit sword did not immediately chases after them. Maybe as of now it has not yet completely awakened. With this opportunity they might be able to run away.

The moment they are out of the shrine, the flash of the sword grazed in front of his eyes. Kamito's forelocks fell while dancing in the air. The spirit sword lets out a tremendous roar, decisively knocking domn the surrounding trees in succession.

"Crazy, what a wild Spirit, just like a certain princess."

"Alwa-Always, you're noisy..."

Feeling slightly awkward, and Claire deliberately coughed, then stood up.

"What a rebellious child.....I'll give you a proper spanking."

Her pair of crimson eyes were burning with a fierce determination; somehow she said some line of provocative. Rolling up the fringe of her skirt, she then took out the leather whip which was coiled in her thigh, hitting it hard in the ground. Kamito's heart beat for the brief sight of her white underwear, but he said -

"Are you insane!? You're opponent is a high rank sealed spirit!"

"Easy victory. Amateurs like you please stay back!"

"Where are you getting all of your confidence? Whatever, let's run away!"

Claire shook off Kamito's hand that was grabbing her wrist.

"No, you escape yourself. I will absolutely make this spirit mine."

"You, for what reason --- do you need a strong spirit that badly?"

".....You will never understand."

At the same time Clair averts her eyes.

"I need...power, I need a unbeatable powerful spirit that will not lose to any other spirit!"

'''"--- Guardian of Crimson's blaze, Keeper of the Sleepless furnace!"'''

'''"--- Now is the time to abide the contract of blood, hasten to my side as commanded!"'''

Claire recited the summoning spell of her "Flame Spirit". A crimson flame surges and she was engulfed by intense heat.

"The hunting begins, Scarlet!"

Together with scorching flame – a Scarlet Red Hell Cat appeared. Instead of a fur, it was blazing scarlet red colored flame that was wrapped around the beast's body.

''Is that the real form of her flame spirit!?''

Indeed, she was not all talk. To manifested in beast form is a proof that it is a high rank spirit. "Scarlet" might just be as a name of affection, perhaps it was not the true name of the spirit. Without doubt it is a high rank spirit that carries a true name. 

Claire wields her whip, and the hell cat growls with a frightful roar, then rushed towards the sword spirit. Dancing sparks scattered. The atmosphere trembled at the roar of the beast. The floating spirit sword went against them, cutting all the trees in its way.

"Scarlet, go get it!"

In response to Claire's shout, the hell cat leaped.　High above the floating sword it went, and sharp blazing claws swung down at the sword. With a high pitched shrill sound, intense sparks sprinkled down, and the spirit sword dropped to the ground.

Claire ran at the same time. It was not a fatal hit. The spirit sword rose and flew in a split second, rolling over while drawing an arc in the air.

The flame spirit chased after it, trying not to loose it from its hands. Roaring loudly, it made a great leap again.

Violent sparks scattered once again. Clare strikes hard at the ground with her leather whip, slowly pressing forward against the sword spirit. It looked like that the leather whip was not meant for battle, rather for signaling instructions to the spirit.

At the fiercely attacks of Scarlet, the spirit sword's movement stopped --- At this instant,

"Eat this, '''Searing Fire Ball'''!"

Clair releases a huge fire ball from her palm.

Fire Ball is a high level spirit magic which use ultra hot flames and can terribly burn up any of its target, leaving it traceless. The spirit magic's power is determined by the spirit contractor's own divine spiritual energy and the contracted spirit's strength as a whole.

The released fire ball drew an arch in the air, then exploded in a blast that even Scarlet was caught in. The shock wave of the explosion knocked down the trees in the surrounding and fallen tree trunks radiate from the explosion center.

''What Terrible power......''

Shielding himself from the flying stones coming at his head, Kamito wrapped his tongue and marveled.

Such power was nothing like what a sixteen years old girl is capable of.

Inside the swirling fire the hell cat's figure shows up. Naturally, the hell cat can't possibly be harmed by the blazing fire because of its fire nature.

The spirit sword float motionlessly in the air. It seemed that it had not received any damage either. Naturally, Claire didn't think that she would bring down a high rank spirit with spirit magic. But she should be able to get its attention.

"Scarlet!"

Claire exclaimed. The flame spirit's claws attacked at the spirit sword again. Its scourging hot claws could melt the iron steel. If its opponent was an average spirit, it would be instantly eradicated. But, the spirit sword quickly turned around, and the attack was stopped by the steel edge of the blade.

In an instant, the strange sound of metal scratching each other reverberated in the trembling atmosphere.

"Wh...What?...."

Kamito suppressed both his ears with his hands.

Receiving the full impact of the sound, Claire's face distorted from pain and she crouched down there.

The spirit sword released a weird sound - and then, transformed. Its shape changed from an average long sword to that of a huge bastard sword.

In a flash.

"What!?"

Claire's flame spirit took the unexpected strike and couldn't avoid the big swing. The body was severely into two, and it vanished into the void together with the flames wrapped around its body.

With only one hit, it had lost the strength to manifest in this world.

''....Damn! Isn't it in a completely different league? It seemed that it has completely awakened.''

Kamito cursed, then took a glance at Claire -

Claire had collapsed on the ground, and her stunned blank eyes were fixed upward at the void where the flame spirit has disappeared.

Having finished off the flame spirit in one swing, the spirit sword aimed its next attack at Claire. 

The huge bastard sword flew with a bursting sound -

"Claire!"

Kamito shouted, and started to run. Without reason, his own body just moved before he known it.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Diving in front of Clair, he thrust his palm toward the bastard sword. Not his left hand enclosed by the leather glove – it was his right hand.

''......No choice but to do this!''

'''"--- Oh Noble Spirit Sealed in Ancient Holy Sword!"'''

'''"--- Thou Shall Accept Me As Thy Master, And I Shall Be Thy Sheath!"'''

Sweats rushed down from his forehead, he started to recite the incantation for spirit contract ''that he had sworn to never utter again''. The spinning tip of the sword pierced the skin of his palm. Red blood gushed intensely from it.

''.....Gwaah, Gah!''

Crushing amount of divine energy knocked on him, the soil and sands surrounding them are whirling up from the wind pressure. He almost lost his consciousness from the sharp pain. But if Kamito fainted here, Claire protected behind him would surely be cut in half.

'''"--- Thrice I Command Thee!"'''

".....No way, a Spirit Contract!?"

A surprised sound came from Claire's throat.

Kamito's heels sunk into the ground. And, the sound of his breaking bones resounds underneath his scalp.

'''"--- Exchange Vows With Me!"'''

Withstanding the terrible sharp pain, Kamito finished his last word of the contract ritual.

Instantly, the body of spirit sword radiated a pale blue light.

''What!?''

Intense flashes and thunderous sounds filled his consciousness.

=== Part 4 ===

He opened his eyes, and Claire Rouge's face was there. Hanging lower onto his face was her twin tailed hair tickling his face.

It seemed that she shouted something, but he can't hear it clearly. Probably the sound blast had messed up his ears.

''.....Looks like I'm alive.''

Wearily lying on the ground, Kamito let out a breath of relief. The chance of success against a spirit of such rank was very low, but it looked like his gamble had paid off.

Raising his eyebrow, he grimaced from the torment of pain from all of his body and raised his right hand slowly.

In his right hand where was stabbed -

Instead of a wound, an emblem of two swords crossing each other was engraved on it.

It was the proof of the spirit contract - The spirit seal.

''Aah, I did it....''

Staring at the carved seal on the back of his hand, Kamito murmured.

A sharp sense of guilt bit his heart.

He had broken the promise with ''her'' ---

But, to save Claire under such a situation, that was the only method.

Claire noticed that Kamito has woken up, with her hands in his nape and her face approaching him. So close that he could feel her breath. With her clear crimson eyes, she stared at Kamito. Her cherry colored lips weakly trembled.

"......Why?"

"'''Why? You're a male. How can you contract a spirit!?'''"

"......"

Kamito does not answer and slowly rises up. Being ignored, the annoyed Claire raised her eyebrows.

"My-My Sword Spirit!?"

"My bad. Just a moment ago, I contracted with it."

Kamito sighes and at the same time he shows her the back of his right hand where the spirit seal is engraved.

"Wha-Whaa-Wha-Whaaaat!"

Claire wore a stunned expression with her mouth wide open.

''Well, A natural reaction....''

A long sigh --- Kamito felt a faint ache in his heart. Of course, he could clearly understand such response. Originally, a privilege that was granted to no one except pure maidens --- the spirit contract.

The existence of a man which could contract a spirit, throughout the history, belonged solely to one person. And the one who brought chaos and destruction in the world, the so called Demon King spirit contractor.

It is natural to fear him, who carried the same power of spirit contracts as the Demon King.

Kamito stands up and quietly turns around.

He does not regret. To save the girl, this is the only way he could think of.

"Wait, Wait I say!"

Kamito was about to leave, but a voice called him from the back.

Turning around, he saw that Claire with her hands in her hips intensely glared at him.

"You stole...my spirit...take responsibility for it!"

"Huh?"

Kamito frowned. ....It didn't make any sense to him.

At such reaction of Kamito, Claire impatient　brushed her twin tail.

"I should have been the one who had obtained that spirit, as am I saying, you have to take responsibility for it."

"Re..sponsibility?"

Because of that unexpected word, Kamito had become even more confused.<ref>Normally while using the Japanese language, when a girl tells a guy to take responsibility it carries the implication of marriage. Hence Kamito's confusion.</ref>

....What was the girl saying.

"Therefore...."

Claire snapped her whip, then she points her index finger toward Kamito.

"You have to become my contracted spirit!"

<noinclude>
==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Illustrations|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter2}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter1

2012-05-27T09:21:26Z

220.255.2.40: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 1: You Are My Contracted Spirit==

=== Part 1 ===

In a quiet forest where the sun rays were shining through leaves.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Paa--*

Suddenly, the rippling sound of water resounded in the air.

Kamito, he--opened his mouth wide and just stood there.

A girl...In front of his eyes was a fully naked girl.

She was cute, extraordinarily cute. Her eyes were big and red like rubies, her cherry-red lips were wet and lustrous, her dazzling white flesh was as silky as milk, and on the surface of the water, her beautiful legs were slender and fine. Also, what caught his eyes more than anything was--

The hair that clings on her gorgeous fine glass work like body, crimson red like burning fire.

Of course, she was naked. Stark naked.

"......"

Kamito felt cold sweat on his back.

Not good.

It's really not good that she has been seen naked.

......I should really run away quickly. Even though he gave that rational advice to himself, his body wouldn't move. Actually, he was ''charmed''. The scene was so surreal that Kamito felt a bit detached from reality.

And at that time, the girl--

[[Image:STnBD V01 013.jpg|thumb]]

Her moist and beautiful eyes blinked, having found the unexpected intruder.
Staring blankly, she seemed yet to have fully grasped the situation.
She didn't even try to cover her still developing small breasts.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Tick.*

The water drops fell from the young girl's bangs. Kamito's consciousness came back at the sound of the water.

"Ah-that......"

Kamito coughed once, and removed his glance from the naked girl who was standing motionlessly.

"How can I say it......it looks like an accident, right? It is an unfortunate accident for both of us..."

At that time, Kamito made two fatal errors. The first, of course, was that he started to make futile explanations. The best choice was to take advantage of the fact that the girl was dazed, and run away from the trouble immediately.

And the other error was--

"Even though it was an accident, I have seen you in such a situation. Sorry, my apologies."

Until here it was still fine, but the last part......

"Though, don't worry. I'm still a healthy boy, so I don't have ''that kind of interest''. I......"

Looking at the young girl's ''still developing small chest''--

"I have no interest towards a kid's body."

Looks like he stepped on a gigantic landmine.

"......"

A frozen silence fell.

Silently, the girl raised her arm with red hair coiled around. Her shoulders were slightly shaking. However the reason wasn't because of the cold, but Kamito was oblivious to that fact.

"Sixteen--"

"Eh?"

The girl's delicate lips were mumbling something, and Kamito lifted his eyebrows.

"I-I-I AM ALREADY SIXTEEN-YEARS OLD!!!"

At the instant when she screamed that out, the young girl's red hair stood on end.

"Huuh!?"

As Kamito opened his eyes wide in surprise--

"Sixteen!? For real? How can you have such a pitiful chest--"

He quickly covered his mouth. But it was already too late.

"......Unforgivable."

The young girl said that in a low, cold voice.

"D-Definitely unforgivable......you-you-you-you peeping demon, pervert, lewd beast!"

"You know it well, words like lewd beast."

Kamito said that in a low voice with narrowed eyes.

"Hn?"

......At that time, he noted that the forest's trees were making a low whisper-like rustle.

''Is that the wind? No, that's--''

'''"--- Guardian of Crimson Blaze, Keeper of the Sleepless furnace!"'''

'''"--- Now is the time to abide the contract of blood, hasten to my side as commanded!"'''

From the young girl's cute lips came a smooth incantation in spirits' language. At that instant, accompanied by the sound of an air blast, a scourging flame whip appeared in the hand of the girl.

''.....a Spirit Contractor!''

Kamito shouted in his head.

Spirit Contractor --- another dimensional layer of this world, the "Astral Zero".

Princess Maidens that have signed a contract with a fierce spirit from that place are called "Spirit Contractors".

Spirit Contractors can use different types of spirits, wielding their powers as their wish.

It seems that the girl in front of him had a contract with a flame type spirit.

The young girl is a Spirit Contractor. It isn't something to be surprised about.

After all, this is the place where the country's excellent Spirit Contractors are gathered together.

''.....However, surprisingly she is even capable of using Elemental Waffe.''

The natures of the spirits summoned into this world from the Astral Zero can roughly be divided into two types.

The first type is the massless, shapeless type that appears in its original state known as a 'Divine Core'. This is purely the summoning of a spirit's power, and is used as a vault of magical power for the spirit magic.

There is another type, the pure state of summoning a part of the spirit's existence as it is. Because of the tremendous amount of power required and the difficulty to control it, it is said that only a tiny portion of the spirit contractors can do it to this extent.

Even so, the girl before his eyes is not just using a spirit, but could use it to the extent of using the spirit as a highly optimized elemental buff.

''.... it means that, eh? – Am I now in a life or death situation?''

As the thought suddenly hit him, Kamito was stunned.

At the place where the flame whip touched the water's surface, a gush of white steam was rising from it.

"You, you have the guts..... "

The girl murmured in a trembling voice. Her face was red. Was it due to her anger, or her embarrassment?

"Rea-Really, you have some nerve, to p-peek , while I, Claire Rouge, am taking my bath....."

"W-Wait, that's a misunderstanding! Let me explain it first!"

Kamito shook his head in panic.

"I will not listen to your excuses. Please turn into ashes, PERVERT!"

The flame whip ignited furiously in the wielder's hand and was moving as if it was licking the water surface.

"Oooooh..!?"

Kamito threw his body and quickly jumped into the dense brushes nearby.

Nearly at the same time, the flame whip brushed its way over his head.

The idle red residue remained on the trees, which were cut off like a complete joke. The cut surface of the tree trunks' remains were surprisingly clean, without any trace of burn. The attack was so quick that the flames didn't even have the time to ignite the trees.

The hair on Kamito's forehead was fluttering down on his mouth while cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

''.....Um, that's a joke, right? I'm not going to die like that, am I?''

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Zing*, *biyutsu* – there was like an endless dance of crimson flash cutting horizontally and vertically in the forest. The bush was mowed down in a blink of eye and losing his place of hiding, Kamito hurriedly dashed out.

"You wild beast, stay still and let me hit you!"

"That's nonsense, I'm not a pervert!"

Kamito screamed out and at the same time, the whip swung downwards on his feet, causing a violent spark to scatter. Rising from the ground, the whip immediately sprang up in the direction of the forest woods, which got ruthlessly severed. But fortunately among all the unluckiness, the girl - Claire's aim wasn't quite accurate. After all, one hand was hiding her pitiful chest from being revealed, and in order to conceal her most important part, she squatted down in the pond. However, considering how she handled her whip in such a position, she should be normally talented at using it.

"How conceited despite being a pervert, please obediently turn into charcoal!"

"As I am saying, I'm not a pervert!"

Kamito stopped and turned around. He pointed out something that he had been mindful for sometime.

"Hey, are you sure that you're hiding it properly? Between the gaps of your finger, you can't hide it delicately."

"......eh?"

Instantly, Claire's facial expression froze. And-

"Kyaaaaaaaaaah!"

Blushing deeply and screaming strangely in a cute voice - she quickly hid her chest with both of her hands.

"Ah, idiot!"

Kamito involuntarily exclaimed.

Claire let go and lost control of the flame whip, and it severed the trees behind the girl. Slowly, the huge trees came falling down right at her. However, Claire didn't notice it since her eyes were closed in embarrassment while embracing her naked chest with both hands. 

''Damn--''

At this instant, Kamito kicked the ground. Running with his whole strength towards the pond, he then jumped while grabbing Claire's shoulders.

"Wha-!?"

Claire's red pupils dilated widely. Kamito ignored it and aggressively pressed her down in the water. The moment Claire's hand touched the water, a gush of steam rose, and the flame whip disappeared. Immediately after, the trees　nearby fell down, and giant tree trunks collapsed down on them.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Duuuun!*

The deafening sound almost broke the ears, and magnificent large water columns rose.

Absorbing the heat of the burning flame, the warm pond water poured down like heavy rain.

.....A few seconds later.

"Um......"

With a seductive rising voice, Claire slowly opened her eyes. She had an expression of shock, and her eyes blinked in wonder. Kamito was lying on top of Claire, and briefly he found himself staring into her eyes. Their faces were so close that if someone was to push his back lightly, their lips would likely touch. The crimson red hair clung closely to her nape. Her moist lips were cherry red. Delicate glass doll like perfect face was in front of Kamito's eyes. For a short moment it looked like he had involuntarily fallen for her. Kamito quickly shook his head.

"......Um, are you alright? Are you hurt.."

Claire nodded. Somehow, it seemed she had not fully absorbed the situation yet. Kamito sighed, then tried to stand up.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyuu.*

His hand under the water had touched something soft.

"Hwaaah!"

''What is that? Mud?--''

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyu*. *Munyu*<ref>These are sounds of touching and squeezing</ref>.

"Hm, ya, hwaaa"

From her moist lips came a shallow sweet voice. Claire's submerged naked body twitched for some reason.

"Um ..this is?"

Having come this far, Kimito finally arrived in a certain conclusion. A certain......awfully frightening conclusion.

''No, wait, calm down, maybe --- could I have mistaken''

It can't be. There was no such thing. While releasing a flow of cold sweat, he desperately tried to deny such a possibility.

"When I looked it earlier, it wasn't so..."

"Wh..Wha.. Wha..Whattt .... are..you...do..ing"

Claire's lip trembled, shaking involuntarily. She was blushing with tears in her eyes.

Apparently, it probably wasn't.....a lump of mud that he touched.

"You, PERVERT----!"

"Gwah!"

Because he got hit hard by a knee in the stomach, Kamito collapsed into the pond's water.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gugugugugu....!*

With rising wobbling heat haze behind her, Claire slowly stood up. Before one knows, the flame whip materialized by the flame spirit was again grasped in her hand. The water in the pond instantaneously started to boil, and bubbles began to show here and there.

"No..No, it's a misunderstanding! Wait, I'm really gonna die....."

"Sh..Shut up pervert, you will die here!"

Together with an almost ear breaking deafening sound, Kamito's body whirled highly into the air.

=== Part 2 ===

".....Um"

Few minutes later. Kamito starts to recover his consciousness, before his eyes, trees within the forest unfold.

He tried to rise---

Suddenly, he noticed something which was coiled around his neck.

It was a leather black whip for torturing. ''What is this thing...'', Kamito tried to remove it,

"Finally woke up, You Peeping Tom Pervert"

The thing on his neck tightens.

"Gweh!? Release me...."

Kamito coughed then looked upward-

Scarlet haired young girl – Claire, stood with her hands at her waist. Keeping her slim eyebrow arc raised, she gazed sharply down at Kamito.

This time she was not naked. The girl has changed into an adorable uniform. It has the pattern of black line within the pure white, Areishia Spirit Academy's uniform.

A ribbon tie decorated the front of her chest. Instead of a button, a talisman was sewn on it. Between the gap of knee sock stockings and a pleated skirt, her slender beautiful legs stuck out brilliantly. The tiny ribbons tied her blazing crimson hair on both sides. This was the so called twin tail hair style. Judging from her still wet hair, it seems that he hadn't lost consciousness for that long.

Keeping the neck of Kamito bound tightly, Claire puffed up her small chest.

"Well, be grateful. I went easy and didn't try to kill you"

"That has to be a lie. You definitely intended to kill me. "

"What are you talking about? If I was serious, you would've been cinders by now. "

..... She just said something terribly frightening in a calm manner.

By the way, cinders are the soft ash residue left from incinerated firewood.

"I beg your forgiveness to spare me from becoming cinders. After all, I helped you."

"Yeah, I'm a fair noble, I'll give you credit for that. You are of a higher grade than an average pervert, so you are a high grade pervert."

"In the end the pervert designation doesn't change. By the way, isn't a high grade pervert even worse than an average pervert?"

"Wh.. What.....pretending to help, you ...you touched, my breast!"

Recalling what happened earlier, Claire's shy face suddenly turns red.

''Hmm?''

Seeing such a reaction from her, Kamito had an idea.

.....This girl, could it be that she is that kind of person?

"So it seems, that my lady is a pervert that has a hobby of whipping men."

Kamito teased her nonchalantly -

"What!? Wr-Wro-Wrong, I'm not!"

The response was immediate as expected. Claire shook her head, and her cheeks instantly became bright red all the way to her ears.

"Then do you enjoy being whipped?"

".....m! Wha... What.. are...you..sayi..ng?"

Claire's eyes twirled, as a steam puff rose out from her head. She is surprisingly flustered.

''Oh, as I expected....''

Kamito smiled bitterly in his heart.

''This girl, is really really innocent.''

Perhaps, this girl is not that special. After all, this is the Areishiya Spirit academy, where princess maidens who have made contracts with spirits are gathered.

Only pure maidens are capable of communicating with the spirits from Astral Zero. Among them, those who retain enough divine power so that they can command a contracted spirit, are noble girls from the family of kings or lords of ancient and honorable lineage, whose spirit contractor blood was strengthened through marriage of many generations.

To maintain the purity of their body and heart, these girls are raised in an environment that's completely separated from the males since childhood: the so called elite education for spirit contractors. Therefore, all the girls attending the academy are super boxed-in princesses who are unaccustomed to men.

Finding the unexpected weak point of the girl, Kamito had a slight desire to play a prank on her.

Keeping a kneeling position, Kamito looked up at the embarrassed bright red face of Claire.

"Wh- Then, there is something I have meant to say since earlier."

"Wh...What, you pervert!"

"I can see your panties from this angle."

"Fuwah!" 

Tears begun to float in her crimson eyes, Claire hastily pressed down the fringe of her skirt with both hands.

"You... You saw it?"

"Only a glance, you are unexpectedly quite daring. It has the same color as your hair."

"You... You lie! It is not red! It's white, white!" 

"So, it's white."

"......huh!?"

Realizing that she was tricked, Claire bit her lips-

"U-Uuuuuuuuuh~"

..... Somehow she started to cry.

At this sudden unexpected reaction, Kamito panicked. "What a slutty unladylike person, to confess the color of her own panties," he had planned to tease her more with such words..... but he felt pity seeing her like this. 

Taking the chance while Claire was still in disarray, Kamito removed the the whip coiled around his neck.

"My bad, I went a bit too far with my prank. Sorry."

Kamito stood up and placed his hand on Claire's head. Claire stopped crying, and looked puzzled.

"It's my fault that I have seen your naked body while bathing, and I have .... have touched your breast as well. But those actions were not intentional. Please believe me."

"Wha-What....."

Seeing the truthfulness in Kamito's eye, Claire can not help but to avert her eyes.

"....What-What is this? If you are not a pervert, then '''why are you here?'''"

A question of matter of course. This forest is under the jurisdiction of Areishia Spirit Academy, known as the "Spirit Forest". There is no reason for the presence of a man in the academy where pure princess maidens are gathered.

Even if he is not a pervert, there is little doubt that he is someone suspicious. 

"I was, summoned here by Greyworth."

"Greyworth..... the Academy Director!?"

Claire suspiciously questioned. Indeed, it is only natural to doubt.

"I'm not lying. Look, here's the evidence."

Kamito shrugged his shoulders, and took out a letter from his burned coat's inside pocket. The letter was signed by the renowned academy director. Also, it was stamped with the emblem seal that symbolizes the five great elemental lords.

"Is....that, the first rank emblem seal of the empire!?"

Claire let out voice of dismay from her lips. The first rank emblem seal is produced by sealing spirits with a special technique. It is rated as the highest among the emblem seals issued by the empire, and is said to be completely impossible to counterfeit. Of course, it is something that is rarely seen, but as a spirit contractor, Claire could certainly tell its authenticity. 

".....It seems to be the real thing. But, why would the academy director call a man here?"

"Well, for that you have to ask Greyworth, that old hag. It was troublesome for me, too."

"That... that old hag!?"

Instantly, Claire's face stiffened.

The Dusk Witch, Greyworth is greatly respected by the princess maidens who aim to become spirit knights. It was said that her popularity in the Ordesia Empire is neck and neck with the Strongest Sword Dancer Ren Ashbell. Even after a decade since she retired from the squad of the Twelve Knight Generals, the most elite force of the Spirit Knights known as the <Numbers>, her legendary name as a witch is still being feared and revered to the highest degree. 

''Well, for me, she is nothing but a nightmare....''

Tucking away the letter in his pocket, Kamito shrugged his shoulders.

"Greyworth is an old acquaintance of mine. I came all the way here, but the academy ground is very large, so I have lost my way."

Areishia Spirit Academy ground is incredibly vast. After all, beside the academic town at the foot of the hill, it also includes the entire spirit forest that spreads around it.

"Could it be, that you were misled by the spirits in the forest. That's so lame."

".....Yeah, that's how it is."

Claire chuckled, while Kamito nodded, feeling a bit dejected.

Existing in various location of the continent, the spirit forests are connected with Astral Zero through the GATE, and are inhabited by the spirits that have gone astray to this world. Most of the spirits have no interest in humankind so they are harmless. But there are also spirits who enjoy playing pranks, and they deliberately mislead the travelers who stray into the forest. As he was guided by the spirits'　whispers and went deeper and deeper in the forest, he must have lost the way to the academy.

"Anyway, I'm really glad that I met a person. It is not very appealing to become a victim of the forest. From here onward, which direction should I follow to get to the academy?"

"Which direction.....for your own information, I shall tell you, that it takes two hours to get to the academy from here on foot."

"What, that far!?"

If he was to walk for such long distance, most likely he would be once again tricked by the spirits. Since a student of the academy was here, he had thought that the academy was much nearer than it was. 

''.....hmm? Why was this girl taking a bath at this kind of place?''

A plain question suddenly arises. Today is indeed a bit hot, nonetheless instead of coming all the way here, there should be showering facilities inside of the academy no matter what. Anyhow there are only girls in the school, there is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Being asked, Claire dug her hands into her wet twin tail hair and tried to comb it.

"I was here for the purification ritual for a spirit contract. Being a spring next to a shrine, the water here has the highest holy quality. Do you at least know that spirits like a woman which has a pure mind and body?"

"Spirit Contract?"

The moment he hears those words, a throbbing pain came from the back of his left hand covered in leather gloves. Kamito grimaced from the burning sharp pain.

"A bit further from here, there is an ancient holy sword in a historical shrine. Rumor has it that a powerful "Sealed Spirit" is inhabited there. Since the foundation of the academy, not a single princess maiden has successfully formed a contract with it. It surely sounds like a very proud spirit."

Sealed Spirits – are not the spirits that reside in Astral Zero.

Among the spirits, there are those who were sealed into weapons or armors by powerful ancient spirit contractors. Most of them have brought about terrible disasters to the humans, and are dreadful beings called Djinn or Ifrit by ancient societies. 

Of course, they are not meant to be employed by the human spirit contractors. For that purpose, the ancient great spirit contractors sealed them in weapons or armor so that they will never be summoned again.

"You, do you plan to form a contract with a sealed spirit?"

"That's right! Do you have a problem with it?"

"Stop, it's too dangerous."

"Hmm, you seem to know it quite well, even though you are not a spirit contractor. I'm quite aware of the danger, but I need a powerful spirit no matter what."

Claire muttered, biting her tightly close lips.

Seeing her serious facial expression, Kamito involuntarily shuts his mouth.

"But, don't you already have a contract with the flame spirit from earlier? That is also a quite powerful spirit, won't it be fine if you raise it up?"

For its tribute, a flame spirit is not very rare. But, there are only a handful spirit contractors who can control a spirit of such rank and even capable of <elemental waffe> in the whole empire. Besides, spirit contractors that have formed a contract with multiple spirits are so rare that they almost don't exist. Discordance between the spirits can cause deterioration of the balance of divine power. Without enough talent one can't control them.

"'''Scarlet''' is an important partner. But-"

I need more power-- Claire calmly shook her head.

"I have a goal. To achieve it, I must have a strong spirit."

=== Part 3 ===

Chasing the back of Claire on which her fluffy crimson twin tails swung, Kamito followed her inside the forest. Although Claire's leather loafers looked quite difficult to walk in,　Claire was a well trained spirit contractor after all, and her steps were light and frivolous.

"Here."

Then, suddenly her well proportioned feet stopped walking.

With her hands on her hips, she looked back with a half eye glare towards Kamito.

"Why are you following me? You pervert peeping maniac. "

"Without you, I don't know the way towards the academy. As I have said several times, I am not a pervert peeping maniac. It's Kamito, Kamito Kazehaya."

"Fufu, what a weird name. Kuina's origin?"

Kuina is an empire in the eastern region of the continent. It is said that its language, culture and the relationship of people with spirits largely differed from Ordeshia.

"No, It's not from Kuina. I was born in a far remote island minority group village."

Kamito intentionally obscures his own statement. Certainly, he was born in an island country in the east, but the larger half of his childhood life wasn't spent there.

"Your name also has quite a rare taste, Claire Rouge."

"Don't call my name in a friendly manner. Anyway it's a strange name."

"Really? But, I consider it a nice name."

"Wha-What are you saying, stu-stupid!"

Claire's face blushed, then she suddenly changed back to her former direction, and briskly walked faster than usual.

Claire Rouge ---- obviously a Pseudonym.

Most of the students attending the Areshia spirit academy are surely young ladies of noble families who has been trained as spirit contractors since childhood. But Kamito has never heard of the Rouge residence. For hiding a noble family name, she must have some reason for it, but Kamito had no intention to delve more.

''.....Everyone has some secret they want to hide.''

Kamito glanced in the direction of his left hand covered by a leather glove.

''Even I have mine, too -''

Claire keeps advancing steadily. Kamito hastily chased after her back where the twin tail were swaying. Now, losing sight of Claire inside the forest will bring only trouble for him. Kamito was well aware of the dangers of spending one night inside the "Spirit Forest".

"Is that dress the academy's uniform?"

"Yeah."

Claire nods in a cold manner while walking.

Areishia Spirit Academy Uniform is pretty sturdy and also served as a protective garment, which has undergone spirit's blessing, and it had the effect of raising the sacred attributes. It could also function nicely as a high ceremonial dress for contracting with spirits.

"What, are you saying that it doesn't suite me?"

"No, it suite you gorgeously. Honestly speaking, I am charmed."

Kamito shrugged his shoulder, and then answered it honestly.　Fine feathers make fine birds, Kamito planed to mock her with some caustic words, but it did fit her so perfectly that Kamito couldn't help but to compliment her.

"Wha-What-What are you saying!? Aren't you an idiot!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Kaatsu* Claire blushes in deep red, while *Pyun-Pyun* waving her whip.

"Uwahh, Calm down!"

"Wasn't it because that you said some weird thing?"

"Me saying a weird thing?, I simply speak the truth - *in pain*, I got it, I got it, please stop waving your whip for every little thing."

''....phew, I need her as a guide, but what a bothersome princess.''

Dodging the whip which was swung downward at a paper thin distance, Kamito sighed in his mind.

The shrine that held the holy blade stood quietly　in a clearing in the forest.

Claire easily removed the entry forbidding ward, then stopped her steps, and turned to Kamito.

"From here onwards, it will be really dangerous, so, as a commoner you should stay away."

"If you know that it's dangerous, why not stop?"

"As am I saying, ''I need to have a strong spirit''."

Claire calmly shook her head, and stepped into the shrine.

Disregarding her warnings, Kamito followed her. As for coming all the way, it was true that he needed a guide, but more importantly he was just worried about Claire.

After all "Sealed Spirits" are strong and at the same time have a wild nature. They prefer destruction and chaos; given the chance they would even murder the spirit contractor that employs them.

They are not something that can be managed by humans --- that's why they have been sealed.

Sixteen years of age, with such an innate talent of wielding a spirit, Claire might as well be called a prodigy. However, if by any chance, she was to release a sealed spirit and fail to control it, what would happen?

Although she was just a girl he met by chance, Kamito couldn't leave her alone.

"Why did you follow me? I can't guarantee what will happen to you."

"Don't you have the absolute confidence to tame it?"

"Of-Of course I do!"

"Then there's no problem if I come along. "

Kamito shrugged his shoulder and Claire turned away from him.

"....Suit yourself"

Inside the shrine is a dark gloomy misty atmosphere. Claire frowned slightly at the mold smells mingled inside the air.

"......Flames, let there be light."

A tiny fire ball immediately starts to glow from Claire's fingertips, a basic spirit spell drawing on the power of Flame Spirit. The flickering light of the fire ball dimly illuminates the walls of the shrine which looked like a stalactites cavern.

The sword was at the innermost of the shrine.

"That..... is the sword that the sealed spirit resides in?"

Kamito muttered, while Claire nodded quietly.

A naked sword was stabbed standing in a huge stone. Although without doubt it was an antique of hundreds years old,　it has no rust in its body or dent of its edge. Delicate ancient runes were engrossed on its belly, radiating a dimly blue light.

"Existing here even before the academy was found, <The Holy Sword of Severian>."

"The Holy Sword of Severian? The one that slayed Demon King Solomon?"

Demon King Solomon --- commanding seventy two powerful spirits, brought chaos and destruction to the continent, and '''the only male spirit contractor in history'''.

It was said that the one that slayed the demon king was the sword of Severian.

"Idiot, there's no way that's the real thing."

Claire stated like she was amazed.

"'Holy Swords of Severian' stabbed into a stone can be found everywhere in the empire. Some remote villages even have one for the revitalization the village. Anyhow, even if it is not the real deal, since it is a rune sword, there might be a powerful spirit sealed in itself."

".....Indeed. Certainly, the real thing would not be in such a place..."

Claire walked toward the sword determinedly.

"Hey...."

"You stay back."

Gesturing to Kamito who was coming close, Claire clenched the hilt of the holy blade.

"Don't strain yourself."

"....Got it."

Kamito decided to watch over Claire at the edge where the light barely reached. The sealed spirit might be provoked by the presence of other people. A heavy silence filled the surroundings.

".....Let's do this, Claire Rouge."

Breathing deeply, Claire murmured to herself. Her voice trembled a bit: it seemed that she was nervous after all.

'''"--- Oh Noble Spirit Sealed in Ancient Holy Sword!"'''

'''"--- Thou Shall Accept Me As Thy Master, And I Shall Be Thy Sheath!"'''

From her cherry red lips flew a fluent incantation for contract ritual in spirit language. Her crimson hair stands on its ends. A crashing wind started to swirl inside the shrine.

Holding his breath, Kamito watched her intensively. Once the contracts had been exchanged and the spirit recognized Clair as its master, a spirit seal would be engraved somewhere on her body. The contract vows entered its conclusion. In this moment, a dreadful gust of wind swept inside the shrine.

"......eh?"

But, Claire is unfazed. She calmly recites her contract vow.

---And, dazzling light radiated from Severian's holy blade in her hand.

''I can't....believe it, She was exchanging a contract with the sealed spirit!?''

Preventing being swept by the wind, astonished Kamito raised his voice.

From the holy blade stabbed in the stone　came overwhelming tremendous divine energy. If it was an average spirit contractor, she would have already passed out.

'''"---Thrice I Command Thee, Exchange Vows With Me!"'''

And, Claire's vow reverberates inside the shrine --- in that instant.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Clink!*

"Pulled-Pulled out. I pulled it out."

".....What, seriously!?"

Brandishing overhead the sword pulled out from the stone, Claire exclaimed with joy. In the next second---

The ancient runes engraved in its blade suddenly shone violently!

"......huh!?"

Claire involuntarily releases the blade from her hand ---

The holy blade thrust into the ground. With a flash it blasted into bits.

"Kyaaaaah!"

A short shriek flew, then Claire collapses into the ground.

"Hey, are you okay!"

Kamito quickly runs towards Claire.

"Wha-What? What exactly has...."

Claire held her temple and got up, then looked around restlessly.

"My-My sealed spirit?"

"No, I....can sense something terrible."

Sweat is flowing intensely from the back of Kamito's neck. Wearing a terrified facial expression,　he looked up at the shrine's ceiling. In that place, '''swinging while floating in the air was the blade'''.

It's not the shattered holy sword. But, It was a rough steel blade that looked very sharp.

"Is that.....the sealed spirit in the sword!?"

"So it was of the <sword spirit> class. Looks like it is rather irritated."

"How do you know so much? You are not even a spirit contractor!"

"It is plain to see. No matter how you look at it, that doesn't seem to be someone who pledges his allegiance to his master."

".....Umm, indeed so."

Claire meekly nodded uncharacteristically.

The floating sword slants pointing its tip in a downward direction, suddenly it become motionless.

Then ---

".....Get Down!"

Kamito in that instant, pushes down Claire to the ground. A buzzing sound of an insect grazed the ear, in a flash it went far away.

"Wai-Waa-Wait, where are you touching me, I'll turn you into cinders!"

With her face deeply red, Claire beat on Kamito's chest repeatedly.

"Idiot, stop rampaging!"

Kamito quickly moved his body away, and looked in the direction that the sword spirit had flown to.

Fragments of rocks fall down with clattering sounds. The shrine's ceiling was completely sliced off cleanly.

"It is remarkable to release a spirit of such rank ---"

Kamito glared with half opened eye towards　Claire.

"......but the spirit has completely gone berserk."

"Shu-Shut up. The-The taming of it starts now."

"YOU...."

Kamito was stupefied, but he was in no situation to quarrel with her.

The spirit sword released a chattering noise while approaching them. Inside the shrine, they couldn't move freely, and even their range of sight was restricted.

Kamito grabbed Claire's hand and stood up. Touching each others soft skin, *Doki* a heart beat, but he showed no vexed expression 

"Hwaah."

"Stopping making a cute reaction at every little thing. Let's flee."

"Wha.. whaa. whatt.. Cute.. what, me? Kyaa!"

"Let's run outside!"

Pulling Claire's hand, while running towards the direction of the shrine's exit that was basking with sunshine.

The spirit sword did not immediately chases after them. Maybe as of now it has not yet completely awakened. With this opportunity they might be able to run away.

The moment they are out of the shrine, the flash of the sword grazed in front of his eyes. Kamito's forelocks fell while dancing in the air. The spirit sword lets out a tremendous roar, decisively knocking domn the surrounding trees in succession.

"Crazy, what a wild Spirit, just like a certain princess."

"Alwa-Always, you're noisy..."

Feeling slightly awkward, and Claire deliberately coughed, then stood up.

"What a rebellious child.....I'll give you a proper spanking."

Her pair of crimson eyes were burning with a fierce determination; somehow she said some line of provocative. Rolling up the fringe of her skirt, she then took out the leather whip which was coiled in her thigh, hitting it hard in the ground. Kamito's heart beat for the brief sight of her white underwear, but he said -

"Are you insane!? You're opponent is a high rank sealed spirit!"

"Easy victory. Amateurs like you please stay back!"

"Where are you getting all of your confidence? Whatever, let's run away!"

Claire shook off Kamito's hand that was grabbing her wrist.

"No, you escape yourself. I will absolutely make this spirit mine."

"You, for what reason --- do you need a strong spirit that badly?"

".....You will never understand."

At the same time Clair averts her eyes.

"I need...power, I need a unbeatable powerful spirit that will not lose to any other spirit!"

'''"--- Guardian of Crimson's blaze, Keeper of the Sleepless furnace!"'''

'''"--- Now is the time to abide the contract of blood, hasten to my side as commanded!"'''

Claire recited the summoning spell of her "Flame Spirit". A crimson flame surges and she was engulfed by intense heat.

"The hunting begins, Scarlet!"

Together with scorching flame – a Scarlet Red Hell Cat appeared. Instead of a fur, it was blazing scarlet red colored flame that was wrapped around the beast's body.

''Is that the real form of her flame spirit!?''

Indeed, she was not all talk. To manifested in beast form is a proof that it is a high rank spirit. "Scarlet" might just be as a name of affection, perhaps it was not the true name of the spirit. Without doubt it is a high rank spirit that carries a true name. 

Claire wields her whip, and the hell cat growls with a frightful roar, then rushed towards the sword spirit. Dancing sparks scattered. The atmosphere trembled at the roar of the beast. The floating spirit sword went against them, cutting all the trees in its way.

"Scarlet, go get it!"

In response to Claire's shout, the hell cat leaped.　High above the floating sword it went, and sharp blazing claws swung down at the sword. With a high pitched shrill sound, intense sparks sprinkled down, and the spirit sword dropped to the ground.

Claire ran at the same time. It was not a fatal hit. The spirit sword rose and flew in a split second, rolling over while drawing an arc in the air.

The flame spirit chased after it, trying not to loose it from its hands. Roaring loudly, it made a great leap again.

Violent sparks scattered once again. Clare strikes hard at the ground with her leather whip, slowly pressing forward against the sword spirit. It looked like that the leather whip was not meant for battle, rather for signaling instructions to the spirit.

At the fiercely attacks of Scarlet, the spirit sword's movement stopped --- At this instant,

"Eat this, '''Searing Fire Ball'''!"

Clair releases a huge fire ball from her palm.

Fire Ball is a high level spirit magic which use ultra hot flames and can terribly burn up any of its target, leaving it traceless. The spirit magic's power is determined by the spirit contractor's own divine spiritual energy and the contracted spirit's strength as a whole.

The released fire ball drew an arch in the air, then exploded in a blast that even Scarlet was caught in. The shock wave of the explosion knocked down the trees in the surrounding and fallen tree trunks radiate from the explosion center.

''What Terrible power......''

Shielding himself from the flying stones coming at his head, Kamito wrapped his tongue and marveled.

Such power was nothing like what a sixteen years old girl is capable of.

Inside the swirling fire the hell cat's figure shows up. Naturally, the hell cat can't possibly be harmed by the blazing fire because of its fire nature.

The spirit sword float motionlessly in the air. It seemed that it had not received any damage either. Naturally, Claire didn't think that she would bring down a high rank spirit with spirit magic. But she should be able to get its attention.

"Scarlet!"

Claire exclaimed. The flame spirit's claws attacked at the spirit sword again. Its scourging hot claws could melt the iron steel. If its opponent was an average spirit, it would be instantly eradicated. But, the spirit sword quickly turned around, and the attack was stopped by the steel edge of the blade.

In an instant, the strange sound of metal scratching each other reverberated in the trembling atmosphere.

"Wh...What?...."

Kamito suppressed both his ears with his hands.

Receiving the full impact of the sound, Claire's face distorted from pain and she crouched down there.

The spirit sword released a weird sound - and then, transformed. Its shape changed from an average long sword to that of a huge bastard sword.

In a flash.

"What!?"

Claire's flame spirit took the unexpected strike and couldn't avoid the big swing. The body was severely into two, and it vanished into the void together with the flames wrapped around its body.

With only one hit, it had lost the strength to manifest in this world.

''....Damn! Isn't it in a completely different league? It seemed that it has completely awakened.''

Kamito cursed, then took a glance at Claire -

Claire had collapsed on the ground, and her stunned blank eyes were fixed upward at the void where the flame spirit has disappeared.

Having finished off the flame spirit in one swing, the spirit sword aimed its next attack at Claire. 

The huge bastard sword flew with a bursting sound -

"Claire!"

Kamito shouted, and started to run. Without reason, his own body just moved before he known it.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Diving in front of Clair, he thrust his palm toward the bastard sword. Not his left hand enclosed by the leather glove – it was his right hand.

''......No choice but to do this!''

'''"--- Oh Noble Spirit Sealed in Ancient Holy Sword!"'''

'''"--- Thou Shall Accept Me As Thy Master, And I Shall Be Thy Sheath!"'''

Sweats rushed down from his forehead, he started to recite the incantation for spirit contract ''that he had sworn to never utter again''. The spinning tip of the sword pierced the skin of his palm. Red blood gushed intensely from it.

''.....Gwaah, Gah!''

Crushing amount of divine energy knocked on him, the soil and sands surrounding them are whirling up from the wind pressure. He almost lost his consciousness from the sharp pain. But if Kamito fainted here, Claire protected behind him would surely be cut in half.

'''"--- Thrice I Command Thee!"'''

".....No way, a Spirit Contract!?"

A surprised sound came from Claire's throat.

Kamito's heels sunk into the ground. And, the sound of his breaking bones resounds underneath his scalp.

'''"--- Exchange Vows With Me!"'''

Withstanding the terrible sharp pain, Kamito finished his last word of the contract ritual.

Instantly, the body of spirit sword radiated a pale blue light.

''What!?''

Intense flashes and thunderous sounds filled his consciousness.

=== Part 4 ===

He opened his eyes, and Claire Rouge's face was there. Hanging lower onto his face was her twin tailed hair tickling his face.

It seemed that she shouted something, but he can't hear it clearly. Probably the sound blast had messed up his ears.

''.....Looks like I'm alive.''

Wearily lying on the ground, Kamito let out a breath of relief. The chance of success against a spirit of such rank was very low, but it looked like his gamble had paid off.

Raising his eyebrow, he grimaced from the torment of pain from all of his body and raised his right hand slowly.

In his right hand where was stabbed -

Instead of a wound, an emblem of two swords crossing each other was engraved on it.

It was the proof of the spirit contract - The spirit seal.

''Aah, I did it....''

Staring at the carved seal on the back of his hand, Kamito murmured.

A sharp sense of guilt bit his heart.

He had broken the promise with ''her'' ---

But, to save Claire under such a situation, that was the only method.

Claire noticed that Kamito has woken up, with her hands in his nape and her face approaching him. So close that he could feel her breath. With her clear crimson eyes, she stared at Kamito. Her cherry colored lips weakly trembled.

"......Why?"

"'''Why? You're a male. How can you contract a spirit!?'''"

"......"

Kamito does not answer and slowly rises up. Being ignored, the annoyed Claire raised her eyebrows.

"My-My Sword Spirit!?"

"My bad. Just a moment ago, I contracted with it."

Kamito sighes and at the same time he shows her the back of his right hand where the spirit seal is engraved.

"Wha-Whaa-Wha-Whaaaat!"

Claire wore a stunned expression with her mouth wide open.

''Well, A natural reaction....''

A long sigh --- Kamito felt a faint ache in his heart. Of course, he could clearly understand such response. Originally, a privilege that was granted to no one except pure maidens --- the spirit contract.

The existence of a man which could contract a spirit, throughout the history, belonged solely to one person. And the one who brought chaos and destruction in the world, the so called Demon King spirit contractor.

It is natural to fear him, who carried the same power of spirit contracts as the Demon King.

Kamito stands up and quietly turns around.

He does not regret. To save the girl, this is the only way he could think of.

"Wait, Wait I say!"

Kamito was about to leave, but a voice called him from the back.

Turning around, he saw that Claire with her hands in her hips intensely glared at him.

"You stole...my spirit...take responsibility for it!"

"Huh?"

Kamito frowned. ....It didn't make any sense to him.

At such reaction of Kamito, Claire impatient　brushed her twin tail.

"I should have been the one who had obtained that spirit, as am I saying, you have to take responsibility for it."

"Re..sponsibility?"

Because of that unexpected word, Kamito had become even more confused.<ref>Normally while using the Japanese language, when a girl tells a guy to take responsibility it carries the implication of marriage. Hence Kamito's confusion.</ref>

....What was the girl saying.

"Therefore...."

Claire snapped her whip, then she points her index finger toward Kamito.

"You have to become my contracted spirit!"

<noinclude>
==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Illustrations|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter2}}</noinclude>

Talk:Tomoyo After

2010-12-20T16:51:18Z

220.255.2.40: /* Recruiting English proofreaders */

== Recruiting English proofreaders ==
There is no formal test, but I will be conducting a informal test by chatting with you through either MSN or some other instant messaging.
So, if you are interested leave your contacts here and i'll get back to you later. -[[User:karmainall|karmainall]] Dec 11th, 2010

Smgman423@hotmail.com Is this gonna be a test run of the game or just reading the text of the Seens on this site? -[[User:kikyo423|kikyo423]] Dec 11th, 2010
:Just the SEENS on the site. A test run of the game will not be necessary in my opinion. Because it is a partial patch after all. [[User:karmainall|karmainall]] Dec 11th, 2010

I wouldn't mind helping out with this project. I don't have MSN but I have some other IM programs. Just email me at xvassagox@softhome.net. [[User:Vassago|Vassago]] 02:32, 14 December 2010 (UTC)

ricks_akount@hotmail.com Just to clarify, this is to proofread the English itself, and not to make sure the translatons accurate, right? I'm not that good with Japanese, but I consider myself quite a perfectionist when it comes to English spelling and grammar, and I'd really like to help see this project to completion. [[User: CondorTalon|CondorTalon]] Dec 19, 2010.
:Correct. [[User:karmainall|karmainall]] Dec 19th, 2010

Assassindaman@hotmail.com I would like to help out in this project.

== Post project Related Questions/updates/get hold of project staff here ==

Am I the only one who regularly checks this page for updates and was disappointed to learn that it had been dropped? I would really like to see the game translated well, but I lack the skills (I think) necessary to help do this. Please, reconsider and continue the project as soon as you can!
-Romdeau Aug. 29 2010
:Find us an active translator and I'll see to it that RadicalR continues. [[User:karmainall|karmainall]] Aug 29, 2010

:Sorry for my late response. However couple things needs to be cleared up. First, EchoMateria is the project's graphic editor, he basically edit the graphical japanese names to english(http://blicky.net/ta/index2.cgi?p=1). Secondly, project manager isn't someone that just co-ordinate staff. On the contrary, the project manager must be able to hack into Realive, the program all Key VN runs on. Also Tomoyo After just happens to have a encryption etched into all game files which none of previous Key VNs had. So far in my knowledge only RadicalR knows how. Thirdly, finding a hacker to de-pack and re-compress all the SEEN files won't be much effort if we actually have a product worth their time. Meaning unless SEENS0714-0717 gets translated RadicalR or any other hackers to my knowledge won't be interested in joining. Once SEENS0714-0717 gets translated we can release a partial patch covering over 40% of the beginning storyline. -karmainall September 12, 2010

I'll do my best to find one then.
-Romdeau Aug 30, 2010

Hi. I heard this project needed translators. I've been learning Japanese for a few years, so if it's okay I'd like to be able to help. I've never done anything of this sort before though, so it'd be nice if someone could tell me how and where to start. Thanks in advance! ~Sept 1, 2010

Is anyone here? Please respond. ~Sept 2, 2010

Try contacting karmainall via e-mail by clicking on his username. What's your name?
-Romdeau Sep 2, 2010

My username here is PanzerElement. Is karmainall the person behind this project? ~Sept 3, 2010

Not exactly, but I think he can get the horse moving again. Glad to see a potential translator interested in this project, try e-mailing him! If not, post on the baka-tsuki forums and see if you can get a response there. http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=40
-Romdeau Sep 3, 2010

I've emailed him already, just waiting for a response now. Just a question, how dead has this been anyway? There are others who want to get it going again, right? I'd hate to devote a lot of time to this only to see it continue to stall. Though, that said, I'm willing to translate however much it takes, since I need the practic- okay, who am I kidding, I just want to see more of Tomoyo-chan :3
~Sept 3, 2010
As for actual translators? Maybe, but you're the only one that has expressed interest in a good while. I've been following this project since June and it would be painful to watch this project just die. So know that you have at least 1 guy out there that supports you! If enough gets translated, I'll gladly proofread it as well.
-Romdeau Sept. 3, 2010

Good to know I'm not the only one interested. Still though, I'm surprised that there aren't more people aboard. Given the popularity of Clannad, shouldn't that also extend over to Tomoyo After? I've got nothing against being the only translator, but it'd probably be better for overall quality if there was someone more experienced helping too. All I'm used to doing is textbook Japanese, so it's likely I'll get some things off.
~Sept 3, 2010

I can't translate but if needed I am more than willing to proofread and edit the script to a reasonable standard, if I'm ever needed for that then feel free to email me at zorbonalien@hotmail.co.uk I've been following this project since 2008 and would hate for it to just shut down. - Zorbon Sep. 5th

So basically it looks like we are just waiting for "karmainall" to work his magic and press magic green button so RadicalR will start caring about this project again. I don't see why he (RadicalR) should manage it, as it doesn't seem he wasn't putting very much effort into keeping the project alive. Anyhow, I hope he gets around to it soon.
-Romdeau Sept 6 2010

I have e-mailed several EX members of this project to reconsider working on it, I hope to hear back from them and to see who (if anyone) is interested in seeing this project to completion. [[User:Romdeau|Romdeau]] Sept. 6, 7:51 pm

I've never dropped the project. I'm one of the translators and came after receiving your e-mail. It happens that I, and all translators, are really busy with other stuff. As for me, I am rarely having time to even check how this project is going. The project was dropped but I was still working on it, translating some lines when I had time. At any rate, I dropped by to tell you guys that even if I'm busy with other matters, I'm still interested in this and don't want this to die. However, we MUST get more people to work. ESPECIALLY translators. [[User:HiagoX|HiagoX]] September 7

Potential translator here. Just waiting for the green light now. I emailed karmainall a while ago, still haven't gotten any kind of response. I don't have much going on right now, so I've got as much time to spend on this as needed. -PanzerElement Sept 7, 2010

Its a wiki no need to wait for a permission just [[Tomoyo_After:Registration_Page|register]] the SEEN you would like to translate and do it. - As long as the translation isnt too bad (like in machine translation ;)) there would probably be no problem. --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 21:29, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

True, but what are we supposed to think when the person heading this project suddenly declares "project dead" and leaves? It's quite demoralizing, and I have not seen much activity on the project itself for quite some time. [[User:Romdeau|Romdeau]] Sept. 7

As previously said, we are not having much time for translating. However, things would be a little bit easier for everyone if we got more members. Also, even if the project is considered dead, you can continue working on it. There is no problem with that, I guess. [[User:HiagoX|HiagoX]] September 8

Working on an as dead declared project isnt a problem - as long as there is one left working on it, is it not dead! Only the quality should'nt suffer. Also that first sentence would only mean that the project would need a new Administrator who coordinates the project (as an example to ask the translators if they are still translating or already lost in oblivion.) Also normaly here are only stalled and no dead projects. ;) And stalled is only tagged after 6 to 12 month without translation activity. --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 15:15, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Could someone tell me how to get started, then? Where do I get the SEEN files? Sorry if that's a dumb question, it's my first time doing this. -PanzerElement Sept 8, 2010

You can see at the [[Tomoyo After:Registration Page|Registration Page]] which SEEN are already taken by other translators and how far their progress ist. The SEEN's are behind the SEEN links. Always the second line needs to get a translation. --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 20:06, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Ohh, I see. Thanks. How do you get that hyperlinked name thing? -PanzerElement Sept 8, 2010
:The easy way is to click at the sign button up at the edit menu or just write <nowiki>--~~~~</nowiki> (clicking would put that just at the last position of the cursor) --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 20:25, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

I've begun to read through the translated scenes and editing them so that they sound smoother in English. I am avoiding changing any actual content, and edits I am unsure about I will make sure to leave a note so that a translator can review the line. [[User:Romdeau|Romdeau]] Sept. 8

Is there any way to view what actually happens ingame as the diologue in a SEEN file is played out, aside from maneuvering to that particular scenario in the game? It'd be much easier to have the translated text match up with the action if I could see the action for myself. --[[User:PanzerElement|PanzerElement]] Sept 9, 2010

Also, since you're looking through the already translated scenes anyway, could you link me to the ones that have obvious need of being reviewed? I'd like to be sure that everything that's supposedly done is done up to standard. [[User:PanzerElement|PanzerElement]] Sept 9, 2010

I have renamed the title of this section to be more accurate. SEEN 0629 has raw parts still (in the H scene), SEEN 0630 and 0701 also need to be looked at. For future reference, I will be leaving notes of SEENS I have read through and edited. SEENS that have already been looked through by an editor will not be touched by me. Panzer, ask EchoMateria (via e-mail) about in game images-he may be able to set you up. [[User:Romdeau|Romdeau]] -Sept. 9

Gotcha. Thanks for the tips, I'll be sure to go through the list sometime. And may I ask, who're the editors? Would that be Echo? [[User:PanzerElement|PanzerElement]] Sept 9, 2010

Look under the project staff to find out who Echo is. As for editors, I'm not sure-I suppose that would be the guys who can read Japanese and English who review the translated scripts. Since I can't read Kanji, I don't qualify-so I'm a proofreader who knows hiragana and katakana. [[User:Romdeau|Romdeau]] Sept. 10

:Sorry for my late response. However couple things needs to be cleared up. First, PanzerElement, I didn't see your email due to the fact that I only use my university email now. If you wish to get hold of me in the future please add me on MSN (if you have). Secondly, EchoMateria is the project's graphic editor, he basically edit the graphical japanese names to english. Thirdly, project manager isn't someone that just co-ordinate staff. On the contrary, the project manager must be able to hack into Realive, the program all Key VN runs on. Also Tomoyo After just happens to have a encryption etched into all game files which none of previous Key VNs had. So far in my knowledge only RadicalR knows how. Lastly, finding a hacker to de-pack and re-compress all the SEEN files won't be much effort if we actually have something worth while for them. Meaning unless SEENS0714-0717 gets translated RadicalR or any other hackers to my knowledge won't be interested in joining. Once SEENS0714-0717 gets translated we can release a partial patch covering over 40% of the beginning storyline. -[[User:karmainall|karmainall]] September 12, 2010

Sounds good, I'll get working on 714-717 then. Also, would it be possible for someone to go in and note in the SEEN files where different choices in the game branch off and rejoin? (i.e. choice at line 345, A goes to 347, B goes to 373, C goes to 401, and they all lead into 435) A full map of every choice and result would be even better. Since I've been trying to follow along in the game as I translate, something like this would make it a lot easier to make sure everything fits within context. [[User:PanzerElement|PanzerElement]] September 13, 2010

You can leave 716 to me, as I was previously working on it. If I delay it too much, you can take over the SEEN. - [[User:HiagoX|HiagoX]] September 14, 2010

Halfway done with 714, and a certain degree of inroad on 715 and 717. I've left 716 alone like you asked. I'll upload it all after I'm done, probably going to have 714 done in a few days. Sorry for the slow pace, been fairly busy with school. [[User:PanzerElement|PanzerElement]] September 19, 2010

Could someone with access to the game files check line #345 in SEEN0714, or preferably the whole block of horrible google translate-esque translations in the file, and compare it to the original text? I'm having a few issues with comprehending certain things, so I'm thinking it's possible someone incompetant had altered the Japanese text. Thanks in advance. [[User:PanzerElement|PanzerElement]] September 25, 2010

Just dropping here to say thank you for everyone working in this project, I was sad when I read it was dead, but I see some future in this now. Sadly I lack the skills to help. Also, PanzerElement, you can check the page's history, this is the first entry: http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Tomoyo_After:SEEN0714&oldid=30612 - GBcrazy September 26, 2010

That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks much. [[User:PanzerElement|PanzerElement]] September 27, 2010

I have updated couple of things to clarify and for organizational purposes. --[[User:Karmainall|karmainall]] 16:48, 28 October 2010 (UTC)

Is this out yet...Probroly not. Lol my dad can speak fluent japanese and can easily read it. If you really want to i can ask him to translate this. Although not the H- Scenes of course. Anyways Someone get this thing started. :D ------------michaelgungjr@aim.com------------- :D Nov. 3 2010

Back from my long leave of absence. Today, I've translated 0291-0339 from SEEN0715 (some of them are left untranslated since I'm unsure about the meaning of those lines; may try looking at it again later, or some other translator could check them out). I'll be doing SEEN 0715, but if you feel like helping me translate it, please feel free to do it! - [[User:HiagoX|HiagoX]] December 2, 2010

== General Discussion ==
Writing at this top so it is more likely to be read. I've only read a few translated SEENS, and I've noticed that every H-scene is significantly worse in translation quality and it appears the "good" translators for personal reasons aren't translating them. The ones I've read definitely could use another look over. [[User:Romdeau|Romdeau]] Sept. 8 2010

What version of the game are you guys planning to work with? There was an old project started by velocity 7 (it doesn't seem as if they are keeping up with it, though), where they were trying to port the PS2 to PC. (You can find the thread for it here: http://forums.novelnews.net/showthread.php?t=16671)

I personally think the PS2 would be more interesting to play, since it is longer and perhaps the ending is more satisfactory. The PC version would still be great though. Thank you very much for your effort guys.

:PS2 Version is better overall, but the ending feels "tagged-on" without the usual Key quality. It feels like Tonokawa (the person who wrote the PS2 add-ons, while Maeda Jun wrote the original) just "tagged it on" to appease fans who want a happy ending. I personally like the PC ending a lot better. It feels a lot more "Key-like" and a lot deeper.
:I'm willing to translate as soon as there's more translators. Though I am obsessed with the game, I won't translate it all myself
:email: stupid1961@hotmail.com

To the guys, translating this: seriously, stop - there are a lot of mistranslations and overall translation quality is pretty low. I'd fixed them for you but it would be easier to start translation from the scratch.

To the guy above this: I realize that my past work on this project is not what I'd call adequate. I'd love to go back and retranslate everything I've done, and continue with translating the rest of the project, but a general lack of time and motivation is keeping me from doing that. Not to mention that this project seems a bit stalled at the moment. I'd love to hear something from the supposed project admin... --[[User:Nightjumper|Nightjumper]] 20:34, 18 February 2009 (UTC)

To Nightjumper: The project isn't stalled. It's just hard to do anything if nobody is translating anything. I've been busy with personal stuff lately so I haven't been able to look for anyone that might be interested in it. If anyone can find someone who might be interested in translating Tomoyo After, please point them to the registration page. Please feel free to contact me on IRC if you have any further questions. --[[User:ArchDemon|ArchDemon]] 03:45, 27 February, 2009 (UTC)

I think it would be better to do the PC version. The ending honestly feels a bit cheap in the PS2 version. They made a dramatic, sad scene but then the extra ending was added and it felt like they pulled a "lol jk" and invalidated it all. That's just my take. Also, although it is true that the PC version does have less in terms of content, it also happens to be more accessible to everyone. Not everyone has a PS2, but certainly everyone interested in this has a computer.

hey all i just recently finished the clannad vn and found it really enjoyable. im looking forward to the complete translated version of Tomoyo After. i agree that it should be done on pc. good luck and hope yous finish it soon.

The project has been handed over to RadicalR who will be the new project administrator from now on. Please direct all further questions about the project to RadicalR who can be found in #ndt on PPiRC. --[[User:ArchDemon|ArchDemon]] 02:29, 6 March, 2009 (UTC)

I am currently looking at the possibilty of allocating time for this project. There's a big possibility that I won't do anything before the spring term is finished. I might look around and use some contacts to see if we can get more people on this. By the way, I'd rather leave translating/writing H-scenes to somebody else. --[[User:Nightjumper|Nightjumper]] 10:18, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Hey guys! I've been studing Japanese for about 4 years now and this project is something I'm really interested in :D If you don't mind some machine-translated kanji and explaining to me how to work this stupid RLdev thing I'd be glad to help. Just seeing what edits I can make atm
[Seitsuki]

Tomoyo After Memorial Edition All-age version had been released. If you don't like translate H-scene, so may I help you upload new seen files below old files? --[[User:Midishero|Midishero]] 15:35, 18 August 2009 (UTC)

I also have Tomoyo After ~ Memorial Edition. I played through it and I confirm there are no h-scenes but has more content and they implemented Tomoya's voice. If you need it just post on here. Where is Tomoyo After's % at now? There's like almost no news about this game. Do you guys need help with anything? Voice out so I can carry the words over. The game is very small compared to Clannad VN. 8.27.09

A quick question, do I have to add punctuation marks in lines with these squarish brackets? 「____」 I've been finding a lot of these and I am not sure what to do about it. -[[User:Suppish|Suppish]]
:To answer your question, guidelines like those in the [[Clannad:Guidelines|Clannad project]] haven't been established yet. I suppose some of it should be agreed on in the near future. Personally, I change hook(Japanese) brackets to double quotation marks, and I usually end the text inside them with a full stop, comma, question mark, exclamation mark or three full stops in a row(ellipses), as I think without any of that, it would be poor English. --[[User:Nightjumper|Nightjumper]] 16:20, 17 March 2010 (UTC)

How many translators do we have? (Besides Gman.) -[[User:Suppish|Suppish]] March 18
:Well, not many, that's for sure. Basically two - There's this Gman you mentioned, and me, and I work rather slow. [[User:Mr4eyeguy|Mr4eyeguy]] seems to have been semi-active recently, but I don't know if he's done any real translation work. [[User:HiagoX|HiagoX]] is someone who popped up a month ago or so, but it doesn't look like he's done much translation work the last few weeks. Edit: Forgot my signature. --[[User:Nightjumper|Nightjumper]] 23:16, 19 March 2010 (UTC)

I referred [[User:HiagoX|HiagoX]], he works at a slow pace however very accurate translation and requires little corrections. There is another translator I stole from another project(MUHHAHAHHA), however he/she won't begin any translation work until beginning/middle of April.
By the way Nightjumper, if possible, could you drop whatever SEEN you are currently translating and do seen 0712 instead? I don't know if you heard from RR yet, but our goal right now is to release a partial patch of seens up to 0808 to regain supporters. --[[User:Karmainall|karmainall]] 19 March 2010
:I finished 0711 just yesterday, and I was looking at doing 0712 next. So, yes, I will do that one next. By the by, as you can see on my [[User:Nightjumper|userpage]], I usually hang out in #ndt@irc.ppirc.net if you wish to contact me through other means than this talk page. Edit: Keep forgetting my signature.--[[User:Nightjumper|Nightjumper]] 14:10, 21 March 2010 (UTC)

Hey! I think Mr4eyeguy is back. Well, judging from the fact that he put his name next to SEEN0810 he's either got some time to kill or no longer MIA. In any case if you read this Mr4eyeguy, welcome back! --[[User:Karmainall|karmainall]] April 3rd, 2010

I apologize for not being able to translate much until now, but as I told [[User:Karmainall|karmainall]], I am not having much free time and I have to deal with loads of other things. I will try to work as much as I can, but I can assure that I won't lose interest in the project that easily. --[[User:HiagoX|HiagoX]] 12 April, 2010

Can I say a word? Is this project still alive? And will all of you translate the 10th Memorial Edition of this visual novel? - BonaQuack Sep 21, 2010
No worries, it's definitely still alive. Rather short-handed at the moment though, as far as I can tell I'm one of the only two translators here. Sorry to disappoint, but I'm thinking that given how long this is taking, it might be a while before we even get to consider the 10th Memorial edition. [[User:PanzerElement|PanzerElement]] September 24, 2010
:BonaQuack, Key memorial box contain a unique never before encountered cryptic "key". To my knowledge no hacker has yet cracked the lock or is interested enough to attempt it. If you find a hacker who has the ability then we will consider it. Otherwise, do not hope the impossible. Panzer, thanks for your hard work. ---[[User:Karmainall|karmainall]] September 24, 2010

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who good at hacking. But, about the project, how many percent have you translated till now? -Bonaquack Sep 26th, 2010

The project, just based on what I've gone through on the registration page, looks to be around 30-40% done, so it'll be awhile. I'm currently trying to continue translating, but I am by no means an expert, so I'm going to need a dedicated QC'er to help out. The H-scenes are more difficult to translate partly due to the emotions being needed to convey during them, and the wording they use to explain their actions differ from normal activity. I'll take a shot at it, but going to need someone to go through it for correspondence, to make sure it's translated correctly and/or conveys the right idea. --[[User:AbstractBlueSky|AbstractBlueSky]] 19 October 2010
:To be honest, at this stage H-scenes are not the main focus or even considered even slightly important. If you seen the intro of the game the H-Scene is totally independent from the game itself. It's as if the H-Scene is added at the last second before publishing in order to attract Otakus (Clannad-freaks like me) to buy the game. Therefore, please just leave the H-scenes and translate SEENS 0714-0717. If those SEENS get translated, I'll just bullshit random stuff for the H-scenes. However if you insists on translating the hentai scenes be my guest. Please do note that once SEENS 0714-0717 gets translated there will be a release of a partial patch covering roughly 30% of the beginning storyline. --[[User:Karmainall|karmainall]] Oct 28th, 2010
::I understand that. I'll try to get to work on the actual SEENS rather than the H-scenes. I was trying to do top to bottom, but it's probably better if we do storyline plot first. Well, at least we have some beginning H-scenes translated. May not be important to some, but to others it may deepen the emotional bond. --[[User:AbstractBlueSky|AbstractBlueSky]] Oct. 28, 2010

I will QC anything you need I'm new to this but my grammar is pretty good. Message me at smgman423@hotmail.com for anything you need. I'm available to QC anything anyone else needs to so feel free to email me. --[[User:kikyo423|kikyo423]] 20 October 2010

Wonderful news about the 30% patch. I'll try to pour some more time on this now, SEEN0714 in particular, but I'll be needing a checker quite likely a lot more than others here. My japanese is mostly self-learnt so I'll just have to leave some lines untranslated since I can't for the life of me figure out what they mean. Anyways, I'll do what I can and hope someone can check my trail a bit. Any criticism/pointers highly welcome (flood my page!)
--[[User:Ilebur|Ilebur]] 28 October 2010

I think this will be my first post here. I just wanted to let you guys know that I translated the rest of the SEEN0717 and SEEN0716. I know my translation is not spot-on but it should be enough to understand what's going on. I may work on SEEN0715 but can't promise anything for now. Kudos to Aleh and HiagoX who translated the majority of those SEENs!
--[[User:Mr4eyeguy|Mr4eyeguy]] 2 December 2010

Thank you, Mr4eyeguy! It was my pleasure. Now, regarding the H-scenes: I've translated part of one of them; but I think we should leave them for last. We should focus on the actual SEENs and then go for the H-scenes. - [[User:HiagoX|HiagoX]] December 2, 2010

Hello again. I just finished the rest of SEEN0715 with the help of HiagoX. Boy, I'm worn out but good news is that I finally got some time this winter. I won't be touching the SEEN0714 (or I believe that's what's left) due to how several people are already working on it. Instead, what I'll do is look over some of the completed SEENS and make some changes if there is any mistranslation that contradicts the flow of the story, and maybe work on some of untranslated SEENS...MAYBE. Hopefully at some point this project gets to 50% completion but I doubt it'll be happening sometime this year. But we all can hope, right? Happy holidays everyone.
--[[User:Mr4eyeguy|Mr4eyeguy]] 8 December 2010

I was actually thinking about reviewing those 4 SEENs. I could do it, but if you think you can do it all by yourself, then be my guest! Or rather, we could share the work. And oh, I should thank you for editting some of the lines. Sometimes I just can't word what I'm translating the way I want to. - [[User:HiagoX|HiagoX]] December 9, 2010

Hey HiagoX and Mr4eyeguy some of those people are not currently translating any of SEEN0714. We might need your help on that. --[[User:Kikyo423|Kikyo423]] 9 December 2010

I've translated a few lines yesterday. Probably will be able to translate some more, but I'll need Mr4eyeguy's help on this for some lines. - [[User:HiagoX|HiagoX]] December 15, 2010

== Want to help us? ==

Gents, where do I send potential supporters/fans patiently waiting for this game to be translated? I know all of you are doing this on your own free time and I'd like to post or write my support for you somewhere. Or perhaps, this is the way to do it? Anyhow I don't want to get too spammy with this post, but guys-thanks and keep going! Tomoyo is my favorite heroine from the Clannad VN and I'm looking forward to reading this story. I'd help if I could, but I only know elementary Japanese and I doubt it's sufficient to take on a project such as this.
-[[User:Romdeau|Romdeau]] July 17 2010

Is the project still looking for translators? I'm willing to help out if it is. I can read Japanese fairly well and although I have not played Tomoyo After, I have played Clannad. [[User:Sarenthenis|Sarenthenis]] 14:38, 2 October 2009 (UTC)

Watching this page, no real translation effort has been done in months, and to my knowledge no translator is actively working on this at the minute, so yes, and work that you would like to do would be greatly welcomed.

If you are still looking for translators ill gladly help im fluent in Japanese and English so i would love to join you guys in this effort so let me know what you think and i would love to help Kyoske-username

Kyoske. drop into the IRC chat room irc.ppirc.net in room #ndt look for Nightjumper or RadicalR. talk to them and they should provide you with more information...

sorry to sound dumb but when i go there theres just a big 9. -kyoske

irc://irc.ppirc.net/ndt - try that. - SirShadow
(also lol the 9 is because Cirno is all over the server...)
:You don't need our permission to translate. This is an open wiki project, after all. Although, we haven't set any translation guidelines as of yet. But feel free to drop in and ask any questions you may have.--[[User:Nightjumper|Nightjumper]] 23:50, 28 March 2010 (UTC)

I can help you QC things but again I need instructions on some things but my grammar is very good so message me at smgman423@hotmail.com and I will help no problem. -kikyo423

Hello there, if you're in need of a proofreader, feel free to message me at X_x_xYeyis@hotmail.com, my grammar is pretty good. Though I'd like to work as a translator, i know almost no japanese, so i can only assist in this way. Nice to see this project lively again. - YeyisX 7:21, November 13, 2010 [EST]

Good work guys, I really want to help out but since im horrible in japanese i could only help you with the proofreader part. I'm probably going to to the university to study english so my skills are genuine. If you need any help from me with either the uploading from files or the proofreading, mail me at da.casa@ NO SPAM hotmail.com. I would really like to see this game translated, so you've got my full support!

== Project status? ==
(Last updated March 21st 2010)
~39% first translation pass. See this page[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Tomoyo_After:Registration_Page]
.xls file with more detailed progress [http://www.mediafire.com/?jovzodyujoj here].

Is this project still alive or are there other people that translated this VN themselves?

... Seemingly, this project has died --[[Special:Contributions/82.168.72.39|82.168.72.39]] 05:52, 21 December 2009 (UTC)

The project is not dead; It's just stalled at the moment. I've just gone through the progress so far, and quite a large chunk of the first translation work is done(I'd say about 30-40%). --[[User:Nightjumper|Nightjumper]] 17:10, 18 January 2010 (UTC)
:I'm really looking forward to playing. I wish my Japanese was better and I could help. --[[Special:Contributions/67.170.35.129|67.170.35.129]] 20:15, 26 January 2010 (UTC)

It seems like it's been stalled for quite some time...like half a year or more. Hope someone comes along and revives this. I'd help if i could, but i don't know one word of japanese, so yea...[[Special:Contributions/211.30.198.99|211.30.198.99]] 08:54, 19 February 2010 (UTC)
:''Been'' is the keyword here. It's not stalled at the moment, although it's progressing slowly for the time being.--[[User:Nightjumper|Nightjumper]] 15:27, 19 February 2010 (UTC)

Looks like things are moving again! I look forward to playing this game. --[[Special:Contributions/71.227.233.247|71.227.233.247]] 12:24, 21 March 2010 (UTC)

Hey.. if you guys need a proof-reader to check the scripts for Typo's and grammatical errors that have occurred when translating from Japanese to English. feel free to contact me, I'm usually sitting around in the chatroom under SirShadow (give or take an s on the end)...I don't know a drop of Japanese and what japanese i have picked up is from novels and anime etc. however my english is pretty good. and i can usually fix up sentences that have errors when translated into English. like missing commas or typo's. it might be a small contribution but every little bit helps right?
:Add me on MSN if you have (karmainall@NOSPAM hotmail DOT NOSPAM com) -[[User:karmainall|karmainall]] March 28th

So, this patch will be for the PS2 or for the PC version?
Thanks for the work guys
:I believe this will be for the PC version - [[Special:Contributions/195.241.232.78|195.241.232.78]] 19:21, 29 April 2010 (UTC)

I feel so useless I can't tranlsate anything but I really want this project to finish. How many tranlsators total are there, and if given an estimate how long would this take to finish if no other translators join?

I can't translate whatsoever but I'm very good in english grammar and sentence structure so if you need a proff reader I open. I'd just need instructions on how to do so because I'm new to this. -Kikyo423

Honestly, it looks like the project is around 30-40% completed, so it looks to be awhile. Lots of QC needed. I'm currently trying to continue translating starting from the beginning (QC'ing SEEN0628) and moving up. Currently on SEEN0629. Those H-scenes are a pain, lol. Need someone to QC for what's been translated so far. I'll try to get the SEEN completed by tonight. Anyone that would like to correspond with me (it'd help a lot), contact me at abstractbluesky@gmail.com or msg me in the #Baka-Tsuki irc channel if I'm there. --[[User:AbstractBlueSky|AbstractBlueSky]] 09:40, 19 October 2010 (HST)