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

===Part 10===

Then a week later&mdash;

The super grand event of the Elemental Festa, held by Areisha Spirit Academy, opened.

The stage for the princess maidens to perform was a circular outdoor arena located in the center of the Academy Town. With a maximum audience capacity of two thousand, people say it had been used for blade dance tournaments before.

The judges of the performances were the two great dragon spirits, who were the reasons for holding the event, as well as the many spirits residing in the Academy town. In addition, many townsfolk had gathered to watch the princess maidens' spectacular dancing, even though they were not directly involved with the judging. Even the audience were awestruck by the two divine dragon spirits dancing leisurely in the air.

The noise of the excited audience, exceeding two thousand in the number, could be heard&mdash;

At the arena's control room, Team Scarlet was nervously waiting for the even to begin.

"I-I can't believe I have to dance in front of so many people..."

Changed into her adorable outfit, Claire spoke timidly.

"W-We just need to perform like we practiced."

"Yes, indeed..."

Nodding, Ellis had stiff expression, sure enough.

Even though she always looked calm and confident, Fianna seemed nervous too.

Only Est was the same as usual, expressionlessly eating melon bread as a snack.

"That's Refilca Sazer of the Numbers, and also Countess Milton, as well as Sir Balboa who works as an administrative official for the imperial family..."

Looking at the VIP seating, Fianna named the important nobles. The Academy organizing a once-every-several-years Festa must have caught the attention of nobles at the imperial capital.

"...~Oh no, m-my grandfather is here too?"

Ellis hid her face in embarrassment. Most likely, the old man with a solemn expression, sitting in the center of the VIP area, was Duke Fahrengart. With a hand band around his forehead, he was holding glow sticks in his hands to cheer for idols.

"I can't believe he came all the way out here to cheer for his granddaughter. What a great grandfather, right?"

"Oo, but, the thought of my grandfather watching..."

"Don't be so nervous. You've all been working hard till now. You'll be fine for sure."

I promised the girls. Seeing Kamito nod, the girls' expressions changed.

"Kamito-kun..."

"Y-Yes... We have trained so much."

The members of Team Scarlet nodded vigorously at one another.

Then&mdash;

"Oh my, what is this?"

Mocking laughter came from the door of the control room.

"...Y-You..."

The members of Dark Evangel had appeared there.

"Since you won't beat us, why not drop out now?"

"I could say the same to you."

"Do not foolishly believe we are still the same as before."

Claire and Rinslet glared at them strictly.

"Hmph, no matter what you're planning, in the end, you won't beat us because we've received our great master's training."

"Great master?"

Claire raised an eyebrow in surprise&mdash;

"...Fufu, I look forward to the real performance."

Smiles surfaced on the girls' face as they left the control room.

"...Looks like they are quite confident."

Ellis growled.

"We won't lose for sure, because we've been training hard the whole time."

"Yes, indeed."

Staring at the door, Claire and Rinslet nodded at each other.

Watching them, Kamito laughed wryly in his mind.

(...I guess things will be okay like this.)

For the past week, the girls had been putting every ounce of their being into the harsh training under Kamito's instruction.

Basic training in the Spirit Forest, muscle training making use of the Instructional School's assassination training methods, singing lessons taking place simultaneously with blade dance practice&mdash;

...These girls had not complained a single word the whole time, truly awe inspiring.

Right now, Team Scarlet was definitely stronger than when they had faced Velsaria in battle. This was a kind of strength they could never achieve had they simply engaged in blade dance and elemental waffe training&mdash;

(...We've done everything we can. They should be strong enough to win.)

All Kamito could do now was believe in them.

Outside the control room, a massive bell sounded.

Claire looked up and quickly extended her hand, clad in a pure white glove.

"Everyone, we must win&mdash;"

"Yes." "Indeed." "Certainly." "Yeah&mdash;"

Hands from five people were stacked together.

Finally, Kamito placed his hand on top&mdash;

Then the Elemental Festa raised its curtain.