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Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa:Volume 1 Chapter 5

2013-08-28T14:07:55Z

Xiax: /* Chapter 5 - That resolution */

==Chapter 5 - That resolution==

"Chiharu, are you OK!?"

Five seconds before my bladder was seriously about to explode, Zonmi, Manami and Kyouko entered the room by smashing the door open.

Right now I don't care how they knew about this place.

Good. What nice timing! I'm saved!

"You girls... Have you come to save me?..."

"Naturally. I have no excuse for suffering such an embarrassing defeat against that dragon earlier. But now that's all right."

"Good grief. When I heard that Haru had been taken captive, I doubted my ears."

"Even Kyouko... What the heck happened?"

"I brought her along. If we are going to confront a dragon, isn't it better to have even a bit more battle power?"

Manami laughed with innocence.

My little sister Manami and my childhood friend Kyouko — the relationship between the two of them seemed surprisingly good, it looks like Kyouko was personally teaching Manami at some place I didn't know of.

Even though I was curious about how Manami knew about Kyouko, right now, more than that...

"Quickly unbind these ropes! I'm in trouble! It's a state of emergency!"

"""!?"""

The instant I yelled that, they entered in panic.

"The dragon! If you have returned, show yourself!"

"Step back, little sister. This is our duty."

Umbrella and halberd. Zonmi and Kyouko held those weapons in preparation to battle.

"Fu, fu. Draw back, newcomers. 'Cos the one that will protect brother is me. I will finely chop that dragon!"

Manami dual-wielded huge kitchen knives as though taken from Sawatari∙senchi<ref>刃渡り四数センチ (blade length 4 cm); I don't know what kind of reference is this, but google refers to a music video crossed with the term ロストワンの号哭 (Lost one's cry?), that seems to be some kind of Vocaloid-ish group. [http://www5.atwiki.jp/hmiku/m/pages/24683.html Here is] the letter of the song.</ref>.

Eh, how come even you nonchalantly make a cool pose?

Or rather, where did you purchase those things!? Isn't that a flagrant infringement of the Swords and Firearms Control Law!?

"No, it's not that..."

The danger... is the pressure of liquid in my bladder...

Shit, this situation... It's extraordinarily difficult to tell them...

"What do you mean it's not that... Chiharu!? What's with that ring!?"

"It's a long story, but I... was forced into a contract with that red dragon against my will..."

"Fufu~n, a ring on your left ring finger~♪ Oniichan, you've gotten engaged without Manami knowing! ... Well, who's the girl?"

"Forget that! Hurry up and unbind me. If not, I'll..."

"What's with that!? Chiharu doesn't learn! Is there something more important for us monsters? Irresponsible..."

As Zonmi raised the umbrella in her hand — at that instant.

In the end my bladder surpassed its limits.

Making a nice *whoosh*, I stained my trousers yellow.

Nooooo, don't looooook!

I peed, I peed myself! Stoooooooop!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

I screamed inside my heart.

Aaah~, why did I have to wear white trousers today... Stupid, stupid, stupid.

""...""

The monster girl combo glared at me as if they had seen something filthy.

No, but isn't that actually filthy?

I don't know why, but my sister's bloodshot-eyed stare gave me an 'as I expected, that's my sister~' strangely deeply moving feeling.

<center>× × ×</center>

"Isn't it better not caring about it? That is, I don't like uncareful people, but... Since I used to have the same problem... Was it 15 years ago?"

"What a surprise. This development is more screwed up than I predicted... Lucky I had already crossed my fingers<ref>In Japan, kids cross fingers (engacho) to ward off from filth, and grown ups also cross their fingers, like in the West, to ward off bad luck. I suppose the name comes from the portuguese ''engancho'', meaning "hook" or "hooking".</ref> that Chiharu didn't become a monster tamer."

"Mufufu, Onii-chan's pee-pee..."

Facing my foolishness, those three's reactions were varied.

There aren't many spots to play the straight man...

I mean, today's was such a disgrace that could eternally revoke my position as the straight man.

I wanna die.

If there were a hole, I'd continue digging it until I reached Brazil.

For now, I'll rinse my trousers and pants and then dry them at the fireplace.

It's good that there's a fireplace... I wouldn't want to return home with my trousers dripping wet.

Incidentally, since I came across a cloth of a correct size right in the middle of the room, I tied it around my lower body like a pareo. It seems I have to endure it for about an hour.

"... Hey, is it true that I can't remove this ring?"

"The answer is both 'yes' and 'no'. At least, the tamer cannot one-sidedly cancel the contract."

"... If it's the opposite, it could be?"

"Yeah, the monster is granted that legitimate right. If it feels the master is not an appropiate one, it can void the contract at any time."

"..."

Well, if it wasn't like that, there wouldn't be any benefits for the monster when forcibly making a contract. Isn't that only natural?

"Then, what do we do after this, ghoul?"

"... For the moment, let's try to consulte with Luka. If we try to conceal this matter, the IMA could misunderstand it. If that's the case, providing rings for us two — maybe they could approve an exception."

"I think it will be difficult, though. It doesn't seem those straight-laced people will acknowledge an exception."

"Hey. Were both Zonmi and Kyouko acquainted with the IMA since before?"

"Shut up, Manneken Pis<ref>A statue of an urinating kid on a fountain at Brussels.</ref>!"

"...OK."

Since I didn't had a rebuttal, I shrugged.

"In the first place, according to the laws approved by the IMA, in order to travel between both worlds, you need their authorization. That means there are no monsters that don't know them."

What's that... They have a Constitution?

Did those kinds of questionable laws exist with me being unaware?

"But, hey, in any case I too agree with raising this with the IMA. Though it seems unlikely, we can't give up before trying something."

"Then, once again, let's return home and ask for another ring. Here it stinks of piss."

"..."

Aren't all of them becoming more and more mean?

... But, I have lost. I'll have to overcome many times this kind of adversity.

"Hold your horses!"

I said raising my voice a bit.

No matter what, I couldn't ignore something she said when she left from my head.

"The dragon that kidnapped me... That kid called Iris, I'm... worried about her. She may fall into unforeseen problems. That's why, I'm thinking on going to see how she's doing."

"You'd like to go see?"

Zonmi threw me a glance as cold as ice.

Gueeh.

As I thought, did I end up being hated?...

That's right, after all I'm the Manneken Pis. I can look the 1,000 yen note's Noguchi Hideyo<ref>Japanese neuropathologist that discovered the neurosyphilis pathogen and is shown on the 1,000 yen bills.</ref> in the eyes... Ha, ha, ha.

"... Why are you feeling down? You can summon her... Since you have already made a contract."

Grumbled Zonmi while sulking a bit.

Summon.

I think Zonmi said something like that before.

I didn't realize — Monster tamers can invoke their contracted monsters any time they like.

"Weeell... How do I do that?"

"Bring the ring to your lips and chant 'Summon'."

"Fine, understood... Summon!"

Nothing happened even though I chanted... A blunder?

"Summon! Summon! Summon! Summon!"

"... How weird. In a contract it's normally possible..."

"Mmm~, could she be outside the summoning range? Or maybe Haru's magic power's dimmed?"

"... Both possibilities seem low. Since to get outside of the summoning range, you should at least go overseas, and it looks that Chiharu's magic power is full throttle — no, it seems to have increased instead since the last time we were together."

"Certainly strange... As far as I can think, the only possibility..."

"A 'Catch Net'?"

A term I didn't recall to have heard suddenly appeared.

"... What's that 'Catch Net'?"

"It's a man-made tool — an illegal item that traps the catched monster and prevents its invocation by means of summoning... But that possibility is also low. The use of 'Catch Nets' has been forbidden amongst monster tamers. Since there were some tamers that employed them with evil intentions."

"!?"

The next instant, a chill ran down my spine.

It could be. If Iris were chasing tamers that participated on that 'dragon hunting'...

"Say, is there other way to look for Iris's whereabouts?"

"It's possible for fellow contractees to discern each other's location any time."

"And how do I do that?"

"Narrow you eyes while thinking about your contract partner."

"OK."

I narrowed my eyes as I said that.

Then, something like a faint line of light appeared.

"As that magic power thread connects both rings, I suppose that if you follow it, you'll meet. But be careful, since if the line is thin and brittle, the magic power of the partner will decrease."

"..."

What's with this.

The thread that comes from the ring was so thin that looked like it could snap any moment.

"Hey, I have to tell you something..."

I told the girls all that happened until Iris departed.

"I see, the ringleader behind the 'dragon hunting' five years ago — if it's him, there's a possibility he could be using 'Catch Nets' without permission. If we assume the worst case scenario..."

"Iris could have been captured."

"Most probably, it's like that."

Shit, that Iris... It was rash to go alone.

"I think we should go help her."

The moment I said that, the two monsters showed surprise.

"You, could you explain what do you mean by that? If our reasoning was spot on, our opponent is a very strong evil tamer with a career of at least five years... To march into enemy camp without thinking is suicide!"

"... Acknowledged. Even so, I can't let her die without doing anything."

That chick... Iris, how could I have fun while she's left without blood or tears by an evil tamer. Reality isn't like that. It was only for a short time, but I could experience Iris's kindness. I can't agree to see her die without doing anything.

"First, I want to confirm something."

Zonmi said with a serious tone.

"Chiharu... Is your resolution the real thing? This battle will be different from anything until now. In the battles for the contract 'till this moment, your life was barely assured... However, this time is different. The decision that you won't regret it even if you lose your life — does Chiharu have that?"

"..."

That's right, it's as Zonmi says. Surely, this battle is different from those until now.

A small error of judgement could become a big crisis. Our lives would literally depend on it<ref>"Big crisis" is written in japanese as "life's crisis"</ref>...

However, we have to do it!

My reticence has long since gone far away.

It's too late to hesitate.

"...Aah!!"

After thinking for a bit, I raised my head.

Those two showed shocked smiles.

"Haah... Things like getting himself killed when going to rescue his partner... What a naive guy... But, well, Haru's softheartedness isn't something new."

"On that, I also agree... I still have some debt to repay<ref>i.e. take her revenge.</ref> to the red dragon. I'd regret it if she died like that."

"... Is that OK, even though it's totally my selfishness?"

"Don't look down on us. We already knew about our master-to-be Chiharu's character."

"Well, we're about to board that boat~<ref>Idiom meaning all of them will soon be on the same side, suffering the same things.</ref>"

"Girls... Thanks..."

I have good companions.

Anyhow, I had already made a contract with Iris. That resolution overcame any thought of giving up. It seems that I didn't have to worry about these girls. Wait, hey?. Ain't I forgetting about something important?

...

...

I noticed the source of the uneasy feeling.

"Come to think of it, I wonder where Manami has gone."

I tried to survey my surroundings, but my little sister's shape was nowhere to be found.

"... How weird, she was next to me a while ago."

"Hey, which reminds me, haven't Chiharu's pants disappeared?..."

"..."

What the heck. I have a nonsensically bad premonition...

Over the fireplace... A farewell letter? I tried reading the written contents.

'''Sorry. I was so horny I couldn't help but steal them. Don't look for me.'''
:::::::::'''Manami'''

"Guhaaaaaaaaaa!"

"Danger! Haru has broken!?"

Overcome with anger, I promptly tore the letter in little pieces.

"Why has my little sister acted so idiotically right when we were in a serious mood!?"

"I don't know. I'd be troubled if you asked me..."

Zonmi made a face of utterly disgust.

"Though I don't want to tell her how serious the moment is."

Kyouko's statement was painfully too spot-on.

"... I have been wondering since long ago, but Chiharu's sister is really weird. She's abnormal."

"... Well, that's because at Haru's place there are a lot of complicated family circumstances."

"Aaaaaaaaaah."

Shit, because the situation was like this I let my guard down<ref>状況が状況だったから油断していた</ref>.

I couldn't let my home's laundry (especially underwear) remain long inside the washing machine. Because my sister is like a crow looking for garbage.

"Well, since anyway we couldn't follow little sister, it's all right."

"Since were she here, we absolutely couldn't ask her to come with us. If your dirty pants have saved Manami-chan's life, that's cheap."

"..."

Manami-chan's life and my dirty pants have the same value?...

How can that be? What a pitiful fellow, my sister.

<center>× × ×</center>

Going outside, the first thing that came into my field of vision were luxuriant and abundant trees.

Since one could see the ground gently sloping, it seems like this is the top of a mountain.

There were no traces of humans living nearby. As the leaves obstructed the light, it was overall a gloomy and unpleasantly humid place.

"A beautiful place, as always; though I can't stomach red dragons, their sense for choosing a place for their den deserves praise."

"Is, is that so?"

It seems this is a comfortable place for ghouls.

"Which reminds me, how could you locate this place?"

I asked the question that was bugging me.

Since a place this remote cannot be found by searching at random.

"That's because Chiharu's sister... No, lets better stop with that."

"Eh. What's with that disturbing way of talking!?"

"Haru, don't you think that in this world there are things you'd be happier not knowing about?"

"..."

Kyouko admonished me.

Since imagining it was terrifying... I stopped thinking about it.

"Eeerrr, then, let's get out of here."

We knew our destination.

We only had to follow the red string that stretched from the ring. Why don't we take a taxi once we climb down this mountain?

Nightfall was slowly approaching... We don't have time to rest.

"What a difficult problem. As the quickest mean of transportation depends on the destination, we can't decide immediately."

"But, well, in any case we need to descend the mountain... Do we climb down?"

"Wait!"

The one who stopped us on going down the slope was Kyouko.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"... What's the matter, Nephilim... Eh, wai... Wha-wha-wha-what!?"

Zonmi's bewilderment was not unreasonable.

As if she had thought something, suddenly — Kyoko took off her clothes.

"I misjudged you, Nephilim... Even you were a pervert..."

"... Saying it like that, anyone who hears you will think I'm a pervert."

"Doesn't saying it with no pants on take away your credibility?"

She hit where it hurt.

As I'm now suffering from the disgrace of having my pants stolen by my little sister, I'm currently in the highly-praised "going commando" state. To me, it takes away all the solemnity that should have been present before a decisive battle. If I go out without wearing pants, of course I can't calm down.

No, it would be a problem if I could calm down.

"It's only this much, lets be calm. Si-since Haru has seen me many times, I'm accustomed!"

"..."

Why do you say it in a way that can lead to misunderstandings...

Like throwing daggers from her eyes, Zonmi glared at me with her dead fish-like eyes, grinding her teeth and without saying anything.

"Heh. Humph, was it like that, so? Well, I don't mind it in the least. I already knew about the improper relationship between you two."

"If you don't mind it, put a more normal face! And then, we don't have any improper relationship!"

I've said it many times.

We're only normal childhood friends.

"But, am I not still embarrassed?... Showing everything, it's the first time."

As she ended up in her undies, Kyouko's body was wriggling.

Hey, wait. Could this fellow... Be undressing completely...

"Stop, wait! As I expected, going further... You absolutely can't! If I undressed like that, I wouldn't be able to keep living!... Bu-but I don't have anything to show."

No... I certainly saw Zonmi's nude figure, but since she was in ghoul form, does she think it doesn't count?

Then, the next instant.

Kyouko's body became black and gigantic.

I see, Kyouko intended to do that from the start...

A giant with wings growing from its back — a body length of maybe around 8 meters<ref>Around 26' 3".</ref>?

Peeking out from within its robot-like mask there were sharp eye glints. A jet black coat as if clad with shadows. Its hair that had changed to peach pink and seemingly long enough to reach the waist was of a charming color.

That appearance, rather than a giant, was more fitting to be described as that of a devil or fallen angel.

... This is a Nephilim. Kyouko's true form?

"Ho-how is it? Revolting, as I thought?"

Said Kyouko transformed into a Nephilim.

"Absolutely not, I think it's absurdly cool."

It was not a lie.

[[File:Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa p193.png|thumb]]

It sure is eerie, but this dark feeling appeals to my chuuni<ref>From "chuunibyou" (eigth grader syndrome), name given to a certain personality disorder that appears mainly among junior high schoolers, characterized by a strong rejection of reality; the sufferers are usually convinced that the have powers and/or that there's some kind of large-scale plot that only they are aware of.</ref> soul.

"... Thank you. If you ride on my back, I think I can transport us to our destination... But it's the first time I've tried this."

"Eeh, how amazing."

"A giant that soars through the sky — Nephilim. It's my first time seeing one, but you sure have been hiding a lot of magical power..."

Zonmi muttered in admiration.

A flying giant? It's certainly very unusual.

And in addition to that, superhuman strength enough to lift a truck with a single hand. Thinking like this, isn't Kyouko a considerably strong monster?

"The ghoul has picked up my clothes, right?, since I wouldn't like if Haru had picked them up."

"Oh, now that you mention it, where have you put Kyouko's panties? Perhaps they got ripped in the earlier mix-up..."

Taking a peek just to be sure, I couldn't find anything like that on Zonmi's hands.

"When Chiharu opens his mouth, it's only 'panties'. Isn't there anything other than panties in your head?"

"It-it's not like that!"

Having said that, it surely feels that recently I've been repeating 'panties, panties' with an abnormal frequency.

If I'm not careful — Won't I be treated as a pervert?

"Since I assumed from the start that today I'd be involved in many ruckuses, I put on underwear made from 'Magical Silk'."

"Mm, What's that?"

"'Magical Silk' — It's a specially made cloth that won't be torn even when changing from human to monster. It's very popular among female monsters in the Netherworld."

"Eeh, there's something like that?"

"Then, hurry up and get onto me. Since I can't go very far with this form."

Following the instructions, we rode on Kyouko's back.

The lack of seatbelts was worrisome. While praying that we didn't get thrown off, I clung to Kyouko's shoulder.

"... Hey, but isn't it weird? Usually, isn't keeping human form what consumes magic power?"

Suddenly, I remembered what Zonmi said to me before.

"That depends on what the base form you live in is. I my case, since I usually keep human shape a lot, this one is more tiresome."

"Eeh, looks like there are many kinds of monsters."

And, at last, Kyouko flapped her wings and began to fly.

"Well, here we go. Hold on tightly."

Our bodies were pushed up by an intense buoyancy.

Uoh... We're flying for real...

Gaining altitude quickly, before long we could take in the whole area.

"Ha, ha... This is fantastic! I'm... impressed. Kyouko, you are truly amazing!"

"... For that, thanks. I'm glad to be employing the power of a monster for the sake of others..."

"Humph, how come you say things like that after growing wings?..."

Zonmi seemed somehow displeased as she pouted.

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

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|-
| Back to [[Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa:Volume 1 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]
| Return to [[Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa:Volume 1 Chapter 6|Chapter 6]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa:Volume 1 Chapter 4

2013-08-28T04:57:10Z

Xiax: /* Chapter 4 - Dragon Blood */

==Chapter 4 - Dragon Blood==

The next day.

We are visiting the shopping mall in front of the station.

We are aiming for the famous underwear shop that carried everything from striped panties to string panties, "Jewellery Lingerie"... I sincerely wondered what was with that naming sense.

This large-scale shopping mall that opened recently in front of the station had become the main dating spot of the area among young people.

On holidays, the building gets crowded with tons of people but, as expected, on weekdays business gets slow. Since our school was just destroyed, we could come at this kind of hours.

A flower in each hand<ref>Dating two girls at once.</ref>.

For my current situation, those were the most appropriate words to describe it.

Walking on my right, my little sister, Manami.

With a camisole that emphasized the bustline and denim shorts. With her legs covered with black stockings tucked inside thick boots, even if she's my sister, that was some refined fashion.

Walking on my left, Zonmi the ghoul.

It seems she borrowed some clothes and underwear from Manami. A miniskirt shortened to the limit and a sleeveless shirt that exposed her shoulders. Wearing heels, that was quite the modernistic fashion. Even though it wasn't raining, she carried her umbrella as usual.

So, since I frankly mustn't enjoy this harem-like situation, I put on a virtuous front to remind myself that they were my sister and a ghoul... I couldn't stand that front.

The people walking down the road openly looked at me with stares filled with jealousy. I couldn't calm down because I was not used to those stares that pierced my back.

"Buu... I hate walking..."

Zonmi sighed.

That's unexpected. Is that because you are not used to heels?

"What? Since I went to the trouble of choosing it for you, at least be grateful."

"... the clothes I got from Chiharu were enough for me."

"No, like I said that's a bit..."

Despite those being my words, I felt so guilty that I ended up coming along.

Since they were so ragged that they were one step short of becoming a dust cloth.

"... I'm not suited for flashy clothes. Don't they say "the right person in the right place"?

"Is that so? I think they'd suit you."

I don't know much about girl clothes, but I think they should suit her at least a little.

"Wha-wha-wha, You won't get anywhere with flattery!"

<nowiki>*Flush*</nowiki>, her cheeks colored, Zonmi's voice sounded nervous.

I wasn't trying to flatter you though...

"But that's well~♪ I haven't worn those underwear in a year. Zonmi-san should feel grateful that my bra from middle school second grade fits her~"

Manami said with quite a harsh tone.

Manami is in her third year of middle school, by the way. She is studying extra-hard in order to take the entrance exam for Seiran Academy next year.

It may be an indiscretion as her relative, but I do nothing but wish 'Please, let her fail'.

"Is that true, Zonmi?"

"It's only that you sister has them big, since it's not like... Mine... Are small or anything."

The volume of Zonmi's response lowered gradually towards the end.

"That is, if I have to compare..."

How pitiful.

As her brother, I don't think I should be saying this, but Manami's chest is bigger than you'd expect from a middle schooler. Her style could put a gravure idol to shame.

Though Zonmi's weren't really that small, if you try comparing both of them it can't be helped that it'd be unfavorable.

"Fu, fu~, how is it? Today I tried to choose clothes that were a little bold to please onii-chan."

"What are you saying..."

Honestly, I was stumped about the emphasis my little sister put in her cleavage.

"If I felt something by looking at my sister's chest, it would be bad... Ethically."

"<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>Gh!"

[[File:Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa p135.png|thumb]]

"Hurts, it huuuurts!"

I got both cheeks pinched. In this I can't feel even a little bit of consideration for a big brother.

"Humph~, oniichan has no tact! Act like a boy once in a while!"

If I act wrongly like that, it'll mean my death in society.

I was hurriedly dragged into the underwear shop we wanted to go to.

Although I was accompanied by girls, entering this kind of place is of course embarrassing.

A place to buy underwear... I frequently had the chance to see it from afar, but this was my first time actually entering it. It was unknown territory for boys. The utopia yearned for by everyone...

"Onii-chan, what are you doing standing there!? Come in."

"Eh, Wait a minute! I have to enter too?"

It goes without saying that I was interested by what was inside, but even though there weren't any signs prohibiting entry, it wouldn't be socially acceptable to go in as a boy.

"But of course♪ It's meaningless if onii-chan doesn't come."

"Hah?"

"For what reason do you think I came? In order to research what kind of underwear onii-chan likes!"

"... Is that so?"

I worry I'm quite helpless.

I'm always wondering, but how can this one here be my blood-related sister?

While feeling dejected, I stepped into the inside of the shop.

Radiant and sparkling jewels suddenly appeared in my field of vision.

Anyway, I must've made a mistake... I shouldn't have ridiculed the naming sense.

I knelt in apology inside my heart.

Jewellery Lingerie... The sign wasn't lying...?

How can this be women's underwear, this... Could made my heartstrings loudly snap.

They are only clothes. Even so, clothes. How can a single piece of cloth have such a sexual charm... Are humans such profound beings to be able to make such things?

After this experience, I was one step closer to the truth of eros.

"Come on, onii-chan! Tell me! What underwear arouses you more!?"

"Hey, isn't that an unusual question!?"

As I chased away my sister who approached while panting heavily,

"Zonmi, choose what you like. It's my treat."

"Is-is that right?"

"Aye. Is the least I can do after you helped me."

I took a 5,000 yen note from my wallet and put it in Zonmi's hand.

Though I'll have to endure doing without porn magazines this month, I don't regret it. Since I could see this unique superb view. I wonder if that made up for it.

"Well, Zonmi, what underwear will you buy?"

"Is that so. I don't care much about design. If I think about the upcoming battles, of course it should be a spots-type one, but... What kind of things are you asking taking advantage of this confusion!?"

"... Is it bad?"

"Don't look at me with cute puppy eyes! Get out of here right now!"

Hmm, disappointing.

Nevertheless, Zonmi was earnest, or perhaps I should say she was sound. The first thing when choosing underwear is to express your true nature.

"Onii-chaan♪ Don't you think that this underwear with a gap on the crucial spot are also practicaaal?"

"..."

It really shows your true nature...

I don't want to think exactly how you find it practical, though.

Leaving Zonmi aside, since, on the other hand, I didn't want to get near Manami, I reluctantly wandered around the store.

The moment I resolutely walked into the shop, once I did it once, from then on I won't feel reluctance.

As I can legally look at women's underwear, isn't this Heaven?

Oh, this is... Heh, draweeers...? So there are those too.

Like that, I fully enjoyed my first visit to a lingerie store.

"Wait, how can it be I can't try them on!?"

All of a sudden, an out-of-place male voice resounded trough the store.

Hey, hey, what the heck has just happened...

Looking about, there was my close buddy — Youhei.

"That's why, this shops forbids male customers from going into the changing room..."

"That's weird! Isn't that sexual discrimination? This is an age where you can wear a bra even if you are a man. And yet the clerk doesn't know these things? Even though I don't want to say such things, even I would file a complaint for that inappropriate attitude."

What is this guy doing on a weekday...

After all, I wonder if he has awoken to a weird fetish that gets him aroused when wearing female underwear?

"Even if you say that..."

"It's impossible to talk with you. Call your manageeer!"

... As his buddy, maybe I have to be kind enough to put up with his eccentricities.

But I can't allow it. I can't mentally endure it, as his acquaintance, I have to make him mind his surroundings since he seems to have no shame.

In the end, I observed what Youhei was doing from the shadow of a pillar.

"... Understood. So, it's seems that this time we have to take special measures... Please, keep it a secret."

"Humm, so you have started to understand what I'm saying? Well then, how about going in after that cute girl there finishes choosing a brassiere to change into?... *Slurp*"

"!?"

I see, so that was Youhei's aim!?

Kuh, you have thought it through, Youhei...

Somehow or other, it seems he hasn't awoken to any weird fetish. What a relief. It seems he's as healthy as usual.

And following Youhei's line of sight...

There was Manami.

"With what kind of eyes do you look at other people's little sisters, bastard!"

"It hurts! Eh... Chiharu?"

I gave him a chop without holding back for looking at my sister with lewd eyes.

"Look, you are troubling the clerk. Scram."

"Eh? Why are you in this kind of place?... Rather, uwaaaah, ouch, ouch. Why, Chiharu, release meeeeee!"

While pulling Youhei's ear, I took him outside the store.

... Goodbye, Jewelry Lingerie.

As a result of a conversation with Youhei, we agreed on a non-aggression treaty called 'Mutual today's events didn't happen'. It goes without saying it meant Youhei's eccentricities, but I also want to hide the truth about the fact that 'I went shopping for underwear with my little sister'.

Thus, prioritizing mutual benefit, we parted ways.

Being befuddled, I sat on a bench before the store.

Embarrassed for some reason, I didn't feel like I could enter the shop again. I'll wait here until Zonmi and Manami get out, then.

"Hum. Beholding it presently, 'tis conspicuously less crowded than usual."

Standing right before me, for some reason there was a girl mumbling under her breath.

What was surprising was that her clothes didn't seem like clothes. She was totally wrapped in what seemed like robes of a dull red color.

From inside her hood, you could catch glimpses of a facial expression full of self-confidence. Eyes concealing a strong will that fascinated the observer. Is she one of those guys that wear color contacts that I've heard of?... Those eyes were as crimson as if they were on fire.

I tried to break the ice, though she looked like she was covered by a rather dignified aura... The surprising thing was that she was extraordinarily short, I'd say around only 140 centimeters.

Charming, isn't it? Is she cosplaying as something?

"What's wrong, have you strayed from your mom?"

I don't think a child this small would've come alone to the shopping mall.

Let me see, where's the Lost Children Center...

"Ku, ku, ku. That utterance, I shall take as a declaration of war. Monster tamer..."

"!?"

I promptly fled from the bench, in preparation for the battle.

Could this fellow be... a Monster!?

[[File:Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa p145.png|thumb]]

"Frightened? I will not deceive thee, since thou art an important human sacrifice, I cannot be cruel."

"You, what are you saying..."

"Make a contract with me, Monster tamer."

"..."

That was a threat I couldn't accept or deny.

I don't know what will happen if I don't comply... Her speech gave the impression of being filled with a strong power.

"Come on, I don't understand what you mean at all..."

As I played dumb, the look of the girl turned sharper than ever.

"Humm. It doth not matter if thou feignest ignorance. Do not fear, I know about the little insects that surround thee. If thou feelest guilty, do not be concerned if I kill them all."

"!"

Somehow I have the premonition that this situation... is a terrible emergency.

It seems this girl intends to unhesitatingly try the same contract by force that Kyouko did before.

"Don't... think Zonmi and Kyouko cannot defeat you."

"Do not look down on me, human. My name is Iris Scarlet Lindblum. The strongest bloodline's... red dragon's descendant! There is no monster above me... Dost thou not think that to be a very good reason?"

I recalled my conversation with Luka-san.

Red dragon... Isn't that the third monster following ghoul and Nephilim?

Shit. According to that, this fellow should also be one of those I had to choose from.

"What if... I refuse?"

"Of course, I will seal the pact by force."

As she laughed boldly, she pushed the palm of her little hand against my breast.

"... Gh!"

With the unbelievable power she hid, she sent my body flying in a straight line.

How can this be... I'm flying?

I took a while before I realized my own body was floating through the air.

"Guwah!"

The crash felt as if the sound of the wind had broken my eardrums.

Breaking though the shop's show window, it was smashed to glass fragments.

I felt as though all my bones were broken. I felt so tired I couldn't open my eyes. Totally exhausted, I felt I couldn't even move an inch. Warm blood gushed forth, making me feel like I were taking a bath.

"Ki-Kyaaaah!"

As women started to scream around me, I was welcomed by a bizarre situation.

As expected.

... Since this kind of monster, isn't it something you could only meet in the game world?

Totally covered in jewel-like scales. Sprouting from its body, a pair of big fat wings. Shaped from head to tail like a lizard, glimpses could be caught of incisors characteristic of carnivores from the inside of its big open mouth.

A beautiful crimson dragon entered my blurred field of vision.

This chap, it's a red dragon...

Strong. She just called herself the strongest bloodline... Just by facing it, you couldn't feel safe because of the powerful aura that gushed out. Its size was on the order of a small bus, its intimidating air was more of a blue whale-class.

"Hence, thou art invited to my den."

The dragon picked me up with a limb that was small in proportion to its body.

No good... I was about to lose consciousness from the pain...

Like that, the dragon spread its wings and took flight — at that moment.

"Guuuuuuuuuu!"

A scream that seemed to shake the earth — the shriek of the red dragon echoed.

Freed from my binding, I rolled down the ground.

"Be careful. That one there is my partner."

It was Zonmi's voice.

The umbrella on Zonmi's hand pierced the dragon's scales that were as hard as steel.

Again... I've been saved by this guy...?

"Humm. A lowly one of the ghouls..."

Its face distorted in anger, the dragon once again began to float by flapping its wings.

Maybe, if it takes some distance it'll be the end — Zonmi can't fly. An aerial battle would be unfavourable.

Nevertheless, before it came to that, Zonmi leapt. Zonmi's reflexes were as nimble as those of a stray cat. That way she rode on the dragon's back, and then pierced a wing with the weapon she carried.

"Don't escape. You are invited to my territory."

"Guuh", making that dull scream, the dragon was pulled down to ground.

I see, Zonmi planned to make it into a ground battle.

"You certainly may be strong... But, can you display the same power here on the ground?"

"Begone!"

The dragon's big frame received a rush of umbrella strikes.

Even though it wasn't the sky, but the ground, the dragon was quick.

But it was the same for Zonmi.

Zonmi easily parried by rolling away while smiling with composure. It seems like Zonmi has the advantage in a ground battle.

"Tche."

Turning its face, the dragon licked the severe strike on the base of its neck.

"... Oh, my, was that shallow? You have great strength, right?"

When it heard Zonmi's words, the dragon snorted loudly.

"Ku, ku, ku. Thou mayest have dealt a heavy blow... But 'twill have no effect on me."

"But you can say... that this is the end."

<nowiki>*Tattata*.</nowiki> After judging what the best step was, Zonmi's body danced in high air. A strike like slashing wind coming from the sky.

Like that, the umbrella in her hand pierced the dragon's forehead, or that's what was expected...

The dragon showed a bold grin.

"I have caught thee, little girl."

Horror took place. The dragon was waiting for this chance — Zonmi couldn't freely move her body while in the air...

After opening its big mouth, the dragon spat out scorching hot flames.

"!?"

Zonmi instantly guarded by opening her umbrella.

But, opposing the flames that noisily continued to surge, it seems the umbrella wasn't suited to cover the whole body.

The compatibility was the worst, to begin with. Though ghouls boast resistance against physical strikes close to half invulnerability, as she personally said before, they were weak against heat.

Zonmi's lower half was scorched, and finally her legs snapped off.

"Humph. That was not even an appetizer."

The dragon shifted its gaze to me.

"Chi... Ha... Ru."

Inside my faint consciousness, there was only Zonmi's voice as though clinging to my ears.

<center>× × ×</center>

When I recovered my consciousness, all my body was restricted, attached to a cross.

Is it my imagination? But it seems that recently this kind of pattern has been awfully common...

But first, there was something I was curious about... I don't recognize this place.

I tried once again to survey my surroundings.

It was a capsule where no other living beings could be seen. Thick books were piled up. An anachronistic old-style fireplace.

If he had to liken it to something, 'a witch's room' would strike close.

What bad taste... And yet it was an eerie room.

"Hast thou woken up, human?"

From the door entered a girl I recognized.

Honey-colored twintails. Short stature beffitting of an elementary schooler. Sharp crimson eyes that could pierce you. Wrapped in those hood-attached red robes.

The red dragon.

Unmistakeable — the one here is the monster girl that abducted me.

"I get up to find this situation... That's the worst awakening ever..."

"I apologize for that. Still, it prevents thee from fleeing before mine eyes."

"You too... Need the contract that much?"

"'Tis so."

The girl shortly murmured.

"By the way, since it hath come to this, please refrain from calling me 'you'. Mine esteemed name is Iris."

"..."

I let out a big sigh.

It seems this guy wants the contract as desperately as Zonmi and Kyouko...

Still...

"What a pity, I'm still waiting for the ring. I'm not lying. It currently hasn't been delivered. Though kidnapping seems convenient, isn't it true that you can't seal the pact if you don't have the ring?"

The girl slowly tampered with her bosom.

"By the way, by ring couldst thou be referring to this thing here?"

Showing a bold smile, she took out a silver ring that glowed with a bluish-white light.

Don't tell me this guy...

I had a bad premonition. I couldn't be sure without looking at the real thing, but taking it out with this timing...

"How is that possible?"

When I asked that, Iris started to talk with a expression full of self-confidence.

"Whaat, it's very simple... The monsters around thee be foolish. No matter how many Tamers be around, with no ring, no contract can be made. My fault, I kept watching thy house. I borrowed this thing from the stupid courier."

"..."

I was cheated.

So the early arriving of the ring was delayed because of that...?

"Then, let's make the contract. Wilt thou struggle? Although I might say, don't even think about moving from there..."

"Tsk..."

My limbs were tightly bound, so I couldn't put resistance.

Iris's little body approached me little by little.

Something cold ran against my fingertip. She had put the ring on my left hand's ring finger...

"... Let me take the opportunity to teach thee something. This ring symbolizeth that master and Monster, both be one. It doth not matter which party wears it first."

Iris continued with a composed smile.

"And after equipping it... Removal is impossible."

On Iris's finger, just when she put the ring on me.

A second ring just emitted a dazzling flash.

I see... That's the proof of a contract... What?

Feeling a rattling electric current passing through my body, I was tormented by a mysterious sensation as if the ring had become one with my body. A short while later, the ring tightly dug into my flesh, and ended up fixed there as if it were sewn.

Indeed. This... seems to be totally impossible to remove.

"Rejoice, Tamer! The contract hath been completed, from now on I and thee be one in body and soul — we'll be eternally together!"

"..."

I was vexed by my powerlessness.

Power.

Strength.

If I was stronger, I could successfully...

I bit my lips with force — my mouth was filled with the taste of iron.

I roared in anger; feeling I had nowhere to go, I could only prowl inside my heart.

"... Do not be riotous, are thou not still in convalescence?"

"..."

"Dost thou worry? I had thee take a secret concoction to make magical power course through thy body. The pain should subside soon... I ask forgiveness for what happened earlier... That... Violent behaviour of mine."

"..."

"Oh, aye, dost thou be hungry? I have made arrangements for dinner."

"Don't wanna."

"'T-'tis so?... Thou be still in convalescence..."

"..."

Seeing Iris suddenly going meek, my obstinacy seemed a bit stupid.

¡Heey! About the contract, it couldn't be helped.

Couldn't I let it slide?...

"Of course I'll eat."

"... Humph."

Iris, looking like she had killed her emotions,

"'Twould have been best if thou hast said that from the start. This is why the beings known as humans... All right, since today is special, let's make dishes with plenty of the legendary cowry... Hu, hu, hu."

While murmuring for some reason, she exited the room.

Fiuu... Let's think positively.

Because now I believe that this red dragon girl... Despite seeming peerlessly cruel, she couldn't be totally heartless.

If I make use of that, I'll surely have a chance to escape... I hope.

With renewed determination, I clasped my hand into a fist.

A short time later, Iris once again entered the room.

She was carrying in her hands for some reason a mysterious-looking pot.

Inside the room drifted a wonderful scent that aroused my appetite.

This scent... What is it? It seemed a mix between tonkotsu and seafood, difficult to describe, and yet very rich... It was a scent that didn't resemble anything I had tasted before.

"Although I think today I was skillful in its making... We-well, I guess something like a human cannot possibly understand the taste of my cuisine."

Iris looked at me with sparkling and somewhat uneasy eyes.

I've just noticed, but I'm surprisingly hungry.

Iris held the dish and started to scoop soup with a ladle.

"'Tis time to feed thee. Be grateful... Hot!"

Could it be because her hands trembled a bit when she served it? It seems she splashed soup on her face.

It was such a funny sight that I unintentionally ended up letting out a laugh.

"Thou, dost thou laugh!? Making fun of me, what recklessness.."

"... Stop the tedious chatter. Feed me quickly."

"... Humph. As I thought, humans are impertinent beings."

... It seems that somehow or other my chance will arrive soon.

Could it be? While clinging to this situation, I honestly ate with difficulty. If I somewhat managed to untie one of my bindings, a chance to escape will arrive...

"Even if thou didst not ask, I would have fed thee immediately."

Iris walked a step, dish and spoon in had, and was still one step away from me.

"Then, open thy mouth quickly."

"... What?"

"I told thee to open thy mouth. Dost thou not want to take thy nourishment?"

Errrrr...

Could this situation by some chance... be that?

That which couples often do on the park? That which, reflexively, makes me want to shoot a rocket launcher at them?

Does this little kid intend to personally feed me?...

Ho-how humiliating! It's Canossa's humiliation<ref>Italian commune where Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV stood three days bare-headed in the snow in 1077 as penance in order to reverse his excommunication.</ref>.

... Damn. Be as it may, my person's restricted position — since we've reached this point, I can't oppose.

I reluctantly opened my mouth.

"Mm... ¡Tch!"

It seems Iris has made a big mistake.

Since she's so short, as I'm hanging, she couldn't feed the soup to me no matter how she tried.

As Iris couldn't reach even standing on her tiptoes, she made a sour face.

As if sighing in relief... As if saying 'what a pity'...

"... Wait an instant."

With an awkward expression, after temporarily leaving the room, she brought a small stepladder and placed it before me.

"This will serve."

"..."

Hey, wait. This guy will go that far to feed me?...

"Try to open thy mouth once again."

Doing as I was told, I opened my mouth.

The soup was scooped with a faint dripping sound. Iris, standing on a stepladder, brought the spoon to my mouth.

... And then, my mouth was filled with a soup of a rich, mellow, flawless, never tasted before perfect flavor.

"How's that? Dost thou like the flavor?"

"..."

I was speechless.

It was frankly the tastiest soup... no, food I'd ever had.

It was an unknown flavor not sweet or spicy that brought joy to my tongue.

That is, why couldn't I say 'don't feed me this, it tastes horrible'.

As I put a rather puzzled face from the shock,

"Humph, as I thought, doth it not suit the palate of humans?... Well, from the start I did not think that thou couldst understand the taste of this refined cuisine of mine. I, I knew it from the beginning."

"..."

Iris was making a terribly sad face.

"... Nevertheless, this soup will succeed in recovering from this dishonor... I will do my best to not bring harm to Master. Si-since thou hast made a contract with me, take responsibility. So, consume it without leaving anything out."

[[File:Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa p163.png|thumb]]

Iris's face, for some reason, looks like she's about to cry.

"Enough of your boring chatter, feed me asap. This is absolutely delicious."

"..."

When I said that, Iris showed a bright smile like a blooming flower,

"I-Is that so?! Humph, it would seem that even while you are a hopelessly foolish human, your palate is the only finely developed thing?!"

She kept saying things I didn't understand.

As for me, since this soup had a taste that made me want to bring it back home,

"Please, teach me the recipe later."

I simply said that.

<center>× × ×</center>

It seems that Iris had somehow mistaken me for a pet or something.

After that, once every thirty minutes, she kept bringing different dishes.

The reason is, each time it was something absurdly delicious without fail, telling her that from the heart she'd say "'T-tis so?" while showing a big smile that spread through her whole face, then she'd exit the room → Once again, the loop of bringing a meal would occur.

Of course I was annoyed by being bound, but I ended up starting to think that this this lifestyle wasn't that bad.

Concerned about my injuries, though I was told from the start that I was recovering with the magic power inserted inside my body, that 'secret mixture' thing that Iris said seemed to be effective, I felt even healthier than before. However, a chance to escape didn't come at all. Worried about that, Iris stubbornly guarded me to a ridiculous extent.

"I have brought thee the dessert course."

Iris came in. This time there was a jelly-like thing on the dish.

Now, I wonder how this next will taste.

Though, it's a shame. I can't seriously think about how to escape.

Iris stepped on the ladder and scooped the jelly with a spoon.

"Quickly, open thy mouth."

"... Say, can I ask you something?"

Know your enemy, know yourself, and you need not fear the result of a hundred battles<ref>Sun Tzu, '''The Art of War''' - Chapter 3.</ref> — I tried to break the ice with resolution.

"Iris, why did you want to make the contract that much?"

Zonmi and Kyouko said they needed the contract to protect their honor.

However, for some reason, I couldn't help feeling that Iris must have a different motive.

"... 'Tis but a simple purpose. I need strength. For that now I wish for even a little more magic power."

"Why do you fuss that much about power?"

"For revenge."

I was shocked by the unusually serious circumstances Iris muttered.

"I-I see..."

"Don't pry anymore than that. Thou dost not want to get scalded."

"... Understood."

She has some secret circumstances.

It would be tactless to interfere with her privacy, let's stop here.

"..."

"... In any case, sooner or later 'twill be exposed... Dost thou want I specially tell thee?"

"You'll tell me after all!?"

"'Twas around... Five years before now..."

"Such a languorous story start!?"

"THOU ART NOISY THOU ART DISTRACTING ME BE SILENT."

Let's reflect a bit.

"Yes."

"Dragon hunting — At the Netherworld, the 'Dragon Blood' with the effect of drastically increasing magic power fetched extraordinary high prices — Among them, the blood of us, red dragons, was exceptionally rare.

And at the center of it all, abominable tamers — The 'Black Tamers' company... Yonne lads set up a trap for my clan with vulgar methods, then exterminated them all — I was but a child at the time, but I barely managed to keep my life.

Even now people have not ceased to pursue my blood. Therefore, I must gather strength. Strength to protect my person together with strength to destroy my foes..."

Eh.

Wait a moment, I don't understand what you mean.

"Are you bloody joking? Isn't the job of the Tamers mediating between humans and monsters!?"

"Because there are a variety of tribes of monsters — it's the same for humans. If there are those who love justice, there're also those who perpetrate crimes."

"..."

I didn't know.

I thought beyond doubt that as Monster tamers, they were only allies of justice that protected humans.

But the reality is different. There are also those truly evil people...

"Sorry for those... Wossname."

"... What mistake hast thou made?"

"What, you say... Weren't us humans those who killed all of your clan?"

"... Pff."

Iris boldly laughed.

"'Twould have been rather allaying if all humans were like thee... With more fools like thee, mine outlet for anger'd be in peril. Those words are enough for now, Tamer... Still, forgettest not those feelings. I only hope thy heart will not be dyed black."

"Hey, where are you going!?"

As her footsteps faded, I tried to stop Iris.

For some reason, I felt she shouldn't leave.

"The contract is complete... My destination has been decided. From here on, let's begin my requital. Thou must continue to bestow magical power on me from here."

Her golden hair fluttering, Iris left this place.

In those eyes, along with hatred, there was only a little tinge of sadness mixed in.

I was confused by my own feelings.

I want to become part of Iris's strength — am I softhearted for thinking like that?

However, I couldn't let her go. I felt that if she went, she would rapidly become unable to return.

Also, I really needed to go to the toilet.

If it keeps up like this, I'll also pass a point of no return.

Somebody help me, please...

"So. It seems that boy has finally made contact with the red dragon... Yes, understood. If something more happens, please contact us."

At the time, Ruka got in touch with a subordinate as she sat on the rear seat of a car.

The black car she was riding in ran at high speed as if splitting the darkness apart.

"... Surprisingly, you seem glad."

Promptly seeing through his master's mood, the male driver in butler clothes murmured.

"Oh, is that how I look?"

"Yes. It seems the time has come for the young lady to scheme something bad."

"Something bad... is it? Perhaps, to him maybe it'll be an unprecedented catastrophe."

"Young lady. I'll state my concerns. From now on, it would be best if you cut ties with that boy."

"And why is that?"

"... He may ruin everything."

"Ruin everything... you say?"

As she kept ruminating the meaning of those words,

"Would you protect me if it comes to that?"

"... Yes, of course. Even in exchange for my life."

The man's voice as he stated that without a tinge of hesitation, gave a feeling of bottomless resolution.

... Then, whatever happens.

Kusumi Chiharu. To us, will his existence become the light of hope or the prelude of despair?

That's something only God knows.

Because of that, now matter how far back you look, there won't be any precedents.

While being human, a chimera that carried the blood of monsters, he became a Monster tamer...

If this fake-sounding information ends up being true, his potential ability would be inestimable.

The currently arranged series of riots seems not to be planned to measure him, but as a test case.

"Maou's kid, the king of the Tamers, aims to be a Maou... does he?"

Could there be something better than this? She didn't hold back a broad smile.

"... Even mastering the second rank isn't a dream."

Originally an impossible forbidden combination. 'Double Meaning'.

While gently stroking her nearby snake familiar, Luka celebrated in her heart the yet unseen future.

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

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| Back to [[Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa:Volume 1 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]
| Return to [[Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa:Volume 1 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter6

2012-03-29T00:12:15Z

Xiax:

==The blade dance at midnight==

===Part 1===

—It was 2 am. The time when the academy students slept and forest spirits began stirring.

On the stone paving path illuminated by the moonlight, Kamito was walking alone with Claire.

“The atmosphere is very different, the academy at night.”

“Of course, the night is the time for spirits.”

Claire kept facing front and bluntly replied. Solid sounds of walking resounded loudly.

Since some time ago, Claire had not said much. She might be tense about the duel with the Knights.

“Where are you planning to do it?”

Private battles should be prohibited within the academy according to academy regulations. Is there a place for a duel outside?”

“Over there –“

Claire abruptly stopped.

In front of what she was pointing, there was a gigantic stone circle.

Its ground was dimly shining in bluish-white.

“That’s the – 'Astral Gate '!”

“Yea, the gate that connects this world with the Astral Zero. The reason why the academy was built in such a remote place.”


“…I see”

He was surprised that there was a ‘gate’ within the academy premises. That stone circle was perhaps a prehistoric ruin, which was used with an unknown art. It probably had a function to stabilize the unstable 'gate '.

“Isn’t it dangerous? There are spirits that cannot be controlled by humans roaming about in the Astral Zero.”

“You see, that 'gate' connects to a safe area where there are only low-level spirits. If not, the academy wouldn’t leave it alone, right?”

Claire murmured stupid, and stepped into the middle of the stone circle.

She recited the words of opening the gate in the spirit language and the blue light on the ground further increased its brightness.

“Come on, you, faster, get on too.”

Led by Claire, Kamito panicky jumped on top of the formation of lights.

At that moment, his field of vision was filled with a white flash.

He had a feeling that his whole body was attacked with dizziness. And then –

…

–After opening his eyes, a scenery of another world spread out.”

There was a deep dark forest with twisted trees standing tall.

Shining brilliantly in the night sky was blood-like red moon.

There was a pale purple smoke-like fog shrouding nearby.

Astral Zero –another world where spirits live in.

“If it’s here, nobody can disturb us. Even if we were injured, it would not be serious, so this place is often used by the academy students for duels.”

In a situation such a thing occurred, the physical body of humans possessing divine powers would be treated the same as spirits, this meant that there’s almost no physical damage received.

Naturally, this was not absolutely safe. Pain was felt normally; in exchange of the physical body not receiving damage, the mind would suffer an equal damage.

To fall into a lethargic state was still a good thing but in the case of receiving a serious injury, one would receive severe memory impairment and the destruction of the mind, there was also the possibility of not regaining consciousness.

“—Flame, illuminate”

Claire recited the spirit magic and a small fire ball was born on her palm, dimly lighting up a narrow open path in the middle of the forest.

“Let’s go, Kamito”

Claire gently brushed her twin-tails and calmly walked.

“Do we have a chance of winning?”

“That depends on your ability. …Honestly, it might be a little hard.

“Is that so?”

Kamito was surprised. For a spirit contractor of Claire’s level, it was unexpected of her to say such a thing.

“Putting aside the other two, Ellis is strong. She isn’t the Knights leader just for show. Besides, Scarlet exhausted some strength from this morning’s fight with the ‘Sealed Spirit’. Rinslet’s ability is –well, I at least recognized it, but her teamwork is the worst.”

“…That was a surprising calm battle strength analysis. I thought you were the more impulsive type.”

“You, what do you see me as?”

“A dangerous fellow, who instantly swings a whip –Ouch!”

Pashii –A whip was promptly swung down onto Kamito’s back.

…After walking a while, there was a historic ruin of a gigantic theater in the forest.

It was something from when Astral Zero and the human world were one –a long gone mythical era.

The crumbling looking stone gate greeted the two. It seemed that here was the stage for the duel.

“First of all, you, the sword spirit contractor, are the attacker. Rinslet and I will provide cover.”

“I’ve got the most dangerous role! Isn’t it your duel?”

“What! Do you have a complaint? Alright, if that’s the case, I’ll let you choose a position. Attacker or cinders, which do you like?”

“I get it. I’ll be the attacker.”


“A wise decision.”

Claire nodded seemingly satisfied.

“By the way, you can properly handle that contracted 'sword spirit', right?”

“Hn, ahh…probably”

“…Probably? What do you mean?”

Claire’s eyes lifted up with danger. Kamito backed off in a panic.

“Well, you see, isn’t it bad if it was summoned poorly and went out of control? That’s why, I have not summoned it even once since I contracted it this morning.”

That was somewhat of an explanation – he thought. Actually, it was half of the explanation.

The truth was that by contracting with another spirit he felt guilty to her.

He felt a sense of betrayal about using a new contracted spirit.

“You succeeded in contracting in just one try, therefore there should be little chance of losing control but—well, it is a sealed spirit with a history and it certainly won’t be funny if anything happened.”

However, Claire seemed to have agreed for once.

“For the time being, try releasing your elemental waffe. You are able to do that, right?”

“A…aahh… Yea”

The releasing of an elemental waffe was not something anyone could do but –

(Can’t seem to get into the mood, it can’t be helped –)

Kamito closed his eyes and concentrated his consciousness to the 'spirit crest' engraved on his right hand.

“The cool-headed steel queen, the sacred sword that destroys evil –“

He recited the summoning in the spirit language and the crest of two swords crossing faintly shined.

The path with a contracted spirit would be normally connected – however,

(What?)

…It was strange. He could not feel the presence of such a powerful sealed spirit.

No –he could pick up its presence but it was something like gears not fitting together.

“—now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!”

At that moment, small particles of light gathered at Kamito’s palm.

And then, what appeared was –

“…”

One short sword.

To be more precise, it was a small sword almost like a knife.

…Shin. An awkward silence arrived.

“…Is that that sword spirit’s elemental waffe?”

Claire said with her face twitching.


For an incarnation of the powerful sealed spirit that cut down Scarlet in one blow –

…Honesty, it was too shabby.

“D…don’t judge it by its appearance, it might actually have an amazing ability.”

“Y…ea, that certainly may be true!”

Claire nodded momently while having a stiff expression.

Kamito tried cutting a buckwheat tree as a test.

Bekii. The short sword very easily broke and vanished.

“…”

…Ahh, how should I say it, it is probably that.”

Kamito beared the frozen Claire’s gaze and calmly opened his mouth.

“Truthfully, this is the first time I used a contracted spirit in three years. I have not regained that perception.”

“…Huh?”

Claire blankly opened her mouth to that shocking confession.

“You’re lying… after all, didn’t you so easily tame that sealed spirit!”

“That time was because I was franticly trying to save you. To be honest, I don’t really understand myself why I succeeded the contracting.”

No matter how powerful a spirit one contracted with, there was no point if one could not fully draw out that power. When an inexperienced spirit contractor contracted a spirit beyond his means, it was often the case that its power would be too much to handle.

(…However, for my case, it’s a little different.)

Kamito stared at his left hand, inserted in a leather glove.

(Probably, within my sub-consciousness, I thought about her.)

—Therefore, he could not connect the path with the new spirit.

“Wh..wha..what’s with that…”

He heard a dead groan. After lifting her head, Claire was tightly grasping a leather whip, used for training animals, with her shoulders trembling.

“No, I mean, um, my battle strength is lacking…” 

“What do you mean! I am counting on your battle strength!”

Pishii! Pishii! Pishii!

“Ouch! Wait..stop!”

A tempest of unforgiving whips descended onto the escaping Kamito.

Then, there –

“What in the world are you doing? Claire Rogue.”

From the other side of the dark tree grove, that voice was heard.

Claire stopped her whipping and sullenly turned around.


The ones who appeared were Rinslet and the maid Carol.

“You’re late, Rinslet.”

“Aah, a lady getting dressed takes time.”

Rinslet proudly brushed her extravagant platinum blonde hair.

“…? What, is Carol here too?”

“Of course, as milady’s supporter.”

After Kamito heard that, Carol took out a flag from out of nowhere and began swinging it.

“By the way, why were you spanking Kazehaya Kamito?”

Rinslet placed her index finger at her chin and frowned dubiously.

That was – before Claire answered, Carol interrupted.

“Milady, that’s something unrefined to listen to.”

“What do you mean?”

“That was a form of a slightly unusual love. In a unique way, that was a perverted play.”

“Ehh! Is that right, you two!?”

“T…th..t..that’s not it! W…what are you saying, you stupid maid!”

Claire’s face became bright red as she denied it.

...Indifferently, he wanted fuse-blowing whipping to stop. As it hurt.


(…Why am I already worn out before the duel.)

Kamito began to seriously think about the absurdity of his life. At that moment.

“—Your side seems to be all present, Raven class”

A cold voice descended from right above.

“…!?”

The four of them looked upwards together.

There, above the crumbling theater wall was –

A figure of a gallant female knight with her blue hair fluttering in the gentle breeze.

Beside her, two knights, also wearing the same silver armor, were standing.

He heard their names from Claire. The one with the short hair was Rakka. The one with the braiding was Reishia.

“—Ellis Fahrengart, for how long were you here!”

“By the way, you wouldn’t by any chance be waiting for a timing to appear cool, right?”

“Wha… T…there’s no such thing! I just only got here!”

After Kamito pointed it out with his half-opened eyes, Ellis was frankly disturbed and ended up almost falling.

…Somehow, that was a rather deplorable Knights leader look.

Ellis sharply glared at Kamito and the rest, and drew her sword from her waist.


“Let’s go, Raven class. Let’s finish this duel by day break –“

At that moment. The illumination of a large flame lit the stage of the theater.

The one shined on by that illumination –

“That’s –!?”

A large eagle was spreading its enormous wings and making an appearance in the red night.

“Let me introduce to you, Kazehaya Kamito. This is my contracted spirit – magic wind spirit, 'Simorgh'!”

With a howl like the wind – The large eagle, clad in wind swooped down.

===Part 2===

At a point of an attack in-place of a greeting, —

The magic wind spirit glided closer and dived with its aim at the ground, where the four were.

An ear-splitting thunderous roar. Stone paving came unstuck and large amounts of earth and sand were whirled up.

A strong wind, brought forth from the force of the explosion, hit Kamito and his body was easily blown away.

“…Gahaa!”

He was thrown into a wall. With that bone shattering impact, he stopped breathing for a moment.

Even if one received an attack of a spirit of a purified form, the physical body cannot be hurt, however, the physical damage from a crashing impact and fragments of rubble were different. Small rocks fluttering up in the squall were cutting at Kamito’s whole body. While covering his forehead with both his hands, Kamito clicked his tongue.

(…What destructive power! If I directly took a blow, I’ll faint.)

That magic wind spirit… Simorgh.

Comparing just destructive power, it might surpass even Claire’s Scarlet .

(That’s right, where’s Claire?)

He stood up and surveyed his surroundings, his two allies were at their respective positions.

Claire was providing direct cover from a mid-distance. Rinslet was providing rear support with a long distance attack.

Carol was…waving a flag at the outside of the theatre where she escaped to.

The thunderous wind that was blowing violently stopped. At that interval, Kamito began to run –

“Not yet, Kamito!”

“…!?”

At the same time Claire shouted, the roar of the magic wind spirit resounded.

From an empty large hole in the ground, a large magic bird flapped its wings—

“What are you doing, faster release your elemental waffe!”

“Hn, even if you say that –“

At that moment, a cluster of wind that held an enormous mass gouged the earth while rushing over.


The stone paving came ripping off in a straight line. Kamito quickly jumped sideways.

While tumbling on the ground, he quickly recited the summoning of the spirit language in his mouth.

The spirit crest faintly glowed but as before the path with the contracted spirit was not connected.

(… It’s no good, huh!?)

He gave up, at that time – a glowing short sword was constructed in his palm.

It was the same unreliable elemental waffe but it was better than nothing.

“Are you just escaping? Kazehaya Kamito, I have misjudged you!”

Ellis, with a pony-tail hair swaying, alighted onto the ground.

“Ahh! I just have to fight, right – “

Kamito prepared the short sword and charged towards Ellis. The first to strike wins. If he defeated the spirit contractor first, then the summoned contracted spirit would vanished –

“Kamito, behind you!”

Claire’s voice came from behind him – Kamito jumped straight to the side.

The wing of the magic wind spirit mowed down at the place Kamito was at just now.

“… What speed!”

Among the five grand elemental spirits, the ones boasting of being the fastest was the wind-attribute spirits. Ellis was completely controlling that.

The magic wind spirit, dancing in the night sky, turned in an arc –and swooped down.


Kamito jumped again. The magic wind spirit that crashed into the ground blew up a large quantity of earth and sand – and then it immediately transformed into countless blades of the wind and cut into Kamito’s arms.

“…Kuu!”

Tremendous pain was running in his right arm. Actually, it did not mean that his arm was cut off –but that pain was violently jolting his consciousness.

(—Well, I never thought it’ll turn into the blades of wind with that timing.)

Kamito was astonished in his mind. Ellis’s spirit contractor’s competency was something substantial.

“Kamito, I’m covering you!”

At the same time as her voice, A blazing flame illuminated the night sky red.

Claire wielded Scarlet’s elemental waffe –'Flame Blaze'.

The flame slash mowed down all the attacking blades of the wind in an arc—

“I won’t let you interfere with the leader!”

The braided hair knight, Reishia, attacked Claire.

The elemental waffe held in her hand was a transparent ice sword – it seemed she was the same ice spirit contractor as Rinslet.

Nonetheless, her spirit’s rank was completely no matched for Rinslet’s Fenrir. It seemed she had the competency to release her contracted spirit into its elemental waffe but she had not made that hers.

She was not Claire’s adversary – Kamito concluded so and adjusted his direction to Ellis, who was in front of him.


In that moment, simultaneously as the violent blasting sound, the ground in front of him was being completely gouged.

“…!?”

“Huh, try taking on my elemental waffe –Rock Breaker!”

The short hair knight, Rakka,, shouted in a spirited tone.

Her specialized weapon was a large hammer with a long handle. That was easily being swung about by the thin arm of a girl.

Kamito jumped and backed off, getting some distance between them. She seemed more hot-blooded than Reishia.

While keeping his distance, he was chasing Ellis, who was within his sight—

Ellis had linked with Rakka’s attack and was already moving.

As expected of the Knights leader, Ellis’ commanding ability was high.

First was to use the magic wind spirit to launch a preemptive attack to cause chaos on the battlefield. Next was to strike Claire on mid-guard with Reishia and Kamito on advance-guard with Rakka. While the two were pinned down, Ellis with the most battle strength would attack Rinslet on rear-guard. That was the so-called strategy.

(… Before attacking Ellis, firstly, I have to do something about this fellow.)

Kamito nimbly stepped in and let loose a slash. The flash of the silver sword shallowly cut Rakka’s arm.

As it was an attack from an elemental waffe, blood did not flow out –but pain should be felt in the same way.

“This guy…!”

Rakka’s face was dyed in anger. She aimed at the top of Kamito’s head and swung her Rock Breaker down.


There was a thunderous roar. The ground was gouged and rubbles were whirled up. It was probably a spirit of the earth attribute. As expected, its destructive power is great but its movement was a large swing, making it easy to avoid.

“Chii, how restless!”

She too seemed to have yet to master her elemental waffe. Or perhaps, her contracted spirit’s rank in contrast to her competency was too great – The spirit she was supposed to be using was manipulating her.

“Don’t run, fight properly, male spirit contractor!”

“This doesn’t mean that I’m just running away. In a group battle, you should pay more attention to your surroundings.”

“What?”

“A capable hunter is taking aim”

At that moment, an ice arrow came flying and pierced the girl’s chest.

Rakka was flashily blown off and bounced on the ground.

The elemental waffe, 'Rock Breaker', turned into particles of light and vanished.

“Fuu, nice shot!”

Kamito turned behind where the voice came from.

On the outer wall of the theater, there was the appearance of Rinslet brushing her hair.

“… Why are you, the support position, standing at such a conspicuous place?!”

“Ah, it’s natural for me to be at a more conspicuous place than Claire!”


“Th…That stupid dog…! You were moving around and sniping, right!”

Claire shouted like she was gnawing.

“Fuu, as a worthy lady of the noble Laurenfrost family, I won’t be satisfied if I’m not at most conspicuous place at a dance party.”

“That’s my milady!”

Carol was delightfully swinging a flag from above ground.

“Hmm, you’re pretty composed, Raven Class!”

—At that moment, at the back a strong squall was winding up.

Spreading its wings, the magic wind spirit roared and flew with its aim at Rinslet.

“A good target! Freezing ice fang, pierce –'Freezing Arrow'!”

Rinslet quickly released the Freezing Arrow—

The magic wind spirit immediately transformed to the countless blades of wind and rushed at Rinslet.

“Kyaa!”

“Rinslet!?”

In front of Claire, who planned to rush over, the braided hair knight blocked her way.

She quickly entered into the range of the whip in the gap that Claire lost her focus and slashed with her ice sword. The moment she got into the range, a sword was overwhelming advantageous. Claire was gradually pressured.


“Why you! How dare you do this to Rakka!”

“Kuu –Kamito, chase Ellis!”

“Ahh!”

Claire was in a predicament but Ellis ought to be stopped now.

Ellis was running on the stairs of the theater. Her intention was to completely take out Rinslet.

Kamito aimed at Ellis’s legs and threw the short sword. He concluded that it was dangerous to ignore her – Ellis jumped to the side and got into the audience seating.

In the vicinity, a high-pitched sound reverberated. The elemental waffe short sword hit the wall and got smashed up.

“Hmm, that’s a pretty fragile elemental waffe.”

While Ellis said that, she called the magic wind spirit to her hand.

And then—

“—Evil winds, pierce through my sworn enemy’s heart, become a magic spear and lodge within my hand!”

The moment she recited the releasing in the spirit language – winds blew violently and in her hand a very long spear appeared.

It was a ceremonial long spear and delicate patterns were engraved on its handle.

Its tip, illuminated by the red moonlight, was clad in sharp winds and was faintly making wind sounds.

Her pony-tail hair, which reached her waist, was agitatedly swaying and flowing in the wind.

Ellis completely spun the spear in one hand and stared at Kamito with a cold expression.


“This is my elemental waffe –'Ray Hawk'.”

Kamito –

“…Beautiful”

Without a thought, let out such a voice.

“Hah, you too understand –the beauty of this 'Ray Hawk'.”

Displaying her truly prided spear, Ellis loosened her cheeks, slightly delighted.

“Idiot, I mean you! Don’t make me say that, it’s embarrassing.”

“Wha..Me..!?”

Ellis turned bright red and became flustered.

“Hey, y…you’re mocking me, right? Kazehaya Kamito!”

“No, I’m just normally fascinated.”

“F…fascinate… Ah…..”

Ellis’s face increasingly redden… as if purging evil thoughts, she shook her head.

“Ehh…Such a practical joke… As I thought, you are mocking me!”

“No, you really are beautiful –Owaa!”

Being enraged, Ellis thrust her spear with her face bright red.

As a result of losing her composure, it was easy to dodge.


However, when the magic spear tip grazed the side of his abdomen, at that moment –

The blades of winds were released and cut his whole body.

(Guu…!?)

In response to the sharp pain, Kamito clicked his tongue in his mind.

(—That elemental waffe can create the blades of winds, huh!)

While bearing the pain attacking his whole body, Kamito jumped away to the back in one go.

That magic spear could create the blades of winds, so there also was no point evading with a paper-thin difference.

However, Ellis jumped again and released a stream of attacks like a tempest.

“Are you trying to escape… you insolent guy! I’ll turn you into tiramisu!”

“What? Is candy-making also your forte? You cute sullen young lady.”

“I…I am currently practicing making candies. For the sake of the gentleman that I’ll marry in the future –Eh… What did you make me say! And who’s the sullen young lady!”

Ellis pierced the theater wall with all her might in one blow and fragments of rubble flew around.

(…This person, she’s seriously strong!)

As expected of someone, who served as the Knights leader in this academy that gathered spirit contractors.

It was a beautiful blade dance like modeling after Kagura, which spirits enjoyed themselves in.

The wound in his left hand ached.


He understood that his senses were gradually getting sharper.

The serious blade dance was causing his blood to boil.

His body was recalling the sensations from three years ago.

(However, it wasn’t something like this.)

It was irritating that his legs did not move as he wanted. His instinctive ability to read his opponent’s movements was also falling.

(I –)

“You, don’t run!”

Releasing a sharp thirst for blood and being clad in gales, Ellis came attacking.

It was not a clever thrust. It was a blow with all her might to decide the match.

However, there was a fatal chance born—

“Freezing ice fang, pierce – 'Freezing Arrow '!”

Rinslet, who had recovered and was awaiting for a chance to snipe, released her Freezing Arrow without delay.

Simultaneously—

“Dance, crimson flame that invites ruins – 'Hell Blaze '!”

After Claire settled Reishia, she released her flame attribute elemental waffe.

“…!?”

Ellis opened both her eyes in surprise.


The timing was perfect. The released ice fang and infernal flame went straight at their target—

Pariiiin!

They collided with each other in the air.

“…Wha!?”

Kamito’s face twitched.

Ellis, in front of him, was also standing still, dumbfounded.

“Hey, Rinslet! Why did you get in my way!”

“W…what? You’re the one who should please not get in my way.”

At that moment, the two of them began to quarrel.

“T…those two…”

Kamito forgot that he was in the midst of the duel and deeply sighed.

(…They have the ability, yet their teamwork is really all over the place.)

“—How foolish, to fall out among yourselves!”

Ellis Fahrengart raised her elemental waffe spear once again.

Thunderously, a strong wind, unseen before, was winding up.

“T..To make a mockery of me by saying that I’m beautiful, I’ll make you regret –“

There was already nowhere to run to. Kamito resigned his fate, at that time –


“Wait, Ellis! Something is strange…”

“What? Now then you’re begging for your life.”

Stopping mid-way – Ellis shut her mouth.

It seemed she noticed it too.

“What, this presence is …?”

The atmosphere of the vicinity was heavy. That sensation, like one’s back turning chilly, was –

“What?”

“What is this?”

Claire and the others seemed to have noticed it too. They looked up at the hazy night sky and really tilted their heads in doubt.

Suddenly, a thunder-like sound roared.

And then –from a tear in the sky, that appeared.

===Part 3===

That was – a giant jaw, floating in the sky.

It had neither head nor body nor a tail. It was an eerie jaw with just rows of teeth lined up making a chattering sound.


“That’s, …don’t tell me, … a magic spirit!?”

The sudden appearance of that spirit made Kamito groan and terrified him.

A magic spirit – that was something with a spiritual make-up that greatly differed from humans, thus, that was a grotesque spirit that can never be tamed by spirit contractors.

“A magic spirit, why is it at such a place…?”

At that moment.

Vo…Ruoooooooon—

The magic spirit’s rising ear-splitting roar caused the girls to cower.

There was a tremendous sense of intimidation. That divine power felt on his skin was comparable to a magic human-class spirit.

Moreover—

(It’s… in frenzy?)

Kamito dropped his voice and carefully observed the magic spirit in sky.

A magic spirit was certainly a grotesque being but it was unlikely that it would be in a frenzy without even a reason.

(…What’s going on?)

Groaning within his mind – Kamito recalled.

That reminded him, before the duel – the water spirit of the spirit device in Claire’s room had went out of control.

It was a phenomenon that was normally unimaginable but if the water spirit was in a frenzy at that time, it was natural that Claire also could not control it. …Was that phenomenon something related?

Besides—

(Claire said that powerful spirits don’t appear frequently in this area.)

For the appearance of that magic spirit to be by chance, it was too unnatural.

(What the heck –)

The jaw floating in the sky mowed down many trees of the forest, and bit and crushed the ancient historic ruins to tiny pieces. The smashed-up rock fragments rained down from high in the sky.

“Claire Rogue, for now, we’ll stop the duel. Is that alright?”

“…I understand.”

Claire obediently nodded at Ellis’s words.

Everyone in this place understood the danger from that magic spirit.

It did not mean that that was summoned in a purified form like contracted spirits.

If bitten by those teeth, the human body and so forth were mere scraps of paper.

“We’re taking refuge. I’ll take the rear, you all carry the fainted two.”

Ellis prepared the Ray Hawk and gallantly got down to the center of the historic ruins.

“No, I’ll take the rear. That is not something an ordinary spirit contractor can do one way or another.”

The way of fighting spirits and fighting human spirit contractors were completely different. Of course, this didn't mean that the girls didn't learn how to fight spirits but – it was an opponent too dangerous for Ellis to fight alone.

“Stop the jokes. What can you, who can’t even fully use his contracted spirit, do?”

“That’s…”

Kamito firmly groaned. Certainly, it was not an opponent he could fight with that unreliable elemental waffe.

“There’s no time to talk. Leave this to Ellis, let’s hurry!”

Rinslet whistled and Fenrir, in a white wolf appearance, came giving both fainted Reishia and Rakka a lift. Carol also came running.

“Claire, what are you doing daydreaming!”

Rinslet pulled Claire’s sleeves.

—Claire was looking downwards like she was thinking about something and she suddenly raised her head.

“Ellis, I’ll take the rear.”

“What?”

Ellis opened her eyes. Claire whipped her leather whip and called out her contracted spirit, the hell cat.

“…”

Claire’s red pupils became nailed onto the figure of the magic spirit, raging like a storm.

…It was like she was completely entranced.


In response to Claire's appearance –Kamito realized and was taken aback.

(This fellow, don’t tell me—)

Claire was obsessed with obtaining a powerful spirit.

For the sake of knowing the truth concerning her sister, Rubia Elstein, she needed power.

Therefore, she still reached out to the dangerous sealed spirit.

“You, don’t tell me – you plan to make that your contracted spirit!?”

“…”

Claire did not answer. She just motionlessly gazed at the magic spirit in the sky –

“That’s crazy! That’s a magic spirit, furthermore it’s in a frenzy!”

Kamito shouted, Claire swung her twin-tails and finally turned around.

“…It’s a once in a lifetime chance.”

She bit her lips and muttered with an expression like she had thought hard over it.

“There’s firstly no such thing as encountering a spirit of that level in the 'Spirit Forest'. Besides, it is not like there weren’t any spirit contractors who contracted magic spirits.”

“You mean Greyworth? She’s a witch.”

“I too may have the qualities of a witch.”

“Stop doing something stupid, you’ll die.”


Kamito grabbed Claire’s arm, who was planning to dash anytime.

Claire sternly glared at Kamito.

“Don’t get in my way. My reasons to want a strong spirit, I’ve said it, right?”

“Ahh, I understand. But that’s no good. Your skills can’t manage it.”

“…Shut up, let go! You weakling, be silent!”

Claire shook Kamito’s arm and shouted.

Within her ruby pupils, glaring at Kamito, genuine hatred surfaced.

“Despite snatching my sealed spirit! You can only use a weak elemental waffe, what qualifications do you have to say something?”

“That’s—“

Kamito looked downwards. It was natural for Claire to be irritated. While he contracted with such a powerful spirit, he couldn't pull out that power completely.

“What? … I was expecting a little something.”

Claire awkwardly averted her eyes.

“I handle that alone. You all please escape.”

“Claire Rogue, you –“

“Ellis, try to protect everyone. I don’t want to think about it but if I –“


Claire did not speak after that.

And then—

“—Scarlet!”

She called her partner, flame spirit’s name and ran towards the magic spirit, devouring the forest.

“Claire!”

Kamito held out his hand in a fluster.

At that moment, the magic spirit roared.

A lump of shock struck. The trees in its vicinity were thoroughly blown off.

“Winds, grant us the hand of divine protection – 'Wind Wall'!”

Right away, Ellis recited the spirit magic and protected everyone at the back.

(Damn, Claire—)

While defending against the pebbles that were blown off, Kamito followed Claire with his eyes.

Claire was – dancing in the air.

She got on the winds like sparks dancing in the air.

In her hand was her flame spirit released into its elemental waffe –'Flame Tongue', which she was grasping.

The blazing crimson killing flash cut off the evening darkness.

Claire landed onto the ground and while running through the gaps of the tree grove, she drew closer to the magic spirit.


The magic spirit opened its giant jaws and made chattering sounds with its lined-up rows of teeth.

(…It’s no good, this is too reckless!)

The girl, Claire Rouge, that Kamito knew was an excellent spirit contractor, possessing calm judgment and an insight for tactics at least in a battle.

However, she had lost sight of herself now.

Her feelings for her sister, Rubia Elstein, caused her to lose her calm judgment.

Her anger towards her sister, who betrayed her. Yet, her overwhelming love – caused a great number of conflicts to be mixed and that changed into a craving for great power.

“How tenacious! Become mine!”
[[File:STnBD V01 183.jpg|thumb]]

The flame whip dance splendidly. Her red twin-tails danced in the dark night.

That was –spirit contractor, Claire Rogue’s blade dance.

“…”

Beautiful— he thought.

Despite being at such a time, Kamito, for a moment, was fascinated by that appearance and forgot everything.

…It was same as that time.

That time when she was fighting that rampaging sword spirit alone.

Kamito calmly clenched his fist and turned behind. And then—



“Ellis, Rinslet, I’ll entrust the rest to you.”

“Wha… are you an idiot!?” ”Are you an idiot!?”

Both of them shouted at the same time. His ears shrilled.

“…Ah, I’m an idiot. Truly an idiot.”

If Greyworth was here, she would have had relentlessly poured abusive words.

To take back the precious thing he lost, he had lived with lifeless eyes for these three years.

Yet, he was recklessly giving his life away for such a thing.

However—

“I am her contracted spirit.”

Therefore—

“That’s, hm, I have to help her, that returning hell cat girl.”

“Wait, Kazehaya Kamito!”

Kamito shook off Ellis’s hand that planned to stop him and began running.

The crimson flame was dancing with the magic spirit in a blade dance.

It was no good for that noble flame to be extinguished. –He did not want her to die.

After all, she was –a normal girl.

Full of ego, hot-tempered.


Putting on a strong front, easily lonely…. truly kind.

Liking canned foods and romance stories—

Merely a princess found anywhere.

Oooooo…oon—

The magic spirit roared.

It released a shock wave like blowing away the forest and Claire was thrown onto the ground.

“—Claire!”

===Part 4===

“…Ah…Aah, Ah…”

Claire, thrown onto the ground, cowered.

The grotesque magic spirit made a creaky sound with its giant jaw.

It seemed – like it was laughing.

She planned to escape but her legs were shivering and did not move.

It was frightening. While she was fighting, her sensations paralyzed. However, presently—

“Y…you are not scary, therefore, become my manservant!”


The magic spirit, floating in the air, had no reason to even respond to that jeer but –it loudly laughed.

Claire’s body trembled and spontaneously, she closed her eyes. The roots of the teeth did not bite at the same time. Towards an unfamiliar thing, instinctive fear bound her body.

—At that moment. The Flame Tongue in Claire’s hand suddenly vanished.

It was not that she canceled the release of her elemental waffe. Scarlet opposed Claire’s will and voluntary returned to the form of a hell cat.

“Scarlet!? Why…?”

Claire muttered in a blurry voice.

Was she finally even abandoned by her contracted spirit—

However, the hell cat, clad in flames softly growl and kicked the ground and flew up.

“…!”

At that moment, Claire finally understood. Scarlet –

“Noo—Scarlet!”

Claire’s scream resounded.

Scarlet did not stop. It pared its ferocious fangs and rushed at the magic spirit.

It was a red hot flame that even melted steel. However, it was not effective against the magic spirit.

In an instant, the magic spirit’s teeth mercilessly bit and crushed Scarlet’s body.


It screamed of agony. The flame spirit, which was bit and crushed, vanished in the sky like a whirlpool winding.

“…Ah…Scar…let…”

Claire, as if all her body strength left her, sank down to the floor there.

Following reason, she knew that she should be escaping.

It was a last chance Scarlet made for her.

Despite that, her legs were trembling bit by bit. She could not even stand.

The extreme deep despair paralyzed Claire’s whole body.

(Because of me, Scarlet—)

In the blank eyes, where the flame vanished, tears overflowed.

(…I’m an idiot. Kamito stopped me and yet.)

(—despite being unable to win, I plunged in alone.)

She was unsightly defeated.

Her contracted spirit, which was precious like a family, was also lost.

While the magic spirit was making the chattering sound, it slowly descended.

Those sinister teeth that just ate and tore up Scarlet –

“No…”

Tears flowed along her cheeks. A stiff voice came out from deep in her throat.


“Save me… Save me—Nee-sama<ref group="1"> Older sister </ref>!”

She closed her eyes in despair, and at that time.

“Claire!”

She heard his voice.

===Part 5===

“Oooooooooooo!”

While making his war cry, Kamito rushed towards the magic spirit.

The spirit crest, engraved on his right hand, emitted a bluish-white glow.

— The cool-headed steel queen, the sacred sword that destroys evil!

— Now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!

While running with mud splashing, he recited the summoning.

At his palm, particles of light were born and transformed into the form of a sword—

However, it was not good like this. Against the magic spirit that brought down Scarlet’s level of spirit in one blow, that short sword cannot be effective.

(—I beg you, lend me your power, stubborn spirit!)


(—I know it, your power is just like that!)

The wound on his left hand sharply ached.

Again, the opened path with the contracted spirit was closed—

However, without minding it, Kamito continued to pour divine power into the spirit crest on his right hand.

It was an intense overload. Pain like burning was running throughout his arm’s nerves.

(—Sorry, Restia. What I need now isn’t you.)

Yes – what he needed was not the past.

It was the power to protect her here and now.

From the spirit crest on his left hand, violent flashes of lightning surged.

That sensation from three years ago was resurrected.

Everytime he kicked the ground to speed up, his whole body’s sensation sharpened.

Just that magic spirit’s movement was seen as slow motion.

(Recall it, that feeling—)

The sensation of the blade dance – where he danced together with his partner, dark spirit.

(I am –)

Kamito kicked the ground and jumped high up.

(I am the strongest blade dancer – Ren Ashbell!)


At that moment, a conspicuous dazzling flash was born in his palm.

From the spirit crest on his right hand, a huge amount of divine power came surging out.

The path to that sealed sword spirit was connected!

At the next moment, in Kamito’s hand; he was grasping a sword that people wielded.

It was too gigantic for people to wield – the Demon Slayer.

And then—

“—Begone, jaw rascal.”

The swing of the lump of the steel pulverized the magic spirit jaw into many pieces.

===Part 6===

The rain that began falling soaked Claire’s back.

Her red twin-tails withered and closely clung onto her bare skin.

“Claire…”

Kamito called out to her back, who was cowering on the ground.

“Hmm… it’s good that you’re safe.”

“It’s…not good…”


Claire muttered in a shivering voice.

“My… My Scarlet…”

She turned around and from her red pupils, a drop of tear came out.

“You—“

“You’re late… Idiot! Despite being my contracted spirit.”

“Ahh. My bad…”

Kamito awkwardly looked away.

“Why?”

“Eh?”

“You have such great power and yet, at the beginning, why –“

Claire firmly grabbed Kamito’s uniform collar—

“…”

She weakly removed her hand.

“…No. It’s because I’m weak.”

She let out such a defeated voice.

“It’s because I’m weak, that I couldn’t protect Scarlet. It’s because I’m weak—“

—She could not stop her sister.


“If I had more, more power, such…”

While being struck by rain, Claire repeated that with a blank expression.

“Oi, get yourself together!”

Kamito grabbed Claire’s shoulder –

(…Eh?)

His body slanted.

His field of vision was dark. …His consciousness suddenly went far away.

It seemed that the strike of the previous elemental waffe had thoroughly exhausted his divine power.

(Damn, what a bad fuel consuming… spirit…)

While cursing in his mind, Kamito lost consciousness.

==Translator's notes and references==

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| Forward to [[Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter7|Chapter 7]]
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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter6

2012-03-29T00:11:25Z

Xiax:

==The blade dance at midnight==

===Part 1===

—It was 2 am. The time when the academy students slept and forest spirits began being astir.

On the stone paving path illuminated by the moonlight, Kamito was walking along with Claire.

“The atmosphere is very different, the academy at night.”

“Of course, the night is the time for spirits.”

Claire kept facing front and bluntly replied. Solid sounds of walking resounded loudly.

Since some time ago, Claire had not said much. She might be tense about the duel with the Knights.

“Where are you planning to do it?”

Private battles should be prohibited within the academy according to academy regulations. Is there a place for a duel outside?”

“Over there –“

Claire abruptly stopped.

In front of what she was pointing, there was a gigantic stone circle.

Its ground was dimly shining in bluish-white.

“That’s the – 'Astral Gate '!”

“Yea, the gate that connects this world with the Astral Zero. The reason why the academy was built in such a remote place.”


“…I see”

He was surprised that there was a ‘gate’ within the academy premises. That stone circle was perhaps a prehistoric ruin, which was used with an unknown art. It probably had a function to stabilize the unstable 'gate '.

“Isn’t it dangerous? There are spirits that cannot be controlled by humans roaming about in the Astral Zero.”

“You see, that 'gate' connects to a safe area where there are only low-level spirits. If not, the academy wouldn’t leave it alone, right?”

Claire murmured stupid, and stepped into the middle of the stone circle.

She recited the words of opening the gate in the spirit language and the blue light on the ground further increased its brightness.

“Come on, you, faster, get on too.”

Led by Claire, Kamito panicky jumped on top of the formation of lights.

At that moment, his field of vision was filled with a white flash.

He had a feeling that his whole body was attacked with dizziness. And then –

…

–After opening his eyes, a scenery of another world spread out.”

There was a deep dark forest with twisted trees standing tall.

Shining brilliantly in the night sky was blood-like red moon.

There was a pale purple smoke-like fog shrouding nearby.

Astral Zero –another world where spirits live in.

“If it’s here, nobody can disturb us. Even if we were injured, it would not be serious, so this place is often used by the academy students for duels.”

In a situation such a thing occurred, the physical body of humans possessing divine powers would be treated the same as spirits, this meant that there’s almost no physical damage received.

Naturally, this was not absolutely safe. Pain was felt normally; in exchange of the physical body not receiving damage, the mind would suffer an equal damage.

To fall into a lethargic state was still a good thing but in the case of receiving a serious injury, one would receive severe memory impairment and the destruction of the mind, there was also the possibility of not regaining consciousness.

“—Flame, illuminate”

Claire recited the spirit magic and a small fire ball was born on her palm, dimly lighting up a narrow open path in the middle of the forest.

“Let’s go, Kamito”

Claire gently brushed her twin-tails and calmly walked.

“Do we have a chance of winning?”

“That depends on your ability. …Honestly, it might be a little hard.

“Is that so?”

Kamito was surprised. For a spirit contractor of Claire’s level, it was unexpected of her to say such a thing.

“Putting aside the other two, Ellis is strong. She isn’t the Knights leader just for show. Besides, Scarlet exhausted some strength from this morning’s fight with the ‘Sealed Spirit’. Rinslet’s ability is –well, I at least recognized it, but her teamwork is the worst.”

“…That was a surprising calm battle strength analysis. I thought you were the more impulsive type.”

“You, what do you see me as?”

“A dangerous fellow, who instantly swings a whip –Ouch!”

Pashii –A whip was promptly swung down onto Kamito’s back.

…After walking a while, there was a historic ruin of a gigantic theater in the forest.

It was something from when Astral Zero and the human world were one –a long gone mythical era.

The crumbling looking stone gate greeted the two. It seemed that here was the stage for the duel.

“First of all, you, the sword spirit contractor, are the attacker. Rinslet and I will provide cover.”

“I’ve got the most dangerous role! Isn’t it your duel?”

“What! Do you have a complaint? Alright, if that’s the case, I’ll let you choose a position. Attacker or cinders, which do you like?”

“I get it. I’ll be the attacker.”


“A wise decision.”

Claire nodded seemingly satisfied.

“By the way, you can properly handle that contracted 'sword spirit', right?”

“Hn, ahh…probably”

“…Probably? What do you mean?”

Claire’s eyes lifted up with danger. Kamito backed off in a panic.

“Well, you see, isn’t it bad if it was summoned poorly and went out of control? That’s why, I have not summoned it even once since I contracted it this morning.”

That was somewhat of an explanation – he thought. Actually, it was half of the explanation.

The truth was that by contracting with another spirit he felt guilty to her.

He felt a sense of betrayal about using a new contracted spirit.

“You succeeded in contracting in just one try, therefore there should be little chance of losing control but—well, it is a sealed spirit with a history and it certainly won’t be funny if anything happened.”

However, Claire seemed to have agreed for once.

“For the time being, try releasing your elemental waffe. You are able to do that, right?”

“A…aahh… Yea”

The releasing of an elemental waffe was not something anyone could do but –

(Can’t seem to get into the mood, it can’t be helped –)

Kamito closed his eyes and concentrated his consciousness to the 'spirit crest' engraved on his right hand.

“The cool-headed steel queen, the sacred sword that destroys evil –“

He recited the summoning in the spirit language and the crest of two swords crossing faintly shined.

The path with a contracted spirit would be normally connected – however,

(What?)

…It was strange. He could not feel the presence of such a powerful sealed spirit.

No –he could pick up its presence but it was something like gears not fitting together.

“—now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!”

At that moment, small particles of light gathered at Kamito’s palm.

And then, what appeared was –

“…”

One short sword.

To be more precise, it was a small sword almost like a knife.

…Shin. An awkward silence arrived.

“…Is that that sword spirit’s elemental waffe?”

Claire said with her face twitching.


For an incarnation of the powerful sealed spirit that cut down Scarlet in one blow –

…Honesty, it was too shabby.

“D…don’t judge it by its appearance, it might actually have an amazing ability.”

“Y…ea, that certainly may be true!”

Claire nodded momently while having a stiff expression.

Kamito tried cutting a buckwheat tree as a test.

Bekii. The short sword very easily broke and vanished.

“…”

…Ahh, how should I say it, it is probably that.”

Kamito beared the frozen Claire’s gaze and calmly opened his mouth.

“Truthfully, this is the first time I used a contracted spirit in three years. I have not regained that perception.”

“…Huh?”

Claire blankly opened her mouth to that shocking confession.

“You’re lying… after all, didn’t you so easily tame that sealed spirit!”

“That time was because I was franticly trying to save you. To be honest, I don’t really understand myself why I succeeded the contracting.”

No matter how powerful a spirit one contracted with, there was no point if one could not fully draw out that power. When an inexperienced spirit contractor contracted a spirit beyond his means, it was often the case that its power would be too much to handle.

(…However, for my case, it’s a little different.)

Kamito stared at his left hand, inserted in a leather glove.

(Probably, within my sub-consciousness, I thought about her.)

—Therefore, he could not connect the path with the new spirit.

“Wh..wha..what’s with that…”

He heard a dead groan. After lifting her head, Claire was tightly grasping a leather whip, used for training animals, with her shoulders trembling.

“No, I mean, um, my battle strength is lacking…” 

“What do you mean! I am counting on your battle strength!”

Pishii! Pishii! Pishii!

“Ouch! Wait..stop!”

A tempest of unforgiving whips descended onto the escaping Kamito.

Then, there –

“What in the world are you doing? Claire Rogue.”

From the other side of the dark tree grove, that voice was heard.

Claire stopped her whipping and sullenly turned around.


The ones who appeared were Rinslet and the maid Carol.

“You’re late, Rinslet.”

“Aah, a lady getting dressed takes time.”

Rinslet proudly brushed her extravagant platinum blonde hair.

“…? What, is Carol here too?”

“Of course, as milady’s supporter.”

After Kamito heard that, Carol took out a flag from out of nowhere and began swinging it.

“By the way, why were you spanking Kazehaya Kamito?”

Rinslet placed her index finger at her chin and frowned dubiously.

That was – before Claire answered, Carol interrupted.

“Milady, that’s something unrefined to listen to.”

“What do you mean?”

“That was a form of a slightly unusual love. In a unique way, that was a perverted play.”

“Ehh! Is that right, you two!?”

“T…th..t..that’s not it! W…what are you saying, you stupid maid!”

Claire’s face became bright red as she denied it.

...Indifferently, he wanted fuse-blowing whipping to stop. As it hurt.


(…Why am I already worn out before the duel.)

Kamito began to seriously think about the absurdity of his life. At that moment.

“—Your side seems to be all present, Raven class”

A cold voice descended from right above.

“…!?”

The four of them looked upwards together.

There, above the crumbling theater wall was –

A figure of a gallant female knight with her blue hair fluttering in the gentle breeze.

Beside her, two knights, also wearing the same silver armor, were standing.

He heard their names from Claire. The one with the short hair was Rakka. The one with the braiding was Reishia.

“—Ellis Fahrengart, for how long were you here!”

“By the way, you wouldn’t by any chance be waiting for a timing to appear cool, right?”

“Wha… T…there’s no such thing! I just only got here!”

After Kamito pointed it out with his half-opened eyes, Ellis was frankly disturbed and ended up almost falling.

…Somehow, that was a rather deplorable Knights leader look.

Ellis sharply glared at Kamito and the rest, and drew her sword from her waist.


“Let’s go, Raven class. Let’s finish this duel by day break –“

At that moment. The illumination of a large flame lit the stage of the theater.

The one shined on by that illumination –

“That’s –!?”

A large eagle was spreading its enormous wings and making an appearance in the red night.

“Let me introduce to you, Kazehaya Kamito. This is my contracted spirit – magic wind spirit, 'Simorgh'!”

With a howl like the wind – The large eagle, clad in wind swooped down.

===Part 2===

At a point of an attack in-place of a greeting, —

The magic wind spirit glided closer and dived with its aim at the ground, where the four were.

An ear-splitting thunderous roar. Stone paving came unstuck and large amounts of earth and sand were whirled up.

A strong wind, brought forth from the force of the explosion, hit Kamito and his body was easily blown away.

“…Gahaa!”

He was thrown into a wall. With that bone shattering impact, he stopped breathing for a moment.

Even if one received an attack of a spirit of a purified form, the physical body cannot be hurt, however, the physical damage from a crashing impact and fragments of rubble were different. Small rocks fluttering up in the squall were cutting at Kamito’s whole body. While covering his forehead with both his hands, Kamito clicked his tongue.

(…What destructive power! If I directly took a blow, I’ll faint.)

That magic wind spirit… Simorgh.

Comparing just destructive power, it might surpass even Claire’s Scarlet .

(That’s right, where’s Claire?)

He stood up and surveyed his surroundings, his two allies were at their respective positions.

Claire was providing direct cover from a mid-distance. Rinslet was providing rear support with a long distance attack.

Carol was…waving a flag at the outside of the theatre where she escaped to.

The thunderous wind that was blowing violently stopped. At that interval, Kamito began to run –

“Not yet, Kamito!”

“…!?”

At the same time Claire shouted, the roar of the magic wind spirit resounded.

From an empty large hole in the ground, a large magic bird flapped its wings—

“What are you doing, faster release your elemental waffe!”

“Hn, even if you say that –“

At that moment, a cluster of wind that held an enormous mass gouged the earth while rushing over.


The stone paving came ripping off in a straight line. Kamito quickly jumped sideways.

While tumbling on the ground, he quickly recited the summoning of the spirit language in his mouth.

The spirit crest faintly glowed but as before the path with the contracted spirit was not connected.

(… It’s no good, huh!?)

He gave up, at that time – a glowing short sword was constructed in his palm.

It was the same unreliable elemental waffe but it was better than nothing.

“Are you just escaping? Kazehaya Kamito, I have misjudged you!”

Ellis, with a pony-tail hair swaying, alighted onto the ground.

“Ahh! I just have to fight, right – “

Kamito prepared the short sword and charged towards Ellis. The first to strike wins. If he defeated the spirit contractor first, then the summoned contracted spirit would vanished –

“Kamito, behind you!”

Claire’s voice came from behind him – Kamito jumped straight to the side.

The wing of the magic wind spirit mowed down at the place Kamito was at just now.

“… What speed!”

Among the five grand elemental spirits, the ones boasting of being the fastest was the wind-attribute spirits. Ellis was completely controlling that.

The magic wind spirit, dancing in the night sky, turned in an arc –and swooped down.


Kamito jumped again. The magic wind spirit that crashed into the ground blew up a large quantity of earth and sand – and then it immediately transformed into countless blades of the wind and cut into Kamito’s arms.

“…Kuu!”

Tremendous pain was running in his right arm. Actually, it did not mean that his arm was cut off –but that pain was violently jolting his consciousness.

(—Well, I never thought it’ll turn into the blades of wind with that timing.)

Kamito was astonished in his mind. Ellis’s spirit contractor’s competency was something substantial.

“Kamito, I’m covering you!”

At the same time as her voice, A blazing flame illuminated the night sky red.

Claire wielded Scarlet’s elemental waffe –'Flame Blaze'.

The flame slash mowed down all the attacking blades of the wind in an arc—

“I won’t let you interfere with the leader!”

The braided hair knight, Reishia, attacked Claire.

The elemental waffe held in her hand was a transparent ice sword – it seemed she was the same ice spirit contractor as Rinslet.

Nonetheless, her spirit’s rank was completely no matched for Rinslet’s Fenrir. It seemed she had the competency to release her contracted spirit into its elemental waffe but she had not made that hers.

She was not Claire’s adversary – Kamito concluded so and adjusted his direction to Ellis, who was in front of him.


In that moment, simultaneously as the violent blasting sound, the ground in front of him was being completely gouged.

“…!?”

“Huh, try taking on my elemental waffe –Rock Breaker!”

The short hair knight, Rakka,, shouted in a spirited tone.

Her specialized weapon was a large hammer with a long handle. That was easily being swung about by the thin arm of a girl.

Kamito jumped and backed off, getting some distance between them. She seemed more hot-blooded than Reishia.

While keeping his distance, he was chasing Ellis, who was within his sight—

Ellis had linked with Rakka’s attack and was already moving.

As expected of the Knights leader, Ellis’ commanding ability was high.

First was to use the magic wind spirit to launch a preemptive attack to cause chaos on the battlefield. Next was to strike Claire on mid-guard with Reishia and Kamito on advance-guard with Rakka. While the two were pinned down, Ellis with the most battle strength would attack Rinslet on rear-guard. That was the so-called strategy.

(… Before attacking Ellis, firstly, I have to do something about this fellow.)

Kamito nimbly stepped in and let loose a slash. The flash of the silver sword shallowly cut Rakka’s arm.

As it was an attack from an elemental waffe, blood did not flow out –but pain should be felt in the same way.

“This guy…!”

Rakka’s face was dyed in anger. She aimed at the top of Kamito’s head and swung her Rock Breaker down.


There was a thunderous roar. The ground was gouged and rubbles were whirled up. It was probably a spirit of the earth attribute. As expected, its destructive power is great but its movement was a large swing, making it easy to avoid.

“Chii, how restless!”

She too seemed to have yet to master her elemental waffe. Or perhaps, her contracted spirit’s rank in contrast to her competency was too great – The spirit she was supposed to be using was manipulating her.

“Don’t run, fight properly, male spirit contractor!”

“This doesn’t mean that I’m just running away. In a group battle, you should pay more attention to your surroundings.”

“What?”

“A capable hunter is taking aim”

At that moment, an ice arrow came flying and pierced the girl’s chest.

Rakka was flashily blown off and bounced on the ground.

The elemental waffe, 'Rock Breaker', turned into particles of light and vanished.

“Fuu, nice shot!”

Kamito turned behind where the voice came from.

On the outer wall of the theater, there was the appearance of Rinslet brushing her hair.

“… Why are you, the support position, standing at such a conspicuous place?!”

“Ah, it’s natural for me to be at a more conspicuous place than Claire!”


“Th…That stupid dog…! You were moving around and sniping, right!”

Claire shouted like she was gnawing.

“Fuu, as a worthy lady of the noble Laurenfrost family, I won’t be satisfied if I’m not at most conspicuous place at a dance party.”

“That’s my milady!”

Carol was delightfully swinging a flag from above ground.

“Hmm, you’re pretty composed, Raven Class!”

—At that moment, at the back a strong squall was winding up.

Spreading its wings, the magic wind spirit roared and flew with its aim at Rinslet.

“A good target! Freezing ice fang, pierce –'Freezing Arrow'!”

Rinslet quickly released the Freezing Arrow—

The magic wind spirit immediately transformed to the countless blades of wind and rushed at Rinslet.

“Kyaa!”

“Rinslet!?”

In front of Claire, who planned to rush over, the braided hair knight blocked her way.

She quickly entered into the range of the whip in the gap that Claire lost her focus and slashed with her ice sword. The moment she got into the range, a sword was overwhelming advantageous. Claire was gradually pressured.


“Why you! How dare you do this to Rakka!”

“Kuu –Kamito, chase Ellis!”

“Ahh!”

Claire was in a predicament but Ellis ought to be stopped now.

Ellis was running on the stairs of the theater. Her intention was to completely take out Rinslet.

Kamito aimed at Ellis’s legs and threw the short sword. He concluded that it was dangerous to ignore her – Ellis jumped to the side and got into the audience seating.

In the vicinity, a high-pitched sound reverberated. The elemental waffe short sword hit the wall and got smashed up.

“Hmm, that’s a pretty fragile elemental waffe.”

While Ellis said that, she called the magic wind spirit to her hand.

And then—

“—Evil winds, pierce through my sworn enemy’s heart, become a magic spear and lodge within my hand!”

The moment she recited the releasing in the spirit language – winds blew violently and in her hand a very long spear appeared.

It was a ceremonial long spear and delicate patterns were engraved on its handle.

Its tip, illuminated by the red moonlight, was clad in sharp winds and was faintly making wind sounds.

Her pony-tail hair, which reached her waist, was agitatedly swaying and flowing in the wind.

Ellis completely spun the spear in one hand and stared at Kamito with a cold expression.


“This is my elemental waffe –'Ray Hawk'.”

Kamito –

“…Beautiful”

Without a thought, let out such a voice.

“Hah, you too understand –the beauty of this 'Ray Hawk'.”

Displaying her truly prided spear, Ellis loosened her cheeks, slightly delighted.

“Idiot, I mean you! Don’t make me say that, it’s embarrassing.”

“Wha..Me..!?”

Ellis turned bright red and became flustered.

“Hey, y…you’re mocking me, right? Kazehaya Kamito!”

“No, I’m just normally fascinated.”

“F…fascinate… Ah…..”

Ellis’s face increasingly redden… as if purging evil thoughts, she shook her head.

“Ehh…Such a practical joke… As I thought, you are mocking me!”

“No, you really are beautiful –Owaa!”

Being enraged, Ellis thrust her spear with her face bright red.

As a result of losing her composure, it was easy to dodge.


However, when the magic spear tip grazed the side of his abdomen, at that moment –

The blades of winds were released and cut his whole body.

(Guu…!?)

In response to the sharp pain, Kamito clicked his tongue in his mind.

(—That elemental waffe can create the blades of winds, huh!)

While bearing the pain attacking his whole body, Kamito jumped away to the back in one go.

That magic spear could create the blades of winds, so there also was no point evading with a paper-thin difference.

However, Ellis jumped again and released a stream of attacks like a tempest.

“Are you trying to escape… you insolent guy! I’ll turn you into tiramisu!”

“What? Is candy-making also your forte? You cute sullen young lady.”

“I…I am currently practicing making candies. For the sake of the gentleman that I’ll marry in the future –Eh… What did you make me say! And who’s the sullen young lady!”

Ellis pierced the theater wall with all her might in one blow and fragments of rubble flew around.

(…This person, she’s seriously strong!)

As expected of someone, who served as the Knights leader in this academy that gathered spirit contractors.

It was a beautiful blade dance like modeling after Kagura, which spirits enjoyed themselves in.

The wound in his left hand ached.


He understood that his senses were gradually getting sharper.

The serious blade dance was causing his blood to boil.

His body was recalling the sensations from three years ago.

(However, it wasn’t something like this.)

It was irritating that his legs did not move as he wanted. His instinctive ability to read his opponent’s movements was also falling.

(I –)

“You, don’t run!”

Releasing a sharp thirst for blood and being clad in gales, Ellis came attacking.

It was not a clever thrust. It was a blow with all her might to decide the match.

However, there was a fatal chance born—

“Freezing ice fang, pierce – 'Freezing Arrow '!”

Rinslet, who had recovered and was awaiting for a chance to snipe, released her Freezing Arrow without delay.

Simultaneously—

“Dance, crimson flame that invites ruins – 'Hell Blaze '!”

After Claire settled Reishia, she released her flame attribute elemental waffe.

“…!?”

Ellis opened both her eyes in surprise.


The timing was perfect. The released ice fang and infernal flame went straight at their target—

Pariiiin!

They collided with each other in the air.

“…Wha!?”

Kamito’s face twitched.

Ellis, in front of him, was also standing still, dumbfounded.

“Hey, Rinslet! Why did you get in my way!”

“W…what? You’re the one who should please not get in my way.”

At that moment, the two of them began to quarrel.

“T…those two…”

Kamito forgot that he was in the midst of the duel and deeply sighed.

(…They have the ability, yet their teamwork is really all over the place.)

“—How foolish, to fall out among yourselves!”

Ellis Fahrengart raised her elemental waffe spear once again.

Thunderously, a strong wind, unseen before, was winding up.

“T..To make a mockery of me by saying that I’m beautiful, I’ll make you regret –“

There was already nowhere to run to. Kamito resigned his fate, at that time –


“Wait, Ellis! Something is strange…”

“What? Now then you’re begging for your life.”

Stopping mid-way – Ellis shut her mouth.

It seemed she noticed it too.

“What, this presence is …?”

The atmosphere of the vicinity was heavy. That sensation, like one’s back turning chilly, was –

“What?”

“What is this?”

Claire and the others seemed to have noticed it too. They looked up at the hazy night sky and really tilted their heads in doubt.

Suddenly, a thunder-like sound roared.

And then –from a tear in the sky, that appeared.

===Part 3===

That was – a giant jaw, floating in the sky.

It had neither head nor body nor a tail. It was an eerie jaw with just rows of teeth lined up making a chattering sound.


“That’s, …don’t tell me, … a magic spirit!?”

The sudden appearance of that spirit made Kamito groan and terrified him.

A magic spirit – that was something with a spiritual make-up that greatly differed from humans, thus, that was a grotesque spirit that can never be tamed by spirit contractors.

“A magic spirit, why is it at such a place…?”

At that moment.

Vo…Ruoooooooon—

The magic spirit’s rising ear-splitting roar caused the girls to cower.

There was a tremendous sense of intimidation. That divine power felt on his skin was comparable to a magic human-class spirit.

Moreover—

(It’s… in frenzy?)

Kamito dropped his voice and carefully observed the magic spirit in sky.

A magic spirit was certainly a grotesque being but it was unlikely that it would be in a frenzy without even a reason.

(…What’s going on?)

Groaning within his mind – Kamito recalled.

That reminded him, before the duel – the water spirit of the spirit device in Claire’s room had went out of control.

It was a phenomenon that was normally unimaginable but if the water spirit was in a frenzy at that time, it was natural that Claire also could not control it. …Was that phenomenon something related?

Besides—

(Claire said that powerful spirits don’t appear frequently in this area.)

For the appearance of that magic spirit to be by chance, it was too unnatural.

(What the heck –)

The jaw floating in the sky mowed down many trees of the forest, and bit and crushed the ancient historic ruins to tiny pieces. The smashed-up rock fragments rained down from high in the sky.

“Claire Rogue, for now, we’ll stop the duel. Is that alright?”

“…I understand.”

Claire obediently nodded at Ellis’s words.

Everyone in this place understood the danger from that magic spirit.

It did not mean that that was summoned in a purified form like contracted spirits.

If bitten by those teeth, the human body and so forth were mere scraps of paper.

“We’re taking refuge. I’ll take the rear, you all carry the fainted two.”

Ellis prepared the Ray Hawk and gallantly got down to the center of the historic ruins.

“No, I’ll take the rear. That is not something an ordinary spirit contractor can do one way or another.”

The way of fighting spirits and fighting human spirit contractors were completely different. Of course, this didn't mean that the girls didn't learn how to fight spirits but – it was an opponent too dangerous for Ellis to fight alone.

“Stop the jokes. What can you, who can’t even fully use his contracted spirit, do?”

“That’s…”

Kamito firmly groaned. Certainly, it was not an opponent he could fight with that unreliable elemental waffe.

“There’s no time to talk. Leave this to Ellis, let’s hurry!”

Rinslet whistled and Fenrir, in a white wolf appearance, came giving both fainted Reishia and Rakka a lift. Carol also came running.

“Claire, what are you doing daydreaming!”

Rinslet pulled Claire’s sleeves.

—Claire was looking downwards like she was thinking about something and she suddenly raised her head.

“Ellis, I’ll take the rear.”

“What?”

Ellis opened her eyes. Claire whipped her leather whip and called out her contracted spirit, the hell cat.

“…”

Claire’s red pupils became nailed onto the figure of the magic spirit, raging like a storm.

…It was like she was completely entranced.


In response to Claire's appearance –Kamito realized and was taken aback.

(This fellow, don’t tell me—)

Claire was obsessed with obtaining a powerful spirit.

For the sake of knowing the truth concerning her sister, Rubia Elstein, she needed power.

Therefore, she still reached out to the dangerous sealed spirit.

“You, don’t tell me – you plan to make that your contracted spirit!?”

“…”

Claire did not answer. She just motionlessly gazed at the magic spirit in the sky –

“That’s crazy! That’s a magic spirit, furthermore it’s in a frenzy!”

Kamito shouted, Claire swung her twin-tails and finally turned around.

“…It’s a once in a lifetime chance.”

She bit her lips and muttered with an expression like she had thought hard over it.

“There’s firstly no such thing as encountering a spirit of that level in the 'Spirit Forest'. Besides, it is not like there weren’t any spirit contractors who contracted magic spirits.”

“You mean Greyworth? She’s a witch.”

“I too may have the qualities of a witch.”

“Stop doing something stupid, you’ll die.”


Kamito grabbed Claire’s arm, who was planning to dash anytime.

Claire sternly glared at Kamito.

“Don’t get in my way. My reasons to want a strong spirit, I’ve said it, right?”

“Ahh, I understand. But that’s no good. Your skills can’t manage it.”

“…Shut up, let go! You weakling, be silent!”

Claire shook Kamito’s arm and shouted.

Within her ruby pupils, glaring at Kamito, genuine hatred surfaced.

“Despite snatching my sealed spirit! You can only use a weak elemental waffe, what qualifications do you have to say something?”

“That’s—“

Kamito looked downwards. It was natural for Claire to be irritated. While he contracted with such a powerful spirit, he couldn't pull out that power completely.

“What? … I was expecting a little something.”

Claire awkwardly averted her eyes.

“I handle that alone. You all please escape.”

“Claire Rogue, you –“

“Ellis, try to protect everyone. I don’t want to think about it but if I –“


Claire did not speak after that.

And then—

“—Scarlet!”

She called her partner, flame spirit’s name and ran towards the magic spirit, devouring the forest.

“Claire!”

Kamito held out his hand in a fluster.

At that moment, the magic spirit roared.

A lump of shock struck. The trees in its vicinity were thoroughly blown off.

“Winds, grant us the hand of divine protection – 'Wind Wall'!”

Right away, Ellis recited the spirit magic and protected everyone at the back.

(Damn, Claire—)

While defending against the pebbles that were blown off, Kamito followed Claire with his eyes.

Claire was – dancing in the air.

She got on the winds like sparks dancing in the air.

In her hand was her flame spirit released into its elemental waffe –'Flame Tongue', which she was grasping.

The blazing crimson killing flash cut off the evening darkness.

Claire landed onto the ground and while running through the gaps of the tree grove, she drew closer to the magic spirit.


The magic spirit opened its giant jaws and made chattering sounds with its lined-up rows of teeth.

(…It’s no good, this is too reckless!)

The girl, Claire Rouge, that Kamito knew was an excellent spirit contractor, possessing calm judgment and an insight for tactics at least in a battle.

However, she had lost sight of herself now.

Her feelings for her sister, Rubia Elstein, caused her to lose her calm judgment.

Her anger towards her sister, who betrayed her. Yet, her overwhelming love – caused a great number of conflicts to be mixed and that changed into a craving for great power.

“How tenacious! Become mine!”
[[File:STnBD V01 183.jpg|thumb]]

The flame whip dance splendidly. Her red twin-tails danced in the dark night.

That was –spirit contractor, Claire Rogue’s blade dance.

“…”

Beautiful— he thought.

Despite being at such a time, Kamito, for a moment, was fascinated by that appearance and forgot everything.

…It was same as that time.

That time when she was fighting that rampaging sword spirit alone.

Kamito calmly clenched his fist and turned behind. And then—



“Ellis, Rinslet, I’ll entrust the rest to you.”

“Wha… are you an idiot!?” ”Are you an idiot!?”

Both of them shouted at the same time. His ears shrilled.

“…Ah, I’m an idiot. Truly an idiot.”

If Greyworth was here, she would have had relentlessly poured abusive words.

To take back the precious thing he lost, he had lived with lifeless eyes for these three years.

Yet, he was recklessly giving his life away for such a thing.

However—

“I am her contracted spirit.”

Therefore—

“That’s, hm, I have to help her, that returning hell cat girl.”

“Wait, Kazehaya Kamito!”

Kamito shook off Ellis’s hand that planned to stop him and began running.

The crimson flame was dancing with the magic spirit in a blade dance.

It was no good for that noble flame to be extinguished. –He did not want her to die.

After all, she was –a normal girl.

Full of ego, hot-tempered.


Putting on a strong front, easily lonely…. truly kind.

Liking canned foods and romance stories—

Merely a princess found anywhere.

Oooooo…oon—

The magic spirit roared.

It released a shock wave like blowing away the forest and Claire was thrown onto the ground.

“—Claire!”

===Part 4===

“…Ah…Aah, Ah…”

Claire, thrown onto the ground, cowered.

The grotesque magic spirit made a creaky sound with its giant jaw.

It seemed – like it was laughing.

She planned to escape but her legs were shivering and did not move.

It was frightening. While she was fighting, her sensations paralyzed. However, presently—

“Y…you are not scary, therefore, become my manservant!”


The magic spirit, floating in the air, had no reason to even respond to that jeer but –it loudly laughed.

Claire’s body trembled and spontaneously, she closed her eyes. The roots of the teeth did not bite at the same time. Towards an unfamiliar thing, instinctive fear bound her body.

—At that moment. The Flame Tongue in Claire’s hand suddenly vanished.

It was not that she canceled the release of her elemental waffe. Scarlet opposed Claire’s will and voluntary returned to the form of a hell cat.

“Scarlet!? Why…?”

Claire muttered in a blurry voice.

Was she finally even abandoned by her contracted spirit—

However, the hell cat, clad in flames softly growl and kicked the ground and flew up.

“…!”

At that moment, Claire finally understood. Scarlet –

“Noo—Scarlet!”

Claire’s scream resounded.

Scarlet did not stop. It pared its ferocious fangs and rushed at the magic spirit.

It was a red hot flame that even melted steel. However, it was not effective against the magic spirit.

In an instant, the magic spirit’s teeth mercilessly bit and crushed Scarlet’s body.


It screamed of agony. The flame spirit, which was bit and crushed, vanished in the sky like a whirlpool winding.

“…Ah…Scar…let…”

Claire, as if all her body strength left her, sank down to the floor there.

Following reason, she knew that she should be escaping.

It was a last chance Scarlet made for her.

Despite that, her legs were trembling bit by bit. She could not even stand.

The extreme deep despair paralyzed Claire’s whole body.

(Because of me, Scarlet—)

In the blank eyes, where the flame vanished, tears overflowed.

(…I’m an idiot. Kamito stopped me and yet.)

(—despite being unable to win, I plunged in alone.)

She was unsightly defeated.

Her contracted spirit, which was precious like a family, was also lost.

While the magic spirit was making the chattering sound, it slowly descended.

Those sinister teeth that just ate and tore up Scarlet –

“No…”

Tears flowed along her cheeks. A stiff voice came out from deep in her throat.


“Save me… Save me—Nee-sama<ref group="1"> Older sister </ref>!”

She closed her eyes in despair, and at that time.

“Claire!”

She heard his voice.

===Part 5===

“Oooooooooooo!”

While making his war cry, Kamito rushed towards the magic spirit.

The spirit crest, engraved on his right hand, emitted a bluish-white glow.

— The cool-headed steel queen, the sacred sword that destroys evil!

— Now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!

While running with mud splashing, he recited the summoning.

At his palm, particles of light were born and transformed into the form of a sword—

However, it was not good like this. Against the magic spirit that brought down Scarlet’s level of spirit in one blow, that short sword cannot be effective.

(—I beg you, lend me your power, stubborn spirit!)


(—I know it, your power is just like that!)

The wound on his left hand sharply ached.

Again, the opened path with the contracted spirit was closed—

However, without minding it, Kamito continued to pour divine power into the spirit crest on his right hand.

It was an intense overload. Pain like burning was running throughout his arm’s nerves.

(—Sorry, Restia. What I need now isn’t you.)

Yes – what he needed was not the past.

It was the power to protect her here and now.

From the spirit crest on his left hand, violent flashes of lightning surged.

That sensation from three years ago was resurrected.

Everytime he kicked the ground to speed up, his whole body’s sensation sharpened.

Just that magic spirit’s movement was seen as slow motion.

(Recall it, that feeling—)

The sensation of the blade dance – where he danced together with his partner, dark spirit.

(I am –)

Kamito kicked the ground and jumped high up.

(I am the strongest blade dancer – Ren Ashbell!)


At that moment, a conspicuous dazzling flash was born in his palm.

From the spirit crest on his right hand, a huge amount of divine power came surging out.

The path to that sealed sword spirit was connected!

At the next moment, in Kamito’s hand; he was grasping a sword that people wielded.

It was too gigantic for people to wield – the Demon Slayer.

And then—

“—Begone, jaw rascal.”

The swing of the lump of the steel pulverized the magic spirit jaw into many pieces.

===Part 6===

The rain that began falling soaked Claire’s back.

Her red twin-tails withered and closely clung onto her bare skin.

“Claire…”

Kamito called out to her back, who was cowering on the ground.

“Hmm… it’s good that you’re safe.”

“It’s…not good…”


Claire muttered in a shivering voice.

“My… My Scarlet…”

She turned around and from her red pupils, a drop of tear came out.

“You—“

“You’re late… Idiot! Despite being my contracted spirit.”

“Ahh. My bad…”

Kamito awkwardly looked away.

“Why?”

“Eh?”

“You have such great power and yet, at the beginning, why –“

Claire firmly grabbed Kamito’s uniform collar—

“…”

She weakly removed her hand.

“…No. It’s because I’m weak.”

She let out such a defeated voice.

“It’s because I’m weak, that I couldn’t protect Scarlet. It’s because I’m weak—“

—She could not stop her sister.


“If I had more, more power, such…”

While being struck by rain, Claire repeated that with a blank expression.

“Oi, get yourself together!”

Kamito grabbed Claire’s shoulder –

(…Eh?)

His body slanted.

His field of vision was dark. …His consciousness suddenly went far away.

It seemed that the strike of the previous elemental waffe had thoroughly exhausted his divine power.

(Damn, what a bad fuel consuming… spirit…)

While cursing in his mind, Kamito lost consciousness.

==Translator's notes and references==

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter5

2012-03-28T23:38:38Z

Xiax:

==Claire's Feelings==

===Part 1===
(…Sigh, I have totally gotten myself into something troublesome.)

While walking on the stone paving of the academy, Kamito sighed a number of times today. In front of his eyes, there was the culprit, red twin-tail hair swaying about.

As usual he had an empty stomach, he had lost his house and to make matters worse that was the outcome from a duel by fellow spirit contractors.

…No matter what the circumstances, this is beyond misfortune. It has to be none other than the Dusk Witch’s curse.

“Unh, are you grumbling? How unmanly!”

Claire turned around and snapped her fingers.

“My house.”

“U…”

Kamito groaned with his eyes half-opened, Claire averted her eyes to elsewhere far away.

“Pyromaniac. Criminal.”

“…I… I get it! I also feel a little bad!”

She blushed and pouted her lips. It seemed she was at least aware of her crime.

As it was the right moment, Kamito blatantly sighed.

“Oh boy, the homeless me will have to sleep out in the 'Spirit Forest'.”

“……”

“Sleeping at night in the Spirit Forest is seriously a suicidal act. But it can’t be helped, after all, my house has been completely burned down.”

Kamito showed her him dropping his shoulders unnaturally.

Claire gnawed her lips. And then, she tip-toed -

And stared into Kamito’s eyes motionlessly.

Her face was near. Kamito was involuntarily startled as his nostrils were lightly tickled by the scent of a girl.

“…Okay, then. I…I’ll compensate you, properly!”

“Compensate?”

Kamito’s face somehow twitched to a bad premonition.

===Part 2===

— Where Kamito was brought to was to the front of the female dormitory of the Raven class.

Although it was called a dormitory, it was not a normal building. It was an elegant mansion akin to the residences of upper aristocrats.

“…Eh, what’s this?”

“For little while, I’ll allow you freeload in my room. Please be grateful.”

“Huh?”

…what did she suddenly propose, this milady (ojou-sama).

“After all, if I left you outside, Rinslet would come meddling…And because you are my slave spirit, it is natural for me, the spirit contractor, to take care of you.”

Claire informed him, bending her empty chest.

“No, that’s not it… You are still a girl of age and I may do something, did you not consider that?”

“D…Do you plan to do something to me?”

Claire glared. Kamito shook his head horizontally.

“Scarlet will stand watch. If you try to do something…cinders.”

“Isn't it a violation of the dormitory rules? A guy, like me, entering the female dormitory.”

“It’s alright, because you will be treated as my contracted spirit. The same as Scarlet.”

“That is completely not alright.”

Kamito retorted with his half-opened eyes, Claire was fidgeting with her hair irritated and snapped her fingers.

“Ahh, come on, do you want to stay? Or do you want to turn into cinders? Which?”

“… Why are there only those two choices?”


Kamito dropped his shoulders and sighed in resignation.

Claire’s room was on the second floor of the aristocrat residence like female dormitory.

“Don’t make too much noise, because the dormitory secretary is super scary.”

“A…Aah…Pardon my intrusion.”

For Claire, who is ideally pictured as arrogant, to be afraid of the dormitory secretary, he had a little interest.

While thinking of that, he timidly stepped into the room.

No matter how rough her personality was, Claire was a girl.

In addition, she was an outstandingly pitiful beautiful girl; even Kamito could not help but admit that.

Entering the room, as expected he was tense.

“—Flame, illuminate.”

Claire recited the spirit magic and the room was lighted.

Claire’s room was –

“……”

In senseless disorder.

There was a collapsed mountain of a large number of books. Clothes were left crumpled, plush toys and small items and so on were scattered here and there till there was no place to stand.

It did not look like a room of a pedigree milady.

“…You should at least do some cleaning.”

“U…Usually, Scarlet does the cleaning. Come on, quickly get in.”

Claire kicked Kamito’s back, sending him to the middle of the room.

“Ouch…good grief, you actually use such a powerful fire spirit to clean the room, if the spirit contractors across the world hear about it, they'll all cry you know.”

“Hmm, Scarlet is different from you, she is clever you know. She also burns the trash.”

“Ahh, I see. It is good as long as it’s convenient.”

As soon as they were arguing, a hell cat, cladded in flames, manifested and started to put the room’s trash together and tidy up. … Indeed, there seemed to be where the wastepaper was incinerated.

“…Are you just fine with that?”

If that fire spirit of Claire grew, it could match up with even a large dragon type.

…What was sorrowful? Was it being made to do things like cleaning the room?

“Thank you, Scarlet. Good girl.”

Suri suri.  Nade nade. 

Meow. Meow.

“Are you a cat!”

Kamito retorted without thinking to the fire spirit fawning happily.

(…That proud spirit is completely tamed…)

Well, if one was gently stroked like that by Claire, whose outward appearance at least was that of a beautiful girl, it was understandable to be completely attached.

For now, as there was no place to stand, Kamito too helped with the cleaning.

A long time ago, because of Greyworth working him hard, housework became his forte.

He started carrying the books that were in a huge pile at his feet to put aside at a corner of the room.

At that time. He caught sight of the titles written on the books’ front cover.

'The count and the naughty princess', 'Tease me more, master!', 'The princess abducted by pirates'… Indeed these were what teenage girls like. There were ten-odd such romance novels, which were intended for teenagers.

“Hmm, so, you like this kind of stuff. That was a little unexpected.”

“…Id… Don’t look!”

Bofun.

The pillow, Claire threw, landed a direct hit on Kamito’s face, and he toppled over and was squashed by the books.

“If you don’t want anyone to look, you should have tidied up. It’s no big deal, I feel, even to like such novels.”

“S…Shut up, it…it’s not like I like them! … Err, yea, I borrowed from a friend, so I have no choice but to read them!”

“Hmm, I see. You borrowed fourteen volumes of novels you do not like.”

“S…Shut up!!”

Poka poka poka. 

Claire got partially teary and hit Kamito. It was weak, possibly due to being embarrassed.

Kamito shrugged his shoulders and placed his hand on the floor to stand up.

And, just then, that hand came in contact with–

(…Hn?)

A cloth that was somewhat nice to touch.

Was it silk? It was soft, silky and very nice to touch.

Unintentionally, he grabbed it, at its edges white flutters were attached to it.

(—…, white flutters!?)

With his face twitching, he stared at his hand.

Kamito’s hand tightly grasped an undergarment attached with fine laces.

…Surprisingly, it was a rather mature silk panty.

Cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

“Hn, what are you doing?”

“Owaa!?”

Kamito got flustered and stuffed it into his pocket.

—…, what was he going to do stuffing it in!

(What am I doing! Doesn’t this make me a real pervert?!)

“What? Why are you so shocked?”

Claire frowned and drew her face near with suspicion.

“N…no, it’s nothing!”

Kamito stood up while shaking his head. Was there a topic he could distract her with? He looked around… then he realized.

“…By…by the way, about this room, don’t you have a roommate?”

Even if this was a dormitory of the academy attended by princesses, the room was a little too big for one person to be living in it.

With the room so messed up, wouldn’t the roommate girl get angry?

Speaking of it, was it good to take in a guy without even getting permission from her roommate?

Thereupon, Claire tightly bit her lips and look downwards.

“I don’t. Nobody wants to be in the same room as someone like me.”

“…? Don’t tell me, you do not have a single spirit contractor partner?”

“W…who needs things like partners. As long as I have a strong spirit, I am more than enough alone.”

Claire folded her hands and declared so; she looked like pretending to be tough with all her might.

(…Why is it so?)

This person sure had a hard personality but, as a spirit contractor, her ability was top class.

He thought with such ability, she could ignore any team, however.

“But without gathering 5 people, you can’t enter into the 'blade dance'.”

“…I… I’ll manage it somehow. If I have to, I’ll somehow gather up just that number of people.”

Claire averted her line of sight awkwardly.

It seemed like she did not want to touch on this topic.

“Ig…ignoring that, you are hungry, right?”

Claire cleared her throat forcefully.

“Hn, Ah… your long-awaited soup, which you blissfully received, was wrecked.”

It was a certain somebody’s fault, Kamito glared scornfully at Claire.

“Hmm, it can’t be helped. Today, I’ll specially feed –treat you.”

“Did you say feed? Did you say that?”

“It was your imagination. Come on, bring out that table.”

While sighing, Kamito took out the table.

Claire started lining up a large amount of canned food, taken from the shelves.

Canned tuna. Yakitori. Salted cod. Vegetables boiled in soy sauce. Beef stew….etc.

Kamito was dumbfounded and looked down on the pyramid of cans. Canned foods are preserved foods that soldiers carry with them on a long campaign. It was at least not dinner of a milady attending the academy.

“…W…why is it nothing but canned food? It is definitely bad for the body, you know.”

“What a foolish question, it’s because I like canned food.”

“No, no matter how much you like it, having just canned food is just –“

“What, it’s no problem, after all I like them. If you have complains, then I won’t give them to you.”

Claire embraced the mountain of canned food with a sullen face. That face of hers was subtly red.

With that, he got it.

…Aha. That’s right.

“You can’t cook, right?”

After directly pointing it out, Claire stiffened her back.

“Th…th…th…that’s not it!”

“That reaction revealed it all. Even if the mouth lies, the body is honest.”

“D…don’t speak lewdly, idiot!”

“To misinterpret a very normal speech, I think that you’re the lewd one. You read too much of such novels. Claire is a lewd milady.

“U..uuuu!”

Tears flowed out faintly from her red eyes, Claire bit down on her molars.

…Damn it. He teased her a little too much.

(…What should I say, I unintentionally ridiculed her.)

The result of going overboard was frightening. Kamito honestly apologized.

“S…sorry… It was my bad. I said a little too much.”

“….!”

Claire was groaning. Like a wild animal of the feline family.

“S..such a glare… How about, to make up to you, I’ll make dinner?”

With that, Claire, with her bristled hair, opened her eyes.

“You can cook?”

“Well, it’s pretty much my forte. Do you have seasonings?”

“Such things are at the shared space at the front of the dormitory.”

“Okay, if I arranged even these canned foods a little, it will become something like a cuisine. As for the fire –“

“Scarlet.”

Claire snapped her fingers and Scarlet breathed out a small fire ball.

The fire ball drifted lightly in the air and stayed still on top of Kamito’s hand.

“…This is convenient.”

“I know!”

—And with that, after a few minutes.

In the room, the sound of something being fried resounded.

Spinach, bacon and sliced garlic were fried with butter.

Next to the frying pan, there was pasta just enough for two boiling in a pot.

“If I recall right, she said she likes it al dente.”

He chewed one piece of pasta to check.

“Hn, this is just right. Claire, where are the cutlery –“

He put down the frying pan and turned around… There was no one in the room.

“…Eh? Where is she?”

He looked around the room restlessly.

The hell cat, lying down near his feet, purred and reached out its forelimb.

Once the fire was extinguished, he looked at the front of its forelimb –

From the other side of the door in the room, faint water sound could be heard.

“Oh, she’s showering.”

The shower installed in the room was a type of spirit device, which used the power of the water spirit.

To be clean in both mind and body at any time was – the ironclad rule of spirit contractors.

Kamito, feeling relieved, ignited the fire once again –

(… Shower!?)

He turned around again.

(W…why… is she so thoughtlessly defenseless at such a vital moment!)

“…”

Kamito swallowed his saliva.

Saaaaaaa –

Once he was aware of it, the water sound, which resounded in the room, strangely sounded bewitching.

Even if she has a child-like chest, she is still a sixteen year old girl.

Furthermore, her face, without flattery, was cute. Extremely cute.

Her chest was quite a shame but… nevertheless, it was there.

Suddenly, the memory of meeting her in the forest this morning revived.

Her beautiful nude body, with red hair clinging to it.

That properly elastic sensation his hand touched.

(Waaa, don’t recall it, me!)

He shook his hand, shaking off his worldly desires.

At that moment.

“Kyaaa!”

He heard a shriek from the bathroom.

Kamito was taken aback and came to his senses.

(… A scream?)

Perhaps she lost control of the water spirit, causing cold water to come out.

(No, a spirit contractor of her level should not fail in controlling the spirit device –)

“Nooooooooo!”

Bam! The bathroom door suddenly opened and Claire dashed out.

“Wha..!?”

Her dripping wet hair disheveled –

She ran nude towards him in a straight line.

“… Hey, what’s with your appearance–“

Then, Kamito’s hair froze.

She was – not nude.

She was nude but she was not exactly nude.

Transparent jelly-like water was twining itself slimily around her smooth bare body!

“What’s wrong!? What the heck is –“

“…K…Ka…Kamito, he...lp me…!”

In front of his eyes was Claire, who collapsed on the floor and was gasping in agony.

“…No, don’t look… Idiot, Aaaa!”

Biku, bikun!

Claire turned red and her nude body was jumping about like it was convulsing.

(…Sorry. It is impossible to not get excited!)

Kamito got flustered and averted his line of sight, on the contrary, hearing the heavy breathing, stimulated his imagination.

“Ah… Hyaa… Don’t…do… that…”

It seemed that the water spirit of the spirit device went wild. Claire was frantically trying to control it but there was no way she could do it in that condition.

“Hold on, I’ll help you right now!”

Kamito closed his eyes and concentrated.

“Unruly spirit of water, comply with my command and settle down!”

While he murmured softly sprit words of Chinju, his right hand was charged with divine power –

“Claire, grab my hand!”

“No, Ahh…h!”

While Claire let out a hot long breath, she somehow reached out her hand.

The moment the tip of their fingers touched.

Paan!

The water spirit, which was running wild, had its form collapsed and immediately returned into water.

Claire stayed collapsed on the flooded floor and with her flushed face, she was breathing roughly.

Her untied red hair clinging onto her skin was strangely erotic.

Kamito turned away in a fluster.

“What’s wrong? With a spirit contractor of your level, how did such –“

“U…urm, when I was using the shower, the water spirit suddenly went crazy… such a thing has never even happened once before.”

While Claire moaned, she slowly got up.

“Fo…for the time being, why don’t you wipe your body. You will catch a cold after all.”

Kamito, with his face turned away, took out and handed over a handkerchief from his pocket.

“Th…thank you…”

Claire nodded and accepted it—

….

“Hey, Kamito”

“Hn. What is it?”

“What is the meaning of this?”

Claire’s voice trembled.

Moreover, somehow the room’s temperature had rapidly risen.

“Ah”

Kamito finally realized it.

….That was right. What was in his uniform’s pocket was not a handkerchief.

That was something he hid in a fluster a while ago.

That silky panty.

Gogogogogogogogogogogo….!

In Claire’s hand, an earnest flaming ball of spirit magic was born.

“Wa…wait, clam down. You’re mistaken, this is mistake, if I explain, you’ll –“

“Shut up! T…turn into cinders, you pervert –!”

===Part 3===

“Kamito, get me another serving!”

“...You sure can eat. You’ll get fat, you know”

It was minutes after that. The table was lined up with numerous of Kamito’s home cooking.

With the spinach-and-bacon pasta, there were tuna potato salads. Pumpkin potage with gratin from the canned salmon, and for desserts, there was fruit yogurt.

They were made with the canned food, of which a great amount was found in the shelf, as ingredients; however, Claire seemed full of praise. The act of her gleaming her eyes and stuffing her cheeks with pasta was somewhat awfully cute.

The fire spirit, in the form of a hell cat, was also devouring the canned tuna beside Claire.

Spirits can maintain their own existence, so they do not need material sustenance. However among the high ranking spirits, there were also some rare ones that like human food. …Although, it was only as a luxury.

“No problem, I have a constitution that doesn’t get fat.”

Claire placed pasta on the plate and said that with a nonchalant face. Certainly, using spirits consumed physical strength, so it was true that there were a lot of ladies with a slender figure.

“Hey, don’t eat the dessert early. Despite being a milady, what bad manners.”

“Unh, shut up! That’s up to me, right, you panty thief!”

“Guu…..”

Kamito groaned shortly…. Once she said that, he could not say anything back.

“You are demoted from slave spirit to panty thief spirit.”

“… What kind of spirit is that?”

Somehow, another new variety of spirit was born.

“You are really the worst. O…of all things, you stole my number one favorite panty!”

“I have been saying it wasn’t on purpose!”

“What? Are you being defiant?

Claire glared.

“…No, sorry.”

Kamito bowed his head in embarrassment. Well, no matter how much he thought about it, it was his own fault this time.

While Claire put the tuna potato salad into her mouth, she caught a glance of him.

“Well, I’ll recognize your cooking skills at least. This is very delicious. If you make meals for me every day, I’ll promote you to cooking spirit.”

“I’m grateful for that. By the way, those are almost like words of proposing.”

Upon pointing that out. Claire’s face turned bright red.

“D…don’t be an idiot! Do you want to turn into cinders? Come on, do you want to turn into cinders?

“I..I get it, so stop pointing the fork at me.”

“Hmm… n...next time you say such idiotic things, I’ll really burn you!”

Claire pouted her lips and turned away.

Kamito sighed in relief while he cut and divided the salmon gratin.

“…If only there was soy, this would be much better, but”

“What’s that? Food?”

“It’s a seasoning circulated in my hometown. Well, you can’t get it here though.”

Kamito shrugged his shoulders and said that –

“Hometown, huh….”

Claire murmured with her eyelashes slightly lowered.

Somehow –she had an awfully lonely expression.

After that, for a short while, there was the sound of cutlery being used.

After eating that satisfying dinner, Claire’s mood also got a little better.

Somehow, there was a calm atmosphere.

Kamito suddenly raised his head and looked at Claire.

– He felt that it could be asked now.

He had wanted to ask her, since meeting her this morning in the forest, but did not have a chance to.

“By the way, you –“

“What?”

Claire placed down her cup of black tea.

“Why do you want such a powerful spirit?”

It was a simple question.

Despite using a spirit such as Scarlet, she still risked harming her body to reach out to a ‘Sealed Spirit’. He wanted to know the reason for that.

“…”

Claire –

Cast down her slightly perplexed eyes down and murmured.

“There’s someone I want to meet no matter what.”

“Someone you want to meet…?”

Kamito dropped his sight to his left hand, concealed in his black leather glove.

What he lost three years ago, an irreplaceable important bond was there –

(So, she’s the same as me…)

The scar engraved at the back of his hand ached.

Claire sighed and inserted her hand into the neckband of her uniform.

“…Yea, I’ll say it. Something that I can’t help but hide.”

What she took out from her chest was a small pendent with silver chains.

At the very center, a shiny crimson red spirit crystal was inserted in it.

Kamito saw a crest engraved there – and raised his voice in surprised.

“A flame lion… the crest of Elstein duke family!?”


Claire silently nodded.

The Elstein duke family. The grand nobles who had served the royal family for generations ever since the founding of the Ordesia Empire.

One of the five witches, who stood at the top among all spirit contractors, — was noble among nobles of spirit princesses, who served directly under the five great elemental lords, that were turning out in great numbers. 

No – that should have been so.

— Till four years ago, when that incident occurred.

Rubia Elstein.

The one who brought a great unprecedented calamity to the Ordesia Empire – The Calamity Queen.

She too, same as the girl in front of him, had burning-like crimson red hair.

“Don’t tell me, you’re…”

“Yes, I am her little sister. The Calamity Queen – Rubia Elstein’s”

Claire looked straight into Kamito’s eyes and nodded.

“…”

Claire Rogue. He was thinking that that was an alias.

But, by no means –

(… I see. What she cast away was the Elstein family name.)

In this large continent, there was no one who did not know about that incident.

Four years ago, the spirit princess, serving under the fire elemental lord, – Rubia Elstein suddenly snatched the strongest flame spirit, 'Laevateinn' from the shrine and disappeared.

After learning of the spirit princess’ treachery, the flame elemental lord in anger got fired up and got into frenzy.

It burned everything related to Elstein duke’s territory, including the Ordesia Empire’s land, the empire took enormous damage. And that did not put the elemental lord’s anger to peace, about a year after that, no matter what method was used, not a single fire could be lit within the Ordesia Empire.

Nobody knew why the fire spirit princess disappeared.

The Ordesia citizens furiously cursed her and, filled with hatred, called her.

—The Calamity Queen.

“I want to meet my sister. When I meet her, I want to hear the truth.”

For that, she had to get strong.

She had to obtain the strongest spirit.

With the reward given to the winner of the blade dance –

For the sake of obtaining the right of granting just one desired 'wish'.

Claire’s expression was filled with a tragic determination.

“Besides—“

Claire slightly looked down and muttered.

“This round’s blade dance had that Ren Ashbell participating.”

“…!? Kehoo, kehoo—“

Once that name came out from Claire’s mouth, Kamito reflexively coughed.

“…? What’s wrong?”

“Aaah, that’s bad…”

Ren Ashbell was the winner of the last blade dance.

She suddenly appeared three years ago, the strongest blade dancer

That blade dance was splendidly vivid. At the finals, even with Numbers candidates of spirit contractors, she overwhelmed them.

Due to her dedicated blade dance, the flame elemental lord’s rage was finally appeased.

“Three years ago, I saw her blade dance at the assembly hall. I also feel that I want to be like that, a noble, strong spirit contractor.”

Claire blushed and looked down a little embarrassed.

“Ever since that day, I’ve always admired her….”

“…I see”

Kamito looked at Claire with a complicated expression – calmly grasping his fist tightly.

...After that, it was a strange quiet time.

They tried to talk about anything a number of times but all of it did not last long.

Claire yawned cutely after eating up the dishes on the table. After filling her stomach, she seemed drowsy. Well, she did use a spirit of Scarlet’s level twice in one day, so it was natural.

“Wake me up when it’s time. If you do something funny, cinders.”

“…Wait. Does that mean I have to stay awake for the whole time?”

Kamito complained, and in front of him, Claire was making sleeping breaths.

She had an astonishingly ease to sleep.

“…Good grief, you’ll catch a cold!”

Kamito carried Claire’s petite body up like a princess.

He carried her to the bed at a corner of the room.

Scarlet walked and jumped onto the bed.

(…Even so, this fellow’s sleeping face is truly angel-like.)

While looking at the face, making the gentle sleeping breaths, Kamito smiled bitterly.

When he put Claire to the bed, her cherry blossom lips faintly moved.

“Sister….Father…Mother…”

(Sleep-talking… huh)

He seemed to have somewhat heard something he should not.

Certainly, after the incident of the Calamity Queen disappearing, Elstein duke family’s territory should have been seized and the duke and his wife imprisoned in the Balsas prison –

“…Hn, Kamito”

“…!?”

He was shocked when his name was called suddenly.

“Ahh, what are you doing, pervert…idiot.”

“…What kind of dream is she seeing!”

Kamito muttered with sighing mixed in and he stared at his hand.

After that day three years ago, he hid his left hand with a leather glove.

(You and I are the same, Claire)

(These three years, I have stayed alive to get back my important person.)

Due to his error, he lost it, his former contracted spirit –

===Part 4===

At the same instant. In every room of the female dormitory Claire lived in, a little incident occurred.

The spirits used in the spirit devices in the kitchen, bathroom and etc. suddenly began to go out of control.

After the spirit investigation party investigated the dormitory, it brought it to an end with meager words that the incident was of unknown cause –

In the darkness shined by the blue moon – a black-winged angel gently alighted at the academy tower.

It was a black haired girl, dressed in a jet black dress.

The girl landed gently on the roof of the female dormitory and smiled pitifully.

“—I wanted to meet you, Kamito”

On the girl’s palm, wriggling lumps of darkness were floating.

“But you’re still not the true you.”

She reached her hands to the empty sky and the orbs of darkness color drifted and disappeared in the night sky.

“That’s why; I’ll offer you my memories.”

The girl chuckled.

Like a cruel little girl.

Like a pure demon.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter4

2012-03-28T23:20:13Z

Xiax: Edited for better flow and grammar.

==The Wolf, the Cat and the Knight==

===Part 1===
Yare, Yare. I have suffered quite a lot since coming here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Hmm, surprisingly, not too bad."

Kamito expressed his impression of the interior.

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

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

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

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

Two months from now, the spirit blade dance would be held in the elemental spirit realm Astral Zero.

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

It was not clear what Greywhorth will have him do.

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

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

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

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

Who on earth were they?

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

Even though one was just an impostor who gained the title of strongest blade-dancer by fraud, it couldn't be for this reason that the witch had made all the trouble to summon him here. Greyworth must be holding a huge secret.

No matter what, to find out the truth, the only way was to cross blades directly in the spirit blade dance festival in two months.

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

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

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

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

"..."

....Guu, suddenly his stomach growled.

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

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

However, he decided to endure his empty stomach.

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

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

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

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

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

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

He got more hungry by thinking about food.

"Should I go to the spirit forest and collect some mushrooms now?"

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

"....hmm?"

Frowning, Kamito got up from the bed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Suddenly the bowl rose up a bit.

He stretched out his hand again.

Once again the bowl was raised.

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

Her name should be Rinslet Laurenfrost if he remembered correctly.

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

"What's the meaning of this?"

Kamito asked with half opened eye.

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

"Yeah."

Kamito noded honestly.

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

Rinslet held the bowl still, and turned her large chest sideways.

"I refuse. Bye Bye."

Bang.

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

Bang! Bang! The door was kicked repeatedly .

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

"What's that? You are going to let me have the soup now?"

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

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

"Ouch! That hurts!"

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

"Are you alright, my lady?"

Worried about Rinslet, the Maid Carol asked.

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

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

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

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

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

Kamito complained inside his mind.

"Ah"

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

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

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

"..."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Displeased, Rinslet perked up her lips.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"hmm?"

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

"Eh?"

(This young lady, by any chance----)

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

"Ahh, Wait, Rinslet!"

Kamito suddenly called out.

Rinslet winced and stopped in her steps.

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

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

"Eh?"

Rinslet's emerald green eyes open wide.

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

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

Rinslet suddenly blushed and turned her face away.

"Fufu, my lady is so..."

Carol covered her mouth and giggles.

===Part 2===

Just at this time -

"Rinslet Laurenfrost!"

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

Claire walked towards here, her red pigtails swaying .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"...!"

Provoked by Claire's words---

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

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

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

Kamito hastily calls out, but it was too late.

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

"Oh freezing beast with Ice-teeth, merciless hunter of the forest. Now is the time to abide the contract of blood, hasten to my side as commanded!"

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

Amid the roaring and swirling blizzard, a figure appeared.

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

Its body exuded a freezing chill.

"This is ..."

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

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

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

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

Claire shook her pigtails in disdain.

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

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

"Whom are you calling flat chest! Come, Scarlet!"

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

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

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

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

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

Sparks burst out between the two girls.

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

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

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

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

"Right. They have always been like this."

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

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

"Is this irony?"

Kamito grumbled with a sigh.

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

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

Magic ice spirit Fenrir---

Flame spirit Scarlet---

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

Ice and Fire collided, sending a storm bursting around.

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

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

(Because she was beaten up by the sword spirit a few hours ago---)

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

Kamito observed the fighting of the two spirits.

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

Kamito frowned and looked around.

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

It was burning.

Kamito's hut was burning fiercely.

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

"Ah, my home!"

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

"Rinslet! Pause! We got fire!"

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

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

"My home---"

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

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

Just as one thought that the white wolf suddenly disappeared in the air, in Rinslet's hands a huge <ice Longbow> appeared.

"Elemental Waffe(weapon)" the second purified form of the spirit.

"Oh freezing teeth of ice, pierce your target! <freezing arrow>!"

Rinslet pulled up an ice arrow and shoots.

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

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

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

"......"

Kamito stood motionlessly with a dumbfounded stare.

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

"Kohon", Rinslet let out a dry cough.

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

"This is not called a bit. Do you have any control of your power?"

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

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

At this time -

"What are you doing!"

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

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

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

Behind her there were two girls in the same dress.

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

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

The hastily running steps suddenly stopped.

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

Black smokes slowly rose from the charred rubble.

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

Ellis questioned Kamito, her voice charged with fury.

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

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

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

Kamito quickly explained.

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

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

Hearing the voices from behind, Ellis turned around.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"... What did you say?"

"What did you utter just now?"

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

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

"Are you that newly transferred male Seirei-Tsukai?"

"Oh, not bad. Very handsome."

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

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

"Wait, this guy is my slave spirit that I caught!"

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

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

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

"You dare to call me a countryside noble!"

Rinslet's face suddenly turns livid.

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

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

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

"My, My lady. Please calm down -"

"Fu, fufu, fu, ... Carol, I am quite calm. "

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

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

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

"- shut up. Or I'll make you into charcoal cinders."

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

(... Claire is the sister of a traitor?)

Kamito frowned.

(... what on earth is the meaning of this?)

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

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

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

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

However, from behind came a voice.

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

"What?"

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

"What did you say just now?"

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

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

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

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

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

Claire stroked the ground with her whip.

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

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

Rinslet ruffled her hair, and showed an undaunted smile.

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

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

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

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

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

"What do you mean?"

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

"The time will be 2am tonight, in front of the <door>. I'll leave it to you to decide the format."

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

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

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

"Well I will let you regret this, especially that short haired girl.
I'll definitely give her a sound beating!"

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

"Rinslet, Try not to be a burden."

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

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

"As it turns out, -"

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

"It is time to show us your strength, my slave spirit! "

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

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

<noinclude>
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| Back to [[Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter3|Chapter 3]]
| Return to [[Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter5|Chapter 5]]
|-
|}

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter3

2012-03-28T22:58:38Z

Xiax:

== Chapter 3: My Classmate is a Princess ==
===Part 1===

A stubborn footstep resounds in the academy hallway.

A sleeved uniform has been provided directly to Kamito, who was following the swaying ponytail while walking.

The uniform Greyworth prepared was a custom made design for his personal use. The fundamental collar was the same as that of the other students, a pure white, but the dress under it, certainly not a skirt. The cloth of his pants which was incorporated with holiness was worn nicely like a gentleman.

(Shit, the size is perfect..., She knew it from the very beginning.)

Kamito cursed Greyworth in his head.

“The instructor building and the student building are connected on the second floor hallway. The cafeteria is located on the first floor.”

Guiding him in the school building was the girl from before, Ellis Fahrengart.

While Kamito was changing into his uniform, Greyworth seems to have appealed to her.

At first, she openly showed a displeased face, too serious or is it her personality, throwing it away on the way and dutifully continuing to guide him.

The school building design by random has a complex design, in order to create a comfortable space for spirits, adopting the standard of the latest spirit engineering architectural style. Without any difficulties, people who are using it can be said to have completely ignored the design.

Staring at Ellis' swaying hair on both sides, Kamito recalled the conversation from earlier. After all, that witch has predicted something he can't ignore---

Hearing '''that name''' which was mentioned, Kamito was left with no other choice.

Ren Ashbell--- suddenly appeared three years ago, The Strongest Blade Play Dancer.

And, that Ren Ashbell's Contracted Spirit is---

'''A summoned spirit in the form of a young girl'''.

"..."

While walking, Kamito dropped his gaze on his left hand covered with a leather glove.

(... No, She can't be. Because, she is---)

Kamito shook his head. Trying to deny any such possibility--- he was thinking during that time.

(... Well whatever. I’ll make sure of it with my own eyes. For now I'll dance in your palm, Greyworth.)

“You...”

And, Ellis who was walking in front of him stopped.

Facing him with her hand on her waist, she sternly scowled at Kamito.

“Are you listening or what? It’s for your own good that I’m explaining these things.”

“... Um, my bad. I was thinking of something.”

“Mm, thinking of something?”

For whatever reason, Ellis face became red, and quickly started walking.

“Yo, You, are you thinking of something lewd behind my back!”

"Wai, Wait, Don't swing your blade here!"

Swinging the blade at point blank range, Kamito quickly avoids it.

(She means it... this girl!)

Apparently, it's common sense that all the students of this academy have no immunity to men.

Maybe, sometime ago when they were walking together, being conscious of the fact that Kamito was a man, may have done something to her.

"Pay attention, don’t misunderstand anything! I have never accepted you and there's no way that I'm willing to guide you, I’m just complying to the Academy Director's orders!"

“Ah, I get it. But, I never considered you as an enemy. That is because, as of today I'm a student of this academy like you.”

"I'll never accept you. Such a man as a spirit contractor, there is no way I would accept it!"

Returning on her heels, Ellis began to walk quickly.

"Altogether, why would the Academy Director want a man transferred here..."

... It seems, that he's the type who's always hated.

(Well, it can't be helped. This is my fate as the only man, in this garden of maidens.)

It's like a lion has been released in a herd of rabbits.

Naturally, the overly boxed princesses would accumulate a sense of wariness towards a man of the same age.

The <Spirit Blade Dance Festival> would be held two months later.

Living as a student, he would gradually obtain their trust.

(Hmm, yeah. Speaking of life.)

Suddenly, he became anxious in his mind.

"Hey, Ellis."

“What.”

Ellis turned around in a sullen mood.

Before you address her with her first name in a friendly manner, shouldn't you consider whether or not she would be angry?

“From today onward, where should I lodge at?”

There was no male dormitory in this academy, and there's no way that he would be given a room in the female dormitory. Would that mean attending the academy from the city at the foot of the mountain?

"Don't worry about it, the academy has prepared a lodge at great cost for you. Especially a part of the donation has been addressed in the construction cost."

"A thorn in a delicate place in a way."

... Well whatever. It's certainly better than being homeless outside in the <Spirit Forest>.

"It can be seen from this window--- there it is"

Kamito looked in the direction Ellis was pointing at.

"... Um, where is it?"

Looking around the vast grounds, it seems he can’t find any lodge house there.

"Look well, over there in the corner of the plaza square"

Ellis was pointing towards---

“That’s... my lodge?”

A splendid building with a large roof.

More spacious than an ordinary residence house, inside it are many rooms.

Beside it was a exclusive bathing area. Mangers have been piled up near its entrance.

"Is, Isn't that a stable!"

Kamito yelled loudly.

"Do you have some bad eyes? Look well."

"Ha?"

(Um, am I seeing something wrong?)

He had only seen the stable.

No, it was a stable at best. After all they are soothing their horses in that place.

(Mm?)

---And, from there Kamito discovered it.

Next to the stable, wooden planks which had been put together were erected there, was actually the lodge.

Here and there, different lengths of planks had been nailed down together.

The roof was flaky. A sudden gust of strong wind would have demolished such a lodge.

"Ah, maybe--- that one?"

"Yeah"

Ellis simply nodded.

"Where's the splendid lodge! It seems that will not even last for three days!"

"In three hours. Do not underestimate the power of my contracted spirit."

"What are you trying to do! I mean, that was built at a high cost, wasn't it?"

"A high cost. Are you satisfied now, for wasting my time because of you?"

“I’m full of dissatisfaction. It's almost a harassment towards me.”

"There's a proper bed in that thatched roof."

"I'm getting the same treatment as a horse..."

"Fu, You have a strong sense of pride. It was definitely care worthy of a horse."

The ponytail at her nape brushing on her shoulder, Ellis says clearly.

Somehow he wants to cry.

"The restroom? The bath?"

"You can use the back of the lodge as the restroom. It's bad to share a bath"

"Shared bath... with the horses."

Kamito grumbles, "Are you complaining?" Ellis scowled at him.

"Look, even in the highly unlikely event, you would try to invade the academy's restroom, my contracted spirit would turn you into a sauté mushroom."

"So, You really like to cook?"

"Aa, It's a hobby. Someday an ideal gentleman will take my hands for marriage from cooking, So I'm normally training for it."

"Really, um, by any chance can you cook for me, I'm looking forward to having a taste."

"Aa. If there's a chance, I would like to brag about my cooking... Wha, Who are you to think that I would do something like that for you!"

Zing - In a flash the blade has been swung, Kamito dodges it with a paper thin margin.

"... You. I would not have asked for your hand in marriage prior to your cooking---"

"Uh..."

With a half eye closed, being self aware, Ellis quickly glanced away.

"Another thing, Are you really the leader of the knights which maintain the discipline of this place?"

"Shu, Shut up, Are you implying that it is strange?!"

Kamito shrugged his shoulders in relief, then looks down the corridor.

"Let's step outside the dormitory for now. Where's my classroom?"

"The Raven class. Where extraordinary problem children are gathered, a fitting class for you."

"Extraordinary problem children?"

"Just as the meaning of the word. ...Mm, Why are you looking so bitter?"

"No, I don't know what you are talking about."

Kamito remembered in his head, the crimson haired young girl, he encountered inside the forest.

Seriously no way!--- A stroke of uneasiness, he couldn't shed away.

"Are you also from the Raven Class?"

Kamito tentatively asked a question.

Enough to brush the phrase "Extraordinary problem child" from the young girl.

"As if... I'm from the superior class Weasel!"

In an instance, a flash of the sword swinging.

Expectantly this time it came from below, the forelocks had slightly been cut.

"... Th, the Fahrengart hidden sword skill was fended off."

"....Therefore don't swing naturally at me with your hidden sword skill!"

Climbing up the staircase from the long corridor, Kamito finally saw his classroom.

A large wooden double leaf door with an abstract spirit shape carving was there.

Areishia Spirit Academy classrooms are arranged a floor apart from each other. Because classrooms close to each other would likely create a duel or some other commotion immediately.

"All the students attending here are princesses from noble families. It's their fate from their lineage to be here. As a regulation of the academy, personal struggles are prohibited, avoiding an endless pointless duel all around"

While sighing, Ellis clasped her fist strongly.

"We the Sylphid Knights will protect this peaceful academy from perpetrators."

"No, the one who is disturbing this peace is You---"

--- Over the said word. Kamito shuts his own mouth.

At the side of Ellis' silhouette, the deadly clear blade could be seen.

He thought that the young girl would immediately twirl the dangerous blade--- his impression of her changed a little.

She possesses the pride of a knight.

The only troubling existence of this academy, called a '''Male Spirit Contractor'''.

From the point of view of the leader of the knights who maintains public morals, Kamito has been discerned as no more than that.

Despite all of it, She told him clearly face to face.

A bit stubborn, it was an unladylike honest feeling.

"... Hm, Why are you looking at my face?"

Ellis doubtfully frowns her eyebrows.

"Well, I'm sorry for the various teasing from sometime ago."

"...? Wh, Why You, suddenly!"

The embarrassed reaction of her face seemed somewhat strangely cute.

===Part 2 ===

Looking inside the large auditorium classroom, no one was there. During this time, everyone was out. Perhaps they are all training outside in the field training area.

"It's okay so far, I'll hear the rest later from my classmates. Thanks for your guidance."

"Fu, such gratitude is unnecessary. If there was a failure to properly guide you, '''You might deliberately lose your way''' into the toilet later."

"You really have no faith in me......"

At this comparatively terrible line from the departing Ellis, Kamito let out a deep sigh.

In the tune of the first day, he must strictly gain the trust of his classmates.

While muttering, Kamito stepped into the depopulated classroom.

Then,at that moment. Swoosh, a slash sounded in the air ---

"Gueh!"

A whip forcefully coiled around Kamito's neck.

Being caught by the rough sudden attack, he had been pulled and thrown down into the corridor.

(Wh, What!?)

cough* looking around himself while coughing ---

"Kazehaya Kamito!"

Above his head, a familiar voice of a young girl descended onto him.

......honestly, a voice he doesn't want to hear.

"Y, Yo, You have escaped from me, despite being my contracted spirit!"

"Hugh, ug"

"Defying me!"

"Guh!"

Feigning ignorance of his increasingly shrill voice, the thing around his neck tightens.

(This sucks.....)

Thrown down flat onto his back, In front of Kamito ---

A blazing red haired beautiful young girl with her folded arms looking down to Kamito.

The blowing winds from the window caused her uniform’s pleated skirt to float in the air.

“Claire, You....”

A deep groan came from Kamito's throat.

"What, Do you intend to reason your way out?"

"No, in this place, I can clearly see your panties"

“Wha!”

Claire's face blushed then she quickly restrained her skirt.

"Pe, Pe, Pe, Pervert~!"

Gogogogogogogogogo......!

A heat haze coming from Claire's body was rising.

No. It was not a heat haze. It was a completely burning Astral Zero's flame.

"It seems, you really want to be turned into cinders, Kamito?"

"Wai, Wait, not yet!"

Kamito felt that his life was seriously in danger, and quickly shook his head.

"Black is too early for you"

"...............gu!"

Strike* --- then Claire's whole body solidified.

From her neck to the tip of her ears, it was boiling in deep red ---

"It, It's not black! It is always white, black is....rarely, are you trying to say, I'm an idiot!"

fwump*. .......it seems to have overheated.

In her weakness, she collapses onto the ground.

Being overly boxed into an ideal priestess was her greatest weakness.

.......Although, She is a really good spirit contractor.

"Uugh, this is the second time...... I can't become a bride anymore"

With both of her knees on the floor, Claire is weeping gloomily.

......Somewhat, it was an astoundingly bad emotion.

"My bad....don't cry, ok?"

Kamito stands up then approaches her, Claire glares at him.

.....Frightening. A line of sight that can burn a person.

She wipes her tears with her uniform sleeve, then clenches her leather whip tightly.

"Kazehaya Kamito"

"Wh, What?"

"I, I'm quite generous, so I'll give you one chance to explain"

Hidden within her obviously shaking voice was her frightful tone.

........Extremely angry.

"Sometime ago, Why did you escape?"

"No, It's common sense that I would think of escaping"

Kamito unintentionally replies immediately.

An answer --- that he regrets.

"......I got it. There's only death for a fugitive slave"

"Wa, Wait, Calm down. From a spirit I have become a slave?!"

"Slave, You're my '''slave spirit'''!"

"A new species of spirit was born, yet to be announced by the Spirit Research Agency"

Incidentally in the large harmonious <Spirit Forest>, there are species of spirit yet to be found.

"Ch, Cheeky slave --- No, a slave spirit isn't it!"

"Uwah, I gi.....give, give up, seriously I'll die!"

Forcefully the thing in his neck ruthlessly tightens, and his consciousness was likely to jump about.

(The knight group, what are they doing! A murder is about to happen inside the academy!)

Looking around in the corridor with no sign of any student.

"By the way ---"

Then, a rather displeased mood was gathering up in Claire's face.

"Sometime ago, you were speaking with the knight group's Ellis Fahrengart, '''you seemed to be getting along well with her'''. What does that mean?"

"*cough, the thing you saw that seemed as if we were getting along together? She was just guiding me"

"Guide? Why?"

"Because today, I have specially transferred into this academy"

"Ha?..... You have transferred? Here at Areishia Spirit Academy?"

Claire spreads open her eyes, then looks to Kamito's uniformed figure, she just noticed it now.

"No way....you are a man!"

"Aa. But, you have seen me contracting a spirit"

Kamito shows his shaking right hand where the spirit carved seal was imprinted.

"I'm a '''male spirit contractor'''. It's Greyworth, the one who called me who is to blame"

"........"

Therefore, Claire ---

Lost in thought, put her finger in her cherry colored lips.

"Really, what........a transfer student......"

pfft* pfft* a solitary laugh immerses from whitin her.

(......this gal is quite mature, even though she is usually a cute young girl)

And, while staring at her face, Kamito thinks such a thing.

Claire suddenly raised her face, then turned around from him.

"Um, because you are here, perhaps, you are also from Raven class?"

"Yeah. .....come to think of it. You have the same class"

"Yeah. I'm also from Raven class!"

Unimaginably, Claire ends it with a cheerful voice. Somehow she seems awfully happy.

Also in negligence, involuntarily she has a smiling face.

"Say, since it has been put that way, I'll give you another chance Kamito"

"What chance?"

"Contract. Without a doubt, this time become my exclusive contracted spirit Kamito"

"Wh, Why me, why should I be the one to do that"

"Fu, It's natural! Because, You have stolen my spirit"

Bending forward with her unfortunate breasts, Claire pointed her index finger at his front eyes.

As always, she had an arrogant reason.

(......An annoying girl)

Kamito is really quite irritated. Particularly, with no gratitude for saving her life, he had been called a thief.

--- He doesn't want to be scolded by this arrogant princess.

"Okay. I'll bind a spirit contract with you, alright"

Helplessly, Kamito purposely nods his head.

"........eh? um, so, at last you have finally become obedient"

She thought that he would be more resistant. Due to the unexpected response, Claire as though quite bewildered nodded.

"In that case ---"
[[Image:STnBD_V01_088.jpg|Slowly, Kamito raised Claire's chin by his fingertip. |thumb]]
Slowly, Kamito raised Claire's chin by his fingertip.

"Ha?, wha, wha, what are you doing?"

"Doing, a spirit contract? An high level humanoid spirit contract..... you understand?"

"A......."

Claire's face froze.

A high level humanoid contract.

In short, It was ---

"'''A contract by kiss''', isn't it?"

Kamito said it, and Claire's face blushed in red.

"Uh, not, to that extent --- you don't have to, I mean, that"

In a panicky irritable tone, she shakes her head furiously.

"Eve, Even without any such formality, I don't mind...."

"Are you scared?"

"I, I'm not particularly scared! um, but, that......"

"Don't, worry"

Shortening the distance of his body towards Claire's ear, Kamito whispers teasing her.

"Eh, quite......gross!?"

(.......Seriously, I don't have such an absolute tolerance)

Such a cute reaction, of course I would want to bully her.

Slowly bringing his face closer to her thin cherry color lips.

"Um, sorry, I apologize......so.....forgive me"

"Too late ---"

"Su, such a contract!"

Claire gives up then closes her eyes.

(An obedient girl.....)

Kamito smiles bitterly in his mind.

Of course, he does not seriously plan to contract by kiss.

It was a terrible lie for his revenge, he does not intend to go that far for this devilish young girl.

Soon, he will break it --- then, he will detach his body, in that time.

"Will, You?"

puff*, then he was tapped from behind his shoulders.

Kamito slowly timidly* turns around.

In that place ---

"What are you doing, here in this sacred institute Areishia Spirit Academy?"

A gentle smile floated from the beautiful woman standing there.

She seems to be in the middle of her twenties. Hanging, stretching out from her black hair were her black rim eye glasses.

She was wearing a dark grey suit on top of her long white robe hem.

"I'm the one in charge of the Raven Class, Freya Grandori. I've heard of you from the Academy Director. The Academy's first ever male spirit contractor"

While keeping her smile, the beautiful woman introduces herself.

However, her eyes were not smiling.

"Now, what did you do to make our princess cry, bastard?"

=== Part 3 ===

Kamito rises up onto the platform, causing some quiet murmurs within the classroom.

Transferred as a male spirit contractor, from rumors it may seem, but, they don't often get the chance to meet a young boy of the same age, they can't hide their anxiety and curiosity from him.

"Is that a male spirit contractor ---"

"Do you have some bad eyes. He looks like a murderer"

"Seems like he has already raped Claire Rouge"

"Wh, What rape?"

"I, I don't know, but....so, somewhat, perverted!"

"However, his delinquent look, is quite cool ♪"

"Don't be fooled by his outward appearance. Because every man is such a perverted beast"

"Rumor has it that he has also done it with Ellis Fahrengart"

"eeh, seriously with the leader of the knights? By the way, done what?"

"I don't know but..... so, somewhat, detestable!"

.......*whisper *whisper.

(.......What, they are talking nonsensically)

While watching through the old theater like structure of the classroom, Kamito let out a sigh.

The number of students are fourteen, five person more. Everyone has been brought up as a princess. Almost all of them are looking towards Kamito with interest, but some of the girls seemed really scared.

(Well, It was an expected reaction from them.)

After all, first and foremost they can't imagine a male spirit contractor, formerly the name of an ancient demon king who brought disaster and chaos to the continent. ..... has an excessively bad image.

Inside the classroom being rained with needles by their glances, Kamito immediately ran away.

Especially coming from the middle is an intense glare --- the one in the front seat, sitting there was the red haired young girl.

Claire's glare that can burn people merely by her sight was fixed staring at Kamito.

"Burn, Burn, Burn......"

beep* beep* cursing words.

Apparently, from a while ago up until now, she still seems angry. --- obviously.

For that, Kamito regrets it a bit too much.

(If I don't properly apologize later)

"obliterate into coal, obliterate into coal, obliterate into coal....."

.......don't know whether he would be forgiven when he apologizes.

"Arg. you chirp. Shut the fuck up. Credit minus for you. Bastard"

The professor in charge Freya Grandori, hit the desk with the class list, and the classroom becomes silent.

She was not a subject professor who lectures, but a member of the spirit research agency who is traveling in every region of the <Spirit Forest> of the continent performing field work.

"Here, hurry up and introduce yourself"

The eye glasses worn by the beautiful woman gives her an intellectual appearance, but, the opening of her mouth let out a strong expression.

Well, she often speaks in an energetic disposition. Slightly like that of a rude person.

Kamito steps forward in front of the podium, and briefly introduces himself.

"Kazehaya Kamito, sixteen years old. As you can see I'm a male spirit contractor however......so, don't be afraid and let us get along with each other thanks."

The thought was too simple, besides not being able to communicate at all.

'''He can't talk about his secrets''', in this case there are several.

Our classmate reaction is ---

"Like, ordinary......right?"

"Yeah, ordinary. Not much of a demon king"

.....oh?

"However, seems like, I have fallen for him ♪"

"A, see. Proud look, seems like he wants to protect?"

For a short moment they became quiet, then they began murmuring again.

(Wh, What is this fluffy sweet feeling?)

Due to the unexpected reaction of the young girls, Kamito was puzzled.

More than with chilly eyes, he has been viewed by mocking eyes.

Beside, the sensation he felt earlier from the girls' reaction is very light.

Guessing Kamito's doubt, Madam Freya whisper into his ear.

"Ah, here in this place they are unladylike, in public they shift their impression. After all, they are handling the most puzzling neighbor to human: 'the spirit' and because they are always out of contact. Well, You as a male spirit contractor and so forth..... by the way, they are just curious in many ways in a young boy of the same age."

(Really, They are such ---)

Since it was put that way, it might be a little easier.

"u, um, Kamito.....you?"

And, one of the girls timidly raised her hand.

"Ya, Yeah, What?"

"um, umm, wha, what's your, favorite food?"

"Eh? Well, anything.....if anything, I like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratin Gratin]"

"Ordinary!" "Quite Ordinary!" "The answer should be like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyotaimori Nyoitaimori]!" "Cute!"

bla* bla* bla*.

.....What's this. A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyotaimori Nyoitaimori]?

Starting with that girl, one by one they poured questions towards him.

"Where is your home town?" "Your three sizes?" "Where are you going to take your bath?"

.....Princess, It was almost sexual harassment.

And, from these questions his face up to his ears became red.

"Have you determined your team yet?"

"Team?"

"You will have to decide, for this present <Spirit Blade Play Dance Festival>'s team"

"Aa---"

The <Spirit Blade Play Dance Festival> that would be held two months later is a five person team group battle ceremony. Kamito as one person can't enter by himself, he needs to find other spirit contractors and form a team.

"As of now, I don't have a team yet. I'm going to look for my other fellow teammates now"

In two months, whether he would find such persons, he doesn't know.

"Is it true, that you have tamed the sword <sealed spirit> that no one has been able to contract?"

"Wh?"

Kamito doubtful eyebrow frowned. Seems like he doesn't want to talk about the story this morning.

What on earth ---

"Yeah, and the spirit Kamito tamed is supposed to be mine!"

Slowly rising, the no pride curve chest Claire.

"......as I thought, you!"

A princess shriek* a blame on him in that time.

"Kamito, You and Claire, what's your relationship?"

"Master and Slave Spirit relationship!"

"In such situation! I mean, you aren't supposed to answer it!"

Claire answers it with her hands on her hips, while Kamito panicked.

"What, an insolent slave spirit"

"When did I become your slave spirit!"

Watching the interaction between these two people, the girls become more and more excited.

Now they can't longer control ---

Madam Freya bam* strikes her desk. The classroom settles down.

"Arg, You are lowering my limits. Listen, hurry up and choose your favorite seat"

"Ye, Yes.....!"

Madam Freya sends a lifeboat, Kamito gladly rides on it.

Of course, he preferred to sit a little far from the red haired princess, he starts walking towards one of the seats in the back.

In that moment. Pashii* a torturing leather whip coiled around his neck.

"Arg!"

The neck being strangled, in that way, he has been pulled backward.

"*cough *cough, what are you doing!"

"Where are you going? Your seat is next to me."

"Hah, Who will sit in such a dangerous seat? uooooh--"

While his neck is being strangled, Kamito tries to move forward.

"hm, trying to oppose me. I'll show you who's the master!"

scratch* scratch* scratch* scratch*...........!

Kamito tries to unfasten the whip, Claire doesn't allow it by skillfully judging her whip.

"dddd.....da, mn......"

He can't breathe. More and more the oxygen ceased to circulate in his brain, at that time.

Swoosh* the sound of a gust of wind, Kamito's body was suddenly released.

"Oooowahh.......!"

Kamito lost his balance and trips over the staircase.

What on earth happened ---

".......h!?"

Turning around, in front of him standing stabbed into the floor was a sharp arrow.

Not a metal arrow. It's a clear ice arrow sparkling from the reflection of the sunlight.

(......Is this, an elemental waffe?)

The same as Claire's flame whip, the incarnation of their spirit is turned into their weapon form.

"Who are you......?"

"A disgrace, Claire Rouge"

An elegant voice was heard in the highest part of the classroom.

Kamito who has fallen, looks up and there ---

An extravagant platinum blonde beautiful young girl, standing with her hands on her hips.

A high class princess as featured in a painted picture. Her skin is as white as the first snow.

The color of her pupils is a fine emerald green in pale radiance.

A charming smile appeared, calmly looking down at Claire.

".......w, what's your intention, Rinslet Laurenfrost!"

Claire depreciates her. Expressing her anger by the color of her ruby eyes, it seems like she would bite at any moment.

"Give up, because I'm saying that he will be sitting next to me"

hmmp*, combing her platinum blonde hair, a princess' declaration.

With a single word, although not even a word --- somehow he was saved.

Kamito was about to stand up when the blonde haired princess gracefully came down the stairs.

Before Kamito can straighten up, she stares at him evaluating.

As the adorable beautiful girl is intently staring at him, Kamito's eye unintentionally diverted.

"Hmm, the face is not so bad"

Rinslet seems satisfied nodded and,

"Ne, You, become my servant?"

"Ha?"

Suddenly, she began saying an unexpected thing.

"Do, Don't touch him as you please, this guy is my slave spirit!"

Claire ran up on the stairs, and immediately grasps Kamito's arm.

"When did I became yours"

"Shut up!"

Claire pulls, squeezing his arm.

The upper arm touched her breast, Kamito involuntarily frightened jumps up.

Although it was almost '''none''' --- She was still a sixteen year old young girl.

A reasonable elastic feeling was all that was needed and his heart would be pounding.

But ---

fuyoyon~*

In his other arms, '''an utterly other dimensional sensation could be felt'''!

"Ara, can't you say where who you specifically belong to?"

Rinslet held Kamito's left arm shrewdly with both hands.

Claire's unfortunate difference, in that place considerably, that......of volume.

(Wai, Wait, this is.......!)

Pressed from both sides with soft touch feeling, Kamito's face gatsu* becomes hot.

"Re, Release, fool!"

"What did you say, flat chested!"

A crackling spark scatters from the two princesses glaring at each other.

funyu*. fuyon~*. fukyun~*.

......Though it seems good, but if they don't release his arms first, it seems like his heart would explode.

And, at that time.

"Owawawah, pri, princess, don't give more hardship to Mr. transfer student!"

From above the classroom, A young girl in maid clothes came running down.

(.....ha? A maid?)

Kamito spreads his eyes, staring at the young girl's appearance.

A waving long skirt with frills. A short bob trim cut black hair. A white brim that nicely suits her is resting on top of her head.

No matter how you look at it, she's a fine maid.

(........Why is there a maid here in this academy!?)

Looks like she is calling her master, it seems she is this blonde princess' maid.

But in any case, she is to moderate her lady's decency. Without a doubt, at least she was against this sour dispute. Kamito embraces a dim hope, but at that time.

"Princess......Kyaaaaah!"

The maid fell.

In the middle of the stairs, another impressive fall.

"Carol!?"

Rinslet's face becomes pale.

(......damn!)

Kamito shakes off the two people in his arms, and jumps kicking off the floor.

"Hiaaaaaaah!"

A scream while in some way catching the falling maid's flying body, turning his arms around the young girl's head preventing it from being hurt, and tumbling down the stairs.

The two people hugging each other while rolling* down, finally stopped.

".......hm, you, hurt ---"

And, opens his mouth --- thereupon Kamito's thoughts froze.

In his front. fuyon~, there's a large soft thing.

Under the neat and tidy cloth of the maid, a melon greater than that of Rinslet.
[[Image:STnBD_V01_103.jpg|"U......um, .........uaah, I'm sorry!"　fuwa~* Tears began floating in the maid young girl's black pupil. |thumb]]
"U......um, .........uaah, I'm sorry!"

fuwa~* Tears began floating in the young maid's black pupils.

kaatsu* her face blushes, panicky* stands up ---

"He, hey......mo, mogugugu~!"

The nose of Kamito, more and more pressed by her breast.

(I'm in trouble.....I can't breath....)

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

At the sight of two persons intertwined with each other, the classroom's young girls raise a yellow colored scream.

"Pe, Pervert!" "As I thought a lewd beast!" "Reincarnation of the demon king!"

"N, No, I'm.........mogugugu.....!"

Hurrying attempting to deny, his voice is being absorbed by the well rounded breast.

Gogogogogogogogo.........!

".......?"

Suddenly, A rumbling sound can be heard from above.

......An earthquake. Perhaps.

Somehow, it has a very, very bad sensation.

Looking up from the valley of the breast ---

There, the shape of Claire holding a blazing flame whip.

"thi, thi, this ero spirit~!"

"Wait, It can't be helped no matter how you look at it...."

"Shu, Shut up, Please turn into cinder!"

(Why is it that it always becomes like this.....)

While Kamito groans hopelessly, the whip ruthlessly swings at him with no mercy.

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| Back to [[Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter2|Chapter 2]]
| Return to [[Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter4|Chapter 4]]
|-
|}

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter3

2012-03-28T22:56:59Z

Xiax: Editted chapter 3 for better flow and grammar.

== Chapter 3: My Classmate is a Princess ==
===Part 1===

A stubborn footstep resounds in the academy hallway.

A sleeved uniform has been provided directly to Kamito, who was following the swaying ponytail while walking.

The uniform Greyworth prepared was a custom made design for his personal use. The fundamental collar was the same as that of the other students, a pure white, but the dress under it, certainly not a skirt. The cloth of his pants which was incorporated with holiness was worn nicely like a gentleman.

(Shit, the size is perfect..., She knew it from the very beginning.)

Kamito cursed Greyworth in his head.

“The instructor building and the student building are connected on the second floor hallway. The cafeteria is located on the first floor.”

Guiding him in the school building was the girl from before, Ellis Fahrengart.

While Kamito was changing into his uniform, Greyworth seems to have appealed to her.

At first, she openly showed a displeased face, too serious or is it her personality, throwing it away on the way and dutifully continuing to guide him.

The school building design by random has a complex design, in order to create a comfortable space for spirits, adopting the standard of the latest spirit engineering architectural style. Without any difficulties, people who are using it can be said to have completely ignored the design.

Staring at Ellis' swaying hair on both sides, Kamito recalled the conversation from earlier. After all, that witch has predicted something he can't ignore---

Hearing '''that name''' which was mentioned, Kamito was left with no other choice.

Ren Ashbell--- suddenly appeared three years ago, The Strongest Blade Play Dancer.

And, that Ren Ashbell's Contracted Spirit is---

'''A summoned spirit in the form of a young girl'''.

"..."

While walking, Kamito dropped his gaze on his left hand covered with a leather glove.

(... No, She can't be. Because, she is---)

Kamito shook his head. Trying to deny any such possibility--- he was thinking during that time.

(... Well whatever. I’ll make sure of it with my own eyes. For now I'll dance in your palm, Greyworth.)

“You...”

And, Ellis who was walking in front of him stopped.

Facing him with her hand on her waist, she sternly scowled at Kamito.

“Are you listening or what? It’s for your own good that I’m explaining these things.”

“... Um, my bad. I was thinking of something.”

“Mm, thinking of something?”

For whatever reason, Ellis face became red, and quickly started walking.

“Yo, You, are you thinking of something lewd behind my back!”

"Wai, Wait, Don't swing your blade here!"

Swinging the blade at point blank range, Kamito quickly avoids it.

(She means it... this girl!)

Apparently, it's common sense that all the students of this academy have no immunity to men.

Maybe, sometime ago when they were walking together, being conscious of the fact that Kamito was a man, may have done something to her.

"Pay attention, don’t misunderstand anything! I have never accepted you and there's no way that I'm willing to guide you, I’m just complying to the Academy Director's orders!"

“Ah, I get it. But, I never considered you as an enemy. That is because, as of today I'm a student of this academy like you.”

"I'll never accept you. Such a man as a spirit contractor, there is no way I would accept it!"

Returning on her heels, Ellis began to walk quickly.

"Altogether, why would the Academy Director want a man transferred here..."

... It seems, that he's the type who's always hated.

(Well, it can't be helped. This is my fate as the only man, in this garden of maidens.)

It's like a lion has been released in a herd of rabbits.

Naturally, the overly boxed princesses would accumulate a sense of wariness towards a man of the same age.

The <Spirit Blade Dance Festival> would be held two months later.

Living as a student, he would gradually obtain their trust.

(Hmm, yeah. Speaking of life.)

Suddenly, he became anxious in his mind.

"Hey, Ellis."

“What.”

Ellis turned around in a sullen mood.

Before you address her with her first name in a friendly manner, shouldn't you consider whether or not she would be angry?

“From today onward, where should I lodge at?”

There was no male dormitory in this academy, and there's no way that he would be given a room in the female dormitory. Would that mean attending the academy from the city at the foot of the mountain?

"Don't worry about it, the academy has prepared a lodge at great cost for you. Especially a part of the donation has been addressed in the construction cost."

"A thorn in a delicate place in a way."

... Well whatever. It's certainly better than being homeless outside in the <Spirit Forest>.

"It can be seen from this window--- there it is"

Kamito looked in the direction Ellis was pointing at.

"... Um, where is it?"

Looking around the vast grounds, it seems he can’t find any lodge house there.

"Look well, over there in the corner of the plaza square"

Ellis was pointing towards---

“That’s... my lodge?”

A splendid building with a large roof.

More spacious than an ordinary residence house, inside it are many rooms.

Beside it was a exclusive bathing area. Mangers have been piled up near its entrance.

"Is, Isn't that a stable!"

Kamito yelled loudly.

"Do you have some bad eyes? Look well."

"Ha?"

(Um, am I seeing something wrong?)

He had only seen the stable.

No, it was a stable at best. After all they are soothing their horses in that place.

(Mm?)

---And, from there Kamito discovered it.

Next to the stable, wooden planks which had been put together were erected there, was actually the lodge.

Here and there, different lengths of planks had been nailed down together.

The roof was flaky. A sudden gust of strong wind would have demolished such a lodge.

"Ah, maybe--- that one?"

"Yeah"

Ellis simply nodded.

"Where's the splendid lodge! It seems that will not even last for three days!"

"In three hours. Do not underestimate the power of my contracted spirit."

"What are you trying to do! I mean, that was built at a high cost, wasn't it?"

"A high cost. Are you satisfied now, for wasting my time because of you?"

“I’m full of dissatisfaction. It's almost a harassment towards me.”

"There's a proper bed in that thatched roof."

"I'm getting the same treatment as a horse..."

"Fu, You have a strong sense of pride. It was definitely care worthy of a horse."

The ponytail at her nape brushing on her shoulder, Ellis says clearly.

Somehow he wants to cry.

"The restroom? The bath?"

"You can use the back of the lodge as the restroom. It's bad to share a bath"

"Shared bath... with the horses."

Kamito grumbles, "Are you complaining?" Ellis scowled at him.

"Look, even in the highly unlikely event, you would try to invade the academy's restroom, my contracted spirit would turn you into a sauté mushroom."

"So, You really like to cook?"

"Aa, It's a hobby. Someday an ideal gentleman will take my hands for marriage from cooking, So I'm normally training for it."

"Really, um, by any chance can you cook for me, I'm looking forward to having a taste."

"Aa. If there's a chance, I would like to brag about my cooking... Wha, Who are you to think that I would do something like that for you!"

Zing - In a flash the blade has been swung, Kamito dodges it with a paper thin margin.

"... You. I would not have asked for your hand in marriage prior to your cooking---"

"Uh..."

With a half eye closed, being self aware, Ellis quickly glanced away.

"Another thing, Are you really the leader of the knights which maintain the discipline of this place?"

"Shu, Shut up, Are you implying that it is strange?!"

Kamito shrugged his shoulders in relief, then looks down the corridor.

"Let's step outside the dormitory for now. Where's my classroom?"

"The Raven class. Where extraordinary problem children are gathered, a fitting class for you."

"Extraordinary problem children?"

"Just as the meaning of the word. ...Mm, Why are you looking so bitter?"

"No, I don't know what you are talking about."

Kamito remembered in his head, the crimson haired young girl, he encountered inside the forest.

Seriously no way!--- A stroke of uneasiness, he couldn't shed away.

"Are you also from the Raven Class?"

Kamito tentatively asked a question.

Enough to brush the phrase "Extraordinary problem child" from the young girl.

"As if... I'm from the superior class Weasel!"

In an instance, a flash of the sword swinging.

Expectantly this time it came from below, the forelocks had slightly been cut.

"... Th, the Fahrengart hidden sword skill was fended off."

"....Therefore don't swing naturally at me with your hidden sword skill!"

Climbing up the staircase from the long corridor, Kamito finally saw his classroom.

A large wooden double leaf door with an abstract spirit shape carving was there.

Areishia Spirit Academy classrooms are arranged a floor apart from each other. Because classrooms close to each other would likely create a duel or some other commotion immediately.

"All the students attending here are princesses from noble families. It's their fate from their lineage to be here. As a regulation of the academy, personal struggles are prohibited, avoiding an endless pointless duel all around"

While sighing, Ellis clasped her fist strongly.

"We the Sylphid Knights will protect this peaceful academy from perpetrators."

"No, the one who is disturbing this peace is You---"

--- Over the said word. Kamito shuts his own mouth.

At the side of Ellis' silhouette, the deadly clear blade could be seen.

He thought that the young girl would immediately twirl the dangerous blade--- his impression of her changed a little.

She possesses the pride of a knight.

The only troubling existence of this academy, called a '''Male Spirit Contractor'''.

From the point of view of the leader of the knights who maintains public morals, Kamito has been discerned as no more than that.

Despite all of it, She told him clearly face to face.

A bit stubborn, it was an unladylike honest feeling.

"... Hm, Why are you looking at my face?"

Ellis doubtfully frowns her eyebrows.

"Well, I'm sorry for the various teasing from sometime ago."

"...? Wh, Why You, suddenly!"

The embarrassed reaction of her face seemed somewhat strangely cute.

===Part 2 ===

Looking inside the large auditorium classroom, no one was there. During this time, everyone was out. Perhaps they are all training outside in the field training area.

"It's okay so far, I'll hear the rest later from my classmates. Thanks for your guidance."

"Fu, such gratitude is unnecessary. If there was a failure to properly guide you, '''You might deliberately lose your way''' into the toilet later."

"You really have no faith in me......"

At this comparatively terrible line from the departing Ellis, Kamito let out a deep sigh.

In the tune of the first day, he must strictly gain the trust of his classmates.

While muttering, Kamito stepped into the depopulated classroom.

Then,at that moment. Swoosh, a slash sounded in the air ---

"Gueh!"

A whip forcefully coiled around Kamito's neck.

Being caught by the rough sudden attack, he had been pulled and thrown down into the corridor.

(Wh, What!?)

cough* looking around himself while coughing ---

"Kazehaya Kamito!"

Above his head, a familiar voice of a young girl descended onto him.

......honestly, a voice he doesn't want to hear.

"Y, Yo, You have escaped from me, despite being my contracted spirit!"

"Hugh, ug"

"Defying me!"

"Guh!"

Feigning ignorance of his increasingly shrill voice, the thing around his neck tightens.

(This sucks.....)

Thrown down flat onto his back, In front of Kamito ---

A blazing red haired beautiful young girl with her folded arms looking down to Kamito.

The blowing winds from the window caused her uniform’s pleated skirt to float in the air.

“Claire, You....”

A deep groan came from Kamito's throat.

"What, Do you intend to reason your way out?"

"No, in this place, I can clearly see your panties"

“Wha!”

Claire's face blushed then she quickly restrained her skirt.

"Pe, Pe, Pe, Pervert~!"

Gogogogogogogogogo......!

A heat haze coming from Claire's body was rising.

No. It was not a heat haze. It was a completely burning Astral Zero's flame.

"It seems, you really want to be turned into cinders, Kamito?"

"Wai, Wait, not yet!"

Kamito felt that his life was seriously in danger, and quickly shook his head.

"Black is too early for you"

"...............gu!"

Strike* --- then Claire's whole body solidified.

From her neck to the tip of her ears, it was boiling in deep red ---

"It, It's not black! It is always white, black is....rarely, are you trying to say, I'm an idiot!"

fwump*. .......it seems to have overheated.

In her weakness, she collapses onto the ground.

Being overly boxed into an ideal priestess was her greatest weakness.

.......Although, She is a really good spirit contractor.

"Uugh, this is the second time...... I can't become a bride anymore"

With both of her knees on the floor, Claire is weeping gloomily.

......Somewhat, it was an astoundingly bad emotion.

"My bad....don't cry, ok?"

Kamito stands up then approaches her, Claire glares at him.

.....Frightening. A line of sight that can burn a person.

She wipes her tears with her uniform sleeve, then clenches her leather whip tightly.

"Kazehaya Kamito"

"Wh, What?"

"I, I'm quite generous, so I'll give you one chance to explain"

Hidden within her obviously shaking voice was her frightful tone.

........Extremely angry.

"Sometime ago, Why did you escape?"

"No, It's common sense that I would think of escaping"

Kamito unintentionally replies immediately.

An answer --- that he regrets.

"......I got it. There's only death for a fugitive slave"

"Wa, Wait, Calm down. From a spirit I have become a slave?!"

"Slave, You're my '''slave spirit'''!"

"A new species of spirit was born, yet to be announced by the Spirit Research Agency"

Incidentally in the large harmonious <Spirit Forest>, there are species of spirit yet to be found.

"Ch, Cheeky slave --- No, a slave spirit isn't it!"

"Uwah, I gi.....give, give up, seriously I'll die!"

Forcefully the thing in his neck ruthlessly tightens, and his consciousness was likely to jump about.

(The knight group, what are they doing! A murder is about to happen inside the academy!)

Looking around in the corridor with no sign of any student.

"By the way ---"

Then, a rather displeased mood was gathering up in Claire's face.

"Sometime ago, you were speaking with the knight group's Ellis Fahrengart, '''you seemed to be getting along well with her'''. What does that mean?"

"*cough, the thing you saw that seemed as if we were getting along together? She was just guiding me"

"Guide? Why?"

"Because today, I have specially transferred into this academy"

"Ha?..... You have transferred? Here at Areishia Spirit Academy?"

Claire spreads open her eyes, then looks to Kamito's uniformed figure, she just noticed it now.

"No way....you are a man!"

"Aa. But, you have seen me contracting a spirit"

Kamito shows his shaking right hand where the spirit carved seal was imprinted.

"I'm a '''male spirit contractor'''. It's Greyworth, the one who called me who is to blame"

"........"

Therefore, Claire ---

Lost in thought, put her finger in her cherry colored lips.

"Really, what........a transfer student......"

pfft* pfft* a solitary laugh immerses from whitin her.

(......this gal is quite mature, even though she is usually a cute young girl)

And, while staring at her face, Kamito thinks such a thing.

Claire suddenly raised her face, then turned around from him.

"Um, because you are here, perhaps, you are also from Raven class?"

"Yeah. .....come to think of it. You have the same class"

"Yeah. I'm also from Raven class!"

Unimaginably, Claire ends it with a cheerful voice. Somehow she seems awfully happy.

Also in negligence, involuntarily she has a smiling face.

"Say, since it has been put that way, I'll give you another chance Kamito"

"What chance?"

"Contract. Without a doubt, this time become my exclusive contracted spirit Kamito"

"Wh, Why me, why should I be the one to do that"

"Fu, It's natural! Because, You have stolen my spirit"

Bending forward with her unfortunate breasts, Claire pointed her index finger at his front eyes.

As always, she had an arrogant reason.

(......An annoying girl)

Kamito is really quite irritated. Particularly, with no gratitude for saving her life, he had been called a thief.

--- He doesn't want to be scolded by this arrogant princess.

"Okay. I'll bind a spirit contract with you, alright"

Helplessly, Kamito purposely nods his head.

"........eh? um, so, at last you have finally become obedient"

She thought that he would be more resistant. Due to the unexpected response, Claire as though quite bewildered nodded.

"In that case ---"
[[Image:STnBD_V01_088.jpg|Slowly, Kamito raised Claire's chin by his fingertip. |thumb]]
Slowly, Kamito raised Claire's chin by his fingertip.

"Ha?, wha, wha, what are you doing?"

"Doing, a spirit contract? An high level humanoid spirit contract..... you understand?"

"A......."

Claire's face froze.

A high level humanoid contract.

In short, It was ---

"'''A contract by kiss''', isn't it?"

Kamito said it, and Claire's face blushed in red.

"Uh, not, to that extent --- you don't have to, I mean, that"

In a panicky irritable tone, she shakes her head furiously.

"Eve, Even without any such formality, I don't mind...."

"Are you scared?"

"I, I'm not particularly scared! um, but, that......"

"Don't, worry"

Shortening the distance of his body towards Claire's ear, Kamito whispers teasing her.

"Eh, quite......gross!?"

(.......Seriously, I don't have such an absolute tolerance)

Such a cute reaction, of course I would want to bully her.

Slowly bringing his face closer to her thin cherry color lips.

"Um, sorry, I apologize......so.....forgive me"

"Too late ---"

"Su, such a contract!"

Claire gives up then closes her eyes.

(An obedient girl.....)

Kamito smiles bitterly in his mind.

Of course, he does not seriously plan to contract by kiss.

It was a terrible lie for his revenge, he does not intend to go that far for this devilish young girl.

Soon, he will break it --- then, he will detach his body, in that time.

"Will, You?"

puff*, then he was tapped from behind his shoulders.

Kamito slowly timidly* turns around.

In that place ---

"What are you doing, here in this sacred institute Areishia Spirit Academy?"

A gentle smile floated from the beautiful woman standing there.

She seems to be in the middle of her twenties. Hanging, stretching out from her black hair were her black rim eye glasses.

She was wearing a dark grey suit on top of her long white robe hem.

"I'm the one in charge of the Raven Class, Freya Grandori. I've heard of you from the Academy Director. The Academy's first ever male spirit contractor"

While keeping her smile, the beautiful woman introduces herself.

However, her eyes were not smiling.

"Now, what did you do to make our princess cry, bastard?"

=== Part 3 ===

Kamito rises up onto the platform, causing some quiet murmurs within the classroom.

Transferred as a male spirit contractor, from rumors it may seem, but, they don't often get the chance to meet a young boy of the same age, they can't hide their anxiety and curiosity from him.

"Is that a male spirit contractor ---"

"Do you have some bad eyes. He looks like a murderer"

"Seems like he has already raped Claire Rouge"

"Wh, What rape?"

"I, I don't know, but....so, somewhat, perverted!"

"However, his delinquent look, is quite cool ♪"

"Don't be fooled by his outward appearance. Because every man is such a perverted beast"

"Rumor has it that he has also done it with Ellis Fahrengart"

"eeh, seriously with the leader of the knights? By the way, done what?"

"I don't know but..... so, somewhat, detestable!"

.......*whisper *whisper.

(.......What, they are talking nonsensically)

While watching through the old theater like structure of the classroom, Kamito let out a sigh.

The number of students are fourteen, five person more. Everyone has been brought up as a princess. Almost all of them are looking towards Kamito with interest, but some of the girls seemed really scared.

(Well, It was an expected reaction from them.)

After all, first and foremost they can't imagine a male spirit contractor, formerly the name of an ancient demon king who brought disaster and chaos to the continent. ..... has an excessively bad image.

Inside the classroom being rained with needles by their glances, Kamito immediately ran away.

Especially coming from the middle is an intense glare --- the one in the front seat, sitting there was the red haired young girl.

Claire's glare that can burn people merely by her sight was fixed staring at Kamito.

"Burn, Burn, Burn......"

beep* beep* cursing words.

Apparently, from a while ago up until now, she still seems angry. --- obviously.

For that, Kamito regrets it a bit too much.

(If I don't properly apologize later)

"obliterate into coal, obliterate into coal, obliterate into coal....."

.......don't know whether he would be forgiven when he apologizes.

"Arg. you chirp. Shut the fuck up. Credit minus for you. Bastard"

The professor in charge Freya Grandori, hit the desk with the class list, and the classroom becomes silent.

She was not a subject professor who lectures, but a member of the spirit research agency who is traveling in every region of the <Spirit Forest> of the continent performing field work.

"Here, hurry up and introduce yourself"

The eye glasses worn by the beautiful woman gives her an intellectual appearance, but, the opening of her mouth let out a strong expression.

Well, she often speaks in an energetic disposition. Slightly like that of a rude person.

Kamito steps forward in front of the podium, and briefly introduces himself.

"Kazehaya Kamito, sixteen years old. As you can see I'm a male spirit contractor however......so, don't be afraid and let us get along with each other thanks."

The thought was too simple, besides not being able to communicate at all.

'''He can't talk about his secrets''', in this case there are several.

Our classmate reaction is ---

"Like, ordinary......right?"

"Yeah, ordinary. Not much of a demon king"

.....oh?

"However, seems like, I have fallen for him ♪"

"A, see. Proud look, seems like he wants to protect?"

For a short moment they became quiet, then they began murmuring again.

(Wh, What is this fluffy sweet feeling?)

Due to the unexpected reaction of the young girls, Kamito was puzzled.

More than with chilly eyes, he has been viewed by mocking eyes.

Beside, the sensation he felt earlier from the girls' reaction is very light.

Guessing Kamito's doubt, Madam Freya whisper into his ear.

"Ah, here in this place they are unladylike, in public they shift their impression. After all, they are handling the most puzzling neighbor to human: 'the spirit' and because they are always out of contact. Well, You as a male spirit contractor and so forth..... by the way, they are just curious in many ways in a young boy of the same age."

(Really, They are such ---)

Since it was put that way, it might be a little easier.

"u, um, Kamito.....you?"

And, one of the girls timidly raised her hand.

"Ya, Yeah, What?"

"um, umm, wha, what's your, favorite food?"

"Eh? Well, anything.....if anything, I like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratin Gratin]"

"Ordinary!" "Quite Ordinary!" "The answer should be like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyotaimori Nyoitaimori]!" "Cute!"

bla* bla* bla*.

.....What's this. A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyotaimori Nyoitaimori]?

Starting with that girl, one by one they poured questions towards him.

"Where is your home town?" "Your three sizes?" "Where are you going to take your bath?"

.....Princess, It was almost sexual harassment.

And, from these questions his face up to his ears became red.

"Have you determined your team yet?"

"Team?"

"You will have to decide, for this present <Spirit Blade Play Dance Festival>'s team"

"Aa---"

The <Spirit Blade Play Dance Festival> that would be held two months later is a five person team group battle ceremony. Kamito as one person can't enter by himself, he needs to find other spirit contractors and form a team.

"As of now, I don't have a team yet. I'm going to look for my other fellow teammates now"

In two months, whether he would find such persons, he doesn't know.

"Is it true, that you have tamed the sword <sealed spirit> that no one has been able to contract?"

"Wh?"

Kamito doubtful eyebrow frowned. Seems like he doesn't want to talk about the story this morning.

What on earth ---

"Yeah, and the spirit Kamito tamed is supposed to be mine!"

Slowly rising, the no pride curve chest Claire.

"......as I thought, you!"

A princess shriek* a blame on him in that time.

"Kamito, You and Claire, what's your relationship?"

"Master and Slave Spirit relationship!"

"In such situation! I mean, you aren't supposed to answer it!"

Claire answers it with her hands on her hips, while Kamito panicked.

"What, an insolent slave spirit"

"When did I become your slave spirit!"

Watching the interaction between these two people, the girls become more and more excited.

Now they can't longer control ---

Madam Freya bam* strikes her desk. The classroom settles down.

"Arg, You are lowering my limits. Listen, hurry up and choose your favorite seat"

"Ye, Yes.....!"

Madam Freya sends a lifeboat, Kamito gladly rides on it.

Of course, he preferred to sit a little far from the red haired princess, he starts walking towards one of the seats in the back.

In that moment. Pashii* a torturing leather whip coiled around his neck.

"Arg!"

The neck being strangled, in that way, he has been pulled backward.

"*cough *cough, what are you doing!"

"Where are you going? Your seat is next to me."

"Hah, Who will sit in such a dangerous seat? uooooh--"

While his neck is being strangled, Kamito tries to move forward.

"hm, trying to oppose me. I'll show you who's the master!"

scratch* scratch* scratch* scratch*...........!

Kamito tries to unfasten the whip, Claire doesn't allow it by skillfully judging her whip.

"dddd.....da, mn......"

He can't breathe. More and more the oxygen ceased to circulate in his brain, at that time.

Swoosh* the sound of a gust of wind, Kamito's body was suddenly released.

"Oooowahh.......!"

Kamito lost his balance and trips over the staircase.

What on earth happened ---

".......h!?"

Turning around, in front of him standing stabbed into the floor was a sharp arrow.

Not a metal arrow. It's a clear ice arrow sparkling from the reflection of the sunlight.

(......Is this, an elemental waffe?)

The same as Claire's flame whip, the incarnation of their spirit is turned into their weapon form.

"Who are you......?"

"A disgrace, Claire Rouge"

An elegant voice was heard in the highest part of the classroom.

Kamito who has fallen, looks up and there ---

An extravagant platinum blonde beautiful young girl, standing with her hands on her hips.

A high class princess as featured in a painted picture. Her skin is as white as the first snow.

The color of her pupils is a fine emerald green in pale radiance.

A charming smile appeared, calmly looking down at Claire.

".......w, what's your intention, Rinslet Laurenfrost!"

Claire depreciates her. Expressing her anger by the color of her ruby eyes, it seems like she would bite at any moment.

"Give up, because I'm saying that he will be sitting next to me"

hmmp*, combing her platinum blonde hair, a princess' declaration.

With a single word, although not even a word --- somehow he was saved.

Kamito was about to stand up when the blonde haired princess gracefully came down the stairs.

Before Kamito can straighten up, she stares at him evaluating.

As the adorable beautiful girl is intently staring at him, Kamito's eye unintentionally diverted.

"Hmm, the face is not so bad"

Rinslet seems satisfied nodded and,

"Ne, You, become my servant?"

"Ha?"

Suddenly, she began saying an unexpected thing.

"Do, Don't touch him as you please, this guy is my slave spirit!"

Claire ran up on the stairs, and immediately grasps Kamito's arm.

"When did I became yours"

"Shut up!"

Claire pulls, squeezing his arm.

The upper arm touched her breast, Kamito involuntarily frightened jumps up.

Although it was almost '''none''' --- She was still a sixteen year old young girl.

A reasonable elastic feeling was all that was needed and his heart would be pounding.

But ---

fuyoyon~*

In his other arms, '''an utterly other dimensional sensation could be felt'''!

"Ara, can't you say where who you specifically belong to?"

Rinslet held Kamito's left arm shrewdly with both hands.

Claire's unfortunate difference, in that place considerably, that......of volume.

(Wai, Wait, this is.......!)

Pressed from both sides with soft touch feeling, Kamito's face gatsu* becomes hot.

"Re, Release, fool!"

"What did you say, flat chested!"

A crackling spark scatters from the two princesses glaring at each other.

funyu*. fuyon~*. fukyun~*.

......Though it seems good, but if they don't release his arms first, it seems like his heart would explode.

And, at that time.

"Owawawah, pri, princess, don't give more hardship to Mr. transfer student!"

From above the classroom, A young girl in maid clothes came running down.

(.....ha? A maid?)

Kamito spreads his eyes, staring at the young girl's appearance.

A waving long skirt with frills. A short bob trim cut black hair. A white brim that nicely suits her is resting on top of her head.

No matter how you look at it, she's a fine maid.

(........Why is there a maid here in this academy!?)

Looks like she is calling her master, it seems she is this blonde princess' maid.

But in any case, she is to moderate her lady's decency. Without a doubt, at least she was against this sour dispute. Kamito embraces a dim hope, but at that time.

"Princess......Kyaaaaah!"

The maid fell.

In the middle of the stairs, another impressive fall.

"Carol!?"

Rinslet's face becomes pale.

(......damn!)

Kamito shakes off the two people in his arms, and jumps kicking off the floor.

"Hiaaaaaaah!"

A scream while in some way catching the falling maid's flying body, turning his arms around the young girl's head preventing it from being hurt, and tumbling down the stairs.

The two people hugging each other while rolling* down, finally stopped.

".......hm, you, hurt ---"

And, opens his mouth --- thereupon Kamito's thoughts froze.

In his front. fuyon~, there's a large soft thing.

Under the neat and tidy cloth of the maid, a melon greater than that of Rinslet.
[[Image:STnBD_V01_103.jpg|"U......um, .........uaah, I'm sorry!"　fuwa~* Tears began floating in the maid young girl's black pupil. |thumb]]
"U......um, .........uaah, I'm sorry!"

fuwa~* Tears began floating in the young maid's black pupils.

kaatsu* her face blushes, panicky* stands up ---

"He, hey......mo, mogugugu~!"

The nose of Kamito, more and more pressed by her breast.

(I'm in trouble.....I can't breath....)

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

At the sight of two persons intertwined with each other, the classroom's young girls raise a yellow colored scream.

"Pe, Pervert!" "As I thought a lewd beast!" "Reincarnation of the demon king!"

"N, No, I'm.........mogugugu.....!"

Hurrying attempting to deny, his voice is being absorbed by the well rounded breast.

Gogogogogogogogo.........!

".......?"

Suddenly, A rumbling sound can be heard from above.

......An earthquake. Perhaps.

Somehow, it has a very, very bad sensation.

Looking up from the valley of the breast ---

There, the shape of Claire holding a blazing flame whip.

"thi, thi, this ero spirit~!"

"Wait, It can't be helped no matter how you look at it...."

"Shu, Shut up, Please turn into cinder!"

(Why is it that it always becomes like this.....)

Hopelessly groaning Kamito, the whip ruthlessly swings at him with no mercy.

<noinclude>
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| Forward to [[Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter4|Chapter 4]]
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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter2

2012-03-28T21:41:50Z

Xiax: Editted this page for better flow, grammar, spelling and such. I found it to be a shame that a good series would feel so lackluster because it is so difficult to read.

==Areishia Spirit Academy==

===Part 1===

Areishia Spirit Academy.

In this institution, all the witches from across the empire are gathered and trained into fully fledged spirit contractors.

Holding a beautiful garden behind its castle walls, the school building lined with elegant spires, seemed very much like a palace of a princess. --- In fact, this was nearly entirely correct. Out of the students attending this academy, almost all of them are genuine proper noble ladies.

“However, to unexpectedly have such a terrible encounter..."

Kamito mutters to himself as he walked along the red carpet covered hallway on the second floor of the school building.

“Lost inside the forest, I winded up contracted to a sealed spirit, besides...”

Since Kamito snatched the sealed spirit from her, that crimson haired young girl apparently had her eyes on him.

After that - Claire Rouge guided Kamito to the academy school building.

That was good, but apparently her claim that Kamito was to become her personal contracted spirit was serious. Round and round the whip coiled around Kamito. Rather than being guided, it might be more appropriate to say that he was being dragged, and they walked through the forest in that fashion.

Regardless, Kamito had no obligation to play along with the princess. Taking the opportunity when Claire went to the restroom, he unwinded the whip and escaped.

“Ah, he escaped, you traitor!”

Such a voice can be heard inside the restroom ---

(What? What made you think I wouldn't run away...)

That young girl was an outstanding spirit contractor but, her common knowledge of society was that of a naive lady.

“Anyways, before I am found by that girl again, I need to hurry up and meet Greyworth.”

Proceeding down the hallway, Kamito let out a small sigh.

... Depressed.

After all, so far nothing good had ever resulted from getting involved with that witch.

(... But, I can’t ignore this.)

Kamito took out one sheet of paper from his breast pocket.

Forty days ago, he had received a letter from Academy Director Greyworth.

If, what was written on it is true---

He might finally get some clue about that girl.

Nevertheless, Kamito could not deny the possibility that it was just some bait to lure him here.

(... It is useless to ponder on it. After all the other party is that Witch.)

And, here Kamito stopped in his tracks.

In front of him was the thick wooden front door: the Academy Director’s Office.

As Kamito was about to knock on the door ---

“Academy Director, I can’t agree with this!”

Suddenly, a voice could be heard from inside the room.

A high pitched, young girl’s alto voice.

It seemed that they were occupied currently.

(... It can’t be helped, I’ll kill some time for a while outside.)

While Kamito was moving away from the door ---

“Why should we welcome the likes of a man to this sacred academy of witch princesses?!”

He stopped his foot steps...

(...Mm, man?)

That perked up his ears.

“Because I said that we need him here. Isn't that reason enough for you?”

It was a constrained voice. But, it carried so much power that Kamito trembled even hearing it through the door. What a fearful voice from the witch no matter how many times one hears it.

“Ar, are you suggesting that we lack the strength?”

“Nonsense. I'm not belittling the power of your chivalric orders, but, '''He is special'''”

“... You mean the fact that he can communicate with a spirit despite being male?”

“Yes, but that is not all of it.”

“What do you mean ---"

And, the girl suddenly closed her mouth.

Silence fell for a brief moment. Then ---

“Who is there?!”

Darn it. Apparently they noticed that someone was eavesdropping.

Kamito quickly attempts to leave ---

Bang – suddenly, the office door was violently opened.

From the door which was kicked opened, there appeared -

A beautiful slender leg which was highly swung upward, a pony tailed beautiful young girl.

A pair of sharp, long eyes. A dignified handsome feature.

She wore a silver breastplate on top of her uniform, and it looked like the outfit of a valiant knight.

Inside the leaf pleated skirt, a lace underwear flew into his sight.

“Black!?”

“Wha... Y, You, Insolent Person!”

The young girl kicked Kamito with her whole strength in the stomach who involuntary blurted out.

“Guoh!”

The sudden attack caught him off guard, blowing Kamito away.

In a instant, the young girl shortens the distance between them and presses Kamito down on the floor, she unsheathes the blade at her hips.

Then she thrust it violently, pointing the edge of her blade onto his cheek.

"..."

Shooting a cold piercing look.

Then, those clear reddish brown colored pair of eyes widens. 

“You... are you... actually a man!?”

The stern face of the girl blushed and became bright red.

That time ---

“Fnn, aren't you quite behind schedule, Kazehaya Kamito?”

A displeased voice came from the back of the office.

Kamito who was still being held down by the young girl, slowly raised his eyes.

Over there --- there was the figure of a witch completely unchanged from three years ago.

Her ash-blonde hair was gently waving.

Her beauty extolled the seductiveness of an alluring adult.

Beneath her small pair of glasses, her eyes, the same gray as the color of her hair, were staring in his direction.

(... You have come out, witch!)

Kamito spat out bitterly in his head.

Twilight Witch --- Greyworth Ciel Mais.

With the appearance of a bewitching, carnivorous, beautiful woman, she was an experienced spirit knight that boasted the title of being one of the twelve knight generals of the empire.

The rumor that the highest ranked Spirit Contractor may transcend her age might have been real.

“--- It has been three years, Kamito. Looking at your face, it seems you have changed.”

"... You have changed too much, Twilight Witch.”

A sarcastic response while he was still pressed down on his back, the witch let out a smile.

“Kazehaya Kamito!? Then, this guy...”

The ponytail young girl raised her eyebrow.

“Hey, isn't it about time that you let go of me?”

Kamito squinted his eyes and murmured towards the young girl riding on his chest.

“What is that? You shameless, rude person!”

“After all, I said it for your own sake.”

“... What do you mean?”

“Well, how to say it... since some time ago, your thigh has been touching my body.”

Her moderately tight thigh felt soft. It was a pity that he had to point that out, but this was not a situation where one could enjoy the side benefits.


"......~wa!?"

The stern young girl’s face blushed burning hot red.

Standing up quickly while holding down her skirt, without mercy she swings down her blade.
[[Image:STnBD_V01_059.jpg|Greyworth’s voice called out the young girl Ellis which was about to move.|thumb]]
Within a hair's breadth, Kamito dodged it by twisting his body.

"Wha, What are you doing!?"

“You, You indecent... in this instant, I will make you into a marinated salmon!”

“Wait, Calm down! I’m not a salmon!”

Zing --- a sharp slash, Kamito’s forelock was cut.

Serious. Not even a shred of doubt in her eyes.

(... Un, in this one day, how many times have I almost been killed?)

An unlucky day. Or is it because of the curse of the Twilight Witch.

(Are all the girls of the academy like this?)

Being driven into the wall. Kamito felt the seriousness of the threat to his life --- at that time.

“Sheath your blade, Ellis. Any personal struggle in this academy is prohibited.”

“... Uh!”

Greyworth’s voice called out, the girl named Ellis stopped instantly.

“Ac, Academy Director... I’m just---”

“Do I need to say the same thing twice? Ellis Fahrengart”

“... No, um, I apologize”

Ellis while glaring intensely to Kamito, reluctantly sheaths her blade.

Grayworth pushed up her glasses and then smiled.

“So, you are already at that age. Well, to be pushed down by Ellis' delicate body hidden under the armor, most boys would not be able to control themselves.”

“A, Academy Director!?”

“Wait, please don’t say anything that will cause a misunderstanding! I’m---"

Kamito quickly objected. But, his eyes unintentionally went in the direction of Ellis breasts---

... Indeed. She was wearing her armor so it was hard to tell, but certainly, Claire Rouge's pitiful breasts were incomparable to hers.

“Yo, You, whe, where are you looking at!”

“My bad...”

Kamito quickly averts his eyes.

“Guh, if you weren't the guest of Academy Director, I'd have made you into a Pot-au-feu already!”

“... Why a Pot-au-feu!”

Although he didn't understand her metaphor, but it sounded scary.

“Ellis, you can go now. It’s unpleasant to have someone flirt in front of my eyes.”

Greyworth’s cold voice informed.

“I, I can't leave you alone in the same room with... this man. If he has an impudent lust toward the Academy Director...”

“There is no such thing!”

Kamito interrupted strongly. ... What is this girl saying?

“Well, it does not matter if that's the case. I’m always wearing my lucky underwear.”

“What...”

“Mm, Your face became red, boy, quite cute. By the way the color is---"

“I don’t want to hear it!”

“Just kidding. Why are you blushing?”

“Guah!”

The Twilight Witch giggles with pleasure, Kamito directed looks filled with killing intent towards her.

“Bu, But, the Academy Director should not to be alone together with such a guy without guard---“

“Ellis Fahrengart”

Due to that calm tone of voice , Ellis shoulder trembled.

“Do I need to repeat what am I saying twice?”

“Um, I apologize!”

What a frightening Greyworth, with her voice trembling, Ellis nodded, and left towards the hallway swiftly.

===Part 2===

Finally released, Kamito stood up letting out a sigh of relief.

Hitting the dirt out of his coat, he set foot inside the office.

After Kamito closed the door behind him, Greyworth shrugged her shoulder.

“She was the daughter of the duke house of Fahrengart. An excellent knight, but somewhat stubborn.”

“Is that girl a student here, too? She was wearing armor on top of her uniform.”

“She is the leader of the Sylphid's Knights, a party which manages any disturbance of the order of the academy.”

“Like a public morals committee. In that case, they should manage it more strictly.”

Kamito remembered, what happened inside the forest when he met the crimson haired young girl.

... To leave her at large is bad, in all sorts of ways.

“Fu, I'll take that into consideration. By the way Kamito, why are you so flaky. As if you were attacked in the Spirit Forest?”

“.....No, I was scratched by a cat. A lively hellish cat girl.” 

Kamito answered impatiently with a bitter face , Greyworth shrugs her shoulder.

“You’d better be careful, rumors says that in the inner depths of the <Spirit Forest> that even the Spirit Investigation Committee would not enter, there are S-rank Spirits still sleeping there. Once you encounter one, your life is forfeit --- in your case, can you manage to tame it?”

“Please Stop. I don’t want to associate myself with an S-rank Spirit again.”

"Yeah. '''As You are now''', you would probably be mincemeat in five seconds."

“Not even one second. Actually, with a contract spirit I might last for seven seconds.”

“Fu--- '''with a contract spirit'''?”

Greyworth directs her grayish eye towards Kamito’s right hand.

“That wound? Is ''that'' also a scratch by the cat?”

“This is---"

The wound--- on the right hand, that is where the Spirit Seal was engraved a while ago.

Kamito clicked his tongue secretly--- No, after all he can’t possibly hide it from the Twilight Witch.

“Well, how to say it. It is just happenstance. I made a contract with a particular sealed spirit. It was ultra-violent, had I failed the contract, I would not be standing here right now.”

“Ha, what a change of heart, that you have contracted with spirits other than ''her''.”

The grayish eye, inside the glasses, glistened sharply.

“Finally you decided to say farewell to that ghost, is that it?”

“... Guh!”

The mocking tone causes Kamito to be involuntarily agitated.

“She is not a ghost! She is...”

Kamito took out the paper in his coat’s pocket, then slapped it onto the front desk.

The beautiful witch did not waver in the slightest. A detestable calmness.

Kamito bites his lips, then asks Greyworth.

“This, you sent this to me. Is it true?”

“Ah, it’s true. Witches don’t tell lies.”

“It was... Indeed, you haven’t told a lie. But, you've never spoken the truth either.”

Kamito spat out what he wanted to say.

“... Well whatever. Tell me what you know.”

“Oh boy, Is that the attitude of someone asking a witch? You were cuter three years ago.”

“The cat changed into a tiger in three years. Do not think it will stay as your pet for ever.”

“A cat does not change into a tiger and never will.”

Greyworth intentionally shrugged her shoulder and fixedly looked in Kamito's eyes.

Kamito was involuntarily overcome by the pressure of that overbearing stare.

“The thing written there is true. '''Your Contracted Spirit is Alive'''.”

“... Guh!”

Kamito swallowed his breath.

A Witch does not speak the truth. But, she never tells a lie either.

“Her... Restia, where is she now?”

Kamito raised his voice, leaning his body onto the office desk.

The witch without moving her eyebrow, thrust a bundle of documents to the tip of Kamito's nose.

“... What are these?”

“Agreement Terms. Sign here.”

“This doesn't make any sense. What do you mean?”

“There is nothing you can't understand. For what purpose do you think I summoned you here? Did you take it that I, the Twilight Witch, will simply let you have the information out of goodwill?” 

“I understand fully that you have nothing but malice.”

Kamito snatched the bundle of documents, then slapped it onto the desk.

Bundled with a clip, Areishia Spirit Academy’s Admission Notification.

It was written there. No doubt--- Kamito's　''public'' Background Profile. 

“What kind of joke is this?”

“Today you will be admitted into the academy. Don't worry I've already taken care of all the necessary procedures.”

“How can I be calm! What do you mean by this, explain!”

“I need you. That's all.”

“Ha?”

The witch's words are always unexpected. Like a midsummer breeze.

“What are you talking about? I mean, this academy is, a garden of pure maidens.”

“No problem. Such a thing is no big deal with my authority.”

“That would be a problem in itself! '''Now is Different from Three Years Ago.'''”

Provoked by Kamito---

“Don’t get the wrong idea, Boy. You don’t have any right to choose.”

Greyworth told it in a shockingly cold voice.

"... Gu!"

“Till now I have allowed you to roam freely. Originally, the spirit contractor must be managed by the organization. You know that, right?”

“That is–-- "

In the Orudeshia Empire, spirit contractors are given various privileges, but in exchange they must be registered with the organization. If there exist stray spirit contractors that harbor ideologies that are against the empire, it will be extremely dangerous to the nation.

“They will sniff out your existence sooner or later. Don’t underestimate the country’s Spirit Knights, we don't know how it would have been three years ago, but with your current slump you will lose for sure; besides--- ”

Then, a demonic grin floats from Greyworth.

“There’s a slight chance that I might carelessly blab out the secret.”

“... What carelessly. In short this is blackmail.”

“It helps a lot that you understand so quickly.”

“So shameless.”

Kamito throws a loathsome sentence, Greyworth as if in regret shrugs her shoulder.

“Fu, why're you dissatisfied. One man in an institution where real princess maidens are gathered. Isn’t it like a marvelous luxury harem?”

“Oh, please, I’m--- ”

“If you like, you may take one student from the academy and do whatever you like to her. For example, Ellis Fahrengart from earlier--- who is seriously stubborn, but she is of the type to become ultra obedient once well trained. I am sure she will respond to whatever perverted radical play you have in mind.”

“Am I a sex deviant?!”

“A joke. There is no way that I have such power.”

“I can’t hear your joke...”

Kamito moaned holding his temple.

“Why did you summon me now. What do you plan to do with me?”

“Glad that we can get to the point directly.”

“Since it is useless to oppose the Witch.”

A casual reply, Greyworth let out a smile---

“In two months, the Blade Dance will be held in Astral Zero. I have put you up as an entrant there.”

“What did you say?”

--- Spirit Blade Dance Festival.

Once every several years, it is the largest Kagura ritual carried out in Astral Zero.

Spirit contractors gather from the continent, and perform blade dance as an offering for the Five Great Elemental Lords.

So to speak, it’s a grand martial battle festival of fellow spirit contractors.

The country of the victorious team will be given a few years of divine protection by the Elemental Lords, a guaranteed prosperity for the country. Together with a general assembly for the champion---

A single <wish> will be granted.

“Win the cup, Kamito. Nevertheless, '''as now''' it might be impossible for you.”

“I---”

Kamito bites his lips, strongly clenching his fist.

Not his right hand where the spirit seal was engraved--- It was his left hand covered by the black leather glove.

Zukiri, A sharp pain runs in his chest.

“I, I have decided that I will never participate in the Blade Dance Festival again”

“No, You will compete. Otherwise there will be trouble.”

Greyworth placed her both hands onto the office desk, calmly shaking her head.

“Because, nobody but you, can win against that Strongest Blade Play Dancer”

“Wh... at...!?”

The moment that he heard that name, Kamito face froze.

The Strongest--- the spirit contractors that are given this title, currently, there is only one in the whole continent.

Three years ago, a mere fourteen year old young girl dominated the spirit blade dance festival’s individual matches.

“--- That is right. '''She''' has returned.”

Greyworth’s grayish pair of eyes, peered into those of Kamito’s.

“The Strongest Blade Play Dancer--- Ren Ashbell.”

<noinclude>
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