Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter7

Status: Incomplete

Pending TLC

Chapter 7 - Valentia Holy Festival

Part 1

It was evening. The plaza of Academy Town was bustling with crowds of people.

Sweet smells tickled his nostrils. At the shrine, delicious-looking baked sweets were piled up like a mountain and princess maidens dispatched from the academy were showcasing a blade dance that entertained the spirits.

"However, where did that girl go?”

As his gaze fell towards the chocolate that Claire had thrown aside—

Kamito breathed a sigh, exasperated.

Together with Ellis and the other two, they had given chase after Claire. But halfway through, the time for the change of patrols came and they had to give up. With that, they started their rounds around the «Wind» area.

"....."

Ellis, walking right beside him with a complicated expression, stared at the chocolate that Kamito was carrying.

"What is it, Ellis?"

"N-No, it's nothing.... It looks like there's no problem in this area."

Ellis coughed, and looked away.

Indeed, there did not seem to be any signs of suspicious activity in this area.

Although there might have been brawls between drunkards and pickpockets, those kinds of troubles were left for the town's vigilante corps to deal with. Rather, what Kamito and the others needed to look out for were the matters that the townspeople, who were not used to interaction with spirits, incurred the anger of the spirits unknowingly.

During the rituals of worshiping the spirits, those kinds of incidents occurred frequently.

"This is almost like.... a da-date."

"Hm, did you say something?"

"Nothing at all, concentrate more on patrolling!"

Ellis' face was flushed a deep red as she got angry.

"So-Sorry...."

Kamito apologized.

.....Wait a second, isn't Ellis the one who isn't concentrating?

Since awhile ago, Ellis was not able to calm down, was stealing glances at Kamito's face from the side now and then.

Somehow, her manner of walking seemed unsteady and uncertain.

Their shoulders coming so close together that he was not sure whether they were touching, and then her screaming "Fuwaa", once again moving away from him — that kind of thing was repeated over and over.

Because of that, they bumped into the people that they passed by, many times.

"Ellis, walking like that is dangerous."

Unable to watch any longer, Kamito grabbed Ellis' hand,

"......W-W-What are you doing, you insolent person!"

"No, since a while ago, you were somewhat unsteady, and it got dangerous... Your hand is also a little hot. Would you happen to have a fever or something?"

"...～Wh-Whose fault do you think it is?!"

As Ellis' hand was joined with Kamito's, she hit his shoulder.

"I'll have you bear responsibility for taking my first time!"

"Wh...!?"

At those words of Ellis, whose face was colored in bright red,—

The people, going back and forth the street, turned around with their faces lighted up.

They glared at Kamito with a scornful-like look and murmured in a soft voice together.

"Ellis, don't utter something that would invite misunderstandings!"

"I-It isn't a misunderstanding! Really, I-it's my first time joining hands with a man!"

"...!?"

I see— Kamito suddenly understood.

Thinking about it, Ellis was also an ojou-sama with a prestigious noble background.

Now that he thought about it, Claire and the others seemed like they were hesitating about joining hands with him when they were departing yesterday. To them who were the daughters of nobles, joining hands with a boy might be an act more embarrassing than he imagined.

"...Sorry. My bad."

Just as Kamito was about to release her hand—

"Ah, no, I don't mind, and I didn't mean to scare you."

As Ellis embarrassedly looked away, she tightly squeezed his hand back.

It was the soft feeling of a girl's hands. The reason hard calluses were formed here-and-there was surely the proof that she seriously practised her martial arts.

Just like that, Ellis walked on stiffly like a spring-action toy.

"I-It's... a guy's hand"

"Of course, it is."

Upon hearing Kamito's reply, Ellis giggled, seemingly happy, for some reason.

He was instantly startled by that facial expression of the usual dignified Ellis.

"It's more embarrassing than I thought... to hold hands."

"Ahh, that is true."

Scratching his cheek with one hand, Kamito vaguely nodded.

To be honest, he was a little absent-minded.

From a moment ago, Ellis' large busts were pressing on his arm.

Although, he didn't directly touch them because her Knights breastplate was there, the sensation of their elasticity was being transmitted whether he liked it or not. The reason his eyes unconsciously moved to her willful body beneath her armour was something that couldn't be helped for a boy in puberty.

W-With such a stiff personality, her body sure is soft...

With his heart beating hard and full of excitement, the two walked down the main street filled with the hustle-and-bustle of the festival for a while.

The beautiful stone-made street was lit up by the illumination of the spirit ores.

Pointing at the soft-toy bear ornamented at the display window, Ellis' eyes had sparkled, and she was gazing at a gorgeous party dress in front of a clothing shop.

When Kamito brought up yesterday's maid's outfit incident to tease her, her face turned bright red as she flared up.

"Hmph! After all, I'm not suited for those sort of beautiful clothings!"

"There's no such thing. Ellis in her usual knight clothing is also attractive but I also want to see Ellis wearing clothes like these."

"...What-What are you talking about?"

Pouting her lips, Ellis bashfully looked downwards.

Those actions were not of the usual dignified knight, they seemed to be those of an ordinary girl.

Looking at her like that——

Kamito suddenly had something he wanted to try asking.

"Hey, Ellis, why did you plan on becoming a knight?"

While she was the daughter of the top military families, the Fahrengart family, he had felt that her obsession towards the way of life of a knight wasn't just because of that reason.

"......"

Ellis slowly turned her face toward him.

"At first, it was because of the admiration towards Aneue."

"That Velsaria Eva?"

"That's right. Aneue was a splendid knight. She was a person who was disciplined with herself, hated injustice, was earnestly polishing her sword skills, and was always aiming for a way of life like attaining the objective of the people."

As if gazing at somewhere far away, she looked up at the sky that was dyed by the faint sunset.

"From when I was a child, I had always been thinking of wanting to be a knight like Aneue. As the successor of the Fahrengart family, I want to be a spirit knight that protects many people. So, when I joined the academy, I immediately made an application to the Sylphid Knights that Aneue was serving as Captain."

Suddenly, Ellis's reddish-brown pupils darkened.

However— She continued.

"When I joined the academy, Aneue had already changed. As if she was spurred on by something, she had turned into someone merely pursuing only power. Of course, I can't say that way of life is absolutely wrong. Pursuing power superiorly is also the proper way of life as a spirit contractor. However, at the very least, that person now isn't the knight I admired."

"What had changed her like that?"

Kamito asked—

Ellis tightly bit her lips,

"I think, it was during the Blade Dance contest three years ago."

"!?"

Kamito couldn't help but exclaim.

"What happened, I am not sure, but since then, onee-sama rapidly changed."

Kamito looked down and stared at his gloved left hand.

Hidden inside, was the mark of his spirit contract. It was the hand that defeated Versalias three years ago and made him the victor of the Spirit Dance.

It was the left hand that had cut down many hopes and dreams of others for the sake of victory.

The me of three years ago didn't see anything.

Only innocently fighting for "her".

Slowly accumulating victories and defeating dozens of opponents. Never even remembering how each opponent looked. The ones who were defeated by Ren Ashbell, what kind of hope or dream that brought them to the Spirit Blade Dance— It was never a factor to be considered.

Recalling Valesrtria Eva's icy pupils.

Am I the person who changed Ellis's most respected knight?

Ellis turned her eyes from the skies back to Kamito. Staring at him with a pair of strong spirited tea-colored eyes.

"I want to show my onee-sama my way of a knight. Although I am not mature yet, but I believe one day I will have that power. That is why I want to join in the Spirit Dance Festival."

For her belief as a knight—

For Kamito, a glowing aura seemed to roll off Ellis.

Kamito couldn't help but ask: "Ellis, you don't hate Ren Ashbell?"

If he didn't change Valereisa's opportunity three years ago...

Kamito had no right to complain if Ellis hated him.

Then, Ellis lightly shook her head.

"Of course, I was very unhappy when onee-sama was defeated. But, looking at the Spirit Dance and watching Ren Ashbell's consecutive victories, I was completely entranced by her."

"I really don't understand. She is really the same as other spirit contractors, only to dance for that «wish», not someone with noble goals like Ellis…"

"WRONG—" Ellis interrupted Kamito with a strong rebuke.

"?"

"Her sword dance was greater than anyone else. If that was not the case, the elemental lords wouldn't have been satisfied. Nor allow those thousands of girls watching in that arena, until now, still wishing to be like her."

"......................."

Staring down the aggressive Ellis, Kamito could only muster a sigh.

"Because her sword skill was so high class, I was attracted to her. She didn't only fight for herself— but she fought for others."

"For others."

Kamito— listening to Ellis's words, felt slightly redeemed.

For others— That was correct. Kamito went into the arena fighting for "Her".

To achieve her one dream— For this I drew my blade.

But the only result— was completely disgusting.

For that important person, only this part was correct.

The girl in front of him spoke so.

"Ellis, thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

Ellis frowned suspiciously.

"No, nothing."

Kamito laughed bitterly as he looked away from Ellis.

—At this moment, his gaze landed on a particular store.

"Ellis, can you come with me so that I can buy something?"

"But-But we are patrolling right now."

"I have already decided on what I need to get. It shouldn't take more than a minute."

"I can't do anything about it. What do you need to buy?"

"Um, it will be quick."

Part 2

Claire walked out of the town and into the spirit forest in tears. From a distance one could hear the noise from the plaza. It was almost nightfall, but it felt awful going back to the dorm now. She really didn't want to see Fianna or Est right now. The red-haired girl used her sleeve to wipe away her tears.

"What-What knight-related work? I-I was planning to forgive him."

The evening wind continued to blow at her ponytails; Claire bit her lips tightly. Staring only at her sandals. *Di Dat* Tears slowly rolled off her eyes.

"Tomorr—Tomorrow is my birthday."

As she uttered those words, she was attacked by how lonely she was.

Before, during the «Valentia Holy Festival», parents, sisters, and commoners would always gather in the city to start a great birthday party for her. Wearing a pretty dress, eating delicious cake— and only on that day she could sleep with her elder sister from the «Spirit Academy»— It was the happiest day of the year.

But four years ago, Rubia Elstein betrayed the Fire Elemental Lord.

Little Claire lost everything.

Yes, I still have my list of goals.

Banishing her sadness, Claire raised her head.

What birthday? What Valestina festival? Those were not the things to focus on right now.

My goals are, to win the Spiritual Blade Dance and find out about the truth of four years ago. For this objective, I must become even stronger.

The two Ponytails burned like flames.

Even if Kamito is not around, I will also—

"Haha, you really are under a lot of pressure, hellcat girl."

"!?"

Hearing the voice from behind—

Claire quickly turned around.

Standing beside a tree, was a girl laughing.

With emerald hair reaching her wrists. And pointy ears.

She had seen this person before.

She was the waitress in the cafe who brought the extra-large ice-cream yesterday.

When did she get this close to me?!

Clare instantly became alert-to be able to sneak up to a spirit contractor like her, she was definitely not someone ordinary. Her intuition screamed this was not normal.

"Who are you? I am sorry, but I am not feeling very well right now."

"Ara Ara, although a pretty face, but definitely a scary kitty."

Vivian Melosa opened her hands up.

"It is so-so difficult, I want to lend you my strength."

"Strength?"

Claire frowned.

"Yes, the thing you desired the most."

"You... could you be...?"

Clare stared at the woman.

"THE «CURSED ARMAMENT» DEALER!"

"You answered correctly! But the correct term is 'Researcher', yup!"

«Vivian Melosa» wagged her finger, slowly walking towards her. With her red eyes glowing, tightly focused on Claire's eyes. As if staring straight into her soul. Which was full of gloom,

"—Hmm, hmm, little kitty, do you want that power?"

Claire couldn't move; as if her feet were nailed to the ground.

Is this! Domination magic?

A magic that elves were highly proficient with, a type of spirit control magic.

Her words continued to repeat in her mind, slowly reaching the deepest recess of her mind.

"You-You bastard."

"All you have to do is accept my «Cursed Seal», your little hell-kitten will become an extremely strong spirit."

Her head threatened to explode, even with her hands blocking her ears, the voice continued to invade her mind.

—Oh Oh, do you want this power?

The power to overcome everything— The power to achieve your «wish».

Oh, something like that, I definitely want it!

The power I want. For the goal, powers are required.

For my wish, for everything— Four years ago, this is what I wanted to happen.

Thus— risking her life— she raised her hand to receive the cursed seal— to receive the dangerous contract with a Dark Elf.

"DON'T LOOK DOWN ON ME!"

In an instant, Clare ignited her Flame Whip, and split the air between them.

"What?! You broke my spell??"

"My apologies, but I really dislike forced bargains."

"It is so disappointing, I thought you would be a great fit. I guess I was wrong."

If this were the Claire from a few weeks ago, she probably wouldn't have been able to beat the enticement.

To reach that power, she would accept the seal.

But the me of today is not the same.

If you want power— I will become your contract spirit.

Because I made a contract with him

"So, that kind of questionable power, I really don't want it!"

Screaming loudly, Claire released a massive fireball.

The silence of the forest was shattered by a massive explosion.

The trees were sent flying, and felt in a line. With the remaining trees ablaze, «Vivian» vanished.

"Haha, Don't be so hasty. There is someone else who wants to meet you."

A voice flowed out flirtatiously from the forest.

Claire turned around—

In the deep end of the forest, a tall girl stood there.

"You are."

Yesterday, the one that provoked Claire, the upperclassman who used an 'adamantine spirit'.

But there was no expression on that girl's face. She slowly walked closer with an unsteady gait— as if she was some kind of ghost.

"Is it the «Cursed Seal»?"

"Ah, don't be mistaken, they desired this power for themselves, but they didn't have the willpower to sustain the seal."

A laughter flew from the forest.

"«???? really weird name» hahahahahahaha."

The Adamantine Spirit contractor released a heart piercing wail.

In that instant, with a roaring wind, a huge beast appeared from the void.

There— Stood something way taller than Claire, a huge Adamantine beast.

With two huge horns, and an incredibly oppressive atmosphere.

"What the? Isn't this the Adamantine spirit?"

Claire stuttered in fear.

There was no way her contract Spirit could beat a monster like that.

"No, in theory, that is her spirit, but it has been strengthened by my Seals."

«Vivian Melosa» laughed.

"So, please help me with the experiment, Hell-kitty ojou-sama."

"!?"

The frenzied spirit released a deafening roar.

Part 3

What Kamito bought, was the cat-shaped necklace that Claire liked.

After asking the shopkeeper to wrap up the box with ribbons, Kamito embarrassingly put the box in his breast pocket and started to walk away.

"Today is that person's birthday."

"So that's why you asked for your salary in advance, and it was to buy this thing."

"Ah, something like that... but, I just argued with her."

After seeing Kamito lowering his shoulders, Ellis coughed a bit.

"I think reconciling is not going to be hard; after all, didn't Claire personally make that chocolate for you?"

"Ah, looks like it, she even practiced cooking yesterday."

"I mean, she even gave you that chocolate during the Valentia Holy Festival. That shows she does not hate you... In other words, you could say she was trying to become friends with you again, right?"

"If it was like that, that would be great."

"B-But, when you send it to the opposite sex, there is this slight chance that..."

Ellis coughed again—

And looked at Kamito's face.

"Huh? What's the matter?"

"A-Also, u-um... Actually, I-I also have chocolates—"

At the moment when Ellis wanted to take something out of her pockets.

*Dong—!*

From the plaza's direction, came a noise that shook the ground.

"...Ellis!?"

"Ah, lets go Kamito!"

Ellis' immediately recovered back to normal, and ran like the wind.

Part 4

Pushing through the crowds, and after arriving at the plaza—

"What is that!?"

Right in the middle, there was a giant beast dashing around.

With two sharp front teeth, a pig-like monster.

Its body was covered fully with glass-like material that shined like a mirror.

That was not a beast, but a spirit.

A high level spirit that's gone wild.

The crowd in the plaza had already fallen into panic.

Escaping in the same direction, they all fell like dominoes.

With them, there were also quite a few old people and children.

"What made the spirit run wild?"

"Eh, even if the Spirit Contractor could be hiding somewhere close, this looks like the spirit has totally lost all control."

Not surprising, being used to deal with these situations, Ellis was very calm.

She already equipped herself with her Elemental Waffe "Ray Hawk", and began to prepare to fight.

"The investigation can be delayed. Make this situation a level 5 spirit crisis, lets destroy it together, Kamito."

"Understood!"

Kamito unsheathed Terminus Est from his hip.

Flowing his divine power to his blade, he woke up the sleeping Demon SlayerDemon King Killing Sacred Sword.

"Est, grant me your power!"

Noticing the Elemental Waffe's existence, the hysterical spirit looked at the two.

Releasing a giant scream, it immediately charged forward.

A shockwave shook through the ground. The buildings around collapsed one by one.

"—Ha!"

Ellis used Ray Hawk and swiped the air.

It released countless wind slashes that could even rip metal apart towards the spirit.

Even a high level spirit could not completely take on the skill without getting severely injured.

But—

At that exact moment, the mirror-like skin of the spirit released rainbow colored lights.

"W-What!?"

The wind slashes that were bounced back slashed through the surrounding buildings; the top part of the buildings slowly slid down, causing it to fall and gathered up a lot of dust.

"I-It managed to rebound my wind slashes!?"

"No— It even increased the power of your slashes."

Kamito glared at the spirit in front of him.

...A rebound attacking type spirit, eh?

An image of yesterday's fight quickly flashed through Kamito's brain.

...That means, it was yesterday's mirror spirit?

"It's coming, Kamito!"

Ellis screamed out. After shrugging off the rubble, the hysterical spirit started charging again.

Kamito tightly grabbed Terminus Est, blocking the spirit in front.

Dodging is easy— But, we can't do that—

In the back there are still a lot of people that haven't escaped yet. I can't just leave them.

Kamito used the blade and slashed at the pair of teeth that was approaching.

The clashes between metal could be heard loudly. Even though his strength countered the beast's charging power, Terminus Est, who can't even use a tenth of its power, culdn't even damage the skin.

...This monster, isn't its divine power a little too strong?

Kamito's forehead started sweating.

Maintaining his stance of the sword to block the giant teeth, whilst slowly being pushed back.

Damn, if we at least have an elemental spirit, there might still be a way—

A hysterical high level spirit. Even if it poses a threat to normal spirit contractors, but for Kamito who was titled the strongest blade dancer, it was not a bitter struggle.

Then the question then was, had the surrounding crowds escaped yet.

Letting this giant monster run freely, there was no need to imagine the consequences.

Noticing the elemental damage as useless, Ellis started to help freeing the crowds behind Kamito's back. A calm and reasonable decision that was made by the Captain of the Sylphid Knights.

The demonic mirror spirit started to howl wildly.

The ground which cracked by the shockwave, threw Kamito who was blocking the teeth's body in the air.

And like that he fell into the rubble.

"Gah, its too strong..."

Kamito groaned, and when he was slowly preparing to stand up—

"Kamito!"

Hearing Ellis' shout, Kamito quickly turned his head around.

The demonic mirror spirit which was stampeding in town headed towards a young girl.

Probably after seeing the hysterical spirit, she got scared and couldn't move.

The spirit released a loud cry and started to speed up.

Damn, Must. Catch. Up!

Kamito kicked off the ground towards the demonic spirit, and started running.

At that time, grabbing the small girl and dodging was impossible to do.

Judging the situation, he pushed the girl on the side.

—The crimson blood was then released into the air.

The giant pig struck his stomach and pierced Kamito.

"Gwah!"

Blood spurted from his mouth. Hot, burning, and his vision slowly turned white.

The demonic spirit tossed its teeth around, and slammed Kamito's body heavily on the ground.

"...! Kamito!!"

Quickly, Ellis dashed towards him.

Part 5

The white school uniform was now stained with huge blood spots.

Gah... What happened to that girl?

Enduring the sharp pain, he looked around—

She, was now unconscious on the ground.

Feeling at ease at the same time, Kamito began to cough violently.

Red blood was sprinkled on the ground.

"Kamito! Are you alright! Kamito—!!"

Ellis cried out.

"Haha... S-Seems like I didn't die, —Cough—"

His consciousness began to slip away.

The image of the worried Ellis became blurry,

The body which was drowned in cold sweat was a clear warning about the huge blood loss.

With one hand over his abdomen, Kamito slowly stood up.

Staring at the demonic mirror spirit that was covered in his own blood.

"E-Ellis, assist me. I'll get rid of that guy."

"But, your injury—"

"Your Elemental Waffe and this guy have too much difference. Only I can do this."

Preparing to argue back but obstructed by the truth, Ellis unwillingly clenched her lips.

Kamito clenched Terminus Est with both hands, and transferred the rest of the Divine Power to it.

...If I don't finish it at the next strike...

Even if the Demon King Killing Sacred Sword was among the strongest level of Elemental Waffe, its power was not very stable.

Without enough Divine Power to control it, the power could not be released.

With the current state of Kamito, he could only bet on the next hit.

The demonic mirror spirit raised its teeth, and charged again.

"Ellis, I'm counting on you!"

"Ah!"

Kamito jumped upwards— no, flew up.

It was Ellis who used her Elemental Waffe.

Flying to the top of the demonic spirit's head, Kamito swung his sword downwards on the monster's head.

However.

...! It didn't go through!?

Demon King Killing Sacred Sword, only pierced the top of the demonic spirit's forehead by a little.

Because of the heavy injury, his control over Est became really unstable.

Because of the rage that had turned the spirit hysterical, it shook his head wildly, and threw Kamito on the ground.

While the behemoth slowly approached the fallen Kamito—

At that moment, a crimson slash shone across the sky.

The fiery whip wrapped itself around the demonic spirit's leg and caused it to fall.

*Boom—!*

Accompanied by an earth splitting noise, the dust flew up.

"What!?"

Through the widespread dust— there came her voice.

"That person is actually my slave spirit... w-without permission you can't touch him!"

"Claire!?"

Kamito's eyes widened in surprise.

Holding the fiery whip, Claire jumped from the 2nd floor down from a building.

"Y-You, Why—"

"We'll talk afterwards. Let's defeat these spirits first."

"Those?"

Kamito frowned— and followed Claire's sight and looked.

This time, from the destruction of the buildings, in the plaza's other side, there was another spirit.

A giant metallic deer with huge horns on its head.

"...! Another one!"

"What is happening, Claire?"

Ellis rushed over and asked with a sharp expression.

"Their master, are those two students that use the mirror spirit and the metallic spirit. Even though the Spirit Contractor has already fallen, these two spirits have completely lost control and became hysterical."

"Don't tell me, those two people yesterday... B-But, their contract spirit, aren't those—"

Even without finishing the sentence— Kamito suddenly realized. Ellis also seemed to notice.

"Don't tell me..."

"Uh, they have Spell Armament Seals."

"...!"

Ellis clenched her lips in trouble.

It seemed like she was troubled as she failed to prevent students reaching out to Spell Armament Seals.

Allowing mid level spirits to evolve into a high level spirit's Spell Armament Seal. Transplanting those things, was dangerous. Thus the conclusion— the spirits going hysterical.

"Anyways, how are your body injuries!?"

Noticing the blood stains on the uniform, Claire widened her eyes.

"...Ah, got beaten up. You too, aren't you also covered in injuries?"

"...It's not a big deal, at this level."

Claire unintentionally moved her face away.

But, even her uniform was torn everywhere, her hands and legs full with scratches.

"More than that, Ellis, why hasn't the support of the Sylphid Knights arrived yet?"

"They should already be on their way. It's just that because it is only Kamito and I that are stationed in this area... So, even if the groups are coming from other regions, it will still take some time."

Ellis clenched her lips tightly, because the combat power of the Sylphid Knights was cut in half, therefore, they could only move other people from other areas to support.

Releasing a loud roar that shook the earth, the fallen demonic mirror spirit stood up.

Having the form of the deer's, the metallic spirit also slowly went to the plaza's center.

Part 6

"There are two high level spirits that are running wild, —this is really troublesome, no?" Claire nervously said.

There were still large groups of people that hadn't escaped the plaza. Idly waiting for the Sylphid Knight and the Academy for reinforcements, would only cause irreparable results.

"You can't move any further."

"Sorry, but please stay put until reinforcements arrive."

Respectively clenching their own Elemental Waffe, Claire and Ellis confronted the spirits.

And at that instant, a bright flash bursted open.

A painful shriek came from the rubbles, and it started to crack.

"...! What just happened!?"

Kamito yelled out, blocking the rubble with his hands.

It's as if there was rain.

A rain of rubble that mercilessly barraged the two hysterical spirits.

Shaking the ground violently, countless pillars of fire shoot up to the sky.

"..."

The barrage stopped—

At that time, the only thing left was a destroyed plaza.

The two high level spirits had already been wiped out.

...What, just happened!?

While coughing, Kamito turned his face towards the direction of the barrage— just above the sky.

There was a giant floating fortress!

An aerial fortress that was equipped with several layers of armor and numerous cannons.

There stood a person with cold ice blue pupils, overlooking the ground.

"The Silent Fortress—"

Using only one strike that destroyed the entire plaza was the Academy's strongest Spirit Contractor, and she slowly landed on the ground.

"Power would be ravaged by forces with more power. A power that is equal has no difference with having no power."

"Velsaria..."

Kamito clutched his abdomen that was oozing blood, and stared at Velsaria.

The plaza that was completely flattened with the barrage of cannons.

The pieces of rubble, merciless trapped the crowd that had not yet fled.

"Why did you open fire! Don't tell me you didn't know, using that kind of Elemental Waffe, would cause that kind of conclusion—"

"I only destroyed the hysterical spirits. You could only say that those that were involved had bad luck— no, having that kind of damage would already be considered lucky."

"Onee-sama! Do you seriously think that—"

Velsaria coldly glared at the emotional Ellis.

"Ellis, looks like you being the captain was a mistake, right. You can't even deal with this level of situation."

"...!?"

Pushing away Ellis, Velsaria turned around and left.

At that moment.

"Hurry up and take it back."

"What?"

"I told you to take back what you just said! Hurry and apologize to Ellis!"

In a hazy consciousness, Kamito stepped forward with wobbly footsteps, towards Velsaria.

Unforgivable. Clearly not knowing Ellis' thoughts and saying those types of sentences.

Saying such a thing, is that what Ellis claimed as a perfect knight?

Whatever creed you live by is your freedom. But, a person like you who doesn't know anything, stepping on Ellis' ideals and values, I would never forgive her.

"I'm just saying the truth. The Fahrengart knights never distort their own ideals."

"Shut up, you do not have the requirements to be titled a knight."

"...!?"

A feeling flashed in Velsaria's pupils.

Neither troubled, nor anger— some other emotion.

"Disappear, male spirit contractor. Your existence only blocks my vision."

"Wait—"

Just when he was prepared to chase her, Kamito's vision suddenly shook.

Blood gushed out of his throat. The vision in front of his eyes suddenly became hazier like the mist.

"Damn...!"

"—Kamito!"

Claire quickly supported Kamito's fallen body.