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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Prologue Draft

2013-09-03T15:32:05Z

Asiorx22:

== Prologue ==

—Three years ago.

"Haa, haa, haa—"

In Astral Zero, a girl was running through a forest, full of many twisted trees lined up in rows.

Her shoes had long since slipped off, and the soles of her bare feet were covered in injuries.

Since her long black hair had been done up at both sides of her long-sleeved, extravagant, yet courteous attire, she did not run smoothly.

From behind her, violent sounds of many trees being mowed down were approaching.

Being caught was just a matter of time.

(Why did such a thing—)

The girl was invited to watch the Blade Dance as the guest of honor of the Ordesia Empire.

Although being called the guest of honor, she was just an extra baggage that came with the royal family.

She received this title after losing her place as a Queen candidate from the «Divine Ritual Institute».

This person had nothing special, and other than her title as the former second princess, she was just a mere thirteen year-old girl.

Her fellow nobles, who by right should have pledged allegiance to the imperial family, were sending her looks of contempt.

Even the retainer court ladies were ridiculing her behind her back.


A worthless lost queen—

It was painful for her to come here since she would be exposed to a lot of people's gazes.

That match with Ren Ashbell, which she wanted to see, was held later on in the afternoon, and even if she left, there was no one who would be particularly worried.

Therefore, she came to the middle of this forest, all alone.

Without knowing how dreadful this place inside the Astral Zero could be.

While she was walking through the forest, {{Furigana|a tree spirit|Dryad|margin=13}}<ref>Furigana 101: {{Furigana|Meaning|Reading|margin=13}}</ref> approached her from behind and let out a dreadful roar.

Usually Dryads were rather docile spirits. But perhaps, this one was angry because the former princess stepped on some twigs and broke them.

(It's no good, if this keeps up—)

She could not get away— realizing that, the girl prepared herself for a fight.

She stopped, turned around and firmly glared at the Dryad.

"Y...You, if you are my knight, then simply go and beat it—"

Shouting with a shaky voice, she began to recite the spell that would summon her contracted spirit.

——Thou servant of the king of the child of man, knight and master swordsman!

——By the contract of the old blood, become the sword that protects me, come forth and do my bidding!

The spirit seal, engraved on the girl's chest, emitted a faint light—

However, that was all it did.


Suddenly, the connection with her contracted spirit was severed and the seal's glow vanished.

(...! I thought so, it's already hopeless, I—)

Despair surfaced on her face.

The Dryad let out a roar and swung its log-like arm—

At that moment, there was a blinding flash of light.

"Eh?"

The girl’s eyes widened in surprise.

That Dryad's hand had clearly vanished from her sight.

It was as if time had stopped.

From the stump were the spirits arm used to be, black smoke was raising up.

And then *Don* there was a sound of someone landing on the ground.

Before the girl's eyes, a single boy was standing.

He had black hair and wore a black vest with a pair of navy blue trousers.

The boy was holding a jet-black demon sword that emitted black fog.

"Stay still there, it's dangerous."

He told her bluntly and turned toward the spirit before him.

The Dryad roared in anger at having its arm cut off and attacked him.

As it swung down its remaining hand, the girl reflexively covered her eyes.


However...

"It isn't going to work on me though, I'm sorry."

He was blocking the attack that held all of the Dryad’s might with his sword grasped in a single hand. 

Then the boy exhaled and without a pause kicked off the ground.

With all his strength, he cut off the spirit’s remaining arm and hit its torso very hard with the flat of his sword.

It was a single blow, but it was enough to bring the spirit, which prided itself on its strength, down and incapacitate it.

"Maybe I overdid it a little. Even thought, it was my intention to not injure it as much as possible."

"..."

The girl stared at him dumbfounded, and then he turned around.

If she were to describe him, she would call him slender and handsome.

His eyes were so clear that he could be easily mistaken for a girl of about the same age.

At that very moment, he did not seem like a person who had brought a spirit to its knees in the blink of an eye.

Then, the girl suddenly realized something.

(Eh? This person, it's like I have seen him somewhere—)

The girl tilted her head to the side.

"Err, are you alright? Are you injured?"

The boy asked calmly.

"Ye...Yeah, I'm fine. You have my gratitude for saving me."


"Is that so... that's good."

The boy took a breath in relief, lowered his blade and walked toward her.

At that moment—

"Ah...!"

The jet-black demon sword emitted more black fog— the girl realized the significance of this action, and her face turned pale.

That was it. A sword that cuts up spirits could not be an ordinary sword.

(That's an elemental waffe!? But, why—)

Then, she finally realized it.

Her savior’s face looked incredibly familiar.

"N...No way...why..."

She saw him before. After all, this boy—

"...?"

Seeing the girl's expression stiffen, he paused in his steps, puzzled.

And then, his eyes widened in realization.

"Gua... Damn it! Ahhh!"

He covered his face with both hands and shouted.

Surprised, she pointed at him.

"'''Why is Ren Ashbell-sama a boy'''?"


"Gu..."

The girl stared her savior sternly while he was trying to catch his breath.

She understood that she was saying something unthinkable.

But the person in front of her had short hair and his chest was completely flat.

No matter how anyone looked at him, he was a boy.

(I am not mistaken—)

This person looked exactly like the Blade Dancer, who was currently participating in the tournament and winning every match thanks to her overwhelming strength.

Without a doubt, it was the face of Ren Ashbell!

(Besides, that sword—)

The jet-black demon blade in the boy's hand... That darkness-attribute elemental waffe— «{{Furigana|the sword that pierces truth|Vorpal Sword|margin=13}}», which brought down many of its masters opponents in the past.

And then, above all else, there was that sword skill, which was displayed when he, with merely one blow, defeated the raging spirit.

"Ah, this is, err, how do I put it ..."

Frantically, the boy attempted to come up with an explanation.

"Wh...What to do, Restia!"

"I don't care. I told you many times to be in your female clothing even if you're not participating in a match."

"But I didn't think that there would be people in the middle of this forest!"

"Nevertheless, since it was a cute girl, you went to save her without thinking."


"I...It's not like that!"

He tried talking to his sword sneakily.

The girl's thoughts were in complete disarray. She was also surprised that Ren Ashbell was actually a boy. 

Only pure maidens could contract a spirit— that was a simple fact taught to her at the «Divine Ritual Institute» when she was young. Speaking of a male elementalist, none came to mind, over than the legendary Demon King, Solomon.

(This tournament's favorite, the famous Ren Ashbell-sama, is actually a boy—)

If that became known, the scandal would be so big, that it would even affect the Blade Dance.

Scratching his hair, the boy gazed at her in resignation.

"Er...err, erm, there are circumstances to this. So, I am a boy but, without asking anything, could you keep this a secret from everyone?"

Receiving his troubled and pleading look, she felt a sudden flutter in her chest.

(Eerr, what do I do...)

She was honestly bewildered. The blade dancer, whom she admired, was a boy— even if she understood it, there was no way that anyone could get used to this thought immediately.

Besides, though she didn’t have any rights for the throne anymore, she was still the second princess of the Ordesia Empire and a pure maiden from the «Divine Ritual Institute». Was it alright for her to overlook this, even though it would desecrate the «Blade Dance»?

"..."

However, when she saw that boy's troubled face—

"...I understand."

Unintentionally, she nodded.

"I won't tell anyone, I won't ask anything. You helped me after all."

Even if Ren Ashbell was a boy, she still admired him as an elementalist.

His Blade Dance gave the girl, who, since '''that day''', was always depressed courage. That understanding would not change. Besides, there was also the fact, that he had saved her life.

To give a reward to a Knight's meritorious service was the imperial family's precept.

"T...Thank you! You saved me some trouble!"

The boy took a breath of relief.

"You're quite a simple person. These are just words."

"Yeah, but you don't look like a girl who would break a promise."

"..."

Hearing such straightforward words, she couldn’t help but blush.

(Wh...Why is my heart beating so fast?)

"I'll escort you to the exit, since Astral Zero's forests are dangerous."


"Th...Thank you..."

"Your shoes... they seemed to have slipped off. Come on, hold on to my back."

The boy noticed that her feet were covered in injuries and helped the girl climb up his back.

"Er...Erm, my breasts are touching your back."

She whispered embarrassed.

"Yeah?"

"N...Nothing..."

With her cheeks dyed red, the girl quickly turned away.

In the middle of a dim forest, the only sounds were that of leaves crumbling under their feet. Finally she inquired.

"Hey, why did you go so far as to fake being a girl and participate in the «Blade Dance»?"

"..."

After a moment of silence—

"Because, I have a «Wish» I want to be granted."

He answered her with a serious expression.

A «Wish»— A miracle the Elemental Lords bestowed upon the victor of the blade dance.

At that moment, those words that the boy spoke made her understand something.

(I see, if it's for the Blade Dance «Wish», even my power...)

After coming to a place near the match area, the boy gently helped her climb down from his back.


"You'll have to return by yourself from here. Because I will be having my next match."

"Yeah, thank you. Err..."

"Uh huh?"

"Tell me your name."

"My name?"

"Ren Ashbell is an alias, right? That's not your real name."

"..."

After a short hesitation—

"It's Kamito. Kazehaya Kamito."

"Kazehaya Kamito."

It had a strange and mysterious sound. The girl muttered that name, feeling it roll off her tongue.

"Well, err... could we meet again? Kamito."

"Eh? Ye...Yeah, once the Blade Dance is over—"

"—Is that so. It's a promise, Kamito."

Seven days later, Ren Ashbell held the title of the Strongest Blade Dancer.

However, the princess never saw him again.

Because he, who should have been granted his «Wish», suddenly disappeared.
<noinclude>

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==Notes==

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<references/>

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{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Illustrations|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1}}</noinclude>

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Prologue

2013-08-31T14:50:06Z

Asiorx22:

== Sentence meaning. ==

“From the cross-section of the severed tree, something like a black fog was emitting out.”
I don’t quite understand this sentence. Does it mean that the Driad looks like a tree, and from the place where its arm used to be, smoke is coming out or that whatever cut its arm went through the spirit burning something behind it.[[User:Asiorx22|Asiorx22]] ([[User talk:Asiorx22|talk]])

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Prologue

2013-08-31T14:49:09Z

Asiorx22: /* Sentence meaning. */ new section

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Epilogue Draft

2013-08-26T12:23:13Z

Asiorx22: Created page with "==Epilogue == —The next morning, Kamito woke up on a bed in the medical office. He, honestly, didn't remember much about what happened after the fight. He had over-used h..."

==Epilogue ==

—The next morning, Kamito woke up on a bed in the medical office.

He, honestly, didn't remember much about what happened after the fight.

He had over-used his divine power, and his memories became hazy.

Jio Inzagi was apprehended by the Sylphid Knights, who appeared some time after the end of the battle, and was handed over to the Ordesia military as the suspect of the incident. That fake Demon King, who lost his Blood Stone's power, no longer had any strength to resist.

The {{Furigana|strategic-class militarized spirit|Jormungandr|margin=13}}, which was sleeping under the mine, was resealed without problems by Fianna, who performed the ritual Kagura. The shrine, above ground, was also completely destroyed by the Knights. They decided not to leave anybody chances to release the spirit.

The darkness spirit Restia disappeared the moment Jio's arm was cut off.

It did not mean that she vanished. That was what the throbbing of the spirit seal, engraved on Kamito’s left hand, was telling him.

(Restia, what on earth are you trying to do?)

'''(—Because that was her wish.''')

His former contracted spirit said that. And then she told him that he would meet (her) eventually.

Who was this "her" she mentioned? Was she possibly referring to the (other) Ren Ashbell who was participating in this round's Blade Dance?—

(In any case, as long as we advance through the tournament, we should be able to fight her.)

Their school ranking went up greatly due to the S-rank quest they completed, but there were still many higher ranking groups. Besides, only the elite teams would be selected for the “Blade Dance”, and they would be chosen not only from the academy, but from every country on the continent.

(This isn't the time to be lying down...)

Smiling bitterly, Kamito tried to get up from the bed, but…

Something soft started squirming under his sheet.

"...E-Est! You again—"

Flustered, he flipped up the blanket.

A nude Est—

—wasn't on the bed.

"...Fianna?"

Kamito left his mouth hang open.

Indeed, it wasn’t his contracted spirit, who was hiding under the sheets, but the princess dressed in her usual uniform.

"How disappointing, I already got discovered. Even thought I wanted to play with you for a little bit."

The princess brushed up her glamorous black hair, and cutely stuck out her tongue.

Having this girl so close and looking at him the way she did, Kamito couldn’t help but blush.


"Wh-Wh-Wh-What are you doing?!"

"Fufu, did you know that princess maidens from the «Divine Ritual Institute» are taught various… techniques that help them… entertain spirits?"

"Y-You, what do you plan on doing..."

"Just joking. But don’t you feel your vitality restoring itself?"

"...? Yes, certainly...!"

He felt some sort of energy swelling up in his whole body. Normally, he wouldn't have recovered this much of his divine power just by resting for about a day.

"It was a secret ritual Kagura of the «Divine Ritual Institute» to distribute a princess maiden's divine power—However, to use it, our skin must be in close contact. If you're offended, I'm sorry."

Fianna quickly blushed, and bashfully looked downwards.

"You're not thinking that I'm an im-immodest girl, right? Even I'm really... embarrassed."

"I-I'm sorry... Thank you. However, you don't have to force yourself."

Kamito apologized in a fluster.

She was pretending to be mature, but she was really an innocent princess. After making her this worried, he could not tell her to move aside.

"I'm not forcing myself. I'm doing it because I l-like it."

Fianna quickly turned away, her face still red.

"...Hey, Fianna, is it really alright for you to not return to the «Divine Ritual Institute»?"


The reason that she tried to participate in the Blade Dance was to regain the power of her contracted spirit by the «wish» granted to the victor.

That «wish» had already come true, so— there was no meaning to stay in this academy anymore.

"It isn't possible to return after all this time. Besides, you know—"

Fianna brushed up her long black hair, and gently brought her face close.

"I have another «wish» I want granted."

"What? What it?"

"It's a secret—"

He felt something soft touch his cheek.

The peck didn’t last long, and soon she drew back.

"...You haven't given up on ensnaring me, have you?"

Kamito groaned.

"Yes, that's right. But this time I'm serious."

The princess smiled impishly, and, at that moment…

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gacha*— The room's door opened.

"Ka-Kamito!?"

A pair of red twin-tails bounced softly.

[[Image:STnBD V02 260.jpg|thumb]]
It was Claire, and she was carrying a large amount of canned peach.


...It looked like she came to visit him.

She saw Kamito, who was entangled with Fianna on the bed.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogogogo...!*

"Y-Yo-You two, wh-wh-what are you doing..."

"Wait, it's a misunderstanding. And this isn't what you think..."

"Oh, Kamito-kun, what's being misunderstood?"

Fianna snuggled into Kamito.

"Wh-Why do you like making bad situations worse so much!?"

"...Scarlet, burn them!"

"Georgios, chase that noisy girl out!"

At that moment, a hellcat and an armored knight appeared out of nowhere.

While the hellcat tried to intimidate its opponent, the knight unsheathed its sword.

"Hey, stop, this is a sickroom—"

Kamito shout was lost in vain as soon a violent fight broke up.

The peaceful room transformed into a battleground within moments.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter9|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Afterword}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter9 Draft

2013-08-25T08:45:10Z

Asiorx22: Created page with "==Chapter 9: Team Scarlet== ===Part 1=== Fianna finished preparing her ritual outfit and began the arrangement for the resealing. Then violent sounds of clashing weapons we..."

==Chapter 9: Team Scarlet==

===Part 1===

Fianna finished preparing her ritual outfit and began the arrangement for the resealing.

Then violent sounds of clashing weapons were heard from outside the true shine.

"It seems that he came."

Claire summoned Flame Tongue and glared at the door.

"Kamito and I will protect the entrance till our last breath. Fianna, wait here."

"Are you saying you're going to hide me in a safe place alone!?"

"Yes, he isn't an opponent that will fall for the same petty trick many times and you no longer have any Blood Stones."

"Don't underestimate me, Claire Rouge. I'm not a princess, who only needs to be protected. Now, I'm an equal member of the team."

Fianna thrust her iron-ribbed fan, used for performing the ritual dance, towards Claire.

"I am the second rank princess maiden of the «Divine Ritual Institute»— As Rubia Elstein's sister, you should know that no frail woman could perform the dance, well, do you?"

It was as though the princess was challenging her. Claire gulped nervously under the intense gaze of her teammate.

Certainly, the princess maidens of the «Divine Ritual Institute» were not trained for battles.

However, by no means did it mean that they were powerless. On the contrary, as long as they chose the time and place, there were cases where they managed to surpass even high-ranking elementalists.

And this very shrine was exactly the most suited place for her to exhibit her strength.

"...I get it."

Claire brushed her red twin-tails up.

"I'll protect you. Perform the greatest Kagura!"

===Part 2===

—There was no sight that signaled the beginning of the blade dance.

Just shrilling metallic sounds that broke the silence. A silver sword flashed through the darkness, intense sparks scattered inside the cave.

Terminus Est swung down and was immediately repelled by Jio.

Kamito stepped closer and tried to slash him again. Jio slightly shifted his center of gravity and evaded by a paper-thin margin. He then laughed shrilly and jumped straight up.

Like a spider, he clung onto the ceiling as—

"Huh, there's no foreplay?! Let me enjoy a little conversation, {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}!"

"My bad, I don't have anything like a chivalrous spirit— just like you!"

"...Wh!?"

Jio’s red eyes widened as Kamito kicked off the wall and jumped up.


Terminus Est swung in midair and struck his sword.

A shriek that came from two blades grinding against each other resounded and Jio's sword spirit was broken into many small pieces.

Kamito did not stop. He kicked off the wall again, changed his direction and hit his adversary in the face. The boy then pushed off the ceiling and chased after Jio, who was falling to the ground because of gravity and the strength of the punch.

Like a hawk descending upon its prey Kamito grabbed him by his collar and slammed his head into the ground.

A thick cloud of dust rose up. It was a strike without mercy.

With precision born from long practices Kamito threw another punch, but at that moment…

A seal on Jio's right hand glowed. Sensing danger, Kamito immediately jumped aside.

At that moment, a silver flash came from Jio's palm.

What appeared in his hand was a new elemental waffe.

It was a narrow sword that had some kind of ornament etched on its side. It was a rapier, used exclusively for thrusting.

Kamito decided to put some distance between them. He prepared Terminus Est.

"As expected of the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}. What absurd movements."

"A difficult technique that uses closed environment to attack from many sides. It’s the first technique taught at the «Instructional School». '''But I wasn't doing it as masterfully as you'''."

"..."

Jio kept silent.

"Just now, I understood it when our swords clashed. You are the same as me, an orphan from the «Instructional School»— '''A failure of the Demon King'''."

Instructional School— it was the name of the institution, where Kamito received training as an assassin when he was a child.

It was a secret organization established by some nobles. There, they collected girls who possessed the qualities of an elementalist from orphanages all over the continent in order to raise a group of skilful assassins.

At first, the institute was supposed to be supplying killers for their noble colleagues. However, the teachers of Instructional School became independent of the nobles, and before long the whole place turned into some fanatical faith.

—Namely, the one that predicted the second coming of the Demon King.

The only male elementalist in history.

The man, who used seventy-two spirits and led the continent to ruins.

'''Creating his successor.'''

That was the purpose of that faith and the measures they took to accomplish it were very simple.

The Demon King was the only male elementalist in history— If that was the case, it was only natural that his successor would be a boy.

With that thought in mind, they gathered boys who were deemed to have the ability to even slightly exchange feelings with spirits, hypnotized, drugged, let spirits posses them and carried many other experiments on those children. But they had no success.

For this reason, that moment, eight years ago, when Kamito was discovered, those guys felt ecstatic.

"—Correct."

Jio Inzagi let an extremely dreadful smile cross his lips.


"The attempt of men to find the Demon King's heir. Its very first success is me."

Kamito—

Twisted his mouth in a cynical smile and shrugged.

"Success? Are you joking?"

"I understand your feelings of not wanting to acknowledge it. Nevertheless, this isn't a joke."

"I didn’t mean it like that."

Kamito shook his head pityingly.

"A male elementalist, who uses seventy-two contracted spirits— if that was considered a success, then you are '''definitely not one, you know'''."

"...What?"

Jio's red eyes widened and then his face twisted in hatred.

"I too was fooled at first. About you really using seventy-two contracted spirits. However, I was wrong."

Kamito indifferently informed him.

"They are not contracted spirits. They are all sealed spirits."

"...!"

That's right— the spirits that Jio Inzagi was using were not ones he had contracts with.

'''They were sealed inside the marks engraved on his body and treated as equipment.'''


Kamito realized that because Jio never used the same weapon twice.

(...Besides, he has also utilized elemental waffes of the same type.)

There was no point in contracting a large quantity of sword spirits unless one planned to use and throw them away from the start. In comparison, it would be much more efficient to have just one and allow it to grow in strength.

Besides, no matter how powerful Est's elemental waffe was, Jio’s weapons broke too easily. That was strange because even the weakest spirit was a lot tougher than that.

"...What I mean is that just like Fianna you used spirit crystals that can be easily discharged after serving their purpose."

A spirit could not grow until there was a contract and its true power as an elemental waffe also could not be drawn out.

The divine power that Kamito believed to be inexhaustible was also a mere illusion.

"You are a fake Demon King, Jio Inzagi. No, you're not even an elementalist."

Certainly, the fact he was alive and healthy while having so many spirits sealed inside his body meant that the experiment was at least partially successful. If Jio were an ordinary person he would be driven mad a long time ago.

But calling himself the Demon King while not even being an elementalist…

The fact he was contracted with several spirits was just a deception.

"...Huh, so what?"

Jio's red eyes shone hatefully as he spat those words.


"Even if you know that, there's no changing the fact that you can't beat me!"

Jio kicked off the ground. The rapier became a blur in his hand.

"I'm the Demon King! And I will prove it by killing the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}, you!"

Just before reaching opponent, Jio lowered his body, aimed for the boy’s throat and launched a lightning fast thrust.

Kamito avoided it by leaning slightly to the side. Then he spun around and retaliated with a kick.

His foot connected with Jio's chest. Continuing the rotation, Kamito raised Est over his head.

"Manifest, {{Furigana|flame wolf spirit| Barguest|margin=13}}!"

A seal glowed on Jio's arm before a blazing fanged creature attacked Kamito.

It was a lava hound, clad in black flames. The spirit bit Kamito’s raised, left hand.

Intense pain coursed through his body, as though his blood was boiling. However—

"...Raaaa!"

Kamito spun again, swung his arm and smashed the lava hound into a wall.

The flames exploded and scattered. Melted rock flew around. If it were a contracted spirit, it would go back to protect its master— however, a sealed spirit, after being released, vanished without a trace.

"How lukewarm... Claire's flames are much hotter!"

A dreadful smile graced Kamito’s lips as he swung Terminus Est.

The wind pressure broke Jio’s stance, which was immediately used to Kamito’s advantage.

Raising his shining, silver sword up, the boy then brought it down with all his might.


"—Manifest, {{Furigana|shield spirit|Aegis|margin=13}}!"

However, Jio managed to stop it in time.

Sword spirit against shield spirit— even for Est, the chances were extremely poor!

But Kamito did not draw back. Without pause, he just pushed stronger.

"—Let's go Est, show me just how serious you can be!"

In response to Kamito's shout, Teminus Est's glow intensified.

Light flashed and covered the sacred sword—

At that moment, it transformed into gigantic blade that far exceeded its wielder’s stature.

"Wh...at!?"

"Ooooooo!"

Kamito roared. A crack appeared on the shield.

And then— it broke in half!

"This is absurd...!"

"This is the power of a contracted spirit bound by a seal, Jio Inzagi!"

Kamito held the large sword up again, but at that moment—

"... You bastaarrd!"

(—What?)

Jio stuck out a hand in which he held '''a shiny red comma-shaped jewel'''.


The moment Kamito saw that gem an indescribable chill ran down his spine.

Terminus Est shook slightly.

The moment its edge touched the surface of the precious stone—

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pishi*— a small crack appeared on the blade.

"...!?"

The {{Furigana|Demon King Killing Sacred Sword|Demon Slayer|margin=13}} lost its dazzling brightness.

And from the crack a black stain started spreading.

(Est is being corroded!?)

Kamito tried to draw his sword back, but...

Jio sneered at him.

"I told you once what your weakness is, Ren Ashbell."

"Guu...!"

The rapier pierced Kamito's abdomen.

As he grasped Est, who was being consumed by the blackness, the boy fell down to his knees.

"You can't accept spirits as tools. Therefore, you are weak."

Jio calmly stood up while playing with the red shiny comma-shaped jewel in his hand.

"That spirit crystal is... don't tell me—"

"Ahh?... That's right. That princess was holding the same thing."


"A Blood Stone...?"

It was a national treasure in which the power of a top-ranking spirit could be sealed.

(Why does he have—)

"That's right. This very thing is the source of my power— the power of the {{Furigana|mad king |Nebuchadnezzar|margin=13}} that rules over many spirits."

With the jewel in his hand, Jio laughed loudly, and the seals engraved on his whole body emitted an ominous glow.

"... I see, so you were able to use that many elemental waffe because of the power of the high-ranking spirit that was sealed in that jewel."

It seemed that unlike Fianna’s Blood Stone, which worked only once, the gem in Jio’s hand manifested its power just by being attached to someone’s body.

"...What a complete fake. What a pathetic Demon King-sama."

"You have the gall to say that, I'll make your sword spirit mine right here and now—"

The black stain continued spreading on Terminus Est. Jio's loud laughter resounded within the cave.

However, a faint smile surfaced on Kamito's lips.

"Jio Inzagi, do you know? This tunnel reflects sounds well."

"Ahh? What are you saying—"

"Why do you think I was spending time listing your magic tricks?"

"What?"

That's right; Kamito was not having a pointless talk.


He was passing information.

About Jio using not contracted, but just sealed spirits.

"Don't misunderstand. The one you're fighting isn't the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}."

At that moment, Flame Tongue coiled around Jio's right hand.

"—It's Team Scarlet."

"...!?"

The door to the true shrine opened. And there—

Brushing up her red twin-tails and with a whip in hand, Claire Rouge stood proudly.

"You did well, Kamito. As expected of my slave spirit!"

"Why you..."

Holding his injured abdomen, Kamito let out a long suffering groan.

Jio shook off Flame Tongue, and glared at Claire.

"Huh, thank you for opening the true shrine's door especially for me."

"Yes, to defeat you."

A voice came from behind Claire.

Fianna, who had put on a solemn ritual costume, was calmly walking towards them.

She didn’t look like the powerless, frightened girl who hid her fear behind a cheerful facade.

Standing there proudly, was a white robed Queen.


"I'll show it to you. The ritual Kagura of the Empire's second princess, Fianna Ray Ordesia."

===Part 3===

Four years ago. A girl’s spirit was completely broken.

Being consumed by an overwhelming fear and sense of helplessness, she became unable to use her powers.

That girl’s dream, to become a splendid Queen like the one she admired, Rubia-sama, became impossible for her to achieve.

From that day, her parents, her sisters, and even the court ladies changed their attitude towards her.

Before she knew it, her strictness with herself and others incurred enmity from those who surrounded her.

Therefore, the moment the fact that she lost her power was revealed, everyone started ignoring her.

Before she knew it, the girl closed her heart towards everything.

Without opening her heart to anyone, without embracing any interest, she had been secluding herself inside the castle.

—But then, three years ago, the girl met him.

The Strongest Blade Dancer, who was advancing through the tournament with overwhelming strength.

The girl became engrossed in that person’s performance.

She felt like his blade dance had changed something inside her.

Once again, she was given the strength to stand up.

(Kamito-kun, the real reason that I came to this academy— I feel like I understand it now.)


As long as she was alone, she would not have noticed it.

The «wish» that will be granted to her for the victory in the Blade Dance might be truly inconsequential.

Being with the person she admired was enough for her.

It might be that she just wanted to fight together with the boy from that day.

(...Kamito-kun, you told me that I am your comrade.)

He said that despite knowing that she couldn't use her contracted spirit.

(And Claire... She also came in contact with me without being indifferent.)

Four years ago, that time when she stood against the Calamity Queen, she was all alone.

But now she had comrades that she had to protect.

Holding her iron-ribbed fan in both hands, Fianna Ray Ordesia danced the Kagura.

(Dance, you many spirits, be released from that binding body, and dance wildly together with me!)

She was the second ranked princess maiden of the only Queen training institution on the continent— «Divine Ritual Institute».

That Kagura she was dancing was not a combat, but a support dance that strengthened spirits.

Hearing Kamito and Jio's conversation from the other side of the wall, she knew what to do intuitively.

Kamito had conveyed the things she could do as a Kagura dance expert.

If assumed that Jio Inzagi was using mere sealed spirits—

Time ticked away as she moved with fluid grace.

Those were the perfect movements that maidens at the «Divine Ritual Institute» started training at an early age.


"The seventh dance of the ritual Kagura, the mad banquet, I dedicate it to this shrine!"

===Part 4===

"Ga...Aaah, ah, ah... you bastard, what did you do to meeee!"

Suddenly, Jio Inzagi convulsed and fell to the ground.

Both his arms were twisted at impossible angles, and the seals on his whole body flickered violently.

"Your spirits are going on a rampage. They're reacting to Fianna's ritual Kagura."

Kamito slowly stood up.

"What...was that...!"

"Listen, because of what you hold inside yourself, your body became something like a shrine that deifies many spirits."

Kamito shrugged as he told him that.

"Furthermore, those spirits were not bound by a contract. Because of that jewel's power, they are just sealed spirits that were forcefully made to obey you. There's no way that they would not be affected by interference from outside— like Fianna's Kagura."

"Guu... Damn, gaaaa!"

Yelling Jio turned towards Fianna, who was dancing the Kagura at the true shrine, and released some of his spirits.

There were five of them, each of varying attribute, and all rushed towards the dancing princess.

That—

"It's useless."

Claire, who was standing before the door, knocked each of them down with Flame Tongue.

"I'm sorry but something like a spirit that lost control isn’t a real threat for me."

"Guu... haa..."

With his body's freedom stolen by the rampaging sealed spirits, Jio's convulsed violently.

"I'll take you under our custody. And, we'll have you speak about the incident concernig the {{Furigana|strategic-class militarized spirit|Jormungandr}}."

Kamito approached the boy to apprehend him, but at that moment.

"—That'll be troubling, Kamito."

From empty space, a girl's clear voice was heard.

In front of Kamito, who stopped after hearing it, thick darkness started gathering.

"...!?"

It was that pleasant voice, which he would never forget.

Before long, the darkness that didn’t seem to have any source transformed into a beautiful girl.

"Jio is a precious experiment. It would be troubling if you were to take him without permission."

"Restia..."

Kamito groaned. 

She was his former contracted spirit, and she didn’t change at all, looking as lovely as the last time he saw her, three years ago.


Kamito on the contrary changed a lot.

"You, you're the darkness spirit from that day."

"Long time no see, hell cat ojou-san."

The girl waved at Claire, who was taken aback by her sudden appearance, sweetly.

"...Restia, is it you? The one trying to release the {{Furigana|strategic-class militarized spirit|Jormungandr}}."

He had a premonition— a premonition that she was involved with this incident.

There was also the fact that Jio Inzagi knew Kamito's true identity.

And then, there were the darkness spirits that were holding a ritual at the shrine above ground.

Above all else, the throbbing from the spirit seal, which was engraved on his left hand, was telling him of her presence.

The lovely darkness spirit smiled lonely and nodded.

"That's right. It's my mission to release the spirit sleeping here."

"Why are you doing..."

"Because that's her desire. That's all."

"...Her?"

"Kamito, you'll eventually meet her. However, it's not now. You have not awakened yet."

"Restia, I—"

—At that moment, Jio, who was still on the ground, roared.


"Move aside, darkness spirit. I have not lost yet!"

"Give it up. I've said it, haven't I? You can't beat even the current him."

"Shut up, I'm-I'm the one, who will succeed the Demon King! To be beaten at..."

"You are not the Demon King. You're not even an elementalist, you're just a failure."

The darkness spirit girl told him coldly.

"After all, the one, who will succeed the Demon King, is—"

"..., Shut up, shut up shut up shut up, you bratsssssss!"

Suddenly, Jio grabbed the darkness spirit's ankle.

He stood up with Restia hanging upside down.

"Jio, what are you trying to do!?"

"To thank you. I am going to use you, darkness spirit!"

Jio laughed loudly as madness filled his eyes.

A shiny crimson comma-shaped jewel was tightly grasped in his hand before—

He threw it at the ground near his feet.

"Wh!?"

"Ha, hahahaha, ha! This is the power of the Demon King, who can make even the high ranking darkness spirit obey him!"

The deep crimson Blood Stone made a shrilly noise and exploded.

The power of the {{Furigana|mad king spirit|Nebuchadnezzar|margin=13}} poured out of it, before turning into a feeler made of shadows that wrapped the darkness spirit's body.


"Restia!"

Enraged, Kamito swung Terminus Est,

However, that slash, which the boy charged with all his power, failed to cut Jio apart.

The fake Demon King was holding a gargantuan jet-black sword.

It seemed that it was this sword that stopped the attack.

"That's... don't tell me, Restia's—!?"

It was her elemental waffe— {{Furigana|The sword that pierces the truth|Vorpal Sword|margin=13}}.

Its shape was different, but, without a doubt, that was the blade which the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}} once wielded.

"Scarlet!"

Claire shouted.

The scorching hell cat immediately rushed at the madly laughing Jio.

"Small fry, do not hinder the Demon Kinnggg!"

Losing his composure, the boy swung his sword.

The blade released countless black lightning bolts that managed to force Kamito back.

"Kyaa!"

"Claire!"

Claire screamed, as her petite body was blown away.

"Jio Inzagi!"


Kamito roared swinging Terminus Est down.

"You too— Dieeeeee!"

Turning towards Kamito, who was rushing at him from the front, Jio released another attack.

It was larger and had several times the power of the previous one.

It was perfectly aimed at and rapidly converged on Kamito—

"Like such a thing will hit—"

"—'''It'll hit'''."

Jio smiled ferociously.

Just before dodging, Kamito realized it.

Fianna was behind him.

===Part 5===

The princess was staring at the approaching black lightning dumbfounded.

She could not dodge it. The heavy ritual costume restricted her movements too much.

(...Am I going to die here?)

Calm resignation filled her heart. She reflexively closed her eyes.

However—


"Fianna!"

She was taken aback by that shout.

The girl opened her eyes just in time to see how Kamito caught the rampaging attack with his sword.

"Kamito-kun!?"

"Oooooooooo!"

While his whole body was being struck by the lightning, Kamito moved forward.

Ren Ashbell, the one who had performed a splendid blade dance at the previous completion held in the honor of the Elemental Lords.

Despite his tattered condition, this warrior was now protecting Fianna.

Even when covered in blood and barely standing he didn’t fall or step back.

"No, Kamito-kun! You're going to die—"

"I never want to lose them again. My precious comrades."

"...!"

Looking at his back now, Fianna remembered that day three years ago.

It was just like the time when this boy saved a powerless girl in the forest of Astral Zero.

It was the back of the boy, who she first fell in love with— And it was right in front of her eyes!

(This time I have to protect him—)

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Ba-thump*. Something hot started burning in Fianna's chest.

(—I want to protect '''him, the one who I love'''.)


For a long time now, she had always been alone.

Without being needed, without anyone accompanying her, she was the Lost Queen.

Without anything to expect, she had given up on everything.

(—But it's different now.)

She saw Ren Ashbell's blade dance three years ago.

And now she was looking at Kazehaya Kamito's back.

(—I've changed! After all, I have a wish I want granted!)

She wanted to aim for the «Blade Dance» together with Kamito.

(That was— my real wish.)

The black lightning was slowly pushing back the glow that emanated from Terminus Est.

Kamito felt like his body was going to collapse at any moment now. However, he was still standing.

"—Thou, servant of the king of the child of man, knight and master swordsman!"

Words of a majestic summoning flew from Fianna's lips.

"—By the contract of the old blood, become the sword that protects me, come forth and do my bidding!"

A nostalgic feeling rose in her chest.

It was the sensation that she last experienced four years ago— the throbbing of the spirit seal.

The princess' knight, who had not responded no matter how many times it was called, was now—

"Come forth, holy knight spirit «Georgios»— Thou shalt become the sword that protects me!"


A dazzling light blinded her for a moment.

It was the holy light that cleansed all darkness. It was the light that had been always protecting Fianna.

The mailed knight, armed with a silver sword and a large shield, stood before her.

The holy knight spirit that was handed down through the royal family— «Georgios».

There was no need for words. Fianna gently smiled at that nostalgic appearance.

A holy attribute spirit could only be used by a princess maiden possessing an absolutely pure soul.

Fianna, who managed to recover from her painful past…

Was now recognized as its true master.

"I command you in the name of the Ordesia Empire's second princess— Protect Kamito-kun!"

With her hands at her waist and giving orders with ease born of practice, Fianna looked truly majestic.

The holy knight spirit nodded without a word and brandished his large sword, which was approximately as long as he was tall.

Making a rumbling sound that reminded the princess of an earthquake, it rushed right into the wall of raging black lightning.

"—Why you, are you defying the Demon King?!"

Jio Inzagi shouted. His attack then turned into a stream that surged towards the holy spirit.

That however, didn’t stop «Georgios»’ charge.

The black lightning was being repelled by the shield he held aloft.

A high ranking holy spirit was completely unaffected by the darkness attribute.

His large sword cut and cleansed it with ease, clearing the path in front of Kamito!


"Wh...at...!?"

Jio's was shocked by what he saw; Kamito didn't overlook this opportunity for an attack.

"Let's go, Est!"

Kamito poured all the divine power he had in his sword.

The {{Furigana|Demon King Killing Sacred Sword|Demon Slayer|margin=13}}, which was almost swallowed by the darkness moments ago, shone brightly once more.

"Ooooooo!"

Kamito ran as Terminus Est started growing.

"Tch— Manifest, flame spirit!"

Aiming at Kamito, who was quickly closing the distance between them, Jio recited the summoning—

"I won't let you!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Hyun*— There was a red flash and something swallowed that fire.

Claire, covered in injuries, was standing with Flame Tongue in her hand.

"—I told you, we are a team."

Kamito told him as he plunged towards Jio's chest.

"Therefore, I'll continue to grow in strength. I’ll become more powerful that when I was called the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}."

And then, with one smooth slash, Kamito cut the fake Demon King's arm.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter8|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Epilogue}}</noinclude>

User talk:Asiorx22

2013-08-24T11:56:02Z

Asiorx22:

Could someone unblock this account. Hi, I am quite fine with your suggestions, I will admit that I have kept thus quite close to the source in an attempt to not miss out anything. I do definitely welcome edits that do not lazily strip out extra description. If you can put out good sentences without doing that, I will encourage you to edit on. This is one of my earlier works where I was quite restrictive to myself. --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] ([[User_talk:KuroiHikari|Talk]] | ) 04:15, 28 May 2013 (CDT)

Hi, it seems that you are putting your comments on the translation within the text itself. Would you mind moving them to the discussion page of the respective chapters as it allows translators/editors to better follow up on your comments. It also allows for further discussion on suggested changes and would look neater in the discussion page instead of reading the comments that follow after yours. [[User:Zakashi|Zakashi]] ([[User talk:Zakashi|talk]]) 06:25, 30 May 2013 (CDT)

Generally, notes in the text are hard to notice, so, may be you'll want to move them somewhere. Editors don't really have a schedule and they typically just edit as they read through. However, my new notice is aimed at something a little different. I've noticed that I've been quite restrictive to what the editors can do, and I've decided on letting editors work out rewrites of sentences. I've prepared draft pages next to the actual chapter links. Reason for this is that if a major change occurred, I might not noticed it at all. So, I wouldn't be able to prevent edits that results in a difference in meaning. So, my new plan is that I'd like editors to come out with rewrites of the lines in the draft page, so that it feels English. From there, I'll compare, check and merge it into the main version. Currently, only experimenting on Volume 2. --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] ([[User_talk:KuroiHikari|Talk]] | ) 08:25, 31 May 2013 (CDT)

Just to update you on why I haven't been updating the draft. 1. I'm rather unavailable throughout the week. 2. When I am available, I'm busy lazing about =/ However, I'm not going to drag this too long, I'll try to work on the next chapter this coming Friday. Thanks --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] ([[User_talk:KuroiHikari|Talk]] | ) 04:23, 30 July 2013 (CDT)

If you need an answer fast, just link it to me on my talk page. There isn't anyone else actually. --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] ([[User_talk:KuroiHikari|Talk]] | ) 06:25, 24 August 2013 (CDT)

User talk:Asiorx22

2013-08-24T11:53:15Z

Asiorx22:

User talk:Asiorx22

2013-08-24T11:52:39Z

Asiorx22:

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter9

2013-08-18T15:38:09Z

Asiorx22: /* Sentence's meaning */

Why are we emphasizing on using '''Bolds''' now? --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] 00:35, 20 June 2012 (CDT)

dont really know some ppl started added random bold's even though it's not in the original text. --[[User:RikiNutcase|RikiNutcase]]

I added the bolds, it's something due in the other chapters as well. It's for words that have the comma furigana. The author uses them to emphasis those words, I'm just fixing this lack of emphasis. --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] ([[User_talk:KuroiHikari|Talk]] | ) 00:51, 20 June 2012 (CDT)

==Jio's Smile==
Can someone give the original j-text for the 'extremely dreadful smile'. If I have that I might be able to suggest a better alternative. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 04:40, 20 June 2012 (CDT)

It's this 凄絶. I guess it could be fierce.
It means, 非常にすさまじいこと, something very susamajii --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] ([[User_talk:KuroiHikari|Talk]] | ) 04:58, 20 June 2012 (CDT)

'''Ferocious''' is a better choice. It fits Jio's character as well. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 05:05, 20 June 2012 (CDT)

So should I replace with ferocious or not? [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 01:24, 21 June 2012 (CDT)

==Sword==
Just a question, why is the sacred sword that killed the Demon King called "vorpal sword", doesn't vorpal sword refer to Restia? [[User:Zakashi|Zakashi]] 05:25, 20 June 2012 (CDT)

Yes, that's correct. I must have been daydreaming on that. --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] ([[User_talk:KuroiHikari|Talk]] | ) 05:29, 20 June 2012 (CDT)

==Lightning Strike==
Hi, in part 4, "It was one long lightning attack that had several times the one from just now.", does the "several times" referring to the lightning being longer or multiple lightning attacks? [[User:Zakashi|Zakashi]] 23:47, 20 June 2012 (CDT)

I think multiple lightning attacks, mainly because of the following line.

The original line is this 先程の数倍はあろうかという一条の雷撃。 I believe I translated its ambiguity over as well. --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] ([[User_talk:KuroiHikari|Talk]] | ) 23:59, 20 June 2012 (CDT)

Well, I'm completely Japanese illiterate, so I can only base my edits on my understanding on English. Since it has something to do with the original Japanese text, I guess that translators and other editors can look into it. [[User:Zakashi|Zakashi]] 00:05, 21 June 2012 (CDT)

The first lightning attack had '''countless black lightning''' attacks/strikes. The second was a '''single''' lightning strike with many times the power of the previous attack (possibly because there was only one lightning strike so the power was also concentrated). This is what I understood. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 01:20, 21 June 2012 (CDT)

==Sentence's meaning==
Hi, in part 2, "However, it was greatly imperfect for him to call himself the Demon King— an elementalist.", "imperfect" has been replaced by "incomplete" in an edit. The sentence sounds a bit awkward here. May I know if the sentence here means that Kamito's strength is still not yet on par with the Demon King's? If it is so, would it be better to rephrase it? Thanks. [[User:Zakashi|Zakashi]] ([[User talk:Zakashi|talk]]) 08:16, 28 March 2013 (CDT)

Actually, that line is referring to Jio. "It's just 'wrong' to call him an elementalist." is how I'll simplify it. I've to admit 'imperfect' is not that of a good choice of wrong. Could you suggest a word along the lines of faulty? --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] ([[User_talk:KuroiHikari|Talk]] | ) 08:37, 28 March 2013 (CDT)

Oops, I didn't read the whole context since I read it in the edit differences, sorry about that. Just to clarify, would the word here in a sense express that there are flaws to Jio's claim to be the Demon King given the limitations of his ability? Thanks. [[User:Zakashi|Zakashi]] ([[User talk:Zakashi|talk]]) 02:22, 30 March 2013 (CDT)

Yes, that would be correct.--[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] ([[User_talk:KuroiHikari|Talk]] | ) 02:42, 30 March 2013 (CDT)

I was thinking along the lines of using "inadequate, inappropriate or inaccurate". Simplifying it to "it's just 'wrong'" seems great too. I'll leave it to you to decide the best way to phrase it. :p. [[User:Zakashi|Zakashi]] ([[User talk:Zakashi|talk]]) 06:22, 31 March 2013 (CDT)

In part 2
"Besides, no matter how powerful Est's elemental waffe was, it was strange that a sword spirit, famous for being the toughest in its endurance, was broken that easily."
From this sentence, it looks like it was Est who was broken, but that's not the case and I don't actually remember any famous swords breaking in this or previous chapter. Could someone specify exactly what blade the author is talking about.[[User:asiorx22|asiorx22]]([[User talk:asiorx22|talk]]) 18 august 2013

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter9

2013-08-18T15:35:58Z

Asiorx22: /* Sentence's meaning */

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter9

2013-08-18T15:34:01Z

Asiorx22: /* Sentence's meaning */

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter8 Draft

2013-08-16T11:24:56Z

Asiorx22: Created page with "==Chapter 8: Fianna's confession== ===Part 1=== "Ug..." "Kamito!" "Kamito-kun" The boy woke up to the sight of two girls leaning other him. "...Claire, Fianna." "Great,..."

==Chapter 8: Fianna's confession==

===Part 1===

"Ug..."

"Kamito!"

"Kamito-kun"

The boy woke up to the sight of two girls leaning other him.

"...Claire, Fianna."

"Great, you're awake."

"You're too rash... idiot."

...It seemed that he overused his divine power and fainted.

After getting up from the cold ground, Kamito looked around.

The dim, flickering glow of the spirit crystal was illuminating the darkness.

The tunnel had collapsed and it seemed that the path was completely blocked by the fallen earth and sand.

"Both of you, are you injured?"

"No, we aren’t... how do you feel?"

"Ah, I just overused my divine power. What, have I worried you?

"Id-Idiot, I wasn’t concerned or anything!"


"Ouchhhh!"

Claire landed a clean hit exactly on his wound with her palm. Kamito writhed in the intense pain.

"...Come on, what are you doing?"

Fianna sighed in frustration.

Kamito held his hurting shoulder as he surveyed his surroundings.

"Are the others safe?"

"Yes...although they don’t feel well. For now, I've given them some emergency treatment."

When Fianna raised the light crystal up, the forms of Ellis and the others lying on the ground could be seen.

...Their condition could hardly be described as 'safe'.

Rakka and Reishia were still unconscious and in critical state after being poisoned.

Ellis seemed to be conscious, but it looked like she was in no condition to walk.

Next to Rinslet, who was sitting against the wall, Fenrir was licking its master's wounds.

"Jio Inzagi. What on earth happened to him?"

"Fianna released the spirit that was sealed in the crystal. He was swallowed by the pillar of light and disappeared...Although, I don't think he's dead."

"Was that a spirit crystal...?"

When Kamito turned towards Fianna, she nodded with a "Yes".

"But to think it could hold someone so strong—"


That spirit possessed such destructive power that it even managed to force back Thanatos and collapse the tunnel.

Without a doubt, it held a very high rank.

However, Kamito never heard of the existence of a spirit crystal or anything else that could seal something so powerful.

"Blood Stone—a treasure handed down in the Ordesia royal family."

"...?"

"You don’t know about it? It's common knowledge for elementalists."

Claire sighed in astonishment while Kamito frowned.

"It can't be helped, I'm not a noble and I'm unfamiliar with things like that."

When Kamito said that, Claire shrugged in disappointment before giving an explanation.

"Blood Stone isn't ordinary. It can seal a part of a high ranking spirit's power within a special spirit crystal that was mined at the sacred ground of Astral Zero. Of course, it isn't something that money or influence can buy you. It is national treasure, after all."

"Is that so..."

Although she was banished from the royal family, Fianna was the former second princess of the Ordesia Empire. The moment she was admitted into Areishia Spirit Academy, she might have been made to hand it over in the screening. 

"I had tricked the stupid palace guards and pilfered it from the royal family's treasure hall. But I also switched it with an imitation, so it's alright."

The princess puffed her chest out.


"Ah, I thought it was like that... Hn?"

At that moment Kamito finally noticed something out of place.

It was... Fianna's pushed out chest.

...Small. It had obviously decreased in size.

(That reminds me, just now Fianna...)

She was hiding that spirit crystal—Blood Stone between her breasts.

Although it wasn't such a big thing, how did she manage that?

"Ug... D-Don't look..."

Fianna, who noticed the direction of Kamito's sight, bashfully crossed her hands in front of herself.

"Kamito! Fianna had been deceiving us all this time!"

Claire pointed at the princess accusingly.

"Deceiving?"

"That's right; this girl is a fake-breast princess!"

"..."

Kamito slowly turned towards Fianna with a deadpan look,

"...Uh, is that true?"

"I-it is, they're pads... is that wrong?"

The princess' cheeks reddened, and she quickly turned away.


"No, it's nothing worth getting furious over, but... why did you do it?"

"...To protect the Blood Stone. No one could steal it if it was between my breasts. Moreover, I heard b-boys all like big breasted girls, so..."

From the start, her purpose for coming to the academy was to ensnare Kamito and make him her comrade.

...That reminded him, she had been approaching him and pressing her breasts against him at random, did she actually need them for that?

"No, there are also boys who like girls even if their breasts are small."

"Eh?"

For some reason, Claire's ears twitched when she heard his words.

"Ka-Kamito, what you said just now... is that true?"

"Yeah, after all, everyone has different tastes when it comes to opposite sex. Well, personally, I think that compared to having none, having some is better... Ouch!"

Without a warning Claire hit him with her whip.

"Y-You, you...!"

"No, I just talked about my personal tastes. There are also many boys out there with other preferences—"

"Uuu!"

Tears filled Claire’s eyes before she bit her lips.

(Anyway, that soft feeling was from the pads?...)


...He completely missed it. As expected, the technological level of the imperial capital shouldn’t be taken lightly.

"Although it was my plan to use that Blood Stone at the «Blade Dance» as a trump card."

She muttered, lowering her tone and clasping her hands in front of her breasts.

Rather than being small, they were normal for a girl of her age.

At the very least, they weren't deplorable like Claire's—

"Uh, what?"

"...No, sorry. It was nothing."

Flustered, Kamito looked away from Claire, who was glaring at him sternly through her tear filled eyes.

“Ahem”, he coughed and turned towards Fianna.

"Why did you bring this crystal anyway?"

After being released from the stone, the spirit and the sealed part of its power would instantly return to Astral Zero. It could not be used again.

Therefore, elementalists didn't normally use crystals. After all, most of the time, it was a lot more effective to use magic and contracted spirits in a blade dance.

"..."

When he asked that, Fianna looked downwards and calmly sighed.

"Well, it'll get exposed eventually anyway, so I'll tell you guys right here and now."

"...?"


Kamito and Claire exchanged glances at Fianna's unusually serious expression.

"—It happened four years ago, I lost the ability to use my contracted spirit."

===Part 2===

It was for this reason that while being expected to inherit the position of the Queen candidate after Rubia Elstein left, Fianna Ray Ordesia the second princess resigned from that position and was banished from the royal family.

That was '''because she lost her power'''.

"A princess maiden, who lost the ability to control spirits, doesn't have the qualifications to be a Queen worth serving the Elemental Lord."

Fianna lowered her gaze as she muttered those words self-deprecatingly.

"..."

An elementalist that couldn't use her contrcted spirit was —literally— no longer an elementalist.

And the situation, where one suddenly became unable to use it, wasn't something that unusual.

For example, there were cases where her body may be soiled, or the covenant made during the contract was broken— even outside of such occasions, there were situations where one became unable to exchange feelings with her spirit due to some sort of emotional trauma.

In short, the link with the spirit was greatly dependent on the elementalist's state of mind.

Fianna didn’t talk further about the incident that caused it.


Kamito wasn’t about to dig deeper.

(But if it happened four years ago—)

A terrible misfortune befell Ordesia Empire at that time.

It was the year that Calamity Queen's, Rubia Elstein's, mutiny occurred.

And Fianna was a princess maiden at the same «Divine Ritual Institute» as the renegade.

She experienced that incident, which caused an emotional trauma that made her lose her power.

A coincidence— he didn't think so.

"I'm sorry about hiding it. But, I thought I would tell you about it someday, but if anyone found out that I was unable to exchange feelings with my spirit, I would become unable to stay in this academy."

"But, how did you pass the examination? If I'm not mistaken, there must be a practical one."

Unlike everyone else and because of Greyworth's authority Kamito passed without going through one, but originally, there was a strict practical examination in the academy. Just being elementalist was not enough to pass it.

"I hid several pieces of spirit crystals in my sleeves, and released them in sequence, so it looked like I was using a spirit. Since I had achievements from the time as a Queen candidate of the «Divine Ritual Institute», they were easily deceived."

"You used valuable spirit crystals for such a dishonest entry in the academy?"

"The invigilator would never think there would be a person doing such a thing."

"How stupid, even if you were admitted like that, isn't it obvious that you'd be instantly exposed. Why did you even come to this academy?

"That's—"

Fianna glanced at Kamito.

Her goal was to join the team with the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}} and be victorious in the competition.

However, he would be troubled if Claire was told that... Very troubled.

Thereupon, Fianna smirked in a way that only Kamito understood.

"That's to kiss Kamito-kun—"

"That's not it. Hey, Claire, stop taking out your whip."

Fianna saw Claire's raised eyebrow and giggled.

"It's a joke. My goal is to be victorious in the Blade dance and have my «wish» granted and regain my lost spirit contract."

"Everyone is the same in aiming for the victory at the Blade Dance. However, why did you think of joining our team? It might be weird for me to say this, but our team has the lowest rank."

"..."

At that, Fianna placed a finger on her lips and pondered.

"...That's right. That’s why I thought that you guys would accept me."

It was slightly different from Fianna's usual impish tone.

"What do you mean?"


"After all, you have a male elementalist and you are the sister of the Calamity Queen. So, it wouldn’t be out of place if the Lost Queen, who is no longer an elementalist, joined in, wouldn’t you agree?"

Despite her joking tone, she looked lonely and wore an expression of self-deprecation.

The reason Fianna came to the academy and approached Kamito.

To be victorious in the Blade Dance, she would ensnare the person, who was once the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}— or so she claimed.

However, the true reason —unexpectedly— might be more like this.

Being lonely, being a fibber, the impish princess '''just wanted friends'''—

"Well then, I've confessed my secret but—"

“Ahem” Fianna coughed before asking.

"What am I going to do now? The team wouldn't need an elementalist who can't use her contracted spirit, right?"

The princess stared at Kamito and Claire with a lonely expression.

Despite the joking manner in which the question was asked, the look in her eyes made it obvious how insecure she was.

And then, Claire noticed something. Princesses’ fingers were trembling slightly.

Before long—

"It doesn't matter."

Kamito sighed.

"Fianna, you protected us by risking your life. You're our comrade."


"...!"

Her eyes widened in astonishment.

"Hey, is that alright?"

Kamito turned towards Claire—

"That's fine."

Claire nodded as she looked at Fianna's chest. This action made the princess pale.

"Fianna, you are my comrade. A member of the breastless alliance."

"Don't put me together with you! I have more than you, Claire!"

"Wh-What was that!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogo*... Claire's red hair started rising menacingly, but at that moment.

"...!?"

The ground suddenly shook.

From the crumbling ceiling, large fragments of rubble started dropping down.

"...An earthquake again!?"

"Don't tell me... {{Furigana|the strategic-class militarized spirit|Jormungandr|margin=13}} is already about to wake up?"

"It seems so. However, as long as Jio Inzagi hasn't found the «true shrine», he shouldn't be able to completely undo the seal."

"Well then, if we could get there first—"


Claire stopped in mid-sentence and gasped in surprised.

"The seal specification materials that were stolen from the academy— the location of the true shrine might be recorded there."

"I see! So that was his goal from the beginning—"

"No, the information is encoded. Deciphering it should take time."

Joining the conversation Ellis managed to raise half her body from the ground.

It seemed that the earthquake woke her up.

"Ellis, can you already move?"

Kamito called out to her.

"No, I can't walk yet. It's shameful, but my legs are still paralyzed by the poison."

Ellis slapped her unmoving knees as she bit her lips, seemingly vexed.

"I also have not recovered to the point where I am able to fight."

This was said by Rinslet, who was leaning against the wall.

“Fianna, can you dance the ritual Kagura after having lost your power?”

"Yes, it wouldn’t be as effective as when I took part in the «Divine Ritual Ceremony», but I can slightly enhance the resealing. Obviously, I wouldn't accept a quest that I can't even do."

Fianna nodded and softly placed her hand on her chin.

"Although, first we have to find the hidden true shrine and seize it."

"Do we have to search the whole mine...?"


This place was abandoned several decades ago. The tunnels weren't being maintained, and on top of that, there was the danger that the ceiling will cave in even after a small earthquake like the one from a while ago.

"Besides, we might encounter that guy again."

Everyone became silent at Claire's utterance.

The male elementalist, who used a countless number of spirits.

Even if all the members of their team, who boasted top class ability, formed a group, they would be no match for him.

(He knows about Restia...)

Kamito instinctively grasped his left hand, which was still covered by his leather glove.

(Who on earth is he?)

"That boy, it was as though he was the real Demon King..."

"Uh, he was driven away by Fianna's surprise attack, but I don't think that could have defeated him."

Ellis nodded with a meek expression at Rinslet's murmuring.

At that moment.

"Kamito, I know the location of the true shrine."

A sound came from the sword leaning against the wall.

"Est?"

Kamito touched Est's handle, and cancelled the elemental waffe status.

The Demon Slayer turned into particles of light before transforming into a lovely girl.


"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Kamito, in the olden days, more distant than when this place became a mine— several hundred years ago, this very mountain was the high ranking shrine that was used to deify spirits. I visited it several times before I was sealed in a sword."

That’s right, originally Est was a top-ranking spirit, who was sealed several hundred years ago. It wouldn’t be strange for her to be deified by everyone on the sacred mountain.

"Can you guide us there?"

"Of course."

"Remarkable, Est."

"Yes, Kamito. Then, please stroke Est's head."

"Ahh."

[[Image:STnBD V02 217.jpg|thumb]]
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Suri suri*. *Nade nade*.

"Hn, it feels good, Kamito."

Est closed her eyes partly like a cat, who was being petted under the chin.

"..."

Those two—

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Hyooooooo...!*

The girls stared at them frostily.

"Wh-What..."



"I've been thinking about it for a while now, but Kamito, don't you think you're too soft on Est?"

"I-I don't think so"

He instinctively stepped back at the girls' glares.

At that moment.

"..."

The ground shook again. ...This time, it was even stronger than before.

"We had better hurry."

"Ah—"

Kamito nodded before stopping suddenly and turning around.

Ellis shook her head when she realized what he was thinking about.

"We're alright. While, you were unconscious, I released Simorgh and sent it to the academy. The Knights should be rushing our aid at dawn."

"Ellis..."

"Go, Kazehaya Kamito. We failed in our quest. I'll entrust the rest to you guys."

"It seems I am unable to fight, so I will stay behind to treat them."

"..."

The boy tightly clenched his fist—


"...I understand. I'll come back as soon as possible."

"Let's go Kamito, Fianna."

Claire raised Flame Tongue over her head, and blew away the mountain of rubble blocking the path.

===Part 3===

"—Tch, oucchh..."

His stifled groan echoed through the tunnel walls.

Jio was loitering in the thick darkness which was twined around him as though it was his own skin.

And so he walked like a ghost with a hand at his injured face.

"Isn't the long-awaited handsome man ruined, huh?"

A stiff smile surfaced on his face, as he talked into the darkness before him. He didn’t expect a reply, but—

"You're over conceited, Jio Inzagi. You were negligent."

—There.

Suddenly, an even murkier darkness appeared in front of him and took the form of a beautiful girl.

"Shut up, it's because your spirit was useless."

"I never thought that there would be a holy spirit user. Although {{Furigana|Death Spirit|Thanatos|margin=13}} darkness attribute is powerful, its weakness against the holy element is undeniable."


"Where are they heading?"

"Probably to the «true shrine» that governs over the {{Furigana|strategic-class militarized spirit|Jormungandr|margin=13}}. As I am still tied to Kamito via the bond of the contract, I can roughly determine his location."

The jet black-haired girl stroked the spirit seal that was engraved on her own left hand tenderly.

"Guide me, darkness spirit. I'll make them regret injuring the Demon King's face."

"Let it go. He is the real Demon King and you, who are no more than a fake, could not possible win. Besides, the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}} has never lost to an opponent he fought once."

"Watch your mouth, darkness spirit. '''I can even make you mine right here and now'''."

Jio glared at her.

—He then showed her a red shiny comma-shaped jewel grasped tightly in his hand.

"...Really, what a foolish boy."

The darkness spirit muttered disdainfully, waved her black dress, and disappeared into empty space.

===Part 4===

Sounds of solid footsteps were heard in the long endless tunnels.

The group was following the silently walking Est, who lead the them deep underground.

This mine was a giant maze and the ceilings were too high for normal people. It was as if giant spirits were used for digging the tunnels.

There were many doors that used to be sealed, but had been recently opened.

It was probably done by Jio Inzagi's comrade, who had been carrying out the ritual at the shrine above ground.

Suddenly, sharp pain shot through Kamito's left hand.

"What's wrong? Are your wounds hurting?"

"No, it's nothing..."

He shook his head to reassure the girl, who was peering at him anxiously.

Claire pouted, dissatisfied with such a response from Kamito.

"...For some reason it feels as if you are always fighting alone."

She muttered with a sigh.

"It was also like that when we were assembling a team for the tournament. No, it wasn't just that time, I felt like that when you were taking the lectures too and when you were in the dormitory... how should I say it, shouldn't you trust me, your partner... that's not it, your master, more?"

"Is that so? ...Or rather, I don't want to be told that by someone, who has no friends."

"Sh-Shut up, I do have friends!"

"You mean Rinslet?"

"Sh-She's just a childhood acquaintance, it's not like she's a friend!"

"Ah, what a coincidence. I always ate alone while at the «Divine Ritual Institute» as well."


"Fianna, you too? ...What's with this pitiful party?"

While having this endless conversation the group started descending a long stairway.

"Hey, are we there yet, Est? We’ve been walking for more than an hour already."

"A few paths seem different from what I remember. And Claire is noisy."

"Wh!"

"It can't be helped; you were sealed several hundred years ago."

"Unh, Kamito, you're on Est's side again..."

As they progressed down the endless stairway, the group finally emerged into a wide open space.

Est continued walking straight, and stopped before a gigantic wall.

"Here, Kamito."

"...Here? Isn't this a dead end?"

Claire frowned suspiciously.

Before the four of them was a stone wall towering over its surroundings.

Est held up the light and the carvings engraved on the wall's surface become visible.

They looked ancient. It seemed that the group was in front of a historic ruin from a mythical age.

"This is the carving of the «Five Great Elemental Lords»... or looks like it."

The motif of the carving was quite a typical thing.

Fire, water, wind, earth, holy— The kings of the five attributes that control Astral Zero.


"Hn?"

Suddenly, Kamito saw something out of place in the design of that pattern and frowned.

It was composed in such a way that the holy attribute Elemental Lord was at the top of the drawn pentagram.

At its bottom was a large scraped mark.

It looked unnatural, as if someone purposefully erased whatever was written there.

Est approached the wall and softly placed her hand on the part that was torn-off.

"This is the carving from the mythical age. In the later times Ren Ashdoll had its existence erased."

"...? Est, what did—"

The moment Kamito raised his voice to ask a question, a thunderous roar reverberated through the underground tunnel.

Slowly a crevice appeared on the wall and widened revealing an opening, illuminated by blue light.

"A hidden door?—"

"This is the historic ruins from the mythical age. The door can only be opened by high-ranking spirits."

Est muttered expressionlessly.

"Terrific, Est."

"Kamito, please praise me more."

"Ah, Est is remarkable."

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Suri suri*. *Nade nade*.

"Kamito, it feels good..."


Feeling the boy pat her head, Est tightly closed her eyes.

"..."

Claire and Fianna glared at the two of them.

"...As I thought, you're soft towards Est."

"Kamito-kun, if we don't hurry up, the {{Furigana|strategic-class militarized spirit|Jormungandr|margin=13}} would wake up."

"Ah, that's right..."

Drawing his hand back after hearing Fianna warning, Kamito walked through the door.

—On the other side was an unbelievably gigantic cave.

It had a polished agate floor and a stalactite ceiling that was inlaid with countless spirit crystals.

Each of them emitted a mysterious faint glow that bathed the cave in dazzling light.

At the center of the large cave was a shrine, made of precious metals and crystals.

Compared to the grand building above ground, it was quite small, which just highlighted its solemnity.

"—There's no doubt. Here is where this mine's «true shrine» is."

"All Fianna has to do is conduct a resealing ritual Kagura here, right?"

"Yes. However, before that—"

Fianna pointed at a small reservoir near the shrine.

Clear underground water, which trickled down from the stalactite, was being collected there.

"I must do the purification ritual and cleanse my body."


"That's right, I also want to bathe. My purity has decreased greatly because of the battle."

Claire muttered. Suddenly, she noticed Kamito's gaze.

"...Err, what should I do?"

"Y-You'll stand watch outside!"

She immediately lashed at him with her whip.

===Part 5===

—*Splash*.

Claire made a lovely "Hyan" sound as a drop of water fell from a stalactite.

She had very fair skin and slender body with elegant curves. Her breasts were on the small side, but possessed an undeniable charm even for Fianna who was of the same gender.

(They are certainly siblings; she has the same beauty as her sister...)

Claire's profile and red twintails, while untied, brought forth memories of another person.

The Calamity Queen— Rubia Elstein.

The one who completely crushed young Fianna's heart.

It wasn't like she resented Claire for who the girl was related to.

(Speaking of which, I don't even understand whether or not I hate Rubia-sama...)


It wasn’t hatred that possessed Fianna's heart, it was an overwhelming fear.

The moment she overcame that fear, her contracted spirit would come back—

Fianna dropped her eyes onto the spirit seal engraved on her chest, and was absorbed in her thoughts.

"What? Are you looking at your breasts to feel your superiority?"

Claire glared at the princesses’ bosom with scorn.

"Eh?"

"Aren't yours bigger than mine even without your pads? I th-thought that we're comrades."

...Claire's eyes held a dangerous glint.

Somehow sensing that her body was in jeopardy, Fianna tried running away.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Sususu*. *Sususu*. *Susususu*.

Finally, she was cornered at the edge of the pond, and Claire grasped her shoulders firmly.

...She could not escape anymore.

"Hey, Fianna, swallow your shame, I have something I want to ask you."

Claire said that with a serious expression.

"Wh-What?"

"A gi-girl's breasts would become big if they get the boy they like to rub them... Is that true?"

"...Eh?"


Fianna’s mouth opened wide in surprise upon seeing Claire’s bashful blush.

And then—

A "gusu" laugh escaped her lips.

Before long, Fianna was giggling while hugging her stomach.

"Wh-What! It isn't funny!"

"But I had someone ask me the exact same thing in the past."

"...?"

Confused by her words Claire tilted her head to the side.

"You definitely are sisters."

Stifling her laughter Fianna wiped the tears from her eyes.

Come to think of it, it had been a while since she really laughed like that.

The last time was... four years ago, on the day she lost her spirit contract power.

"Claire Rouge, I do not hate you."

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind. Ahh, you are still growing and so are your breasts."

"I-I feel somewhat irritated... But anyway."

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyuu*.

Claire squeezed Fianna's breast.


"Kyaa, wh-what are you doing!"

"I'm trying to confirm if they'll really become big after being rubbed."

"Isn't it fine if you confirm that with your own breasts?!"

"...Mi-mine are small and can't be properly grasped!"

"He-Hey, stop, hyaa, aan..."

Shrieks and loud splashes of water filled the sacred underground shrine.

===Part 6===

(...I can hear those two from here.)

Leaning on the wall, Kamito scratched his cheeks.

The tunnels caused more echoes than he had thought. It did not mean that he caught their conversation, but the sweet voices of the girls he heard at times were affecting him greatly.

"Kamito, are you eavesdropping on them and getting excited?"

"Uh, absolutely not."

Kamito deadpanned.

"Well then, what?"

"—Jio Inzagi, I'm thinking about that brat's true identity."


He was a male elementalist, who freely used countless spirits— in a certain way, an existence of greater heresy than Kamito.

However, Kamito was talking about his enemy’s true self that he managed to get a glimpse of from their last battle.

"He isn't anything like the Demon King, if my thoughts are right."

"Of course. He is presumptuous calling himself the Demon King with that level of his."

Est answered expressionlessly, though her voice sounded slightly angry.

"The holder of that title would be someone more like Kamito."

"...? What do you mean?"

"Kamito is the Demon King of the night."

"Est, that's different."

Kamito retorted without a moment's delay.

...Honestly, where did his sword spirit learn this kind of things?

"—We've got to stop the frivolous talk here, huh?"

"It seems so."

Kamito separated his body from the wall, and grasped Est's small hand.

"Kamito is a rough master."

"Sorry. I will treat you to some parfait the next time at the Academy Town."

"Suddenly, my motivation spiked."

Kamito smiled wryly and recited the elemental waffe's release chant.


"Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil — now form my blade"

Like many times before the lovely girl turned into particles of light—

Before gathering in Kamito's hand and transforming into Terminus Est, a shining silver sword.

And then—sounds of footsteps came from deep within the darkness.

"Yo, let's settle the match and end this, {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}."
[[Image:STnBD V02 231.jpg|thumb]]

Jio Inzagi glared at him with his shining red eyes.



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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter7 Draft

2013-08-06T14:37:16Z

Asiorx22: Created page with "==Chapter 7: The Abandoned-Mine Battle== ===Part 1=== It was the dead of the night when, after riding their horses for a whole day, the party reached the entrance of the tow..."

==Chapter 7: The Abandoned-Mine Battle==

===Part 1===

It was the dead of the night when, after riding their horses for a whole day, the party reached the entrance of the town.

Since all the members rode here practically without rest, they were totally exhausted.

But they won’t be able to relax just yet.

"This is our destination... It's like a ghost town."

Rinslet muttered calmly after dismounting from her horse.

"It's because several decades have passed since it was abandoned. There should be no humans living here."

"Humans— huh."

Claire squinted, staring deep into the darkness.

Bluish-white will-o'-wisps were wavering around the ruins.

They were low-ranking spirits that could only float about aimlessly. There were other, nastier kinds of creatures in this place.

This town was similar to the «Spirit Forest» at night.

On the other side of it was a huge mine. It contained countless tunnels that spread all other the surrounding area.

Once, the mine produced a large quantity of spirit crystals and was the Empire's main supplier.

During the war, the country was in great need of its resources, quickly exhausting the deposits of crystals. It was almost twenty years since the place was abandoned.

Inside that mine, {{Furigana|the strategic-class militarized spirit|Jormungandr|margin=13}}, sealed by the Ordesia Knights of that time, was sleeping.


"—By the way, you better get away from him."

Claire glared at Fianna, who was clinging to Kamito's arm.

"I don't want to; after all, Kamito-kun will protect me."

"It is indeed dangerous here. But then where is your contracted spirit? You should summon it immediately because that elementalist might have set up an ambush."

"That's—"

Fianna's answer was unusually hesitant.

She pressed her lips tightly together and abruptly turned away.

"I-It still isn't the time. The contracted spirit of the Ordesia royal family must not be summoned so indiscreetly. It's clearly different from your cat."

"Wh-What was that...!"

Suddenly, the ground the four were standing on shook greatly.

"An earthquake...!?"

"It seems like we had better hurry. I have a bad premonition."

Claire muttered softly before summoning magical fire in her hand.


Without even searching for it, they quickly reached the place of their final destination.

It was a grand shrine which stood before the entrance of the mine and at the end of the main street that went right through the abandoned town.

It was a splendid piece of architecture that was surrounded by several gigantic stone pillars.

There existed only one other shrine of that size and it was in the capital of the Ordesia Empire.

However—

"How terrible, this..."

The sculptures, which once surrounded the colossal building, were now destroyed, the crystals, which, a long time, were inlaid into the stone pillars to entertain the spirits, were stolen and the shrine itself turned into a ruin that was painful to look at.

"How strange—"

Fianna, who was trained to be Queen, was the first to notice the unusual phenomenon.

"What is?"

"This shrine, despite being in ruins, shows traces of someone taking the trouble to perform a ritual. Furthermore, it seems that happened many times over the period of these several months."

"Ritual?"

Giving Claire, who was frowning, with a serious face, a nod, Fianna kneeled onto the ground.

It seemed that she was looking for footprints, scrape marks and other traces on the stone paving.

"This dance— it’s probably the Ritual of Releasing. It seems that it was more or less arranged, though."

"..."<!—It was repeated two times. This way it should flow better.-->


Kamito groaned in a low tone.

It was because he remembered the other male elementalist who assaulted the academy and stole the secret information concerning the seal specification.

(Is that brat really planning to release the {{Furigana| strategic-class militarized spirit|Jormungandr|margin=13}}?)

It was impossible for a lone elementalist to control it.

But, if that was the case, what was his goal?

At any rate, if the spirit was released, all the towns in the vicinity would be destroyed.

"Should we be worried yet?"

"No, the seal is still strong. This place isn't the «true shrine»."

"What do you mean?"

"This building is a deception and its only purpose was to draw attention from the real one, which is most likely in the mine itself. There are many shrines like this, giant, beautiful and easy to find, they are all fakes, but they help hide the original. It doesn't mean that they aren’t usable, though."

"So, the real one is somewhere here?"

"Yes, it was mostly likely hidden deep inside the mine."

Fianna raised her head, and at that moment.

"Be careful, there's something here!"

Rinslet, who was on a lookout suddenly shouted.

Kamito turned around—


The shrine was being slowly surrounded by a crowd of people.

"Humans? No, they're—"

"Fire, illuminate!"

Claire recited the incantation, and magical flames lightened the area.

As the spell started working, the group could finally see who was surrounding them.

"Wh-What!?"

It was a crowd of skeletons holding rusty swords and clubs in their hands.

From the gaps between their bones black fog was leaking out.

"What, are these... spirits!?"

"It seems that those who died and were left behind were possessed by low-rank spirits."

Kamito muttered before noticing something with a "hmm".

Claire was holding onto the sleeve of his uniform.

"...Could it be that you are afraid of these things?"

"Th-That's not it— Who do you think I am?!"

"You don't have to push yourself, look out, hold on."

"...I-It's not anything scary."

He had to admit, she looked a little cute with her face bowed down and biting nervously her lips.

"That aside, it's kind of strange—"


Normally, the so-called low-rank spirits don't possess a distinct self.

And even if they sometimes attack humans, they never gather in groups like this.

"Kamito-kun, you know, these guys are the ones doing the ritual here."

"What do you mean?"

Surprised, he turned around to look at Fianna.

"Their movements are pretty rough, but...they resemble the ones needed for the Ritual of Releasing."

"Don't tell me this low-rank spirits are able to perform it?"

Kamito stared at the approaching figures. Now that she mentioned it, he could see that their movement followed some pattern.

"No, such a thing is impossible... Someone has to be manipulating these spirits."

"Well, does it mean these guys won't attack us?"

Claire tightly griped Kamito's sleeve as she said that.

The group of skeletons started slowly climbing the stairs of the shrine.

"Ice fang, pierce «Freezing Arrow»!"

Rinslet’s attack mowed down the group of gathered possessed.

She used the high-rank demon ice spirit «Fenrir's» elemental waffe.

For her, an enemy of this level was only small fry.

Suddenly, black fog emerged from the broken skeletons and vanished without a trace.


"That's a darkness attribute spirit—"

Suddenly, a feeling of agony flashed through Kamito's body.

(Don't tell me—)

He cast his eyes to his left hand, covered by a black leather glove.

The piercing pain was coming from his spirit seal. Immediately after he noticed it—

"...!?"

The sound of a terrible explosion came from the direction of the mine.

"Don't tell me the battle has already begun!?"

"Let's go, Kamito!"

Claire swung her whip with a snap, and started running.

===Part 2===

They finally reached the entrance of the mine when—

Sounds of weapons violently clashing reverberated from within the tunnel.

"Kamito, look—"

Claire pointed inside the darkness, which was immediately illuminated by an intense flash of light.

There, Ellis Fahrengart fought, wielding her elemental waffe.


Her ponytail was wavering in the violent wind.

Her armor appeared destroyed and from where he stood, he could see that her entire body was covered in wounds.

"Ha, as expected of Captain-sama, you've managed to entertain me considerably, haven't you?!"

A loud ear-splitting laughter resounded in the tunnel.

In front of Ellis stood a boy with shining red eyes.

Jio Inzagi, a male elementalist, who called himself the successor of the Demon King.

Rakka and Reishia lay at his feet, injured.

"You bastard, how dare you do that to my comrades —"

Ellis swung «Ray Hawk».

The tunnel wall was destroyed, the hard bedrock broken as if made of glass.

Jio laughed shrilly and jumped up. A movement like that could not be performed by humans, which meant that he was possessed by some spirit that was strengthening his body.

"Hey, hey, is that it? Is that all a Sylphid Knight can do? This is not a children’s game, you know?"

"You bastard!"

Ellis shouted, enraged that someone insulted her comrades.

'''"Evil wind, thou, become countless blades and cut up my enemies—"'''

She released the power of «Ray Hawk» — the elemental waffe of her demon wind spirit «Simorgh».

This spear was able to create blades of wind, something which gave Kamito a lot of trouble during their duel at the academy. Even if someone managed to avoid it by a paper-thin margin, the countless wind blades that were followed would cut the target to shreds—

However.

"How reckless— reflect it, {{Furigana|Demon Mirror Spirit|Mirror Wall|margin=13}}!"

The moment Jio shouted, a bright red mirror appeared before Ellis.

And then the girl’s attack touched its surface… only to be immediately redirected upon its owner.

"...!?"

The Knight managed to dance out of the harm’s way, but was still cut by the following wind blades and thrown into a wall.

"—Ellis!"

With Terminus Est in his hand, Kamito hurried to the girl’s side.

Jio turned around and sneered after noticing their presence.

"Yo, more idiots are coming out."

"Kamito, don't!"

The boy stopped after hearing Claire's warning.

At that moment, a spirit seal engraved on Jio's right arm glowed—

"—Manifest, {{Furigana|Rotting Poison Spirit|Rafflesia|margin=13}}! Play with them until the insides of their lungs are sore!"

With tremendous force, thick bluish smoke gushed out from his hand.


The skin-burning poison wrapped Kamito's whole body, and started invading his lungs—

"Ga, Ha...!"

His eyes started arching. His throat felt as if it was being roasted.

Kamito tried to protect himself by covering his mouth, but it was too late, blood started flowing through the gaps between his fingers and dripping onto the ground.

(This is a poison attribute spirit... could it be that the smog itself is an elemental waffe!?)

A groan echoed through the tunnel.

Bearing the burning pain, Kamito opened his eyes slightly.

Ellis and her companions were completely covered in smog and writhing in agony.

"Ellis...Kuu!"

The muscles in his throat cramped, so he could barely talk. Kamito was still able to stand, but if he were to move, he would lose consciousness long before he could reach the girls.

(...Why wasn’t he poisoned?)

A wide range extermination type spirit like Rafflesia couldn't be handled normally.

It was very hard to control, so any mistake the user made would end endangering him too.

However, Jio Inzagi was calmly standing in the smog of deadly poison.

—Then, Kamito noticed it.

There was a slight wind flow in the boy's surroundings.

(...I see, he's using a wind attribute spirit at the same time!)


He heard that elementalists with more than one contract were able to combine the powers of their spirits, which allowed them to do this kind of thing.

"...Damn, isn't that cheating?!"

Kamito cursed silently.

(I wonder if Rinslet can shoot through the smog effectively?)

He turned around and searched for her, but when he found her—

The girl nocked an arrow and stood without moving, her aim was fixed on Jio.

(—She isn't shooting?)

Rinslet's judgment was correct.

Her opponent displayed the {{Furigana|Demon Mirror Spirit|Mirror Wall|margin=13}}, which was able to reflect Ellis's elemental waffe.

If she shot poorly, she might end up finishing off the Knight and the others, who were lying nearby.

Beside her, Claire, who was performing an aria with her fire attribute elemental waffe, stood in front of Fianna, protecting the princess.

The spell will take mere seconds to finish, but all this time their bodies will suffer further damage.<!This part didn’t make sense. I tried to correct it the way I understood it.>

(Damn...)

Kamito felt as if he was being roasted alive.

—At that moment.

Something rumbled inside the tunnel.

(Ellis!?)


'''"Oh...winds, decimate my enemies— «Wind Bombs»!"'''

Immediately gusts of violent wind blew away the poisonous fog until there was no trace of it left.

And then—

"Haa, Haa...ka...haa!"

Using her lance as support Ellis stood up.

Her uniform was cut up, and her whole body was covered in wounds.

She could barely stand because of the cramps in her leg muscles and her stockings were torn to shreds.

Even so, standing there firmly and glaring icily at her enemy—

She was so beautiful that Kamito’s heart skipped a beat.

Ellis prepared her elemental waffe and declared in a hoarse voice.

"I fight with the pride of Sylphid Knights on the line, so even if I lose... I will take you down with me!"

"That hurt... you death escapee."

Jio, who received a direct hit from the attack, snarled.

"If that's the case, I'll relieve you of your suffering and kill you!"

The spirit seals engraved on Jio's whole body ominously glowed—

"—Like I'll let you!"

Just as Kamito moved away, two fireballs were sent flying towards Jio.

It was Claire covering him. The thief managed to repel the attack, but Kamito used this distraction to approach him.


The moment he was in striking distance the boy swung Terminus Est in a perfect horizontal arc.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gaa*— The sword sliced right through the bedrock in its way.

"Haa, don't make such a scary face, hey!"

Jio dodged the sword swing, jumped up and landed on a rocky area that was about to collapse.

Without pursuing, Kamito went straight towards Ellis and the others.

The Knight was out of breath, and it seemed like she could collapse at any moment.

"Ellis, are you alright? I'll help—"

"D-Don't do something... unnecessary."

He tried to support her when she wobbled, but she shook off his hand.

"I do not need your—"

"Don't be stubborn about trivial things, think about your friends."

Ellis stiffened. She looked at the fallen forms of Rakka and Reishia. The girls seemed to be alive, but if they were left like that, their lives would be in danger.

Ellis herself wasn’t in a much better condition. As it were, she could barely stand.

"Guu...Kazehaya Kamito, I owe you."

"I didn’t do it for that. I was just helping my comrades."

"...!"

Ellis's cheeks reddened at Kamito's words.


Having helped the injured girl rest her back against a wall, Kamito fixed his sight on Jio.

"You, how dare you—"

Ellis Fahrengart— She was a girl with a strong sense of justice, serious and brave.

Just the sight of her injured form, made his anger rise until it seemed about to overflow.

"Don't get in my way, I’ve waited long enough and now I am going to beat that impertinent girl to death."

Jio smirked as he slowly got off the rocky area.

"—I'm relieved."

Kamito raised his sword and glared at Jio.

"If it's a nasty rascal like you, I don’t need to worry about beating you up."

"Haa, those are big words! Too bad that it's impossible for you to defeat me."

"We are also here!"

Claire and the others approached them. The girl readied Flame Tongue as she stood next to Kamito.

Rinslet nocked an arrow, and Fianna grasped spirit crystals in both hands.

"Fianna, can I count on you to treat Ellis and the others?"

"Yes, I have a few healing spirit crystals. However, the effect is limited to only giving a temporary peace of mind."

Fianna nodded with a tense expression.

"Kamito, you and I will corner that guy. Rinslet will be the support artillery battery."

"What did you call me!? I am a splendid archer!"


Rinslet snarled, but Claire ignored her.

"—Hey, is the discussion over?"

Jio calmly laughed as he neared the group.

The spirit crest engraved on his right arm glowed ominously and bluish-white lightning surged through it.

What appeared in that hand was— an elemental waffe similar to Est.

"Shall we find out which is stronger, {{Furigana|Sword Spirit|Gladius|margin=13}} or that thing?"

"Don't mess around. There is no comparison between my Est and that third-rate spirit."

Kamito roared, raising his sword.

===Part 3===

After that, the blade dance began.

Sounds of clashing weapons filled the night and every time swords met, sparks flew around bathing the tunnels in their light.

"Jio Inzagi— what on earth is your goal?!"

"Huh, I don't have anything like a goal. Honestly, I don’t care about {{Furigana|the strategic-class militarized spirit|Jormungandr|margin=13}}. I'll defeat you and prove that I'm the successor of the Demon King— That's all."

"What successor of the Demon King? You megalomaniac rascal!"

Kamito, who came close enough to Jin for his sword to reach him, swung his weapon down with both hands. 


The speed and strength of the attack was tremendous, but Jio managed to bring his elemental waffe up in time to defend himself, however—

"What!?"

With a high-pitched metallic sound— Jio's {{Furigana|Sword Spirit|Gladius|margin=13}} was smashed to pieces.

The thief’s face twisted in surprise.

"Hey, hey, what an elemental waffe— To do that to my sword spirit in one blow?"

"Sorry, my Est is the strongest."

Kamito stepped closer.

Jio recited a summoning, and called upon a new sword spirit.

"There's still more to come, it starts after this!"

"It's useless—"

Aiming at the elemental waffe that replaced the broken one, Kamito relentlessly swung down his sword.

There was a sound of steel shattering, and Jio's second weapon also tragically vanished.

In contrast, despite having just destroyed two sword spirits, Terminus Est’s edge wasn’t even chipped.

It was an elemental waffe that held two names, the «Demon King Killing Sacred Sword» and «Demon Slayer».

But more terrifying was the fact it still didn’t poses its complete power.

Despite everything that happened, Jio still kept his composed expression.

"Hmm, in that case, I will use this next!"

From the spirit seals on his whole body, flashes of lightning surged out and a third sword appeared in his hand.


(...What the heck, how many spirits does this guy have!?)

Kamito started showing impatience.

Despite all her strength, Est had a major weak point.

She consumed too much divine power.

At this point, Kamito was used to the drain, so he wouldn’t faint like he did the first time, but if the battle dragged on, the boy would quickly exhaust himself.

If he were to assume that Jio Inzagi really was contracted to seventy-two spirits—

(It's bad. If this keeps up—)

This was an opponent unlike that rampaging giant spirit at Academy Town that he could defeat with one blow.

If this became a prolonged battle, he'd be at a disadvantage.

(... But what if that guy's divine power is inexhaustible!?)

The use of so many spirits should tire him long time ago, but that wasn’t happening.

"Kamito, I'll cover you!"

At that moment, Claire swung Flame Tongue at their enemy.

The burning whip left a red afterglow in its wake before hitting Jio in the face.

"Tch, don't get in my way!"

He summoned a translucent ice ball and threw it at Claire.


"What, such a thing!"

Claire released a spirit magic fireball to intercept the attack—

However, that was a trap.

"...!?"

The ice ball exploded in front of her and transformed into countless needles that cut up Claire's whole body.

"Kyaa!"

"Claire!"

For a moment the girl’s scream distracted Kamito.

"Don't look away!"

Seizing that chance, Jio quickly drove in for a slash—

Kamito barely managed to intercept the blow with his sword.

However, Jio didn't slow down his attacks. He kept it up, pressing on and coming closer—

"What's wrong, {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}— Is that all you’ve got?"

As he stopped the sword pushing him back, Kamito grit his teeth.

It seemed that his past wouldn’t let him go—

He made sure to not turn towards Claire and give Jio the chance to use his spirit.

These thee years of inaction were catching up to him.

He had a contracted spirit that couldn't draw out its original power.


(Ah, I certainly became weaker, but—)

Exhaling with a puff— Kamito suddenly jumped back.

"Freezing ice fang, pierce «Freezing Arrow»!"

He did it just in time, as moments later Rinslet released a barrage of ice arrows that rained down on the spot the two of them were at.

It was a direct hit— Jio's silhouette was swallowed by the raining death and disappeared.

"Hmm, it is troubling that you have forgotten me!"

Placing her hand at her waist, Rinslet quickly brushed aside her platinum-blonde hair.

It seemed that all the while Kamito fought Jio, the girl was waiting for a moment to attack.

From the crumbled rocky area a thick cloud of dust was rising up.

They didn't think he could be fine after being hit.

However.

"Hn, did you do something just now?"

Jio— stood up from within the cloud of dust.

He smirked, and turned to Rinslet.

"No way...it should have been a direct hit!?"

"«Argos» — an earth spirit that protects its elementalist automatically."

The ground all around Jio was littered with cones of rocks.

Her Freezing Arrow was stopped by that.


"...What a thing..."

"And then, this fellow, uh— can also be used in such a way."

Jio turned his hand.

"Kyaaaa!"

[[Image:STnBD V02 197.jpg|thumb]]
At that moment, cones of stone flew out from under the ground at Rinslet's feet, and stuck her to a wall.

Her academy uniform was torn to pieces, and her smooth white skin became exposed.

With both her arms spread apart and unable to move Rinslet bit her lips in shame.

"Guu...Th-This is unforgivable... to do this... to me..."

Glaring firmly at Jio, the girl’s body shook in anger.

"—Jio Inzagi!"

Enraged, Kamito attacked his enemy.

The wide slash destroyed the cones standing in its way, as it approached Jio—

But then...

"Guu..."

Terminus Est suddenly started shrinking until it became a short sword.

It happened because Est was unable to maintain her form as an elemental waffe after consuming a huge amount of Kamito’s divine power.

"Ren Ashbell— you're no longer the strongest blade dancer."

Jio sneered.



"That may be so. After all, I hadn’t trained for three years."

"No, that's not it. The reason you became weak is—"

At that moment, a spear of light appered in Jio's palm.

It wasn't a melee weapon, but a ranged elemental waffe.

Kamito instantly analyzed the situation and was about to dodge, when—

(—Wrong!)

He realized where Jio aimed.

"Something like this!"

It wasn't Kamito who was targeted.

The spear of light—

Was pointed and thrown at Fianna and the injured female Knights who were behind the boy.

(Damn...!)

Kamito immediately jumped in its way and shielded them with his body.

===Part 4===

(—What?)

Startled, Fianna raised her face from the girls she was treating.


At that moment, there was a dazzling flash of light produced by a deafening explosion.

She reflexively closed her eyes, but was struck by the fragments of rubble that the blast created.

...Before long, the thunderous sound disappeared.

"U..."

She moaned in pain and slowly opened her eyes—

In front of her the injured Kamito was slowly falling down.

"...Ka-Kamito-kun?"

"...Fia...na... are you alright?"

Kamito stabbed Terminus Est into the ground and tried to stand up from his knees.

His academy uniform, which was an excellent defense, didn’t survive the point-blank explosion and was shredded.

He seemed to be suffering great pain and cold sweat was flowing down his forehead.

Fianna quickly surveyed her surroundings.

Ellis and her two female comrades were still on the ground and were in no condition to stand up.

Claire was injured and had lost consciousness and Rinslet was still stuck to the wall.

Then she saw Jio Inzagi slowly moving to their group.

—Almost like a death god.

"That's your weakness. I don't care whether it was subconscious or not, but, while we were fighting, you have been continuously taking care not to get the fellows behind you in danger."


"Fianna...back down."

He commanded the girl, who was about to approach.

"Kamito-kun!"

There was no way he could fight with those injuries.

He also couldn't efficiently use his elemental waffe, and it was a hopeless situation even at best, yet, despite everething—

"I do not want to lose important things— never again."

Kamito looked straight at Jio and stood up.

There was no hope in his eyes. What was dwelling inside his pupils was dark despair.

And yet, he slowly rose to his feet.

This was the boy, who was once called the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}.

"..."

Jio shrugged, as if he lost interest in the fight.

And then, told him in a cruel voice.

"—I see. Well then, die."

The spirit seal all over his body glowed, and black fog coiled around his right hand.

"{{Furigana|Death Spirit|Thanatos|margin=13}}— it is one of the strongest I have. I received it from your contracted spirit."

"My... contracted spirit...?"

Kamito muttered. His throat was getting incredibly dry.


"...Don't tell me...it was Restia—!?"

Jio moved his fingers, which ware clad in the deathly fog, closer to Kamito, who couldn't move sufficiently to evade, but just before the thief managed to touch the boy—

Fianna brushed back her long black hair, and quickly stood up.

"Hey, could you please not touch my things so thoughtlessly?"

"...Ah?"

Jio opened his mouth in shock.

"...Fianna?"

Kamito gazed at her face with a dumbfounded expression as well.

"Move aside, Kamito-kun."

Fianna calmly stood before Jio and blocked his way.

"Hey, is something wrong with your head, ojou-sama?"

"Watch your mouth, who do you think I am?"

Fianna glared sharply at Jio, who sneered in response.

It was like that time four years ago when she stood before the Calamity Queen, blocking her way.

"Fianna, you idiot, run away!"

Claire, who crawled out from the mountain of rubble, shouted.

Fianna slowly shook her head—

(You protected me— That's why this time, I'll protect you!)

"—I'll tell you my name, Fianna Ray Ordesia, the Ordesia Empire's second royal princess!"

"—I am a punisher, an impartial enforcer and one who hands down holy judgment in the king's name!"

At that moment, dazzling light flashed from Fianna's bosom.

Yes, the oath she shouted just now was indeed— the spirit's releasing keywords.

She quickly untied the string at her bosom, and a shiny red stone tumbled down into her palm.

It was a blood red spirit crystal that was processed like a comma-shaped jewel.<ref>See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magatama Magatama].</ref>

"No way, that's... don't tell me, the Blood Stone!?"

Claire eyes widened when she saw it.

"You witch...!"

He might have felt some sort of instinctive threat, as Jio released Thanatos at the girl before him—

"Come out, thou, the sword of judgment that buries the darkness— Sacred King of Destruction «Magna Carta»!"

The red spirit crystal exploded.

There was a dazzling flash of and an enormous pillar of light went through Jio Inzagi.

And then, with a thunderous sound, the tunnel's ceiling collapsed.

<noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter6 Draft

2013-07-21T17:37:11Z

Asiorx22: Created page with "==Chapter 6: The Morning of the Departure == ===Part 1=== It happened four years ago, the tragedy that completely broke the heart of a young girl. Flames were slowly consum..."

==Chapter 6: The Morning of the Departure ==

===Part 1===

It happened four years ago, the tragedy that completely broke the heart of a young girl.

Flames were slowly consuming the shrine.

Black smoke was rising from the burning building, the wreckage consumed by the blaze was cracking thunderously and the confused guards were screaming.

On that day, at the place, where the Elemental Lord was worshipped, an event that shook the empire occurred.

The Fire Queen raised a rebellion and stole the {{Furigana|Strongest Flame Spirit|Laevatein|margin=13}} from the shrine.

The likes of the Empire's Spirit Knights couldn't even provide her a challenge. The raging Queen, wielding a gigantic flaming demon sword, simply mowed down the spirits blocking her way.

Inside the whirling flames and black smoke, a girl was running alone.

The «Divine Ritual Institute»'s princess maidens, who were packed into the bedrooms, were hastily evacuating the building.

However, the girl wasn't running to escape the battle.

She did it to stop someone.

Rubia Elstein, her senior who she adored like an elder sister and respected greatly.

(It has to be some sort of mistake. Rubia-sama wouldn't do—)

The girl was out of breath when she finally reached the entrance of the shrine.


The fire Queen was there.

Her red hair fluttered in the surging violent winds and in her hand she held a sword made of blazing scarlet flames.

In the dead of night, her face, illuminated by the fire, was no less than extremely beautiful.

"Rubia-sama."

The girl gulped.

She came all the way here to stop her and yet—

Simply standing here, under the pressure of that oh-so terrible blood lust, took all she had.

However, she stood her ground bravely.

She had to stop her. That was the duty of one born into the royal family.

"Do not— get in my way."

The Fire Queen warned with an emotionless voice.

Her ruby pupils, shining with hot red flames, looked down upon the girl as if trying to burn a hole through her.

"No, Rubia-sama. There's no way I will allow you to pass here."

Firmly glaring back, the girl recited the summoning in the spirit language.

"—Thou, servant of the king of the child of man, knight and master swordsman!"

"—By the contract of the old blood, become the sword that protects me, come forth and do my bidding!"

A high ranking holy spirit that served many generations of the Ordesia royal family appeared before her.

Even if she couldn't win, she should be able to stall for some time—


—That was what she thought.

However.

"I said don't get in my way."

At that moment, the Fire Queen swung the sword made of scarlet flames.

Instantly, there was a red flash and the summoned holy spirit was wrapped in hot crimson flames before vanishing.

"Wh...at..."

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Thump*. The girl collapsed on her knees.

It was painful to breathe. Her throat was cramped and she couldn't even gasp.

That was because of the contracted spirit she had put complete trust in.

The strongest knight, who always protected her since she was young… vanished in a moment.

"N-No, help me please..."

Her heart, which was brimming with confidence seconds ago, was now crushed into small pieces by hopeless fear.

Throwing off all her pride as a royalty, the girl just shed tears and begged.

At that moment, she was neither the empire's second princess, nor the elite elementalist of the «Divine Ritual Institute».

She was merely a powerless child.

The Fire Queen bent over her slowly. The girl's whole body trembled in fear.

"Fianna Ray Ordesia, never appear before me again."

She whispered into her ear, and then went on, disappearing amidst the blazing flames.



===Part 2===

"...!?"

Fianna jumped up from the bed.

Her rough breathing would not settle. Unpleasant perspiration was causing her undergarments to cling closely to her skin.

"A dream..."

She muttered and after calming her breathing tightly grabbed the bed sheet.

She was in Claire's room in the Raven Class' dormitory. The morning sunlight was shining in from the window.

It seemed that she had slept with her clothes on. It wasn’t the most comfortable attire to sleep in, but the uniform of the «Divine Ritual Institute» incorporated the holy attribute and helped recovering from fatigue.

(My secret, looks like it hasn't been exposed...)

Openning slightly the chest area of her clothes, Fianna breathed a sigh of relief.

—And then, she remembered the previous night.

(If he hadn't protected me at that moment, right now I would have been—)

She bit her lips and squeezed the bed sheet tighter.

(...It's the same as that day. In the end, I couldn't do anything.)

At that moment, the door suddenly opened—


"Fianna... you've awoken?!"

"Kyaa!?"

She cried out in surprise and quickly covered her exposed bosom.

"M-My bad!"

Flustered, Kamito averted his eyes.

"W-Why did you enter so suddenly..."

"Sorry... I’m just used to having to wake up an ojou-sama, who always oversleeps."

Kamito apologized as he scratched his head. His face held sights of weariness.

"Your hand was injured yesterday, is it alright now?"

"Ah, it's no big deal. Claire had already called for the medical team after all."

Kamito waved his left hand, which had been pierced by the spirit, to assure her.

It definitely looked like his wound had been healed, but that expression of his showed that he was still in pain and enduring it.

"I'm sorry, it's because of me. Because I meddled unnecessarily."

"No, Fianna, if you hadn't used the spirit crystal at that time, I'd have been done for. Thank you for saving me. Speaking about the crystal, isn't it unreasonably expensive?"

"I-It's nothing special, who do you think I am?"

"Ah, yes...you are the former royal princess."

With a wry smile, he sat beside the bed.


(...N-No way, why is my face so hot, I wonder.)

Fianna's heart was racing.

(I'm just '''trying to use him and yet'''.)

Trying to conceal the expression on her face, she placed her hands on her knees and looked down.

"About yesterday's intrusion, it seems the Sylphid Knights are in the middle of investigating it. The teachers look to be worried too, however, the mission didn’t change. We’ll go and explore mine town as planned."

Kamito cut his sentence there—

"That's—it. Before we go for the quest, I have to talk to you."

"Isn't it still early to propose?"

"...Don't make fun of me. You know, right? What this conversation is about."

Kamito told her with a frown, when *kata*, a small sound came from outside.

Fianna smirked. She had the same expression when messing around.

Brushing her lovely black hair back, she gently drew her lips close to Kamito's ear—

"I understand. With just the two of us, at a place where Claire isn't around, you have something important to talk about."

"Hn? Ah, that is so, but..."

That was a rather strange way to put it, Kamito frowned and at that moment...

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bam*— The room's door burst open.

"Hey, Kamito, with just the two of you, at a place where I'm not around, what important thing do you have to talk about?"


<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogogo...!*

"Claire!? W-Wait, you misunderstood, we weren’t talking about that that—"

"Scarlet!"

When Claire called out its name, a red-hot hellcat appeared from an empty space.

"Y-Y-You have two choices... Roasted or smoked?!"

"—Fianna, let's run away!"

"Eh...Kyaa!"

Kamito gently picked the princess up, kicked open the room's window and jumped out.

"Ah, y-you got away, wait up!"

===Part 3===

The academy courtyard was hazy with the morning mist.

Rinslet Laurenfrost took her maid and wolf for a morning walk.

"Carol, let's have breakfast at the dining hall."

"Yes, milady."

Carol nodded, seemingly happy. The white spirit walking beside her howled in agreement.

Contrary to its ferocious appearance, this wolf made surprisingly round and cute eyes. It was the high-ranked demon ice spirit «Fenrir», which had served the Laurenfrost family for generations.

Walking a contracted spirit wasn't something considered unusual.

They particularly liked being in the «Spirit Forest», which surrounded the academy. For them it was a rather pleasant place.

Girls from the Sylphid Knights were running in agitation around the academy corridors surrounding the courtyard.

"What? It's been noisy since morning."

"It seems that a thief broke into the academy last night, milady."

"To creep into this academy, that's a brave thief— Ah?"

Frowning suddenly, Rinslet raised her voice.

Kamito was walking towards the Spirit Forest from the academy building.

And he was leading a shockingly pretty girl.

"Ah, it's Kamito-sama. The girl beside him is, if I'm not mistaken, the newly admitted student, Fianna-san?"

"..."

Rinslet pouted sullenly.

"I wonder why, my chest is suddenly filled with anger."

"Ah, milady, do you dislike Kamito-sama?"

"Yes, I hate him! That promiscuous person!"

"However, milady, you seem pretty concerned about Kamito-sama."


"I-I just want to steal Claire Rouge's slave!"

Rinslet's face reddened and she turned away.

—And frowned as she spotted the appearance of another acquaintance.

Right at that moment, Claire came out from the Raven Class dormitory's outer gate.

She looked somewhat strange and was tottering with an unusually depressed expression.

Even her prided red twintails were now pitifully dangling down.

"What on earth happened?"

Rinslet muttered, seemingly worried.

(...She may be my rival, but I cannot abandon her.)

Even if they always quarrel, she couldn’t help but be worried for her childhood friend.

Leaving Carol and Fenrir were they stood, Rinslet quietly approached Claire from behind.

"W-Why did he— are big breasts really that good? Those lumps of fat..."

"What's that about, Claire Rouge?"

"...! Ri-Rinslet!?"

Claire screamed taken aback.

“Isn’t the pitiful size of your breasts a usual thing?”

"S-Shut up... Enough talking about that! Anyway, have you seen Kamito?"

"Kamito-san, I happened to see him some time ago. He was walking with a girl, just the two of them."


"W-What was that?!"

"They went in the direction of the forest. If you run after them, you can still catch up to them."

Claire... groaned.

"I-I don't care about that guy! I hope he dies by suffocation while being buried in breasts!"

"Hey, Claire, what on earth happened?"

Rinslet inquired, seemingly puzzled.

Claire tightly bit her lips—

"Rinslet, be frank and answer me truthfully... W-Why are my breasts small?"

Rinslet kindly smiled at Claire, whose face turned red from the embarrassment.

"You are not at all at fault. It's just a pitiful fact that they won’t grow. Besides, so-called maniac men who like those also exist in out world."

"Rinslet, didn't you say something extremely rude under the pretense of comforting me?"

"It was just your imagination."

Rinslet nonchalantly answered.

"It'd be fine if I could share and give my breast to you, but..."

She muttered— suddenly, Rinslet recalled an article that she read from some magazine.

"Claire, I remembered a method to enlarge your breasts."

"Eh?"


For a moment Claire gazed at Rinslet with eyes full of anticipation.

...However, it passed as soon as it came and she shook her head.

"...L-Lies, there's no way such a method exists. I heard a rumor that the legendary large breast spirit had been seen in the «Spirit Forest» in the older days and tried to hunt it down, but that was just a ruse."

"Eh, y-you were doing such a shameful thing?"

Rinslet was, as expected, taken aback by the sudden confession.

"S-Shut up... That's enough. I'll hear you out about that method."

"Ahem." Claire said with a cough.

She took a posture that was supposed to demonstrate boredom, but her interest was easily spotted.

Hmm. Rinslet placed her hand at her chin.

(...Perhaps this is something I can use for trade.)

It seemed that Claire's worries were not something very serious.

If that was the case, she felt like just giving the information to her rival would be a waste.

(...That reminds me, Claire's team received a S rank quest.)

Rinslet recalled the thing she heard from Carol casual conversation yesterday.

"Well, I guess it’s alright to tell you. However, I won’t do it for free."

"W-What?"

"I want to have the privilege of joining Team Scarlet's current quest."


"...Huh? Why are you coming along?!"

"It is unfair that only you guys get to go on a trip. Besides, it will be troubling for my manservant to be tamed as you please at a place where my eyes can't reach."

"It isn't a trip; it's a quest. To begin with, Kamito isn't your manservant."

Claire furiously shook her head. It was understandable, after all, if the number of people participating in the quest increased, then the ranking points given to a person would end up decreasing.

"I see, in that case, it's regretful, but I am unable to tell you the method to enlarge your breasts."

"Guu..."

Vexed, Claire gritted her teeth.

For a few seconds, she sternly glared at Rinslet—

"...I-I get it."

Eventually, she sighed giving up.

"You may come along. However, forming a team with you is something temporary."

"Th-That's obvious! Who would join a team like yours?!"

===Part 4===

During that time, Kamito and Fianna had gone deep into the «Spirit Forest».


At night, the area was enshrouded in darkness with nasty spirits creeping about, but during the day, it gave off the same feeling as a sacred shrine. Such was the «Spirit Forest»: a place full of contradictions.

(That reminds me, I met Claire here...)

...That was, in many ways, the worst kind of meeting, though.

“Just the two of us walking in the woods, it's like a date."

"This isn't a place suited for a date. There are too many invisible spirits lurking around.”

"It's fine. If I had to describe myself, I would say that I am the type that gets fired up from being seen."

"...Wh... Pr-Princesses don't say such a thing!"

"It's a joke. What are you getting red for?"

During this conversation, the two of them emerged into a clearing in the middle of the forest.

He didn't have to worry about anyone hearing their discussion.

"Well then, I have one thing I want to ask—"

"My underwear is black."

"Don't rush and answer the question without even hearing it. And that’s not what I wanted to ask you about."

Kamito deadpanned. It was not good for him to be dragged into the princess's pace.

"Ahem", he coughed and gazed straight into Fianna's eyes—

"Why do you know my true identity?"

"..."


There were a few seconds of silence.

And then, she calmly sighed.

The princess was unable to hide the disappointment that surfaced on her face.

"...Hey, you really can’t remember?"

"Sorry, but I don't have a princess acquaintance."

Fianna sighed again at Kamito's reply.

She puffed her cheeks, rather than being shocked, she felt anger rising inside her.

"First hint, do you remember anything when you look at this forest?"

"The forest?"

"Yes, «Astral Zero's» forest."

Astral Zero... There was something stuck in Kamito's mind.

"Second hint, the «Blade Dance»"

"Do you mean the one three years ago? ...Don't tell me, you were my opponent!?"

"Third hint, the hair style!"

Shouting in an irritated voice, Fianna tied up her hair with both hands.

She wore her beautiful black hair on both sides now and that face—

"Ah!"

Kamito suddenly shouted.


"...I-I remember!"

Three years ago, in the Astral Zero forest, he saved a girl from an evil spirit.

And at that time he wasn’t wearing his wig or female clothing.

"The girl from that day was you!"

"...Yes, jeez."

Fianna pouted in irritation.

"Err, but you changed so much..."

Kamito told her vaguely. It was not that he remembered it that vividly, but she was just a kid at that time.

"What, Kamito-kun, you too have changed pretty much."

"Different things happened."

Kamito awkwardly looked away.

Unconsciously his eyes drifted to his left hand covered by a leather glove.

—Three years ago was when just about everything changed.
And he lost her after wishing for something that nobody should ever wish for.

"Despite promising to meet again, despite me waiting all this time. You disappeared."

"...Sorry."

Kamito apologized sincerely.


Fianna placed her hands on her waist, and sighed in disappointment.

"It's fine, I'll forgive you. I'm offended that you completely forgot about me, but well, I am not really surprised. For you, I was just a girl you saved by chance."

"But hey—", she muttered sadly.

Suddenly, she gently pressed her soft fingers against his lips.

"You're really my first love."

"Wh...!?"

"It's a joke."

"...Wh-Why you."

She giggled seeing Kamito’s glare.

"So, you're the girl from that time..."

But, even if that was the case—

Why on earth did she approach Kamito? That was still unclear.

"Fianna, why did you come to this academy?"

"Of course, it was to kiss my beloved Kamito-kun."

"...Don't you feel embarrassed saying that?"

"Y-Yes... just now, it was a little embarrassing."

Fianna turned red and looked downwards. ...Well, she still planned to do it.


"I came here because I heard about Kamito-kun."

"Really?"

"Yeah, a few days ago, my butler told me about you. He said that there was a male elementalist, who defeated a rampaging militarized spirit. After an investigation I learned your name—"

"The one I gave you three years ago."

"That's it. Although, I already knew that it was you from the fact you are a male elementalist."

"Then, why did you come to meet me?"

"Th-That's to kiss with Kamito-kun—"

"That's enough."

Kamito interrupted her and Fianna sulked a little in silence.

Then, she stated calmly.

"I thought of threatening you with your secret and forcing you to let me join your team."

"What do you mean?"

"I thought that if I was on a team with the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}, I could win this time's competition."

"...I see. That means that seducing me was also part of your plan?"

"Err... I-I got exposed."

"Your acting was too unnatural. Well, I think you did your best."

At any rate, she was a real princess and her inexperience in that matter showed, Fianna was also a student at the famous «Divine Ritual Institute», so, in some ways she was more innocent than ojou-samas at this academy.

"But don't misunderstand me! T-the things I’ve done, I've only done with you, Kamito-kun!"

"No, such a follow-up is troubling..."

Kamito moaned before sighing.

"Why do you want to participate in the «Blade Dance» anyway?"

"That's..."

Fianna made a perplexed expression—

"Isn't it obvious? If I win the Blade Dance, I'll have all the status and honor I desire. Everyone, who was ridiculing me —The Lost Queen, the useless princess— will have to recognize me."

"...I see."

—Kamito thought that was a lie.
Her expression… he saw it once on Claire's face. This girl had a goal and she was going to reach it no matter what.

Without an important reason, she wouldn’t be able to have this look in her eyes.

"Hey, Kamito-kun. Are you angry?"

"Hn, why?"

"Well, I'm trying to use you."

Kamito shrugged, this princess tended to become serious at strange times.

"It's nothing unusual, Greyworth always uses me. On top of that, Claire gives me the slave treatment. Even if the number of such people increases by one or two, it won’t make any difference."

"It seems that even the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}} has it hard sometimes."

Fianna smiled bitterly.

"You guys, what are you doing there?!"

The thicket rustled as a cold voice asked them.

He turned around and a familiar girl appeared from the other side of the bush.

"Ellis?"

"...Oh, it's Kamito."

Ellis took a breath of relief and sheathed her sword. Then, she pushed through the thicket and walked in his direction.

Rakka and Reishia followed closely behind her.

"Ellis, what's the matter? Why are you in the middle of the forest?"

"I should be asking you that. The knights are busy cleaning the mess the intruder left, so I wanted ask you to keep it down and not give us more work to do.”

Then Ellis noticed Fianna, who stood behind Kamito.

Her expression immediately turned stern.

"Y-You guys, what are you doing alone at a place like this!"

Before Kamito had a chance to reply, a sword was pressed to his throat.

...As always, the speed with which she drew her weapon was amazing.


"No way, you guys—"

"How stupid, there is only one thing a boy and a girl of our age can do in the middle of the forest."

"Wh-What was that!?"

Ellis blushed harder at Fianna's words.

The sword jerked slightly in her hand.

"Oi, Fianna!?"

Kamito shouted, but Fianna feigned ignorance.

"Th-The academy doesn't have a rule that prohibits sexual relationships. But there were no male students here before. So, even if the rules allow it, the Knights won't! What were you doing, say it!"

"Well, what did we do? Maybe we did what you think we did? "

The princess pressed her breasts tightly into Kamito's arm.

Ellis got a dangerous look in her eyes.

"Fianna, why are your words always so easy to misunderstand, you know you are only pouring oil into the fire!?"

"Ev-Even though I'd gotten a slightly better opinion of you..., you insolent person!"

She swung her sword.

Kamito nervously jumped back to avoid that merciless attack.

"Wa-Wait, Ellis! Knights, please help me, there's a murderous demon here!"

"You fool, I '''am''' a Knight!"


"Don’t you see the irony?!"

Kamito shouted.

"Captain, you're wasting your time."

Rakka placed her hand on Ellis's shoulder.

"My apologies, whenever our captain is with you, she gets emotionally unstable."

"...Th-That's not true!"

Ellis's face turned bright red and she snarled at Reishia, who just chuckled in response.

It seemed that for the time being the danger to his life subsided. Kamito took a breath of relief.

"Jeez, why are you here anyway?"

"Ah, it has been decided that we are departing to a mine for a quest. We needed light sources to travel inside the tunnels, so we thought about capturing light attribute spirits."

The one who answered him was Rakka.

That's right. They were holding lanterns containing small spirit crystals in their hands.

"A mine? Is it, by any chance, the same one we are supposed to investigate?"

"Ah, that's right. Although, we have a different quest."

"What do you mean?"

"It appeared only this morning. The task is to arrest the assailant and recover the stolen materials."

"The assailant? That Jio Inzagi brat!"


The male elementalist, who used several contracted spirits.

He seemed to know something about that boy's goal.

"That's right. We haven't gotten hold of the brat's true identity, but the stolen materials contained highly classified information about the strategic-class militarized spirit, «Jormungandr», sealed in the postwar period in the Gado town. It seems that there are people secretly moving at the outskirts of it."

Ellis held her temper, thought she seemed vexed.

"That brat stepped on our pride and because of him the Sylphid Knights lost their face. So it is my duty as their Captain to arrest him and restore the honor of my comrades.”

Rakka and Reishia confidently nodded, agreeing with Ellis's words.

(...Seems like it won't end as an ordinary earthquake investigation.)

An uneasy thought passed through Kamito's mind.

First, the classified material concerning a strategic-class militarized spirit.

And now, the assailant, who was aware of Kamito's true identity.

(Is Greyworth hiding something again?)

He honestly did not understand what that Dusk Witch was making him do. No matter how Kamito looked at it, for her to give him a S rank quest at this time… It could not be a coincidence.

(That witch...)


Kamito groaned loathsomely.

After that, he faced the Knights—

"...Hey, Ellis. Since our goals are the same, why don't you cooperate with us?"

Jio Inzagi wasn't a simple opponent.

Of course, Kamito knew about Ellis's ability, but that guy wasn't an enemy she could deal with alone.

But the girl just confidently shook her head.

"I appreciate your feelings, but can't accept your help. This is something Sylphid Knights should settle on their own."

"If you think so, still, try not to overdo it."

"A-Ah... you too."

Ellis blushed and turned away.

For some reason, Fianna pouted after seeing it.

===Part 5===

Some time later, Claire could be found in her room hugging a pillow and rolling nervously in her bed.

"To get the boy I li-like to rub my b-breasts!"

She shouted pressing her flushed face into the pillow. *Posun*. *Posun*.


If the gentleman she likes were to rub her breasts, they would grow bigger. That was a sure way.

Rinslet told her that.

"Th-There's no way I can do that! Besides, a boy I li-like—"

Hugging the pillow tightly, she rolled idly on her bed before coming to an abrupt stop.

"..."

At that moment, for some reason, she remembered Kamito's face.

In her mind he was like the prince from the romance novels which targeted teens and which Claire loved reading. She imagined him forcibly pushing her down on the bed—

''"Fuwaa, wh-what are you doing, idiot, pervert!"''

''"What a surprise, it seems you do have breasts."''

''"Eh?... I-Is that so? That's not true, it's the same as usual."''

''"I'll make them even bigger. With this magnificent technique of mine."''

''"No, hey, fua, a-aa ♪"''

In her imagination he tightly grabbed Claire's breasts.

One rub, two rubs, each time her breasts grew bigger like a fluffy cake.

("Fua, hn, amazing, wh-what is this,...!?")

With a snap her uniform button popped out and her underwear was ripped apart, and then—

"...There's no way that would happen!"


Claire hit her pillow and writhed.

"Wh-What's with the magnificent technique... Am I an id-idiot or what?!"

"Nyaa?"

"Wh-What are you looking at, Scarlet!"

She faced the floor and threw the pillow at the fire spirit who evaded it nervously.

"Ahh, I-It's all that guy's fault!"

Hugging her shoulders with both hands, she noticed that her breathing became faster.

(...What do I do, I suddenly feel hot. I wonder if I have a fever.)

For some reason her body was getting warmer. Claire placed both hands on her cheeks when an idea struck her.

(...I-I wonder if they'll become big, if I rub them myself.)

"I-I shall try it out..."
[[Image:STnBD V02 171.jpg|thumb]]

Lightly, she touched her breasts with the tips of her fingers.

"Ah, hn..."

Because of the strange and unexpected sensation she involuntarily let out a moan.

(Wh-What do I do... somehow, it feels good.)

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyuu*. *Funyuu*.

"Fua, ah, hn, no, this... is not good and yet, hn."

She was rubbing her breasts in a half conscious state—



<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gacha*— the sound of the door opening resounded through the room.

"...Y-You, what are you doing?"

Kamito was looking at her with a puzzled face.

"...Fua!? N-No, this isn't what it looks like!"

Having said that, Claire immediately released countless fireballs that blew him away.

===Part 6===

One hour later Kamito could be found at the plaza in front of the gate. He was preparing for the departure.

His destination wasn’t far from the academy and it would only take him a day by horse to reach it.

It seemed that Ellis's team had already left and seeing that the girls had the wind spirit's divine protection, they should be able to reach the town a lot earlier.

After Est transformed into her sword form, Kamito secured her at his waist and started checking his equipment.

"I am late, Kamito-san."

A platinum blond ojou-sama approached him leading a horse in tow.

"Eh, Rinslet's also coming?"

Kamito asked Claire.

"Yeah, it was a high grade strategic trade. In exchange for the important piece of information she held, I allowed her to join the quest this time."

"What kind of information?"

"It is a se-secret... something so significant can’t be shared with someone like you.

"It is certainly important… For you… The method to enlarge your breasts—!"

"Rinslet Laurenfrost, do you want to turn to cinders?"

"Hey, Claire, your eyes, your eyes are serious!"

Rinslet backed off.

"Ah, I'm uneasy, milady. Going to such a dangerous place."

At her side, Carol, the maid, was worrying about her master. The woman held her hands together as if praying.

She was not an elementalist, so naturally, she couldn't join the quest. She was a care-taker at the academy.

"It is alright, Carol. I am more worried about you."

Rinslet hugged her brave and affectionate maid.

"I wonder if you can wake up alone in the morning even when I'm not around. Eat precisely three meals every day. And when washing, take care not to let bubbles get into your eyes again."

"Yes, milady, I will do my best even if milady isn't around."

"...That’s just strange."

Seeing the two getting excited, Kamito interjected with a deadpan look.

"By any chance, could Carol be a terribly no-good maid?"


Rinslet turned around and sternly glared at Kamito.

"What are you saying? It is fine as long as the maid is cute!"

"Well, if you're alright with that, but..."

(Or perhaps I should say that Rinslet is truly a perfect superwoman at all housework!?)

...It was surprisingly close to the truth.

"The meals milady makes are very delicious."

"Carol, you should also do some work..."

Kamito was amazed at the no-good maid.

"St-Stop, I said stop, didn't I!"

A scream was heard from behind.

Kamito turned around and saw Fianna barely holding onto a horse that tried to throw her off.

"Kyaa!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Thud!* Her butt hit the ground as she fell. It seemed that her reflexes weren't very good.

"Jeez, despite being a princess, you can't ride a horse? Isn’t it supposed to be something all nobles are taught?"

"This skill was not part the training we received at the «Divine Ritual Institute»!"

While beating off the mud stuck on her skirt, Fianna shot back.

"Horseback combat practice is a required subject in the academy, it's something you have to get used to. Though, it might be difficult to keep your balance with those breasts."


"Yes, that's right. Because I don’t have aero breasts<ref>Aero as in Aerodynamic (ie: aerodynamically shaped to reduce air resistence, like how cars or airplanes are shaped).</ref> like yours that are unaffected by air resistance, I may be unsuited for riding a horse. Since mine actually are affected, you know."

"Wh...a-aero breasts, what?! Don't make up new words!"

Rinslet approached the quarreling girls.

Brushing her platinum blond hair behind her, she looked at Fianna and smiled.

"I'm Rinslet Laurenfrost and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. Also, because Kazehaya Kamito is my manservant, could you please not make any moves on him whenever you wish?"

"Ah, I don't plan on making a move on him. Since he's your manservant, how about you properly discipline him?"

"You have a sharp tongue, your Highness... hohoho."

"Fufufu..."

Sparks started flying between the two of them.

"You girls..."

Kamito, who was on the horse sighed in astonishment.

Fianna turned in his direction and an impish smile surfaced on her face.

"Hey, seeing that I can't ride a horse, Kamito should give me a ride."

"Uh?"

Before Kamito answered, Fianna had jumped behind him.

"Wh...!"

"Come on!"


Claire and Rinslet raised their voice simultaneously.

Fianna wrapped her hands around Kamito's waist and tightly embraced him.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Fuyon*, immediately he felt her soft breasts touching him.

"W-Why me? Have Claire or Rinslet give you a ride."

"I want to ride with Kamito. Or, do you want your true identity exposed?"

"Guu..."

"N-No, that's not good!"

Claire struck the ground with her whip.

"Ah, why?"

"Wh-Why...? T-that's just not good!"

"Even if you're a princess, that's unfair!"

Rinslet also sullenly puffed her cheeks.

...He didn't understand very well what was unfair.

"Oh dear, it seems I have many difficulties in store for me..."

Sitting on the horse and with Fianna hugging him from behind, Kamito sighed deeply.

<noinclude>

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter6

2013-07-15T14:30:42Z

Asiorx22:

......じゃあやるなよ。 Zero2001: Isn't this "......Jā yaru na yo"? "yaru na" means "won't do". Or am I wrong?

You're not wrong, but it could also be yaru 'na yo'. Negative imperatives seem more used in speech, but I'm not certain, which is why I placed the raw text there. --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] 20:52, 26 May 2012 (CDT)

Zero2001: Is it just me or is the word "deplorable" being used by in Rinslet's dialogues too much and in places where it wouldn't normally be used. Wouldn't "regretful" or "low of me" or other words be better? Or is the same Japanese word used in all instances? Can someone check.

Yes, it's all the same word, 残念　(zan'nen). I can't find a better word, so I used deplorable first. --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] 20:52, 26 May 2012 (CDT)

Zan'nen? I thought that word could mean "Shame", "Regret", "Regretful", "Unfortunate", "Disappointment" or "Deplorable" depending on the sentence used/circumstance. I just checked with google translate. And all these word choices are there as well. Thanks for providing the original word used. Now I can put the correct English words, according to the circumstances, in their correct places. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 23:16, 26 May 2012 (CDT)

"Mine Town Gado" - Is it actually a proper name? I mean, a mine is a place where different stuff gets dug from under the ground, it is a common noun, as is the word town. Only Gado looks like a proper noun, but then it should be the only word written with a capital letter. Maybe I am wrong, but it sounds strange no matter how many times I read it, so I decided to ask. [[User:asiorx22|asiorx22]] 14:30, 15 July 2013 (CDT)

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter5 Draft

2013-07-02T08:26:50Z

Asiorx22: Created page with "==Chapter 5: The One Who Will Succeed the Demon King== ===Part 1=== "What on earth is this—" Elis was speechless as she, clad in the devastating winds of her demon spirit..."

==Chapter 5: The One Who Will Succeed the Demon King==

===Part 1===

"What on earth is this—"

Elis was speechless as she, clad in the devastating winds of her demon spirit, approached the unbelievable scene.

The Sylphid Knights, who maintained the public order at the academy, were lying on the ground in heaps.

Only academy students with excellent results could enter their ranks, so to see something like this happen—

(Don't tell me, they were defeated by just one intruder!?)

In the middle of darkness, under a drizzle, a small figure, wearing an overcoat with a hood, stood surrounded by unconscious girls.

"Was it you, bastard? The one that did this!"

Ellis asked, the elemental waffe —«Ray Hawk» already in her hand.

It was just about 30 minutes ago that she heard the report that an intruder had appeared in the academy and stole the classified materials about the seal specification from the library. Ellis immediately issued a pursuit order to a platoon of Knights, and while she used her wind spirit to give instructions to every group, she was pursuing him herself.

So, when she lost contact with some of her subordinates, she immediately headed to the place they were last seen at. And now that she found them in this state…

The elementalist before her eyes kept quiet, but she thought he gave her a scornful look.


"—I see, in that case, I'll make you talk whether you like it or not."

Ellis took a stance and the «Ray Hawk» was immediately surrounded by gusts of strong wind.

Despite looking at the surrounding area carefully, she still didn’t find sights of her opponent’s contracted spirit and it seemed that he wasn't holding an elemental waffe either.

However, the elementalist, before her eyes, had already defeated 5 girls from the Knights.

(Is she using a type of spirit that possesses the flesh?)

The opponent's identity was unknown. And because she didn’t see the contracted spirit, she started doubting whether there even was one. But then again, for a lone person, even with a surprise attack, defeating five Knights should be impossible unless he was an elementalist.

(In that case, I'll have to ascertain it with these eyes of mine—!)

Ellis took a stance with Ray Hawk and attacked like a gale.

The opponent finally reacted. A muffled voice was heard from under the hood—

"—Manifest, {{Furigana|Fanged Wolf Spirit|Wolf Fang|margin=13}}."

At that moment, a pattern of lines appeared on the ground, and a spirit with the appearance of a ferocious wolf was summoned.

"That's your spirit, huh? However, it isn't a match for my own!"

As she ran, Ellis swung her lance in a perfect horizontal line.

The flow of violent winds she released mowed down the roadside trees on their way to Wolf Fang.

Ellis accelerated as if being sucked in by the self-made vortex and ignoring the stranded spirit aimed directly for its master.


Tan!—She kicked the ground. Her academy skirt waved about as she jumped.

She was about to do her special move, a nose-dive attack from the sky. It was a technique that had defeated all the upperclassmen during the practice matches.

With his contracted spirit unable to move, the defenseless elementalist looked up.

And then, '''the person faced Ellis and raised her palm'''.

"What!?"

"—Manifest, {{Furigana|Ripping Thunder Spirit|Blast Gear|margin=13}}!"

At that moment, a bluish-white lightning enveloped her palm and was fired at Ellis.

The Knight was not expecting anything like that and because she was still in mid-air and was unable to dodge, was blown away after receiving a direct hit.

Without delay, Wolf Fang rushed in and attacked. It pushed Ellis, who was thrown onto the ground, down and tried to bite down on her throat. The spirit almost managed it, when—

Hyuu! She heard the sound of air being ripped apart and saw how the Wolf Fang's body was, in an instant, severed into four parts and burned to ashes.

"...!?"

The girl raised her head and traced the crimson trail, that still shone in the night sky, with her eyes—

"You owe me one, Ellis Fahrengart."

Raven Class's Claire Rouge descended with the Flame tongue in her hand.

From behind her—


"Ellis, are you alright?!"

Armed with a silver sword, Kazehaya Kamito came running.

===Part 2===

The male elementalist rushed to the fallen Knight’s side.

Armed with the elemental waffe—Terminus Est, he stood next to her and spread his arms as if trying to shield her.

Claire was a short distance away with Fianna following her. The princess was out of breath.

"Ellis, are you alright?"

"...I-It isn't a big deal."

Kamito lifted Ellis up by her shoulder and she turned red, facing away from him.

"What on earth happened? Who is that person?"

"It is nothing you guys should concern yourselves with. This has been entrusted to the Knights, so step back."

"That won't do. We are elementalists. And even if there weren't any Knights, we have the obligation to fight and protect the academy."

"That’s right. Besides—"

Staring directly at her face, Kamito asked.

"Do you think we could just stay silent when our precious comrade is being hurt?"


"Kamito..."

Ellis's face turned bright red and she brought a hand to her chest.

At that moment—

"Hey, I can't believe you came. Kazehaya Kamito."

The enemy elementalist raised his  voice. For some reason, it sounded very irritating.

"...Who are you? Why do you know my name?"

"You are famous, you know. '''You're the same as me, a male elementalist'''."

"What!?"

Before his eyes, the guy started slowly taking off his overcoat and hood.

Kamito and the girls gulped nervously.

Coming to sight from under the overcoat was a boy.

He had dark, brown skin and tattoos applied all over his body, but his most notable feature was the pair of shining, red eyes.

"Such a thing... don't tell me, there are male elementalists other than Kamito!?"

Claire raised her voice in surprise.

It wasn't a girl disguised as a boy. 

Not just his voice or face, but his physique too, no matter how one looked at it he was a male.

(This guy, who on earth... No, more importantly –)

Before Kamito's eyes, the injured Knight girls collapsed. <!—weren’t they already on the ground-->


"Was this done by you?"

"Yeah. However, I didn't kill them. That lot was raised in a safe miniature garden<!—maybe “greenhouse”--> and isn't worth the effort."

"What did you say!?"

"Calm down, Ellis, it's just a cheap provocation."

Ellis grinded her teeth and whispered in Kamito's ear.

"Be careful, Kazehaya Kamito. He has a double contract with spirits."

"…?"

In other words, he had contracts with two spirits at the same time.

By using several spirits, one could cover the weakness of his fighting style.

However, it also placed a lot of limitations on the elementalist.

The fellow contracted spirits interfered with each other, making it impossible for them to manifest their original powers.

Kamito was in the same situation right now. As the contract with the darkness spirit was not broken, it ended up shutting out Est's energy and allowing her to use only a fraction of her true strength.

“A male spirit contractor and with two spirits to boot?"

"Yeah, the Wolf Fang for close-combat, and the Blast Gear for attacking from a distance."

Ellis nodded.

"Hey, could you overlook this for today? I am not in the mood to fight you now."

"What was that?"


Kamito frowned at the boy, who waved his hand dismissively, as if making fun of him.

"As long as I obtain this, that's fine."

The boy took out a small black lithograph from his chest pocket to show them.

"What is that?"

"The classified materials of the seal specification that I stole from the academy library. By using a special spirit device, it is filled with high density information that can be deciphered."

Arming herself with her demon lance of wind, Ellis muttered.

"Why did you steal such –"

At that moment, a leather whip flew from behind her aimed at the boy's hand.

He easily dodged Claire's surprise attack. Had it been foreseen?

"—Kamito, Ellis!"

"Ahh!"

Even before Claire shouted, both of them were already moving.

"Tch, what a stupid lot—"

"You bastard—"

Hearing someone insult her comrades enraged Ellis

She lashed with her Ray Hawk in a perfect horizontal arc – the wind blades, dancing boisterously, severed the roadside trees.

"Huh, another charge? You have no finesse!"


After dodging the raging wind blades, the boy charged.

His strength and speed were definitely inhuman. He moved like a shadow passing through his opponents unhindered and drove a counter punch into Ellis's stomach.

"Guu—"

"Ellis!"

Kamito shouted.

The girl fainted after being hit and the guy used the opportunity to escape into the darkness.

(To knock her out with just one strike...)

"You won’t escape!"

Claire immediately lashed with the Flame Tongue. The beautiful arc that the whip drew left a red, hot trail that vividly stood out in the black night.

A sculpture, modeled after the appearance of the spirit lord, was severed in an instant and blasted with a loud sound.

Kamito took a stance with Terminus Est and jumped into the rising cloud of dust.

The attack just now shouldn't have connected. So he searched for the enemy by his presence—

At that moment, he felt bloodlust coming from behind.

Kamito immediately jumped sideways and a dagger flashed past the place his head was a moment ago.

The boy stepped in without a sound. He didn't give him a chance to get any distance between them.

There were no wasted movements. It looked like the art of Silent Killing.

(This guy – he's a professional assassin!?)


Kamito barely stopped the blow of the drawn sword, flashing in the darkness, with his blade.

At that moment, there was a strong impact to his stomach. The powerful punch made Kamito's stance crumble. An assassin's dagger swooped over – but he knocked it aside with the bottom of his fist and used the force to roll on the ground and get some distance.

"Hey, aren't you pretty good, as expected of the strongest blade dancer."

"What!?"

Kamito's eyes widened in surprise.

(This guy, does he know my true identity!?)

In that moment of surprise, when Kamito stopped paying the battle attention, the boy smiled and came at him once again.

There were no weapons in his enemy’s hands while Kamito was armed with Terminus Est—

"—Manifest, {{Furigana|Sword Spirit|Falchion|margin=13}}!"

"Wha!?"

There was a violent explosion and Terminus Est, which he swung horizontally, was repelled.

The boy was holding in his hand a large blue shining sword.

It wasn't an ordinary blade, but an elemental waffe of a sword spirit.

"Another one!?"

Several times he had crossed swords with elementalists that used two spirits simultaneously.

However he never heard of anyone using more than that.


"This isn't something to be that surprised about. The Demon King Solomon was said to have used seventy-two spirits, you know."

"Don't mess around... that's just a legend—"

"What if the proof of that legend was now right before your eyes?"

The boy warped his lips into a smile.

"I am Jio Inzagi – '''The one who will succeed the Demon King'''."

"Kamito, get away!"

At that moment, countless fireballs were released from behind. It was Claire's spirit magic.

His reaction was instantaneous as he jumped aside.

It was a barrage of fireballs. However, the boy –Jio Inzagi held out his hand with a calm composure…

"—Manifest, {{Furigana|Wind Spirit|Aerial|margin=13}}!"

And released a gust of compressed air.

The violent whirling wind erased the fireballs and blew away the surrounding rubble together with Kamito.

(Aerial...His fourth spirit!?)

Jio's shadow appeared right above Kamito, who was extremely surprised by the recent turn of events.

It seemed that the intruder used the force of the release for a jump.

The edge of the sword spirit in his hand shone silver.

"Die—{{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}."

"...!?"



The tip of the shining sword approached Kamito’s heart.

At that moment, a pebble flew from the side.

"Tch—"

Jio repelled it reflexively, and at that moment—

A flash of light filled his vision.

Blinded and disoriented he dropped his sword. Falling, the blade pierced the ground.

Kamito quickly regained his stance—

Katsun! –There was a dry sound. A broken transparent stone fell at Kamito's feet.

(...Is it a spirit crystal?)

Taken aback, Kamito turned around.

Over there—

"Hey, I wonder, could you please not forget about me?"

Fianna was standing with her hands at her waist.

===Part 3===

He might have noticed that her voice was trembling.

And yet, she stoutheartedly glared at the enemy before her – Jio Inzagi.


There were 3 spirit crystals held in her hand. Every piece had a flash spirit sealed inside.

It definitely looked flashy, but its attack power was almost nonexistent; it was only usable as a distraction at best.
This time Jio was taken by surprise, but he was probably not an opponent who would fall for such a childish trick again.

Inzagi slowly turned towards Fianna.

As he glared at her with those shining red eyes, Fianna's shoulders trembled.

"Hey, were you the one who hindered me?"

"He is mine. Get your hands off him."

"I see—"

Jio faced her directly and held out his arm.

"—Manifest, {{Furigana|Demon Light Spirit|Shining Ray|margin=13}}"

A spear of ominous light appeared in that hand and he aimed it at Fianna’s heart.

"Ah—"

The princess couldn't even move.

Like prey in front of a predator.

The spirit crystals fell from her hands. Her fingers were trembling because of the fear.

"No, it's the same as that time—"

She had a flashback.

The day four years ago, when she stood before '''her'''.


That day she tasted the fear of hopelessness and her heart was broken.

She had planned on firmly opposing him and drew every bit of courage she had, but her body's trembling wouldn't stop.

"Then, die—"

Jio threw the light spear.

"Fianna!"

Claire launched her Flame Tongue, but it wouldn't make it in time with that distance.

Fianna closed her eyes. A moment later, she resigned herself to her death.

However—

"...Eh?"

The pain of her heart being pierced never came.

When she opened her eyes—

"Kamito-kun?"

Kamito was before her eyes with his arms opened and the light spear in his left hand.

Red blood trickled down from his pierced palm.

"Whoa, I've misjudged you. You covered for such a useless person."

"Shut up... Fianna is our comrade."

Kamito gritted his teeth to suppress the pain, and slumped on that spot.


"That's fine, if you want to die so much, then I'll immediately kill—"

"I won't let you, that guy is my slave!"

At that moment, the Flame Tongue released by Claire attacked Jio.

The crimson flames licked the ground. The intruder clicked his tongue as he dodged it.

Then, the sound of clattering armors and helmets could be heard in the distance.

It seemed that reinforcements were approaching the scene of the battle.

"Tch, in this situation, I'll spare you. I've already obtained the target materials."

"You won't escape!"

"Claire, don't chase him too far!"

Kamito stopped Claire, who was about to pursue the thief.

"...Kamito, is your injury alright?"

"Ahh, it isn't a big ... Ouch!"

"Id-Idiot, don't overdo it!"

Claire supported the boy, who was struggling with the pain, by his back.

"A male elementalist, just like you... that guy, who on earth is he?"

"Yeah...Fianna?"

Kamito noticed something and turned around.

It seemed that after tension left her body, Fianna collapsed on the ground as if the threads that were holding her snapped.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter4|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter6}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter3 Draft

2013-06-29T08:06:00Z

Asiorx22:

==Chapter 3: The Lost Queen==

===Part 1===

Kamito, left Claire and the others at the café and immediately headed towards the academy director's office.

He knocked and opened the door—

"You're late. For how long do you plan to make a lady wait?"

Was the first thing he heard from Greyworth, her voice extremely cold. The woman, Greyworth Ciel Mais, better known as The Dusk Witch, was sitting at her office desk.

She was bewitchingly beautiful, but that was not what she was famous for. Originally a spirit knight with a long military service, she later entered the ranks of {{Furigana|the twelve knight commanders|Numbers}}.

Greyworth had wavy ash-blonde hair and a pair of shining, gray eyes hidden behind glasses.

"Sorry, I heard that you had business with me and came as fast as I could. As a proof, I have a labored breath."

"Hmm, so it seems you became rather cheeky, haven’t you? Where did the obedient pure boy I once knew disappear? It seems the flow of time doesn’t spare anyone. It is so cruel, really."

"But it appears you haven’t changed a bit, Greyworth. Your appearance as well as your tricky character."

Kamito loathsomely replied. Disdain clear on his face.

Greyworth was one of the few people who knew him three years ago.

And she was the one who called Kamito, after he rejected his past as the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}, to the academy and attempted to make him participate in the competition that will be held in two months.


She did not tell him the reason for that.

Although, it wasn’t the first time the Dusk Witch made Kamito do something without sharing any information.

"That's right, you have certainly changed. In those three years, you've become especially weak. In the practice match a while ago, when faced with an opponent of that level you performed… pitifully. If it were you from the past, you would have overwhelmed that person in less than three minutes."

"You were watching? ... Your hobbies are bad, as usual."

"You are in such a sorry state that I doubt you are qualified to participate in the Blade Dance. The fact you defeated that militarized spirit must be a fluke."

"That time was—"

Kamito mumbled slightly.

He didn’t defeat it alone.

After meeting his former contracted spirit and being struck with despair, he was given the strength to stand once again by that red haired hellcat girl.

(...!)

Suddenly, the memories of her soft lips touching his own resurfaced in his mind.

Mortified he immediately shook his head to get rid of those evil thoughts.

"I agree with you. I can't even fully use my contracted spirit's power yet."

Kamito dropped his eyes onto his right hand, which had a seal engraved on it.


"Still can't forget your previous woman? How stubborn."

"Watch your words! For me, Restia isn't like that!"

"On the contrary, you getting hotheaded makes it increasingly suspicious what your relationship actually is like. What do you think about getting a lover at the academy? It might even divert a little of your loneliness."

"Lov—"

"Or, are the girls here too undeveloped? If that's the case... I too am available."

Greyworth smiled bewitchingly and using her fingertips slightly opened her cleavage.

He accidentally saw lacy black bra peeking from under her clothes.

"D...don't mess with me!"

"It's a joke. Hmm, from your tone, it seems you have not yet reached that level in relationships. I've heard rumors that you made a small breasted beautiful girl and a naked knee-socks clad spirit fall for you and are indulging in an improper harem cohabitation life."

"Guu..."

He tried to rebufe, but was at a loss of words.

...Looking at it objectively, that seemed like the truth and it was painful to be unable to deny it.

"Greyworth, did you call me just to tell some worthless jokes?"

"That's right— but, of course, that's not the only thing."

Greyworth creaked her chair and faced the visitor room at the inner side of the office.

"There is a girl I want to introduce you— come in"


"Okay."

From the inner room, came what sounded like a bell being turned over.

From the opened door appeared a girl who wore a black dress like uniform, different from the academy's.

She was beautiful, had luscious long black hair, clear black eyes and was so pretty Kamito found himself amazed.

It goes without saying that Kamito was charmed by her neat and clean appearance.

"...Eh?"

The moment his eyes met hers, she made a puzzled face.

"Errm, you're ... Kazehaya Kamito-kun?"

The girl asked unsure.

"Ahh, that's right, but—"

"But from what I remember..."

For some strange reason the girl seemed to be in shock.

(Wh...what's with this?)

"Well, that's right... he's a boy after all and it's already been three years."

The girl muttered to herself in a voice that Kamito could not hear.

After that, she looked at Kamito's face again.

"Yes, there certainly is a resemblance. Besides, this is fine—"


"What's up, Fianna?"

Greyworth called out, seemingly puzzled.

"Ah, s...sorry! Err, this is the first time I've seen a male elementalist!"

The girl called Fianna shook her head in fluster.

"Erm... who is this girl?"

Kamito looked at Greyworth questioningly.

Unexpectedly, the girl, made a sullen expression and pouted.

"I knew it, you don’t remember... well, that's fine though."

"She is the recently admitted student who will be entering the Raven Class."

"Admitted student?"

Ah! Kamito nodded. They were talking about it at the café just a while ago.

(This girl is the one...)

Carol told them that she was a daughter of noble, but, in any case, in this academy there were a lot of ladies with high social status, so there was nothing special in this situation.

(After that, she said that... she had big…)

Without thinking, he glanced towards the dress-like uniform's breast area—

(...Big indeed.)

Kamito confirmed awkwardly.


"She is the Ordesia Empire's second princess, her Highness Fianna Ray Ordesia."

"...Ordesia?"

Kamito frowned for a moment—

"No way...!"

His eyes widened in surprise.

Many noble ladies were enrolled in Areishia Spirit Academy. This was the result of the empire's royalty and nobles continuing the bloodline of elementalists through marriage of convenience that even spanned over several generations.

Naturally, there were also exceptions, but it was normal for elementalists to be daughters of aristocrats.

Fahrengart was a famous military family; Laurenfrost had long and noble history, Elstein’s ancestry too was extremely honorable, but their lands were currently seized.

However, this girl before him was— the second princess of the Ordesia Empire.

She was not just any noble; she was of royal blood, a real princess.

(Why would the empire's princess be in the academy?)

Daughters born into the Ordesia imperial family usually started training as Queen candidates, serving the Five Great Elemental Lords, at the Queen training organization, the «Divine Ritual Institute».

In any case, for the moment Kamito decided not to voice his questions and just knelt.


"Please pardon my rudeness, your Highness."

It was not that he specifically pledged allegiance to the Ordesia Empire, but his former contracted spirit has harshly driven into him how to behave himself around royalty.

However, Fianna quietly shook her head.

"That's alright, we both are students here. Besides, although I'm called the second princess, I'm the Lost Queen, so that hardly means anything."

"The Lost Queen?"

Kamito asked back— then he remembered.

(I see, the empire's second princess!)

He heard about it from rumors.

(If I remember it right, the girl was the Queen candidate supposed to serve the Fire Elemental Lord.)

Four years ago, the Fire Queen— Rubia Elstein committed her crime and brought the wrath of the Fire Elemental Lord, who learned of her treachery, on the empire. That brought about great chaos.

For the sake of appeasing the Fire Elemental Lord's anger, the «Divine Ritual Institute» tried to prepare a successor but—

At that time, she declared that she stepped down from the position of the Queen candidate and was cast out from the imperial family.

So far, her reasons for that were not officially announced.


That is how the second princess completely disappeared from the center of attention.

And now she was standing in front of him?

"It's just as she says. When you pass through this academy's gates, no matter what social status you have, you will receive no special treatment. Whether you are a princess, a male elementalist, or the Calamity Queen's sister."

"There you have it, I'm the former princess, but nice to meet you, Kazehaya Kamito-kun."

Fianna smiled, picked up the sides of her skirt with her fingertips and bowed elegantly.

"A...Ah, nice to meet you—"

Kamito stood up before his expression froze.

"What's the matter?"

"No, err..."

Scratching his cheek, Kamito looked away.

"?"

Fianna tilted her head to the side.

"Kyaa!"

It seemed she realized that what she was holding up was not a ball dress, but a short uniform skirt.

And the sight of her mature black lingerie, weaved with laces, was firmly etched into Kamito's mind.


"Ka...Kamito-kun... pervert."

The former princess' face turned red as she embarrassedly muttered.

"I...I'm sorry..."

"You two, don't flirt and act lovey-dovey in front of my eyes. It's irritating."

Greyworth glared at Kamito, with bloodlust filled eyes.

"...I'm sorry. And why did you call for me?"

If this witch was involved it could not be something as simple as introducing the new student.

(To acquaint me with the empire's princess, what is she scheming?)

As if reading Kamito's mind, the witch pushed up her glasses, seemingly sullen.

"Your distrust is regrettable; after all I prepared a special quest for your sake."

"A special quest?"

"That's right. There is a task I want to give her and I decided that your team will accompany her as guards."

===Part 2===

—A quest.

It was another way, beside matches with fellow academy students, that helped rising in the academy’s ranking system.


A given quest could have various objectives, from Kagura by a blade dance, suppression of a rampaging spirit, excavation and investigation of the sealed spirit, to the subjugation of elementalists gone astray.

By completing the quests that were divided depending on their danger level, the academy students could raise their rank the same way like when winning official matches.

"By the way, this quest's difficulty level is S rank."

"S rank?"

Kamito blurted out.

In the academy, the S rank was given to the assignments with the highest difficulty level.

The amount of points a student could get for completing one was extraordinary, but it was also very dangerous and, depending on the situation, could even lead to death. It should not even be possible for him to receive it with his current ranking.

"Did you prepare things behind the scenes?"

"Your hearing is bad. I said that I don't practice special treatment. It just means that the only ones suitable for this quest are Fianna and you. If you refuse, then I'll spread the word around to other teams."

"..."

It was not a bad deal. On the contrary, in his current situation, it was a godsend.

Already, there were only two months left before the start of the Blade Dance. No, the final examination that will determine the three participating teams would take place even earlier.

If nothing changed, and they continued participating in regular official matches and quests they could not possibly make it to the top.


For some reason Greyworth was bent on making Kamito participate in the Blade Dance.

But, it seemed that the influence of the academy’s director was not enough.

Therefore, she got them a S rank mission, which was extremely dangerous, but had a completion bonus, which was also extremely high.

(If we could complete the quest, that would be it— Huh?)

He didn’t like the fact, it was Greyworth he received it from, but…

If the quest included guarding an important person, he already had the necessary experience from the past.

Certainly, it was far better than rising in inter-school ranking through official matches.

"—I understand. Explain the details of the quest."

"That's the spirit."

Kamito prompted and Greyworth smiled.

"Have you heard about the Gado mine town?"

"Gado? I think I had. Wasn’t it abandoned a few decades ago."

Gado was formerly a town with large spirit crystal mining grounds, but, during the second Ranbal war, spirit crystal deposits were exhausted, and it was abandoned.

It should have turned into a ghost town by now and become ruins.

"There have been frequent occurrences of strange earthquakes at that mine recently. I want you to go there and investigate."

"Is that so?"

For the academy to request an investigation meant that it was probably not an ordinary incident.


It was often the case that the earth attribute spirits that ruled over the land caused the earthquakes.

If that was because a spirit was angry or was in a frenzy, it could be appeased by a ritual of a blade dance. There were also cases where, depending on the situation, a suppressing unit of spirit knights was formed.

As a quest it was relatively typical, but—

"Stop joking around. Why does a mission like that has a S rank?"

He didn’t think that ordinary investigation involving a simple earth spirit could be so dangerous.

Compared to the quest's risk, the assigned rank seemed too high.

"You're being distrustful as usual, can't you believe in my good will?"

"Why should I? You never lie. However, you also never speak the truth."

"Hmm...well, it is indeed so."

Greyworth smiled and shrugged in resignation.

"It seems that a strategic-class militarized spirit, sealed by the old Ordesia Knights, is sleeping at that mine."

Kamito groaned, Fianna gasped in surprise.

A strategic-class militarized spirit— it could not be compared to the giant spirit that went into frenzy at the Academy Town the other day.

Because of its tremendous strength, it was impossible for an individual to comand it. In the end, this spirit could only be controlled by ritual Kagura performed by several hundred elementalists— it was solely a weapon of mass destruction.

At the end of the second Ranbal war, the continental nations signed a treaty, and all the seven bodies should have sealed and disposed of such spirits, but—

"Don't tell me, it’s the spirit that causes the earthquakes?"

"At the very worst; it's still only a possibility. I want to entrust you guys with this investigation. You must confirm whether that the seal has come undone or not—"

"I'll perform the resealing by the «Ritual Kagura»."

Fianna calmly spoke.

"That's right. As a former Queen candidate, this quest suits you perfectly."

"...I see, that's the reason you called for this princess."

The Queens, who served the Five Great Elemental Lords, were the experts in the «Ritual Kagura» that appeased spirits.

They did not receive any special martial arts training, and as the result they were not suited for battle, but all forms of ritual have been driven into them since they were children.

In the entire academy, there was only one former Queen— a rare special skill user; the quest could only be accomplished with her help, and considering that it had to do with a strategic-class militarized spirit, it might also be appropriate to give it a S rank.

"..."

The terms were not bad. However, there was one more thing that he had to ask.

"...But is Fianna alright with this? With me guarding her, I mean."

If it was just about protecting her, there should be even more competent elementalists.


For example, Ellis Fahrengart. Her sense of responsibility was strong and she was very capable, so there should be no complains with her being the guard.

There was no reason to have Kamito, who was a boy of all things, accompany the princess. If Greyworth grouped them together as she pleased, ignoring Fianna's will— he planned to reject this deal.

However, Fianna—

"Of course, I'll be relying on you, Kamito-kun."

"Did Greyworth threaten you to team up with me?"

"No, after all, I was the one who nominated you."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. To travel with the world's only male elementalist, isn't it great?"

Fianna entwined her fingers with Kamito's and gazed at him with admiraion.

Kamito felt shocked from the way she looked at him with those clear black eyes.

"Hmm, aren't you popular?"

Greyworth asked, seemingly displeased, and handed over a document with the quest's key points written on it.

"If you intend to take up this mission, sign here. This is a good deal."

Far from that, for Kamito with the current circumstances, it was an extraordinary good deal.

However—

"I can't decide this by myself. I have to at least ask Claire."


"Hmm, well, that's alright. But hurry, I'll have you leave tomorrow."

"Claire?"

The one who asked it was Fianna.

"Ah, my teammate, but—"

"Could she be Claire Elstein?"

"...You know her?"

Kamito awkwardly scratched his head.

(That's right, this girl is the Queen candidate to the Fire Elemental Lord.)

She was the princess maiden who was training at the same «Divine Ritual Institute» as the Calamity Queen— Rubia Elstein.

If that was the case, it would not be surprising for her to know even Claire, that girl's sister.

"That person's sister..."

Fianna's lips slightly trembled.

She might have started having doubts after hearing that the Calamity Queen's sister will be taking part in the mission.

"I'm sorry, but Claire is my teammate. I'll accomplish the quest together with her."

Kamito informed her—

"Yes, that's what I wish for as well."

Fianna nodded muttering in a soft voice.

"'''I don't plan on losing even to the sister'''."



===Part 3===

As the two of them left the office, Greyworth smiled.

"However, that princess did something very bold."

"You knew, director?"

From inside the woman’s shadow, a lady appeared.

She was the shadow elementalist—Freya Grandol, a teacher at the academy.

"Is it about her using spirit crystals during the entrance examination? Of course, I noticed it. She did something impious. Doesn't that stone cost twenty million rood apiece?"

"Then, I presume you are overlooking this unfair entry, right?"

"Princess Fianna was ranked next to that Rubia Elstein as the second Queen candidate at the age of thirteen. If she wakes up as an elementalist again, isn't it the best bargain?"

"However, if she tries to lead her academy life using that thing, wouldn't she be instantly exposed?"

"I think that's something she is aware of. She understands it and yet she became a student here. If she does not awaken, that will be the end of it, but if she does, it will be… Fortunate. Therefore, I grouped her with that boy."

"Academy director, what on earth are you—"

Freya frowned and at that moment a winged eyeball flew in from the office window.


It was Greyworth’s probe-use spirit.

"Hmm, it seems that an uninvited guest has infiltrated the Academy Town."

"Is it the darkness spirit from the other day?"

"Hm, I wonder? I do not know what they are aiming for, but... Freya Grandol, tell the Sylphid Knights to strengthen the security."

===Part 4===

After leaving the office Kamito took Fianna on a tour around the academy building.

She walked elegantly, stepping lightly. It must have taken a lot of time and effort to develop and polish such manners.

"Fianna, are you wearing the «Divine Ritual Institute»'s uniform?"

"Yes, as opposed to the Areishia Spirit Academy, it seems to be a recent design. During the time I was active, it used to be an even more bombastic ritual costume. That was cute in a way, but all the girls were definitely yearning for skirts."

"...Hmm, is that so? It suits you."

"Ah, even if it's just flattery, I am happy."

Because of the slow walk and calm conversation Kamito's tone had relaxed tremendously.

Since she was the Ordesia Empire’s princess and a princess maiden from the «Divine Ritual Institute»— he thought that there would be a hard-to-approach atmosphere around her, but she was a surprisingly easy girl to talk to.

While walking along the corridor the pair attracted a lot of attention from other academy students.

"Hey, take a look. That’s Kazehaya Kamito, is he going to rape the new student again?" "The licentious beast's special demonstration." "But I might be a little envious." "Wh...what are you saying!" "B...but if he were to look at me with those sharp eyes...I...I might be unable to deny him." "If just for a little while, I want to try being played with... don't you?" "Th...that's true, I...if he were to approach me forcefully... my heart would surely be pounding." " No way, after all, he's the Demon King, the Demon King that devours any girl he can lay his hands on." "The Demon King..." "The Demon King of the night..."

Soft whispers could be heard from the whole corridor.

(...What!? The Demon King of the night!?)

He wanted to retort numerous times, but it seemed like it would be more trouble than it was worth, so he did not.

He had already gotten used to the girls' frightened gazes.

However, for some strange reason, there also were numerous girls sending him passionate looks.

And then, there seemed to be ribbon-tied letters and homemade sweets placed in his locker.

...Well, it might be just a prank.

"Hmm, Kamito-kun, you're quite popular."

"They're just teasing me. After all, I'm the only male in this academy."

"Is that so, I wonder?"


Mugyu!

"...!?"

Suddenly, he felt something soft touch him.

Fianna pressed her breasts into Kamito's arm.

"H...hey, Fianna!?"

"Hn, what's the matter?"

The princess gave him an impish smile and an innocent glance.

The sensation made his heart beat faster.

"No, princess... err, your breasts are..."

"I don’t mind. Or—"

Fianna gave him a short teasing smile.

"Do you dislike immodest princesses?"

"..."

From the neckline of the dress-like uniform, her black bra could be seen peeking out.

...He was troubled, tremendously troubled.

He felt like the sharpness of the gazes the girls passing by gave him was gradually increasing.

Fianna was looking at Kamito with great relish.

"Fufu, it seems like everyone is jealous."


"That's definitely the case..."

Kamito sighed deeply,

"By the way, why did princess enroll into this academy?"

He tried to ask something that was on his mind since a while ago.

He did not care for the circumstances that made her throw away her position as a Queen candidate. He was just curious as to why she became a student of the academy now, after having once disappeared from the spotlight.

"That's—"

Fianna suddenly stopped. Kamito also paused.

"Uh?"

"If I said— I came to meet Kamito-kun, would you believe me?"

"...?"

Kamito was a little puzzled,

"No, it can't be that you came because me, haven't we just met, Fianna?"

"..."

Fianna pouted as if she was a little sullen hearing such a reply from Kamito.

"...Idiot."

Fianna muttered and softly pressed her index finger to Kamito's lips.

And then, she drew her face closer till her lips were almost touching his.


"—Ren Ashbell."

At that moment, Kamito's expression froze.

With the unexpected name coming from her mouth— he was at a loss for words.

"...!? H...ow..."

Standing still and dumbfounded, Kamito let out in a dry voice.

The only people who knew Kamito's true identity as Ren Ashbell were the contracted spirit Restia and the witch Greyworth— nobody else should be aware of it.

How did this girl...?

"...I knew it, you don't remember."

Fianna pouted again, seemingly displeased.

Making such a face at this distance made it look as if she was a lover pestering him for a kiss.

"It's alright. I'll keep it a secret from everyone, I promised after all."

"Promised?"

Kamito seemed to have recalled something, at that moment.

"Kamito!"

Claire came running from the other side of the corridor. It seemed that she was searching for him.

"Come on, what in the world were—"

She stopped.


At that point she finally saw the two’s posture. They were standing in the middle of the corridor and looked like a kissing couple.

"Y...yo...yo...yo..."

Gogogo... her shoulders began to tremble slightly.

Her red hair bristled up like a crimson flame.

"Yo...yo...you slave... yo...you truly have no discretion..."

Pishii!—The moment her whip made a sound, a hell cat, clad in red hot flames, appeared from nowhere.

The hell cat transformed into the Flame Tongue form in an instant and settled into Claire's right hand.

"Th...that's alright, I'll thoroughly train you today..."

"Wa...wait, don't misunderstand, Claire, this girl is—"

"—Claire?"

Fianna reacted after hearing the girl’s name.

She gently let go of Kamito and glared at Claire with a sharp look.

"I see, you are Claire Rouge."

"That's right. So what?"

"You are that person's sister..."

He felt like invisible fireworks lit up in Fianna's eyes when she looked at Claire.

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2 Draft

2013-06-24T13:52:53Z

Asiorx22: /* Chapter 2: The Young Ladies' Afternoon */

==Chapter 2: The Young Ladies' Afternoon==

===Part 1===

"Mugugug..."

[[Image:STnBD V02 049.jpg|thumb]]
Claire Rouge was stuffing a cream bun down her throat.

It was an unusual behavior for her, who took it as a creed— that nobles are always elegant.

"Don't binge, you'll get fat you know."

Kamito glared with his eyes half-opened and Claire struck the table in frustration.

"But, but, urggggh!"

"Claire. That's my jam bun."

Est protested calmly.

They were at a salon café inside the academy.

From the opened terrace, soft daylight was shining in.

The three of them were sitting at a round table near a window and having a slightly late lunch.

Inside the bamboo basket, placed right in the middle of that table, was a pile of jam, melon, sausage and many other different kinds of buns.

Any student could use the café and on top of that the freshly baked buns were gratis. Coffee and black tea also had free refills.

There was also an eatery in the academy, but because it charged a fee equal to a high-class restaurant in the imperial capital, neither Kamito, who was not even a noble, nor Claire, who had her fortune and territory confiscated, could afford it.

"Our team ranking dropped again."

Claire laid, prostrated, on the table and groaned.

"It can't be helped. We were matched up with a superior team. "

"That may be true... but we are also a lot stronger than them."

Claire gnawed her lip. Although they were at a disadvantage in numbers, she seemed to be unable to understand and accept losing to lower rank oponents.

It was certain that as elementalists they were superior.

However, because their teamwork lacked, they were defeated. Claire over-relied on her strength, chasing her enemies too far and Kamito too could not depend on the girl in a dire situation.

In other words, it was not possible to win with just the queen piece.

"Even if we lost, we shouldn’t hesitate at a time like this..."

There was a reason Claire was stuffing herself with buns as if she was in a hurry.

The regulations of the Blade Dance held in two months were different from the individual battles three years ago, if they didn’t put together a five-member team, they wouldn’t be able to take part in it. In addition, only the top three teams decided by the inter-school competition could participate from Areishia Spirit Academy.



Kamito, who started attending the school just a while ago, had no achievements that could raise his ranking.

To raise it, one had to win a formal practice match like the one from this morning or complete a task assigned by the academy; however, he had done nothing of the like like .

Defeating the giant spirit the other day, dueling with Sylphid Knight's captain Ellis Fahrengart or even battling the frenzied demon spirit, those were all informal battles and did not reflect on the rankings.

It was especially surprising that Claire, who, as an elementalist, was supposed to tower above the rest in power, had the lowest results in the class.

There could be only one reason for that. '''It was because she was doing everything alone'''.

She failed when she took the tasks that should be originally completed by a team and she was defeated when she challenged upper classmen alone in a championship match. If she did such a thing, no matter how strong she was, there was no way her ranking could raise.

There was a reason Claire was isolated from the rest of the academy.

Rubia Elstein.

Four years ago, while she had the position of Queen serving the fire Elemental Lord, she betrayed him, disappeared, and brought about an unprecedented great disaster to the empire. Because of that others started calling her The Calamity Queen.

As her younger sister, Claire was looked at with contempt and fear by the majority of the academy students.

Claire's reason for participating in the Blade Dance was to restore the Elstein family name and —above all else— to find out the truth regarding her elder sister Rubia Elstein.


—Now was not the time to hesitate.

Blood-oozing emotions filled Claire's rough words.

"For now, we should also find comrades quickly. I understood it during this morning's match. If we stay as we are now, we not only won't be able to win the Blade Dance, but wouldn't even get into the top three ranks, which is required for the participation."

The boy, called the strongest blade dancer three years ago, accepted his greatest weakness honestly.

At first, he just came to the academy due to Greyworth's request, but now he clearly had a reason to regain his strength from three years ago.

That reason being his former contracted spirit- Restia.

He wanted to take her back with his own hands.

The girl who, for the first time, brought light to Kamito's life, which was shrouded in darkness before.

And the same girl who gave a heartbroken Claire the frenzy spirit and tried to drive the giant spirit mad in the middle of the town.

He met her again, but she was different from the one Kamito once knew.

—What on earth happened to her?

So, for the sake of knowing that, he absolutely had to meet the participation requirements for the Blade Dance.

"Kamito, what's wrong? You're making such a serious face."

"Did you forget to put sugar into your coffee?"

Claire and Est peered at him with a worried look.


"No, sorry, it's just..."

"By any chance, is it about your former contracted spirit?"

She was surprisingly sharp at times like this.

Kamito quickly averted his eyes from the ruby pupils that peered in his own.

"...Well… The fact is... I don’t want to talk about it now."

Claire did not try to pry deeper. Despite her arrogance, there were, occasionally, times when she showed consideration.

"...Ah, I understand."

Kamito nodded when-.

"Ah, everyone, having lunch?"

A cool but elegant voice was heard.

The boy turned around. And there—

A magnificent, platinum-blonde haired and beautiful girl was standing.

Her very appearance was of a noble ojou-sama.

Her milky white skin was smooth like silk and her emerald eyes, which were locked on him, radiated a faint glow.

The way she brushed her hair aside looked strangely good.

Rinslet Laurenfrost.

She attended the Raven Class, just as Kamito and was Claire's self-proclaimed rival.


Due to her rivalry with Claire, she was trying to make Kamito her manservant. She was troubling ojou-sama.

Right beside her was—

"Fufu, what a delicious smell."

A girl dressed in a maid uniform. She had a gentle smile on her lips as she stood there, wearing a long skirt with a lot of neat frills attached. Her hair was cut into short bobs and she had a lovely white brim on her head.

She was Rinslet's personal maid, Carol.

Kamito didn’t know why there was a maid in the academy, but she was the only one he saw here. It seemed that Laurenfrost family, as an exception, was allowed to bring a servant.

"...Why did you come here, Rinslet?"

Claire swallowed her bun and sternly glared at the blond.

"I just happened to pass by. What a very simple lunch you have, just buns."

Rinslet swiped her hair over her shoulder and looked down on the three of them calmly.

"Milady is saying that she wants to eat together with everyone."

"Wh... Carol, what are you talking about!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Poka!* *Poka!* Rinslet's face turned bright red as she started hitting Carol's shoulders.

As expected of her exclusive maid, it was a magnificent interpretation.

"Sit down both of you. You came all the way here after all, so let's eat together."


Kamito suggested only to have Claire step on his foot hard.

"Ouch, what are you doing?!"

"Nothing? I just thought you lack loyalty...Idiot."

"I...it's n...not like I particularly want to eat together with you all!"

"Milady is saying it'll be nice to sit next to Kamito."

"Carol!"

Carol soothed the embarrassed girl and got her to settle down.

Rinslet, sat next to Kamito and averted her eyes as she asked.

"...H...How are your injuries?"

"Ah, they’ve mostly healed. All thanks to the healing spirit."

It was about the injury he got from the time he fought the giant spirit. Probably because he overdid it, it'll take a little longer to heal then he thought, but as expected, the academy spirit's medical care was excellent.

"Fufu, Milady has been constantly worrying about Kamito-sama."

"Carol, d...don't say anything unnecessary!"

Rinslet snapped with a grinding noise.

"However, it is also natural that Milady would be worried. After all, Kamito-sama is under one roof with Milady Claire, so it wouldn't be odd if something were to happen.

"Wha...What are you saying, you stupid maid! There's no way such things would happen."


This time it was Claire who snapped.

"...What kind of worry is that?"

Est was munching on a melon bun and beside her Kamito just sighed wearily at their antics.

This was how Rinslet and Carol ended up having lunch together.

Even Claire, who appeared upset at the beginning, eventually started talking about this morning's match. Then about which stores cake was more delicious, how boring the introduction lection about the foundation of spirit learning was, and just like that, normal girl-like conversations were beginning to bloom.

Somehow these two were on pretty good terms. It was especially surprising for Claire, who was isolated from the rest of her peers at the academy. It could be said that Rinslet was her only friend.

"That reminds me; it seems that a newly admitted student is joining the Raven Class."

"Our class? Despite the fact that Kamito just came in recently?"

"Yeah, I hear it's a daughter of noble of high social standing."

"Hmm, but even if we're talking about social status in this academy, there's the Fahrengart family and the Laurenfrost family... What’s with all this nobles gathering here?"

"Hey! Would you please not lump the militaristic Fahrengart family with the true pedigree Laurenfrost family?"

"I don't care about such things... What's wrong, Kamito?"


At any rate, Raven Class was famous for gathering the '''most troublesome students'''.

He just thought that if people like Claire and Rinlset were to increase in numbers, it would be... worrisome.

"In the practical skill entrance examination that took place in the morning, she seemed to be using a holy spirit."

The maid, Carol, pulled out a memo from her cleavage.

Carol's maid memo pad— aka «Carol's Notes», was stuffed with data on the academy students and teachers... Kamito did not understand clearly what on earth she used it for.

"Hmm, a holy spirit user?..."

The holy spirit is one of the five grand element spirits, but there were not that many elementalists who used it.

It was extremely prideful and choosed its own user.

Among princess maidens, it was said that it only opens its heart to especially pure noble girls.

(Even in the competition three years ago, a holy spirit user gave me a tough fight...)

After all, a holy spirit had an extremely bad compatibility with the darkness spirit Kamito was contracted with.

But then again, at that time, Kamito's strength completely surpassed the opponent elementalist's, that was why he did not lose.

"Ah, by the way, it seems like it's a very lovely big-breasted girl."

"Carol, from where on earth did you procure such information?"

"Ah, Kamito-san, are you interested?"

Carol placed her hand near her mouth and smiled.


"Hmm, you are very concerned about the information of a big-breasted admitted student, huh?"

"Eh?"

Gogogogogogogo......!

Kamito turned around and Claire raised her eyebrows glaring at him.

"Really, men are just idiots!"

"Kamito, do you have no distinction? Are you just a beast without reason?"

Somehow, even Rinslet and Est were glaring—

Gyuuuuuuuuu!

Kamito's cheeks were pinched by the three of them.

(This is unreasonable...)

===Part 2===

After various things happened, the lunch of buns ended and it was time to rest.

"Ahh, that reminds me—"

Ahem! Rinslet cleared her throat and said,

"Have you gathered members for your team for the Blade Dance ?"

"...N...not yet."


Claire shook her head in shame.

Rinslet smiled, it seemed she already knew that answer.

"Ah, you still have not? It seems I’ve touched a sore spot."

Fufun! She held up her tea cup in an elegant maner.

Claire sullenly responded.

"It's just that there isn't a person who matches up to our desired level. What about you? Have you decided on your members?"

"Tha...that's ... I just have not found a person who could keep up with me!"

"Eh? Rinslet, you couldn't gather anyone either?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side.

Rinslet's ability to use the demon ice spirit «Fenrir», was about on par with Claire's.

He thought that if it was her, she would be highly sought after but...

"Fo...for now, there isn't, for now!"

Rinslet's face reddened and she quickly turned away.

"Kamito-san, Milady—"

"Uh huh?"

Carol tugged Kamito's sleeves as she came to his side, telling him the reasons in his ear.

"The truth is... *mumbling*..."

"Hmm..."


According to Carol's words—

It seemed that although she had tried gathering a team several times, so far, the conditions the members were expected to meet were too high and her excessively big pride didn't help things go smoothly either. The teams she gathered repeatedly broke up and so, there were no students left to invite.

...How should he say it, it was indeed a Rinslet-like reason.

"Hmm, her pride is certainly high but... she is a good girl, regardless."

"That's right..."

Carol earnestly nodded.

"Carol, what are you talking about with Kamito-san!?"

"It was about the order in which Milady washes her body in the bath."

"Carol!"

Glancing at the playful ojou-sama and her maid, Claire sighed deeply.

"Haa... I wonder if there's really no one... A strong elementalist who will enter our team."

"...We...well, you seem to be in a dire situation."

Ahem.

Rinslet coughed and looked at Claire with one eye.

"That's right. It looks like I should try approaching the newly admitted student you just mentioned. Perhaps I’ll get lucky."


"That is right. However, there might be an even better member for the team and she might be unexpectedly close."

Ahem. Ahem.

...Kamito finally realized.

(Ahh, I see. So that's the reason she brought up the subject of the team.)

"Hey, Claire, give me just a minute—"

"What? Faa, do..don't suddenly breathe into my ear."

"What are you turning red for? Lend me your ear for a while and listen."

Kamito whispered into Claire's ear in a quiet voice.

"For some reason, this ojou-sama obviously wants to join us as a comrade, what do you say?"

"Absolutely not."

Claire immediately replied.

"Why? Rinslet's is a powerful fighter."

"That's... even I recognize her strength. However, no. We suffered in the duel with Ellis a while ago, didn't we? Because she didn’t even think the slightest about teamwork."

"Well, wh..."

It was certain that in the duel with Ellis' group the other day, despite being a sniper, she was standing in the most conspicuous place for some reason and was knocked down in the very beginning.

"Be...besides, Rinslet ... about you ..."


"Hn? Did you say something?"

"I..it's nothing, at any rate, it's a no! Rinslet is not allowed!"

"Think about it a little bit more before deciding, isn't she somewhat pitiful?"

"Wh...what are you two sneakily talking about?!"

While twirling the front of her platinum blonde hair with her index finger, Rinslet was staring at them with a fidgety, nervous expression.

"Wh...?"

"......"

Claire groaned seemingly unhappy.

"...I got it. I'll try asking once."

She sighed deeply and nodded. There were two months remaining till the opening of the Blade Dance. She might have accepted that it wasn't the time to be worrying only about her desires anymore.

"Hey, Rinslet."

"Wh...what is it, Claire Rouge?"

Rinslet tensed and her voice sounded slightly excited.

"You wouldn't, by any chance, want to enter my team?"

"Id...idiot, don't ask like that!"

Kamito shouted in a soft voice.


Asking Rinslet, who was a highly prideful girl, in such a way—

Rinslet's finger, which was twirling a lock of her hair stopped.

"Hm, if you think about what you suddenly said—"

She placed her hand at her waist and pointed at Claire in a thrust.

"Aren't you the ones who want to join my team?"

"Huh?"

Claire's eyebrows sternly lifted up.

"What are you saying? Are you an idiot? You'll join my team!"

"Rejected, rejected, rejected. You two will join my team!"

The two ojou-sama started quarreling about something trivial.

...Their desires, after all, matched.

"Either way is the same, right..."

Kamito retorted,

'''"It's completely different!"'''

They shouted together. Only at a time like this were their breaths in sync.

"...Uhm it's no good, something like a team is absolutely impossible with these guys."

"Really, can't you guys keep quiet? This is a public place!"


A cold voice resounded in the salon café.

Everybody turned around—

At the entrance, a ponytailed beautiful girl, wearing light armor, was standing.

"Ellis!"

Claire sullenly groaned. ...Another hindrance came. And she had such a stern expression.

Ellis Fahrengart.

The captain of the Sylphid Knights, who observed the academy's public morals.

She was charming in appearance which was completely opposite to her strict personality. Her relationship with Claire's group, which normally caused problems, seemed to be bad.

Although, it did not mean that she was such a hard-to-deal-with person to Kamito.

At first, when he entered into the academy, just because he was a male elementalist, she was prejudiced against him, but she had already remorsefully apologized to him regarding that matter.

Even if there were times she was a little too serious she was a straightforward person, who held a strong belief for their own case. He could respect that part of her that held the pride of a knight.

Ellis walked, briskly, towards their table.

"Captain-sama, what business do you have with us?"

"If it's about the duel, I'll accept a rematch anytime."

Rinslet and Claire, both gained a dangerous glint in their eyes after hearing those words.


On that subject, the duel the other day remained unsettled because of the demon spirit's sudden intrusion.

He wondered if another match will resolve their dispute.

(......Spare me. A duel again, no thanks.)

Coming closer, Ellis looked down at Claire with sharp eyes.

"Hmm, I have no problem settling it here and now, Claire Rouge."

"Just what I want."

Ellis drew out her sword and Claire also pulled out her leather whip from under her skirt.

In the tense atmosphere, the girls, who occupied the surrounding tables, stood up rattling.

"Hey, Claire..."

Kamito attempted to stop it—

"Ca-Captain, calm down!"

"Y...you can't draw out a sword here!"

From the café's entrance, two girls run in with flustered looks.

They were wearing the same Knights armor as Ellis.

One was a short haired and boyish and the other a somehow serious looking girl with braided hair.

Kamito immediately recognized them both. They were the Knights he fought in the duel the other day.

If he remembered right, their names were— Rakka, for the one with the short hair, and Reishia, for the one with the braids.

Stopped by her comrades, Ellis sheathed her sword embarrassed.


"...S...Sorry, my Knights followers."

Feeling ashamed, she cleared her throat and apologized to the two girls—

Then she turned towards Kamito.

"Kazehaya Kamito."

"Me?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side, seemingly puzzled. Claire aside, he certainly did not recall doing anything to be kept an eye on by the Knights.

"It seems you lost completely to the Wolverine Class in this morning's match."

"What?! As I thought, you're trying to pick a fight."

Claire stood up with a clank sound.

"That's not it. Th...the truth is Kazehaya Kamito, you—"

Ellis shook her head, and rapidly blushed and bashfully looked down.

"Hn, what's the matter?"

"So, err..."

"Come on, Captain, it is embarrassing so you better say it quickly."

"You're always so resolute but at times like this you are too slow."

Reishia and Rakka were whispering behind Ellis.

"However, such a timid captain is also cute."


"Ahh, it's like that, it's almost like a girl who has fallen in love—"

"D...don't make fun of me! I...I am really not thinking about such an insolent person!"

Ellis shouted with her face turned bright red.

After that she coughed to cover their whispers up.

"It is certain that I've gotten a better opinion of you because of that day's case, but ... that's all. The one I admire is a pure strong female like the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}. It's most certainly not a boy!"

"..."

With half-opened eyes, Kamito gazed at Ellis, who informed him about that in a cold voice.

(...I'm sorry, your admired female is an illusion.)

"Unh, wh..what's with that look!"

Ellis thrust her sword at the back of Kamito's neck.

"Is it that strange for me to be admiring Ren Ashbell?"

"...N...no, that's not it!"

Kamito panicked and shook his head.

At the event three years ago— the dance of the participant, left a strong impression on the girls of the same generation. Henceforth, many princess maidens, who aimed to become elementalists aspired to be like her.

It seemed that Ellis was not an exception either.

"That's enough, quickly state your business."


"Shut up, I know that!"

After turning and retorting to Claire, Ellis stared at Kamito again.

"Kazehaya Kamito—"

"Wh...what..."

"Err, what I'm saying is, ..."

Ellis seemed nervous as her hand was lightly trembling.
[[Image:STnBD V02 069.jpg|thumb]]

By the way, she didn’t move the sword from his neck, and he couldn’t help but feel nervous.

"What I'm saying is... I...I want you!"

"..."

—Silence fell upon the cafe.

Claire and the others, even Rakka and Reshia, were dumbfounded.

For a while, time froze.

"Wh...wh...wh..wh..."

Claire was the first one who opened her mouth.

Her face was bright red and her mouth opened and closed repeatedly.

"...!?"

Ellis widened her eyes, seemingly taken aback and shook her head.

"Th...that's not it… my words… just now… I didn’t mean it!"


"Wh-wh-what other possible meaning could those words have!?"

"I wanted to say, th...that—"

After Ellis took a deep breath,

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you join my team?"

"Eh?"

Kamito did not believe his ears when those unexpected words came out.

(...Ellis and me, a team?)

"What did you say?"

Claire and Rinslet were also staring in wonder.

Rakka and Reshia saw Ellis turn bright red, and were grinning.

"...Wait! Wh-what do you mean?"

"I...I meant just that. Kazehaya Kamito, I welcome you to my team. Because you defeated that militarized spirit, I have no doubt in your ability."

Ellis replied fast and quickly averted her eyes, trying not to look at him.

It seemed her true intention was to scout Kamito.

But with a sword held at the back of his neck, rather than being scouted, it looked like he was being threatened.

Ellis' results were straight at the top of class. If Kamito joined this team, in all likelihood his chances to obtain the entry qualifications for the Blade Dance would greatly increase.



However—

"Ellis, I—"

"No way, this is my contracted spirit after all!"

The one who interrupted Kamito's reply with a shout was Claire.

She stood up from the chair and tightly grabbed the sleeves of Kamito's uniform.

"Claire, you..."

Kamito turned around and looked down only for his eyes to met her clear ruby pupils.

Claire's had an anxious look in her eyes.

It was likely that she was not aware of it, but she was staring at him pleadingly.

(I see, she's...)

It seemed that being betrayed by her sister, Rubia, caused a deep wound to her heart.

After being abandoned by someone, it could not be helped that things like that frightened her.

That was why she kept to hersself. She could not depend on anyone.

Because she was afraid of being betrayed again—

"..."

Kamito took a sharp breath and scratched his head.

(...Being shown such a face...)


With a bitter smile, he gently placed his hand on top of Claire's head.

His reply was obvious from the beginning. She did not have to be worried.

"Ellis, sorry, but I am her contracted spirit. I don't intend to change teams."

"...Kamito!?"

Claire, taken aback, raised her face and widened her eyes.

"...I see."

Ellis tightly bit her lips.

However, the next moment, she had already returned to her cold expression.

"...I understand. I'm sorry for asking something unreasonable so suddenly."

"No, me too ... thank you for inviting me."

Kamito apologized and Ellis was a little bashful.

"I...it's alright. Y...you are such a kind guy, that’s why I—"

"Uh?"

Ellis seemed to have said something, but her voice was so soft he didn't catch it.

"Ahh, you've been rejected."

"It's alright, the captain has us."

"Y...you guys... I...it's not like that!"

Ellis turned bright red and shouted at her two comrades, who were grinning teasingly her.


"H...hey, Kamito..."

"Hn?"

While still holding Kamito's uniform sleeve, she tried to shyly say something else.

"What's the matter?"

"...Th...thank...you."

"...? What?"

She told him something, but her voice was too soft, so he could not hear her well.

It was unusual for Claire to be so hesitant.

"S...so... erm..."

And at that moment. Bam! The door opened—

"Is the licentious… no— Kazehaya Kamito here?!"

An academy student came running into the salon café.

She seemed to have come here in a great hurry so she was out of breath.

(Wait, it seems like she was about to say licentious beast just now...)

"I'm here."

Kamito raised his hand and the girl felt relieved as she panted heavily.

"The academy director is calling for you. So, go over there immediately."

"Greyworth?"



===Part 3===

At a corner of the Academy Town that was part of Areishia Spirit Academy…

At a table of a coffee lounge, which greatly stuck out on the outside, a strange set of customers was sitting.

One of them was a black haired girl dressed in a jet-black dress.

Darkness spirit Restia. The perpetrator who caused the militarized spirit from the imperial capital to go mad and brought great damage to Academy Town a week ago.

And the other one was a thin boy with darkish skin and steel-like hard black hair.

He had good looks, but there was something strange about him. It was the pair of red eyes glowing slightly.

The two of them should have drawn a lot of attention, but not only did no one around them pay them any note, it seemed that nobody could even perceive their presence.

"—So, I just have to steal that specific sealed material from the academy's library?"

"Yeah, because of the incident the other day, I am unable to get close to the academy."

"Tch, how troublesome, what do we need such a thing for again?"

The boy spat onto the ground. However, no one found fault in that.


"That thing sleeping in Mine Town is a fairly hard problem. The seal of the highest level Ordesia army spans several layers. With only the releasing rituals, how many months would it take to wake it up—"

"Hmm, the disposed militarized spirit— how are you going to collect that thing?"

"You do not have the qualifications to know her prediction, Jio."

The girl in black clothing gently shook her head. The boy clicked his tongue.

"Because you toyed with the militarized spirit of the imperial capital as you pleased, it became more difficult. Is it an order to steal it?"

"Isn't it fine, I could observe his current strength."

"I guess. Honestly though, I am disappointed. Is that all he can do? I expected more from Ren Ashbell, the strongest blade dancer."

"He has not yet woken up."

"I hope so. Even if I beat that now-cowardly guy, there would be no point in that."

"Ah, you have the confidence you can defeat him?"

"I'll beat him. And then I'll prove it. That this Jio Inzagi is the true successor of the Demon King."

The boy's red lips curved into a smirk. On his whole body, countless numbers of spirit seals started shining.

Just like the demon king Solomon he had— '''the seals that carried seventy-two spirits'''.

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter4 Draft

2013-06-21T08:37:18Z

Asiorx22: Created page with "==Chapter 4: Cat Fight== ===Part 1=== "Neeveeer, I won't accept this!" It was evening when Claire's angry voice reverberated throughout the Raven Class dormitory. "I've al..."

==Chapter 4: Cat Fight==

===Part 1===

"Neeveeer, I won't accept this!"

It was evening when Claire's angry voice reverberated throughout the Raven Class dormitory.

"I've already had to concede to her joining the team temporarily because of the guarding quest, but—"

She brushed one of her red twin-tails aside in irritation.

"Why is this girl in one room with us?!"

She faced Fianna, who was elegantly drinking a cup of black tea, and pointed at her angrily.
[[Image:STnBD V02 099.jpg|thumb]]

Turning away frostily, the princess muttered with a sigh.

"What a small room, I would have never thought that a noble could live in a place like this."

"Sh...Shut up! If you have complaints, why don't you take it up to the academy director?"

"What I am talking about is how messy the room is. Can't you catch the sarcasm of the remark?"

"Grh... I...It's usually properly tidied up!"

Kamito sighed exasperatedly. These two have been at it for some time already and he was at his wits' end.

"Hey, Kamito-kun, don't you think so too?"

"Err, well..."

Casting a glance at Claire who was on the verge of tears, Kamito tried to answer vaguely—


"That reminds me, Ren Ashbell's true identity—"

"Ahh, it's certainly messy. Claire should at least clean it up."

Claire bit her lips with teary eyes.

(...Sorry, Claire. I'm unable to defy the princess.)

Somehow, the girl knew about Kamito’s past.

He intended to question her, but that would mean that Claire would also learn his secret.

This princess seemed to have no intention of sharing it with Claire, but had been threatening him with leaking that name since a while ago.

Feeling like a cat on hot bricks, Kamito tiredly sighed.

While the two stared each other down, Est played with Scarlet using a green foxtail.

It seemed that Claire realized that she was no match for Fianna in a battle of words and decided to change the subject.

"Besides, why should it be my room?!"

"Because you're the only person in the dormitory, who occupies an entire room by herself."

"It's not only me, and not just two of us either. Including Est, it's three people."

"Aren't you treating me as your slave spirit? By the dormitory rules, spirits are not counted as roommates."

"Uh, that's true, but..."



"Well, with all of us, I guess the room will be cramped for sure, so I'll leave."

To begin with, Kamito was supposed to live in a hut outside.

Moreover, it would do no good if rumors about a guy sleeping in a girl's room were to spread.

"Hey, what are you going to do when you leave? Do you plan to sleep outdoors?"

"For the time being, a tent will suffice. I'll manage one way or another."

Claire grabbed the back of Kamito's neck as he tried to leave the room.

"What?"

"No."

"Huh?"

"Don’t go! Because, If you go..."

Claire looked downwards and tightly bit her lip.

"Who will do the cooking and the laundry?!"

"...Err, you do it."

"No way! After all, the meals you make are delicious..."

It seemed that Claire, who used to live on canned food, had her stomach held captive by Kamito's home cooking.

"Besides, if you were to leave, you and Est would be all alone. That's no good. Rinslet and Ellis may come after you. No, it's not just them. After all, there are many girls targeting you."


"If I'm being targeted...Est and I can fend off most of them."

"T...That's not what I meant... Stupid."

Claire released his collar.

"Y...You are mine after all. I'll not give you to anyone."

"...Even if you say that..."

Kamito quietly sighed—

"Hey, what do you mean by yours?"

Fianna muttered in soft tone.

"Claire Rouge, what kind of relationship do you have with Kamito-kun?"

"Wh...What kind of relationship...? That's..."

Claire bashfully blushed,

"A...A sl...slave and a master relationship!"

"Wh...What did you say...!?"

Fianna looked at Kamito with astonishment.

"D...Don't tell me, you have such an insane relationship..."

"Wait, don't say something that'll cause misunderstandings!"

"Hm...hmm, besides, what kind of relationship do you have with Kamito? Despite being a freshly admitted student, aren't you being very intimate?"


Claire was the one asking questions this time.

In response Fianna coughed slightly—

"Me? I'm... his little sister."

"Eh!"

"...? A sister, I..."

"Hey, listen, the truth is, that Ren Ashbell's true identity—"

"Ye...Yes, she is my little sister, my little sister!"

Fianna murmured the magic words and Kamito nodded right away.

"Li...Little sister... I see, so you had a little sister."

For some reason Claire patted her chest.

"However, I'm his stepsister."

"Stepsister!?"

"That's right, furthermore, a naughty stepsister."

"A nau...naughty stepsister!?"

Claire's face turned bright red in a split second.

(...What on earth is she imagining?)

"Here's a hint, a stepsister can marry her brother, right, onii-sama ♪"

Unexpectedly, Fianna tightly pressed her large breasts into him.


The spontaneous action and the pleasant softness startled Kamito.

"Wh...Wh...Wh...? Id...Idiot, you brute pervert!"

"Ouch, wait, it's a misunderstanding, stop—"

For some reason, tears welled up in Claire's eyes as she hit Kamito with her whip. Pishi! Pishi!

"Hey, what are you doing to Kamito-kun!"

Phishi!—Fianna grabbed Claire's arm.

"Uh, wh...what!"

"Kamito-kun isn't your slave."

"Yeah, that's right."

Kamito nodded.

"He is mine."

"No, I'm not yours either, you know?"

Kamito retorted with half-lidded eyes.

(...Good grief, I wonder why there are so many people like that around me.)

"Too bad. Kamito is my slave spirit, after all..."

"After all?"

As Fianna asked back, Claire's cheeks turned slight red.

"After all, err... I even...did the spirit contract ritual with Kamito."


"..."

Fianna opened her mouth.

She turned to Kamito, with her neck cracking ominously.

"Hey, is that true? Kamito-kun?"

She asked with a devilish smile.

"No, that's..."

Honestly, he was getting embarrassed just by recalling that time.

He turned bright red and looked down, which was roughly the same reaction Claire's had shown.

(If it was that embarrassing, then don't mention it)— was what he thought, but...

After witnessing such a reaction from both of them, Fianna calmly muttered.

"I see... You kissed."

Her tone was surprisingly calm, but it concealed something dreadful.

...She was angry. No, she was furious.

(Wait, why does she have such a reaction in the first place?)

Seeing Kamito’s pensive expression, Fianna quickly stood up, faced Claire, whose face was still bright red, and sharply thrust her index finger at her.

"Let's have a match, Claire Rouge!"

"A match?"


"Yes, a match, and the winner will get Kamito-kun’s love."

"No...There is no way I’ll do such a thing! To begin with, Kamito is originally mine!"

"I've been trying to tell you, that’s not true..."

Kamito tried to cut into their conversation, but the two ignored him.

"If you win, I'll leave this room. Then, you can do all the perverted things you'd like with Kamito-kun, just the two of you."

"I...I...I won't do such things!"

"Ahh, then, is doing it by yourself more to your liking?"

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

Claire blushed again and steam started rising from her head.

(...She was thoroughly toyed with.)

As a sheltered and innocent ojou-sama such remarks took her completely of balance.

"Or perhaps, you have no confidence in yourself? And just don't want me to take away Kamito-kun?"

Fianna’s further provocations were enough to make Claire snap.

"Guu... A...As you wish! Come forth, scorching hot hellcat!"

She summoned Scarlet and gripped the elemental waffe— Flame Tongue tightly.

"Hey, do you plan to destroy the dormitory?! The people from the Sylphid Knights will dash here if you start anything!"

"It's alright, because I'll settle it before they come."


"That's completely not alright!"

Claire-san, her eyes were serious. ...She was determined.

"Don't be in such a hurry, Claire Rouge."

However, Fianna waved her hand with a composed expression.

"What, now that it has come to this, are you begging for your life?"

"I didn't say anything about having a match in blade dance. I wonder if trying to settle everything with violence is something a real noble will do. Did all the nutrition supposed to go to your head go to your breasts—"

Fianna lowered her eyes a little and smiled.

"—I guess that's not the case."

"Burn all to nothing, red hot inferno ball!"

"Wait, Claire! Stop the spirit magic!"

Kamito hurried and held her hands behind her back as Claire tried to summon a fireball.

At their best, they were hovering near the bottom of the inter-school ranking. If they caused any more problems, «Team Scarlet»'s score would drop to the very end.

"Guu...then, what kind of match will we have?!"

"Yeah—"

Placing her index finger at her chin, Fianna slowly looked around the room.

—Then, her gaze stopped on a mountain of canned food, piled up in the kitchen.


Kamito noticed that her eyes started sparkling.

"Then, the first one who satisfies Kamito, wins— How's that?"

"Sa...Satisfies him...!?"

Claire's face turned bright red.

"No...no way, how could I! After all, I’m still inexperienced... that's not it, su...such a thing is definitely not allowed!"

"I don't know what kind of perverted thoughts you're having, but what I'm talking about is a culinary showdown?"

"Culinary!?"

Claire froze.

It was natural. The first time he met her, she was eating only canned food.

She couldn't possibly cook something decent.

"No way, I can't accept such a duel!"

"Ah, offering a meal for a spirit to enjoy itself is the same type of «Kagura» as a blade dance, a skill of a splendid elementalist. Isn't it also among the academy's core subjects?"

"Th...That's..."

"Or, do you lack confidence? ...Just like something else."

Frianna looked down again.

At that moment, the sound of something snapping was heard.

"I...I get it..."


"Uh?"

"I...I accept it, this culinary match!"

Claire faced Fianna and sharply thrust her finger at her as she accepted the match.

At that moment, the princess let out an impish smile.

(By the way, Claire, she knows that you can’t cook!)

===Part 2===

Just like that, the culinary showdown between them began.

The two beautiful, apron wearing, girls were standing at opposite sides of the kitchen. 

It was the common kitchen at the first floor of the Raven Class dormitory. It seemed that as long as one was a boarding student, they were free to use all the ingredients available.

Est, who was the judge, sat well behaved at the table and was tightly grasping a spoon.

Nervous about Scarlet, who was supposed to take care of the leftovers, Kamito kept pacing around the back of the kitchen.

(...Frankly, Claire has no chance of winning.)

He had never eaten Claire's home cooking before, but, in any case, she was the ojou-sama who got through with mostly canned food for her meals since she came to the academy.


"Ehh, canned tuna, mackerel tuna... and I splurge a little and also open the canned crab."

While humming, Claire arranged the ingredients. Kamito had doubts about approving her combination of canned food, but, for now, it looked edible, so he just sighed in relief.

"Fruits are easy to eat after being cut."

Seeing Claire slowly take out a kitchen knife, Kamito interrupted her.

"Are you alright with that? Don't cut your finger."

"I'm fine, after all, I have been always watching you cooking."

"I see... Hn, so you were looking?"

"Idi... Th...That's not it, I didn’t mean something like that!"

"Waah, it's dangerous, don't swing the kitchen knife!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bun!* Kamito expertly dodged all the slashes except one that grazed the tip of his nose.

"Hmm, be...because you said something stupid!"

Claire's face, up till her ears, was bright red when she turned away.

"Putting that aside, what on earth are you making?"

"Seafood curry, the one that you often make. Because I like that."

"Eh, you don't normally use canned tuna and canned mackerel for seafood curry, you know?"

It seemed that she just tossed in the ingredients she thought he used to prepare the dish.


"Sh...shut up... It's not like there's a reason to remember what each fish is called like. It's the same as not remembering the face of the partner whom you danced with at the ball."

"...That's terrible. Do remember that."

No matter what her character may be like, she was an uncommonly beautiful girl. Kamito had no doubts that there would be as many young nobles as there were stars in the sky, that would be charmed by her lovely looks and ask her for a dance.

"...At any rate, Claire, why are you wearing a dress?"

"What, I was once the daughter of a Duke too. Before my lands were seized, that is. So I do at least wear dresses... Or perhaps, you think I look strange in it?"

"No, I just thought it suits you a lot."

"...Wh...Wh...What are you saying, idiot."

Hearing Kamito’s honest words Claire turned red increasingly fast and looked downwards.

She then raised her head slightly and glanced at Kamito with an upward glance—

"Hey, do you re...really... think I look good?"

"Yea, I think that your red hair looks pretty with that pure white dress.... I don't want to admit it, but honestly you are prettier than any princess."

"...!"

"But, when wearing a dress, it really stands out just how small your breasts are. Using paddings there to make it less obvious is the only—"


Then, as a feeling of doom washed over him, Kamito shut up.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogo*... The kitchenware was clattering.

...It seemed that he stepped on a landmine, again.

"Ah...no... I'm sorry."

"...Th...Th...That's right. Unless I use paddings, I can't even wear a dress, right?"

"Hey, Claire, why are you holding such a thing? That's for peeling vegetables, it's not something you use on people... owaa, wai—"

===Part 3===

"Kuu, I can't believe the thing could be used this way..."

Cursing Kamito turned around to look at Friana’s corner.

There were numerous scars, which looked like cat-scratches, on his cheeks.

"Despite having no cooking skills whatsoever, she completely mastered using kitchenware as a weapon."

It looked like the day Claire's elemental waffe will turn into a peeler was extremely close.

(Turn into bonito flakes...? What a terribly unpleasant future.)

These were the thoughts that visited him as he held his cheeks, which were prickling after being scratched.

"—Hmm, you two are on pretty good terms."


Fianna noted with half-lidded eyes as she raised her face from the chopping board.

She seemed a little displeased.

"Is that what it looks like, Princess? Your sight is surprisingly bad."

"Not everything you see is the truth. A senior of mine used to tell me that."

"Those are words of a true princess maiden from the «Divine Ritual Institute», I will say."

Kamito shrugged and stood beside Fianna.

She was slicing a carrot with a nice tapping rhythm.

As expected, because she was a «Kagura» expert, who pleased spirits, her skills were perfect.

"You seem full of confidence."

“Of course. Even thought the ritual of offering high ranking spirits meals was held only once a month, during my stay at the Institute, the food I made always left them satisfied and they peacefully returned to Astral Zero.”

"Really? That's amazing."

Kamito was honestly impressed. Her words left him greatly anticipating the meal she was preparing. But, because appearance was more important than taste for the dishes offered to spirits, he wondered if it would differ from human’s food.

"By the way, what was that one bottle you poured into the pot just now?"

"Capsicum. I'm using it as a subtle seasoning."

"I see."

The soup in the pot certainly became red and was making the ingredients subtle to see.


However, did subtle seasoning generally have such a meaning?

"...Is that okay?"

"Yea, it has such a vibrant and pretty color, doesn't it?"

...That remark made him somehow anxious, but he gave up on understanding why.

Fianna nodded, seemingly satisfied, and looked at the chopping board again.

While listening to the rhythmic tapping sound, Kamito gazed at Fianna's profile.

She had black eyes, long eyelids and snow white skin.

Her hair, which reached down to her waist, was also black and she currently had it tied up so it won’t interfere with her work.

The nape of her neck, which was now open, seemed mysteriously erotic.

Kamito couldn’t help but be charmed by that mature look her face held at the moment.

(Just tying her hair up was enough to greatly change the impression she gave.)

Seeing her like that, stuck a cord in his mind.

(...This girl, as I thought, I’ve saw her before.)

Despite the fact, they just met, the girl somehow knew of Kamito's true identity.

(But, I don't have any princess acquaintances...)

It irritated him greatly, that he couldn’t remember her despite having a feeling he knew her.

He continued staring at her intently.

"Hey, Kamito-kun? Why have you been visually raping me all this time?"


Fianna turned towards him with a slightly troubled look.

"Ah, no... Visually raping!?"

“I mean things like making this fallen princess lose consciousness only to capture her and then train her as your personal slave. Kamito-kun, you are free to have any perverted delusions you want, but… well, honestly, it doesn't really feel good to be used as an adolescent boy's erotic fantasy.

"What kind of person do you think I am?"

"Ah, I would like it if you didn’t take a princess maiden, who served the spirit lords at the «Divine Ritual Institute», lightly. I can see right through you easily, you know."

Having said that, Fianna drew her face close and gently placed her hand onto Kamito's forehead.

The sensation of her cool soft skin startled him.

"...Eh? No way, a nude maid, how shameful..."
[[Image:STnBD V02 115.jpg|thumb]]

"What's shameful is your mind!"

Kamito shouted indignantly.

Besides, what did she mean by nude maid? Was it naked apron nude or…? He was a little curious.

But any other thoughts on the matter were interrupted by—

"Kamito, it's about the meat's grilling adjustment, do you like it medium good or well-done?"

"Ahh, I prefer medium... Owa!"

Turning around, he saw Claire standing right behind him with a smile on her face and a fireball floating in her hand.



"Yo...Yo...You are the wo...wo...worst, something like nude maid, you're the worst!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogo......!*

"Wait, it's a false accusation— Fianna!?"

He asked for help, but the princess had already left the scene with an impish smile.

"Tu...turn to cinders together with your insolent delusions, you pervert!"

The fireball Claire released blew Kamito and a part of the kitchen up.

===Part 4===

Just like that, 30 minutes passed.

The food the two of them were cooking was finished and the judges were lined before the table.

Est, Scarlet and the worn out Kamito, were seated side by side.

The order in which the participants will serve meals they prepared was decided by drawing lots. Claire will be the first.

"...Ah, I have to at least ask, what is this?"

A black lump of something was laid down on Kamito’s plate.

He wandered if that was the cinders thing Claire always talked about.

"If I remember it right, it was called seafood curry... right? That was what you called it."

"...I...It looks a little overcooked."


The thing before him was completely carbonized... It was no longer about the taste.

"Ehh, is it bad if I don't eat this?

"I...It's not about appearances, what's important is the taste, right?!"

"It's awfully bitter."

Est, who sampled a mouthful, muttered that expressionlessly.

"...Est, you betrayed me."

"Isn't that obvious? Est, you've done well."

"Wh...What, Scarlet is eating it eagerly."

"That's because it's a fire spirit. It probably doesn't even have taste buds."

That burnt-black lump was completely devoured by Scarlet, but Kamito had a feeling that rather than eating something, the hellcat was incinerating waste. After finishing, it puffed out a small fireball.

"...Isn't Est a spirit too?! I don't think she understands what delicate cuisine tastes like."

"Use of abusive language towards a judge. Claire looses a point."

Expressionlessly, Est raised up a point-deduction card.

"Guu..."

"After the black thing, there's no need to even taste what I prepared. My victory is obvious."

Fianna placed her hand near her mouth to cover a wide smile.

Well, it looked like the winner was already decided, but they had to at least eat and compare their cooking.

...*Gutsu*, *gutsu*, *gutsu*, *gutsu*, *gutsu*.<ref>simmering sfx.</ref>

They saw her carrying the dish over—

"Th..That's..!"

Kamito was at a loss of words. Est’s eyes were unusually wide, Scarlet purred.

It seemed to be a boiling...stew.

Its color was red. Redder than the last time Kamito saw it. So red, nothing could be seen under its surface.

"Ehh, what is... this?"

"This is the Ordesia royal family's special, the white stew."

"How is it white!?"

The surface was completely crimson. Suddenly he felt a dreadful smell invade his nostrils.

It was because of the subtle seasoning she used just now, Kamito was certain of that.

"Wh...What is this?! There's no way anyone could eat it!"

Claire pushed her own concerns aside to grumble. ...Well, at least she understood Fianna’s feelings.

"Ahh, the daughter of the Elstein family is complaining without even trying it."

The princess brushed her glossy black hair behind her ear and looked down at Claire.

"This isn't fair. I doubt that's something nobles, who are supposed to serve as an example to the masses, should do."

"Uggg....!"


Unfairness aside, Fianna also did not eat Claire's burnt-black thing, but the red haired girl seemed to not have noticed it.

Or perhaps, a better way to put it was that she was easily reeled up when someone brought up her status as an ojou-sama. More so, when it involved her family name or her pride as a noble.

"I...I get it, it's alright if I eat a mouthful of that, right? I'm good with spicy things, after all."

The moment Claire nodded, Fianna let a wicked smile cross her face.

"Hey, Claire, that's seriously dangerous—"

Not giving Kamito time to stop her, she put the spoon into her mouth.

And immediately after that...

"Hyguu—!?"

......*Patan*.

She collapsed onto the table.

"Cl...Claire, are you alright?!"

Kamito worriedly tried to help her get up, but the girl’s vision was spinning and she couldn’t stand.

"...Sh...She's completely knocked out."

"It's my victory."

Fianna placed her hand on her waist and smiled.

"Err, it was that kind of match?"


"Was it not?"

Fianna looked surprised.

At that moment he realized that the conditions for winning the match were not set.

"But you said all your rituals left the spirits satisfied, right?"

"Yeah, just a mouthful of my food was enough to make them return to Astral Zero completely content."

"Uh, I don’t think that’s why they went back."

"A cooking that even destroys spirit's sense of taste..."

Est muttered, unable to stop herself from trembling.

===Part 5===

(Good grief... what a troublesome day.)

Since the end of the match, an hour had passed and at the moment Kamito was using the shower installed in the bathroom.

Because Fianna said she would shower later, he ended up entering the bathroom first without any reservation.

By the way, Claire was currently in the room being nursed by Scarlet. The girl was, most likely, a groaning mess, unable to even get up from the bed. Kamito thought she was pitiful, but there was nothing he could do to help her.

It was also time for Est to go to bed. Because she couldn’t return to Astral Zero, she needed another way to rest, that’s why she ended up sleeping half a day.


"At any rate" —Kamito muttered showering.

(Fianna Ray Ordesia... huh?)

She was the second princess of the Ordesia Empire and the second Queen candidate next to the Calamity Queen— Rubia Elstein. How did she know Kamito's true identity? What was she aiming for? Why did she approach him? He didn’t know.

(And it doesn't seem like she's going to expose my true identity.)

Rather than seriously threatening him, Kamito thought that it was more like she was having fun with his reactions.

(...What on earth is going on?)

When Kamito tried to stop the spirit device shower…

"Hey, Kamito-kun, I'm coming in."

A voice sounded from the dressing room.

"Hn, Ah—"

He replied.

"Wh...What!?"

Kamito turned around worriedly.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gararaa*— The door opened.

And there stood—

"...What's the matter? You look so surprised."


A princess with a bath towel wrapped around her body.

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

For a moment Kamito felt panic overtake him.

"Fi...Fianna, what are you doing?!"

"Uh?"

The princess tilted her head slightly and gave him a lovely smile.

She had a slender white neck, a slim narrow waist and large swelling breasts. He also thought that her legs that could be seen through the slit of the bath towel were attractive like that of no other 16 years old girl.

Kamito was dumbfounded—

"What, even for me, doing this thing is... embarrassing, you know?"
She muttered bashfully with her knees touching each other.

Slowly, Fianna let her towel fall to the ground.

"...!?"

This instantly caused Kamito to cover his eyes, but…

"A sw...swimsuit...?"

Fianna was wearing a two piece black swimsuit beneath the towel.

It was a water festival swimsuit and had thin veils attached to the breast area and a pareo wrapped around her waist.

She had both nice tight legs and a narrow waist.


The slight flush gave her an even more enticing look making her beautiful like a descending goddess.

Kamito was instantly drawn to her—

"Eh, what's ... the matter?"

"Wh...What?"

"Sh...Showing my bare skin to a boy... Kamito-kun, you are the first one, you know."

Fianna's voice slightly trembled as she embarrassedly muttered.

"Wh...Why...?"

Kamito gulped.

...He did not understand the point of doing such a thing?

As if seeing his doubt—

"Hey, sit."

Fianna gently touched his shoulders with her hands and made Kamito settle down with his back turned to her.

The feeling of her cool soft hands made his heart beat faster.

"Fianna, what are you trying to—"

Fuyon.

"...!"

Suddenly, he felt something soft touch his back.

The unexpected sensation startled Kamito..


The girl coughed—

"A...a princess like me is helping you wash. Be honored."

She began moving a bubble-foaming body towel over Kamito's back.

"Er, wait a little, why are you—"

Kamito was very confused and still couldn't comprehend what was happening with him.

However, if the boy turned around, he would end up looking directly at Fianna's seductive swimsuit, so he didn't move.

"Be...Behave yourself, do you plan on making me more embarrassed?"

She asked him in a sulky tone and started scrubbing his back stronger.

"Ho...How is it? Does it feel good?"

"Well, even if you ask something like that..."

Truth be told, it felt good.

But with a cute girl so close, there was no way it could be any different.

However, he felt like he would lose something important if he replied honestly.

"Yo..You're surprisingly stubborn... Hurry up and get ensnared by me!"

"Ensnared!?"

Funyu. Funyun.

Kamito thought he heard something really dangerous just now, but the sensation of her breasts rubbing against him served as a good distraction making his mind hazy and taking his thoughts off the matter.


(This is... bad...!)

Kamito, who was since young age brought up at the «Instructional School» as an assassin, never trained to resist seduction. There were also the matters of him being a kid unable to be attracted to females at that time and his contracted spirit keeping all approaching women completely away from him

Now, however, he was at the age when his hormones were acting up.

Already, Kamito was on the verge of losing his reason to the sensation of her breasts, pressing into him through her thin swimsuit.

"H..Hey... where are you touching!?"

"Be...Behave yourself or I'll tell that girl about your true identity."

"Th...That's right! Why do you know about Ren Ashbell—"

Kamito was about to turn around and ask her, but at that moment…

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bam!*—The bathroom door suddenly opened.

"...!?"

And there was—

"C...Claire...?"

Claire Rouge. She was looking downwards and her shoulders were trembling slightly.

"Kuu, I can't believe you've already recovered..."

Fianna bit her lips tightly.

"Yo...Yo...You guys, wh...wh...wh..what are you doing?"


"You...you're mistaken, this is, err—"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogogo...!*

Claire's red hair reared up like a raging fire.

Kamito resigned himself to being burned again.

"..."

Claire had already raised her whip ready to strike him when she suddenly stopped.

Her ruby eyes held fierce fire as she sternly glared at Fianna.

The princess’ expression was composed despite the situation. Pitoo— she pressed her breasts against Kamito's back stronger.

"Fianna!? Wh...why are you adding fuel to—"

Kamito anxiously tried to separate himself from her, but was tightly held in place.

"I'm now washing Kamito-kun's back. Could you please not bother us?"

"Kuu, yo...you guys..."

(Ah... I'm so dead.)

Strangely enough, at that moment, as he closed his eyes in preparation for what was to come, rather than fear he felt calm resignation.

However Claire’s next action took him completely by surprise.

She didn’t blow him away with the Flame Tongue like she usually did, rather…

"I...I'll... also wash your back."

"Eh?" "Huh?"


She intently glared at the dumbfounded duo as she informed them.

"I mean, I'm also entering the bath!"

===Part 6===

[[Image:STnBD V02 004-005.jpg|thumb]]
"Ho...How is it, Kamito? Does it feel good?"

"Ah, I'm the one who's making you feel good, right?"

(Wa...Wait, what... kind of situation is this!?)

Three minutes was all it took to completely overwhelm the boy.

...Kamito wondered if he was having a nasty nightmare. However, these sensations were completely real.

He ended up being covered in bubble-foam with two beautiful girls on both sides in a bathroom originally designed for one person only.

Furthermore, Claire wasn't even wearing a swimsuit. Her naked body was just wrapped in a towel.

Her vivid crimson red hair looked pretty on her fine milky-white skin.

She had a petite build and slender proportions.

That lovely fairy-like body of hers was more than charming enough despite the lack in the breasts department.

Through the slit of her towel red marks could be seen on her thigh. Those were left by the leather whip she always wore wreathed around her leg. These marks were strangely captivating.

Kamito earnestly tried not to look at the two of them, but because the room was small, they ended up rubbing against each other with every slight movement. That ended up further boosting his imagination.

"Kyaa...hey, what are you touching, idiot!"

"Ah, if you move like that, you'll rub my front...Hyauu."

Every twist of his body earned him similar words.

(Give me a break...)

If boys his age heard this, they might think it was the Shangri-La everyone dreamed of, but for him… It felt like he was sitting on a bed with sticking nails.

...Why was this happening, he was not sure.

Maybe it was because of the strong rivalry Claire had with Fianna. She blurted those words out in the heat of the moment and because of her pride couldn’t back out later. For Kamito thought, that was not a good enough excuse.

He should be getting out from here as quickly as possible, but if he moved even a little, they would end up directly rubbing their skin with each other, so even if he wanted to, he couldn't do a thing.

"Hey, I'm the one who's making you feel good, right? Say that it feels good!"

"Ouchhh, you're scrubbing too hard."

"Eh, it hurts that much? ... Wow, your back is full of scares."

"Ah, that's because I've been always hurt by a certain somebody."

"I...I'm sorry..."

Kamito groaned at Claire’s awkward apology.


"—No, That was joking. Those are old wounds from the past."

He received these injuries at the time when he still called himself {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}.

"...Hn? Fianna, what are you looking at?"

—Claire frowned at the princess.

"I...it's nothing."

"Is there something wrong with my spirit seal?"

Since a while ago Fianna had been constantly sending it glances.

"Di...didn't I say that it's nothing!"

Fianna let out in a flustered voice unlike her usual self and quickly averted her eyes.

Claire stared at her, puzzled by the strange reaction—

"...It’s quite unusual, where you have yours."

The swimsuit Fianna wore allowed Claire to get a look at the princess’ seal which was at her cleavage.

"You're a holy spirit user, right?"

"Yea... that's it."

Fianna answered with a slightly stiff expression.

"What kind of spirit is yours? Summon it and show it to us."

Kamito was interested in that too. As teammates participating in the same quest, they should at least have a grasp of the type of spirits they used. It was natural for a team to know that about each other.


But for some reason, Fianna turned away with a seemingly displeased look.

"I'll show it to you when necessary. An elementalist doesn't thoughtlessly summon her contracted spirit."

Certainly, there were also elementalists with that kind of thinking among the academy students.

There was, after all, the possibility that their spirits would be seen by rivals, who could from their appearances deduce the summon’s attributes, weaknesses and so on.

On the other hand—

"If you don't communicate with your contracted spirit daily, there will be no trust between you two."

There were also people who thought like Claire and they made up the majority of the academy students.

Both opinions were reasonable, so neither could be called wrong, but…

For some reason, Claire’s words seemed to have gotten on Fianna's nerves.

"...You won't understand. Claire Rouge."

"...? Hey, what do you mean by that—"

"I'm getting out already."

Fianna muttered with an ice-cold voice and quickly stood up.

At that moment—

A faint noise reached Kamito’s ear.

It came from afar and normal humans would fail to hear it. The sound of metal clashing.

However, he, who once received training at the «Instructional School», caught it easily.


"Kamito, what's the matter?"

"There's a battle occurring within the academy—"

It might be a fellow academy student's duel. No, if that was the case, the Sylphid Knights would have immediately stopped it.

"I have a bad premonition."

That was a pure uneasiness— to be honest. His intuition as an elementalist, which was honed as he went through countless battles, was the only thing he wanted to believe did not dull with time.

(There's no doubt, there's a terrible fellow—)

He dashed out of the bathroom and nimbly put on his uniform. While he was doing it Est woke up, rubbing her eyelids and looking sleepy, in her pajamas. It seemed that this sword spirit also felt that something was going on.

"Kamito, there's something not good outside."

"Ahh, sorry for waking you up, Est."

"No, Kamito. I'm your sword."

Kamito grasped Est's small hand and the girl's body dissipated into light particles—

Only to be immediately reformed into the elemental waffe— Terminus Est.

He felt that her sword body was smaller and her radiance was also duller compared to usual, but she had just woken up, so it couldn't be helped.

Kamito jumped out from the room's window.

"Wa...Wait up... ahh, come on! Come, Scarlet!"

Claire called her contracted spirit and jumped out, chasing Kamito.

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1 Draft

2013-06-16T12:10:57Z

Asiorx22:

===Part 1===

"U...h..."

Areishia Spirit Academy, Raven Class dormitory.

In a room, illuminated by the morning sun, Kazehaya Kamito woke up.

(Hn, If I remember correctly, there will be a team battle in the morning.)

Usually, he would enjoy a bit more time dozing off, however, today he could not do so.

He had enough of being late and getting lectured by the teacher, Freya.

Planning to fold the sheets and get up, he reached out both hands, only to—

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyuu*.

Feel them touch something soft.

(What is this? It's small, tender... a little cold, but feels good.)

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyuu*. *Funyuu*.

Half awake, he played with the mysterious soft thing within the palms of his hands, when-

"You finally woke up, Kamito."

"..."

A voice made him freeze.


[[Image:STnBD V02 023.jpg|thumb]]
A beautiful, nude girl was sitting on his chest.

Her silver hair glittered in the morning sun. Her tight bare skin was white like milk.

She was small, but had all the necessary curves. The girl's figure was ideal.

She looked at Kamito with her mysterious violet eyes, her face expressionless.

"What's the matter? You're not going to play with my breasts anymore?"

"... Owaaaaa!"

Kamito straightened flustered and pointed at the beautiful girl before him,

"Wh...Wh...What are you doing!? Or rather why are you nude?!"

"I'm not nude, I'm properly wearing knee socks."

Straddling Kamito's abdomen she raised her knees to show him.

Startled by that, mysteriously erotic, action, Kamito looked away flustered.

"No, that's worse! Because compared to nude, knee socks nude is even, err, ...that!"

"Do you want me to take off my knee socks? Kamito... pervert."

While staying expressionless the beautiful silver haired girl bashfully rubbed her knees.

He did not understand why she reacted like that but, somehow, for this spirit, showing her bare feet seemed more embarrassing.

Yes. This snow fairy like beautiful girl was not human.

She was the Sword Spirit Est.



'She was an extremely powerful 'Sealed Spirit' that made a spirit contract with Kamito a few days ago.

But in her current condition, she could not exhibit even around a tenth of her original strength.

Within his sub consciousness, Kamito was rejecting the spirit contract with her and as a result, she became unable to return to Astral Zero where her real form was.

"A...Anyway, move aside Est!"

"Roger, Kamito."

Although Est seemed a little dissatisfied, she obediently moved.

She was squirming on the sheet. ...The sensation of her soft thighs was bad for his heart.

While scratching his bed hair in relief, Kamito finally got up and at that moment...

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chuu*.

"...!?"

It took him completely by surprise and lasted only several seconds. Then, their lips gently separated. His cheeks turned red.

"You... Wh...What are you doing all of a sudden?!"

"A wake up kiss, Kamito."

Est answered expressionlessly.

"Why do such—"



"Because it's unfair you only kissed Claire. Is it that you don't want to do it with me?"

Hearing Est's blaming tone, Kamito softened his voice.

"You s...saw, didn't you? ...That."

"Yes. Because, at that moment, I was also there."

"...Ah, come to think of it, that is right."

Kamito immediately recalled that moment and sighed heavily.

A week ago, that time when he fought the frenzied militarized spirit in Academy Town.

Est was certainly there— in the form of a sword of his elemental waffe.

It seemed that the moment, when Claire kissed the exhausted, due to the loss of energy, boy to wake him up, was being observed.

It was certain that it awakened him in one shot, however... now that he thought about it, it was also extremely embarrassing.

"I heard that a kiss is an official ritual of a spirit contract. In that case, Est too."

Est gently brushed her silver hair hanging by her cheeks.

She closed her eyes, pouted slightly pitifully her cherry-blossom colored lips and slowly brought her face near him.

"So, why did it turn out like this?"

"It's only natural and it’s within my rights. After all, I'm Kamito's contracted spirit."

"...!"

Although she was an extremely strong Sealed Spirit, whose power, was at the moment concealed, Est's current appearance was that of an ordinary cute girl.


After being approached like this, Kamito couldn’t stop his heart from beating faster, so instead he…

"He...Hey, Est..."

"Please close your eyes, master."

Est brought her face closer in one motion. Their noses were almost touching now and he could smell her sweat scent and feel the tickle of her breath.

Just before her rose bud like lips were about to touch his...

"Kamito, there's a team battle this morning, so be sure to make breakfast more luxurious than—"

"...!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bam!* The bathroom door was slammed opened and there—

"Wh...Wh...Wh...Wh..."

A beautiful red-haired girl stood. Her ruby-colored eyes were wide open as she took in the scene before her.

The girl’s body was wrapped in a bath towel which hugged her gentle curves tightly.

There was white steam rising from her, slightly cherry blossom colored after being washed, skin.

Her breasts were definitely of a child's size, but these small mounds were also plenty charming.

From the tips of her soaking wet red hair, drops of water were falling onto the floor.

On the bed, before her was nude… no, knee sock nude Est.

That is when time froze.


"Claire... Y...You're mistaken, this is...!"

The flustered boy chose that moment to stand up and try to explain.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogo...!*

"Wh...What are you doing, you perverted sex maniac——!"

"Guoo!"

A leather whip, used for training animals, came flying all of a sudden and landed a clean hit on his chin.

Kamito wrapped the bed sheets around his body as he fell to the floor.

"I...I've misjudged you, you licentious brute, beast!"

While holding onto the bath towel with one hand, the girl approached briskly the boy, squirming on the floor, and forcefully trampled on his head with the heel of her bare foot.

Claire Rouge.

She was his classmate and, by some twist of fate, Kamito was tied to her by a master-servant contract.

At least she had a ridiculously cute face and was a beautiful girl. She had however… an extremely brutal personality.

"Wh...What-What were you doing? Hey, just now, what were you doing with that Sword Spirit?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pishii, pishii, pishiii!*

"Hey, wait, stop ... guoo!"

It was a tempest of whips that relentlessly swung downwards. Her bristled red hair was just like blazing flames.

And during this constant onslaught of devastating whip blows…


Kamito saw it. He saw it fully.

"Wa...Wait...Claire, isn't that bad?"

And then, as he realized, what it was that he saw, he had to say it. For her own sake.

By the way, when it was about things like this, Kamito turned into a strangely honest and blunt person.

"...? What?"

Her clear ruby colored pupils sternly looked down on Kamito.

"Erm, this angle ... is err, very revealing."

"Eh?"

Claire blinked as she placed her foot on Kamito's head.

That is when she finally realized it.

Kamito lay on the floor, with her foot on his head, and through the opening of her towel he could see her exposed tight.

"...!"

Claire's whole body felt hot from embarrassment.

She fixed her bath towel in a fluster and her shoulders slightly trembled.

"Y...Y...You, you!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogogogo...!*

"Wa...Wait, this is a misunderstanding, relax! Err…I didn’t see all of it?"

It seemed like Kamito's frantic excuse—


"..."

Backfired.

"...Oh, I understand."

Claire informed him with a shuddering voice.

"After this, I'll give you two choices. You better answer honestly."

Kamito swallowed nervously and nodded after a moment.

Here, he should choose his answer carefully. Depending on his reply, it was not unlikely that he would become cinders.

"About your cooking preferences, would you prefer medium? Or well-done?"

...Things like choices did not exist from the beginning.

"I...If possible, rare is good but..."

Just as Kamito gave his answer.

"Scarlet!"

From an empty space, a hell cat, clad in crimson flames, appeared.

"Roast huh, it's decided then."

It was after those words, said with a smile that promised nothing but painful death and a fascinated expression on her face that—

Spontaneously, a flashy explosion resounded in Raven Class dormitory.



===Part 2===

Areishia Spirit Academy.

Princess maidens from all over the empire gathered at this training school and learned how to become proper elementalists.

Its vast territory included the «Spirit Forest» and the Academy Town. The academy also had residential teachers who possessed strength equal to that of the imperial capital's spirit knights. It was just like an independent small country.

At the same time the morning mist cleared up and the bell of lectures commencing sounded, there was a particular one-horse carriage visiting the academy.

Its coachman, an old butler in a suit, got down from the horse in front of the gate and opened the door of the carriage in a respectful manner.

"We have arrived, Fianna-sama."

"Thank you for your efforts, old man."

Coming out of the carriage was a beautiful girl about fifteen, sixteen years old.

Her glossy black hair fluttered in the gentle breeze. Her cold looking eyes emitted a strong will. Her clear white skin could be compared to the virgin snow of the area of Laurenfrost and her uniform designed as a black dress was gorgeous.

The girl, called Fianna, alighted from the carriage and looked up at the building of the Academy. The sight of the school dazzled her.

"This is Areishia Spirit Academy. The place where elementalists from all over the empire gather."

"Please be very careful, Fianna-sama. It’s impossible to fool the eyes of that Dusk Witch with poor tricks."

"I understand."


With a nod, the girl gently grasped a spirit crystal, concealed by the sleeve of her uniform.

In the empire's currency, it was a good-for-nothing article of 20 million rood.

"Rubia Elstein's sister seems to be in this academy."

"Princess, that name is a taboo. You better not say it here."

"That’s right."

The Calamity Queen, who once brought about an unprecedented great disaster to the empire.

As a taboo, that person's true name was even prohibited from being spoken.

It was said that just by muttering that name a pure girl's sacred nature would be tainted.

She considered it to be a ridiculous superstition. Nevertheless, the people, who saw her up close in the past, felt that there was a slice of accuracy in those words. They believed in the jinx.

(...That's right. The truth is, the fear of her has yet to affect me.)

The girl cleared her throat, then she lowered her voice and whispered.

"Besides, I am also concerned about the elementalist called Kazehaya Kamito."

"Hmm, is it that male elementalist? There was a talk, that a few days ago he defeated a frenzied militarized spirit in Academy Town."

"Yes, based on all the eye-witnesses' words, it seemed to be a splendid blade dance of close resemblance to that of the strongest blade dancer — Ren Ashbell."

Fianna's voice became lively as she got a little excited.

The old butler gave her a stern look for that.


"Princess, don't tell me, you fell in love with that boy"

"Fe...fell in love...!?"

Fianna's voice trembled from embarrassment. Her cheeks turned red.

"Th...that can't be it, right? After all, I have never met him before... it's just that I have an interest in what kind of person this male elementalist is."

It was a lie.

The male elementalist, who defeated the frenzied militarized spirit in Academy Town.

The moment Fianna heard that boy's name, she immediately realized.

It was him.

Three years ago, that boy, who had saved her in the forest of Astral Zero.

Despite promising to meet again, he disappeared immediately after the Blade Dance.

(—However, I finally found him.)

When she heard the report on that day, Fianna decided to enter the Areishia Spirit Academy.

If that boy announced his candidacy to the Blade Dance again—

For her that was a once in lifetime opportunity.

"Kamito, I'll forgive you for breaking our promise."

Fianna glared at the school building of the academy and an impish smile surfaced.

"However, I'm not letting you escape again♪"


===Part 3===

About eight minutes have passed since the start of the match.

In a deep forest, which was enshrouded in a light purple mist, two shadows were moving fast.

"Claire, watch the thicket on the left. There's an ambush."

"How do you know?"

"Intuition, if it was me, I would ambush from over there—"

At that moment, just as Kamito suspected, bluish-white lightning bullets were fired from the left thicket.

"Tch—"

Kamito kicked the ground and accelerated. He jumped in front of Claire and deflected the lightning bullets shot at the speed of sound with his sword.

It was not a feat that could be achieved with just an ordinary blade. Endowed with spirit magic resistance ability, the elemental waffe of sword spirit Est— «Terminus Est», made all the magic attacks ineffective.

"Claire!"

Before Kamito shouted, Claire was already on her target. The wind played with her red hair and below her fluttering skirt, a leather whip holder could be seen.

While she placed her foot on a tree branch and dodged the rain of fired lightning bullets, she released her elemental waffe— «Flame Tongue».

There was a sharp swinging, cutting sound. The Flame Tongue, which could cut up everything, easily sliced through rows of standing trees.


From the middle of the grove of trees that became almost bare in a moment, a thunder elementalist girl appeared.

She had her eyes hidden under her forelocks which made her look a little gloomy.

There was a cluster of bluish-white lightning bullets floating beside her.

It was not a high ranking spirit like Est or Scarlet. It was a low ranking spirit that could only keep an indeterminate form, however, it was plenty helpful as a battery to use spirit magic.

It seemed that that girl's role was a disturbance by means of support fire.

"Humph, a sniper who shows herself is the same as a turtle coming up on land."

Claire thrust her whip in a declaration of victory. With the thunder spirit right behind her, the girl sniper ran towards the middle of the forest in a worried manner—

"You're not getting away! Scarlet, chase her!"

At the same time Claire shouted, the elemental waffe Flame Tongue transformed into the form of a hellcat, clad in flames.

Because of being possessed by the frenzy spirit, Scarlet was once the size of a kitten, however, now it had recovered fully. Its form was of a lovely cat, but its strength was certainly of a roaring fierce lion.

The surging crimson flames attacked the thunder elementalist girl.

However, that scorching heat, which by right should melt even rocks, did not even burn a single place of the girl's body.

That was because the battle field was situated in Astral Zero, which the academy used for practice matches.

It was another world and spirits lived there.


In the real world, spirits had to change into an embodiment of physical strength, but here they could be used as an embodiment of pure divine power.

In other words, it almost completely reduced the physical damage to the body.

Nonetheless, it did not mean that shocks, pain and so forth disappeared, a consequence was that an equal damage would be delivered to the mind instead; for example, if one was torn up by Scarlet's claws, he would certainly faint and become unable to battle.

While carbonizing many trees of the forest, Scarlet was chasing closely behind the girl. However, the elementalist seemed to be considerably more accustomed to the terrain and prepared for battle and while distracting it with spirit magic, she was quickly making her escape deep into the forest.

"Erghh, stay still!"

Losing her temper, Claire jumped down to the ground from the gap between the trees.

"Since it came to this, I'll blow everything together with my strongest spirit magic."

"Wait, Claire, the ground looks weird—"

Kamito shouted, and at that moment, a large quantity of earth and sand exploded from under Claire's feet.

"Wh...!?"

Appearing from underground were gigantic crustacean pincers.

"Negligence is one's greatest enemy, Claire Rouge of Raven Class!"

From inside the sand that was raising up and the large hole that opened in the ground, the carapace armor of countless protuberances flew out.

It was a type of elemental waffe that covered the whole body in armor.


Claire was blown off by that blast and has fallen to the ground. The spirit attacked using earth and sand and the impact left the body substantially damaged.

"Claire!"

Before Kamito came running to her, the carapace elementalist was already in pursuit. This was not a coincidental attack. They were scrupulously aiming for the moment when Claire went down onto the ground.

"Eat this, the elemental waffe of the carapace spirit «Kuraste»— «Breaker Arm»."

"—Guu! Flames, dance in my hand, dance!"

The fallen Claire released countless fireballs from her hand.

However, the armor type elemental waffe plunged right trough the barrage of flames.

"Ha, the flame attribute isn't effective against the carapace spirit. Didn't you learn that during the lecture?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gaa*— A shoulder-tackle by the carapace armor blew Claire away.

Kamito kicked the ground and quickly turned around. Holding Est in a reverse grip, he stopped Claire's body that came flying at him, embracing the girl tightly.

"U...gh..."

Claire let out in a languid voice from his arms.

It seemed that the recent attack had greatly drained her divine power; however, she still looked to be conscious.

(Just before the crash, she released the fireballs at the ground and destroyed her opponent's stance. As expected of her.)

"Hey, are you alright?"


"Y...yea... Eh... y...you, what are you doing!"

Suddenly, Claire's face turned red.

Claire's petite body was being held in such a manner that her back and knees were supported by both his hands.

It was what was called being carried like a princess.

"Fua... Id...idiot... qu...quickly put me down!"

"He..hey, don't struggle! You'll fall!"

"Shut up! Shut up! Quickly put me down——!"

Boka. Boka. Boka. Boka.

Claire started striking Kamito's chest while being carried like a princess. This somehow made her look like a small, cute animal.

"Are you worried about me? You don't have to, you know. You're pretty light."

"Is th...that... because my chest is flat?"

"No, I didn’t say such a thing. I just thought that you're cute like a small animal."

"...! Cu...cute..."

She looked downwards with a red face and Kamito let her down with a relieved sigh.

The carapace elementalist had already disappeared. It seemed that, because Claire was defeated in the recent attack, she was waiting for another chance for a surprise assault. As opossed to her outward appearance, she was the cautious type.

From deep within the forest, Scarlet, who was supposed to be chasing the thunder elementalist, returned.


They did not seem to have suffered any injuries, but it looked like they let their prey escape.

"That thunder elementalist purposely showed herself to us."

"Yea, when I got down onto the ground while chasing her, that carapace armor stopped me with a surprise attack. We have suffered thoroughly from their good teamwork."

Annoyed, Claire lashed at the ground with her whip.

"As expected of a team of the cunning Wolverine Class."

"It's not that they're particularly cunning or anything, considering their fellow spirits' compatibility, it was a obvious strategy."

Kamito said with a shrug and Claire sullenly shut her mouth.

"However, it's strange that they aren't coming to chase us. I know that they're being cautious but— still."

"That's right. From the begining, that thunder elementalist's movement could only be seen as stalling for time."

Astral Zero's forest was quieting down.

He couldn't feel their presence at all, not from the surrounding thickets, nor from the underground.

(With this time stalling, do they have some sort of plan?)

"I want to send out a scout to search for the enemy, but..."

"If that was possible, I'd have already done it."

At any rate, there were three people remaining in the opposing team. They on the other hand had just two. Depending on the situation, it could be that one person had to fight either two or three people. In a one-on-one battle, both Kamito and Claire would not be defeated. However, if they were caught and taken on by more than two coordinated fighters, winning would be substantially more difficult.


Also, even in the case of a one-on-one battle, the fellow spirits' strength and weakness had to be considered. In an actual battle one should also remember the matter of compatibility when the attributes of a spirit were more effective than an elementalist's ability.

"—Seems like you're having a tough battle, Kazehaya Kamito."

Suddenly, from behind, a voice sounded.

Kamito turned around and saw how a black figure quickly appeared from inside of the shadow on the ground.

The black figure very quickly took on the form of an adult woman.

She had glossy long black hair and the glasses she was wearing gave her a very intellectual appearance.

She had on cuff-long white robe on top of her suit, that beautiful lady was—

"Teacher Freya?"

Raven Class's homeroom teacher and this match's inspector, Freya Grandol.

Thanks to her contracted spirit's ability, she was able to travel trough shadows—

"Is that alright? To appear in the middle of the match."

"What, there's no problem with giving poor-scoring students advice."

Freya suddenly smiled and pushed up her glasses.

"Although, the team you're currently facing is of a superior ranking, so you’ll obviously have a tough battle. Based on individual strength, you two are nigh on unreachable, but your team strength is lacking. ...By the way, why were you injured before the match?"

"This morning, I was roasted."


He glared at Claire beside him with scorn; in response she quickly averted her eyes.

"In the first place,though, I think it is strange to have a five-to-two match ."

Despite the fact they only had two people; the team they were facing had five people. They had already defeated two, but the sniper thunder elementalist, the hand-to-hand-fighting type carapace elementalist and then the last person, who had yet to show herself, were remaining.

"Did you know? The fact that your team only has two people is bad. You can't qualify for entry in this round's «Blade Dance» without a five-member team. What do you plan to do?"

"We'll find people before the deadline. We don't really need to have all five members to be high level elementalists. After all, my plan is for I, alone, and— this slave spirit to win through this."

Claire muttered unintelligibly and Freya glared at her with a serious face.

"You had better not take group battles lightly, Claire Rouge. You are certainly a strong elementalist, but even so you absolutely can't beat a coordinated team."

After that, she turned towards Kamito,

"Do you know chess?"

"Greyworth taught me. Although she is a harsh opponent, so I had never won."

"The queen is certainly a strong piece. In a one-on-one battle, there are hardly times when it will lose. However, depending on the situation, it is also possible for it to be taken down by a pawn, which is the weakest peace on the desk."

"I know about that."

"But you do not understand it. Your fighting method feels...awfully isolated."


Without responding, Kamito shut his mouth.

The boy, who was once called— the strongest blade dancer. He, who was raised as an assassin at that mad «Instructional School» had never experienced fighting alongside his comrades.

Creeping to the target's back and cutting its throat— that was his original fighting method.

On a whim of the Elemental Lords, the Blade Dance's regulation was changed every time it was held.

The Blade Dance, fifteen years ago, was a battle royale.

The one three years ago, was an individual elimination match.

This time however it was a team competition.

Honestly, he didn't think that his teamwork with Claire was turning out well.

And the three-year long blank period was for him, as an elementalist, a fatal flaw.

He also had a contracted spirit, who could not exhibit even a tenth of her strength yet.

There were many factors that had to be overcome.

"Claire Rouge, you too. You do not understand what it means to fight in a team."

"I'm always alone. T...this guy is just a slave spirit..."

"Oh dear, you two have many difficulties in store for you."

Teacher Freya sighed and disappeared into the shadow again.

"...Hmm, because of that just now, two minutes have been used up. There are about five minutes remaining."

As it was, if they did not reach a conclusion soon, both team's inter-school rank would drop.


It will affect this two, who were still of low rank, greatly.

—Then, the hell cat, snuggling at the side of Claire's feet, let out a roar.

"Hey, Scarlet is saying something."

"Yeah, the forest looks strange. The wild animals are stirring up.

Claire was frowning with a serious face for some reason—

"There—"

She suddenly faced the forest and fired a fire attribute spirit magic.

It was a fireball— a high ranking spirit magic that would reduce a target to ashes with ultra-hot flames.

The red hot flames licked the ground and the forest near it was reduced to ashes.

With the rising black smoke, a boorish figure appeared standing in a relaxed manner.

"Well, what a frightening ojou-sama."

The girl wore the carapace armor of her elemental waffe over her body.

Despite receiving a direct hit of the fireball, she did not have a single burn mark.

"This is unexpected... you came out for a fairly fight. Have you already given up on a surprise attack?"

"Our roles have ended. The leader's preparations have been completed."

"Preparations?"

Claire and Kamito frowned simultaneously.

From the direction the black smoke was rising up—


"Huh....?" "What... is that!?"

A gigantic timber-scaffolding was put together.

While its structure was simple, it was without a doubt a splendid shrine.

And top of it a small girl, wearing the academy uniform, was dancing. It looked like she was carrying some kind of a ritual.

The girl had beautiful platinum-blonde hair held by a wooden cane.

"Our brethren, now is the time, hand down the iron hammer to the forest devastators!"

From the top of the gigantic scaffolding, she faced their side and thrust the cane with a snap.

"Wh...what's going on, that girl ... when did she managed to make a shrine that big!?"

"We were preparing it from the last night to have it ready for today's match."

The carapace elementalist girl proudly held up her pincers.

...Indeed, if it was with that spirit's power, it should be possible to make the shrine in a night.

"I...it's unfair, that thing! A ritual Kagura!"

"Uh-huh, it isn't unfair! Without a large-scale ritual, I can't call out my contracted spirit!"

The girl, who was on top of the scaffolding and holding a cane, shouted.

"Shut up, children should stay silent!"

"Unh, what do you mean by children, isn't your chest small too?"

"What... did you say?"

Pakii! The sound of a twig being stepped on and broken resounded. Claire's red hair was bristling up like a blazing flame.


"The family of Druid ..."

Kamito muttered wiping the sweat from his forehead.

They were nobles from the Ordesia Empire. It was a family of ancient honorable elementalists, which had lived in the spirit forest since before the foundation of the empire and succeeded the blood relationship of the princess maidens with their original methods.

"That girl's spirit is a little special, summoning takes time."

"I see, so that was the reason you were stalling..."

The ground was violently shaking. The flames of the torches, lighting the area surrounding the shrine, were thunderously burning up.

...He felt tremendous pressure. What that girl was trying to use was an outrageously powerfull spirit. It was likely that it roughly matched the giant military spirit they fought the other day.

"—I won't let you. Scarlet!"

Claire released Scarlet as its elemental waffe, Flame Tongue, and hit the ground very hard.

"Kamito, I'll hold her back. You go destroy that shrine."

"Got it!"

Kamito nodded and ran with the silver-glittering «Terminus Est» in his hand.

As an elementalist, Claire was a genius.

Although the compatibility of hers and carapice spirit worked against her, in a one-on-one battle, she would not lose.

There was a considerable distance till the shrine, but with Kamito's speed, he should make it in time.

"...!?"


Suddenly the ground in front of him burst open.

From within the thicket, spirit magic lightning bullets were fired.

It was the thunder spirit girl. Naturally, Kamito had also predicted that an ambush was hidden in the forest.

However—

"Toryaaaaaa!"

"Wha...!?"

This was unexpected. —The elementalist herself came interfering.

It was impossible to ignore. Kamito stopped and turned around.

(I'll stun her in one strike—)

He nimbly her attack and aimed the handle of the sword at her stomach—

At that moment, an intense flash blinded him.

The thunder spirit, the girl was using, blew itself up in front of him.

The rain of the intense lightning attack assaulted Kamito. Sharp pain and then numbness ran throughout his whole body.

It wasn’t strong enough to incapacitate him. However, he was, for a while, stunned.

Before his eyes recovered, the girl, also caught in the explosion, fainted and had therefore been defeated.

(That girl aimed for a tie from the start...)

It was a strategy unsuited for individual battles, but when working in a team, it was a good way to achieve victory.

Her duty was to stop him for a while. And in that she had succeeded.


"We're done for..."

"Come, tyrant governor! Thou, beast king of the destruction army that grinds and smashes everything!"

On top of the shrine, the forest girl aimed the cane to the sky and recited the majestic summoning.

The ritual has been completed.

"...Its name is beast swarm spirit «Cernunnos»!"

From everywhere in the forest, a countless number of roars could be heard.

That Druid girl was calling the beasts that were living in Astral Zero.

"The beast swarm spirit... a spirit of vast possession range type!"

It was the same as the frenzy spirit that drove Claire's Scarlet, the militarized spirit and many others mad, a type that could possess targets from a longer distance.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Dodododododododododoo!*

The group of beasts, which were controlled by the swarm spirit, made the earth tremble when they came charging.

"Be...Because they aren't spirits, if they were trampled, they would die. Normally."

"I...If it's the handling of animals, I too will not lose!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pishi!* *Pishi!* Claire, who defeated the carapace elementalist, swang her whip.

"Give it up, Claire, it's our loss."

"—The match is over."

Teacher Freya, who appeared quickly like a shadow, blew into the whistle announcing the end of the match.

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter3 Draft

2013-06-15T05:39:01Z

Asiorx22: Created page with "==Chapter 3: The Lost Queen== ===Part 1=== Kamito, left Claire and the others at the café and immediately headed towards the academy director's office. He knocked and open..."

==Chapter 3: The Lost Queen==

===Part 1===

Kamito, left Claire and the others at the café and immediately headed towards the academy director's office.

He knocked and opened the door—

"You're late. For how long do you plan to make a lady wait?"

Was the first thing he heard from Greyworth, her voice extremely cold. The woman, Greyworth Ciel Mais better known as The Dusk Witch, was sitting at her office desk.

She was bewitchingly beautiful, but that was not what she was famous for. Originally a spirit knight with a long military service, she later entered the ranks of {{Furigana|the twelve knight commanders|Numbers}}.

Greyworth had wavy ash-blonde hair and a pair of shining, gray eyes hidden behind glasses.

"Sorry, I heard that you had business with me and came as fast as I could. As a proof, I have a labored breath."

"Hmm, so it seems you became rather cheeky, haven’t you? Where did the obedient pure boy I once knew disappear? It seems the flow of time doesn’t spare anyone. It is so cruel, really."

"But it appears you haven’t changed a bit, Greyworth. Your appearance as well as your tricky character."

Kamito loathsomely replied. Disdain clear on his face.

Greyworth was one of the few people who knew him three years ago.

And she was the one who called Kamito, after he rejected his past as the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}, to the academy and attempted to make him participate in the competition that will be held in two months.


She did not tell him the reason for that.

Although, it wasn’t the first time the Dusk Witch made Kamito do something without sharing any information.

"That's right, you have certainly changed. In those three years, you've become especially weak. In the practice match a while ago, when faced with an opponent of that level you performed… pitifully. If it were you from the past, you would have overwhelmed that person in less than three minutes."

"You were watching? ... Your hobbies are bad, as usual."

"You are in such a sorry state that I doubt you are qualified to participate in the Blade Dance. The fact you defeated that militarized spirit must be a fluke."

"That time was—"

Kamito mumbled slightly.

He didn’t defeat it alone.

After meeting his former contracted spirit and being struck with despair, he was given the strength to stand once again by that red haired hellcat girl.

(...!)

Suddenly, the memories of her soft lips touching his own resurfaced in his mind.

Mortified he immediately shook his head to get rid of those evil thoughts.

"I agree with you. I can't even fully use my contracted spirit's power yet."

Kamito dropped his eyes onto his right hand, which had a seal engraved on it.


"Still can't forget your previous woman? How stubborn."

"Watch your words! For me, Restia isn't like that!"

"On the contrary, you getting hotheaded makes it increasingly suspicious what your relationship actually is like. What do you think about getting a lover at the academy? It might even divert a little of your loneliness."

"Lov—"

"Or, are the girls here too undeveloped? If that's the case... I too am available."

Greyworth smiled bewitchingly and using her fingertips slightly opened her cleavage.

He accidentally saw lacy black bra peeking from under her clothes.

"D...don't mess with me!"

"It's a joke. Hmm, from your tone, it seems you have not yet reached that level in relationships. I've heard rumors that you made a small breasted beautiful girl and a naked knee-socks clad spirit fall for you and are indulging in an improper harem cohabitation life."

"Guu..."

He tried to rebufe, but was at a loss of words.

...Looking at it objectively, that seemed like the truth and it was painful to be unable to deny it.

"Greyworth, did you call me just to tell some worthless jokes?"

"That's right— but, of course, that's not the only thing."

Greyworth creaked her chair and faced the visitor room at the inner side of the office.

"There is a girl I want to introduce you—come in"


"Okay."

From the inner room, came what sounded like a bell being turned over.

From the opened door appeared a girl who wore a black dress like uniform, different from the academy's.

She was beautiful, had luscious long black hair, clear black eyes and was so pretty Kamito found himself amazed.

It goes without saying that Kamito was charmed by her neat and clean appearance.

"...Eh?"

The moment his eyes met hers, she made a puzzled face.

"Errm, you're ... Kazehaya Kamito-kun?"

The girl asked unsure.

"Ahh, that's right, but—"

"But from what I remember..."

For some strange reason the girl seemed to be in shock.

(Wh...what's with this?)

"Well, that's right... he's a boy after all and it's already been three years."

The girl muttered to herself in a voice that Kamito could not hear.

After that, she looked at Kamito's face again.

"Yes, there certainly is a resemblance. Besides, this is fine—"


"What's up, Fianna?"

Greyworth called out, seemingly puzzled.

"Ah, s...sorry! Err, this is the first time I've seen a male elementalist!"

The girl called Fianna shook her head in fluster.

"Erm... who is this girl?"

Kamito looked at Greyworth questioningly.

Unexpectedly, the girl, made a sullen expression and pouted.

"I knew it, you don’t remember... well, that's fine though."

"She is the recently admitted student who will be entering the Raven Class."

"Admitted student?"

Ah! Kamito nodded. They were talking about it at the café just a while ago.

(This girl is the one...)

Carol told them that she was a daughter of noble, but, in any case, in this academy there were a lot of ladies with high social status, so there was nothing special in this situation.

(After that, she said that... she had big…)

Without thinking, he glanced towards the dress-like uniform's breast area—

(...Big indeed.)

Kamito confirmed awkwardly.


"She is the Ordesia Empire's second princess, her Highness Fianna Ray Ordesia."

"...Ordesia?"

Kamito frowned for a moment—

"No way...!"

His eyes widened in surprise.

Many noble ladies were enrolled in Areishia Spirit Academy. This was the result of the empire's royalty and nobles continuing the bloodline of elementalists through marriage of convenience that even spanned over several generations.

Naturally, there were also exceptions, but it was normal for elementalists to be daughters of aristocrats.

Fahrengart was a famous military family; Laurenfrost had long and noble history, Elstein’s ancestry too was extremely honorable, but their lands were currently seized.

However, this girl before him was— the second princess of the Ordesia Empire.

She was not just any noble; she was of royal blood, a real princess.

(Why would the empire's princess be in the academy?)

Daughters born into the Ordesia imperial family usually started training as Queen candidates, serving the Five Great Elemental Lords, at the Queen training organization, the «Divine Ritual Institute».

In any case, for the moment Kamito decided not to voice his questions and just knelt.


"Please pardon my rudeness, your Highness."

It was not that he specifically pledged allegiance to the Ordesia Empire, but his former contracted spirit has harshly driven into him how to behave himself around royalty.

However, Fianna quietly shook her head.

"That's alright, we both are students here. Besides, although I'm called the second princess, I'm the Lost Queen, so that hardly means anything."

"The Lost Queen?"

Kamito asked back— then he remembered.

(I see, the empire's second princess!)

He heard about it from rumors.

(If I remember it right, the girl was the Queen candidate supposed to serve the Fire Elemental Lord.)

Four years ago, the Fire Queen— Rubia Elstein committed her crime and brought the wrath of the Fire Elemental Lord, who learned of her treachery, on the empire. That brought about great chaos.

For the sake of appeasing the Fire Elemental Lord's anger, the «Divine Ritual Institute» tried to prepare a successor but—

At that time, she declared that she stepped down from the position of the Queen candidate and was cast out from the imperial family.

So far her reasons for that were not officially announced.


That is how the second princess completely disappeared from the center of attention.

And now she was standing in front of him?

"It's just as she says. When you pass through this academy's gates, no matter what social status you have, you will receive no special treatment. Whether you are a princess, a male elementalist, or the Calamity Queen's sister."

"There you have it, I'm the former princess, but nice to meet you, Kazehaya Kamito-kun."

Fianna smiled, picked up the sides of her skirt with her fingertips and bowed elegantly.

"A...Ah, nice to meet you—"

Kamito stood up before his expression froze.

"What's the matter?"

"No, err..."

Scratching his cheek, Kamito looked away.

"?"

Fianna tilted her head to the side.

"Kyaa!"

It seemed she realized that what she was holding up was not a ball dress, but a short uniform skirt.

And the sight of her mature black lingerie, weaved with laces, was firmly etched into Kamito's mind.


"Ka...Kamito-kun... pervert."

The former princess' face turned red as she embarrassedly muttered.

"I...I'm sorry..."

"You two, don't flirt and act lovey-dovey in front of my eyes. It's irritating."

Greyworth glared at Kamito, with bloodlust filled eyes.

"...I'm sorry. And why did you call for me?"

If this witch was involved it could not be something as simple as introducing the new student.

(To acquaint me with the empire's princess, what is she scheming?)

As if reading Kamito's mind, the witch pushed up her glasses, seemingly sullen.

"Your distrust is regrettable; after all I prepared a special quest for your sake."

"A special quest?"

"That's right. There is a task I want to give her and I decided that your team will accompany her as guards."

===Part 2===

—A quest.

It was another way, beside matches with fellow academy students, that helped rising in the academy’s ranking system.


A given quest could have various objectives, from Kagura by a blade dance, suppression of a rampaging spirit, excavation and investigation of the sealed spirit, to the subjugation of elementalists gone astray.

By completing the quests that were divided depending on their danger level, the academy students could raise their rank the same way like when winning official matches.

"By the way, this quest's difficulty level is S rank."

"S rank?"

Kamito blurted out.

In the academy, the S rank was given to the assignments with the highest difficulty level.

The amount of points a student could get for completing one was extraordinary, but it was also very dangerous and, depending on the situation, could even lead to death. It should not even be possible for him to receive it with his current ranking.

"Did you prepare things behind the scenes?"

"Your hearing is bad. I said that I don't practice special treatment. It just means that the only ones suitable for this quest are Fianna and you. If you refuse, then I'll spread the word around to other teams."

"..."

It was not a bad deal. On the contrary, in his current situation, it was a godsend.

Already, there were only two months left before the start of the Blade Dance. No, the final examination that will determine the three participating teams would take place even earlier.

If nothing changed, and they continued participating in regular official matches and quests they could not possibly make it to the top.


For some reason Greyworth was bent on making Kamito participate in the Blade Dance.

But, it seemed that the influence of the academy’s director was not enough.

Therefore, she got them a S rank mission, which was extremely dangerous, but had a completion bonus, which was also extremely high.

(If we could complete the quest, that would be it— Huh?)

He didn’t like the fact, it was Greyworth he received it from, but…

If the quest included guarding an important person, he already had the necessary experience from the past.

Certainly, it was far better than rising in inter-school ranking through official matches.

"—I understand. Explain the details of the quest."

"That's the spirit."

Kamito prompted and Greyworth smiled.

"Have you heard about the Gado mine town?"

"Gado? I think I had. Wasn’t it abandoned a few decades ago."

Gado was formerly a town with large spirit crystal mining grounds, but, during the second Ranbal war, spirit crystal deposits were exhausted, and it was abandoned.

It should have turned into a ghost town by now and become ruins.

"There have been frequent occurrences of strange earthquakes at that mine recently. I want you to go there and investigate."

"Is that so?"

For the academy to request an investigation meant that it was probably not an ordinary incident.


It was often the case that the earth attribute spirits that ruled over the land caused the earthquakes.

If that was because a spirit was angry or was in a frenzy, it could be appeased by a ritual of a blade dance. There were also cases where, depending on the situation, a suppressing unit of spirit knights was formed.

As a quest it was relatively typical, but—

"Stop joking around. Why does a mission like that has a S rank?"

He didn’t think that ordinary investigation involving a simple earth spirit could be so dangerous.

Compared to the quest's risk, the assigned rank seemed too high.

"You're being distrustful as usual, can't you believe in my good will?"

"Why should I? You never lie. However, you also never speak the truth."

"Hmm...well, it is indeed so."

Greyworth smiled and shrugged in resignation.

"It seems that a strategic-class militarized spirit, sealed by the old Ordesia Knights, is sleeping at that mine."

Kamito groaned, Fianna gasped in surprise.

A strategic-class militarized spirit— it could not be compared to the giant spirit that went into frenzy at the Academy Town the other day.

Because of its tremendous strength, it was impossible for an individual to comand it. In the end, it could only be controlled by ritual Kagura performed by several hundred elementalists— it was solely a weapon of mass destruction.

At the end of the second Ranbal war, the continental nations signed a treaty, and all the seven bodies should have sealed and disposed of such spirits, but—

"Don't tell me, it’s the spirit that causes the earthquakes?"

"At the very worst; it's still only a possibility. I want to entrust you guys with this investigation. You must confirm whether that the seal has come undone or not—"

"I'll perform the resealing by the «Ritual Kagura»."

Fianna calmly spoke.

"That's right. As a former Queen candidate, this quest suits you perfectly."

"...I see, that's the reason you called for this princess."

The Queens, who served the Five Great Elemental Lords, were the experts in the «Ritual Kagura» that appeased spirits.

They did not receive any special martial arts training, and as the result they were not suited for battle, but all forms of ritual have been driven into them since they were children.

In the entire academy, there was only one former Queen— a rare special skill user; the quest could only be accomplished with her help, and considering that it had to do with a strategic-class militarized spirit, it might also be appropriate to give it a S rank.

"..."

The terms were not bad. However, there was one more thing that he had to ask.

"...But is Fianna alright with this? With me guarding her, I mean."

If it was just about protecting her, there should be even more competent elementalists.


For example, Ellis Fahrengart. Her sense of responsibility was strong and she was very capable, so there should be no complains with her being the guard.

There was no reason to have Kamito, who was a boy of all things, accompany the princess. If Greyworth grouped them together as she pleased, ignoring Fianna's will— he planned to reject this deal.

However, Fianna—

"Of course, I'll be relying on you, Kamito-kun."

"Did Greyworth threaten you to team up with me?"

"No, after all, I was the one who nominated you."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. To travel with the world's only male elementalist, isn't it great?"

Fianna entwined her fingers with Kamito's and gazed at him with admiraion.

Kamito felt shocked from the way she looked at him with those clear black eyes.

"Hmm, aren't you popular?"

Greyworth asked, seemingly displeased, and handed over a document with the quest's key points written on it.

"If you intend to take up this mission, sign here. This is a good deal."

Far from that, for Kamito with the current circumstances, it was an extraordinary good deal.

However—

"I can't decide this by myself. I have to at least ask Claire."


"Hmm, well, that's alright. But hurry, I'll have you leave tomorrow."

"Claire?"

The one who asked it was Fianna.

"Ah, my teammate, but—"

"Could she be Claire Elstein?"

"...You know her?"

Kamito awkwardly scratched his head.

(That's right, this girl is the Queen candidate to the Fire Elemental Lord.)

She was the princess maiden who was training at the same «Divine Ritual Institute» as the Calamity Queen— Rubia Elstein.

If that was the case, it would not be surprising for her to know even Claire, that girl's sister.

"That person's sister..."

Fianna's lips slightly trembled.

She might have started having doubts after hearing that the Calamity Queen's sister will be taking part in the mission.

"I'm sorry, but Claire is my teammate. I'll accomplish the quest together with her."

Kamito informed her—

"Yes, that's what I wish for as well."

Fianna nodded muttering in a soft voice.

"'''I don't plan on losing even to the sister'''."



===Part 3===

As the two of them left the office, Greyworth smiled.

"However, that princess did something very bold."

"—you knew, director?"

From inside the woman’s shadow, a lady appeared.

She was the shadow elementalist—Freya Grandol, a teacher at the academy.

"Is it about her using spirit crystals during the entrance examination? Of course, I noticed it. She did something impious. Doesn't that stone cost twenty million rood apiece?"

"Then, I presume you are overlooking this unfair entry, right?"

"Princess Fianna was ranked next to that Rubia Elstein as the second Queen candidate at the age of thirteen. If she wakes up as an elementalist again, isn't it the best bargain?"

"However, if she tries to lead her academy life using that thing, wouldn't she be instantly exposed?"

"I think that's something she is aware of. She understands it and yet she became a student here. If she does not awaken, that will be the end of it, but if she does, it will be… Fortunate. Therefore, I grouped her with that boy."

"Academy director, what on earth are you—"

Freya frowned and at that moment a winged eyeball flew in from the office window.


It was Greyworth’s probe-use spirit.

"Hmm, it seems that an uninvited guest has infiltrated the Academy Town."

"Is it the darkness spirit from the other day?"

"Hm, I wonder? I do not know what they are aiming for, but... Freya Grandol, tell the Sylphid Knights to strengthen the security."

===Part 4===

After leaving the office Kamito took Fianna on a tour around the academy building.

She walked elegantly, stepping lightly. It must have taken a lot of time and effort to develop and polish such manners.

"Fianna, are you wearing the «Divine Ritual Institute»'s uniform?"

"Yes, as opposed to the Areishia Spirit Academy, it seems to be a recent design. During the time I was active, it used to be an even more bombastic ritual costume. That was cute in a way, but all the girls were definitely yearning for skirts."

"...Hmm, is that so? It suits you."

"Ah, even if it's just flattery, I am happy."

Because of the slow walk and calm conversation Kamito's tone had relaxed tremendously.

Since she was the Ordesia Empire’s princess and a princess maiden from the «Divine Ritual Institute»— he thought that there would be a hard-to-approach atmosphere around her, but she was a surprisingly easy girl to talk to.

While walking along the corridor the pair attracted a lot of attention from other academy students.

"Hey, take a look. That’s Kazehaya Kamito, is he going to rape the new student again?" "The licentious beast's special demonstration." "But I might be a little envious." "Wh...what are you saying!" "B...but if he were to look at me with those sharp eyes...I...I might be unable to deny him." "If just for a little while, I want to try being played with... don't you?" "Th...that's true, I...if he were to approach me forcefully... my heart would surely be pounding." " No way, after all, he's the Demon King, the Demon King that devours any girl he can lay his hands on." "The Demon King..." "The Demon King of the night..."

Soft whispers could be heard from the whole corridor.

(...What!? The Demon King of the night!?)

He wanted to retort numerous times, but it seemed like it would be more trouble than it was worth, so he did not.

He had already gotten used to the girls' frightened gazes.

However, for some strange reason, there also were numerous girls sending him passionate looks.

And then, there seemed to be ribbon-tied letters and homemade sweets placed in his locker.

...Well, it might be just a prank.

"Hmm, Kamito-kun, you're quite popular."

"They're just teasing me, after all, I'm the only male in this academy."

"Is that so, I wonder?"


Mugyu!

"...!?"

Suddenly, he felt something soft touch him.

Fianna pressed her breasts into Kamito's arm.

"H...hey, Fianna!?"

"Hn, what's the matter?"

The princess gave him an impish smile and an innocent glance.

The sensation made his heart beat faster.

"No, princess... err, your breasts are..."

"I don’t mind. Or—"

Fianna gave him a short teasing smile.

"Do you dislike immodest princesses?"

"..."

From the neckline of the dress-like uniform, her black bra could be seen peeking out.

...He was troubled, tremendously troubled.

He felt like the sharpness of the gazes the girls passing by gave him was gradually increasing.

Fianna was looking at Kamito with great relish.

"Fufu, it seems like everyone is jealous."


"That's definitely the case..."

Kamito sighed deeply,

"By the way, why did princess enroll into this academy?"

He tried to ask something that was on his mind since a while ago.

He did not care for the circumstances that made her throw away her position as a Queen candidate. He was just curious as to why she became a student of the academy now, after having once disappeared from the spotlight.

"That's—"

Fianna suddenly stopped. Kamito also paused.

"Uh?"

"If I said— I came to meet Kamito-kun, would you believe me?"

"...?"

Kamito was a little puzzled,

"No, it can't be that you came because me, haven't we just met, Fianna?"

"..."

Fianna pouted as if she was a little sullen hearing such a reply from Kamito.

"...Idiot."

Fianna muttered and softly pressed her index finger to Kamito's lips.

And then, she drew her face closer till her lips were almost touching his.


"—Ren Ashbell."

At that moment, Kamito's expression froze.

With the unexpected name coming from her mouth— he was at a loss for words.

"...!? H...ow..."

Standing still and dumbfounded, Kamito let out in a dry voice.

The only people who knew Kamito's true identity as Ren Ashbell were the contracted spirit Restia and the witch Greyworth— nobody else should be aware of it.

How did this girl...?

"...I knew it, you don't remember."

Fianna pouted again, seemingly displeased.

Making such a face at this distance made it look as if she was a lover pestering him for a kiss.

"It's alright. I'll keep it a secret from everyone, I promised after all."

"Promised?"

Kamito seemed to have recalled something, at that moment.

"Kamito!"

Claire came running from the other side of the corridor. It seemed that she was searching for him.

"Come on, what in the world were—"

She stopped.


At that point she finally saw the two’s posture. They were standing in the middle of the corridor and looked like a kissing couple.

"Y...yo...yo...yo..."

Gogogo... her shoulders began to tremble slightly.

Her red hair bristled up like a crimson flame and sjightly.

"Yo...yo...you slave... yo...you truly have no discretion..."

Pishii!—The moment her whip made a sound, a hell cat, clad in red hot flames, appeared from nowhere.

The hell cat transformed into the Flame Tongue form in an instant and settled into Claire's right hand.

"Th...that's alright, I'll thoroughly train you today..."

"Wa...wait, don't misunderstand, Claire, this girl is—"

"—Claire?"

Fianna reacted after hearing the girl’s name.

She gently let go of Kamito and glared at Claire with a sharp look.

"I see, you are Claire Rouge."

"That's right. So what?"

"You are that person's sister..."

He felt like invisible fireworks lit up in Fianna's eyes when she looked at Claire.

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2 Draft

2013-06-06T14:25:59Z

Asiorx22: Created page with "==Chapter 2: The Young Ladies' Afternoon== ===Part 1=== "Mugugug..." thumb Claire Rouge was stuffing a cream bun down her throat. It was an unu..."

==Chapter 2: The Young Ladies' Afternoon==

===Part 1===

"Mugugug..."

[[Image:STnBD V02 049.jpg|thumb]]
Claire Rouge was stuffing a cream bun down her throat.

It was an unusual behavior for her, who took it as a creed— that nobles are always elegant.

"Don't binge, you'll get fat you know."

Kamito glared with his eyes half-opened and Claire struck the table in frustration.

"But, but, urggggh!"

"Claire. That's my jam bun."

Est protested calmly.

They were at a salon café inside the academy.

From the opened terrace, soft daylight was shining in.

The three of them were sitting at a round table near a window and having a slightly late lunch.

Inside the bamboo basket, placed right in the middle of that table, was a pile of jam, melon, sausage and many other different kinds of buns.

Any student could use the café and on top of that the freshly baked buns were gratis. Coffee and black tea also had free refills.

There was also an eatery in the academy, but because it charged a fee equal to a high-class restaurant in the imperial capital, neither Kamito, who was not even a noble, nor Claire, who had her fortune and territory confiscated, could afford it.

"Our team ranking dropped again."

Claire laid, prostrated, on the table and groaned.

"It can't be helped. We were matched up with a superior team. "

"That may be true... but we are also a lot stronger than them."

Claire gnawed her lip. Although they were at a disadvantage in numbers, she seemed to be unable to understand and accept losing to lower rank elementalist opponents.

It was certain that as elementalists they were superior.

However, because their teamwork lacked, they were defeated. Claire over-relied on her strength chasing her opponents too far and Kamito too could not depend on the girl in a dire situation.

In other words, it was not possible to win with just the queen piece.

"Even if we lost, we shouldn’t hesitate at a time like this..."

There was a reason Claire was stuffing herself with buns as if she was in a hurry.

The regulations of the Blade Dance held in two months were different from the individual battles three years ago, if they didn’t put together a five-member team, they wouldn’t be able to take part in it. And then, only the top three teams decided by the inter-school competition could participate from Areishia Spirit Academy.



Kamito, who started attending the school just a while ago, had no achievements that could raise his ranking.

To raise it, one had to win a formal practice match like the one from this morning's or complete a task assigned by the academy; however, he had done nothing like that.

Defeating the giant spirit the other day, dueling with Sylphid Knights captain Ellis Fahrengart or even battling the frenzied demon spirit, those were all informal battles and did not reflect in the rankings.

It was especially surprising that Claire, who, as an elementalist, was supposed to tower above the rest in power, had the lowest results in the class.

There could be only one reason for that. '''It was because she was doing everything alone'''.

She failed when she took the tasks that should be originally completed by a team and she was defeated when she challenged upper classmen alone in a championship match. If she did such a thing, no matter how strong she was, there was no way her ranking could raise.

There was a reason Claire was isolated from the rest of the academy.

Rubia Elstein.

Four years ago, while she had the position of Queen serving the fire Elemental Lord, she betrayed him, disappeared, and brought about an unprecedented great disaster to the empire. Because of that others started calling her The Calamity Queen.

As her younger sister, Claire was looked at with contempt and fear by the majority of the academy students.

Claire's reason for participating in the Blade Dance was to restore the Elstein family name and —above all else— to find out the truth regarding her elder sister Rubia Elstein.


—Now was not the time to hesitate.

Blood-oozing emotions filled Claire's rough words.

"For now, we should also find comrades quickly. I understood it during this morning's match. If we stay as we are now, we not only won't be able to win the Blade Dance, but wouldn't even get into the top three ranks, which is required for the participation."

The boy, called the strongest blade dancer three years ago, accepted his greatest weakness honestly.

At first, he just came to the academy due to Greyworth's request, but now he clearly had a reason to regain his strength from three years ago.

That reason being his former contracted spirit- Restia.

He wanted to take her back with his own hands.

The girl who, for the first time, brought light to Kamito's life, which was shrouded in darkness before.

And the same girl who gave a heartbroken Claire the frenzy spirit and tried to drive the giant spirit mad in the middle of the town.

He met her again, but she was different from the girl Kamito once knew.

—What on earth happened to her?

So, for the sake of knowing that, he absolutely had to meet the participation requirements for the Blade Dance.

"Kamito, what's wrong? You're making such a serious face."

"Did you forget to put sugar into your coffee?"

Claire and Est peered at him with a worried look.


"No, sorry, it's just..."

"By any chance, is it about your former contracted spirit?"

She was surprisingly sharp at times like this.

Kamito quickly averted his eyes from the ruby pupils that peered in his own.

"...Well… The fact is... I don’t want to talk about it now."

Claire did not try to pry deeper. Despite her arrogance, there were, occasionally, times when she showed consideration.

"...Ah, I understand."

Kamito nodded when-.

"Ah, everyone, having lunch?"

A cool but elegant voice was heard.

The boy turned around. And there—

A magnificent, platinum-blonde haired and beautiful girl was standing.

Her very appearance was of a noble ojou-sama.

Her milky white skin was smooth like silk and her emerald eyes, which were locked on him, radiated a faint glow.

The way she brushed her hair aside looked strangely good.

Rinslet Laurenfrost.

She attended the Raven Class, just as Kamito and was Claire's self-named rival.


Due to her rivalry with Claire, she was trying to make Kamito her manservant. She was troubling ojou-sama.

And right beside her was—

"Fufu, what a delicious smell."

A girl dressed in a maid uniform. She had a gentle smile on her lips as she stood there wearing a long skirt with a lot of neat frills attached. Her hair was cut into short bobs and she had a lovely white brim on her head.

She was Rinslet's personal maid, Carol.

Kamito didn’t know why there was a maid in the academy, but she was the only one he saw here. It seemed that Laurenfrost family, as an exception, was allowed to bring a personal servant.

"...Why did you come here, Rinslet?"

Claire swallowed her bun and sternly glared at the blond.

"I just happened to pass by. What a very simple lunch you have, just buns."

Rinslet swiped her hair over her shoulder and looked down on the three of them calmly.

"Milady is saying that she wants to eat together with everyone."

"Wh... Carol, what are you talking about!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Poka!* *Poka!* Rinslet's face turned bright red as she started hitting Carol's shoulders.

As expected of her exclusive maid, it was a magnificent interpretation.

"Sit down both of you. You came all the way here after all, so let's eat together."


Kamito suggested only to have Claire step on his foot hard.

"Ouch, what are you doing?!"

"Nothing? I just thought you lack loyalty...Idiot."

"I...it's n...not like I particularly want to eat together with you all!"

"Milady is saying it'll be nice to sit next to Kamito."

"Carol!"

Carol soothed the embarrassed girl and got her to settle down.

Rinslet, sat next to Kamito and averted her eyes as she asked.

"...H...How are your injuries?"

"Ah, they’ve mostly healed. All thanks to the healing spirit."

It was about the injury he got from the time he fought the giant spirit. Probably because he overdid it, it'll take a little longer to heal then he thought, but as expected, the academy's spirit medical care was excellent.

"Fufu, Milady has been constantly worrying about Kamito-sama."

"Carol, d...don't say anything unnecessary!"

Rinslet snapped with a grinding noise.

"However, it is also natural that Milady would be worried. After all, Kamito-sama is under one roof with Milady Claire, so it wouldn't be odd even if something were to happen.

"Wha...What are you saying, you stupid maid! There's no way such things would happen."


This time it was Claire who snapped.

"...What kind of worry is that?"

Est was munching on a melon bun and beside her Kamito just sighed wearily at their antics.

This is how Rinslet and Carol ended up having lunch together.

Even Claire, who appeared upset at the beginning, eventually started talking about this morning's match. Then about which stores cake was more delicious, how boring the introduction lection about the foundation of spirit learning was, and just like that, normal girl-like conversations were beginning to bloom.

Somehow these two were on pretty good terms. It was especially surprising for Claire, who was isolated from the rest of her peers at the academy. It could be said that Rinslet was her only friend.

"That reminds me; it seems that a newly admitted student is joining the Raven Class."

"Our class? Despite the fact that Kamito just came in recently?"

"Yeah, I hear it's a daughter of noble of high social standing."

"Hmm, but even if we're talking about social status in this academy, there's the Fahrengart family and the Laurenfrost family... What’s with all this nobles gathering here?"

"Hey! Would you please not lump the militaristic Fahrengart family with the true pedigree Laurenfrost family?"

"I don't care about such things... What's wrong, Kamito?"


At any rate, Raven Class was famous for gathering the '''most troublesome students'''.

He just thought that if people like Claire and Rinlset were to increase in numbers, it would be... worrisome.

"In the practical skill entrance examination that took place in the morning, she seemed to be using a holy spirit."

The maid, Carol, pulled out a memo from her cleavage.

Carol's maid memo pad— aka «Carol's Notes», was stuffed with data on the academy students and teachers... Kamito did not understand clearly what on earth she used it for.

"Hmm, a holy spirit user?..."

The holy spirit is one of the five grand element spirits, but there were not that many elementalists who used it.

It was a spirit, whose pride was extremely high and it chooses its own user.

Among princess maidens, it was said that it only opens its heart to especially pure noble girls.

(Because even in the competition three years ago, a holy spirit user gave him a tough fight...)

After all, a holy spirit had an extremely bad compatibility with the darkness spirit Kamito was contracted with.

But then, at that time, Kamito's strength completely surpassed the opponent elementalist's, that was why he did not lose.

"Ah, by the way, it seems like it's a very lovely big-breasted girl."

"Carol, from where on earth did you procure such information?"

"Ah, Kamito-san, are you interested?"

Carol placed her hand near her mouth and smiled.


"Hmm, you are very concerned about the information of a big-breasted admitted student, huh?"

"Eh?"

Gogogogogogogo......!

Kamito turned around and Claire raised her eyebrows glaring at him.

"Really, men are just idiots!"

"Kamito, do you have no distinction? Are you just a beast without reason?"

Somehow, even Rinslet and Est were glaring—

Gyuuuuuuuuu!

Kamito's cheeks were pinched by the three of them.

(This is unreasonable...)

===Part 2===

After various things happened, the lunch of buns ended and it was time to rest.

"Ahh, that reminds me—"

Ahem! Rinslet cleared her throat and said,

"Have you gathered your Blade Dance team members?"

"...N...not yet."


Claire shook her head in shame.

Rinslet smiled, it seemed she already knew that answer from beforehand.

"Ah, you still have not? It seems I’ve touched a sore spot."

Fufun! She held up her tea cup in an elegant movement.

Claire sullenly responded.

"It's just that there isn't a person who matches up to our desired level. What about you? Have you decided on your members?"

"Tha...that's ... I just have not found a person who could keep up with me!"

"Eh? Rinslet, you couldn't gather anyone either?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side.

Rinslet's ability to use the demon ice spirit «Fenrir», was about on par with Claire's.

He was thinking that if it was her, she would already be sought after but...

"Fo...for now, there isn't, for now!"

Rinslet's face turned red and she quickly turned away.

"Kamito-san, Milady—"

"Uh huh?"

Carol tugged Kamito's sleeves as she came to his side, telling him the reasons in his ear.

"The truth is... *mumbling*..."

"Hmm..."


According to Carol's words—

It seemed that although she had tried gathering a team several times, so far, the conditions the members were expected to meet were too high and her excessively high pride didn't help things go smoothly either. The teams she gathered repeatedly broke up and so, there were no students left to invite.

...How should he say it, it was indeed a Rinslet-like reason.

"Hmm, her pride is certainly high but... she truly is a good girl, regardless."

"That's right..."

Carol earnestly nodded.

"Carol, what are you talking about with Kamito-san!?"

"It was about the order in which Milady washes her body in the bath."

"Carol!"

Glancing at the playful ojou-sama and her maid, Claire sighed deeply.

"Haa... I wonder if there's really no one... A strong elementalist who will enter our team."

"...We...well, you seem to be in a dire situation."

Ahem.

Rinslet coughed and looked at Claire with one eye.

"That's right. It looks like, I should try approaching the newly admitted student you just mentioned. Perhaps I’ll get lucky."


"That is right. However, there might be an even better member for the team and she might be unexpectedly closeby."

Ahem. Ahem.

...Kamito finally realized.

(Ahh, I see. So that's the reason she brought up the subject of the team.)

"Hey, Claire, just a minute—"

"What? Faa, do..don't suddenly breathe into my ear."

"What are you turning red for? Lend me your ear for a while and listen."

Kamito whispered into Claire's ear in a quiet voice.

"For some reason, this ojou-sama obviously wants to join us as a comrade, what do you say?"

"Absolutely not."

Claire immediately replied.

"Why? Rinslet's is a powerful fighter."

"That's... even I recognize her strength. However, no. We suffered in the duel with Ellis a while ago, didn't we? Because she didn’t even think the slightest about teamwork."

"Well, wh..."

It was certain that in the duel with Ellis' group the other day, despite being a sniper, she was standing in the most conspicuous place for some reason and was knocked down in the very beginning.

"Be...besides, Rinslet ... about you ..."


"Hn? Did you say something?"

"I..it's nothing, at any rate, it's a no! Rinslet is not allowed!"

"Think about it a little bit more before deciding, isn't she somewhat pitiful?"

"Wh...what are you two sneakily talking about?!"

While twirling the front of her platinum blonde hair with her index finger, Rinslet was staring at them with a fidgety, nervous expression.

"Wh...?"

"......"

Claire groaned seemingly unhappy.

"...I got it. I'll try asking once."

She sighed deeply and nodded. There were two months remaining till the opening of the Blade Dance. She might have accepted that it wasn't the time to be worrying only about her desires anymore.

"Hey, Rinslet."

"Wh...what is it, Claire Rouge?"

Rinslet tensed and her voice sounded slightly excited.

"You wouldn't, by any chance, want to enter my team?"

"Id...idiot, don't ask Rinslet!"

Kamito shouted in a soft voice.


Asking Rinslet, who was a highly prideful girl, in such a way—

Rinslet's finger, which was twirling a lock of her hair stopped.

"Hm, if you think about what you suddenly said—"

She placed her hand at her waist and pointed at Claire, in a thrust.

"Aren't you the ones who want to join my team?"

"Huh?"

Claire's eyebrows sternly lifted up.

"What are you saying? Are you an idiot? You'll join my team!"

"Rejected, rejected, rejected. You two will join my team!"

The two ojou-sama started quarreling about something trivial.

...Their desires, after all, matched.

"Either way is the same, right..."

Kamito retorted,

'''"It's completely different!"'''

They shouted together. Only at such a time were their breaths in sync.

"...Uhm it's no good, something like a team is absolutely impossible with these guys."

"Really, can't you guys keep quiet? This is a public place!"


A cold voice resounded in the salon café.

Everybody turned around—

At the café's entrance, a ponytailed beautiful girl, wearing light armor, was standing.

"Ellis!"

Claire sullenly groaned. ...Another hindrance came. And she had such a stern expression.

Ellis Fahrengart.

The captain of the Sylphid Knights, who observed the academy's public morals.

She was charming in appearance which was completely opposite to her strict personality. Her relationship with Claire's group which normally caused problems seemed to be bad.

Although, it did not mean that she was such a hard-to-deal-with person to Kamito.

At first, when Kamito entered into the academy, just because he was a male elementalist, she was prejudiced against him, but she had already remorsefully apologized to him regarding that matter.

Even if there were times she was a little too serious she was a straightforward person, who held a strong belief for their own case. He could respect that part of her that held the pride of a knight.

Ellis walked, briskly, towards their table.

"Captain-sama, what business do you have with us?"

"If it's about the duel, I'll accept a rematch anytime."

Rinslet and Claire, both gained a dangerous glint in their eyes after hearing those words.


On that subject, the duel the other day remained unsettled because of the demon spirit's sudden intrusion.

He wondered if another match will settle their dispute.

(......Spare me. A duel again, no thanks.)

Coming closer, Ellis looked down on Claire with sharp eyes.

"Hmm, I have no problem settling it here and now, Claire Rouge."

"Just what I want."

Ellis drew out her sword and Claire also pulled out her leather whip from under her skirt.

In the tense atmosphere, the girls, who occupied the surrounding tables, stood up rattling.

"Hey, Claire..."

Kamito attempted to stop it—

"Ca-Captain, calm down!"

"Y...you can't draw out a sword here!"

From the café's entrance, two girls run in with flustered looks.

They were wearing the same Knights armor as Ellis.

One was a short haired boyish girl and the other a somehow serious looking girl with braided hair.

Kamito certainly recognized them both. They were the Knight girls he fought in the duel the other day.

If he remembered right, their names were— Rakka, for the one with the short hair, and Reishia, for the one with the braids.

Stopped by her comrades, Ellis sheathed her sword embarrassed.


"...S...Sorry, my Knights followers."

Feeling ashamed, she cleared her throat and apologized to the two girls—

Then she turned towards Kamito.

"Kazehaya Kamito."

"Me?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side, seemingly puzzled. Claire aside, he certainly did not recall doing anything to be kept an eye on by the Knights.

"It seems you lost completely to the Wolverine Class in this morning's match."

"What?! As I thought, you're trying to pick a fight."

Claire stood up with a clank sound.

"That's not it. Th...the truth is Kazehaya Kamito, you—"

Ellis shook her head, and rapidly blushed bashfully and looked down.

"Hn, what's the matter?"

"So, err..."

"Come on, Captain, it is embarrassing so you better say it quickly."

"You're always so resolute but at times like this you are too slow."

Reishia and Rakka were whispering behind Ellis.

"However, such a bashful captain is also cute."


"Ahh, it's like that, it's almost like a girl who has fallen in love—"

"D...don't make fun of me! I...I am really not thinking about such an insolent person!"

Ellis shouted with her face turned bright red.

After that she coughed to cover their whispers up.

"It is certain that I've gotten a better opinion of you because of that day's case, but ... that's all. The one I admire is a pure strong female like the {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}. It's most certainly not a boy!"

"..."

Kamito gazed at Ellis, who informed him in a cold voice, with half-opened eyes.

(...I'm sorry, your admired female is an illusion.)

"Unh, wh..what's with that look!"

Ellis thrust her sword at the back of Kamito's neck.

"Is it that strange for me to be admiring Ren Ashbell?"

"...N...no, that's not it!"

Kamito panicked and shook his head.

At the event three years ago— the dance of the participant, left a strong impression on the girls of the same generation. Henceforth, many princess maidens, who aimed to be elementalists aspired to be like her.

It seemed that Ellis was not an exception either.

"That's enough, quickly state your business."


"Shut up, I know that!"

After turning and retorting to Claire, Ellis stared at Kamito again.

"Kazehaya Kamito—"

"Wh...what..."

"Err, what I'm saying is, ..."

Ellis seemed nervous as her hand was lightly trembling.
[[Image:STnBD V02 069.jpg|thumb]]

By the way, she didn’t move the sword from his neck, and he couldn’t help but feel nervous.

"What I'm saying is... I...I want you!"

"..."

—Silence fell upon the cafe.

Claire and the others, even Rakka and Reshia, were dumbfounded.

For a while, time froze.

"Wh...wh...wh..wh..."

Claire was the first one who opened her mouth.

Her face was bright red and her mouth opened and closed repeatedly.

"...!?"

Ellis widened her eyes, seemingly taken aback and shook her head.

"Th...that's not it… my words… just now… I didn’t mean it!"


"Wh-wh-what other possible meaning could those words have!?"

"I wanted to say, th...that—"

After Ellis took a deep breath,

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you join my team?"

"Eh?"

Kamito did not believe his ears when those unexpected words came out.

(...Ellis and me, a team?)

"What did you say?"

Claire and Rinslet were also staring in wonder.

Rakka and Reshia saw Ellis turn bright red, and were grinning.

"...Wait! Wh-what do you mean?"

"I...I meant just that. Kazehaya Kamito, I welcome you to my team. Because you defeated that militarized spirit, I have no doubt in your ability."

Ellis replied fast and quickly averted her eyes, trying not to look at him.

It seemed her true intention was to scout Kamito.

But with a sword held at the back of his neck, rather than being scouted, it looked like he was being threatened.

Ellis' results were straight at the top of class. If Kamito joined this team, in all likelihood his chances to obtain the entry qualifications for the Blade Dance would greatly increase.



However—

"Ellis, I—"

"No way, this is my contracted spirit after all!"

The one who interrupted Kamito's reply with a shout was Claire.

She stood up from the chair and tightly grabbed the sleeves of Kamito's uniform.

"Claire, you..."

Kamito turned around and looked down only for his eyes to met her clear ruby pupils.

Claire's had an anxiety look in her eyes.

It was likely that she was not aware of it, but she was staring at him pleadingly.

(I see, she's...)

It seemed that being betrayed by her sister, Rubia, caused her a deep wound to her heart.

After being abandoned by someone, it could not be helped that things like that frightened her.

That was why she was kept to hersself. She could not depend on anyone.

Because she was afraid of being betrayed again—

"..."

Kamito—

Took a sharp breath and scratched his head.

(...Being shown such a face...)


With a bitter smile, he gently placed his hand on top of Claire's head.

His reply was obvious from the beginning. She did not have to be worried.

"Ellis, sorry, but I am her contracted spirit. I don't intend to change teams."

"...Kamito!?"

Claire, taken aback, raised her face and widened her eyes.

"...I see."

Ellis tightly bit her lips.

However, the next moment, she had already returned to her cold expression.

"...I understand. I'm sorry for asking something unreasonable so suddenly."

"No, me too ... thank you for inviting me."

Kamito apologized and Ellis was a little bashful.

"I...it's alright. Y...you are such a kind guy, that’s why I—"

"Uh?"

Ellis seemed to have said something, but her voice was so soft he didn't catch it.

"Ahh, you've been rejected."

"It's alright, the captain has us."

"Y...you guys... I...it's not like that!"

Ellis turned bright red and shouted at her two comrades, who were grinning teasingly her.


"H...hey, Kamito..."

"Hn?"

While still holding Kamito's uniform sleeve, she tried to bashfully say something else.

"What's the matter?"

"...Th...thank...you."

"...? What?"

She was trying to say something, but her voice was too soft, so he could not hear her well.

It was unusual for Claire to be so hesitant.

"S...so... erm..."

And at that moment. Bam! The door opened—

"Is the licentious… no— Kazehaya Kamito here?!"

An academy student came running into the salon café.

She seemed to have come here in a great hurry so she was out of breath.

(Wait, it seems like she was about to say licentious beast just now...)

"I'm here."

Kamito raised his hand and the girl felt relieved as she panted heavily.

"The academy director is calling for you. So, go over there immediately."

"Greyworth?"



===Part 3===

At a corner of the Academy Town that was part of Areishia Spirit Academy…

At a table of a coffee lounge, which greatly stuck out on the outside, a strange set of customers was sitting.

One of them was a black haired girl dressed in a jet-black dress.

Darkness spirit Restia. The perpetrator who caused the militarized spirit from the imperial capital to go mad and brought great damage to Academy Town a week ago.

And the other one was a thin boy with darkish skin and steel-like hard black hair.

He had good looks, but there was something strange about him. It was the pair of red eyes glowing slightly.

The two of them should have drawn a lot of attention, but not only did no one around them pay them any attention, it seemed that nobody could even perceive their presences.

"—So, I just have to steal that specific sealed material from the academy's library?"

"Yeah, because of the incident the other day, I am unable to get close to the academy."

"Tch, how troublesome, what do we need such a thing for again?"

The boy spat onto the ground. However, no one found fault in that.


"That thing sleeping in Mine Town is a fairly hard problem. The seal of the highest level Ordesia army spans several layers. With only the releasing rituals, how many months would it take to wake it up—"

"Hmm, the disposed militarized spirit— how are you going to collect that thing?"

"You do not have the qualifications to know her prediction, Jio."

The girl in black clothing gently shook her head. The boy clicked his tongue.

"Because you toyed with the militarized spirit of the imperial capital as you pleased, it became more difficult. Is it an order to steal it?"

"Isn't it fine, I could observe his current strength."

"I guess. Honestly though, I am disappointed. Is that all he can do? I expected more from Ren Ashbell, the strongest blade dancer."

"He has not yet woken up."

"I hope so. Even if I beat that now-cowardly guy, there would be no point."

"Ah, you have the confidence you can defeat him?"

"I'll beat him. And then I'll prove it. That this Jio Inzagi is the true successor of the Demon King."

The boy's red lips curved into a smirk. On his whole body, countless numbers of spirit seals started shining.

Just like the the demon king Solomon he had— '''the seals that carried seventy-two spirits'''.

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1 Draft

2013-06-03T17:32:12Z

Asiorx22: Replaced content with "Finished the first chapter. Hope you like it."

Finished the first chapter. Hope you like it.

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1 Draft

2013-06-03T17:25:36Z

Asiorx22:

===Part 1===

"U...h..."

Areishia Spirit Academy, Raven Class dormitory.

In a room, illuminated by the morning sun, Kazehaya Kamito woke up.

(Hn, If I remember correctly, there will be a team battle in the morning.)

Usually, he would enjoy a bit more time dozing off, however, today he could not do so.

He had enough of being late and getting lectured by the teacher, Freya.

Planning to fold the sheets and get up, he reached out both hands, only to—

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyuu*.

Feel them touch something soft.

(What is this? It's small, tender... a little cold, but feels good.)

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyuu*. *Funyuu*.

Half awake, he played with the mysterious soft thing within the palms of his hands, when-

"You finally woke up, Kamito."

"..."

A voice made him freeze.


[[Image:STnBD V02 023.jpg|thumb]]
A beautiful, nude girl was sitting on his chest.

Her silver hair glittered in the morning sun. Her tight bare skin was white like milk.

She was small, but had all the necessary curves. The girl's figure was ideal.

She looked at Kamito with her mysterious violet eyes, her face expressionless.

"What's the matter? You're not going to play with my breasts anymore?"

"... Owaaaaa!"

Kamito straightened flustered and pointed at the beautiful girl before him,

"Wh...Wh...What are you doing!? Or rather why are you nude?!"

"I'm not nude, I'm properly wearing knee socks."

Straddling Kamito's abdomen she raised her knees to show him.

Startled by that, mysteriously erotic, action, Kamito looked away flustered.

"No, that's worse! Because compared to nude, knee socks nude is even, err, ...that!"

"Do you want me to take off my knee socks? Kamito... pervert."

While the beautiful silver haired girl stayed expressionless, she bashfully rubbed her knees.

He did not understand why she reacted like that but, somehow, to this spirit, showing her bare feet seemed more embarrassing.

Yes. This snow fairy like beautiful girl was not human.

She was the Sword Spirit Est.



'She was an extremely powerful 'Sealed Spirit' that made a spirit contract with Kamito a few days ago.

But in her current condition, she could not exhibit even around a tenth of her original strength.

Within his sub consciousness, Kamito was rejecting the spirit contract with her and as a result, she became unable to return to Astral Zero where her real form was.

"A...Anyway, move aside Est!"

"Roger, Kamito."

Although Est seemed a little dissatisfied, she obediently moved.

She was squirming on the sheet. ...The sensation of her soft thighs was bad for his heart.

While scratching his bed hair in relief, Kamito finally got up and at that moment.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chuu*.

"...!?"

It took him completely by surprise and lasted only several seconds. Then, their lips gently separated. His cheeks turned red.

"You... Wh...What are you doing all of a sudden?!"

"A wake up kiss, Kamito."

Est answered expressionlessly.

"Why do such—"



"Because it's unfair you only kissed Claire. Is it that you don't want to do it with me?"

Hearing Est's blaming tone, Kamito softened his voice.

"You s...saw, didn't you? ...That."

"Yes. Because, at that moment, I was also there."

"...Ah, come to think of it, that is right."

Kamito immediately recalled that moment and sighed heavily.

A week ago, that time when he fought the frenzied militarized spirit in Academy Town.

Est was certainly there— in the form of a sword of his elemental waffe.

It seemed that the moment, when Claire kissed the exhausted due to the loss of energy boy to wake him up, was being observed.

It was certain that it awakened him in one shot, however... now that he thought about it, it was also extremely embarrassing.

"I heard that a kiss is an official ritual of a spirit contract. In that case, Est too."

Est gently brushed her silver hair hanging by her cheeks.

She closed her eyes, pouted slightly pitifully her cherry-blossom colored lips and slowly brought her face near him.

"So, why did it turn out like this?"

"It's only natural and it’s within my rights. After all, I'm Kamito's contracted spirit."

"...!"

Although she was an extremely strong Sealed Spirit, whose power, was at the moment concealed, Est's current appearance was that of an ordinary cute girl.


After being approached like this, Kamito couldn’t stop his heart from beating faster, so instead he…

"He...Hey, Est..."

"Please close your eyes, master."

Est brought her face closer in one motion. Their noses were almost touching now and he could smell her sweat scent and feel the tickle of her breath.

Just before her rose bud like lips were about to touch his...

"Kamito, there's a team battle this morning, so be sure to make breakfast more luxurious than—"

"...!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bam!* The bathroom door was slammed opened and there—

"Wh...Wh...Wh...Wh..."

A beautiful red-haired girl stood. Her ruby-colored eyes were wide open as she took in the scene before her.

The girl’s body was wrapped in a bath towel which hugged her gentle curves tightly.

There was white steam rising from her, slightly cherry blossom colored after being washed, skin.

Her breasts were definitely of a child's size, but these small mounds were also plenty charming.

From the tips of her soaking wet red hair, drops of water were falling onto the floor.

On the bed, before her was nude… no, knee sock nude Est.

That is when time froze.


"Claire... Y...You're mistaken, this is...!"

The flustered boy chose that moment to stand up and try to explain.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogo...!*

"Wh...What are you doing, you perverted sex maniac——!"

"Guoo!"

A leather whip, used for training animals, came flying all of a sudden and landed a clean hit on his chin.

Kamito wrapped the bed sheets around his body as fell to the floor.

"I...I've misjudged you, you licentious brute, beast!"

While holding onto the bath towel with one hand, the girl approached briskly the boy, squirming on the floor, and forcefully trampled on his head with the heel of her bare foot.

Claire Rouge.

She was his classmate and, by some twist of fate, Kamito was tied to her by a master-servant contract.

At least she had a ridiculously cute face and was a beautiful girl. She had however… an extremely brutal personality.

"Wh...What-What were you doing? Hey, just now, what were you doing with that Sword Spirit?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pishii, pishii, pishiii!*

"Hey, wait, stop ... guoo!"

It was a tempest of whips that relentlessly swung downwards. Her bristled red hair was just like blazing flames.

And during this constant onslaught of devastating whip blows…


Kamito saw it. He saw it fully.

"Wa...Wait...Claire, isn't that bad?"

And then, as he realized, what it was that he saw, he had to say it. For her own sake.

By the way, when it was about things like this, Kamito turned into a strangely honest and blunt person.

"...? What?"

Her clear ruby colored pupils sternly looked down on Kamito.

"Erm, this angle ... is err, very revealing."

"Eh?"

Claire blinked as she placed her foot on Kamito's head.

That is when she finally realized it.

Kamito lay on the floor, with her foot on his head, and through the opening of her towel he could see her exposed tight.

"...!"

Claire's whole body felt hot from embarrassment.

She fixed her bath towel in a fluster and her shoulders slightly trembled.

"Y...Y...You, you!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogogogo...!*

"Wa...Wait, this is a misunderstanding, relax! Err…I didn’t see all of it?"

It seemed like Kamito's frantic excuse—


"..."

Backfired.

"...Oh, I understand."

Claire informed him with a shuddering-like voice.

"After this, I'll give you two choices. You better answer honestly."

Kamito swallowed nervously and nodded after a moment.

Here, he should choose his answer carefully. Depending on his reply, it was not unlikely that he would become cinders.

"About your cooking preferences, would you prefer medium? Or well-done?"

...Things like choices did not exist from the beginning.

"I...If possible, rare is good but..."

Just as Kamito gave his answer.

"Scarlet!"

From an empty space, a hell cat, clad in crimson flames, appeared.

"Roast huh, it's decided then."

It was after those words, said with a smile that promised nothing but painful death and a fascinated expression on her face that—

Spontaneously, a flashy explosion resounded in Raven Class dormitory.



===Part 2===

Areishia Spirit Academy.

Princess maidens from all over the empire gathered at this training school and learned how to become proper elementalists.

Its vast territory included the «Spirit Forest» and the Academy Town. The academy also had residential teachers who possessed strength equal to that of the imperial capital's spirit knights. It was just like an independent small country.

At the same time the morning mist cleared up and the bell of lectures commencing sounded, there was a particular one-horse carriage visiting the academy.

Its coachman, an old butler in a suit, got down from the horse in front of the gate and opened the door of the carriage in a respectful manner.

"We have arrived, Fianna-sama."

"Thank you for your efforts, old man."

Coming out of the carriage was a beautiful girl about fifteen, sixteen years old.

Her glossy black hair fluttered in the gentle breeze. Her cold looking eyes emitted a strong will. Her clear white skin could be compared to the virgin snow of the area of Laurenfrost and her uniform designed as a black dress was gorgeous.

The girl, called Fianna, alighted from the carriage and looked up at the building of the Academy. The sight of the school dazzled her.

"This is Areishia Spirit Academy. The place where elementalists from all over the empire gather."

"Please be very careful, Fianna-sama. It’s impossible to fool the eyes of that Dusk Witch with poor tricks."

"I understand."


With a nod, the girl gently grasped a spirit crystal, concealed by the sleeve of her uniform.

In the empire's currency, it was a good-for-nothing article of 20 million rood.

"Rubia Elstein's sister seems to be in this academy."

"Princess, that name is a taboo. You had better not say it here."

"That’s right."

The Calamity Queen, who once brought about an unprecedented great disaster to the empire.

As a taboo, that person's true name was even prohibited from being spoken.

It was said that just by muttering that name a pure girl's sacred nature would be tainted.

She considered it to be a ridiculous superstition. Nevertheless, the people, who saw her up close in the past, felt that there was a slice of accuracy in those words. They believed in the jinx.

(...That's right. The truth is, the fear of her has yet to affect me.)

The girl cleared her throat, then she lowered her voice and whispered.

"Besides, I am also concerned about the elementalist called Kazehaya Kamito."

"Hmm, is it that male elementalist? There was a talk, that a few days ago he defeated a frenzied militarized spirit in Academy Town."

"Yes, based on all the eye-witnesses' words, it seemed to be a splendid blade dance of close resemblance to that of the strongest blade dancer — Ren Ashbell."

Fianna's voice became lively as she got a little excited.

The old butler gave her a stern look for that.


"Princess, don't tell me, you fell in love with that boy"

"Fe...fell in love...!?"

Fianna's voice trembled from embarrassment. Her cheeks turned red.

"Th...that can't be it, right? After all, I have never met him before... it's just that I have an interest in what kind of person this male elementalist is."

It was a lie.

The male elementalist, who defeated the frenzied militarized spirit in Academy Town.

The moment Fianna heard that boy's name, she immediately realized.

It was him.

Three years ago, that boy, who had saved her in the forest of Astral Zero.

Despite promising to meet again, he disappeared for some reason after the Blade Dance.

(—However, I finally found him.)

When she heard the report on that day, Fianna decided to enter the Areishia Spirit Academy.

If that boy announced his candidacy to the Blade Dance again—

For her that was a once in lifetime opportunity.

"Kamito, I'll forgive you for breaking our promise."

Fianna glared at the school building of the academy and an impish smile surfaced.

"However, I'm not letting you escape again♪"


===Part 3===

About eight minutes have passed since the start of the match.

In a deep forest, which was enshrouded in a light purple mist, two shadows were moving fast.

"Claire, watch the thicket on the left. There's an ambush."

"How do you know?"

"Intuition, if it was me, I would ambush from over there—"

At that moment, just as Kamito suspected, bluish-white lightning bullets were fired from the left thicket.

"Tch—"

Kamito kicked the ground and accelerated. He jumped in front of Claire and deflected the lightning bullets shot at the speed of sound with his sword.

It was not a feat that could be achieved with just an ordinary blade. Endowed with spirit magic resistance ability, the elemental waffe of sword spirit Est— «Terminus Est», made all the magic attacks ineffective.

"Claire!"

Before Kamito shouted, Claire was already on her target. The wind played with her red hair and below her fluttering skirt, a leather whip holder could be seen.

While she placed her foot on a tree branch and dodged the rain of fired lightning bullets, she released her elemental waffe— «Flame Tongue».

There was a sharp swinging, cutting sound. The Flame Tongue, which could cut up everything, easily sliced through rows of standing trees.


From the middle of the grove of trees that became almost bare in a moment, a thunder elementalist girl appeared.

She had her eyes hidden under her forelocks which made her look a little gloomy.

There was a cluster of bluish-white lightning bullets floating beside her.

It was not a high ranking spirit like Est or Scarlet. It was a low ranking spirit that could only keep an indeterminate form, however, it was plenty helpful as a battery to use spirit magic.

It seemed that that girl's role was a disturbance by means of support fire.

"Humph, a sniper who shows herself is the same as a turtle coming up on land."

Claire thrust her whip in a declaration of victory. With the thunder spirit right behind her, the girl sniper ran towards the middle of the forest in a worried manner—

"You're not getting away! Scarlet, chase her!"

At the same time Claire shouted, the elemental waffe Flame Tongue transformed into the form of a hellcat, clad in flames.

Because of being possessed by the frenzy spirit, Scarlet was once the size of a kitten, however, now it had recovered fully. Its form was of a lovely cat, but its strength was certainly of a roaring fierce lion.

The surging crimson flames attacked the thunder elementalist girl.

However, that scorching heat, which by right should melt even rocks, did not even burn a single place of the girl's body.

That was because the battle field was situated in Astral Zero, which the academy used for practice matches.

It was another world and spirits lived there.


In the real world, spirits had to change into an embodiment of physical strength, but here spirits could be used as an embodiment of pure divine power.

In other words, it almost completely reduced the physical damage to the body.

Nonetheless, it did not mean that shocks, pain and so forth disappeared, a consequence was that an equal damage would be delivered to the mind instead; for example, if one was torn up by Scarlet's claws, one would certainly faint and become unable to battle.

While carbonizing many trees of the forest, Scarlet was closely chasing the girl. However, the elementalist seemed to be considerably more accustomed to the terrain and prepared for battle and while distracting it with spirit magic, she was quickly making her escape deep into the forest.

"Erghh, stay still!"

Losing her temper, Claire jumped down to the ground from the gap between the trees.

"Since it came to this, I'll blow everything together with my strongest spirit magic."

"Wait, Claire, the ground looks weird—"

Kamito shouted, and at that moment, a large quantity of earth and sand exploded from under Claire's feet.

"Wh...!?"

Appearing from underground were gigantic crustacean pincers.

"Negligence is one's greatest enemy, Claire Rouge of Raven Class!"

From inside the sand that was raising up and the large hole that opened in the ground, the carapace armor of countless protuberances flew out.

It was a type of elemental waffe that covered the whole body in armor.


Claire was blown off by that blast and has fallen to the ground. The spirit attacked using earth and sand and the impact left the body substantially damaged.

"Claire!"

Before Kamito came running to her, the carapace elementalist was already in pursuit. This was not a coincidental attack. They were scrupulously aiming for the moment when Claire went down onto the ground.

"Eat this, the elemental waffe of the carapace spirit «Kuraste»— «Breaker Arm»."

"—Guu! Flames, dance in my hand, dance!"

The fallen Claire released countless fireballs from her hand.

However, the armor type elemental waffe plunged right trough the barrage of flames.

"Ha, the flame attribute isn't effective against the carapace spirit. Didn't you learn that during the lecture?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gaa*— A shoulder-tackle by the carapace armor blew Claire away.

Kamito kicked the ground and quickly turned around. Holding Est in a reverse grip, he stopped Claire's body that came flying at him, embracing the girl tightly.

"U...gh..."

Claire let out in a languid voice from arms.

It seemed that the recent attack had greatly drained her divine power; however, she still looked to be conscious.

(Just before the crash, she released the fireballs at the ground and destroyed her opponent's stance. As expected of her.)

"Hey, are you alright?"


"Y...yea... Eh... y...you, what are you doing!"

Suddenly, Claire's face turned red.

Claire's petite body was being held in such a manner that her back and knees were supported by both his hands.

It was what was called being carried like a princess.

"Fua... Id...idiot... qu...quickly put me down!"

"He..hey, don't struggle! You'll fall!"

"Shut up! Shut up! Quickly put me down——!"

Boka. Boka. Boka. Boka.

Claire started striking Kamito's chest while being carried like a princess. This somehow made her look like a small, cute animal.

"Are you worried about me? You don't have to, you know. You're pretty light."

"Is th...that... because my chest is flat?"

"No, I didn’t say such a thing. I just thought that you're cute like a small animal."

"...! Cu...cute..."

She looked downwards with a red face and Kamito let her down with a relieved sigh.

The carapace elementalist had already disappeared. It seemed that, because Claire was defeated in the recent attack, she was waiting for another chance for a surprise assault. As opossed to her outward appearance, she was a cautious type.

From deep within the forest, Scarlet, who was supposed to be chasing the thunder elementalist, returned.


They did not seem to have suffered any injuries, but it seemed they have also let their prey escape.

"That thunder elementalist purposely showed herself to us."

"Yea, when I got down onto the ground while chasing her, that carapace armor stopped me with a surprise attack. We have suffered thoroughly from their good teamwork."

Annoyed, Claire lashed at the ground with her whip.

"As expected of a team of the cunning Wolverine Class."

"It's not that they're particularly cunning or anything, considering their fellow spirits' compatibility, it was a obvious strategy."

Kamito said while shrugging his shoulders and Claire sullenly shut her mouth.

"However, it's strange that they aren't coming to chase us. I know that they're being cautious but— still."

"That's right. From the begining, that thunder elementalist's movement could only be seen as stalling for time."

Astral Zero's forest was quieting down.

He couldn't feel their presence at all, not from the surrounding thickets, nor from the underground.

(With this time stalling, do they have some sort of plan?)

"I want to send out a scout to search for the enemy, however."

"If that was possible, I'd have already done it."

At any rate, there were three people remaining in the opposing team. They on the other hand had just two. Depending on the situation, it could be that one person had to fight either two or three people. In a one-on-one battle, both Kamito and Claire would not be defeated. However, if they were caught and taken on by more than two coordinated people, winning would be substantially more difficult.


Also, even in the case of a one-on-one battle, the fellow spirits' strength and weakness had to be considered. In an actual battle one should also remember the matter of compatibility when the attributes of a spirit were more effective than an elementalist's ability.

"—Seems like you're having a tough battle, Kazehaya Kamito."

Suddenly, from behind, a voice sounded.

Kamito turned around and saw how a black figure quickly appeared from inside of the shadow on the ground.

The black figure very quickly took on the form of an adult woman.

She had glossy long black hair and the glasses she was wearing gave a very intellectual appearance.

She had on cuff-long white robe on top of her suit, that beautiful lady was—

"Teacher Freya?"

Raven Class's homeroom teacher and this match's inspector, Freya Grandol.

Thanks to her contracted spirit's ability, she was able to travel trough shadows—

"Is that alright? To appear in the middle of the match."

"What, there's no problem with giving poor-scoring students advice."

Freya suddenly smiled and pushed up her glasses.

"Although, the team you're currently facing is of a superior ranking, so you’ll obviously have a tough battle. Based on individual strength, you two are nigh on unreachable, but your team strength is lacking. ...By the way, why were you injured before the match?"

"This morning, I was roasted."


He glared at Claire beside him with scorn; in response she quickly averted her eyes.

"In the first place, I think it is strange to have a five-to-two match though."

Despite the fact they only had two people; the team they were facing had five people. They had already defeated two, but the sniper thunder elementalist, the hand-to-hand-fighting type carapace elementalist and then the last person, who had yet to show herself, were remaining.

"Did you know? The fact that your team only has two people is bad. You can't qualify for entry in this round's «Blade Dance» without a five-member team. What do you plan to do?"

"We'll find people before the deadline. We don't really need to have all five members to be high level elementalists. After all, my plan is for I, alone, and— this slave spirit to win through this."

Claire muttered unintelligibly and Freya glared at her with a serious face.

"You had better not take team battles lightly, Claire Rouge. You are certainly a strong elementalist, but even so you absolutely can't beat a coordinated team."

After that, she turned towards Kamito,

"Do you know chess?"

"Greyworth taught me. Although she is a harsh opponent, so I had never won."

"The queen is certainly a strong piece. In a one-on-one battle, there are hardly times when it will lose. However, depending on the situation, it is also possible for it to be taken down by a pawn, which is the weakest peace on the desk."

"I know about that."

"But you do not understand it. Your fighting method feels...awfully isolated."


Without responding, Kamito shut his mouth.

The boy, who was once called— the strongest blade dancer. He, who was raised as an assassin at that mad «Instructional School» had never experienced fighting alongside his comrades.

Creeping to the target's back and cutting its throat— that was his original fighting method.

On a whim of the Elemental Lords, the Blade Dance's regulation was changed every time it was held.

The Blade Dance, fifteen years ago, was a battle royale.

The one three years ago, was an individual elimination match.

This time however it was a team battle.

Honestly, he didn't think that his teamwork with Claire was turning out well.

And the fatal three-year long blank period was for him as an elementalist a fatal flaw.

He also had a contracted spirit, who could not exhibit even a tenth of her strength yet.

There were many factors that had to be overcome.

"Claire Rouge, you too. You do not understand what it means to fight in a team."

"I'm always alone. T...this guy is just a slave spirit..."

"Oh dear, you two have many difficulties in store for you."

Teacher Freya sighed and disappeared into the shadow again.

"...Hmm, because of that just now, two minutes have been used up. There are about five minutes remaining."

As it was, if they did not reach a conclusion soon, both team's inter-school rank would drop.


This will affect this two, who were still of low rank, greatly.

—Then, the hell cat, snuggling at the side of Claire's feet, let out a roar.

"Hey, Scarlet is saying something."

"Yeah, the forest looks strange. The wild animals are stirred up?

Claire was frowning with a serious face for some reason—

"There—"

She suddenly faced the forest and fired a fire attribute spirit magic.

It was a fireball— a high ranking spirit magic that would reduce a target to ashes with ultra-hot flames.

The red hot flames licked the ground and the forest near it was reduced to ashes.

With the rising black smoke, a boorish figure appeared standing in a relaxed manner.

"Well, what a frightening ojou-sama."

The girl wore the carapace armor of her elemental waffe over her body.

Despite receiving a direct hit of the fireball, she did not have a single burn mark.

"This is unexpected... you came out fairly. Have you already given up on a surprise attack?"

"Our roles have ended. The leader's preparations have been completed."

"Preparations?"

Claire and Kamito frowned simultaneously.

From the direction the black smoke was rising up—


"Huh....?" "What... is that!?"

A gigantic timber-scaffolding was put together.

While its structure was simple, it was without a doubt a splendid shrine.

And top of it a small girl, wearing the academy uniform, was dancing. It looked like she was carrying some kind of a ritual.

The girl had beautiful platinum-blonde hair held by a wooden cane.

"Our brethren, now is the time, hand down the iron hammer to the forest devastators!"

From the top of the gigantic scaffolding, she faced this side and thrust the cane with a snap.

"Wh...what's going on, that girl ... when did she managed to make a shrine that big!?"

"We were preparing it from the last night to have it ready for today's match."

The carapace elementalist girl proudly held up her pincers.

...Indeed, if it was with that spirit's power, it should be possible to make the shrine in a night.

"I...it's unfair, that thing! A ritual Kagura!"

"Uh-huh, it isn't unfair! Without a large-scale ritual, I can't call out my contracted spirit!"

The girl, who was on top of the scaffolding and holding a cane, shouted.

"Shut up, children should stay silent!"

"Unh, what do you mean by children, isn't your chest small too?"

"What... did you say?"

Pakii! The sound of a twig being stepped on and broken resounded. Claire's red hair was bristling up like a blazing flame.


"The family of Druid ..."

Kamito muttered wiping the sweat from his forehead.

They were nobles from the Ordesia Empire. It was a family of ancient honorable elementalists, which had lived in the spirit forest since before the foundation of the empire and succeeded the blood relationship of the princess maidens with their original methods.

"That girl's spirit is a little special, summoning takes time."

"I see, so that was the reason you were stalling..."

The ground was violently shaking. The flames of the torches, lighting the area surrounding the shrine, were thunderously burning up. 

...He felt a tremendous sense of oppression. What that girl was trying to use was an outrageously powerfull spirit. It was likely that it roughly matched the giant military spirit they fought the other day.

"—I won't let you. Scarlet!"

Claire released Scarlet as its elemental waffe, Flame Tongue, and hit the ground very hard.

"Kamito, I'll hold her back. You go destroy that shrine."

"Got it!"

Kamito nodded and ran with the silver-glittering «Terminus Est» in his hand.

As an elementalist, Claire was a genius.

Although the compatibility of hers and carapice spirit worked against her, in a one-on-one battle, she would not lose.

There was a considerable distance till the shrine, but with Kamito's speed, he should make it in time.

"...!?"


Suddenly the ground in front of him burst open.

From within the thicket, spirit magic lightning bullets were fired.

It was the thunder spirit girl. Naturally, Kamito had also predicted that an ambush was hidden in the forest.

However—

"Toryaaaaaa!"

"Wha...!?"

This was unexpected. —The elementalist herself came interfering.

It was impossible to ignore. Kamito stopped and turned around.

(I'll stun her in one strike—)

He nimbly turned around and aimed the handle of the sword at her stomach—

At that moment, an intense flash blinded him.

The thunder spirit, the girl was using, blew itself up in front of him.

The rain of the intense lightning attack assaulted Kamito. Sharp pain and then numbness ran throughout his whole body.

It wasn’t strong enough to incapacitate him. However, he was, for a while, stunned.

Before his eyes recovered, the girl, also caught in the explosion fainted, and had therefore been defeated.

(That girl aimed for a tie from the start...)

It was a strategy unsuited for individual battles, but when working in a team, it was a good way to achieve victory.

Her duty was to stop him for a while. And in that she had succeeded.


"We're done for..."

"Come, tyrant governor! Thou, beast king of the destruction army that grinds and smashes everything!"

On top of the shrine, the forest girl aimed the cane to the sky and recited the majestic summoning.

The summoning ritual had been completed.

"...Its name is beast swarm spirit «Cernunnos»!"

From everywhere in the forest, a countless number of roars could be heard.

That Druid girl was calling the beasts that were living in Astral Zero.

"The beast swarm spirit... a spirit of vast possession range type!"

It was the same as the frenzy spirit that drove Claire's Scarlet, the militarized spirit and many others mad, a type of spirit that would possess the target— the vast range edition.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Dodododododododododoo!*

The group of beasts, which were possessed by the swarm spirit, made the earth tremble when they came charging.

"Be...Because they aren't spirits, if they were trampled, they would die. Normally."

"I...If it's the handling of animals, I too will not lose!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pishi!* *Pishi!* Claire, who defeated the carapace elementalist, swang her whip.

"Give it up, Claire, it's our loss."

"—The match is over."

Teacher Freya, who appeared quickly like a shadow, blew into the whistle announcing the end of the match.

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1 Draft

2013-06-02T07:56:45Z

Asiorx22:

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1 Draft

2013-06-01T11:53:03Z

Asiorx22:

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1 Draft

2013-06-01T11:48:07Z

Asiorx22: Finished the first part.

"U...h..."

Areishia Spirit Academy, Raven Class dormitory.

In a room, illuminated by the morning sun, Kazehaya Kamito woke up.

(Hn, If I remember correctly, there will be a team battle in the morning.)

Usually, he would enjoy a bit more time dozing off, however, today he could not do so.

He had enough of being late and getting lectured by the teacher, Freya.

Planning to fold the sheets and get up, he reached out both hands, only to—

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyuu*.

Feel them touch something soft.

(What is this? It's small, tender... a little cold, but feels good.)

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyuu*. *Funyuu*.

Half awake, he played with the mysterious soft thing within the palms of his hands, when-

"You finally woke up, Kamito."

"..."

A voice made him freeze.


[[Image:STnBD V02 023.jpg|thumb]]
A beautiful, nude girl was sitting on his chest.

Her silver hair glittered in the morning sun. Her tight bare skin was white like milk.

She was small, but had all the necessary curves. The girl's figure was ideal.

She looked at Kamito with her mysterious violet eyes, her face expressionless.

"What's the matter? You're not going to play with my breasts anymore?"

"... Owaaaaa!"

Kamito straightened flustered and pointed at the beautiful girl before him,

"Wh...Wh...What are you doing!? Or rather why are you nude?!"

"I'm not nude, I'm properly wearing knee socks."

Straddling Kamito's abdomen she raised her knees to show him.

Startled by that, mysteriously erotic, action, Kamito looked away flustered.

"No, that's worse! Because compared to nude, knee socks nude is even, err, ...that!"

"Do you want me to take off my knee socks? Kamito... pervert."

While the beautiful silver haired girl stayed expressionless, she bashfully rubbed her knees.

He did not understand why she reacted like that but, somehow, to this spirit, showing her bare feet seemed more embarrassing.

Yes. This snow fairy like beautiful girl was not human.

She was the Sword Spirit Est.



'She was an extremely powerful 'Sealed Spirit' that made a spirit contract with Kamito a few days ago.

But in her current condition, she could not exhibit even around a tenth of her original strength.

Within his sub consciousness, Kamito was rejecting the spirit contract with her and as a result, she became unable to return to Astral Zero where her real form was.

"A...Anyway, move aside Est!"

"Roger, Kamito."

Although Est seemed a little dissatisfied, she obediently moved.

She was squirming on the sheet. ...The sensation of her soft thighs was bad for his heart.

While scratching his bed hair in relief, Kamito finally got up and at that moment.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chuu*.

"...!?"

It took him completely by surprise and lasted only several seconds. Then, their lips gently separated. His cheeks turned red.

"You... Wh...What are you doing all of a sudden?!"

"A wake up kiss, Kamito."

Est answered expressionlessly.

"Why do such—"



"Because it's unfair you only kissed Claire. Is it that you don't want to do it with me?"

Hearing Est's blaming tone, Kamito softened his voice.

"You s...saw, didn't you? ...That."

"Yes. Because, at that moment, I was also there."

"...Ah, come to think of it, that is right."

Kamito immediately recalled that moment and sighed heavily.

A week ago, that time when he fought the frenzied militarized spirit in Academy Town.

Est was certainly there— in the form of a sword of his elemental waffe.

It seemed that the moment, when Claire kissed the exhausted due to the loss of energy boy to wake him up, was being observed.

It was certain that it awakened him in one shot, however... now that he thought about it, it was also extremely embarrassing.

"I heard that a kiss is an official ritual of a spirit contract. In that case, Est too."

Est gently brushed her silver hair hanging by her cheeks.

She closed her eyes, pouted slightly pitifully her cherry-blossom colored lips and slowly brought her face near him.

"So, why did it turn out like this?"

"It's only natural and it’s within my rights. After all, I'm Kamito's contracted spirit."

"...!"

Although she was an extremely strong Sealed Spirit, whose power, was at the moment concealed, Est's current appearance was that of an ordinary cute girl.


After being approached like this, Kamito couldn’t stop his heart from beating faster, so instead he…

"He...Hey, Est..."

"Please close your eyes, master."

Est brought her face closer in one motion. Their noses were almost touching now and he could smell her sweat scent and feel the tickle of her breath.

Just before her rose bud like lips were about to touch his...

"Kamito, there's a team battle this morning, so be sure to make breakfast more luxurious than—"

"...!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bam!* The bathroom door was slammed opened and there—

"Wh...Wh...Wh...Wh..."

A beautiful red-haired girl stood. Her ruby-colored eyes were wide open as she took in the scene before her.

The girl’s body was wrapped in a bath towel which hugged her gentle curves tightly.

There was white steam rising from her, slightly cherry blossom colored after being washed, skin.

Her breasts were definitely of a child's size, but these small mounds were also plenty charming.

From the tips of her soaking wet red hair, drops of water were falling onto the floor.

On the bed, before her was nude… no, knee sock nude Est.

That is when time froze.


"Claire... Y...You're mistaken, this is...!"

The flustered boy chose that moment to stand up and try to explain.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogo...!*

"Wh...What are you doing, you perverted sex maniac——!"

"Guoo!"

A leather whip, used for training animals, came flying all of a sudden and landed a clean hit on his chin.

Kamito wrapped the bed sheets around his body as fell to the floor.

"I...I've misjudged you, you licentious brute, beast!"

While holding onto the bath towel with one hand, the girl approached briskly the boy, squirming on the floor, and forcefully trampled on his head with the heel of her bare foot.

Claire Rouge.

She was his classmate and, by some twist of fate, Kamito was tied to her by a master-servant contract.

At least she had a ridiculously cute face and was a beautiful girl. She had however… an extremely brutal personality.

"Wh...What-What were you doing? Hey, just now, what were you doing with that Sword Spirit?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pishii, pishii, pishiii!*

"Hey, wait, stop ... guoo!"

It was a tempest of whips that relentlessly swung downwards. Her bristled red hair was just like blazing flames.

And during this constant onslaught of devastating whip blows…


Kamito saw it. He saw it fully.

"Wa...Wait...Claire, isn't that bad?"

And then, as he realized, what it was that he saw, he had to say it. For her own sake.

By the way, when it was about things like this, Kamito turned into a strangely honest and blunt person.

"...? What?"

Her clear ruby colored pupils sternly looked down on Kamito.

"Erm, this angle ... is err, very revealing."

"Eh?"

Claire blinked as she placed her foot on Kamito's head.

That is when she finally realized it.

Kamito lay on the floor, with her foot on his head, and through the opening of her towel he could see her exposed tight.

"...!"

Claire's whole body felt hot from embarrassment.

She fixed her bath towel in a fluster and her shoulders slightly trembled.

"Y...Y...You, you!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogogogo...!*

"Wa...Wait, this is a misunderstanding, relax! Err…I didn’t see all of it?"

It seemed like Kamito's frantic excuse—


"..."

Backfired.

"...Oh, I understand."

Claire informed him with a shuddering-like voice.

"After this, I'll give you two choices. You better answer honestly."

Kamito swallowed nervously and nodded after a moment.

Here, he should choose his answer carefully. Depending on his reply, it was not unlikely that he would become cinders.

"About your cooking preferences, would you prefer medium? Or well-done?"

...Things like choices did not exist from the beginning.

"I...If possible, rare is good but..."

Just as Kamito gave his answer.

"Scarlet!"

From an empty space, a hell cat, clad in crimson flames, appeared.

"Roast huh, it's decided then."

It was after those words, said with a smile that promised nothing but painful death and a fascinated expression on her face that—

Spontaneously, a flashy explosion resounded in Raven Class dormitory.

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1 Draft

2013-05-31T18:32:20Z

Asiorx22:

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1 Draft

2013-05-31T18:16:35Z

Asiorx22: Here is what I changed. I would like it if you shared your opinion.

'In one room, upon where the refreshing morning sun shone, Kazehaya Kamito woke up'.
'In a room, illuminated by the morning sun, Kazehaya Kamito woke up'.

'Hn, if I recall, today ... there's a team battle in the morning'
'Hn, If I remember correctly/ my memory serves me right, there will be a team battle in the morning'. I think it's the first conditional, so I corrected the tenses. And I changed the word 'recall', because... well it didn't feel right, but I'm actually not sure about my version either.

'He had enough of being late and receiving sermons by the teacher, Freya'.
'...and getting lectured by the ...'. I looked in the dictionary and sermon is closer to preaching, so I think 'lectured' suits this situation better.

'Planning to fold the sheets and get up, he reached out both hands, then—<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyuu*... His hands touched something that felt soft'.
'... he extended his hands, only to...feel them touch something soft'.

'His hands touched something that felt ''soft''.(What is this? It's small, ''soft'', a little cold... feels good.)
'...feel them touch something ''soft''. (What is this? It's small, ''tender''... a little cold, but feels good' I replaced a word with its synonym and changed the accents a little bit.

'While half awake, he was playing with the mysterious soft thing with his palms, then...
"You finally woke up, Kamito."
"..."
At that moment, Kamito's movement froze'.
'Half awake, he played with the mysterious soft thing within the palms of his hands, when... ''...'' a voice made him freeze'.

'Her silver hair was glittering while basking in the morning sun'
'Her silver hair glittered in the morning sun' That's an expression actually. I think it sounds better this way.

'Her body, which depicted her smooth curves, was small, but it was the proper body of a girl'. This whole sentence actually sounds wrong. to begin with, a body can't depict and it's the first time I see an expression like 'the proper body of a girl'
'She was small, but had all the necessary curves. The girl's figure was ideal'.

'Her mysterious violet pupils were looking down at Kamito expressionlessly'
'She looked at Kamito with her mysterious violet eyes, her face expressionless'

'Kamito got up in a fluster and said, while pointing at the beautiful girl before him,... While straddling over Kamito's abdomen, the girl raised her knees to show him'.
'Kamito straightened flustered and pointed at the beautiful girl before him... Straddling Kamito's abdomen she raised her knees to show him' To get up means to get out of bed, but she was still sitting on him, which means she was still in the bed. Also, there is no need in the word while, because the verb itself means a continuous action.

'Startled by that action, which was mysteriously erotic, Kamito looked away in a fluster'
'Startled by that, mysteriously erotic, action, Kamito looked away flustered'

'She was a 'Sealed Spirit' that possessed extremely powerful strength'
Powerful strength, wet water, salty salt there was a term for this kind of thing, wich I admitedly forgot. Anyway, it's better not use it.
'She was an extremely powerful 'Sealed Spirit''

'It was a complete surprise attack. Despite that he noticed that he was kissed, it spanned about several seconds. The sensation of her soft lips gently separated. His cheeks turned hot'.
'The kiss took him completly by surprise. It lasted several seconds. Then, their lips gently separated. His cheeks turned red'.

'Because it's unfair. Is it only Claire? Is it that you don't want to do it with me?'
'Because it's unfair you only kissed Claire. Is it that you don't want to do it with me?'

'Towards Est's blaming tone, Kamito firmly softened his voice'.
'Hearing Est's blaming tone, Kamito softened his voice' Firmly declared something or said firmly, but not 'firmly softened'.

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1 Draft

2013-05-31T18:13:46Z

Asiorx22: Not much, but it's a start.

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-30T18:54:33Z

Asiorx22: /* Tautology */

For the part that goes "Ellis thrust her sword at the back of kamito's neck" it doesn't seem to correspond with the picture. Should it be changed to the side of his neck or under his chin?

== Unnecessary words ==

There are a lot of sentences, that have words, that are redundant. They don't hold any information neither do they make the sentence sound better, they are just there. For example 'This place was a salon café that was inside the academy'. Readers already know that salon cafe is a place, there is no need to actually spell it. The words 'that was' are also unnecessary, they make the proposition too cumbersome. Wouldn't something like 'This was a salon café inside the academy' or 'They were at a salon cafe inside the academy' sound better?

== The order of words ==

Or rather parts of a sentence. For example 'The three of them were sitting and having a slightly late lunch at a round table near a window'. It's is not difficult to understend what is written, but... let's call it, the conection between words is gone. We know that the tree of them were sitting at a table and having a lunch there so the it should sound like 'The three of them were sitting at a round table near a window and having a slightly late lunch'. I think there was a rule about this kind of stuff, but can't remember it.
Anyway, does anyone else thinks it sounds smoother this way.

== Tautology ==

Claire over-'''''relied''''' on her strength and chased her opponents too far and Kamito too could not '''''rely'''''

'She betrayed the Elemental Lord, disappeared, and brought about an unprecedented great '''''calamity''''' to the empire- The '''''Calamity''''' Queen'

'''''Kamito''''' nodded and '''''there'''''-
"Ah, everyone, having lunch?"
A cool but elegant voice was heard.
'''''Kamito''''' turned around. And '''''there'''''—

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-30T18:53:24Z

Asiorx22: /* Tautology */ new section

For the part that goes "Ellis thrust her sword at the back of kamito's neck" it doesn't seem to correspond with the picture. Should it be changed to the side of his neck or under his chin?

== Unnecessary words ==

There are a lot of sentences, that have words, that are redundant. They don't hold any information neither do they make the sentence sound better, they are just there. For example 'This place was a salon café that was inside the academy'. Readers already know that salon cafe is a place, there is no need to actually spell it. The words 'that was' are also unnecessary, they make the proposition too cumbersome. Wouldn't something like 'This was a salon café inside the academy' or 'They were at a salon cafe inside the academy' sound better?

== The order of words ==

Or rather parts of a sentence. For example 'The three of them were sitting and having a slightly late lunch at a round table near a window'. It's is not difficult to understend what is written, but... let's call it, the conection between words is gone. We know that the tree of them were sitting at a table and having a lunch there so the it should sound like 'The three of them were sitting at a round table near a window and having a slightly late lunch'. I think there was a rule about this kind of stuff, but can't remember it.
Anyway, does anyone else thinks it sounds smoother this way.

== Tautology ==

Claire over-'''relied''' on her strength and chased her opponents too far and Kamito too could not '''rely'''

'She betrayed the Elemental Lord, disappeared, and brought about an unprecedented great '''calamity''' to the empire- The '''Calamity''' Queen'

'''Kamito''' nodded and '''there'''-
"Ah, everyone, having lunch?"
A cool but elegant voice was heard.
'''Kamito''' turned around. And '''there'''—

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-30T17:47:26Z

Asiorx22: /* The order of words */

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-30T17:45:33Z

Asiorx22: /* unnecessary words */

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-30T17:45:20Z

Asiorx22: /* The order of words */ new section

For the part that goes "Ellis thrust her sword at the back of kamito's neck" it doesn't seem to correspond with the picture. Should it be changed to the side of his neck or under his chin?

== unnecessary words ==

There are a lot of sentences, that have words, that are redundant. They don't hold any information neither do they make the sentence sound better, they are just there. For example 'This place was a salon café that was inside the academy'. Readers already know that salon cafe is a place, there is no need to actually spell it. The words 'that was' are also unnecessary, they make the proposition too cumbersome. Wouldn't something like 'This was a salon café inside the academy' or 'They were at a salon cafe inside the academy' sound better?

== The order of words ==

Or rather parts of a sentence. For example 'The three of them were sitting and having a slightly late lunch at a round table near a window'. It's is not difficult to understend what is written, but... let's call it, the conection between words is gone. We know that the tree of them were sitting at a table and having a lunch there so the it should sound like 'The three of them were sitting at a round table near a window and having a slightly late lunch'. I think there was a rule about this kind of stuff, but can't remember it.

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-30T17:36:04Z

Asiorx22: /* unnecessary words */

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-30T17:34:39Z

Asiorx22: /* unnecessary words */

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-30T17:33:13Z

Asiorx22: /* unnecessary words */ new section

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-29T18:48:21Z

Asiorx22: On a side note, I won't actually change the text, rather I will point out things I consider wrong, and it will be up to the editors to decide whether I am right or not.

==Chapter 2: The Young Ladies' Afternoon==

===Part 1===

"Mugugug..."

[[Image:STnBD V02 049.jpg|thumb]]
Claire Rouge was stuffing a cream bun down her throat.

It was an unusual scene for her, who took it as a creed— that nobles are always elegant.

"Don't binge, you'll get fat you know."

Kamito glared with his eyes half-opened and Claire struck the table like she was frustrated.

"But, but, urggggh!"

"Claire. That's my jam bun."

Est protested calmly.

This place was a salon café that was inside the academy.

From the opened terrace, the soft daylight was shining in.

The three of them were sitting and having a slightly late lunch at a round table near a window.

Inside the bamboo basket, placed right in the middle, there was a pile of jam buns, melon buns, sausage buns and so on, all kinds of buns.

Any student could use the café and on top of that the freshly baked buns were all-you-can-eat. Coffee and black tea also had free refills.

There was also an eatery in the academy, but as it charged a fee equal to a high-class restaurant in the imperial capital, for Kamito, who was not even a noble, and Claire, who had her fortune and territory confiscated, they simply could not use it.

"Our team ranking dropped again."

Claire lay, prostrated, on the table and groaned.

"We were matched up with a superior team. It can't be helped."

"That may be true... but our true strength is absolutely greater."

Claire tightly bit and closed her lips. Although they were at a disadvantage in number, she seemed to be unable to understand and accept losing to lower rank elementalist opponents.

It was certain that their level as elementalists was superior.

The cause of their defeat was that they did not execute the coordination between the both of them well. Claire over-relied on her strength and chased her opponents too far and Kamito too could not rely on Claire in a definite scenario.

With just the queen piece, it was not possible to win— in other words, it was something like that.

"Despite that, it's not the time to be stumbling at such a place..."

There was a reason that Claire binged on the buns to the extent that she looked to be in a hurry.

The regulation of the Blade Dance held in two months was different from the individual battle three years ago, if they do not put together a five-member team, they could not participate. And then, only the top three teams of the inter-school rankings could participate from Areishia Spirit Academy.



Kamito, who had just come to the academy, had no achievements that could raise his ranking.

To raise one's ranking, one had to win a formal practice match like this morning's or complete a task assigned by the academy; however, he had not achieved either of them.

Defeating the giant spirit the other day, dueling with Sylphid Knights captain Ellis Fahrengart or even battling the frenzied demon spirit, those were all informal battles and did not reflect in the rankings.

On the other hand, for Claire, who should have been superior and tower above the rest as an elementalist—

It was especially surprising that she somehow had the result of the lowest class.

There was only one reason. '''It was because she was completing all the tasks alone'''.

She failed when she challenged the tasks that should be originally completed by a team and she was defeated when she challenged upper classmen opponents alone in a championship match. If she did such a thing, no matter how superior she was as an elementalist, there was no way her ranking could raise.

There was a reason that Claire was isolated in the academy.

Rubia Elstein.

Four years ago, while she had the position of Queen serving the fire Elemental Lord, she betrayed the Elemental Lord, disappeared, and brought about an unprecedented great calamity to the empire— The Calamity Queen.

Claire, who was her younger sister, was being looked at with eyes of contempt and fear from most of the academy students.

Claire's reason for participating in the Blade Dance was to restore the Elstein family name and —above all else— to know the truth regarding her elder sister Rubia Elstein.


—It was not the time to be stumbling at such a place.

Blood-oozing emotions were filled in Claire's rough words.

"For now, we should also find comrades quickly. I understood it with this morning's match. If we stay as we are now, then, far from winning the Blade Dance, we can't even get into the top three ranks of the participation requirement."

The boy, who was called the strongest blade dancer three years ago, accepted his greatest weakness honestly.

At first, he just came to the academy due to Greyworth's request, but now he clearly had a reason for him to regain his strength from three years ago.

It was the darkness spirit, Restia— his former contracted spirit.

It was to take her back with his own hands.

The girl who gave light to Kamito's life for the first time, which was caught in darkness before.

And then the girl who gave a heartbroken Claire the frenzy spirit and tried to drive the giant spirit mad in the middle of the town.

Restia, who he met again, had greatly changed from the girl Kamito once knew.

—What on earth happened to her?

So, for the sake of knowing that, he absolutely had to meet the participation requirements for the Blade Dance.

"Kamito, what's wrong? You're making such a serious face."

"Did you forget to put sugar into your coffee?"

Claire and Est peered in with their faces with a worried look.


"No, sorry, it's just..."

"By any chance, is it about your former contracted spirit?"

She was mysteriously sharp at such a time.

Kamito quickly averted his eyes from the ruby pupils that came peering in.

"...Well. It's okay. But I'll properly tell you when I feel like talking."

Claire did not try to dig deeper into it. Despite always being arrogant, there were occasionally times where she showed such consideration.

"...Ah, I understand."

Kamito nodded and there—

"Ah, everyone, having lunch?"

A cool but elegant voice was heard.

Kamito turned around. And there—

A magnificently platinum-blonde haired beautiful girl was standing.

The very appearance of a noble ojou-sama.

With her smooth milky white skin, were her emerald eyes that locked up a faint radiance.

That appearance, where she brushed her hair with her hand at her waist looked strangely good.

Rinslet Laurenfrost.

A classmate of the same Raven Class as Kamito and self-named rival of Claire's.


Due to her rivalry with Claire, she was trying to make Kamito into her manservant. A troubling ojou-sama.

Right beside her was—

"Fufu, what a delicious smell."

The girl, who was dressed in a maid uniform, was standing there with a gentle smile.

She was wearing a long skirt attached with neat frills, her hair was cut into short bobs and she slightly put on a lovely white brim on her head.

She was Rinslet's exclusive maid, Carol.

He did not know why there was a maid in the academy, but he did not see maids other than her in the academy; it was surely an exception for the Laurenfrost family.

"...Why did you come here, Rinslet?"

Claire swallowed her bun and sternly glared at her.

"I just happened to pass by. What a very simple lunch, having just buns."

Rinslet brushed her hair and looked down on the three of them calmly.

"Milady is saying that she wants to eat together with everyone."

"Wh... Carol, what are you saying!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Poka!* *Poka!* Rinslet's face turned bright red as she hits Carol's shoulders.

As expected of her exclusive maid, it was a magnificent interpretation.

"Sit down both of you. You came after all, so let's eat together."


Kamito suggested and Claire stepped on his foot hard.

"Ouch, what are you doing?!"

"Nothing? I just thought you lack constancy ...Idiot."

"I...it's n...not like I particularly want to eat together with you all!"

"Milady is saying it'll be nice to sit next to Kamito."

"Carol!"

Carol soothed Rinslet, who turned bright red, and got her to sit down.

Rinslet, who sat next to Kamito, averted her eyes and spoke.

"...H...How are your injuries?"

"Ah, it's mostly healed. All thanks to the healing spirit."

It was about the injury he got from the time he fought the giant spirit. Probably because he overdid it, it'll take a little longer then he thought, but as expected, the academy's spirit medical care was excellent.

"Fufu, Milady has been continuously worrying about Kamito-sama."

"Carol, d...don't say anything unnecessary!"

Rinslet snapped with a grinding noise.

"However, it is also natural that Milady would be worried. After all, Kamito-sama is under one roof with Milady Claire, so it is not odd even if something should happen."

"Wha...What are you saying, you stupid maid! There's no way such things would happen."


This time it was Claire who snapped.

"...What kind of worry is that?"

Est was munching and eating a melon bun beside Kamito, who sighed.

With just that, Rinslet and Carol ended up having lunch together too.

Even Claire, who appeared upset at the beginning, eventually talked about this morning's match. After that, which store's cake was delicious, how boring the lecture over the introduction of the foundation of spirit learning was, and just like that normal girl-like conversations were beginning to bloom.

Somehow these two were on pretty good terms. Especially for Claire, who was being isolated in the academy, it could be said that she might be her only friend.

"That reminds me, it seems that a newly admitted student is coming to Raven Class."

"Our class? Despite the fact that Kamito just came in recently?"

"Yeah, I hear it's a daughter of noble social status."

"Hmm, but even if we're now talking about noble social status in this academy, there's the Fahrengart family and the Laurenfrost family... isn't this a bargain sale of noble social status?"

"Hey! Would you please not lump the militaristic Fahrengart family with the true pedigree Laurenfrost family?"

"I don't care about such things... What's wrong, Kamito?"


At any rate, Raven Class was famous for gathering '''superior problem children'''.

He just thought that if people like Claire and Rinlset were to increase, it would be troublesome.

"In the practical skill entrance examination that took place in the morning, she seems to be using a holy spirit."

The maid, Carol, took out a memo from her chest and said.

Carol's maid memo pad— aka «Carol's Notes», was stuffed with data on the academy students and teachers... He did not understand clearly what on earth she used it for.

"Hmm, a holy spirit user?..."

The holy spirit is one of the five grand element spirits, but there were not that many elementalists who used it.

It was a spirit, whose pride was extremely high and it chooses its own user.

Among princess maidens, it was said that it only opens its heart to especially pure noble girls.

(Because even in the competition three years ago, a holy spirit user gave him a tough fight...)

After all, a holy spirit had an extremely bad compatibility with the darkness spirit Kamito was contracted with.

But then, at that time, Kamito's strength completely surpassed the opponent elementalist's, that was why he did not lose.

"Ah, by the way, it seems like it's a very lovely big-chested girl."

"Carol, from where on earth did you procure such information?"

"Ah, Kamito-san, are you interested?"

Carol placed her hand near her mouth and smiled.


"Hmm, you are very concerned about the information of a big-chested admitted student, huh?"

"Eh?"

Gogogogogogogo......!

Kamito turned around and Claire raised her eyebrows and was glaring at him.

"Really, men are just idiots!"

"Kamito, do you have no distinction? Are you just a beast without reason?"

Somehow, even Rinslet and Est were glaring—

Gyuuuuuuuuu!

Kamito's cheeks were pinched by the three of them.

(This is unreasonable...)

===Part 2===

After various things, the lunch of buns ended and it was time to rest.

"Ahh, that reminds me—"

Ahem! Rinslet cleared her throat and said,

"Have you gathered your Blade Dance team members?"

"...N...not yet."


Claire shook her head in shame to Rinslet, who asked.

It seemed that she knew that answer beforehand. Rinslet smiled,

"Ah, you still have not? I have asked something bad."

Fufun! She held up her tea cup in an elegant movement.

Claire sullenly talked back.

"It's just that there isn't a person who matches up to our desired level. What about you? Have you decided on your members?"

"Tha...that's ... I just have not found a person who balances with my level!"

"Eh? Rinslet, you couldn't gather anyone either?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side.

Rinslet's ability, who uses the demon ice spirit «Fenrir», is about on par with Claire's.

He was thinking that if it was her, she would already be in great demand but...

"Fo...for now, there isn't, for now!"

Rinslet's face turned red and she quickly turned away.

"Kamito-san, Milady—"

"Uh huh?"

Carol tugged Kamito's sleeves and came to his side, telling him the reasons in his ear.

"The truth is... *mumbling*..."

"Hmm..."


According to Carol's words—

It seemed that although she had tried gathering a team several times, so far, the expectations she desired from her members were too high and things didn't go smoothly because of her excessively high pride. The teams she gathered, repeatedly broke up and so, there were no students left to invite.

...How should he say it, it was indeed a Rinslet-like reason.

"Hmm, her pride is certainly high but... she truly is a good girl, regardless."

"That's right..."

Carol earnestly nodded.

"Carol, what were you talking about with Kamito-san!?"

"It was concerning the order in which Milady washes her body in the bath."

"Carol!"

Glancing at the playful ojou-sama and maid, Claire deeply sighed.

"Haa... I wonder if there's really no one... A superior elementalist who would enter our team."

"...We...well, your circumstances aren't good."

Ahem.

Rinslet coughed and looked at Claire with one eye.

"That's right. Preferably, I should try approaching the newly admitted student that was just mentioned. Perhaps it might be an unexpected bargain."


"That is right. However, there might be an even better member unexpectedly closeby."

Ahem. Ahem.

...Kamito finally realized.

(Ahh, I see. So that's the reason she brought up the subject about the team.)

"Hey, Claire, just a minute—"

"What? Faa, do..don't suddenly breathe into my ear."

"What are you turning red for? Lend me your ear for a while and listen."

Kamito whispered into Claire's ear in a quiet voice.

"Somehow, this ojou-sama obviously wants to join us as comrades, but is that no good?"

"Absolutely not."

Claire immediately replied.

"Why? Rinslet's battle strength is adequate."

"That's... even I recognize her strength. However, no. We suffered in the duel with Ellis a while ago, didn't we? Because she doesn't even think the slightest about teamwork."

"Well, wh..."

It was certain that in the duel with Ellis' group the other day, despite being a sniper, she was standing in the most conspicuous place for some reason and was knocked down in the beginning.

"Be...besides, Rinslet ... about you ..."


"Hn? Did you say something?"

"I..it's nothing, at any rate, it's a no! Rinslet is not allowed!"

"No, without saying such things, isn't she somewhat pitiful?"

"Wh...what are you two sneakily talking about?!"

While twirling the front of her platinum blonde hair with her index finger, Rinslet was staring at them with a fidgety, uncomposed behavior.

"Wh...?"

"......"

Claire groaned seemingly unhappy.

"...I got it. I'll try asking once."

She sighed deeply and nodded. There were two months remaining till the opening of the Blade Dance. She might have reconsidered that it wasn't the time to be stating her desires anymore.

"Hey, Rinslet."

"Wh...what is it, Claire Rouge?"

Rinslet's voice was tensed and sounded slightly excited.

"You wouldn't, by any chance, want to enter my team?"

"Id...idiot, don't ask Rinslet!"

Kamito shouted in a soft voice.


Asking Rinslet, who was a highly prideful girl, in such a way—

Rinslet's finger, which was tampering with the front of her hair stopped.

"Hm, if you think about what you suddenly said—"

She placed her hand at her waist and pointed at Claire, in a thrust.

"Aren't you the ones who want to join my team?"

"Huh?"

Claire's eyebrows sternly lifted up.

"What are you saying? Are you an idiot? You'll join my team!"

"Rejected, rejected, rejected. You two will join my team!"

The two ojou-sama quarreled about something trivial.

...It was a perfectly parallel line.

"Either way is the same, right..."

Kamito retorted,

'''"It's completely different!"'''

They shouted in stereo mode. Only at such a time were their breaths in sync.

"...Uhm it's no good, these guys. Something like a team is absolutely impossible."

"Really, can't you guys keep quiet? This is a public place!"


A cold voice resounded in the salon café.

Everybody turned around—

At the café's entrance, a ponytailed beautiful girl, who was wearing light armor, was standing.

"Ellis!"

Claire sullenly groaned. ...Another hindrance came. She had such a facial expression.

Ellis Fahrengart.

The captain of the Sylphid Knights, who observed the academy's public morals.

She had a charming appearance not matching that of her strict personality. Her mutual relation with Claire's group, from Raven Class, who normally caused problems, seemed bad.

Although to Kamito, it did not mean that she was such a hard-to-deal-with person.

At first, when Kamito entered into the academy, just because he was a male elementalist, she was prejudiced against him, but she had already remorsefully apologized to him regarding that matter.

Even if there were times where she was a little overly serious with her straightforward personality, for which she held a strong belief, he could respect the part of her that held the pride of a knight.

Ellis came walking, briskly, towards the table.

"Captain-sama, what business do you have with us?"

"If it's about redoing the duel, I'll accept it anytime."

Rinslet and Claire, both of their eyes wore a dangerous light.


On that subject, the duel the other day became unsettled because of the demon spirit's sudden intrusion.

He wondered if that time's conclusion was to be decided again—

(......Spare me. A duel again, no thanks.)

Coming over here, Ellis looked down on Claire with sharp eyes.

"Hmm, I have no problem settling it here and now, Claire Rouge."

"Just what I want."

Ellis drew out her sword and Claire also pulled out her leather whip from under her skirt.

In the explosive atmosphere, the girls, who were at the surrounding tables, stood up rattled.

"Hey, Claire..."

Kamito attemptd to stop it—

"Ca-Captain, calm down!"

"Y...you can't draw out a sword here!"

From the café's entrance, two girls dashed over here with a flustered look.

They were wearing the same Knights armor as Ellis.

It was a short haired boyish girl and a somehow serious looking braided haired girl.

Kamito certainly recognized the both of them. They were the Knights girls he fought in the duel the other day.

If he remembered right, their names were— Rakka, for the one with the short hair, and Reishia, for the other with the braids.

Stopped by her Knights comrades, Ellis embarrassingly sheathed her sword.


"...S...Sorry, my Knights followers."

Feeling ashamed, she cleared her throat and apologized to the two girls—

This time she turned towards Kamito.

"Kazehaya Kamito."

"Me?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side, seemingly puzzled. Claire aside, he certainly did not recall doing anything to be kept an eye on by the Knights.

"It seems you lost completely to the Wolverine Class in this morning's match."

"What?! As I thought, you're trying to pick a fight."

Claire stood up with a clank sound.

"That's not it. Th...the truth is Kazehaya Kamito, you—"

Ellis shook her head, and rapidly blushed bashfully and looked down.

"Hn, what's the matter?"

"So, err..."

"Come on, Captain, despite that it's better to say it quickly."

"Despite that you're always resolved, you're slow at such a time."

Reishia and Rakka were whispering behind Ellis.

"However, such a bashful captain is also cute."


"Ahh, it's like that, it's almost like a girl who has fallen in love—"

"D...don't make fun of me! I...I am really not thinking about such an insolent person!"

Ellis shouted with her face turned bright red.

After that she coughed to cover over.

"It is certain that I've gotten a better opinion of you because of that day's case, but ... that's all. The one I admire is a pure strong female, like that {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}. It's absolutely not such a boy!"

"..."

Kamito gazed at Ellis, who informed him in a cold voice, with his eyes half-opened.

(...I'm sorry, your admired female is an illusion.)

"Unh, wh..what's with that look!"

Ellis thrust her sword at the back of Kamito's neck.

"Is it that strange for me to be admiring Ren Ashbell?"

"...N...no, that's not it!"

Kamito panicked and shook his head.

At the Blade Dance three years ago— the blade dance, which was danced by the strongest blade dancer, left a strong impression on the girls of the same generation. Henceforth, she was the aspiration of the princess maidens, who aimed to be elementalists.

It seemed that Ellis was not an exception either.

"That's enough, quickly state your business."


"Shut up, I know that!"

After turning and retorting to Claire, Ellis stared at Kamito again.

"Kazehaya Kamito—"

"Wh...what..."

"Err, what I'm saying is, ..."

Ellis seemed nervous as her hand was lightly trembling.
[[Image:STnBD V02 069.jpg|thumb]]

By the way, as the sword was left where it was thrust at, it could not be helped that it was dangerous.

"What I'm saying is... I...I want you!"

"..."

—Silence arrived.

Claire and the others, even Rakka and Reshia, were dumbfounded.

For a while, time froze.

"Wh...wh...wh..wh..."

Claire was the first one who opened her mouth.

Her face was bright red and her mouth was opening and closing.

"...!?"

Ellis widened her eyes, seemingly taken aback and shook her head.

"Th...that's not it, the words, just now, do not have such a meaning!"


"Su...su...su...such a meaning means what kind of meaning!?"

"I mean, th...that—"

After Ellis took a deep breath,

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you join my team?"

"Eh?"

Kamito did not believe his ears when those unexpected words came out.

(...Ellis and me, a team?)

"What did you say?"

Claire and Rinslet were also staring in wonder.

Rakka and Reshia saw Ellis, who turned bright red, and were grinning.

"...Well, what do you mean?"

"I...I meant just that. Kazehaya Kamito, I welcome you to my team. Because you defeated that militarized spirit, I have no objections about your ability."

Ellis rapidly said so and quickly averted her eyes, looking far away.

It seemed that in truth her intention was to scout Kamito.

With a sword thrust at the back of his neck, rather than being scouted, it was like he was being threatened.

Ellis' results were restrained by the upperclassmen and were top class. If Kamito joined this team, it was certain that the likelihood that he would obtain the entry qualifications to the Blade Dance would greatly increase.



However—

"Ellis, I—"

"No way, this is my contracted spirit after all!"

The one who interrupted Kamito's reply and shouted was Claire.

She stood up from the chair and tightly grabbed the sleeves of Kamito's uniform.

"Claire, you..."

Kamito turned around and looked down and his eyes met her clear ruby pupils.

Claire's eyes seemed to be swaying in anxiety.

It was likely that she was not aware of it, but she was staring with a clinging look.

(I see, she's...)

It was surely that being betrayed by her sister, Rubia, caused her heart to be deeply wounded.

Being abandoned by someone— something like that, being frightening to her, could not be helped.

That was why she was always in solitude. She could not depend on anyone.

Because she was afraid of being betrayed again—

"..."

Kamito—

Took a sharp breath and scratched his head.

(...Being shown such a face...)


While bitterly smiling, he gently placed his hand on top of Claire's head.

He had decided on the reply from the beginning. She did not have to be worried.

"Ellis, sorry, but I am her contracted spirit. I don't intend to change teams."

"...Kamito!?"

Claire, taken aback, raised her face and widened her eyes.

"...I see."

Ellis tightly bit her lips.

However, by the next moment, she had already returned to her cold expression.

"...I understand. I'm sorry for asking something unreasonable so suddenly."

"No, me too ... thank you for inviting me."

Kamito apologized and Ellis was a little bashful.

"I...it's alright. Y...you are such a guy, therefore, I—"

"Uh?"

Ellis seemed to have said something, but her voice was so soft that he didn't catch it.

"Ahh, you've been rejected."

"It's alright, the captain has us."

"Y...you guys... I...it's not like that!"

Ellis turned bright red and shouted at her two comrades, who were grinning and teasing her.


"H...hey, Kamito..."

"Hn?"

While still grabbing Kamito's uniform sleeve, she was bashfully saying something else.

"What's the matter?"

"...Th...thank...you."

"...? What?"

She was trying to say something, but her voice was too soft, so he could not hear her well.

It was unusual for Claire to be hesitating in such a way.

"S...so... erm..."

And at that moment. Bam! The door opened—

"Is the licentious, no— Kazehaya Kamito here?!"

An academy student girl came running into the salon café.

She seemed to have come here in a great hurry and seemed out of breath.

(Wait, it seems like she started saying my name as licentious beast just now...)

"I'm here."

Kamito raised his hand and that girl felt relieved as she stroked down on her chest.

"The academy director is calling for you. So, go over immediately."

"Greyworth?"



===Part 3===

At a corner of the Academy Town possessed by Areishia Spirit Academy.

At a table of a coffee lounge, which greatly stuck out on the outside, a strange set of customers was sitting.

One of them was a black haired girl dressed in a jet-black dress.

Darkness spirit Restia. The perpetrator who drove the militarized spirit brought in from the imperial capital mad and brought great damage to Academy Town a week ago.

And then, the other one had—

Steel-like hard black hair. It was a boy— skinny with darkish skin.

He had well-featured looks, but just his red eyes strangely could not be expressed other than being glaringly shiny.

The two of them were clearly conspicuous in such a place, but not only did no one in the surroundings pay attention to them, it seemed that their presences were not even perceived.

"—So, I just have to steal that specific sealed material from the academy's library?"

"Yeah, because of the incident the other day, I am unable to get close to the academy."

"Tch, how troublesome, what do we need such a thing for again?"

The boy spat onto the ground. However, no one found fault in that.


"That thing sleeping in Mine Town is a fairly hard problem. The seal of the highest grade Ordesia army spans several layers. With only the releasing ritual, how many months would it take to wake it up—"

"Hmm, the disposed militarized spirit— what's the plan for collecting such a thing?"

"You do not have the qualifications to know her prediction, Jio."

The girl in black clothing gently shook her head. The boy clicked his tongue.

"Because you toyed with the militarized spirit of the imperial capital as you pleased, it became troublesome. Is it an order to steal it?"

"Isn't it fine, I could observe his current strength."

"I guess. Honestly though, I am disappointed. Is that the level? Ren Ashbell's (the strongest blade dancer's)?"

"He has not yet woken up."

"I hope so. Even if I beat that now-cowardly guy, there would be no point."

"Ah, you have the confidence to beat him?"

"I'll beat him. And then I'll prove it. That this Jio Inzagi is the true successor of the Demon King."

The boy's red lips bent. On his whole darkish skin body, countless numbers of spirit seals were shining.

Same as the demon king Solomon— '''the seals that carried seventy-two spirits'''.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter3}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-29T18:07:13Z

Asiorx22: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 2: The Young Ladies' Afternoon==

===Part 1===

"Mugugug..."

[[Image:STnBD V02 049.jpg|thumb]]
Claire Rouge was stuffing a cream bun down her throat.

It was an unusual scene for her, who took it as a creed— that nobles are always elegant.

"Don't binge, you'll get fat you know."

Kamito glared with his eyes half-opened and Claire struck the table like she was frustrated.

"But, but, urggggh!"

"Claire. That's my jam bun."

Est protested calmly.

This place was a salon café that was inside the academy.

From the opened terrace, the soft daylight was shining in.

The three of them were sitting and having a slightly late lunch at a round table near a window.

Inside the bamboo basket, placed right in the middle, there was a pile of jam buns, melon buns, sausage buns and so on, all kinds of buns.

Any student could use the café and on top of that the freshly baked buns were all-you-can-eat. Coffee and black tea also had free refills.

There was also an eatery in the academy, but as it charged a fee equal to a high-class restaurant in the imperial capital, for Kamito, who was not even a noble, and Claire, who had her fortune and territory confiscated, they simply could not use it.

"Our team ranking dropped again."

Claire lay, prostrated, on the table and groaned.

"We were matched up with a superior team. It can't be helped."

"That may be true... but our true strength is absolutely greater."

Claire tightly bit and closed her lips. Although they were at a disadvantage in number, she seemed to be unable to understand and accept losing to lower rank elementalist opponents.

It was certain that their level as elementalists was superior.

The cause of their defeat was that they did not execute the coordination between the both of them well. Claire over-relied on her strength and chased her opponents too far and Kamito too could not rely on Claire in a definite scenario.

With just the queen piece, it was not possible to win— in other words, it was something like that.

"Despite that, it's not the time to be stumbling at such a place..."

There was a reason that Claire binged on the buns to the extent that she looked to be in a hurry.

The regulation of the Blade Dance held in two months was different from the individual battle three years ago, if they do not put together a five-member team, they could not participate. And then, only the top three teams of the inter-school rankings could participate from Areishia Spirit Academy.



Kamito, who had just come to the academy, had no achievements that could raise his ranking.

To raise one's ranking, one had to win a formal practice match like this morning's or complete a task assigned by the academy; however, he had not achieved either of them.

Defeating the giant spirit the other day, dueling with Sylphid Knights captain Ellis Fahrengart or even battling the frenzied demon spirit, those were all informal battles and did not reflect in the rankings.

On the other hand, for Claire, who should have been superior and tower above the rest as an elementalist—

It was especially surprising that she somehow had the result of the lowest class.

There was only one reason. '''It was because she was completing all the tasks alone'''.

She failed when she challenged the tasks that should be originally completed by a team and she was defeated when she challenged upper classmen opponents alone in a championship match. If she did such a thing, no matter how superior she was as an elementalist, there was no way her ranking could raise.

There was a reason that Claire was isolated in the academy.

Rubia Elstein.

Four years ago, while she had the position of Queen serving the fire Elemental Lord, she betrayed the Elemental Lord, disappeared, and brought about an unprecedented great calamity to the empire— The Calamity Queen.

Claire, who was her younger sister, was being looked at with eyes of contempt and fear from most of the academy students.

Claire's reason for participating in the Blade Dance was to restore the Elstein family name and —above all else— to know the truth regarding her elder sister Rubia Elstein.


—It was not the time to be stumbling at such a place.

Blood-oozing emotions were filled in Claire's rough words.

"For now, we should also find comrades quickly. I understood it with this morning's match. If we stay as we are now, then, far from winning the Blade Dance, we can't even get into the top three ranks of the participation requirement."

The boy, who was called the strongest blade dancer three years ago, accepted his greatest weakness honestly.

At first, he just came to the academy due to Greyworth's request, but now he clearly had a reason for him to regain his strength from three years ago.

It was the darkness spirit, Restia— his former contracted spirit.

It was to take her back with his own hands.

The girl who gave light to Kamito's life for the first time, which was caught in darkness before.

And then the girl who gave a heartbroken Claire the frenzy spirit and tried to drive the giant spirit mad in the middle of the town.

Restia, who he met again, had greatly changed from the girl Kamito once knew.

—What on earth happened to her?

So, for the sake of knowing that, he absolutely had to meet the participation requirements for the Blade Dance.

"Kamito, what's wrong? You're making such a serious face."

"Did you forget to put sugar into your coffee?"

Claire and Est peered in with their faces with a worried look.


"No, sorry, it's just..."

"By any chance, is it about your former contracted spirit?"

She was mysteriously sharp at such a time.

Kamito quickly averted his eyes from the ruby pupils that came peering in.

"...Well. It's okay. But I'll properly tell you when I feel like talking."

Claire did not try to dig deeper into it. Despite always being arrogant, there were occasionally times where she showed such consideration.

"...Ah, I understand."

Kamito nodded and there—

"Ah, everyone, having lunch?"

A cool but elegant voice was heard.

Kamito turned around. And there—

A magnificently platinum-blonde haired beautiful girl was standing.

The very appearance of a noble ojou-sama.

With her smooth milky white skin, were her emerald eyes that locked up a faint radiance.

That appearance, where she brushed her hair with her hand at her waist looked strangely good.

Rinslet Laurenfrost.

A classmate of the same Raven Class as Kamito and self-named rival of Claire's.


Due to her rivalry with Claire, she was trying to make Kamito into her manservant. A troubling ojou-sama.

Right beside her was—

"Fufu, what a delicious smell."

The girl, who was dressed in a maid uniform, was standing there with a gentle smile.

She was wearing a long skirt attached with neat frills, her hair was cut into short bobs and she slightly put on a lovely white brim on her head.

She was Rinslet's exclusive maid, Carol.

He did not know why there was a maid in the academy, but he did not see maids other than her in the academy; it was surely an exception for the Laurenfrost family.

"...Why did you come here, Rinslet?"

Claire swallowed her bun and sternly glared at her.

"I just happened to pass by. What a very simple lunch, having just buns."

Rinslet brushed her hair and looked down on the three of them calmly.

"Milady is saying that she wants to eat together with everyone."

"Wh... Carol, what are you saying!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Poka!* *Poka!* Rinslet's face turned bright red as she hits Carol's shoulders.

As expected of her exclusive maid, it was a magnificent interpretation.

"Sit down both of you. You came after all, so let's eat together."


Kamito suggested and Claire stepped on his foot hard.

"Ouch, what are you doing?!"

"Nothing? I just thought you lack constancy ...Idiot."

"I...it's n...not like I particularly want to eat together with you all!"

"Milady is saying it'll be nice to sit next to Kamito."

"Carol!"

Carol soothed Rinslet, who turned bright red, and got her to sit down.

Rinslet, who sat next to Kamito, averted her eyes and spoke.

"...H...How are your injuries?"

"Ah, it's mostly healed. All thanks to the healing spirit."

It was about the injury he got from the time he fought the giant spirit. Probably because he overdid it, it'll take a little longer then he thought, but as expected, the academy's spirit medical care was excellent.

"Fufu, Milady has been continuously worrying about Kamito-sama."

"Carol, d...don't say anything unnecessary!"

Rinslet snapped with a grinding noise.

"However, it is also natural that Milady would be worried. After all, Kamito-sama is under one roof with Milady Claire, so it is not odd even if something should happen."

"Wha...What are you saying, you stupid maid! There's no way such things would happen."


This time it was Claire who snapped.

"...What kind of worry is that?"

Est was munching and eating a melon bun beside Kamito, who sighed.

With just that, Rinslet and Carol ended up having lunch together too.

Even Claire, who appeared upset at the beginning, eventually talked about this morning's match. After that, which store's cake was delicious, how boring the lecture over the introduction of the foundation of spirit learning was, and just like that normal girl-like conversations were beginning to bloom.

Somehow these two were on pretty good terms. Especially for Claire, who was being isolated in the academy, it could be said that she might be her only friend.

"That reminds me, it seems that a newly admitted student is coming to Raven Class."

"Our class? Despite the fact that Kamito just came in recently?"

"Yeah, I hear it's a daughter of noble social status."

"Hmm, but even if we're now talking about noble social status in this academy, there's the Fahrengart family and the Laurenfrost family... isn't this a bargain sale of noble social status?"

"Hey! Would you please not lump the militaristic Fahrengart family with the true pedigree Laurenfrost family?"

"I don't care about such things... What's wrong, Kamito?"


At any rate, Raven Class was famous for gathering '''superior problem children'''.

He just thought that if people like Claire and Rinlset were to increase, it would be troublesome.

"In the practical skill entrance examination that took place in the morning, she seems to be using a holy spirit."

The maid, Carol, took out a memo from her chest and said.

Carol's maid memo pad— aka «Carol's Notes», was stuffed with data on the academy students and teachers... He did not understand clearly what on earth she used it for.

"Hmm, a holy spirit user?..."

The holy spirit is one of the five grand element spirits, but there were not that many elementalists who used it.

It was a spirit, whose pride was extremely high and it chooses its own user.

Among princess maidens, it was said that it only opens its heart to especially pure noble girls.

(Because even in the competition three years ago, a holy spirit user gave him a tough fight...)

After all, a holy spirit had an extremely bad compatibility with the darkness spirit Kamito was contracted with.

But then, at that time, Kamito's strength completely surpassed the opponent elementalist's, that was why he did not lose.

"Ah, by the way, it seems like it's a very lovely big-chested girl."

"Carol, from where on earth did you procure such information?"

"Ah, Kamito-san, are you interested?"

Carol placed her hand near her mouth and smiled.


"Hmm, you are very concerned about the information of a big-chested admitted student, huh?"

"Eh?"

Gogogogogogogo......!

Kamito turned around and Claire raised her eyebrows and was glaring at him.

"Really, men are just idiots!"

"Kamito, do you have no distinction? Are you just a beast without reason?"

Somehow, even Rinslet and Est were glaring—

Gyuuuuuuuuu!

Kamito's cheeks were pinched by the three of them.

(This is unreasonable...)

===Part 2===

After various things, the lunch of buns ended and it was time to rest.

"Ahh, that reminds me—"

Ahem! Rinslet cleared her throat and said,

"Have you gathered your Blade Dance team members?"

"...N...not yet."


Claire shook her head in shame to Rinslet, who asked.

It seemed that she knew that answer beforehand. Rinslet smiled,

"Ah, you still have not? I have asked something bad."

Fufun! She held up her tea cup in an elegant movement.

Claire sullenly talked back.

"It's just that there isn't a person who matches up to our desired level. What about you? Have you decided on your members?"

"Tha...that's ... I just have not found a person who balances with my level!"

"Eh? Rinslet, you couldn't gather anyone either?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side.

Rinslet's ability, who uses the demon ice spirit «Fenrir», is about on par with Claire's.

He was thinking that if it was her, she would already be in great demand but...

"Fo...for now, there isn't, for now!"

Rinslet's face turned red and she quickly turned away.

"Kamito-san, Milady—"

"Uh huh?"

Carol tugged Kamito's sleeves and came to his side, telling him the reasons in his ear.

"The truth is... *mumbling*..."

"Hmm..."


According to Carol's words—

It seemed that although she had tried gathering a team several times, so far, the expectations she desired from her members were too high and things didn't go smoothly because of her excessively high pride. The teams she gathered, repeatedly broke up and so, there were no students left to invite.

...How should he say it, it was indeed a Rinslet-like reason.

"Hmm, her pride is certainly high but... she truly is a good girl, regardless."

"That's right..."

Carol earnestly nodded.

"Carol, what were you talking about with Kamito-san!?"

"It was concerning the order in which Milady washes her body in the bath."

"Carol!"

Glancing at the playful ojou-sama and maid, Claire deeply sighed.

"Haa... I wonder if there's really no one... A superior elementalist who would enter our team."

"...We...well, your circumstances aren't good."

Ahem.

Rinslet coughed and looked at Claire with one eye.

"That's right. Preferably, I should try approaching the newly admitted student that was just mentioned. Perhaps it might be an unexpected bargain."


"That is right. However, there might be an even better member unexpectedly closeby."

Ahem. Ahem.

...Kamito finally realized.

(Ahh, I see. So that's the reason she brought up the subject about the team.)

"Hey, Claire, just a minute—"

"What? Faa, do..don't suddenly breathe into my ear."

"What are you turning red for? Lend me your ear for a while and listen."

Kamito whispered into Claire's ear in a quiet voice.

"Somehow, this ojou-sama obviously wants to join us as comrades, but is that no good?"

"Absolutely not."

Claire immediately replied.

"Why? Rinslet's battle strength is adequate."

"That's... even I recognize her strength. However, no. We suffered in the duel with Ellis a while ago, didn't we? Because she doesn't even think the slightest about teamwork."

"Well, wh..."

It was certain that in the duel with Ellis' group the other day, despite being a sniper, she was standing in the most conspicuous place for some reason and was knocked down in the beginning.

"Be...besides, Rinslet ... about you ..."


"Hn? Did you say something?"

"I..it's nothing, at any rate, it's a no! Rinslet is not allowed!"

"No, without saying such things, isn't she somewhat pitiful?"

"Wh...what are you two sneakily talking about?!"

While twirling the front of her platinum blonde hair with her index finger, Rinslet was staring at them with a fidgety, uncomposed behavior.

"Wh...?"

"......"

Claire groaned seemingly unhappy.

"...I got it. I'll try asking once."

She sighed deeply and nodded. There were two months remaining till the opening of the Blade Dance. She might have reconsidered that it wasn't the time to be stating her desires anymore.

"Hey, Rinslet."

"Wh...what is it, Claire Rouge?"

Rinslet's voice was tensed and sounded slightly excited.

"You wouldn't, by any chance, want to enter my team?"

"Id...idiot, don't ask Rinslet!"

Kamito shouted in a soft voice.


Asking Rinslet, who was a highly prideful girl, in such a way—

Rinslet's finger, which was tampering with the front of her hair stopped.

"Hm, if you think about what you suddenly said—"

She placed her hand at her waist and pointed at Claire, in a thrust.

"Aren't you the ones who want to join my team?"

"Huh?"

Claire's eyebrows sternly lifted up.

"What are you saying? Are you an idiot? You'll join my team!"

"Rejected, rejected, rejected. You two will join my team!"

The two ojou-sama quarreled about something trivial.

...It was a perfectly parallel line.

"Either way is the same, right..."

Kamito retorted,

'''"It's completely different!"'''

They shouted in stereo mode. Only at such a time were their breaths in sync.

"...Uhm it's no good, these guys. Something like a team is absolutely impossible."

"Really, can't you guys keep quiet? This is a public place!"


A cold voice resounded in the salon café.

Everybody turned around—

At the café's entrance, a ponytailed beautiful girl, who was wearing light armor, was standing.

"Ellis!"

Claire sullenly groaned. ...Another hindrance came. She had such a facial expression.

Ellis Fahrengart.

The captain of the Sylphid Knights, who observed the academy's public morals.

She had a charming appearance not matching that of her strict personality. Her mutual relation with Claire's group, from Raven Class, who normally caused problems, seemed bad.

Although to Kamito, it did not mean that she was such a hard-to-deal-with person.

At first, when Kamito entered into the academy, just because he was a male elementalist, she was prejudiced against him, but she had already remorsefully apologized to him regarding that matter.

Even if there were times where she was a little overly serious with her straightforward personality, for which she held a strong belief, he could respect the part of her that held the pride of a knight.

Ellis came walking, briskly, towards the table.

"Captain-sama, what business do you have with us?"

"If it's about redoing the duel, I'll accept it anytime."

Rinslet and Claire, both of their eyes wore a dangerous light.


On that subject, the duel the other day became unsettled because of the demon spirit's sudden intrusion.

He wondered if that time's conclusion was to be decided again—

(......Spare me. A duel again, no thanks.)

Coming over here, Ellis looked down on Claire with sharp eyes.

"Hmm, I have no problem settling it here and now, Claire Rouge."

"Just what I want."

Ellis drew out her sword and Claire also pulled out her leather whip from under her skirt.

In the explosive atmosphere, the girls, who were at the surrounding tables, stood up rattled.

"Hey, Claire..."

Kamito attemptd to stop it—

"Ca-Captain, calm down!"

"Y...you can't draw out a sword here!"

From the café's entrance, two girls dashed over here with a flustered look.

They were wearing the same Knights armor as Ellis.

It was a short haired boyish girl and a somehow serious looking braided haired girl.

Kamito certainly recognized the both of them. They were the Knights girls he fought in the duel the other day.

If he remembered right, their names were— Rakka, for the one with the short hair, and Reishia, for the other with the braids.

Stopped by her Knights comrades, Ellis embarrassingly sheathed her sword.


"...S...Sorry, my Knights followers."

Feeling ashamed, she cleared her throat and apologized to the two girls—

This time she turned towards Kamito.

"Kazehaya Kamito."

"Me?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side, seemingly puzzled. Claire aside, he certainly did not recall doing anything to be kept an eye on by the Knights.

"It seems you lost completely to the Wolverine Class in this morning's match."

"What?! As I thought, you're trying to pick a fight."

Claire stood up with a clank sound.

"That's not it. Th...the truth is Kazehaya Kamito, you—"

Ellis shook her head, and rapidly blushed bashfully and looked down.

"Hn, what's the matter?"

"So, err..."

"Come on, Captain, despite that it's better to say it quickly."

"Despite that you're always resolved, you're slow at such a time."

Reishia and Rakka were whispering behind Ellis.

"However, such a bashful captain is also cute."


"Ahh, it's like that, it's almost like a girl who has fallen in love—"

"D...don't make fun of me! I...I am really not thinking about such an insolent person!"

Ellis shouted with her face turned bright red.

After that she coughed to cover over.

"It is certain that I've gotten a better opinion of you because of that day's case, but ... that's all. The one I admire is a pure strong female, like that {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}. It's absolutely not such a boy!"

"..."

Kamito gazed at Ellis, who informed him in a cold voice, with his eyes half-opened.

(...I'm sorry, your admired female is an illusion.)

"Unh, wh..what's with that look!"

Ellis thrust her sword at the back of Kamito's neck.

"Is it that strange for me to be admiring Ren Ashbell?"

"...N...no, that's not it!"

Kamito panicked and shook his head.

At the Blade Dance three years ago— the blade dance, which was danced by the strongest blade dancer, left a strong impression on the girls of the same generation. Henceforth, she was the aspiration of the princess maidens, who aimed to be elementalists.

It seemed that Ellis was not an exception either.

"That's enough, quickly state your business."


"Shut up, I know that!"

After turning and retorting to Claire, Ellis stared at Kamito again.

"Kazehaya Kamito—"

"Wh...what..."

"Err, what I'm saying is, ..."

Ellis seemed nervous as her hand was lightly trembling.
[[Image:STnBD V02 069.jpg|thumb]]

By the way, as the sword was left where it was thrust at, it could not be helped that it was dangerous.

"What I'm saying is... I...I want you!"

"..."

—Silence arrived.

Claire and the others, even Rakka and Reshia, were dumbfounded.

For a while, time froze.

"Wh...wh...wh..wh..."

Claire was the first one who opened her mouth.

Her face was bright red and her mouth was opening and closing.

"...!?"

Ellis widened her eyes, seemingly taken aback and shook her head.

"Th...that's not it, the words, just now, do not have such a meaning!"


"Su...su...su...such a meaning means what kind of meaning!?"

"I mean, th...that—"

After Ellis took a deep breath,

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you join my team?"

"Eh?"

Kamito did not believe his ears when those unexpected words came out.

(...Ellis and me, a team?)

"What did you say?"

Claire and Rinslet were also staring in wonder.

Rakka and Reshia saw Ellis, who turned bright red, and were grinning.

"...Well, what do you mean?"

"I...I meant just that. Kazehaya Kamito, I welcome you to my team. Because you defeated that militarized spirit, I have no objections about your ability."

Ellis rapidly said so and quickly averted her eyes, looking far away.

It seemed that in truth her intention was to scout Kamito.

With a sword thrust at the back of his neck, rather than being scouted, it was like he was being threatened.

Ellis' results were restrained by the upperclassmen and were top class. If Kamito joined this team, it was certain that the likelihood that he would obtain the entry qualifications to the Blade Dance would greatly increase.



However—

"Ellis, I—"

"No way, this is my contracted spirit after all!"

The one who interrupted Kamito's reply and shouted was Claire.

She stood up from the chair and tightly grabbed the sleeves of Kamito's uniform.

"Claire, you..."

Kamito turned around and looked down and his eyes met her clear ruby pupils.

Claire's eyes seemed to be swaying in anxiety.

It was likely that she was not aware of it, but she was staring with a clinging look.

(I see, she's...)

It was surely that being betrayed by her sister, Rubia, caused her heart to be deeply wounded.

Being abandoned by someone— something like that, being frightening to her, could not be helped.

That was why she was always in solitude. She could not depend on anyone.

Because she was afraid of being betrayed again—

"..."

Kamito—

Took a sharp breath and scratched his head.

(...Being shown such a face...)


While bitterly smiling, he gently placed his hand on top of Claire's head.

He had decided on the reply from the beginning. She did not have to be worried.

"Ellis, sorry, but I am her contracted spirit. I don't intend to change teams."

"...Kamito!?"

Claire, taken aback, raised her face and widened her eyes.

"...I see."

Ellis tightly bit her lips.

However, by the next moment, she had already returned to her cold expression.

"...I understand. I'm sorry for asking something unreasonable so suddenly."

"No, me too ... thank you for inviting me."

Kamito apologized and Ellis was a little bashful.

"I...it's alright. Y...you are such a guy, therefore, I—"

"Uh?"

Ellis seemed to have said something, but her voice was so soft that he didn't catch it.

"Ahh, you've been rejected."

"It's alright, the captain has us."

"Y...you guys... I...it's not like that!"

Ellis turned bright red and shouted at her two comrades, who were grinning and teasing her.


"H...hey, Kamito..."

"Hn?"

While still grabbing Kamito's uniform sleeve, she was bashfully saying something else.

"What's the matter?"

"...Th...thank...you."

"...? What?"

She was trying to say something, but her voice was too soft, so he could not hear her well.

It was unusual for Claire to be hesitating in such a way.

"S...so... erm..."

And at that moment. Bam! The door opened—

"Is the licentious, no— Kazehaya Kamito here?!"

An academy student girl came running into the salon café.

She seemed to have come here in a great hurry and seemed out of breath.

(Wait, it seems like she started saying my name as licentious beast just now...)

"I'm here."

Kamito raised his hand and that girl felt relieved as she stroked down on her chest.

"The academy director is calling for you. So, go over immediately."

"Greyworth?"



===Part 3===

At a corner of the Academy Town possessed by Areishia Spirit Academy.

At a table of a coffee lounge, which greatly stuck out on the outside, a strange set of customers was sitting.

One of them was a black haired girl dressed in a jet-black dress.

Darkness spirit Restia. The perpetrator who drove the militarized spirit brought in from the imperial capital mad and brought great damage to Academy Town a week ago.

And then, the other one had—

Steel-like hard black hair. It was a boy— skinny with darkish skin.

He had well-featured looks, but just his red eyes strangely could not be expressed other than being glaringly shiny.

The two of them were clearly conspicuous in such a place, but not only did no one in the surroundings pay attention to them, it seemed that their presences were not even perceived.

"—So, I just have to steal that specific sealed material from the academy's library?"

"Yeah, because of the incident the other day, I am unable to get close to the academy."

"Tch, how troublesome, what do we need such a thing for again?"

The boy spat onto the ground. However, no one found fault in that.


"That thing sleeping in Mine Town is a fairly hard problem. The seal of the highest grade Ordesia army spans several layers. With only the releasing ritual, how many months would it take to wake it up—"

"Hmm, the disposed militarized spirit— what's the plan for collecting such a thing?"

"You do not have the qualifications to know her prediction, Jio."

The girl in black clothing gently shook her head. The boy clicked his tongue.

"Because you toyed with the militarized spirit of the imperial capital as you pleased, it became troublesome. Is it an order to steal it?"

"Isn't it fine, I could observe his current strength."

"I guess. Honestly though, I am disappointed. Is that the level? Ren Ashbell's (the strongest blade dancer's)?"

"He has not yet woken up."

"I hope so. Even if I beat that now-cowardly guy, there would be no point."

"Ah, you have the confidence to beat him?"

"I'll beat him. And then I'll prove it. That this Jio Inzagi is the true successor of the Demon King."

The boy's red lips bent. On his whole darkish skin body, countless numbers of spirit seals were shining.

Same as the demon king Solomon— '''the seals that carried seventy-two spirits'''.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter3}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-29T17:53:51Z

Asiorx22: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 2: The Young Ladies' Afternoon==

===Part 1===

"Mugugug..."

[[Image:STnBD V02 049.jpg|thumb]]
Claire Rouge was stuffing a cream bun down her throat.

It was an unusual scene for her, who took it as a creed— that nobles are always elegant.

"Don't binge, you'll get fat you know."

Kamito glared with his eyes half-opened and Claire struck the table like she was frustrated.

"But, but, urggggh!"

"Claire. That's my jam bun."

Est protested calmly.

This place was a salon café that was inside the academy.

From the opened terrace, the soft daylight was shining in.

The three of them were sitting and having a slightly late lunch at a round table near a window.

Inside the bamboo basket, placed right in the middle, there was a pile of jam buns, melon buns, sausage buns and so on, all kinds of buns.

Any student could use the café and on top of that the freshly baked buns were all-you-can-eat. Coffee and black tea also had free refills.

There was also an eatery in the academy, but as it charged a fee equal to a high-class restaurant in the imperial capital, for Kamito, who was not even a noble, and Claire, who had her fortune and territory confiscated, they simply could not use it.

"Our team ranking dropped again."

Claire lay, prostrated, on the table and groaned.

"We were matched up with a superior team. It can't be helped."

"That may be true... but our true strength is absolutely greater."

Claire tightly bit and closed her lips. Although they were at a disadvantage in number, she seemed to be unable to understand and accept losing to lower rank elementalist opponents.

It was certain that their level as elementalists was superior.

The cause of their defeat was that they did not execute the coordination between the both of them well. Claire over-relied on her strength and chased her opponents too far and Kamito too could not rely on Claire in a definite scenario.

With just the queen piece, it was not possible to win— in other words, it was something like that.

"Despite that, it's not the time to be stumbling at such a place..."

There was a reason that Claire binged on the buns to the extent that she looked to be in a hurry.

The regulation of the Blade Dance held in two months was different from the individual battle three years ago, if they do not put together a five-member team, they could not participate. And then, only the top three teams of the inter-school rankings could participate from Areishia Spirit Academy.



Kamito, who had just come to the academy, had no achievements that could raise his ranking.

To raise one's ranking, one had to win a formal practice match like this morning's or complete a task assigned by the academy; however, he had not achieved either of them.

Defeating the giant spirit the other day, dueling with Sylphid Knights captain Ellis Fahrengart or even battling the frenzied demon spirit, those were all informal battles and did not reflect in the rankings.

On the other hand, for Claire, who should have been superior and tower above the rest as an elementalist—

It was especially surprising that she somehow had the result of the lowest class.

There was only one reason. '''It was because she was completing all the tasks alone'''.

She failed when she challenged the tasks that should be originally completed by a team and she was defeated when she challenged upper classmen opponents alone in a championship match. If she did such a thing, no matter how superior she was as an elementalist, there was no way her ranking could raise.

There was a reason that Claire was isolated in the academy.

Rubia Elstein.

Four years ago, while she had the position of Queen serving the fire Elemental Lord, she betrayed the Elemental Lord, disappeared, and brought about an unprecedented great calamity to the empire— The Calamity Queen.

Claire, who was her younger sister, was being looked at with eyes of contempt and fear from most of the academy students.

Claire's reason for participating in the Blade Dance was to restore the Elstein family name and —above all else— to know the truth regarding her elder sister Rubia Elstein.


—It was not the time to be stumbling at such a place.

Blood-oozing emotions were filled in Claire's rough words.

"For now, we should also find comrades quickly. I understood it with this morning's match. If we stay as we are now, then, far from winning the Blade Dance, we can't even get into the top three ranks of the participation requirement."

The boy, who was called the strongest blade dancer three years ago, accepted his greatest weakness honestly.

At first, he just came to the academy due to Greyworth's request, but now he clearly had a reason for him to regain his strength from three years ago.

It was the darkness spirit, Restia— his former contracted spirit.

It was to take her back with his own hands.

The girl who gave light to Kamito's life for the first time, which was caught in darkness before.

And then the girl who gave a heartbroken Claire the frenzy spirit and tried to drive the giant spirit mad in the middle of the town.

Restia, who he met again, had greatly changed from the girl Kamito once knew.

—What on earth happened to her?

So, for the sake of knowing that, he absolutely had to meet the participation requirements for the Blade Dance.

"Kamito, what's wrong? You're making such a serious face."

"Did you forget to put sugar into your coffee?"

Claire and Est peered in with their faces with a worried look.


"No, sorry, it's just..."

"By any chance, is it about your former contracted spirit?"

She was mysteriously sharp at such a time.

Kamito quickly averted his eyes from the ruby pupils that came peering in.

"...Well. It's okay. But I'll properly tell you when I feel like talking."

Claire did not try to dig deeper into it. Despite always being arrogant, there were occasionally times where she showed such consideration.

"...Ah, I understand."

Kamito nodded and there—

"Ah, everyone, having lunch?"

A cool but elegant voice was heard.

Kamito turned around. And there—

A magnificently platinum-blonde haired beautiful girl was standing.

The very appearance of a noble ojou-sama.

With her smooth milky white skin, were her emerald eyes that locked up a faint radiance.

That appearance, where she brushed her hair with her hand at her waist looked strangely good.

Rinslet Laurenfrost.

A classmate of the same Raven Class as Kamito and self-named rival of Claire's.


Due to her rivalry with Claire, she was trying to make Kamito into her manservant. A troubling ojou-sama.

Right beside her was—

"Fufu, what a delicious smell."

The girl, who was dressed in a maid uniform, was standing there with a gentle smile.

She was wearing a long skirt attached with neat frills, her hair was cut into short bobs and she slightly put on a lovely white brim on her head.

She was Rinslet's exclusive maid, Carol.

He did not know why there was a maid in the academy, but he did not see maids other than her in the academy; it was surely an exception for the Laurenfrost family.

"...Why did you come here, Rinslet?"

Claire swallowed her bun and sternly glared at her.

"I just happened to pass by. What a very simple lunch, having just buns."

Rinslet brushed her hair and looked down on the three of them calmly.

"Milady is saying that she wants to eat together with everyone."

"Wh... Carol, what are you saying!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Poka!* *Poka!* Rinslet's face turned bright red as she hits Carol's shoulders.

As expected of her exclusive maid, it was a magnificent interpretation.

"Sit down both of you. You came after all, so let's eat together."


Kamito suggested and Claire stepped on his foot hard.

"Ouch, what are you doing?!"

"Nothing? I just thought you lack constancy ...Idiot."

"I...it's n...not like I particularly want to eat together with you all!"

"Milady is saying it'll be nice to sit next to Kamito."

"Carol!"

Carol soothed Rinslet, who turned bright red, and got her to sit down.

Rinslet, who sat next to Kamito, averted her eyes and spoke.

"...H...How are your injuries?"

"Ah, it's mostly healed. All thanks to the healing spirit."

It was about the injury he got from the time he fought the giant spirit. Probably because he overdid it, it'll take a little longer then he thought, but as expected, the academy's spirit medical care was excellent.

"Fufu, Milady has been continuously worrying about Kamito-sama."

"Carol, d...don't say anything unnecessary!"

Rinslet snapped with a grinding noise.

"However, it is also natural that Milady would be worried. After all, Kamito-sama is under one roof with Milady Claire, so it is not odd even if something should happen."

"Wha...What are you saying, you stupid maid! There's no way such things would happen."


This time it was Claire who snapped.

"...What kind of worry is that?"

Est was munching and eating a melon bun beside Kamito, who sighed.

With just that, Rinslet and Carol ended up having lunch together too.

Even Claire, who appeared upset at the beginning, eventually talked about this morning's match. After that, which store's cake was delicious, how boring the lecture over the introduction of the foundation of spirit learning was, and just like that normal girl-like conversations were beginning to bloom.

Somehow these two were on pretty good terms. Especially for Claire, who was being isolated in the academy, it could be said that she might be her only friend.

"That reminds me, it seems that a newly admitted student is coming to Raven Class."

"Our class? Despite the fact that Kamito just came in recently?"

"Yeah, I hear it's a daughter of noble social status."

"Hmm, but even if we're now talking about noble social status in this academy, there's the Fahrengart family and the Laurenfrost family... isn't this a bargain sale of noble social status?"

"Hey! Would you please not lump the militaristic Fahrengart family with the true pedigree Laurenfrost family?"

"I don't care about such things... What's wrong, Kamito?"


At any rate, Raven Class was famous for gathering '''superior problem children'''.

He just thought that if people like Claire and Rinlset were to increase, it would be troublesome.

"In the practical skill entrance examination that took place in the morning, she seems to be using a holy spirit."

The maid, Carol, took out a memo from her chest and said.

Carol's maid memo pad— aka «Carol's Notes», was stuffed with data on the academy students and teachers... He did not understand clearly what on earth she used it for.

"Hmm, a holy spirit user?..."

The holy spirit is one of the five grand element spirits, but there were not that many elementalists who used it.

It was a spirit, whose pride was extremely high and it chooses its own user.

Among princess maidens, it was said that it only opens its heart to especially pure noble girls.

(Because even in the competition three years ago, a holy spirit user gave him a tough fight...)

After all, a holy spirit had an extremely bad compatibility with the darkness spirit Kamito was contracted with.

But then, at that time, Kamito's strength completely surpassed the opponent elementalist's, that was why he did not lose.

"Ah, by the way, it seems like it's a very lovely big-chested girl."

"Carol, from where on earth did you procure such information?"

"Ah, Kamito-san, are you interested?"

Carol placed her hand near her mouth and smiled.


"Hmm, you are very concerned about the information of a big-chested admitted student, huh?"

"Eh?"

Gogogogogogogo......!

Kamito turned around and Claire raised her eyebrows and was glaring at him.

"Really, men are just idiots!"

"Kamito, do you have no distinction? Are you just a beast without reason?"

Somehow, even Rinslet and Est were glaring—

Gyuuuuuuuuu!

Kamito's cheeks were pinched by the three of them.

(This is unreasonable...)

===Part 2===

After various things, the lunch of buns ended and it was time to rest.

"Ahh, that reminds me—"

Ahem! Rinslet cleared her throat and said,

"Have you gathered your Blade Dance team members?"

"...N...not yet."


Claire shook her head in shame to Rinslet, who asked.

It seemed that she knew that answer beforehand. Rinslet smiled,

"Ah, you still have not? I have asked something bad."

Fufun! She held up her tea cup in an elegant movement.

Claire sullenly talked back.

"It's just that there isn't a person who matches up to our desired level. What about you? Have you decided on your members?"

"Tha...that's ... I just have not found a person who balances with my level!"

"Eh? Rinslet, you couldn't gather anyone either?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side.

Rinslet's ability, who uses the demon ice spirit «Fenrir», is about on par with Claire's.

He was thinking that if it was her, she would already be in great demand but...

"Fo...for now, there isn't, for now!"

Rinslet's face turned red and she quickly turned away.

"Kamito-san, Milady—"

"Uh huh?"

Carol tugged Kamito's sleeves and came to his side, telling him the reasons in his ear.

"The truth is... *mumbling*..."

"Hmm..."


According to Carol's words—

It seemed that although she had tried gathering a team several times, so far, the expectations she desired from her members were too high and things didn't go smoothly because of her excessively high pride. The teams she gathered, repeatedly broke up and so, there were no students left to invite.

...How should he say it, it was indeed a Rinslet-like reason.

"Hmm, her pride is certainly high but... she truly is a good girl, regardless."

"That's right..."

Carol earnestly nodded.

"Carol, what were you talking about with Kamito-san!?"

"It was concerning the order in which Milady washes her body in the bath."

"Carol!"

Glancing at the playful ojou-sama and maid, Claire deeply sighed.

"Haa... I wonder if there's really no one... A superior elementalist who would enter our team."

"...We...well, your circumstances aren't good."

Ahem.

Rinslet coughed and looked at Claire with one eye.

"That's right. Preferably, I should try approaching the newly admitted student that was just mentioned. Perhaps it might be an unexpected bargain."


"That is right. However, there might be an even better member unexpectedly closeby."

Ahem. Ahem.

...Kamito finally realized.

(Ahh, I see. So that's the reason she brought up the subject about the team.)

"Hey, Claire, just a minute—"

"What? Faa, do..don't suddenly breathe into my ear."

"What are you turning red for? Lend me your ear for a while and listen."

Kamito whispered into Claire's ear in a quiet voice.

"Somehow, this ojou-sama obviously wants to join us as comrades, but is that no good?"

"Absolutely not."

Claire immediately replied.

"Why? Rinslet's battle strength is adequate."

"That's... even I recognize her strength. However, no. We suffered in the duel with Ellis a while ago, didn't we? Because she doesn't even think the slightest about teamwork."

"Well, wh..."

It was certain that in the duel with Ellis' group the other day, despite being a sniper, she was standing in the most conspicuous place for some reason and was knocked down in the beginning.

"Be...besides, Rinslet ... about you ..."


"Hn? Did you say something?"

"I..it's nothing, at any rate, it's a no! Rinslet is not allowed!"

"No, without saying such things, isn't she somewhat pitiful?"

"Wh...what are you two sneakily talking about?!"

While twirling the front of her platinum blonde hair with her index finger, Rinslet was staring at them with a fidgety, uncomposed behavior.

"Wh...?"

"......"

Claire groaned seemingly unhappy.

"...I got it. I'll try asking once."

She sighed deeply and nodded. There were two months remaining till the opening of the Blade Dance. She might have reconsidered that it wasn't the time to be stating her desires anymore.

"Hey, Rinslet."

"Wh...what is it, Claire Rouge?"

Rinslet's voice was tensed and sounded slightly excited.

"You wouldn't, by any chance, want to enter my team?"

"Id...idiot, don't ask Rinslet!"

Kamito shouted in a soft voice.


Asking Rinslet, who was a highly prideful girl, in such a way—

Rinslet's finger, which was tampering with the front of her hair stopped.

"Hm, if you think about what you suddenly said—"

She placed her hand at her waist and pointed at Claire, in a thrust.

"Aren't you the ones who want to join my team?"

"Huh?"

Claire's eyebrows sternly lifted up.

"What are you saying? Are you an idiot? You'll join my team!"

"Rejected, rejected, rejected. You two will join my team!"

The two ojou-sama quarreled about something trivial.

...It was a perfectly parallel line.

"Either way is the same, right..."

Kamito retorted,

'''"It's completely different!"'''

They shouted in stereo mode. Only at such a time were their breaths in sync.

"...Uhm it's no good, these guys. Something like a team is absolutely impossible."

"Really, can't you guys keep quiet? This is a public place!"


A cold voice resounded in the salon café.

Everybody turned around—

At the café's entrance, a ponytailed beautiful girl, who was wearing light armor, was standing.

"Ellis!"

Claire sullenly groaned. ...Another hindrance came. She had such a facial expression.

Ellis Fahrengart.

The captain of the Sylphid Knights, who observed the academy's public morals.

She had a charming appearance not matching that of her strict personality. Her mutual relation with Claire's group, from Raven Class, who normally caused problems, seemed bad.

Although to Kamito, it did not mean that she was such a hard-to-deal-with person.

At first, when Kamito entered into the academy, just because he was a male elementalist, she was prejudiced against him, but she had already remorsefully apologized to him regarding that matter.

Even if there were times where she was a little overly serious with her straightforward personality, for which she held a strong belief, he could respect the part of her that held the pride of a knight.

Ellis came walking, briskly, towards the table.

"Captain-sama, what business do you have with us?"

"If it's about redoing the duel, I'll accept it anytime."

Rinslet and Claire, both of their eyes wore a dangerous light.


On that subject, the duel the other day became unsettled because of the demon spirit's sudden intrusion.

He wondered if that time's conclusion was to be decided again—

(......Spare me. A duel again, no thanks.)

Coming over here, Ellis looked down on Claire with sharp eyes.

"Hmm, I have no problem settling it here and now, Claire Rouge."

"Just what I want."

Ellis drew out her sword and Claire also pulled out her leather whip from under her skirt.

In the explosive atmosphere, the girls, who were at the surrounding tables, stood up rattled.

"Hey, Claire..."

Kamito attemptd to stop it—

"Ca-Captain, calm down!"

"Y...you can't draw out a sword here!"

From the café's entrance, two girls dashed over here with a flustered look.

They were wearing the same Knights armor as Ellis.

It was a short haired boyish girl and a somehow serious looking braided haired girl.

Kamito certainly recognized the both of them. They were the Knights girls he fought in the duel the other day.

If he remembered right, their names were— Rakka, for the one with the short hair, and Reishia, for the other with the braids.

Stopped by her Knights comrades, Ellis embarrassingly sheathed her sword.


"...S...Sorry, my Knights followers."

Feeling ashamed, she cleared her throat and apologized to the two girls—

This time she turned towards Kamito.

"Kazehaya Kamito."

"Me?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side, seemingly puzzled. Claire aside, he certainly did not recall doing anything to be kept an eye on by the Knights.

"It seems you lost completely to the Wolverine Class in this morning's match."

"What?! As I thought, you're trying to pick a fight."

Claire stood up with a clank sound.

"That's not it. Th...the truth is Kazehaya Kamito, you—"

Ellis shook her head, and rapidly blushed bashfully and looked down.

"Hn, what's the matter?"

"So, err..."

"Come on, Captain, despite that it's better to say it quickly."

"Despite that you're always resolved, you're slow at such a time."

Reishia and Rakka were whispering behind Ellis.

"However, such a bashful captain is also cute."


"Ahh, it's like that, it's almost like a girl who has fallen in love—"

"D...don't make fun of me! I...I am really not thinking about such an insolent person!"

Ellis shouted with her face turned bright red.

After that she coughed to cover over.

"It is certain that I've gotten a better opinion of you because of that day's case, but ... that's all. The one I admire is a pure strong female, like that {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}. It's absolutely not such a boy!"

"..."

Kamito gazed at Ellis, who informed him in a cold voice, with his eyes half-opened.

(...I'm sorry, your admired female is an illusion.)

"Unh, wh..what's with that look!"

Ellis thrust her sword at the back of Kamito's neck.

"Is it that strange for me to be admiring Ren Ashbell?"

"...N...no, that's not it!"

Kamito panicked and shook his head.

At the Blade Dance three years ago— the blade dance, which was danced by the strongest blade dancer, left a strong impression on the girls of the same generation. Henceforth, she was the aspiration of the princess maidens, who aimed to be elementalists.

It seemed that Ellis was not an exception either.

"That's enough, quickly state your business."


"Shut up, I know that!"

After turning and retorting to Claire, Ellis stared at Kamito again.

"Kazehaya Kamito—"

"Wh...what..."

"Err, what I'm saying is, ..."

Ellis seemed nervous as her hand was lightly trembling.
[[Image:STnBD V02 069.jpg|thumb]]

By the way, as the sword was left where it was thrust at, it could not be helped that it was dangerous.

"What I'm saying is... I...I want you!"

"..."

—Silence arrived.

Claire and the others, even Rakka and Reshia, were dumbfounded.

For a while, time froze.

"Wh...wh...wh..wh..."

Claire was the first one who opened her mouth.

Her face was bright red and her mouth was opening and closing.

"...!?"

Ellis widened her eyes, seemingly taken aback and shook her head.

"Th...that's not it, the words, just now, do not have such a meaning!"


"Su...su...su...such a meaning means what kind of meaning!?"

"I mean, th...that—"

After Ellis took a deep breath,

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you join my team?"

"Eh?"

Kamito did not believe his ears when those unexpected words came out.

(...Ellis and me, a team?)

"What did you say?"

Claire and Rinslet were also staring in wonder.

Rakka and Reshia saw Ellis, who turned bright red, and were grinning.

"...Well, what do you mean?"

"I...I meant just that. Kazehaya Kamito, I welcome you to my team. Because you defeated that militarized spirit, I have no objections about your ability."

Ellis rapidly said so and quickly averted her eyes, looking far away.

It seemed that in truth her intention was to scout Kamito.

With a sword thrust at the back of his neck, rather than being scouted, it was like he was being threatened.

Ellis' results were restrained by the upperclassmen and were top class. If Kamito joined this team, it was certain that the likelihood that he would obtain the entry qualifications to the Blade Dance would greatly increase.



However—

"Ellis, I—"

"No way, this is my contracted spirit after all!"

The one who interrupted Kamito's reply and shouted was Claire.

She stood up from the chair and tightly grabbed the sleeves of Kamito's uniform.

"Claire, you..."

Kamito turned around and looked down and his eyes met her clear ruby pupils.

Claire's eyes seemed to be swaying in anxiety.

It was likely that she was not aware of it, but she was staring with a clinging look.

(I see, she's...)

It was surely that being betrayed by her sister, Rubia, caused her heart to be deeply wounded.

Being abandoned by someone— something like that, being frightening to her, could not be helped.

That was why she was always in solitude. She could not depend on anyone.

Because she was afraid of being betrayed again—

"..."

Kamito—

Took a sharp breath and scratched his head.

(...Being shown such a face...)


While bitterly smiling, he gently placed his hand on top of Claire's head.

He had decided on the reply from the beginning. She did not have to be worried.

"Ellis, sorry, but I am her contracted spirit. I don't intend to change teams."

"...Kamito!?"

Claire, taken aback, raised her face and widened her eyes.

"...I see."

Ellis tightly bit her lips.

However, by the next moment, she had already returned to her cold expression.

"...I understand. I'm sorry for asking something unreasonable so suddenly."

"No, me too ... thank you for inviting me."

Kamito apologized and Ellis was a little bashful.

"I...it's alright. Y...you are such a guy, therefore, I—"

"Uh?"

Ellis seemed to have said something, but her voice was so soft that he didn't catch it.

"Ahh, you've been rejected."

"It's alright, the captain has us."

"Y...you guys... I...it's not like that!"

Ellis turned bright red and shouted at her two comrades, who were grinning and teasing her.


"H...hey, Kamito..."

"Hn?"

While still grabbing Kamito's uniform sleeve, she was bashfully saying something else.

"What's the matter?"

"...Th...thank...you."

"...? What?"

She was trying to say something, but her voice was too soft, so he could not hear her well.

It was unusual for Claire to be hesitating in such a way.

"S...so... erm..."

And at that moment. Bam! The door opened—

"Is the licentious, no— Kazehaya Kamito here?!"

An academy student girl came running into the salon café.

She seemed to have come here in a great hurry and seemed out of breath.

(Wait, it seems like she started saying my name as licentious beast just now...)

"I'm here."

Kamito raised his hand and that girl felt relieved as she stroked down on her chest.

"The academy director is calling for you. So, go over immediately."

"Greyworth?"



===Part 3===

At a corner of the Academy Town possessed by Areishia Spirit Academy.

At a table of a coffee lounge, which greatly stuck out on the outside, a strange set of customers was sitting.

One of them was a black haired girl dressed in a jet-black dress.

Darkness spirit Restia. The perpetrator who drove the militarized spirit brought in from the imperial capital mad and brought great damage to Academy Town a week ago.

And then, the other one had—

Steel-like hard black hair. It was a boy— skinny with darkish skin.

He had well-featured looks, but just his red eyes strangely could not be expressed other than being glaringly shiny.

The two of them were clearly conspicuous in such a place, but not only did no one in the surroundings pay attention to them, it seemed that their presences were not even perceived.

"—So, I just have to steal that specific sealed material from the academy's library?"

"Yeah, because of the incident the other day, I am unable to get close to the academy."

"Tch, how troublesome, what do we need such a thing for again?"

The boy spat onto the ground. However, no one found fault in that.


"That thing sleeping in Mine Town is a fairly hard problem. The seal of the highest grade Ordesia army spans several layers. With only the releasing ritual, how many months would it take to wake it up—"

"Hmm, the disposed militarized spirit— what's the plan for collecting such a thing?"

"You do not have the qualifications to know her prediction, Jio."

The girl in black clothing gently shook her head. The boy clicked his tongue.

"Because you toyed with the militarized spirit of the imperial capital as you pleased, it became troublesome. Is it an order to steal it?"

"Isn't it fine, I could observe his current strength."

"I guess. Honestly though, I am disappointed. Is that the level? Ren Ashbell's (the strongest blade dancer's)?"

"He has not yet woken up."

"I hope so. Even if I beat that now-cowardly guy, there would be no point."

"Ah, you have the confidence to beat him?"

"I'll beat him. And then I'll prove it. That this Jio Inzagi is the true successor of the Demon King."

The boy's red lips bent. On his whole darkish skin body, countless numbers of spirit seals were shining.

Same as the demon king Solomon— '''the seals that carried seventy-two spirits'''.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter3}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-29T17:24:24Z

Asiorx22: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 2: The Young Ladies' Afternoon==

===Part 1===

"Mugugug..."

[[Image:STnBD V02 049.jpg|thumb]]
Claire Rouge was stuffing a cream bun down her throat.

It was an unusual scene for her, who took it as a creed— that nobles are always elegant.

"Don't binge, you'll get fat you know."

Kamito glared with his eyes half-opened and Claire struck the table like she was frustrated.

"But, but, urggggh!"

"Claire. That's my jam bun."

Est protested calmly.

This place was a salon café that was inside the academy.

From the opened terrace, the soft daylight was shining in.

The three of them were sitting and having a slightly late lunch at a round table near a window.

Inside the bamboo basket, placed right in the middle, there was a pile of jam buns, melon buns, sausage buns and so on, all kinds of buns.

Any student could use the café and on top of that the freshly baked buns were all-you-can-eat. Coffee and black tea also had free refills.

There was also an eatery in the academy, but as it charged a fee equal to a high-class restaurant in the imperial capital, for Kamito, who was not even a noble, and Claire, who had her fortune and territory confiscated, they simply could not use it.

"Our team ranking dropped again."

Claire lay, prostrated, on the table and groaned.

"We were matched up with a superior team. It can't be helped."

"That may be true... but our true strength is absolutely greater."

Claire tightly bit and closed her lips. Although they were at a disadvantage in number, she seemed to be unable to understand and accept losing to lower rank elementalist opponents.

It was certain that their level as elementalists was superior.

The cause of their defeat was that they did not execute the coordination between the both of them well. Claire over-relied on her strength and chased her opponents too far and Kamito too could not rely on Claire in a definite scenario.

With just the queen piece, it was not possible to win— in other words, it was something like that.

"Despite that, it's not the time to be stumbling at such a place..."

There was a reason that Claire binged on the buns to the extent that she looked to be in a hurry.

The regulation of the Blade Dance held in two months was different from the individual battle three years ago, if they do not put together a five-member team, they could not participate. And then, only the top three teams of the inter-school rankings could participate from Areishia Spirit Academy.



Kamito, who had just come to the academy, had no achievements that could raise his ranking.

To raise one's ranking, one had to win a formal practice match like this morning's or complete a task assigned by the academy; however, he had not achieved either of them.

Defeating the giant spirit the other day, dueling with Sylphid Knights captain Ellis Fahrengart or even battling the frenzied demon spirit, those were all informal battles and did not reflect in the rankings.

On the other hand, for Claire, who should have been superior and tower above the rest as an elementalist—

It was especially surprising that she somehow had the result of the lowest class.

There was only one reason. '''It was because she was completing all the tasks alone'''.

She failed when she challenged the tasks that should be originally completed by a team and she was defeated when she challenged upper classmen opponents alone in a championship match. If she did such a thing, no matter how superior she was as an elementalist, there was no way her ranking could raise.

There was a reason that Claire was isolated in the academy.

Rubia Elstein.

Four years ago, while she had the position of Queen serving the fire Elemental Lord, she betrayed the Elemental Lord, disappeared, and brought about an unprecedented great calamity to the empire— The Calamity Queen.

Claire, who was her younger sister, was being looked at with eyes of contempt and fear from most of the academy students.

Claire's reason for participating in the Blade Dance was to restore the Elstein family name and —above all else— to know the truth regarding her elder sister Rubia Elstein.


—It was not the time to be stumbling at such a place.

Blood-oozing emotions were filled in Claire's rough words.

"For now, we should also find comrades quickly. I understood it with this morning's match. If we stay as we are now, then, far from winning the Blade Dance, we can't even get into the top three ranks of the participation requirement."

The boy, who was called the strongest blade dancer three years ago, accepted his greatest weakness honestly.

At first, he just came to the academy due to Greyworth's request, but now he clearly had a reason for him to regain his strength from three years ago.

It was the darkness spirit, Restia— his former contracted spirit.

It was to take her back with his own hands.

The girl who gave light to Kamito's life for the first time, which was caught in darkness before.

And then the girl who gave a heartbroken Claire the frenzy spirit and tried to drive the giant spirit mad in the middle of the town.

Restia, who he met again, had greatly changed from the girl Kamito once knew.

—What on earth happened to her?

So, for the sake of knowing that, he absolutely had to meet the participation requirements for the Blade Dance.

"Kamito, what's wrong? You're making such a serious face."

"Did you forget to put sugar into your coffee?"

Claire and Est peered in with their faces with a worried look.


"No, sorry, it's just..."

"By any chance, is it about your former contracted spirit?"

She was mysteriously sharp at such a time.

Kamito quickly averted his eyes from the ruby pupils that came peering in.

"...Well. It's okay. But I'll properly tell you when I feel like talking."

Claire did not try to dig deeper into it. Despite always being arrogant, there were occasionally times where she showed such consideration.

"...Ah, I understand."

Kamito nodded and there—

"Ah, everyone, having lunch?"

A cool but elegant voice was heard.

Kamito turned around. And there—

A magnificently platinum-blonde haired beautiful girl was standing.

The very appearance of a noble ojou-sama.

With her smooth milky white skin, were her emerald eyes that locked up a faint radiance.

That appearance, where she brushed her hair with her hand at her waist looked strangely good.

Rinslet Laurenfrost.

A classmate of the same Raven Class as Kamito and self-named rival of Claire's.


Due to her rivalry with Claire, she was trying to make Kamito into her manservant. A troubling ojou-sama.

Right beside her was—

"Fufu, what a delicious smell."

The girl, who was dressed in a maid uniform, was standing there with a gentle smile.

She was wearing a long skirt attached with neat frills, her hair was cut into short bobs and she slightly put on a lovely white brim on her head.

She was Rinslet's exclusive maid, Carol.

He did not know why there was a maid in the academy, but he did not see maids other than her in the academy; it was surely an exception for the Laurenfrost family.

"...Why did you come here, Rinslet?"

Claire swallowed her bun and sternly glared at her.

"I just happened to pass by. What a very simple lunch, having just buns."

Rinslet brushed her hair and looked down on the three of them calmly.

"Milady is saying that she wants to eat together with everyone."

"Wh... Carol, what are you saying!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Poka!* *Poka!* Rinslet's face turned bright red as she hits Carol's shoulders.

As expected of her exclusive maid, it was a magnificent interpretation.

"Sit down both of you. You came after all, so let's eat together."


Kamito suggested and Claire stepped on his foot hard.

"Ouch, what are you doing?!"

"Nothing? I just thought you lack constancy ...Idiot."

"I...it's n...not like I particularly want to eat together with you all!"

"Milady is saying it'll be nice to sit next to Kamito."

"Carol!"

Carol soothed Rinslet, who turned bright red, and got her to sit down.

Rinslet, who sat next to Kamito, averted her eyes and spoke.

"...H...How are your injuries?"

"Ah, it's mostly healed. All thanks to the healing spirit."

It was about the injury he got from the time he fought the giant spirit. Probably because he overdid it, it'll take a little longer then he thought, but as expected, the academy's spirit medical care was excellent.

"Fufu, Milady has been continuously worrying about Kamito-sama."

"Carol, d...don't say anything unnecessary!"

Rinslet snapped with a grinding noise.

"However, it is also natural that Milady would be worried. After all, Kamito-sama is under one roof with Milady Claire, so it is not odd even if something should happen."

"Wha...What are you saying, you stupid maid! There's no way such things would happen."


This time it was Claire who snapped.

"...What kind of worry is that?"

Est was munching and eating a melon bun beside Kamito, who sighed.

With just that, Rinslet and Carol ended up having lunch together too.

Even Claire, who appeared upset at the beginning, eventually talked about this morning's match. After that, which store's cake was delicious, how boring the lecture over the introduction of the foundation of spirit learning was, and just like that normal girl-like conversations were beginning to bloom.

Somehow these two were on pretty good terms. Especially for Claire, who was being isolated in the academy, it could be said that she might be her only friend.

"That reminds me, it seems that a newly admitted student is coming to Raven Class."

"Our class? Despite the fact that Kamito just came in recently?"

"Yeah, I hear it's a daughter of noble social status."

"Hmm, but even if we're now talking about noble social status in this academy, there's the Fahrengart family and the Laurenfrost family... isn't this a bargain sale of noble social status?"

"Hey! Would you please not lump the militaristic Fahrengart family with the true pedigree Laurenfrost family?"

"I don't care about such things... What's wrong, Kamito?"


At any rate, Raven Class was famous for gathering '''superior problem children'''.

He just thought that if people like Claire and Rinlset were to increase, it would be troublesome.

"In the practical skill entrance examination that took place in the morning, she seems to be using a holy spirit."

The maid, Carol, took out a memo from her chest and said.

Carol's maid memo pad— aka «Carol's Notes», was stuffed with data on the academy students and teachers... He did not understand clearly what on earth she used it for.

"Hmm, a holy spirit user?..."

The holy spirit is one of the five grand element spirits, but there were not that many elementalists who used it.

It was a spirit, whose pride was extremely high and it chooses its own user.

Among princess maidens, it was said that it only opens its heart to especially pure noble girls.

(Because even in the competition three years ago, a holy spirit user gave him a tough fight...)

After all, a holy spirit had an extremely bad compatibility with the darkness spirit Kamito was contracted with.

But then, at that time, Kamito's strength completely surpassed the opponent elementalist's, that was why he did not lose.

"Ah, by the way, it seems like it's a very lovely big-chested girl."

"Carol, from where on earth did you procure such information?"

"Ah, Kamito-san, are you interested?"

Carol placed her hand near her mouth and smiled.


"Hmm, you are very concerned about the information of a big-chested admitted student, huh?"

"Eh?"

Gogogogogogogo......!

Kamito turned around and Claire raised her eyebrows and was glaring at him.

"Really, men are just idiots!"

"Kamito, do you have no distinction? Are you just a beast without reason?"

Somehow, even Rinslet and Est were glaring—

Gyuuuuuuuuu!

Kamito's cheeks were pinched by the three of them.

(This is unreasonable...)

===Part 2===

After various things, the lunch of buns ended and it was time to rest.

"Ahh, that reminds me—"

Ahem! Rinslet cleared her throat and said,

"Have you gathered your Blade Dance team members?"

"...N...not yet."


Claire shook her head in shame to Rinslet, who asked.

It seemed that she knew that answer beforehand. Rinslet smiled,

"Ah, you still have not? I have asked something bad."

Fufun! She held up her tea cup in an elegant movement.

Claire sullenly talked back.

"It's just that there isn't a person who matches up to our desired level. What about you? Have you decided on your members?"

"Tha...that's ... I just have not found a person who balances with my level!"

"Eh? Rinslet, you couldn't gather anyone either?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side.

Rinslet's ability, who uses the demon ice spirit «Fenrir», is about on par with Claire's.

He was thinking that if it was her, she would already be in great demand but...

"Fo...for now, there isn't, for now!"

Rinslet's face turned red and she quickly turned away.

"Kamito-san, Milady—"

"Uh huh?"

Carol tugged Kamito's sleeves and came to his side, telling him the reasons in his ear.

"The truth is... *mumbling*..."

"Hmm..."


According to Carol's words—

It seemed that although she had tried gathering a team several times, so far, the expectations she desired from her members were too high and things didn't go smoothly because of her excessively high pride. The teams she gathered, repeatedly broke up and so, there were no students left to invite.

...How should he say it, it was indeed a Rinslet-like reason.

"Hmm, her pride is certainly high but... she truly is a good girl, regardless."

"That's right..."

Carol earnestly nodded.

"Carol, what were you talking about with Kamito-san!?"

"It was concerning the order in which Milady washes her body in the bath."

"Carol!"

Glancing at the playful ojou-sama and maid, Claire deeply sighed.

"Haa... I wonder if there's really no one... A superior elementalist who would enter our team."

"...We...well, your circumstances aren't good."

Ahem.

Rinslet coughed and looked at Claire with one eye.

"That's right. Preferably, I should try approaching the newly admitted student that was just mentioned. Perhaps it might be an unexpected bargain."


"That is right. However, there might be an even better member unexpectedly closeby."

Ahem. Ahem.

...Kamito finally realized.

(Ahh, I see. So that's the reason she brought up the subject about the team.)

"Hey, Claire, just a minute—"

"What? Faa, do..don't suddenly breathe into my ear."

"What are you turning red for? Lend me your ear for a while and listen."

Kamito whispered into Claire's ear in a quiet voice.

"Somehow, this ojou-sama obviously wants to join us as comrades, but is that no good?"

"Absolutely not."

Claire immediately replied.

"Why? Rinslet's battle strength is adequate."

"That's... even I recognize her strength. However, no. We suffered in the duel with Ellis a while ago, didn't we? Because she doesn't even think the slightest about teamwork."

"Well, wh..."

It was certain that in the duel with Ellis' group the other day, despite being a sniper, she was standing in the most conspicuous place for some reason and was knocked down in the beginning.

"Be...besides, Rinslet ... about you ..."


"Hn? Did you say something?"

"I..it's nothing, at any rate, it's a no! Rinslet is not allowed!"

"No, without saying such things, isn't she somewhat pitiful?"

"Wh...what are you two sneakily talking about?!"

While twirling the front of her platinum blonde hair with her index finger, Rinslet was staring at them with a fidgety, uncomposed behavior.

"Wh...?"

"......"

Claire groaned seemingly unhappy.

"...I got it. I'll try asking once."

She sighed deeply and nodded. There were two months remaining till the opening of the Blade Dance. She might have reconsidered that it wasn't the time to be stating her desires anymore.

"Hey, Rinslet."

"Wh...what is it, Claire Rouge?"

Rinslet's voice was tensed and sounded slightly excited.

"You wouldn't, by any chance, want to enter my team?"

"Id...idiot, don't ask Rinslet!"

Kamito shouted in a soft voice.


Asking Rinslet, who was a highly prideful girl, in such a way—

Rinslet's finger, which was tampering with the front of her hair stopped.

"Hm, if you think about what you suddenly said—"

She placed her hand at her waist and pointed at Claire, in a thrust.

"Aren't you the ones who want to join my team?"

"Huh?"

Claire's eyebrows sternly lifted up.

"What are you saying? Are you an idiot? You'll join my team!"

"Rejected, rejected, rejected. You two will join my team!"

The two ojou-sama quarreled about something trivial.

...It was a perfectly parallel line.

"Either way is the same, right..."

Kamito retorted,

'''"It's completely different!"'''

They shouted in stereo mode. Only at such a time were their breaths in sync.

"...Uhm it's no good, these guys. Something like a team is absolutely impossible."

"Really, can't you guys keep quiet? This is a public place!"


A cold voice resounded in the salon café.

Everybody turned around—

At the café's entrance, a ponytailed beautiful girl, who was wearing light armor, was standing.

"Ellis!"

Claire sullenly groaned. ...Another hindrance came. She had such a facial expression.

Ellis Fahrengart.

The captain of the Sylphid Knights, who observed the academy's public morals.

She had a charming appearance not matching that of her strict personality. Her mutual relation with Claire's group, from Raven Class, who normally caused problems, seemed bad.

Although to Kamito, it did not mean that she was such a hard-to-deal-with person.

At first, when Kamito entered into the academy, just because he was a male elementalist, she was prejudiced against him, but she had already remorsefully apologized to him regarding that matter.

Even if there were times where she was a little overly serious with her straightforward personality, for which she held a strong belief, he could respect the part of her that held the pride of a knight.

Ellis came walking, briskly, towards the table.

"Captain-sama, what business do you have with us?"

"If it's about redoing the duel, I'll accept it anytime."

Rinslet and Claire, both of their eyes wore a dangerous light.


On that subject, the duel the other day became unsettled because of the demon spirit's sudden intrusion.

He wondered if that time's conclusion was to be decided again—

(......Spare me. A duel again, no thanks.)

Coming over here, Ellis looked down on Claire with sharp eyes.

"Hmm, I have no problem settling it here and now, Claire Rouge."

"Just what I want."

Ellis drew out her sword and Claire also pulled out her leather whip from under her skirt.

In the explosive atmosphere, the girls, who were at the surrounding tables, stood up rattled.

"Hey, Claire..."

Kamito attemptd to stop it—

"Ca-Captain, calm down!"

"Y...you can't draw out a sword here!"

From the café's entrance, two girls dashed over here with a flustered look.

They were wearing the same Knights armor as Ellis.

It was a short haired boyish girl and a somehow serious looking braided haired girl.

Kamito certainly recognized the both of them. They were the Knights girls he fought in the duel the other day.

If he remembered right, their names were— Rakka, for the one with the short hair, and Reishia, for the other with the braids.

Stopped by her Knights comrades, Ellis embarrassingly sheathed her sword.


"...S...Sorry, my Knights followers."

Feeling ashamed, she cleared her throat and apologized to the two girls—

This time she turned towards Kamito.

"Kazehaya Kamito."

"Me?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side, seemingly puzzled. Claire aside, he certainly did not recall doing anything to be kept an eye on by the Knights.

"It seems you lost completely to the Wolverine Class in this morning's match."

"What?! As I thought, you're trying to pick a fight."

Claire stood up with a clank sound.

"That's not it. Th...the truth is Kazehaya Kamito, you—"

Ellis shook her head, and rapidly blushed bashfully and looked down.

"Hn, what's the matter?"

"So, err..."

"Come on, Captain, despite that it's better to say it quickly."

"Despite that you're always resolved, you're slow at such a time."

Reishia and Rakka were whispering behind Ellis.

"However, such a bashful captain is also cute."


"Ahh, it's like that, it's almost like a girl who has fallen in love—"

"D...don't make fun of me! I...I am really not thinking about such an insolent person!"

Ellis shouted with her face turned bright red.

After that she coughed to cover over.

"It is certain that I've gotten a better opinion of you because of that day's case, but ... that's all. The one I admire is a pure strong female, like that {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}. It's absolutely not such a boy!"

"..."

Kamito gazed at Ellis, who informed him in a cold voice, with his eyes half-opened.

(...I'm sorry, your admired female is an illusion.)

"Unh, wh..what's with that look!"

Ellis thrust her sword at the back of Kamito's neck.

"Is it that strange for me to be admiring Ren Ashbell?"

"...N...no, that's not it!"

Kamito panicked and shook his head.

At the Blade Dance three years ago— the blade dance, which was danced by the strongest blade dancer, left a strong impression on the girls of the same generation. Henceforth, she was the aspiration of the princess maidens, who aimed to be elementalists.

It seemed that Ellis was not an exception either.

"That's enough, quickly state your business."


"Shut up, I know that!"

After turning and retorting to Claire, Ellis stared at Kamito again.

"Kazehaya Kamito—"

"Wh...what..."

"Err, what I'm saying is, ..."

Ellis seemed nervous as her hand was lightly trembling.
[[Image:STnBD V02 069.jpg|thumb]]

By the way, as the sword was left where it was thrust at, it could not be helped that it was dangerous.

"What I'm saying is... I...I want you!"

"..."

—Silence arrived.

Claire and the others, even Rakka and Reshia, were dumbfounded.

For a while, time froze.

"Wh...wh...wh..wh..."

Claire was the first one who opened her mouth.

Her face was bright red and her mouth was opening and closing.

"...!?"

Ellis widened her eyes, seemingly taken aback and shook her head.

"Th...that's not it, the words, just now, do not have such a meaning!"


"Su...su...su...such a meaning means what kind of meaning!?"

"I mean, th...that—"

After Ellis took a deep breath,

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you join my team?"

"Eh?"

Kamito did not believe his ears when those unexpected words came out.

(...Ellis and me, a team?)

"What did you say?"

Claire and Rinslet were also staring in wonder.

Rakka and Reshia saw Ellis, who turned bright red, and were grinning.

"...Well, what do you mean?"

"I...I meant just that. Kazehaya Kamito, I welcome you to my team. Because you defeated that militarized spirit, I have no objections about your ability."

Ellis rapidly said so and quickly averted her eyes, looking far away.

It seemed that in truth her intention was to scout Kamito.

With a sword thrust at the back of his neck, rather than being scouted, it was like he was being threatened.

Ellis' results were restrained by the upperclassmen and were top class. If Kamito joined this team, it was certain that the likelihood that he would obtain the entry qualifications to the Blade Dance would greatly increase.



However—

"Ellis, I—"

"No way, this is my contracted spirit after all!"

The one who interrupted Kamito's reply and shouted was Claire.

She stood up from the chair and tightly grabbed the sleeves of Kamito's uniform.

"Claire, you..."

Kamito turned around and looked down and his eyes met her clear ruby pupils.

Claire's eyes seemed to be swaying in anxiety.

It was likely that she was not aware of it, but she was staring with a clinging look.

(I see, she's...)

It was surely that being betrayed by her sister, Rubia, caused her heart to be deeply wounded.

Being abandoned by someone— something like that, being frightening to her, could not be helped.

That was why she was always in solitude. She could not depend on anyone.

Because she was afraid of being betrayed again—

"..."

Kamito—

Took a sharp breath and scratched his head.

(...Being shown such a face...)


While bitterly smiling, he gently placed his hand on top of Claire's head.

He had decided on the reply from the beginning. She did not have to be worried.

"Ellis, sorry, but I am her contracted spirit. I don't intend to change teams."

"...Kamito!?"

Claire, taken aback, raised her face and widened her eyes.

"...I see."

Ellis tightly bit her lips.

However, by the next moment, she had already returned to her cold expression.

"...I understand. I'm sorry for asking something unreasonable so suddenly."

"No, me too ... thank you for inviting me."

Kamito apologized and Ellis was a little bashful.

"I...it's alright. Y...you are such a guy, therefore, I—"

"Uh?"

Ellis seemed to have said something, but her voice was so soft that he didn't catch it.

"Ahh, you've been rejected."

"It's alright, the captain has us."

"Y...you guys... I...it's not like that!"

Ellis turned bright red and shouted at her two comrades, who were grinning and teasing her.


"H...hey, Kamito..."

"Hn?"

While still grabbing Kamito's uniform sleeve, she was bashfully saying something else.

"What's the matter?"

"...Th...thank...you."

"...? What?"

She was trying to say something, but her voice was too soft, so he could not hear her well.

It was unusual for Claire to be hesitating in such a way.

"S...so... erm..."

And at that moment. Bam! The door opened—

"Is the licentious, no— Kazehaya Kamito here?!"

An academy student girl came running into the salon café.

She seemed to have come here in a great hurry and seemed out of breath.

(Wait, it seems like she started saying my name as licentious beast just now...)

"I'm here."

Kamito raised his hand and that girl felt relieved as she stroked down on her chest.

"The academy director is calling for you. So, go over immediately."

"Greyworth?"



===Part 3===

At a corner of the Academy Town possessed by Areishia Spirit Academy.

At a table of a coffee lounge, which greatly stuck out on the outside, a strange set of customers was sitting.

One of them was a black haired girl dressed in a jet-black dress.

Darkness spirit Restia. The perpetrator who drove the militarized spirit brought in from the imperial capital mad and brought great damage to Academy Town a week ago.

And then, the other one had—

Steel-like hard black hair. It was a boy— skinny with darkish skin.

He had well-featured looks, but just his red eyes strangely could not be expressed other than being glaringly shiny.

The two of them were clearly conspicuous in such a place, but not only did no one in the surroundings pay attention to them, it seemed that their presences were not even perceived.

"—So, I just have to steal that specific sealed material from the academy's library?"

"Yeah, because of the incident the other day, I am unable to get close to the academy."

"Tch, how troublesome, what do we need such a thing for again?"

The boy spat onto the ground. However, no one found fault in that.


"That thing sleeping in Mine Town is a fairly hard problem. The seal of the highest grade Ordesia army spans several layers. With only the releasing ritual, how many months would it take to wake it up—"

"Hmm, the disposed militarized spirit— what's the plan for collecting such a thing?"

"You do not have the qualifications to know her prediction, Jio."

The girl in black clothing gently shook her head. The boy clicked his tongue.

"Because you toyed with the militarized spirit of the imperial capital as you pleased, it became troublesome. Is it an order to steal it?"

"Isn't it fine, I could observe his current strength."

"I guess. Honestly though, I am disappointed. Is that the level? Ren Ashbell's (the strongest blade dancer's)?"

"He has not yet woken up."

"I hope so. Even if I beat that now-cowardly guy, there would be no point."

"Ah, you have the confidence to beat him?"

"I'll beat him. And then I'll prove it. That this Jio Inzagi is the true successor of the Demon King."

The boy's red lips bent. On his whole darkish skin body, countless numbers of spirit seals were shining.

Same as the demon king Solomon— '''the seals that carried seventy-two spirits'''.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter3}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-29T17:03:47Z

Asiorx22: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 2: The Young Ladies' Afternoon==

===Part 1===

"Mugugug..."

[[Image:STnBD V02 049.jpg|thumb]]
Claire Rouge was stuffing a cream bun down her throat.

It was an unusual scene for her, who took it as a creed— that nobles are always elegant.

"Don't binge, you'll get fat you know."

Kamito glared with his eyes half-opened and Claire struck the table like she was frustrated.

"But, but, urggggh!"

"Claire. That's my jam bun."

Est protested calmly.

This place was a salon café that was inside the academy.

From the opened terrace, the soft daylight was shining in.

The three of them were sitting and having a slightly late lunch at a round table near a window.

Inside the bamboo basket, placed right in the middle, there was a pile of jam buns, melon buns, sausage buns and so on, all kinds of buns.

Any student could use the café and on top of that the freshly baked buns were all-you-can-eat. Coffee and black tea also had free refills.

There was also an eatery in the academy, but as it charged a fee equal to a high-class restaurant in the imperial capital, for Kamito, who was not even a noble, and Claire, who had her fortune and territory confiscated, they simply could not use it.

"Our team ranking dropped again."

Claire lay, prostrated, on the table and groaned.

"We were matched up with a superior team. It can't be helped."

"That may be true... but our true strength is absolutely greater."

Claire tightly bit and closed her lips. Although they were at a disadvantage in number, she seemed to be unable to understand and accept losing to lower rank elementalist opponents.

It was certain that their level as elementalists was superior.

The cause of their defeat was that they did not execute the coordination between the both of them well. Claire over-relied on her strength and chased her opponents too far and Kamito too could not rely on Claire in a definite scenario.

With just the queen piece, it was not possible to win— in other words, it was something like that.

"Despite that, it's not the time to be stumbling at such a place..."

There was a reason that Claire binged on the buns to the extent that she looked to be in a hurry.

The regulation of the Blade Dance held in two months was different from the individual battle three years ago, if they do not put together a five-member team, they could not participate. And then, only the top three teams of the inter-school rankings could participate from Areishia Spirit Academy.



Kamito, who had just come to the academy, had no achievements that could raise his ranking.

To raise one's ranking, one had to win a formal practice match like this morning's or complete a task assigned by the academy; however, he had not achieved either of them.

Defeating the giant spirit the other day, dueling with Sylphid Knights captain Ellis Fahrengart or even battling the frenzied demon spirit, those were all informal battles and did not reflect in the rankings.

On the other hand, for Claire, who should have been superior and tower above the rest as an elementalist—

It was especially surprising that she somehow had the result of the lowest class.

There was only one reason. '''It was because she was completing all the tasks alone'''.

She failed when she challenged the tasks that should be originally completed by a team and she was defeated when she challenged upper classmen opponents alone in a championship match. If she did such a thing, no matter how superior she was as an elementalist, there was no way her ranking could raise.

There was a reason that Claire was isolated in the academy.

Rubia Elstein.

Four years ago, while she had the position of Queen serving the fire Elemental Lord, she betrayed the Elemental Lord, disappeared, and brought about an unprecedented great calamity to the empire— The Calamity Queen.

Claire, who was her younger sister, was being looked at with eyes of contempt and fear from most of the academy students.

Claire's reason for participating in the Blade Dance was to restore the Elstein family name and —above all else— to know the truth regarding her elder sister Rubia Elstein.


—It was not the time to be stumbling at such a place.

Blood-oozing emotions were filled in Claire's rough words.

"For now, we should also find comrades quickly. I understood it with this morning's match. If we stay as we are now, then, far from winning the Blade Dance, we can't even get into the top three ranks of the participation requirement."

The boy, who was called the strongest blade dancer three years ago, accepted his greatest weakness honestly.

At first, he just came to the academy due to Greyworth's request, but now he clearly had a reason for him to regain his strength from three years ago.

It was the darkness spirit, Restia— his former contracted spirit.

It was to take her back with his own hands.

The girl who gave light to Kamito's life for the first time, which was caught in darkness before.

And then the girl who gave a heartbroken Claire the frenzy spirit and tried to drive the giant spirit mad in the middle of the town.

Restia, who he met again, had greatly changed from the girl Kamito once knew.

—What on earth happened to her?

So, for the sake of knowing that, he absolutely had to meet the participation requirements for the Blade Dance.

"Kamito, what's wrong? You're making such a serious face."

"Did you forget to put sugar into your coffee?"

Claire and Est peered in with their faces with a worried look.


"No, sorry, it's just..."

"By any chance, is it about your former contracted spirit?"

She was mysteriously sharp at such a time.

Kamito quickly averted his eyes from the ruby pupils that came peering in.

"...Well. It's okay. But I'll properly tell you when I feel like talking."

Claire did not try to dig deeper into it. Despite always being arrogant, there were occasionally times where she showed such consideration.

"...Ah, I understand."

Kamito nodded and there—

"Ah, everyone, having lunch?"

A cool but elegant voice was heard.

Kamito turned around. And there—

A magnificently platinum-blonde haired beautiful girl was standing.

The very appearance of a noble ojou-sama.

With her smooth milky white skin, were her emerald eyes that locked up a faint radiance.

That appearance, where she brushed her hair with her hand at her waist looked strangely good.

Rinslet Laurenfrost.

A classmate of the same Raven Class as Kamito and self-named rival of Claire's.


Due to her rivalry with Claire, she was trying to make Kamito into her manservant. A troubling ojou-sama.

Right beside her was—

"Fufu, what a delicious smell."

The girl, who was dressed in a maid uniform, was standing there with a gentle smile.

She was wearing a long skirt attached with neat frills, her hair was cut into short bobs and she slightly put on a lovely white brim on her head.

She was Rinslet's exclusive maid, Carol.

He did not know why there was a maid in the academy, but he did not see maids other than her in the academy; it was surely an exception for the Laurenfrost family.

"...Why did you come here, Rinslet?"

Claire swallowed her bun and sternly glared at her.

"I just happened to pass by. What a very simple lunch, having just buns."

Rinslet brushed her hair and looked down on the three of them calmly.

"Milady is saying that she wants to eat together with everyone."

"Wh... Carol, what are you saying!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Poka!* *Poka!* Rinslet's face turned bright red as she hits Carol's shoulders.

As expected of her exclusive maid, it was a magnificent interpretation.

"Sit down both of you. You came after all, so let's eat together."


Kamito suggested and Claire stepped on his foot hard.

"Ouch, what are you doing?!"

"Nothing? I just thought you lack constancy ...Idiot."

"I...it's n...not like I particularly want to eat together with you all!"

"Milady is saying it'll be nice to sit next to Kamito."

"Carol!"

Carol soothed Rinslet, who turned bright red, and got her to sit down.

Rinslet, who sat next to Kamito, averted her eyes and spoke.

"...H...How are your injuries?"

"Ah, it's mostly healed. All thanks to the healing spirit."

It was about the injury he got from the time he fought the giant spirit. Probably because he overdid it, it'll take a little longer then he thought, but as expected, the academy's spirit medical care was excellent.

"Fufu, Milady has been continuously worrying about Kamito-sama."

"Carol, d...don't say anything unnecessary!"

Rinslet snapped with a grinding noise.

"However, it is also natural that Milady would be worried. After all, Kamito-sama is under one roof with Milady Claire, so it is not odd even if something should happen."

"Wha...What are you saying, you stupid maid! There's no way such things would happen."


This time it was Claire who snapped.

"...What kind of worry is that?"

Est was munching and eating a melon bun beside Kamito, who sighed.

With just that, Rinslet and Carol ended up having lunch together too.

Even Claire, who appeared upset at the beginning, eventually talked about this morning's match. After that, which store's cake was delicious, how boring the lecture over the introduction of the foundation of spirit learning was, and just like that normal girl-like conversations were beginning to bloom.

Somehow these two were on pretty good terms. Especially for Claire, who was being isolated in the academy, it could be said that she might be her only friend.

"That reminds me, it seems that a newly admitted student is coming to Raven Class."

"Our class? Despite the fact that Kamito just came in recently?"

"Yeah, I hear it's a daughter of noble social status."

"Hmm, but even if we're now talking about noble social status in this academy, there's the Fahrengart family and the Laurenfrost family... isn't this a bargain sale of noble social status?"

"Hey! Would you please not lump the militaristic Fahrengart family with the true pedigree Laurenfrost family?"

"I don't care about such things... What's wrong, Kamito?"


At any rate, Raven Class was famous for gathering '''superior problem children'''.

He just thought that if people like Claire and Rinlset were to increase, it would be troublesome.

"In the practical skill entrance examination that took place in the morning, she seems to be using a holy spirit."

The maid, Carol, took out a memo from her chest and said.

Carol's maid memo pad— aka «Carol's Notes», was stuffed with data on the academy students and teachers... He did not understand clearly what on earth she used it for.

"Hmm, a holy spirit user?..."

The holy spirit is one of the five grand element spirits, but there were not that many elementalists who used it.

It was a spirit, whose pride was extremely high and it chooses its own user.

Among princess maidens, it was said that it only opens its heart to especially pure noble girls.

(Because even in the competition three years ago, a holy spirit user gave him a tough fight...)

After all, a holy spirit had an extremely bad compatibility with the darkness spirit Kamito was contracted with.

But then, at that time, Kamito's strength completely surpassed the opponent elementalist's, that was why he did not lose.

"Ah, by the way, it seems like it's a very lovely big-chested girl."

"Carol, from where on earth did you procure such information?"

"Ah, Kamito-san, are you interested?"

Carol placed her hand near her mouth and smiled.


"Hmm, you are very concerned about the information of a big-chested admitted student, huh?"

"Eh?"

Gogogogogogogo......!

Kamito turned around and Claire raised her eyebrows and was glaring at him.

"Really, men are just idiots!"

"Kamito, do you have no distinction? Are you just a beast without reason?"

Somehow, even Rinslet and Est were glaring—

Gyuuuuuuuuu!

Kamito's cheeks were pinched by the three of them.

(This is unreasonable...)

===Part 2===

After various things, the lunch of buns ended and it was time to rest.

"Ahh, that reminds me—"

Ahem! Rinslet cleared her throat and said,

"Have you gathered your Blade Dance team members?"

"...N...not yet."


Claire shook her head in shame to Rinslet, who asked.

It seemed that she knew that answer beforehand. Rinslet smiled,

"Ah, you still have not? I have asked something bad."

Fufun! She held up her tea cup in an elegant movement.

Claire sullenly talked back.

"It's just that there isn't a person who matches up to our desired level. What about you? Have you decided on your members?"

"Tha...that's ... I just have not found a person who balances with my level!"

"Eh? Rinslet, you couldn't gather anyone either?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side.

Rinslet's ability, who uses the demon ice spirit «Fenrir», is about on par with Claire's.

He was thinking that if it was her, she would already be in great demand but...

"Fo...for now, there isn't, for now!"

Rinslet's face turned red and she quickly turned away.

"Kamito-san, Milady—"

"Uh huh?"

Carol tugged Kamito's sleeves and came to his side, telling him the reasons in his ear.

"The truth is... *mumbling*..."

"Hmm..."


According to Carol's words—

It seemed that although she had tried gathering a team several times, so far, the expectations she desired from her members were too high and things didn't go smoothly because of her excessively high pride. The teams she gathered, repeatedly broke up and so, there were no students left to invite.

...How should he say it, it was indeed a Rinslet-like reason.

"Hmm, her pride is certainly high but... she truly is a good girl, regardless."

"That's right..."

Carol earnestly nodded.

"Carol, what were you talking about with Kamito-san!?"

"It was concerning the order in which Milady washes her body in the bath."

"Carol!"

Glancing at the playful ojou-sama and maid, Claire deeply sighed.

"Haa... I wonder if there's really no one... A superior elementalist who would enter our team."

"...We...well, your circumstances aren't good."

Ahem.

Rinslet coughed and looked at Claire with one eye.

"That's right. Preferably, I should try approaching the newly admitted student that was just mentioned. Perhaps it might be an unexpected bargain."


"That is right. However, there might be an even better member unexpectedly closeby."

Ahem. Ahem.

...Kamito finally realized.

(Ahh, I see. So that's the reason she brought up the subject about the team.)

"Hey, Claire, just a minute—"

"What? Faa, do..don't suddenly breathe into my ear."

"What are you turning red for? Lend me your ear for a while and listen."

Kamito whispered into Claire's ear in a quiet voice.

"Somehow, this ojou-sama obviously wants to join us as comrades, but is that no good?"

"Absolutely not."

Claire immediately replied.

"Why? Rinslet's battle strength is adequate."

"That's... even I recognize her strength. However, no. We suffered in the duel with Ellis a while ago, didn't we? Because she doesn't even think the slightest about teamwork."

"Well, wh..."

It was certain that in the duel with Ellis' group the other day, despite being a sniper, she was standing in the most conspicuous place for some reason and was knocked down in the beginning.

"Be...besides, Rinslet ... about you ..."


"Hn? Did you say something?"

"I..it's nothing, at any rate, it's a no! Rinslet is not allowed!"

"No, without saying such things, isn't she somewhat pitiful?"

"Wh...what are you two sneakily talking about?!"

While twirling the front of her platinum blonde hair with her index finger, Rinslet was staring at them with a fidgety, uncomposed behavior.

"Wh...?"

"......"

Claire groaned seemingly unhappy.

"...I got it. I'll try asking once."

She sighed deeply and nodded. There were two months remaining till the opening of the Blade Dance. She might have reconsidered that it wasn't the time to be stating her desires anymore.

"Hey, Rinslet."

"Wh...what is it, Claire Rouge?"

Rinslet's voice was tensed and sounded slightly excited.

"You wouldn't, by any chance, want to enter my team?"

"Id...idiot, don't ask Rinslet!"

Kamito shouted in a soft voice.


Asking Rinslet, who was a highly prideful girl, in such a way—

Rinslet's finger, which was tampering with the front of her hair stopped.

"Hm, if you think about what you suddenly said—"

She placed her hand at her waist and pointed at Claire, in a thrust.

"Aren't you the ones who want to join my team?"

"Huh?"

Claire's eyebrows sternly lifted up.

"What are you saying? Are you an idiot? You'll join my team!"

"Rejected, rejected, rejected. You two will join my team!"

The two ojou-sama quarreled about something trivial.

...It was a perfectly parallel line.

"Either way is the same, right..."

Kamito retorted,

'''"It's completely different!"'''

They shouted in stereo mode. Only at such a time were their breaths in sync.

"...Uhm it's no good, these guys. Something like a team is absolutely impossible."

"Really, can't you guys keep quiet? This is a public place!"


A cold voice resounded in the salon café.

Everybody turned around—

At the café's entrance, a ponytailed beautiful girl, who was wearing light armor, was standing.

"Ellis!"

Claire sullenly groaned. ...Another hindrance came. She had such a facial expression.

Ellis Fahrengart.

The captain of the Sylphid Knights, who observed the academy's public morals.

She had a charming appearance not matching that of her strict personality. Her mutual relation with Claire's group, from Raven Class, who normally caused problems, seemed bad.

Although to Kamito, it did not mean that she was such a hard-to-deal-with person.

At first, when Kamito entered into the academy, just because he was a male elementalist, she was prejudiced against him, but she had already remorsefully apologized to him regarding that matter.

Even if there were times where she was a little overly serious with her straightforward personality, for which she held a strong belief, he could respect the part of her that held the pride of a knight.

Ellis came walking, briskly, towards the table.

"Captain-sama, what business do you have with us?"

"If it's about redoing the duel, I'll accept it anytime."

Rinslet and Claire, both of their eyes wore a dangerous light.


On that subject, the duel the other day became unsettled because of the demon spirit's sudden intrusion.

He wondered if that time's conclusion was to be decided again—

(......Spare me. A duel again, no thanks.)

Coming over here, Ellis looked down on Claire with sharp eyes.

"Hmm, I have no problem settling it here and now, Claire Rouge."

"Just what I want."

Ellis drew out her sword and Claire also pulled out her leather whip from under her skirt.

In the explosive atmosphere, the girls, who were at the surrounding tables, stood up rattled.

"Hey, Claire..."

Kamito attemptd to stop it—

"Ca-Captain, calm down!"

"Y...you can't draw out a sword here!"

From the café's entrance, two girls dashed over here with a flustered look.

They were wearing the same Knights armor as Ellis.

It was a short haired boyish girl and a somehow serious looking braided haired girl.

Kamito certainly recognized the both of them. They were the Knights girls he fought in the duel the other day.

If he remembered right, their names were— Rakka, for the one with the short hair, and Reishia, for the other with the braids.

Stopped by her Knights comrades, Ellis embarrassingly sheathed her sword.


"...S...Sorry, my Knights followers."

Feeling ashamed, she cleared her throat and apologized to the two girls—

This time she turned towards Kamito.

"Kazehaya Kamito."

"Me?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side, seemingly puzzled. Claire aside, he certainly did not recall doing anything to be kept an eye on by the Knights.

"It seems you lost completely to the Wolverine Class in this morning's match."

"What?! As I thought, you're trying to pick a fight."

Claire stood up with a clank sound.

"That's not it. Th...the truth is Kazehaya Kamito, you—"

Ellis shook her head, and rapidly blushed bashfully and looked down.

"Hn, what's the matter?"

"So, err..."

"Come on, Captain, despite that it's better to say it quickly."

"Despite that you're always resolved, you're slow at such a time."

Reishia and Rakka were whispering behind Ellis.

"However, such a bashful captain is also cute."


"Ahh, it's like that, it's almost like a girl who has fallen in love—"

"D...don't make fun of me! I...I am really not thinking about such an insolent person!"

Ellis shouted with her face turned bright red.

After that she coughed to cover over.

"It is certain that I've gotten a better opinion of you because of that day's case, but ... that's all. The one I admire is a pure strong female, like that {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}. It's absolutely not such a boy!"

"..."

Kamito gazed at Ellis, who informed him in a cold voice, with his eyes half-opened.

(...I'm sorry, your admired female is an illusion.)

"Unh, wh..what's with that look!"

Ellis thrust her sword at the back of Kamito's neck.

"Is it that strange for me to be admiring Ren Ashbell?"

"...N...no, that's not it!"

Kamito panicked and shook his head.

At the Blade Dance three years ago— the blade dance, which was danced by the strongest blade dancer, left a strong impression on the girls of the same generation. Henceforth, she was the aspiration of the princess maidens, who aimed to be elementalists.

It seemed that Ellis was not an exception either.

"That's enough, quickly state your business."


"Shut up, I know that!"

After turning and retorting to Claire, Ellis stared at Kamito again.

"Kazehaya Kamito—"

"Wh...what..."

"Err, what I'm saying is, ..."

Ellis seemed nervous as her hand was lightly trembling.
[[Image:STnBD V02 069.jpg|thumb]]

By the way, as the sword was left where it was thrust at, it could not be helped that it was dangerous.

"What I'm saying is... I...I want you!"

"..."

—Silence arrived.

Claire and the others, even Rakka and Reshia, were dumbfounded.

For a while, time froze.

"Wh...wh...wh..wh..."

Claire was the first one who opened her mouth.

Her face was bright red and her mouth was opening and closing.

"...!?"

Ellis widened her eyes, seemingly taken aback and shook her head.

"Th...that's not it, the words, just now, do not have such a meaning!"


"Su...su...su...such a meaning means what kind of meaning!?"

"I mean, th...that—"

After Ellis took a deep breath,

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you join my team?"

"Eh?"

Kamito did not believe his ears when those unexpected words came out.

(...Ellis and me, a team?)

"What did you say?"

Claire and Rinslet were also staring in wonder.

Rakka and Reshia saw Ellis, who turned bright red, and were grinning.

"...Well, what do you mean?"

"I...I meant just that. Kazehaya Kamito, I welcome you to my team. Because you defeated that militarized spirit, I have no objections about your ability."

Ellis rapidly said so and quickly averted her eyes, looking far away.

It seemed that in truth her intention was to scout Kamito.

With a sword thrust at the back of his neck, rather than being scouted, it was like he was being threatened.

Ellis' results were restrained by the upperclassmen and were top class. If Kamito joined this team, it was certain that the likelihood that he would obtain the entry qualifications to the Blade Dance would greatly increase.



However—

"Ellis, I—"

"No way, this is my contracted spirit after all!"

The one who interrupted Kamito's reply and shouted was Claire.

She stood up from the chair and tightly grabbed the sleeves of Kamito's uniform.

"Claire, you..."

Kamito turned around and looked down and his eyes met her clear ruby pupils.

Claire's eyes seemed to be swaying in anxiety.

It was likely that she was not aware of it, but she was staring with a clinging look.

(I see, she's...)

It was surely that being betrayed by her sister, Rubia, caused her heart to be deeply wounded.

Being abandoned by someone— something like that, being frightening to her, could not be helped.

That was why she was always in solitude. She could not depend on anyone.

Because she was afraid of being betrayed again—

"..."

Kamito—

Took a sharp breath and scratched his head.

(...Being shown such a face...)


While bitterly smiling, he gently placed his hand on top of Claire's head.

He had decided on the reply from the beginning. She did not have to be worried.

"Ellis, sorry, but I am her contracted spirit. I don't intend to change teams."

"...Kamito!?"

Claire, taken aback, raised her face and widened her eyes.

"...I see."

Ellis tightly bit her lips.

However, by the next moment, she had already returned to her cold expression.

"...I understand. I'm sorry for asking something unreasonable so suddenly."

"No, me too ... thank you for inviting me."

Kamito apologized and Ellis was a little bashful.

"I...it's alright. Y...you are such a guy, therefore, I—"

"Uh?"

Ellis seemed to have said something, but her voice was so soft that he didn't catch it.

"Ahh, you've been rejected."

"It's alright, the captain has us."

"Y...you guys... I...it's not like that!"

Ellis turned bright red and shouted at her two comrades, who were grinning and teasing her.


"H...hey, Kamito..."

"Hn?"

While still grabbing Kamito's uniform sleeve, she was bashfully saying something else.

"What's the matter?"

"...Th...thank...you."

"...? What?"

She was trying to say something, but her voice was too soft, so he could not hear her well.

It was unusual for Claire to be hesitating in such a way.

"S...so... erm..."

And at that moment. Bam! The door opened—

"Is the licentious, no— Kazehaya Kamito here?!"

An academy student girl came running into the salon café.

She seemed to have come here in a great hurry and seemed out of breath.

(Wait, it seems like she started saying my name as licentious beast just now...)

"I'm here."

Kamito raised his hand and that girl felt relieved as she stroked down on her chest.

"The academy director is calling for you. So, go over immediately."

"Greyworth?"



===Part 3===

At a corner of the Academy Town possessed by Areishia Spirit Academy.

At a table of a coffee lounge, which greatly stuck out on the outside, a strange set of customers was sitting.

One of them was a black haired girl dressed in a jet-black dress.

Darkness spirit Restia. The perpetrator who drove the militarized spirit brought in from the imperial capital mad and brought great damage to Academy Town a week ago.

And then, the other one had—

Steel-like hard black hair. It was a boy— skinny with darkish skin.

He had well-featured looks, but just his red eyes strangely could not be expressed other than being glaringly shiny.

The two of them were clearly conspicuous in such a place, but not only did no one in the surroundings pay attention to them, it seemed that their presences were not even perceived.

"—So, I just have to steal that specific sealed material from the academy's library?"

"Yeah, because of the incident the other day, I am unable to get close to the academy."

"Tch, how troublesome, what do we need such a thing for again?"

The boy spat onto the ground. However, no one found fault in that.


"That thing sleeping in Mine Town is a fairly hard problem. The seal of the highest grade Ordesia army spans several layers. With only the releasing ritual, how many months would it take to wake it up—"

"Hmm, the disposed militarized spirit— what's the plan for collecting such a thing?"

"You do not have the qualifications to know her prediction, Jio."

The girl in black clothing gently shook her head. The boy clicked his tongue.

"Because you toyed with the militarized spirit of the imperial capital as you pleased, it became troublesome. Is it an order to steal it?"

"Isn't it fine, I could observe his current strength."

"I guess. Honestly though, I am disappointed. Is that the level? Ren Ashbell's (the strongest blade dancer's)?"

"He has not yet woken up."

"I hope so. Even if I beat that now-cowardly guy, there would be no point."

"Ah, you have the confidence to beat him?"

"I'll beat him. And then I'll prove it. That this Jio Inzagi is the true successor of the Demon King."

The boy's red lips bent. On his whole darkish skin body, countless numbers of spirit seals were shining.

Same as the demon king Solomon— '''the seals that carried seventy-two spirits'''.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter3}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-29T16:43:08Z

Asiorx22: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 2: The Young Ladies' Afternoon==

===Part 1===

"Mugugug..."

[[Image:STnBD V02 049.jpg|thumb]]
Claire Rouge was stuffing a cream bun down her throat.

It was an unusual scene for her, who took it as a creed— that nobles are always elegant.

"Don't binge, you'll get fat you know."

Kamito glared with his eyes half-opened and Claire struck the table like she was frustrated.

"But, but, urggggh!"

"Claire. That's my jam bun."

Est protested calmly.

This place was a salon café that was inside the academy.

From the opened terrace, the soft daylight was shining in.

The three of them were sitting and having a slightly late lunch at a round table near a window.

Inside the bamboo basket, placed right in the middle, there was a pile of jam buns, melon buns, sausage buns and so on, all kinds of buns.

Any student could use the café and on top of that the freshly baked buns were all-you-can-eat. Coffee and black tea also had free refills.

There was also an eatery in the academy, but as it charged a fee equal to a high-class restaurant in the imperial capital, for Kamito, who was not even a noble, and Claire, who had her fortune and territory confiscated, they simply could not use it.

"Our team ranking dropped again."

Claire lay, prostrated, on the table and groaned.

"We were matched up with a superior team. It can't be helped."

"That may be true... but our true strength is absolutely greater."

Claire tightly bit and closed her lips. Although they were at a disadvantage in number, she seemed to be unable to understand and accept losing to lower rank elementalist opponents.

It was certain that their level as elementalists was superior.

The cause of their defeat was that they did not execute the coordination between the both of them well. Claire over-relied on her strength and chased her opponents too far and Kamito too could not rely on Claire in a definite scenario.

With just the queen piece, it was not possible to win— in other words, it was something like that.

"Despite that, it's not the time to be stumbling at such a place..."

There was a reason that Claire binged on the buns to the extent that she looked to be in a hurry.

The regulation of the Blade Dance held in two months was different from the individual battle three years ago, if they do not put together a five-member team, they could not participate. And then, only the top three teams of the inter-school rankings could participate from Areishia Spirit Academy.



Kamito, who had just come to the academy, had no achievements that could raise his ranking.

To raise one's ranking, one had to win a formal practice match like this morning's or complete a task assigned by the academy; however, he had not achieved either of them.

Defeating the giant spirit the other day, dueling with Sylphid Knights captain Ellis Fahrengart or even battling the frenzied demon spirit, those were all informal battles and did not reflect in the rankings.

On the other hand, for Claire, who should have been superior and tower above the rest as an elementalist—

It was especially surprising that she somehow had the result of the lowest class.

There was only one reason. '''It was because she was completing all the tasks alone'''.

She failed when she challenged the tasks that should be originally completed by a team and she was defeated when she challenged upper classmen opponents alone in a championship match. If she did such a thing, no matter how superior she was as an elementalist, there was no way her ranking could raise.

There was a reason that Claire was isolated in the academy.

Rubia Elstein.

Four years ago, while she had the position of Queen serving the fire Elemental Lord, she betrayed the Elemental Lord, disappeared, and brought about an unprecedented great calamity to the empire— The Calamity Queen.

Claire, who was her younger sister, was being looked at with eyes of contempt and fear from most of the academy students.

Claire's reason for participating in the Blade Dance was to restore the Elstein family name and —above all else— to know the truth regarding her elder sister Rubia Elstein.


—It was not the time to be stumbling at such a place.

Blood-oozing emotions were filled in Claire's rough words.

"For now, we should also find comrades quickly. I understood it with this morning's match. If we stay as we are now, then, far from winning the Blade Dance, we can't even get into the top three ranks of the participation requirement."

The boy, who was called the strongest blade dancer three years ago, accepted his greatest weakness honestly.

At first, he just came to the academy due to Greyworth's request, but now he clearly had a reason for him to regain his strength from three years ago.

It was the darkness spirit, Restia— his former contracted spirit.

It was to take her back with his own hands.

The girl who gave light to Kamito's life for the first time, which was caught in darkness before.

And then the girl who gave a heartbroken Claire the frenzy spirit and tried to drive the giant spirit mad in the middle of the town.

Restia, who he met again, had greatly changed from the girl Kamito once knew.

—What on earth happened to her?

So, for the sake of knowing that, he absolutely had to meet the participation requirements for the Blade Dance.

"Kamito, what's wrong? You're making such a serious face."

"Did you forget to put sugar into your coffee?"

Claire and Est peered in with their faces with a worried look.


"No, sorry, it's just..."

"By any chance, is it about your former contracted spirit?"

She was mysteriously sharp at such a time.

Kamito quickly averted his eyes from the ruby pupils that came peering in.

"...Well. It's okay. But I'll properly tell you when I feel like talking."

Claire did not try to dig deeper into it. Despite always being arrogant, there were occasionally times where she showed such consideration.

"...Ah, I understand."

Kamito nodded and there—

"Ah, everyone, having lunch?"

A cool but elegant voice was heard.

Kamito turned around. And there—

A magnificently platinum-blonde haired beautiful girl was standing.

The very appearance of a noble ojou-sama.

With her smooth milky white skin, were her emerald eyes that locked up a faint radiance.

That appearance, where she brushed her hair with her hand at her waist looked strangely good.

Rinslet Laurenfrost.

A classmate of the same Raven Class as Kamito and self-named rival of Claire's.


Due to her rivalry with Claire, she was trying to make Kamito into her manservant. A troubling ojou-sama.

Right beside her was—

"Fufu, what a delicious smell."

The girl, who was dressed in a maid uniform, was standing there with a gentle smile.

She was wearing a long skirt attached with neat frills, her hair was cut into short bobs and she slightly put on a lovely white brim on her head.

She was Rinslet's exclusive maid, Carol.

He did not know why there was a maid in the academy, but he did not see maids other than her in the academy; it was surely an exception for the Laurenfrost family.

"...Why did you come here, Rinslet?"

Claire swallowed her bun and sternly glared at her.

"I just happened to pass by. What a very simple lunch, having just buns."

Rinslet brushed her hair and looked down on the three of them calmly.

"Milady is saying that she wants to eat together with everyone."

"Wh... Carol, what are you saying!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Poka!* *Poka!* Rinslet's face turned bright red as she hits Carol's shoulders.

As expected of her exclusive maid, it was a magnificent interpretation.

"Sit down both of you. You came after all, so let's eat together."


Kamito suggested and Claire stepped on his foot hard.

"Ouch, what are you doing?!"

"Nothing? I just thought you lack constancy ...Idiot."

"I...it's n...not like I particularly want to eat together with you all!"

"Milady is saying it'll be nice to sit next to Kamito."

"Carol!"

Carol soothed Rinslet, who turned bright red, and got her to sit down.

Rinslet, who sat next to Kamito, averted her eyes and spoke.

"...H...How are your injuries?"

"Ah, it's mostly healed. All thanks to the healing spirit."

It was about the injury he got from the time he fought the giant spirit. Probably because he overdid it, it'll take a little longer then he thought, but as expected, the academy's spirit medical care was excellent.

"Fufu, Milady has been continuously worrying about Kamito-sama."

"Carol, d...don't say anything unnecessary!"

Rinslet snapped with a grinding noise.

"However, it is also natural that Milady would be worried. After all, Kamito-sama is under one roof with Milady Claire, so it is not odd even if something should happen."

"Wha...What are you saying, you stupid maid! There's no way such things would happen."


This time it was Claire who snapped.

"...What kind of worry is that?"

Est was munching and eating a melon bun beside Kamito, who sighed.

With just that, Rinslet and Carol ended up having lunch together too.

Even Claire, who appeared upset at the beginning, eventually talked about this morning's match. After that, which store's cake was delicious, how boring the lecture over the introduction of the foundation of spirit learning was, and just like that normal girl-like conversations were beginning to bloom.

Somehow these two were on pretty good terms. Especially for Claire, who was being isolated in the academy, it could be said that she might be her only friend.

"That reminds me, it seems that a newly admitted student is coming to Raven Class."

"Our class? Despite the fact that Kamito just came in recently?"

"Yeah, I hear it's a daughter of noble social status."

"Hmm, but even if we're now talking about noble social status in this academy, there's the Fahrengart family and the Laurenfrost family... isn't this a bargain sale of noble social status?"

"Hey! Would you please not lump the militaristic Fahrengart family with the true pedigree Laurenfrost family?"

"I don't care about such things... What's wrong, Kamito?"


At any rate, Raven Class was famous for gathering '''superior problem children'''.

He just thought that if people like Claire and Rinlset were to increase, it would be troublesome.

"In the practical skill entrance examination that took place in the morning, she seems to be using a holy spirit."

The maid, Carol, took out a memo from her chest and said.

Carol's maid memo pad— aka «Carol's Notes», was stuffed with data on the academy students and teachers... He did not understand clearly what on earth she used it for.

"Hmm, a holy spirit user?..."

The holy spirit is one of the five grand element spirits, but there were not that many elementalists who used it.

It was a spirit, whose pride was extremely high and it chooses its own user.

Among princess maidens, it was said that it only opens its heart to especially pure noble girls.

(Because even in the competition three years ago, a holy spirit user gave him a tough fight...)

After all, a holy spirit had an extremely bad compatibility with the darkness spirit Kamito was contracted with.

But then, at that time, Kamito's strength completely surpassed the opponent elementalist's, that was why he did not lose.

"Ah, by the way, it seems like it's a very lovely big-chested girl."

"Carol, from where on earth did you procure such information?"

"Ah, Kamito-san, are you interested?"

Carol placed her hand near her mouth and smiled.


"Hmm, you are very concerned about the information of a big-chested admitted student, huh?"

"Eh?"

Gogogogogogogo......!

Kamito turned around and Claire raised her eyebrows and was glaring at him.

"Really, men are just idiots!"

"Kamito, do you have no distinction? Are you just a beast without reason?"

Somehow, even Rinslet and Est were glaring—

Gyuuuuuuuuu!

Kamito's cheeks were pinched by the three of them.

(This is unreasonable...)

===Part 2===

After various things, the lunch of buns ended and it was time to rest.

"Ahh, that reminds me—"

Ahem! Rinslet cleared her throat and said,

"Have you gathered your Blade Dance team members?"

"...N...not yet."


Claire shook her head in shame to Rinslet, who asked.

It seemed that she knew that answer beforehand. Rinslet smiled,

"Ah, you still have not? I have asked something bad."

Fufun! She held up her tea cup in an elegant movement.

Claire sullenly talked back.

"It's just that there isn't a person who matches up to our desired level. What about you? Have you decided on your members?"

"Tha...that's ... I just have not found a person who balances with my level!"

"Eh? Rinslet, you couldn't gather anyone either?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side.

Rinslet's ability, who uses the demon ice spirit «Fenrir», is about on par with Claire's.

He was thinking that if it was her, she would already be in great demand but...

"Fo...for now, there isn't, for now!"

Rinslet's face turned red and she quickly turned away.

"Kamito-san, Milady—"

"Uh huh?"

Carol tugged Kamito's sleeves and came to his side, telling him the reasons in his ear.

"The truth is... *mumbling*..."

"Hmm..."


According to Carol's words—

It seemed that although she had tried gathering a team several times, so far, the expectations she desired from her members were too high and things didn't go smoothly because of her excessively high pride. The teams she gathered, repeatedly broke up and so, there were no students left to invite.

...How should he say it, it was indeed a Rinslet-like reason.

"Hmm, her pride is certainly high but... she truly is a good girl, regardless."

"That's right..."

Carol earnestly nodded.

"Carol, what were you talking about with Kamito-san!?"

"It was concerning the order in which Milady washes her body in the bath."

"Carol!"

Glancing at the playful ojou-sama and maid, Claire deeply sighed.

"Haa... I wonder if there's really no one... A superior elementalist who would enter our team."

"...We...well, your circumstances aren't good."

Ahem.

Rinslet coughed and looked at Claire with one eye.

"That's right. Preferably, I should try approaching the newly admitted student that was just mentioned. Perhaps it might be an unexpected bargain."


"That is right. However, there might be an even better member unexpectedly closeby."

Ahem. Ahem.

...Kamito finally realized.

(Ahh, I see. So that's the reason she brought up the subject about the team.)

"Hey, Claire, just a minute—"

"What? Faa, do..don't suddenly breathe into my ear."

"What are you turning red for? Lend me your ear for a while and listen."

Kamito whispered into Claire's ear in a quiet voice.

"Somehow, this ojou-sama obviously wants to join us as comrades, but is that no good?"

"Absolutely not."

Claire immediately replied.

"Why? Rinslet's battle strength is adequate."

"That's... even I recognize her strength. However, no. We suffered in the duel with Ellis a while ago, didn't we? Because she doesn't even think the slightest about teamwork."

"Well, wh..."

It was certain that in the duel with Ellis' group the other day, despite being a sniper, she was standing in the most conspicuous place for some reason and was knocked down in the beginning.

"Be...besides, Rinslet ... about you ..."


"Hn? Did you say something?"

"I..it's nothing, at any rate, it's a no! Rinslet is not allowed!"

"No, without saying such things, isn't she somewhat pitiful?"

"Wh...what are you two sneakily talking about?!"

While twirling the front of her platinum blonde hair with her index finger, Rinslet was staring at them with a fidgety, uncomposed behavior.

"Wh...?"

"......"

Claire groaned seemingly unhappy.

"...I got it. I'll try asking once."

She sighed deeply and nodded. There were two months remaining till the opening of the Blade Dance. She might have reconsidered that it wasn't the time to be stating her desires anymore.

"Hey, Rinslet."

"Wh...what is it, Claire Rouge?"

Rinslet's voice was tensed and sounded slightly excited.

"You wouldn't, by any chance, want to enter my team?"

"Id...idiot, don't ask Rinslet!"

Kamito shouted in a soft voice.


Asking Rinslet, who was a highly prideful girl, in such a way—

Rinslet's finger, which was tampering with the front of her hair stopped.

"Hm, if you think about what you suddenly said—"

She placed her hand at her waist and pointed at Claire, in a thrust.

"Aren't you the ones who want to join my team?"

"Huh?"

Claire's eyebrows sternly lifted up.

"What are you saying? Are you an idiot? You'll join my team!"

"Rejected, rejected, rejected. You two will join my team!"

The two ojou-sama quarreled about something trivial.

...It was a perfectly parallel line.

"Either way is the same, right..."

Kamito retorted,

'''"It's completely different!"'''

They shouted in stereo mode. Only at such a time were their breaths in sync.

"...Uhm it's no good, these guys. Something like a team is absolutely impossible."

"Really, can't you guys keep quiet? This is a public place!"


A cold voice resounded in the salon café.

Everybody turned around—

At the café's entrance, a ponytailed beautiful girl, who was wearing light armor, was standing.

"Ellis!"

Claire sullenly groaned. ...Another hindrance came. She had such a facial expression.

Ellis Fahrengart.

The captain of the Sylphid Knights, who observed the academy's public morals.

She had a charming appearance not matching that of her strict personality. Her mutual relation with Claire's group, from Raven Class, who normally caused problems, seemed bad.

Although to Kamito, it did not mean that she was such a hard-to-deal-with person.

At first, when Kamito entered into the academy, just because he was a male elementalist, she was prejudiced against him, but she had already remorsefully apologized to him regarding that matter.

Even if there were times where she was a little overly serious with her straightforward personality, for which she held a strong belief, he could respect the part of her that held the pride of a knight.

Ellis came walking, briskly, towards the table.

"Captain-sama, what business do you have with us?"

"If it's about redoing the duel, I'll accept it anytime."

Rinslet and Claire, both of their eyes wore a dangerous light.


On that subject, the duel the other day became unsettled because of the demon spirit's sudden intrusion.

He wondered if that time's conclusion was to be decided again—

(......Spare me. A duel again, no thanks.)

Coming over here, Ellis looked down on Claire with sharp eyes.

"Hmm, I have no problem settling it here and now, Claire Rouge."

"Just what I want."

Ellis drew out her sword and Claire also pulled out her leather whip from under her skirt.

In the explosive atmosphere, the girls, who were at the surrounding tables, stood up rattled.

"Hey, Claire..."

Kamito attemptd to stop it—

"Ca-Captain, calm down!"

"Y...you can't draw out a sword here!"

From the café's entrance, two girls dashed over here with a flustered look.

They were wearing the same Knights armor as Ellis.

It was a short haired boyish girl and a somehow serious looking braided haired girl.

Kamito certainly recognized the both of them. They were the Knights girls he fought in the duel the other day.

If he remembered right, their names were— Rakka, for the one with the short hair, and Reishia, for the other with the braids.

Stopped by her Knights comrades, Ellis embarrassingly sheathed her sword.


"...S...Sorry, my Knights followers."

Feeling ashamed, she cleared her throat and apologized to the two girls—

This time she turned towards Kamito.

"Kazehaya Kamito."

"Me?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side, seemingly puzzled. Claire aside, he certainly did not recall doing anything to be kept an eye on by the Knights.

"It seems you lost completely to the Wolverine Class in this morning's match."

"What?! As I thought, you're trying to pick a fight."

Claire stood up with a clank sound.

"That's not it. Th...the truth is Kazehaya Kamito, you—"

Ellis shook her head, and rapidly blushed bashfully and looked down.

"Hn, what's the matter?"

"So, err..."

"Come on, Captain, despite that it's better to say it quickly."

"Despite that you're always resolved, you're slow at such a time."

Reishia and Rakka were whispering behind Ellis.

"However, such a bashful captain is also cute."


"Ahh, it's like that, it's almost like a girl who has fallen in love—"

"D...don't make fun of me! I...I am really not thinking about such an insolent person!"

Ellis shouted with her face turned bright red.

After that she coughed to cover over.

"It is certain that I've gotten a better opinion of you because of that day's case, but ... that's all. The one I admire is a pure strong female, like that {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}. It's absolutely not such a boy!"

"..."

Kamito gazed at Ellis, who informed him in a cold voice, with his eyes half-opened.

(...I'm sorry, your admired female is an illusion.)

"Unh, wh..what's with that look!"

Ellis thrust her sword at the back of Kamito's neck.

"Is it that strange for me to be admiring Ren Ashbell?"

"...N...no, that's not it!"

Kamito panicked and shook his head.

At the Blade Dance three years ago— the blade dance, which was danced by the strongest blade dancer, left a strong impression on the girls of the same generation. Henceforth, she was the aspiration of the princess maidens, who aimed to be elementalists.

It seemed that Ellis was not an exception either.

"That's enough, quickly state your business."


"Shut up, I know that!"

After turning and retorting to Claire, Ellis stared at Kamito again.

"Kazehaya Kamito—"

"Wh...what..."

"Err, what I'm saying is, ..."

Ellis seemed nervous as her hand was lightly trembling.
[[Image:STnBD V02 069.jpg|thumb]]

By the way, as the sword was left where it was thrust at, it could not be helped that it was dangerous.

"What I'm saying is... I...I want you!"

"..."

—Silence arrived.

Claire and the others, even Rakka and Reshia, were dumbfounded.

For a while, time froze.

"Wh...wh...wh..wh..."

Claire was the first one who opened her mouth.

Her face was bright red and her mouth was opening and closing.

"...!?"

Ellis widened her eyes, seemingly taken aback and shook her head.

"Th...that's not it, the words, just now, do not have such a meaning!"


"Su...su...su...such a meaning means what kind of meaning!?"

"I mean, th...that—"

After Ellis took a deep breath,

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you join my team?"

"Eh?"

Kamito did not believe his ears when those unexpected words came out.

(...Ellis and me, a team?)

"What did you say?"

Claire and Rinslet were also staring in wonder.

Rakka and Reshia saw Ellis, who turned bright red, and were grinning.

"...Well, what do you mean?"

"I...I meant just that. Kazehaya Kamito, I welcome you to my team. Because you defeated that militarized spirit, I have no objections about your ability."

Ellis rapidly said so and quickly averted her eyes, looking far away.

It seemed that in truth her intention was to scout Kamito.

With a sword thrust at the back of his neck, rather than being scouted, it was like he was being threatened.

Ellis' results were restrained by the upperclassmen and were top class. If Kamito joined this team, it was certain that the likelihood that he would obtain the entry qualifications to the Blade Dance would greatly increase.



However—

"Ellis, I—"

"No way, this is my contracted spirit after all!"

The one who interrupted Kamito's reply and shouted was Claire.

She stood up from the chair and tightly grabbed the sleeves of Kamito's uniform.

"Claire, you..."

Kamito turned around and looked down and his eyes met her clear ruby pupils.

Claire's eyes seemed to be swaying in anxiety.

It was likely that she was not aware of it, but she was staring with a clinging look.

(I see, she's...)

It was surely that being betrayed by her sister, Rubia, caused her heart to be deeply wounded.

Being abandoned by someone— something like that, being frightening to her, could not be helped.

That was why she was always in solitude. She could not depend on anyone.

Because she was afraid of being betrayed again—

"..."

Kamito—

Took a sharp breath and scratched his head.

(...Being shown such a face...)


While bitterly smiling, he gently placed his hand on top of Claire's head.

He had decided on the reply from the beginning. She did not have to be worried.

"Ellis, sorry, but I am her contracted spirit. I don't intend to change teams."

"...Kamito!?"

Claire, taken aback, raised her face and widened her eyes.

"...I see."

Ellis tightly bit her lips.

However, by the next moment, she had already returned to her cold expression.

"...I understand. I'm sorry for asking something unreasonable so suddenly."

"No, me too ... thank you for inviting me."

Kamito apologized and Ellis was a little bashful.

"I...it's alright. Y...you are such a guy, therefore, I—"

"Uh?"

Ellis seemed to have said something, but her voice was so soft that he didn't catch it.

"Ahh, you've been rejected."

"It's alright, the captain has us."

"Y...you guys... I...it's not like that!"

Ellis turned bright red and shouted at her two comrades, who were grinning and teasing her.


"H...hey, Kamito..."

"Hn?"

While still grabbing Kamito's uniform sleeve, she was bashfully saying something else.

"What's the matter?"

"...Th...thank...you."

"...? What?"

She was trying to say something, but her voice was too soft, so he could not hear her well.

It was unusual for Claire to be hesitating in such a way.

"S...so... erm..."

And at that moment. Bam! The door opened—

"Is the licentious, no— Kazehaya Kamito here?!"

An academy student girl came running into the salon café.

She seemed to have come here in a great hurry and seemed out of breath.

(Wait, it seems like she started saying my name as licentious beast just now...)

"I'm here."

Kamito raised his hand and that girl felt relieved as she stroked down on her chest.

"The academy director is calling for you. So, go over immediately."

"Greyworth?"



===Part 3===

At a corner of the Academy Town possessed by Areishia Spirit Academy.

At a table of a coffee lounge, which greatly stuck out on the outside, a strange set of customers was sitting.

One of them was a black haired girl dressed in a jet-black dress.

Darkness spirit Restia. The perpetrator who drove the militarized spirit brought in from the imperial capital mad and brought great damage to Academy Town a week ago.

And then, the other one had—

Steel-like hard black hair. It was a boy— skinny with darkish skin.

He had well-featured looks, but just his red eyes strangely could not be expressed other than being glaringly shiny.

The two of them were clearly conspicuous in such a place, but not only did no one in the surroundings pay attention to them, it seemed that their presences were not even perceived.

"—So, I just have to steal that specific sealed material from the academy's library?"

"Yeah, because of the incident the other day, I am unable to get close to the academy."

"Tch, how troublesome, what do we need such a thing for again?"

The boy spat onto the ground. However, no one found fault in that.


"That thing sleeping in Mine Town is a fairly hard problem. The seal of the highest grade Ordesia army spans several layers. With only the releasing ritual, how many months would it take to wake it up—"

"Hmm, the disposed militarized spirit— what's the plan for collecting such a thing?"

"You do not have the qualifications to know her prediction, Jio."

The girl in black clothing gently shook her head. The boy clicked his tongue.

"Because you toyed with the militarized spirit of the imperial capital as you pleased, it became troublesome. Is it an order to steal it?"

"Isn't it fine, I could observe his current strength."

"I guess. Honestly though, I am disappointed. Is that the level? Ren Ashbell's (the strongest blade dancer's)?"

"He has not yet woken up."

"I hope so. Even if I beat that now-cowardly guy, there would be no point."

"Ah, you have the confidence to beat him?"

"I'll beat him. And then I'll prove it. That this Jio Inzagi is the true successor of the Demon King."

The boy's red lips bent. On his whole darkish skin body, countless numbers of spirit seals were shining.

Same as the demon king Solomon— '''the seals that carried seventy-two spirits'''.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter3}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-29T16:12:09Z

Asiorx22: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 2: The Young Ladies' Afternoon==

===Part 1===

"Mugugug..."

[[Image:STnBD V02 049.jpg|thumb]]
Claire Rouge was stuffing a cream bun down her throat.

It was an unusual scene for her, who took it as a creed— that nobles are always elegant.

"Don't binge, you'll get fat you know."

Kamito glared with his eyes half-opened and Claire struck the table like she was frustrated.

"But, but, urggggh!"

"Claire. That's my jam bun."

Est protested calmly.

This place was a salon café that was inside the academy.

From the opened terrace, the soft daylight was shining in.

The three of them were sitting and having a slightly late lunch at a round table near a window.

Inside the bamboo basket, placed right in the middle, there was a pile of jam buns, melon buns, sausage buns and so on, all kinds of buns.

Any student could use the café and on top of that the freshly baked buns were all-you-can-eat. Coffee and black tea also had free refills.

There was also an eatery in the academy, but as it charged a fee equal to a high-class restaurant in the imperial capital, for Kamito, who was not even a noble, and Claire, who had her fortune and territory confiscated, they simply could not use it.

"Our team ranking dropped again."

Claire lay, prostrated, on the table and groaned.

"We were matched up with a superior team. It can't be helped."

"That may be true... but our true strength is absolutely greater."

Claire tightly bit and closed her lips. Although they were at a disadvantage in number, she seemed to be unable to understand and accept losing to lower rank elementalist opponents.

It was certain that their level as elementalists was superior.

The cause of their defeat was that they did not execute the coordination between the both of them well. Claire over-relied on her strength and chased her opponents too far and Kamito too could not rely on Claire in a definite scenario.

With just the queen piece, it was not possible to win— in other words, it was something like that.

"Despite that, it's not the time to be stumbling at such a place..."

There was a reason that Claire binged on the buns to the extent that she looked to be in a hurry.

The regulation of the Blade Dance held in two months was different from the individual battle three years ago, if they do not put together a five-member team, they could not participate. And then, only the top three teams of the inter-school rankings could participate from Areishia Spirit Academy.



Kamito, who had just come to the academy, had no achievements that could raise his ranking.

To raise one's ranking, one had to win a formal practice match like this morning's or complete a task assigned by the academy; however, he had not achieved either of them.

Defeating the giant spirit the other day, dueling with Sylphid Knights captain Ellis Fahrengart or even battling the frenzied demon spirit, those were all informal battles and did not reflect in the rankings.

On the other hand, for Claire, who should have been superior and tower above the rest as an elementalist—

It was especially surprising that she somehow had the result of the lowest class.

There was only one reason. '''It was because she was completing all the tasks alone'''.

She failed when she challenged the tasks that should be originally completed by a team and she was defeated when she challenged upper classmen opponents alone in a championship match. If she did such a thing, no matter how superior she was as an elementalist, there was no way her ranking could raise.

There was a reason that Claire was isolated in the academy.

Rubia Elstein.

Four years ago, while she had the position of Queen serving the fire Elemental Lord, she betrayed the Elemental Lord, disappeared, and brought about an unprecedented great calamity to the empire— The Calamity Queen.

Claire, who was her younger sister, was being looked at with eyes of contempt and fear from most of the academy students.

Claire's reason for participating in the Blade Dance was to restore the Elstein family name and —above all else— to know the truth regarding her elder sister Rubia Elstein.


—It was not the time to be stumbling at such a place.

Blood-oozing emotions were filled in Claire's rough words.

"For now, we should also find comrades quickly. I understood it with this morning's match. If we stay as we are now, then, far from winning the Blade Dance, we can't even get into the top three ranks of the participation requirement."

The boy, who was called the strongest blade dancer three years ago, accepted his greatest weakness honestly.

At first, he just came to the academy due to Greyworth's request, but now he clearly had a reason for him to regain his strength from three years ago.

It was the darkness spirit, Restia— his former contracted spirit.

It was to take her back with his own hands.

The girl who gave light to Kamito's life for the first time, which was caught in darkness before.

And then the girl who gave a heartbroken Claire the frenzy spirit and tried to drive the giant spirit mad in the middle of the town.

Restia, who he met again, had greatly changed from the girl Kamito once knew.

—What on earth happened to her?

So, for the sake of knowing that, he absolutely had to meet the participation requirements for the Blade Dance.

"Kamito, what's wrong? You're making such a serious face."

"Did you forget to put sugar into your coffee?"

Claire and Est peered in with their faces with a worried look.


"No, sorry, it's just..."

"By any chance, is it about your former contracted spirit?"

She was mysteriously sharp at such a time.

Kamito quickly averted his eyes from the ruby pupils that came peering in.

"...Well. It's okay. But I'll properly tell you when I feel like talking."

Claire did not try to dig deeper into it. Despite always being arrogant, there were occasionally times where she showed such consideration.

"...Ah, I understand."

Kamito nodded and there—

"Ah, everyone, having lunch?"

A cool but elegant voice was heard.

Kamito turned around. And there—

A magnificently platinum-blonde haired beautiful girl was standing.

The very appearance of a noble ojou-sama.

With her smooth milky white skin, were her emerald eyes that locked up a faint radiance.

That appearance, where she brushed her hair with her hand at her waist looked strangely good.

Rinslet Laurenfrost.

A classmate of the same Raven Class as Kamito and self-named rival of Claire's.


Due to her rivalry with Claire, she was trying to make Kamito into her manservant. A troubling ojou-sama.

Right beside her was—

"Fufu, what a delicious smell."

The girl, who was dressed in a maid uniform, was standing there with a gentle smile.

She was wearing a long skirt attached with neat frills, her hair was cut into short bobs and she slightly put on a lovely white brim on her head.

She was Rinslet's exclusive maid, Carol.

He did not know why there was a maid in the academy, but he did not see maids other than her in the academy; it was surely an exception for the Laurenfrost family.

"...Why did you come here, Rinslet?"

Claire swallowed her bun and sternly glared at her.

"I just happened to pass by. What a very simple lunch, having just buns."

Rinslet brushed her hair and looked down on the three of them calmly.

"Milady is saying that she wants to eat together with everyone."

"Wh... Carol, what are you saying!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Poka!* *Poka!* Rinslet's face turned bright red as she hits Carol's shoulders.

As expected of her exclusive maid, it was a magnificent interpretation.

"Sit down both of you. You came after all, so let's eat together."


Kamito suggested and Claire stepped on his foot hard.

"Ouch, what are you doing?!"

"Nothing? I just thought you lack constancy ...Idiot."

"I...it's n...not like I particularly want to eat together with you all!"

"Milady is saying it'll be nice to sit next to Kamito."

"Carol!"

Carol soothed Rinslet, who turned bright red, and got her to sit down.

Rinslet, who sat next to Kamito, averted her eyes and spoke.

"...H...How are your injuries?"

"Ah, it's mostly healed. All thanks to the healing spirit."

It was about the injury he got from the time he fought the giant spirit. Probably because he overdid it, it'll take a little longer then he thought, but as expected, the academy's spirit medical care was excellent.

"Fufu, Milady has been continuously worrying about Kamito-sama."

"Carol, d...don't say anything unnecessary!"

Rinslet snapped with a grinding noise.

"However, it is also natural that Milady would be worried. After all, Kamito-sama is under one roof with Milady Claire, so it is not odd even if something should happen."

"Wha...What are you saying, you stupid maid! There's no way such things would happen."


This time it was Claire who snapped.

"...What kind of worry is that?"

Est was munching and eating a melon bun beside Kamito, who sighed.

With just that, Rinslet and Carol ended up having lunch together too.

Even Claire, who appeared upset at the beginning, eventually talked about this morning's match. After that, which store's cake was delicious, how boring the lecture over the introduction of the foundation of spirit learning was, and just like that normal girl-like conversations were beginning to bloom.

Somehow these two were on pretty good terms. Especially for Claire, who was being isolated in the academy, it could be said that she might be her only friend.

"That reminds me, it seems that a newly admitted student is coming to Raven Class."

"Our class? Despite the fact that Kamito just came in recently?"

"Yeah, I hear it's a daughter of noble social status."

"Hmm, but even if we're now talking about noble social status in this academy, there's the Fahrengart family and the Laurenfrost family... isn't this a bargain sale of noble social status?"

"Hey! Would you please not lump the militaristic Fahrengart family with the true pedigree Laurenfrost family?"

"I don't care about such things... What's wrong, Kamito?"


At any rate, Raven Class was famous for gathering '''superior problem children'''.

He just thought that if people like Claire and Rinlset were to increase, it would be troublesome.

"In the practical skill entrance examination that took place in the morning, she seems to be using a holy spirit."

The maid, Carol, took out a memo from her chest and said.

Carol's maid memo pad— aka «Carol's Notes», was stuffed with data on the academy students and teachers... He did not understand clearly what on earth she used it for.

"Hmm, a holy spirit user?..."

The holy spirit is one of the five grand element spirits, but there were not that many elementalists who used it.

It was a spirit, whose pride was extremely high and it chooses its own user.

Among princess maidens, it was said that it only opens its heart to especially pure noble girls.

(Because even in the competition three years ago, a holy spirit user gave him a tough fight...)

After all, a holy spirit had an extremely bad compatibility with the darkness spirit Kamito was contracted with.

But then, at that time, Kamito's strength completely surpassed the opponent elementalist's, that was why he did not lose.

"Ah, by the way, it seems like it's a very lovely big-chested girl."

"Carol, from where on earth did you procure such information?"

"Ah, Kamito-san, are you interested?"

Carol placed her hand near her mouth and smiled.


"Hmm, you are very concerned about the information of a big-chested admitted student, huh?"

"Eh?"

Gogogogogogogo......!

Kamito turned around and Claire raised her eyebrows and was glaring at him.

"Really, men are just idiots!"

"Kamito, do you have no distinction? Are you just a beast without reason?"

Somehow, even Rinslet and Est were glaring—

Gyuuuuuuuuu!

Kamito's cheeks were pinched by the three of them.

(This is unreasonable...)

===Part 2===

After various things, the lunch of buns ended and it was time to rest.

"Ahh, that reminds me—"

Ahem! Rinslet cleared her throat and said,

"Have you gathered your Blade Dance team members?"

"...N...not yet."


Claire shook her head in shame to Rinslet, who asked.

It seemed that she knew that answer beforehand. Rinslet smiled,

"Ah, you still have not? I have asked something bad."

Fufun! She held up her tea cup in an elegant movement.

Claire sullenly talked back.

"It's just that there isn't a person who matches up to our desired level. What about you? Have you decided on your members?"

"Tha...that's ... I just have not found a person who balances with my level!"

"Eh? Rinslet, you couldn't gather anyone either?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side.

Rinslet's ability, who uses the demon ice spirit «Fenrir», is about on par with Claire's.

He was thinking that if it was her, she would already be in great demand but...

"Fo...for now, there isn't, for now!"

Rinslet's face turned red and she quickly turned away.

"Kamito-san, Milady—"

"Uh huh?"

Carol tugged Kamito's sleeves and came to his side, telling him the reasons in his ear.

"The truth is... *mumbling*..."

"Hmm..."


According to Carol's words—

It seemed that although she had tried gathering a team several times, so far, the expectations she desired from her members were too high and things didn't go smoothly because of her excessively high pride. The teams she gathered, repeatedly broke up and so, there were no students left to invite.

...How should he say it, it was indeed a Rinslet-like reason.

"Hmm, her pride is certainly high but... she truly is a good girl, regardless."

"That's right..."

Carol earnestly nodded.

"Carol, what were you talking about with Kamito-san!?"

"It was concerning the order in which Milady washes her body in the bath."

"Carol!"

Glancing at the playful ojou-sama and maid, Claire deeply sighed.

"Haa... I wonder if there's really no one... A superior elementalist who would enter our team."

"...We...well, your circumstances aren't good."

Ahem.

Rinslet coughed and looked at Claire with one eye.

"That's right. Preferably, I should try approaching the newly admitted student that was just mentioned. Perhaps it might be an unexpected bargain."


"That is right. However, there might be an even better member unexpectedly closeby."

Ahem. Ahem.

...Kamito finally realized.

(Ahh, I see. So that's the reason she brought up the subject about the team.)

"Hey, Claire, just a minute—"

"What? Faa, do..don't suddenly breathe into my ear."

"What are you turning red for? Lend me your ear for a while and listen."

Kamito whispered into Claire's ear in a quiet voice.

"Somehow, this ojou-sama obviously wants to join us as comrades, but is that no good?"

"Absolutely not."

Claire immediately replied.

"Why? Rinslet's battle strength is adequate."

"That's... even I recognize her strength. However, no. We suffered in the duel with Ellis a while ago, didn't we? Because she doesn't even think the slightest about teamwork."

"Well, wh..."

It was certain that in the duel with Ellis' group the other day, despite being a sniper, she was standing in the most conspicuous place for some reason and was knocked down in the beginning.

"Be...besides, Rinslet ... about you ..."


"Hn? Did you say something?"

"I..it's nothing, at any rate, it's a no! Rinslet is not allowed!"

"No, without saying such things, isn't she somewhat pitiful?"

"Wh...what are you two sneakily talking about?!"

While twirling the front of her platinum blonde hair with her index finger, Rinslet was staring at them with a fidgety, uncomposed behavior.

"Wh...?"

"......"

Claire groaned seemingly unhappy.

"...I got it. I'll try asking once."

She sighed deeply and nodded. There were two months remaining till the opening of the Blade Dance. She might have reconsidered that it wasn't the time to be stating her desires anymore.

"Hey, Rinslet."

"Wh...what is it, Claire Rouge?"

Rinslet's voice was tensed and sounded slightly excited.

"You wouldn't, by any chance, want to enter my team?"

"Id...idiot, don't ask Rinslet!"

Kamito shouted in a soft voice.


Asking Rinslet, who was a highly prideful girl, in such a way—

Rinslet's finger, which was tampering with the front of her hair stopped.

"Hm, if you think about what you suddenly said—"

She placed her hand at her waist and pointed at Claire, in a thrust.

"Aren't you the ones who want to join my team?"

"Huh?"

Claire's eyebrows sternly lifted up.

"What are you saying? Are you an idiot? You'll join my team!"

"Rejected, rejected, rejected. You two will join my team!"

The two ojou-sama quarreled about something trivial.

...It was a perfectly parallel line.

"Either way is the same, right..."

Kamito retorted,

'''"It's completely different!"'''

They shouted in stereo mode. Only at such a time were their breaths in sync.

"...Uhm it's no good, these guys. Something like a team is absolutely impossible."

"Really, can't you guys keep quiet? This is a public place!"


A cold voice resounded in the salon café.

Everybody turned around—

At the café's entrance, a ponytailed beautiful girl, who was wearing light armor, was standing.

"Ellis!"

Claire sullenly groaned. ...Another hindrance came. She had such a facial expression.

Ellis Fahrengart.

The captain of the Sylphid Knights, who observed the academy's public morals.

She had a charming appearance not matching that of her strict personality. Her mutual relation with Claire's group, from Raven Class, who normally caused problems, seemed bad.

Although to Kamito, it did not mean that she was such a hard-to-deal-with person.

At first, when Kamito entered into the academy, just because he was a male elementalist, she was prejudiced against him, but she had already remorsefully apologized to him regarding that matter.

Even if there were times where she was a little overly serious with her straightforward personality, for which she held a strong belief, he could respect the part of her that held the pride of a knight.

Ellis came walking, briskly, towards the table.

"Captain-sama, what business do you have with us?"

"If it's about redoing the duel, I'll accept it anytime."

Rinslet and Claire, both of their eyes wore a dangerous light.


On that subject, the duel the other day became unsettled because of the demon spirit's sudden intrusion.

He wondered if that time's conclusion was to be decided again—

(......Spare me. A duel again, no thanks.)

Coming over here, Ellis looked down on Claire with sharp eyes.

"Hmm, I have no problem settling it here and now, Claire Rouge."

"Just what I want."

Ellis drew out her sword and Claire also pulled out her leather whip from under her skirt.

In the explosive atmosphere, the girls, who were at the surrounding tables, stood up rattled.

"Hey, Claire..."

Kamito attemptd to stop it—

"Ca-Captain, calm down!"

"Y...you can't draw out a sword here!"

From the café's entrance, two girls dashed over here with a flustered look.

They were wearing the same Knights armor as Ellis.

It was a short haired boyish girl and a somehow serious looking braided haired girl.

Kamito certainly recognized the both of them. They were the Knights girls he fought in the duel the other day.

If he remembered right, their names were— Rakka, for the one with the short hair, and Reishia, for the other with the braids.

Stopped by her Knights comrades, Ellis embarrassingly sheathed her sword.


"...S...Sorry, my Knights followers."

Feeling ashamed, she cleared her throat and apologized to the two girls—

This time she turned towards Kamito.

"Kazehaya Kamito."

"Me?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side, seemingly puzzled. Claire aside, he certainly did not recall doing anything to be kept an eye on by the Knights.

"It seems you lost completely to the Wolverine Class in this morning's match."

"What?! As I thought, you're trying to pick a fight."

Claire stood up with a clank sound.

"That's not it. Th...the truth is Kazehaya Kamito, you—"

Ellis shook her head, and rapidly blushed bashfully and looked down.

"Hn, what's the matter?"

"So, err..."

"Come on, Captain, despite that it's better to say it quickly."

"Despite that you're always resolved, you're slow at such a time."

Reishia and Rakka were whispering behind Ellis.

"However, such a bashful captain is also cute."


"Ahh, it's like that, it's almost like a girl who has fallen in love—"

"D...don't make fun of me! I...I am really not thinking about such an insolent person!"

Ellis shouted with her face turned bright red.

After that she coughed to cover over.

"It is certain that I've gotten a better opinion of you because of that day's case, but ... that's all. The one I admire is a pure strong female, like that {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}. It's absolutely not such a boy!"

"..."

Kamito gazed at Ellis, who informed him in a cold voice, with his eyes half-opened.

(...I'm sorry, your admired female is an illusion.)

"Unh, wh..what's with that look!"

Ellis thrust her sword at the back of Kamito's neck.

"Is it that strange for me to be admiring Ren Ashbell?"

"...N...no, that's not it!"

Kamito panicked and shook his head.

At the Blade Dance three years ago— the blade dance, which was danced by the strongest blade dancer, left a strong impression on the girls of the same generation. Henceforth, she was the aspiration of the princess maidens, who aimed to be elementalists.

It seemed that Ellis was not an exception either.

"That's enough, quickly state your business."


"Shut up, I know that!"

After turning and retorting to Claire, Ellis stared at Kamito again.

"Kazehaya Kamito—"

"Wh...what..."

"Err, what I'm saying is, ..."

Ellis seemed nervous as her hand was lightly trembling.
[[Image:STnBD V02 069.jpg|thumb]]

By the way, as the sword was left where it was thrust at, it could not be helped that it was dangerous.

"What I'm saying is... I...I want you!"

"..."

—Silence arrived.

Claire and the others, even Rakka and Reshia, were dumbfounded.

For a while, time froze.

"Wh...wh...wh..wh..."

Claire was the first one who opened her mouth.

Her face was bright red and her mouth was opening and closing.

"...!?"

Ellis widened her eyes, seemingly taken aback and shook her head.

"Th...that's not it, the words, just now, do not have such a meaning!"


"Su...su...su...such a meaning means what kind of meaning!?"

"I mean, th...that—"

After Ellis took a deep breath,

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you join my team?"

"Eh?"

Kamito did not believe his ears when those unexpected words came out.

(...Ellis and me, a team?)

"What did you say?"

Claire and Rinslet were also staring in wonder.

Rakka and Reshia saw Ellis, who turned bright red, and were grinning.

"...Well, what do you mean?"

"I...I meant just that. Kazehaya Kamito, I welcome you to my team. Because you defeated that militarized spirit, I have no objections about your ability."

Ellis rapidly said so and quickly averted her eyes, looking far away.

It seemed that in truth her intention was to scout Kamito.

With a sword thrust at the back of his neck, rather than being scouted, it was like he was being threatened.

Ellis' results were restrained by the upperclassmen and were top class. If Kamito joined this team, it was certain that the likelihood that he would obtain the entry qualifications to the Blade Dance would greatly increase.



However—

"Ellis, I—"

"No way, this is my contracted spirit after all!"

The one who interrupted Kamito's reply and shouted was Claire.

She stood up from the chair and tightly grabbed the sleeves of Kamito's uniform.

"Claire, you..."

Kamito turned around and looked down and his eyes met her clear ruby pupils.

Claire's eyes seemed to be swaying in anxiety.

It was likely that she was not aware of it, but she was staring with a clinging look.

(I see, she's...)

It was surely that being betrayed by her sister, Rubia, caused her heart to be deeply wounded.

Being abandoned by someone— something like that, being frightening to her, could not be helped.

That was why she was always in solitude. She could not depend on anyone.

Because she was afraid of being betrayed again—

"..."

Kamito—

Took a sharp breath and scratched his head.

(...Being shown such a face...)


While bitterly smiling, he gently placed his hand on top of Claire's head.

He had decided on the reply from the beginning. She did not have to be worried.

"Ellis, sorry, but I am her contracted spirit. I don't intend to change teams."

"...Kamito!?"

Claire, taken aback, raised her face and widened her eyes.

"...I see."

Ellis tightly bit her lips.

However, by the next moment, she had already returned to her cold expression.

"...I understand. I'm sorry for asking something unreasonable so suddenly."

"No, me too ... thank you for inviting me."

Kamito apologized and Ellis was a little bashful.

"I...it's alright. Y...you are such a guy, therefore, I—"

"Uh?"

Ellis seemed to have said something, but her voice was so soft that he didn't catch it.

"Ahh, you've been rejected."

"It's alright, the captain has us."

"Y...you guys... I...it's not like that!"

Ellis turned bright red and shouted at her two comrades, who were grinning and teasing her.


"H...hey, Kamito..."

"Hn?"

While still grabbing Kamito's uniform sleeve, she was bashfully saying something else.

"What's the matter?"

"...Th...thank...you."

"...? What?"

She was trying to say something, but her voice was too soft, so he could not hear her well.

It was unusual for Claire to be hesitating in such a way.

"S...so... erm..."

And at that moment. Bam! The door opened—

"Is the licentious, no— Kazehaya Kamito here?!"

An academy student girl came running into the salon café.

She seemed to have come here in a great hurry and seemed out of breath.

(Wait, it seems like she started saying my name as licentious beast just now...)

"I'm here."

Kamito raised his hand and that girl felt relieved as she stroked down on her chest.

"The academy director is calling for you. So, go over immediately."

"Greyworth?"



===Part 3===

At a corner of the Academy Town possessed by Areishia Spirit Academy.

At a table of a coffee lounge, which greatly stuck out on the outside, a strange set of customers was sitting.

One of them was a black haired girl dressed in a jet-black dress.

Darkness spirit Restia. The perpetrator who drove the militarized spirit brought in from the imperial capital mad and brought great damage to Academy Town a week ago.

And then, the other one had—

Steel-like hard black hair. It was a boy— skinny with darkish skin.

He had well-featured looks, but just his red eyes strangely could not be expressed other than being glaringly shiny.

The two of them were clearly conspicuous in such a place, but not only did no one in the surroundings pay attention to them, it seemed that their presences were not even perceived.

"—So, I just have to steal that specific sealed material from the academy's library?"

"Yeah, because of the incident the other day, I am unable to get close to the academy."

"Tch, how troublesome, what do we need such a thing for again?"

The boy spat onto the ground. However, no one found fault in that.


"That thing sleeping in Mine Town is a fairly hard problem. The seal of the highest grade Ordesia army spans several layers. With only the releasing ritual, how many months would it take to wake it up—"

"Hmm, the disposed militarized spirit— what's the plan for collecting such a thing?"

"You do not have the qualifications to know her prediction, Jio."

The girl in black clothing gently shook her head. The boy clicked his tongue.

"Because you toyed with the militarized spirit of the imperial capital as you pleased, it became troublesome. Is it an order to steal it?"

"Isn't it fine, I could observe his current strength."

"I guess. Honestly though, I am disappointed. Is that the level? Ren Ashbell's (the strongest blade dancer's)?"

"He has not yet woken up."

"I hope so. Even if I beat that now-cowardly guy, there would be no point."

"Ah, you have the confidence to beat him?"

"I'll beat him. And then I'll prove it. That this Jio Inzagi is the true successor of the Demon King."

The boy's red lips bent. On his whole darkish skin body, countless numbers of spirit seals were shining.

Same as the demon king Solomon— '''the seals that carried seventy-two spirits'''.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter3}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-28T06:43:56Z

Asiorx22: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 2: The Young Ladies' Afternoon==

===Part 1===

"Mugugug..."

[[Image:STnBD V02 049.jpg|thumb]]
Claire Rouge was stuffing a cream bun down her throat.

It was an unusual scene for her, who took it as a creed— that nobles are always elegant.

"Don't binge, you'll get fat you know."

Kamito glared with his eyes half-opened and Claire struck the table like she was frustrated.

"But, but, urggggh!"

"Claire. That's my jam bun."

Est protested calmly.

This place was a salon café that was inside the academy.

From the opened terrace, the soft daylight was shining in.

The three of them were sitting and having a slightly late lunch at a round table near a window.

Inside the bamboo basket, placed right in the middle, there was a pile of jam buns, melon buns, sausage buns and so on, all kinds of buns.

Any student could use the café and on top of that the freshly baked buns were all-you-can-eat. Coffee and black tea also had free refills.

There was also an eatery in the academy, but as it charged a fee equal to a high-class restaurant in the imperial capital, for Kamito, who was not even a noble, and Claire, who had her fortune and territory confiscated, they simply could not use it.

"Our team ranking dropped again."

Claire lay, prostrated, on the table and groaned.

"We were matched up with a superior team. It can't be helped."

"That may be true... but our true strength is absolutely greater."

Claire tightly bit and closed her lips. Although they were at a disadvantage in number, she seemed to be unable to understand and accept losing to lower rank elementalist opponents.

It was certain that their level as elementalists was superior.

The cause of their defeat was that they did not execute the coordination between the both of them well. Claire over-relied on her strength and chased her opponents too far and Kamito too could not rely on Claire in a definite scenario.

With just the queen piece, it was not possible to win— in other words, it was something like that.

"Despite that, it's not the time to be stumbling at such a place..."

There was a reason that Claire binged on the buns to the extent that she looked to be in a hurry.

The regulation of the Blade Dance held in two months was different from the individual battle three years ago, if they do not put together a five-member team, they could not participate. And then, only the top three teams of the inter-school rankings could participate from Areishia Spirit Academy.



Kamito, who had just come to the academy, had no achievements that could raise his ranking.

To raise one's ranking, one had to win a formal practice match like this morning's or complete a task assigned by the academy; however, he had not achieved either of them.

Defeating the giant spirit the other day, dueling with Sylphid Knights captain Ellis Fahrengart or even battling the frenzied demon spirit, those were all informal battles and did not reflect in the rankings.

On the other hand, for Claire, who should have been superior and tower above the rest as an elementalist—

It was especially surprising that she somehow had the result of the lowest class.

There was only one reason. '''It was because she was completing all the tasks alone'''.

She failed when she challenged the tasks that should be originally completed by a team and she was defeated when she challenged upper classmen opponents alone in a championship match. If she did such a thing, no matter how superior she was as an elementalist, there was no way her ranking could raise.

There was a reason that Claire was isolated in the academy.

Rubia Elstein.

Four years ago, while she had the position of Queen serving the fire Elemental Lord, she betrayed the Elemental Lord, disappeared, and brought about an unprecedented great calamity to the empire— The Calamity Queen.

Claire, who was her younger sister, was being looked at with eyes of contempt and fear from most of the academy students.

Claire's reason for participating in the Blade Dance was to restore the Elstein family name and —above all else— to know the truth regarding her elder sister Rubia Elstein.


—It was not the time to be stumbling at such a place.

Blood-oozing emotions were filled in Claire's rough words.

"For now, we should also find comrades quickly. I understood it with this morning's match. If we stay as we are now, then, far from winning the Blade Dance, we can't even get into the top three ranks of the participation requirement."

The boy, who was called the strongest blade dancer three years ago, accepted his greatest weakness honestly.

At first, he just came to the academy due to Greyworth's request, but now he clearly had a reason for him to regain his strength from three years ago.

It was the darkness spirit, Restia— his former contracted spirit.

It was to take her back with his own hands.

The girl who gave light to Kamito's life for the first time, which was caught in darkness before.

And then the girl who gave a heartbroken Claire the frenzy spirit and tried to drive the giant spirit mad in the middle of the town.

Restia, who he met again, had greatly changed from the girl Kamito once knew.

—What on earth happened to her?

So, for the sake of knowing that, he absolutely had to meet the participation requirements for the Blade Dance.

"Kamito, what's wrong? You're making such a serious face."

"Did you forget to put sugar into your coffee?"

Claire and Est peered in with their faces with a worried look.


"No, sorry, it's just..."

"By any chance, is it about your former contracted spirit?"

She was mysteriously sharp at such a time.

Kamito quickly averted his eyes from the ruby pupils that came peering in.

"...Well. It's okay. But I'll properly tell you when I feel like talking."

Claire did not try to dig deeper into it. Despite always being arrogant, there were occasionally times where she showed such consideration.

"...Ah, I understand."

Kamito nodded and there—

"Ah, everyone, having lunch?"

A cool but elegant voice was heard.

Kamito turned around. And there—

A magnificently platinum-blonde haired beautiful girl was standing.

The very appearance of a noble ojou-sama.

With her smooth milky white skin, were her emerald eyes that locked up a faint radiance.

That appearance, where she brushed her hair with her hand at her waist looked strangely good.

Rinslet Laurenfrost.

A classmate of the same Raven Class as Kamito and self-named rival of Claire's.


Due to her rivalry with Claire, she was trying to make Kamito into her manservant. A troubling ojou-sama.

Right beside her was—

"Fufu, what a delicious smell."

The girl, who was dressed in a maid uniform, was standing there with a gentle smile.

She was wearing a long skirt attached with neat frills, her hair was cut into short bobs and she slightly put on a lovely white brim on her head.

She was Rinslet's exclusive maid, Carol.

He did not know why there was a maid in the academy, but he did not see maids other than her in the academy; it was surely an exception for the Laurenfrost family.

"...Why did you come here, Rinslet?"

Claire swallowed her bun and sternly glared at her.

"I just happened to pass by. What a very simple lunch, having just buns."

Rinslet brushed her hair and looked down on the three of them calmly.

"Milady is saying that she wants to eat together with everyone."

"Wh... Carol, what are you saying!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Poka!* *Poka!* Rinslet's face turned bright red as she hits Carol's shoulders.

As expected of her exclusive maid, it was a magnificent interpretation.

"Sit down both of you. You came after all, so let's eat together."


Kamito suggested and Claire stepped on his foot hard.

"Ouch, what are you doing?!"

"Nothing? I just thought you lack constancy ...Idiot."

"I...it's n...not like I particularly want to eat together with you all!"

"Milady is saying it'll be nice to sit next to Kamito."

"Carol!"

Carol soothed Rinslet, who turned bright red, and got her to sit down.

Rinslet, who sat next to Kamito, averted her eyes and spoke.

"...H...How are your injuries?"

"Ah, it's mostly healed. All thanks to the healing spirit."

It was about the injury he got from the time he fought the giant spirit. Probably because he overdid it, it'll take a little longer then he thought, but as expected, the academy's spirit medical care was excellent.

"Fufu, Milady has been continuously worrying about Kamito-sama."

"Carol, d...don't say anything unnecessary!"

Rinslet snapped with a grinding noise.

"However, it is also natural that Milady would be worried. After all, Kamito-sama is under one roof with Milady Claire, so it is not odd even if something should happen."

"Wha...What are you saying, you stupid maid! There's no way such things would happen."


This time it was Claire who snapped.

"...What kind of worry is that?"

Est was munching and eating a melon bun beside Kamito, who sighed.

With just that, Rinslet and Carol ended up having lunch together too.

Even Claire, who appeared upset at the beginning, eventually talked about this morning's match. After that, which store's cake was delicious, how boring the lecture over the introduction of the foundation of spirit learning was, and just like that normal girl-like conversations were beginning to bloom.

Somehow these two were on pretty good terms. Especially for Claire, who was being isolated in the academy, it could be said that she might be her only friend.

"That reminds me, it seems that a newly admitted student is coming to Raven Class."

"Our class? Despite the fact that Kamito just came in recently?"

"Yeah, I hear it's a daughter of noble social status."

"Hmm, but even if we're now talking about noble social status in this academy, there's the Fahrengart family and the Laurenfrost family... isn't this a bargain sale of noble social status?"

"Hey! Would you please not lump the militaristic Fahrengart family with the true pedigree Laurenfrost family?"

"I don't care about such things... What's wrong, Kamito?"


At any rate, Raven Class was famous for gathering '''superior problem children'''.

He just thought that if people like Claire and Rinlset were to increase, it would be troublesome.

"In the practical skill entrance examination that took place in the morning, she seems to be using a holy spirit."

The maid, Carol, took out a memo from her chest and said.

Carol's maid memo pad— aka «Carol's Notes», was stuffed with data on the academy students and teachers... He did not understand clearly what on earth she used it for.

"Hmm, a holy spirit user?..."

The holy spirit is one of the five grand element spirits, but there were not that many elementalists who used it.

It was a spirit, whose pride was extremely high and it chooses its own user.

Among princess maidens, it was said that it only opens its heart to especially pure noble girls.

(Because even in the competition three years ago, a holy spirit user gave him a tough fight...)

After all, a holy spirit had an extremely bad compatibility with the darkness spirit Kamito was contracted with.

But then, at that time, Kamito's strength completely surpassed the opponent elementalist's, that was why he did not lose.

"Ah, by the way, it seems like it's a very lovely big-chested girl."

"Carol, from where on earth did you procure such information?"

"Ah, Kamito-san, are you interested?"

Carol placed her hand near her mouth and smiled.


"Hmm, you are very concerned about the information of a big-chested admitted student, huh?"

"Eh?"

Gogogogogogogo......!

Kamito turned around and Claire raised her eyebrows and was glaring at him.

"Really, men are just idiots!"

"Kamito, do you have no distinction? Are you just a beast without reason?"

Somehow, even Rinslet and Est were glaring—

Gyuuuuuuuuu!

Kamito's cheeks were pinched by the three of them.

(This is unreasonable...)

===Part 2===

After various things, the lunch of buns ended and it was time to rest.

"Ahh, that reminds me—"

Ahem! Rinslet cleared her throat and said,

"Have you gathered your Blade Dance team members?"

"...N...not yet."


Claire shook her head in shame to Rinslet, who asked.

It seemed that she knew that answer beforehand. Rinslet smiled,

"Ah, you still have not? I have asked something bad."

Fufun! She held up her tea cup in an elegant movement.

Claire sullenly talked back.

"It's just that there isn't a person who matches up to our desired level. What about you? Have you decided on your members?"

"Tha...that's ... I just have not found a person who balances with my level!"

"Eh? Rinslet, you couldn't gather anyone either?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side.

Rinslet's ability, who uses the demon ice spirit «Fenrir», is about on par with Claire's.

He was thinking that if it was her, she would already be in great demand but...

"Fo...for now, there isn't, for now!"

Rinslet's face turned red and she quickly turned away.

"Kamito-san, Milady—"

"Uh huh?"

Carol tugged Kamito's sleeves and came to his side, telling him the reasons in his ear.

"The truth is... *mumbling*..."

"Hmm..."


According to Carol's words—

It seemed that although she had tried gathering a team several times, so far, the expectations she desired from her members were too high and things didn't go smoothly because of her excessively high pride. The teams she gathered, repeatedly broke up and so, there were no students left to invite.

...How should he say it, it was indeed a Rinslet-like reason.

"Hmm, her pride is certainly high but... she truly is a good girl, regardless."

"That's right..."

Carol earnestly nodded.

"Carol, what were you talking about with Kamito-san!?"

"It was concerning the order in which Milady washes her body in the bath."

"Carol!"

Glancing at the playful ojou-sama and maid, Claire deeply sighed.

"Haa... I wonder if there's really no one... A superior elementalist who would enter our team."

"...We...well, your circumstances aren't good."

Ahem.

Rinslet coughed and looked at Claire with one eye.

"That's right. Preferably, I should try approaching the newly admitted student that was just mentioned. Perhaps it might be an unexpected bargain."


"That is right. However, there might be an even better member unexpectedly closeby."

Ahem. Ahem.

...Kamito finally realized.

(Ahh, I see. So that's the reason she brought up the subject about the team.)

"Hey, Claire, just a minute—"

"What? Faa, do..don't suddenly breathe into my ear."

"What are you turning red for? Lend me your ear for a while and listen."

Kamito whispered into Claire's ear in a quiet voice.

"Somehow, this ojou-sama obviously wants to join us as comrades, but is that no good?"

"Absolutely not."

Claire immediately replied.

"Why? Rinslet's battle strength is adequate."

"That's... even I recognize her strength. However, no. We suffered in the duel with Ellis a while ago, didn't we? Because she doesn't even think the slightest about teamwork."

"Well, wh..."

It was certain that in the duel with Ellis' group the other day, despite being a sniper, she was standing in the most conspicuous place for some reason and was knocked down in the beginning.

"Be...besides, Rinslet ... about you ..."


"Hn? Did you say something?"

"I..it's nothing, at any rate, it's a no! Rinslet is not allowed!"

"No, without saying such things, isn't she somewhat pitiful?"

"Wh...what are you two sneakily talking about?!"

While twirling the front of her platinum blonde hair with her index finger, Rinslet was staring at them with a fidgety, uncomposed behavior.

"Wh...?"

"......"

Claire groaned seemingly unhappy.

"...I got it. I'll try asking once."

She sighed deeply and nodded. There were two months remaining till the opening of the Blade Dance. She might have reconsidered that it wasn't the time to be stating her desires anymore.

"Hey, Rinslet."

"Wh...what is it, Claire Rouge?"

Rinslet's voice was tensed and sounded slightly excited.

"You wouldn't, by any chance, want to enter my team?"

"Id...idiot, don't ask Rinslet!"

Kamito shouted in a soft voice.


Asking Rinslet, who was a highly prideful girl, in such a way—

Rinslet's finger, which was tampering with the front of her hair stopped.

"Hm, if you think about what you suddenly said—"

She placed her hand at her waist and pointed at Claire, in a thrust.

"Aren't you the ones who want to join my team?"

"Huh?"

Claire's eyebrows sternly lifted up.

"What are you saying? Are you an idiot? You'll join my team!"

"Rejected, rejected, rejected. You two will join my team!"

The two ojou-sama quarreled about something trivial.

...It was a perfectly parallel line.

"Either way is the same, right..."

Kamito retorted,

'''"It's completely different!"'''

They shouted in stereo mode. Only at such a time were their breaths in sync.

"...Uhm it's no good, these guys. Something like a team is absolutely impossible."

"Really, can't you guys keep quiet? This is a public place!"


A cold voice resounded in the salon café.

Everybody turned around—

At the café's entrance, a ponytailed beautiful girl, who was wearing light armor, was standing.

"Ellis!"

Claire sullenly groaned. ...Another hindrance came. She had such a facial expression.

Ellis Fahrengart.

The captain of the Sylphid Knights, who observed the academy's public morals.

She had a charming appearance not matching that of her strict personality. Her mutual relation with Claire's group, from Raven Class, who normally caused problems, seemed bad.

Although to Kamito, it did not mean that she was such a hard-to-deal-with person.

At first, when Kamito entered into the academy, just because he was a male elementalist, she was prejudiced against him, but she had already remorsefully apologized to him regarding that matter.

Even if there were times where she was a little overly serious with her straightforward personality, for which she held a strong belief, he could respect the part of her that held the pride of a knight.

Ellis came walking, briskly, towards the table.

"Captain-sama, what business do you have with us?"

"If it's about redoing the duel, I'll accept it anytime."

Rinslet and Claire, both of their eyes wore a dangerous light.


On that subject, the duel the other day became unsettled because of the demon spirit's sudden intrusion.

He wondered if that time's conclusion was to be decided again—

(......Spare me. A duel again, no thanks.)

Coming over here, Ellis looked down on Claire with sharp eyes.

"Hmm, I have no problem settling it here and now, Claire Rouge."

"Just what I want."

Ellis drew out her sword and Claire also pulled out her leather whip from under her skirt.

In the explosive atmosphere, the girls, who were at the surrounding tables, stood up rattled.

"Hey, Claire..."

Kamito attemptd to stop it—

"Ca-Captain, calm down!"

"Y...you can't draw out a sword here!"

From the café's entrance, two girls dashed over here with a flustered look.

They were wearing the same Knights armor as Ellis.

It was a short haired boyish girl and a somehow serious looking braided haired girl.

Kamito certainly recognized the both of them. They were the Knights girls he fought in the duel the other day.

If he remembered right, their names were— Rakka, for the one with the short hair, and Reishia, for the other with the braids.

Stopped by her Knights comrades, Ellis embarrassingly sheathed her sword.


"...S...Sorry, my Knights followers."

Feeling ashamed, she cleared her throat and apologized to the two girls—

This time she turned towards Kamito.

"Kazehaya Kamito."

"Me?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side, seemingly puzzled. Claire aside, he certainly did not recall doing anything to be kept an eye on by the Knights.

"It seems you lost completely to the Wolverine Class in this morning's match."

"What?! As I thought, you're trying to pick a fight."

Claire stood up with a clank sound.

"That's not it. Th...the truth is Kazehaya Kamito, you—"

Ellis shook her head, and rapidly blushed bashfully and looked down.

"Hn, what's the matter?"

"So, err..."

"Come on, Captain, despite that it's better to say it quickly."

"Despite that you're always resolved, you're slow at such a time."

Reishia and Rakka were whispering behind Ellis.

"However, such a bashful captain is also cute."


"Ahh, it's like that, it's almost like a girl who has fallen in love—"

"D...don't make fun of me! I...I am really not thinking about such an insolent person!"

Ellis shouted with her face turned bright red.

After that she coughed to cover over.

"It is certain that I've gotten a better opinion of you because of that day's case, but ... that's all. The one I admire is a pure strong female, like that {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}. It's absolutely not such a boy!"

"..."

Kamito gazed at Ellis, who informed him in a cold voice, with his eyes half-opened.

(...I'm sorry, your admired female is an illusion.)

"Unh, wh..what's with that look!"

Ellis thrust her sword at the back of Kamito's neck.

"Is it that strange for me to be admiring Ren Ashbell?"

"...N...no, that's not it!"

Kamito panicked and shook his head.

At the Blade Dance three years ago— the blade dance, which was danced by the strongest blade dancer, left a strong impression on the girls of the same generation. Henceforth, she was the aspiration of the princess maidens, who aimed to be elementalists.

It seemed that Ellis was not an exception either.

"That's enough, quickly state your business."


"Shut up, I know that!"

After turning and retorting to Claire, Ellis stared at Kamito again.

"Kazehaya Kamito—"

"Wh...what..."

"Err, what I'm saying is, ..."

Ellis seemed nervous as her hand was lightly trembling.
[[Image:STnBD V02 069.jpg|thumb]]

By the way, as the sword was left where it was thrust at, it could not be helped that it was dangerous.

"What I'm saying is... I...I want you!"

"..."

—Silence arrived.

Claire and the others, even Rakka and Reshia, were dumbfounded.

For a while, time froze.

"Wh...wh...wh..wh..."

Claire was the first one who opened her mouth.

Her face was bright red and her mouth was opening and closing.

"...!?"

Ellis widened her eyes, seemingly taken aback and shook her head.

"Th...that's not it, the words, just now, do not have such a meaning!"


"Su...su...su...such a meaning means what kind of meaning!?"

"I mean, th...that—"

After Ellis took a deep breath,

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you join my team?"

"Eh?"

Kamito did not believe his ears when those unexpected words came out.

(...Ellis and me, a team?)

"What did you say?"

Claire and Rinslet were also staring in wonder.

Rakka and Reshia saw Ellis, who turned bright red, and were grinning.

"...Well, what do you mean?"

"I...I meant just that. Kazehaya Kamito, I welcome you to my team. Because you defeated that militarized spirit, I have no objections about your ability."

Ellis rapidly said so and quickly averted her eyes, looking far away.

It seemed that in truth her intention was to scout Kamito.

With a sword thrust at the back of his neck, rather than being scouted, it was like he was being threatened.

Ellis' results were restrained by the upperclassmen and were top class. If Kamito joined this team, it was certain that the likelihood that he would obtain the entry qualifications to the Blade Dance would greatly increase.



However—

"Ellis, I—"

"No way, this is my contracted spirit after all!"

The one who interrupted Kamito's reply and shouted was Claire.

She stood up from the chair and tightly grabbed the sleeves of Kamito's uniform.

"Claire, you..."

Kamito turned around and looked down and his eyes met her clear ruby pupils.

Claire's eyes seemed to be swaying in anxiety.

It was likely that she was not aware of it, but she was staring with a clinging look.

(I see, she's...)

It was surely that being betrayed by her sister, Rubia, caused her heart to be deeply wounded.

Being abandoned by someone— something like that, being frightening to her, could not be helped.

That was why she was always in solitude. She could not depend on anyone.

Because she was afraid of being betrayed again—

"..."

Kamito—

Took a sharp breath and scratched his head.

(...Being shown such a face...)


While bitterly smiling, he gently placed his hand on top of Claire's head.

He had decided on the reply from the beginning. She did not have to be worried.

"Ellis, sorry, but I am her contracted spirit. I don't intend to change teams."

"...Kamito!?"

Claire, taken aback, raised her face and widened her eyes.

"...I see."

Ellis tightly bit her lips.

However, by the next moment, she had already returned to her cold expression.

"...I understand. I'm sorry for asking something unreasonable so suddenly."

"No, me too ... thank you for inviting me."

Kamito apologized and Ellis was a little bashful.

"I...it's alright. Y...you are such a guy, therefore, I—"

"Uh?"

Ellis seemed to have said something, but her voice was so soft that he didn't catch it.

"Ahh, you've been rejected."

"It's alright, the captain has us."

"Y...you guys... I...it's not like that!"

Ellis turned bright red and shouted at her two comrades, who were grinning and teasing her.


"H...hey, Kamito..."

"Hn?"

While still grabbing Kamito's uniform sleeve, she was bashfully saying something else.

"What's the matter?"

"...Th...thank...you."

"...? What?"

She was trying to say something, but her voice was too soft, so he could not hear her well.

It was unusual for Claire to be hesitating in such a way.

"S...so... erm..."

And at that moment. Bam! The door opened—

"Is the licentious, no— Kazehaya Kamito here?!"

An academy student girl came running into the salon café.

She seemed to have come here in a great hurry and seemed out of breath.

(Wait, it seems like she started saying my name as licentious beast just now...)

"I'm here."

Kamito raised his hand and that girl felt relieved as she stroked down on her chest.

"The academy director is calling for you. So, go over immediately."

"Greyworth?"



===Part 3===

At a corner of the Academy Town possessed by Areishia Spirit Academy.

At a table of a coffee lounge, which greatly stuck out on the outside, a strange set of customers was sitting.

One of them was a black haired girl dressed in a jet-black dress.

Darkness spirit Restia. The perpetrator who drove the militarized spirit brought in from the imperial capital mad and brought great damage to Academy Town a week ago.

And then, the other one had—

Steel-like hard black hair. It was a boy— skinny with darkish skin.

He had well-featured looks, but just his red eyes strangely could not be expressed other than being glaringly shiny.

The two of them were clearly conspicuous in such a place, but not only did no one in the surroundings pay attention to them, it seemed that their presences were not even perceived.

"—So, I just have to steal that specific sealed material from the academy's library?"

"Yeah, because of the incident the other day, I am unable to get close to the academy."

"Tch, how troublesome, what do we need such a thing for again?"

The boy spat onto the ground. However, no one found fault in that.


"That thing sleeping in Mine Town is a fairly hard problem. The seal of the highest grade Ordesia army spans several layers. With only the releasing ritual, how many months would it take to wake it up—"

"Hmm, the disposed militarized spirit— what's the plan for collecting such a thing?"

"You do not have the qualifications to know her prediction, Jio."

The girl in black clothing gently shook her head. The boy clicked his tongue.

"Because you toyed with the militarized spirit of the imperial capital as you pleased, it became troublesome. Is it an order to steal it?"

"Isn't it fine, I could observe his current strength."

"I guess. Honestly though, I am disappointed. Is that the level? Ren Ashbell's (the strongest blade dancer's)?"

"He has not yet woken up."

"I hope so. Even if I beat that now-cowardly guy, there would be no point."

"Ah, you have the confidence to beat him?"

"I'll beat him. And then I'll prove it. That this Jio Inzagi is the true successor of the Demon King."

The boy's red lips bent. On his whole darkish skin body, countless numbers of spirit seals were shining.

Same as the demon king Solomon— '''the seals that carried seventy-two spirits'''.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter3}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2

2013-05-28T05:33:13Z

Asiorx22: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 2: The Young Ladies' Afternoon==

===Part 1===

"Mugugug..."

[[Image:STnBD V02 049.jpg|thumb]]
Claire Rouge was stuffing a cream bun down her throat.

It was an unusual scene for her, who took it as a creed— that nobles are always elegant.

"Don't binge, you'll get fat you know."

Kamito glared with his eyes half-opened and Claire struck the table like she was frustrated.

"But, but, urggggh!"

"Claire. That's my jam bun."

Est protested calmly.

This place was a salon café that was inside the academy.

From the opened terrace, the soft daylight was shining in.

The three of them were sitting and having a slightly late lunch at a round table near a window.

Inside the bamboo basket, placed right in the middle, there was a pile of jam buns, melon buns, sausage buns and so on, all kinds of buns.

Any student could use the café and on top of that the freshly baked buns were all-you-can-eat. Coffee and black tea also had free refills.

There was also an eatery in the academy, but as it charged a fee equal to a high-class restaurant in the imperial capital, for Kamito, who was not even a noble, and Claire, who had her fortune and territory confiscated, they simply could not use it.

"Our team ranking dropped again."

Claire lay, prostrated, on the table and groaned.

"We were matched up with a superior team. It can't be helped."

"That may be true... but our true strength is absolutely greater."

Claire tightly bit and closed her lips. Although they were at a disadvantage in number, she seemed to be unable to understand and accept losing to lower rank elementalist opponents.

It was certain that their level as elementalists was superior.

The cause of their defeat was that they did not execute the coordination between the both of them well. Claire over-relied on her strength and chased her opponents too far and Kamito too could not rely on Claire in a definite scenario.

With just the queen piece, it was not possible to win— in other words, it was something like that.

"Despite that, it's not the time to be stumbling at such a place..."

There was a reason that Claire binged on the buns to the extent that she looked to be in a hurry.

The regulation of the Blade Dance held in two months was different from the individual battle three years ago, if they do not put together a five-member team, they could not participate. And then, only the top three teams of the inter-school rankings could participate from Areishia Spirit Academy.



Kamito, who had just come to the academy, had no achievements that could raise his ranking.

To raise one's ranking, one had to win a formal practice match like this morning's or complete a task assigned by the academy; however, he had not achieved either of them.

Defeating the giant spirit the other day, dueling with Sylphid Knights captain Ellis Fahrengart or even battling the frenzied demon spirit, those were all informal battles and did not reflect in the rankings.

On the other hand, for Claire, who should have been superior and tower above the rest as an elementalist—

It was especially surprising that she somehow had the result of the lowest class.

There was only one reason. '''It was because she was completing all the tasks alone'''.

She failed when she challenged the tasks that should be originally completed by a team and she was defeated when she challenged upper classmen opponents alone in a championship match. If she did such a thing, no matter how superior she was as an elementalist, there was no way her ranking could raise.

There was a reason that Claire was isolated in the academy.

Rubia Elstein.

Four years ago, while she had the position of Queen serving the fire Elemental Lord, she betrayed the Elemental Lord, disappeared, and brought about an unprecedented great calamity to the empire— The Calamity Queen.

Claire, who was her younger sister, was being looked at with eyes of contempt and fear from most of the academy students.

Claire's reason for participating in the Blade Dance was to restore the Elstein family name and —above all else— to know the truth regarding her elder sister Rubia Elstein.


—It was not the time to be stumbling at such a place.

Blood-oozing emotions were filled in Claire's rough words.

"For now, we should also find comrades quickly. I understood it with this morning's match. If we stay as we are now, then, far from winning the Blade Dance, we can't even get into the top three ranks of the participation requirement."

The boy, who was called the strongest blade dancer three years ago, accepted his greatest weakness honestly.

At first, he just came to the academy due to Greyworth's request, but now he clearly had a reason for him to regain his strength from three years ago.

It was the darkness spirit, Restia— his former contracted spirit.

It was to take her back with his own hands.

The girl who gave light to Kamito's life for the first time, which was caught in darkness before.

And then the girl who gave a heartbroken Claire the frenzy spirit and tried to drive the giant spirit mad in the middle of the town.

Restia, who he met again, had greatly changed from the girl Kamito once knew.

—What on earth happened to her?

So, for the sake of knowing that, he absolutely had to meet the participation requirements for the Blade Dance.

"Kamito, what's wrong? You're making such a serious face."

"Did you forget to put sugar into your coffee?"

Claire and Est peered in with their faces with a worried look.


"No, sorry, it's just..."

"By any chance, is it about your former contracted spirit?"

She was mysteriously sharp at such a time.

Kamito quickly averted his eyes from the ruby pupils that came peering in.

"...Well. It's okay. But I'll properly tell you when I feel like talking."

Claire did not try to dig deeper into it. Despite always being arrogant, there were occasionally times where she showed such consideration.

"...Ah, I understand."

Kamito nodded and there—

"Ah, everyone, having lunch?"

A cool but elegant voice was heard.

Kamito turned around. And there—

A magnificently platinum-blonde haired beautiful girl was standing.

The very appearance of a noble ojou-sama.

With her smooth milky white skin, were her emerald eyes that locked up a faint radiance.

That appearance, where she brushed her hair with her hand at her waist looked strangely good.

Rinslet Laurenfrost.

A classmate of the same Raven Class as Kamito and self-named rival of Claire's.


Due to her rivalry with Claire, she was trying to make Kamito into her manservant. A troubling ojou-sama.

Right beside her was—

"Fufu, what a delicious smell."

The girl, who was dressed in a maid uniform, was standing there with a gentle smile.

She was wearing a long skirt attached with neat frills, her hair was cut into short bobs and she slightly put on a lovely white brim on her head.

She was Rinslet's exclusive maid, Carol.

He did not know why there was a maid in the academy, but he did not see maids other than her in the academy; it was surely an exception for the Laurenfrost family.

"...Why did you come here, Rinslet?"

Claire swallowed her bun and sternly glared at her.

"I just happened to pass by. What a very simple lunch, having just buns."

Rinslet brushed her hair and looked down on the three of them calmly.

"Milady is saying that she wants to eat together with everyone."

"Wh... Carol, what are you saying!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Poka!* *Poka!* Rinslet's face turned bright red as she hits Carol's shoulders.

As expected of her exclusive maid, it was a magnificent interpretation.

"Sit down both of you. You came after all, so let's eat together."


Kamito suggested and Claire stepped on his foot hard.

"Ouch, what are you doing?!"

"Nothing? I just thought you lack constancy ...Idiot."

"I...it's n...not like I particularly want to eat together with you all!"

"Milady is saying it'll be nice to sit next to Kamito."

"Carol!"

Carol soothed Rinslet, who turned bright red, and got her to sit down.

Rinslet, who sat next to Kamito, averted her eyes and spoke.

"...H...How are your injuries?"

"Ah, it's mostly healed. All thanks to the healing spirit."

It was about the injury he got from the time he fought the giant spirit. Probably because he overdid it, it'll take a little longer then he thought, but as expected, the academy's spirit medical care was excellent.

"Fufu, Milady has been continuously worrying about Kamito-sama."

"Carol, d...don't say anything unnecessary!"

Rinslet snapped with a grinding noise.

"However, it is also natural that Milady would be worried. After all, Kamito-sama is under one roof with Milady Claire, so it is not odd even if something should happen."

"Wha...What are you saying, you stupid maid! There's no way such things would happen."


This time it was Claire who snapped.

"...What kind of worry is that?"

Est was munching and eating a melon bun beside Kamito, who sighed.

With just that, Rinslet and Carol ended up having lunch together too.

Even Claire, who appeared upset at the beginning, eventually talked about this morning's match. After that, which store's cake was delicious, how boring the lecture over the introduction of the foundation of spirit learning was, and just like that normal girl-like conversations were beginning to bloom.

Somehow these two were on pretty good terms. Especially for Claire, who was being isolated in the academy, it could be said that she might be her only friend.

"That reminds me, it seems that a newly admitted student is coming to Raven Class."

"Our class? Despite the fact that Kamito just came in recently?"

"Yeah, I hear it's a daughter of noble social status."

"Hmm, but even if we're now talking about noble social status in this academy, there's the Fahrengart family and the Laurenfrost family... isn't this a bargain sale of noble social status?"

"Hey! Would you please not lump the militaristic Fahrengart family with the true pedigree Laurenfrost family?"

"I don't care about such things... What's wrong, Kamito?"


At any rate, Raven Class was famous for gathering '''superior problem children'''.

He just thought that if people like Claire and Rinlset were to increase, it would be troublesome.

"In the practical skill entrance examination that took place in the morning, she seems to be using a holy spirit."

The maid, Carol, took out a memo from her chest and said.

Carol's maid memo pad— aka «Carol's Notes», was stuffed with data on the academy students and teachers... He did not understand clearly what on earth she used it for.

"Hmm, a holy spirit user?..."

The holy spirit is one of the five grand element spirits, but there were not that many elementalists who used it.

It was a spirit, whose pride was extremely high and it chooses its own user.

Among princess maidens, it was said that it only opens its heart to especially pure noble girls.

(Because even in the competition three years ago, a holy spirit user gave him a tough fight...)

After all, a holy spirit had an extremely bad compatibility with the darkness spirit Kamito was contracted with.

But then, at that time, Kamito's strength completely surpassed the opponent elementalist's, that was why he did not lose.

"Ah, by the way, it seems like it's a very lovely big-chested girl."

"Carol, from where on earth did you procure such information?"

"Ah, Kamito-san, are you interested?"

Carol placed her hand near her mouth and smiled.


"Hmm, you are very concerned about the information of a big-chested admitted student, huh?"

"Eh?"

Gogogogogogogo......!

Kamito turned around and Claire raised her eyebrows and was glaring at him.

"Really, men are just idiots!"

"Kamito, do you have no distinction? Are you just a beast without reason?"

Somehow, even Rinslet and Est were glaring—

Gyuuuuuuuuu!

Kamito's cheeks were pinched by the three of them.

(This is unreasonable...)

===Part 2===

After various things, the lunch of buns ended and it was time to rest.

"Ahh, that reminds me—"

Ahem! Rinslet cleared her throat and said,

"Have you gathered your Blade Dance team members?"

"...N...not yet."


Claire shook her head in shame to Rinslet, who asked.

It seemed that she knew that answer beforehand. Rinslet smiled,

"Ah, you still have not? I have asked something bad."

Fufun! She held up her tea cup in an elegant movement.

Claire sullenly talked back.

"It's just that there isn't a person who matches up to our desired level. What about you? Have you decided on your members?"

"Tha...that's ... I just have not found a person who balances with my level!"

"Eh? Rinslet, you couldn't gather anyone either?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side.

Rinslet's ability, who uses the demon ice spirit «Fenrir», is about on par with Claire's.

He was thinking that if it was her, she would already be in great demand but...

"Fo...for now, there isn't, for now!"

Rinslet's face turned red and she quickly turned away.

"Kamito-san, Milady—"

"Uh huh?"

Carol tugged Kamito's sleeves and came to his side, telling him the reasons in his ear.

"The truth is... *mumbling*..."

"Hmm..."


According to Carol's words—

It seemed that although she had tried gathering a team several times, so far, the expectations she desired from her members were too high and things didn't go smoothly because of her excessively high pride. The teams she gathered, repeatedly broke up and so, there were no students left to invite.

...How should he say it, it was indeed a Rinslet-like reason.

"Hmm, her pride is certainly high but... she truly is a good girl, regardless."

"That's right..."

Carol earnestly nodded.

"Carol, what were you talking about with Kamito-san!?"

"It was concerning the order in which Milady washes her body in the bath."

"Carol!"

Glancing at the playful ojou-sama and maid, Claire deeply sighed.

"Haa... I wonder if there's really no one... A superior elementalist who would enter our team."

"...We...well, your circumstances aren't good."

Ahem.

Rinslet coughed and looked at Claire with one eye.

"That's right. Preferably, I should try approaching the newly admitted student that was just mentioned. Perhaps it might be an unexpected bargain."


"That is right. However, there might be an even better member unexpectedly closeby."

Ahem. Ahem.

...Kamito finally realized.

(Ahh, I see. So that's the reason she brought up the subject about the team.)

"Hey, Claire, just a minute—"

"What? Faa, do..don't suddenly breathe into my ear."

"What are you turning red for? Lend me your ear for a while and listen."

Kamito whispered into Claire's ear in a quiet voice.

"Somehow, this ojou-sama obviously wants to join us as comrades, but is that no good?"

"Absolutely not."

Claire immediately replied.

"Why? Rinslet's battle strength is adequate."

"That's... even I recognize her strength. However, no. We suffered in the duel with Ellis a while ago, didn't we? Because she doesn't even think the slightest about teamwork."

"Well, wh..."

It was certain that in the duel with Ellis' group the other day, despite being a sniper, she was standing in the most conspicuous place for some reason and was knocked down in the beginning.

"Be...besides, Rinslet ... about you ..."


"Hn? Did you say something?"

"I..it's nothing, at any rate, it's a no! Rinslet is not allowed!"

"No, without saying such things, isn't she somewhat pitiful?"

"Wh...what are you two sneakily talking about?!"

While twirling the front of her platinum blonde hair with her index finger, Rinslet was staring at them with a fidgety, uncomposed behavior.

"Wh...?"

"......"

Claire groaned seemingly unhappy.

"...I got it. I'll try asking once."

She sighed deeply and nodded. There were two months remaining till the opening of the Blade Dance. She might have reconsidered that it wasn't the time to be stating her desires anymore.

"Hey, Rinslet."

"Wh...what is it, Claire Rouge?"

Rinslet's voice was tensed and sounded slightly excited.

"You wouldn't, by any chance, want to enter my team?"

"Id...idiot, don't ask Rinslet!"

Kamito shouted in a soft voice.


Asking Rinslet, who was a highly prideful girl, in such a way—

Rinslet's finger, which was tampering with the front of her hair stopped.

"Hm, if you think about what you suddenly said—"

She placed her hand at her waist and pointed at Claire, in a thrust.

"Aren't you the ones who want to join my team?"

"Huh?"

Claire's eyebrows sternly lifted up.

"What are you saying? Are you an idiot? You'll join my team!"

"Rejected, rejected, rejected. You two will join my team!"

The two ojou-sama quarreled about something trivial.

...It was a perfectly parallel line.

"Either way is the same, right..."

Kamito retorted,

'''"It's completely different!"'''

They shouted in stereo mode. Only at such a time were their breaths in sync.

"...Uhm it's no good, these guys. Something like a team is absolutely impossible."

"Really, can't you guys keep quiet? This is a public place!"


A cold voice resounded in the salon café.

Everybody turned around—

At the café's entrance, a ponytailed beautiful girl, who was wearing light armor, was standing.

"Ellis!"

Claire sullenly groaned. ...Another hindrance came. She had such a facial expression.

Ellis Fahrengart.

The captain of the Sylphid Knights, who observed the academy's public morals.

She had a charming appearance not matching that of her strict personality. Her mutual relation with Claire's group, from Raven Class, who normally caused problems, seemed bad.

Although to Kamito, it did not mean that she was such a hard-to-deal-with person.

At first, when Kamito entered into the academy, just because he was a male elementalist, she was prejudiced against him, but she had already remorsefully apologized to him regarding that matter.

Even if there were times where she was a little overly serious with her straightforward personality, for which she held a strong belief, he could respect the part of her that held the pride of a knight.

Ellis came walking, briskly, towards the table.

"Captain-sama, what business do you have with us?"

"If it's about redoing the duel, I'll accept it anytime."

Rinslet and Claire, both of their eyes wore a dangerous light.


On that subject, the duel the other day became unsettled because of the demon spirit's sudden intrusion.

He wondered if that time's conclusion was to be decided again—

(......Spare me. A duel again, no thanks.)

Coming over here, Ellis looked down on Claire with sharp eyes.

"Hmm, I have no problem settling it here and now, Claire Rouge."

"Just what I want."

Ellis drew out her sword and Claire also pulled out her leather whip from under her skirt.

In the explosive atmosphere, the girls, who were at the surrounding tables, stood up rattled.

"Hey, Claire..."

Kamito attemptd to stop it—

"Ca-Captain, calm down!"

"Y...you can't draw out a sword here!"

From the café's entrance, two girls dashed over here with a flustered look.

They were wearing the same Knights armor as Ellis.

It was a short haired boyish girl and a somehow serious looking braided haired girl.

Kamito certainly recognized the both of them. They were the Knights girls he fought in the duel the other day.

If he remembered right, their names were— Rakka, for the one with the short hair, and Reishia, for the other with the braids.

Stopped by her Knights comrades, Ellis embarrassingly sheathed her sword.


"...S...Sorry, my Knights followers."

Feeling ashamed, she cleared her throat and apologized to the two girls—

This time she turned towards Kamito.

"Kazehaya Kamito."

"Me?"

Kamito tilted his head to the side, seemingly puzzled. Claire aside, he certainly did not recall doing anything to be kept an eye on by the Knights.

"It seems you lost completely to the Wolverine Class in this morning's match."

"What?! As I thought, you're trying to pick a fight."

Claire stood up with a clank sound.

"That's not it. Th...the truth is Kazehaya Kamito, you—"

Ellis shook her head, and rapidly blushed bashfully and looked down.

"Hn, what's the matter?"

"So, err..."

"Come on, Captain, despite that it's better to say it quickly."

"Despite that you're always resolved, you're slow at such a time."

Reishia and Rakka were whispering behind Ellis.

"However, such a bashful captain is also cute."


"Ahh, it's like that, it's almost like a girl who has fallen in love—"

"D...don't make fun of me! I...I am really not thinking about such an insolent person!"

Ellis shouted with her face turned bright red.

After that she coughed to cover over.

"It is certain that I've gotten a better opinion of you because of that day's case, but ... that's all. The one I admire is a pure strong female, like that {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}}. It's absolutely not such a boy!"

"..."

Kamito gazed at Ellis, who informed him in a cold voice, with his eyes half-opened.

(...I'm sorry, your admired female is an illusion.)

"Unh, wh..what's with that look!"

Ellis thrust her sword at the back of Kamito's neck.

"Is it that strange for me to be admiring Ren Ashbell?"

"...N...no, that's not it!"

Kamito panicked and shook his head.

At the Blade Dance three years ago— the blade dance, which was danced by the strongest blade dancer, left a strong impression on the girls of the same generation. Henceforth, she was the aspiration of the princess maidens, who aimed to be elementalists.

It seemed that Ellis was not an exception either.

"That's enough, quickly state your business."


"Shut up, I know that!"

After turning and retorting to Claire, Ellis stared at Kamito again.

"Kazehaya Kamito—"

"Wh...what..."

"Err, what I'm saying is, ..."

Ellis seemed nervous as her hand was lightly trembling.
[[Image:STnBD V02 069.jpg|thumb]]

By the way, as the sword was left where it was thrust at, it could not be helped that it was dangerous.

"What I'm saying is... I...I want you!"

"..."

—Silence arrived.

Claire and the others, even Rakka and Reshia, were dumbfounded.

For a while, time froze.

"Wh...wh...wh..wh..."

Claire was the first one who opened her mouth.

Her face was bright red and her mouth was opening and closing.

"...!?"

Ellis widened her eyes, seemingly taken aback and shook her head.

"Th...that's not it, the words, just now, do not have such a meaning!"


"Su...su...su...such a meaning means what kind of meaning!?"

"I mean, th...that—"

After Ellis took a deep breath,

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you join my team?"

"Eh?"

Kamito did not believe his ears when those unexpected words came out.

(...Ellis and me, a team?)

"What did you say?"

Claire and Rinslet were also staring in wonder.

Rakka and Reshia saw Ellis, who turned bright red, and were grinning.

"...Well, what do you mean?"

"I...I meant just that. Kazehaya Kamito, I welcome you to my team. Because you defeated that militarized spirit, I have no objections about your ability."

Ellis rapidly said so and quickly averted her eyes, looking far away.

It seemed that in truth her intention was to scout Kamito.

With a sword thrust at the back of his neck, rather than being scouted, it was like he was being threatened.

Ellis' results were restrained by the upperclassmen and were top class. If Kamito joined this team, it was certain that the likelihood that he would obtain the entry qualifications to the Blade Dance would greatly increase.



However—

"Ellis, I—"

"No way, this is my contracted spirit after all!"

The one who interrupted Kamito's reply and shouted was Claire.

She stood up from the chair and tightly grabbed the sleeves of Kamito's uniform.

"Claire, you..."

Kamito turned around and looked down and his eyes met her clear ruby pupils.

Claire's eyes seemed to be swaying in anxiety.

It was likely that she was not aware of it, but she was staring with a clinging look.

(I see, she's...)

It was surely that being betrayed by her sister, Rubia, caused her heart to be deeply wounded.

Being abandoned by someone— something like that, being frightening to her, could not be helped.

That was why she was always in solitude. She could not depend on anyone.

Because she was afraid of being betrayed again—

"..."

Kamito—

Took a sharp breath and scratched his head.

(...Being shown such a face...)


While bitterly smiling, he gently placed his hand on top of Claire's head.

He had decided on the reply from the beginning. She did not have to be worried.

"Ellis, sorry, but I am her contracted spirit. I don't intend to change teams."

"...Kamito!?"

Claire, taken aback, raised her face and widened her eyes.

"...I see."

Ellis tightly bit her lips.

However, by the next moment, she had already returned to her cold expression.

"...I understand. I'm sorry for asking something unreasonable so suddenly."

"No, me too ... thank you for inviting me."

Kamito apologized and Ellis was a little bashful.

"I...it's alright. Y...you are such a guy, therefore, I—"

"Uh?"

Ellis seemed to have said something, but her voice was so soft that he didn't catch it.

"Ahh, you've been rejected."

"It's alright, the captain has us."

"Y...you guys... I...it's not like that!"

Ellis turned bright red and shouted at her two comrades, who were grinning and teasing her.


"H...hey, Kamito..."

"Hn?"

While still grabbing Kamito's uniform sleeve, she was bashfully saying something else.

"What's the matter?"

"...Th...thank...you."

"...? What?"

She was trying to say something, but her voice was too soft, so he could not hear her well.

It was unusual for Claire to be hesitating in such a way.

"S...so... erm..."

And at that moment. Bam! The door opened—

"Is the licentious, no— Kazehaya Kamito here?!"

An academy student girl came running into the salon café.

She seemed to have come here in a great hurry and seemed out of breath.

(Wait, it seems like she started saying my name as licentious beast just now...)

"I'm here."

Kamito raised his hand and that girl felt relieved as she stroked down on her chest.

"The academy director is calling for you. So, go over immediately."

"Greyworth?"



===Part 3===

At a corner of the Academy Town possessed by Areishia Spirit Academy.

At a table of a coffee lounge, which greatly stuck out on the outside, a strange set of customers was sitting.

One of them was a black haired girl dressed in a jet-black dress.

Darkness spirit Restia. The perpetrator who drove the militarized spirit brought in from the imperial capital mad and brought great damage to Academy Town a week ago.

And then, the other one had—

Steel-like hard black hair. It was a boy— skinny with darkish skin.

He had well-featured looks, but just his red eyes strangely could not be expressed other than being glaringly shiny.

The two of them were clearly conspicuous in such a place, but not only did no one in the surroundings pay attention to them, it seemed that their presences were not even perceived.

"—So, I just have to steal that specific sealed material from the academy's library?"

"Yeah, because of the incident the other day, I am unable to get close to the academy."

"Tch, how troublesome, what do we need such a thing for again?"

The boy spat onto the ground. However, no one found fault in that.


"That thing sleeping in Mine Town is a fairly hard problem. The seal of the highest grade Ordesia army spans several layers. With only the releasing ritual, how many months would it take to wake it up—"

"Hmm, the disposed militarized spirit— what's the plan for collecting such a thing?"

"You do not have the qualifications to know her prediction, Jio."

The girl in black clothing gently shook her head. The boy clicked his tongue.

"Because you toyed with the militarized spirit of the imperial capital as you pleased, it became troublesome. Is it an order to steal it?"

"Isn't it fine, I could observe his current strength."

"I guess. Honestly though, I am disappointed. Is that the level? Ren Ashbell's (the strongest blade dancer's)?"

"He has not yet woken up."

"I hope so. Even if I beat that now-cowardly guy, there would be no point."

"Ah, you have the confidence to beat him?"

"I'll beat him. And then I'll prove it. That this Jio Inzagi is the true successor of the Demon King."

The boy's red lips bent. On his whole darkish skin body, countless numbers of spirit seals were shining.

Same as the demon king Solomon— '''the seals that carried seventy-two spirits'''.

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