Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter8

Status: Incomplete

pending TLC

Chapter 8: Ellis' Determination

Part 1

"Ah..."

As Kamito opened his eyes, the familiar ceiling of Claire's room came into his vision.

Warm sunlight was shining through the curtain.

...Eh? I... Why was I sleeping?

His memory had been in a mess.

He didn't know when his pyjamas were put on him, or when his bandages were wrapped on him.

Next to his bed, there was a cracked spirit stone that he believed was used for healing.

Kamito was going to just stand up for now—

"Hoo... Ah...!"

Burning like pain ran at the side of his abdomen.

When he took a look, the blood at the bandages wrapped around his abdomen had dried up and hardened.

That's right, I—

Due to that pain, Kamito finally remembered.

I was pierced at my abdomen by that Spirit...

It was the demonic mirror spirit that went out of control due to the power of the Curse Armament Seal.

The spirit that wounded Kamito was annihilated by Velsaria.

With overwhelming destructive force. Without even leaving any traces.

A spirit, which was thoroughly destroyed to that extent, could not even return back to Astral Zero.

It should have been completely eradicated.

"The Academy's strongest blade dancer— huh?"

Precisely because it was a sealed spirit the same as Est, that fortress was an abnormal elemental waffe.

She was becoming far stronger than the time at the Blade Dance three years ago.

...With how I am now, could I defeat her?

As he clenched his left hand which had been holding a jet-black demonic sword, he asked himself.

He had a blank of three years that he went embarking on the journey to find Restia.

There was also the fact that the spirit contract with Est was still incomplete.

If it was about the reasons that he couldn't win, he could come up with as many as he liked.

That orphan of the «Instructional School» — Jio Inzagi had said that I've become weak...

That was because Kamito was subconsciously protecting his companions.

If that was a weakness, then—

... I have indeed become weak, heh.

Enduring the pain like that of a terrible burn wound, he finally got up from the bed.

Kamito's uniform was hanging on a wall of the room. It was a mere shadow of its former self with all that damage.

It was probably decided that there would be no point in washing it now, so it was left there like that.

While he placed both hands on the wall, he started walking with shaky footsteps.

After he searched his uniform's chest pocket, he took out a present and a chocolate.

The chocolate had melted and been flattened, but it was something that Claire made with great trouble. So, he was going to eat it gratefully.

After making his resolve and tossing a bite-size piece into his mouth, sweetness instantly spread out inside his mouth.

"...Hn? This is surprisingly..."

Although there was still a bit of bitterness, it was properly made deliciously.

Compared to the coal she had been mass-producing, she had improved considerably.

...She basically is a very hard working person, isn't she?

Her erratics that went with her mood was her weakness, but as she was an honour student, she was fast at apprehending things.

If she was serious, her cooking should also certainly conspicuously improve.

"—Kamito!?"

Suddenly, the room's door opened.

The one who came in, was Claire holding crumpled bandages with both hands.

"Y-You, what are you doing!"

"Nm? The chocolate you gave me was made pretty well. You've worked hard."

"Eh?"

Kamito frankly praised—

Claire's face immediately reddened.

"I-Isn't that obvious? I-I've practised a lot after all... Eh, that's not the point. W-Why are you awake? Your body still isn't in a condition to walk, right?!"

"Ah, no, just walking isn't a problem, look... Ouch!"

Just by slightly moving his arm, pain ran through the side of his abdomen.

"...Haaa. You really are a fool, your wound opened again, didn't it? Come on, sit there. I'll put new bandages on you."

"Ahhh, sorry..."

Being softly pressed on his shoulders by Claire, Kamito was made to sit on the bed.

Under the gentle treatment from Claire that was different from usual, Kamito's heart ended up beating quickly.

"...Geez, you're a fool."

While Claire wrapped the bandages unskillfully—

She told Kamito what happened after he fainted.

The two, who reached out to the Curse Armament Seals, were found unconscious in the forest.

It seemed like they were arrested immediately after the arrival of the Knights and were moved to the capital. Laying their hands on the Curse Armament Seals did not mean that it ended with just breaking the academy rules. They would end up being charged for their crimes by the council that judged spirit contractors.

The actions by Velsaria, who got the general public involved, did not cause any deaths, and in addition, as a result of suppressing the casualties in the town to the minimum, she seemed to have ended up not being charged.

The one who issued the ruling was Greyworth, however— this judgement was probably pushed back to just before the Blade Dance and it —without a doubt— involved the speculation of the congress of the Ordesia Empire that there was no way they could punish the academy's strongest candidate.

After Ellis helped Claire move Kamito, she seemed to have stayed confined in her room.

It might be that she felt responsible as the Captain for the fact that she couldn't protect the town from destruction and that she couldn't prevent students from getting involved with the Curse Armament Seals.

"... How long did I sleep?"

"For almost a day. The Valentia Holy Festival ended a long time ago."

"Is that so..."

Kamito glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.

Since last night, more than half a day had already passed.

"Claire, I'm sorry for being late."

Kamito handed over the small box, which he took out of his uniform a while ago, to Claire.

"What?"

"Ah... Err, this is your present... For your birthday. Although it's already over."

"...!?"

Claire widely opened her ruby eyes.

"No way, why...?"

"Rinslet told me. Well, for an ojou-sama of a noble, this may not be something of high value."

"..."

Receiving the box, Claire untied the ribbon with fidgety hands.

Inside the box, a cat-shaped silver pendant was perfectly placed.

"T-This, isn't this what I wanted...?"

"Weren't you continuously looking at it that time?"

"U-Uh, but..."

Claire gently and preciously took out the pendant.

"This should be expensive. You aren't even a noble, how did—"

"I asked a big favour from Ellis, and got an advance on the remuneration from the Knights."

"...S-So... It was like that."

Claire tightly clasped the pendant, while she looked at Kamito with her eyes glancing upwards—

"...Th-Thank you, Kamito"

And said that shyly.

Kamito's heart spontaneously beat faster at her expression that she usually didn't even show.

...T-This person, making such a face is criminally cute—

He had been thinking that he would hear something like—"You're sensible for a slave at best".

He did not think she would express her gratitude that frankly.

"Sorry, Kamito... Err, I was at fault."

"Mn?"

With another unbelievable line emerging, Kamito doubted his ears.

"I-I'm saying that I was at fault... Err, for getting angry and chasing you out. You joined the Knights for the sake of earning money to gift me this?"

"Ah, no, that's—"

Just when he was about to say it, Kamito closed his mouth.

Although it wasn't entirely like that— it seemed better to remain silent at this point.

"Despite that I didn't even listen to your explanation and willfully got angry... Sorry."

Her red twin tails drooped down.

"No, I'm at fault, my words were insufficient at that time. Sorry."

"Kamito..."

"—Hey, are you people done?"

There was the sound of a cough.

"...!?"

The two turned away in a fluster.

"Fianna, since when were you here!?"

"From when Kamito-kun pressed on coercively, saying 'It's time for you to become more frank, even though you always say you hate it— the truth is you want to be messed up by me, right?'"

"Don't fabricate an impossible fact!"

"Y-Yeah! T-To be messed up... T-That's not allowed!"

Claire turned steamily bright-red and got angry.

"Hoho, I'm joking. Really Claire, what are you getting red for, I wonderr?"

"W-Wh-What did you come here for, Ero-Queen?!"

"As our opponent for the match tomorrow has already been declared, I came here to tell you that!"

"Our opponent for the match?"

"Yea, our opponent is the first-ranking —Velsaria Eva's— team~"

"...!"

Claire's expression became sharp.

"...The Silent Fortress', huh?"

As long as they kept on winning through, she was an opponent they would have to face one day.

Claire should have been prepared for this.

However, the power that eradicated two mighty high level spirits in an instant was—

"—No problem."

Kamito picked up the elemental waffe sword that was leaned on the side of the bed.

"I will defeat Velsaria. I have to make her open her eyes with my hands."

"W-What are you saying!"

Claire sharply glared at Kamito.

"With that kind of injury, there's no way you can participate in the match tomorrow?"

"She isn't an opponent you two can win against."

"T-Things will work out. Putting Velsaria herself aside, the others have not yet matured as a team. As they were just head-hunted from the Knights, their training in coordination have also not yet been sufficiently—"

"That Silent Fortress isn't such an easy opponent."

"That's..."

Claire had a impulsive personality, however, as a spirit contractor, she was endowed with calm eyes for battles.

Just with that, she wouldn't mistake the strength difference between Velsaria and her.

The strength of Claire, who uses Scarlet, towered above the rest of the elementary students but, even with that, she wasn't an opponent she could win against.

Former princess maiden of the «Divine Ritual Institute» Fianna was an expert at ritual dances but it did not change the fact that she's a novice at battles. Her Georgios was certainly strong but considering the fact that it could not be released as an elemental waffe, its width for battles was narrowed at any rate.

Additionally, in order to attack the flying fortress, a spirit that has long-range attacks was necessary.

The only thing that could attack air units in Team Scarlet was Claire's magic. But, it was impossible to only rely on magic to destroy the armor mounted on the fortress.

But, if I were to be a forward, we could at lest adhere to five minutes.

Towards Kamito who was making an attempt to get out of bed—

*Squeeze squeeze*

"Even if Kamito-kun's body is firmer and stronger, participating in tomorrow's match is impossible~"

Fianna used her soft chest to press him back.

Due to Kamito's blushing because of touching something really soft, Claire fiercely glared back.

"That's right~ the injured you would just give us more trouble."

"..."

Although he felt really unwilling, but he couldn't find any words of rebuttal.

Indeed, letting Kamito, who was seriously injured, join the battle would just be a hindrance.

"Then... is Team Scarlet forfeiting?"

"That—"

Kamito, who was asking it also understood that there was no other way.

Once you forfeit a match, as a punishment your ranking would significantly drop.

Knowing that, if they don't defeat the top team, the chance of getting their 6th place team to the top 3 would be almost 0.

Part 3

"..."

A heavy atmosphere filled the room, and at that moment—

"Fuu, I understand what you all are saying~"

An elegant voice came from outside the room.

Accompanied by her wavy blond hair, Rinslet entered the room.

Following closely behind her, was her maid Carol.

"Rinslet why did you come over here!?"

"Seems like my power is needed~"

Disregarding Claire who was actively protesting, Rinslet openly walked over.

After stopping in front of Kamito, who was still sitting on the bed, she elegantly moved her long hair.

"As long as it is me, I can definitely shoot down the flying fortress for you!"

"Ojou-sama is trying to say that she hopes to join Claire-sama's team~"

Carol simultaneously translated what Rinslet had said.

"Is that right, Rinslet?"

"...N-No! It's, just that..."

Rinslet, who was flustered, asked for Carol's help.

"Haha, ojou-sama really isn't good at expressing the truth~"

Using her hands to cover her mouth, Carol gently laughed.

"—Rinslet!"

Suddenly, Kamito stood up and grasped her shoulders.

Those slender shoulders of hers suddenly trembled.

"Ah!, w-what! You are too violent... I'm not ready yet!"

Her voice sharpened as she protested. But, Kamito did not let go.

"..."

"Ah, wha..."

Being stared at by Kamito, Rinslet quickly quieted down.

Blushing, she nervously grabbed the corner of her skirt.

"T-This is troublesome... If I am being stared at like that, I-I will become strange..."

"K-Kamito, what are you doing!?"

"Kamito-kun, no matter how you explain yourself, this is too bold!"

Ignoring the shocked Claire and Fianna—

"Please, Rinslet. Join our team."

"Eh?"

Rinslet stood there, shocked. Claire also widened her eyes.

Rinslet's Elemental Waffe— "Freezing Arrow", was a long range weapon. In the situation where Kamito would be unable to enter tomorrow's match, they would urgently need her to join.

If we left it to Claire, who is always arguing with her, to ask this ojou-sama, she would never put down her pride.

So, Kamito intervened and asked her himself.

Rinslet then—

"A-Alright..."

Like a bride that was getting proposed to, she shyly agreed.

"I-If Kamito-san says so..."

Blushing, she used her fingers to play with her hair.

"Isn't this fine, Claire?"

Claire sighed.

"Well this is, after all, the undefeated "Silent Fortress". And eventually we would need ranged support that has sufficient power."

"W-Wait, don't misunderstand. I only joined your team because Kamito-san requested it."

"Now, now." Carol slowly comforted the furious Rinslet.

In any case, now we will be able to carry out anti-air attacks from the ground.

...Now that she has joined, our power will be more balanced.

Claire seemed to have considered the same thing as Kamito.

"Now if only we could have another person take on the position as forward..."

She said with a troubled expression.

Just then, came knocking from the door.

"...?"

Everyone looked at each other... Having visitors come to this room was very surprising.

Claire went over and opened the door.

The ones who were standing outside the door— were two people who they didn't expect.

"Y-You!?"

Claire, who was holding the door handle, widened her eyes.

"Claire Rouge, there is something we want you to do..."

"Although we do not have the qualifications to ask for something like this."

They were Ellis' teammates who were still supposed to be in the infirmary, Rakka and Reishia from the Sylphid Knights.

Part 4

Inside the dark room where all the curtains were pulled close—

Ellis was crying alone on her bed, not caring for anything.

Staring at the memory that was sealed in the spirit stone.

Inside was a young Ellis, dreaming of Velsaria.

For the first time, she didn't attend the Knight's meeting in the morning.

What she wore wasn't the school uniform, but pajamas that were printed with polka-dots.

Her hair wasn't tied up as well, letting her long hair flow down in all directions on her bed.

—You are not a knight.

Velsaria's words echoed in her head.

It may be just as what onee-sama said...

Amidst the darkness, Ellis had firmly grasped the bed sheet.

...It's the truth, in the end, I couldn't protect anyone.

The people that were happily enjoying the festival.

The students that were transplanted with Spell Armament Seals.

And also— her important partner who was with her.

Kamito, who joined her out of kindness, had sustained serious injuries.

Everything was because of me. If only I was more powerful, then nothing would have happened—

The seniors who agreed to join Velsaria and left the Knights, they were also her fault.

No one would want to be with a captain that has no power, and would only speak of dreams.

"...I do not, have the right to call myself a Knight—"

"Yeah, the current you really doesn't have the right to be called a knight, Ellis."

"...!"

Ellis immediately let go of the bed sheets.

"Claire Rouge?"

"Sorry, but I melted the lock."

After saying that, Claire entered the room.

"W-Why are you here, and what do you mean that I had no right of being a knight!?"

"Heh~ So you still have the strength to get angry. I feel at ease now."

Claire stood next to the bed, hands on her hips, and lowered her head while looking at Ellis.

The normal Ellis would have stared back immediately, but—

She looked as if she was being forced and looked away.

"...H-Has Kamito awakened yet?"

"Yeah, he even said some weird things like he would like to join tomorrow's match."

"What—? With that kind of injury?"

"Yup. And our enemy is the Academy's strongest, 'Silent Fortress'."

"That's crazy, what are all of you thinking!?"

Ellis grabbed Claire and stood up.

"Don't you understand onee-sama's power?"

"Ah, she is a very powerful spirit contractor, but she is not invincible."

"What?"

Ellis frowned.

Velsaria Eva Fahrengart was the strongest in the Academy.

This was a fact everyone knew of.

"Three years ago, Ren Ashbell defeated her."

"But that's because— She is the strongest blade dancer. Their levels are too far apart!"

"True. But, our goal is to defeat Ren Ashbell."

"Wha—?"

To Ellis, who never thought she would hear those words, she was speechless.

...defeat Ren Ashbell!?

"How is that possible—?"

"It is possible. More precisely, we will make it possible~"

"..."

Claire was serious.

She was seriously thinking of defeating the strongest blade dancer.

"I will continue to win in the Spirit Blade Dance Festival, then I will make my 'wish'. Whether it is the Silent Fortress or the strongest blade dancer, whoever gets in my way shall be brought down."

Looking straight at Ellis, were a pair of eyes that were burning silently.

A small flame was ignited, inside Ellis' heart.

"M-Me too..."

"Ellis, will you bring that resolve and join the Spirit Blade Dance Festival?"

Claire seized Ellis' collar.

"Your dream of being a knight, is it only to this level?"

"—No!"

Ellis pushed Claire's hands away.

"I am... I am a knight of the Fahrengart!"

*Boom!*

A strong wind was formed in the room.

The bed sheet on the bed was blown away, the items on the desk were sent flying in the air.

The curtains were ripped apart, and strong rays from the sun were fired into the dark room, brightening everything.

"..."

After the wind settled—

"Looks like the wind has started blowing again~"

Claire smiled.

Then, she pointed at Ellis.

With her other hand on her hips—

"Ellis, join our team!"

"...W-What?"

Ellis asked, still shocked.

"Me... join Team Scarlet?"

"Correct. With you, we can win against the Silent Fortress."

Claire spoke with a serious tone.

However, Ellis firmly shook her head.

"Sorry, I cannot accept that. I already have companions to fight with—"

"—Captain!"

"?"

After hearing the noise that echoed in the room, Ellis looked over—

"Y-You guys!?"

Standing there, was a girl with short hair, and another with braided hair.

Her teammates Rekka and Reishia.

"...You escaped from the Infirmary?"

Part 5

They should still be recovering.

They shouldn't have been allowed to come out this far.

"Why...?"

"We hoped that Captain would appear in the Spirit Blade Dance Festival."

Rekka had said while painfully coughing.

Reishia nodded.

"We decided it ourselves. We already knew that we wouldn't heal before the festival... So—"

"You're... disbanding... the party?"

Having a stunned expression, Ellis looked at her two teammates.

"..."

"N-No, I will not allow that!"

"But, Captain—"

"Didn't we already promise! We had decided to appear in the festival together!"

Ellis didn't care about her appearance to others anymore and cried like a child.

"We can't fight anymore. So—"

"We want to be there, side by side... So carry our dreams with you."

"Rekka, Reishia..."

"Please, fight for us too."

"I would like to see Captain's blade dance. A blade dance that cuts everything blocking its path like a gale."

"..."

Ellis—

Firmly bit her lips and clenched her fist.

Both sides refused to give up— A heavy atmosphere quickly filled up the room.

The first person who sighed, was Ellis.

"...I understand. You win."

"Captain!"

The two girls squealed in happiness.

"—Claire Rouge."

Ellis looked back at the quiet Claire.

Not with the past face without any energy.

But with an expression that was filled with pride.

"I, Ellis Fahrengart, request to join Team Scarlet."

"Welcome, Ellis~"

Claire smiled happily and stretched out her right hand.

And Ellis replied by stretching out her left.

"I want to show that person, my honor."

Part 6

The strongest blade dancer— Ren Ashbell.

Three years ago, from the day they exchanged blows with their blades, Velsaria's life had changed drastically.

On that day, her pride was struck and shattered.

Before that day, Velsaria always had the pride of the strongest Knight.

To the girl that appeared in front of her, she didn't underestimate her foe that was two years younger than her.

No matter who it was, as long as it was an enemy, she would try her best to strike it down.

That was her belief as a Knight.

With her full power she had fought— But was defeated.

At that time, in her heart, Velsaria did not feel hatred.

But it was more like a yearning to her.

Velsaria was not an exception, she, like the other girls, was fascinated by Ren Ashbell's blade dance.

But what shattered her pride, was not the defeat itself.

It was the eyes that the strongest girl cast at the loser.

In her pitch black pupils, what was seen—

Was not hostility, nor was it disdain— There was no emotion.

In her eyes, Velsaria was not even recognized.

...Unforgivable. What she had done was unforgivable.

I must defeat the strongest girl, and let her 'acknowledge my existence'.

This was probably— in a sense, an emotion that was similar to love.

Soon, I can fight her again in the Spirit Blade Dance Festival.

As long as I can do that, anything is fine.

Midnight. Deep inside the "Spirit Forest"—

Velsaria was alone in the dark, trying her best to restrain her excitement.

At this moment, the bush behind her moved slightly.

"—You, you are there right?"

"Ha, as expected of you, you were able to detect my presence~"

A vivid laughter rang in the forest.

The one who appeared was— the Corpse Federation merchant, Vivian Melosa.

"You were perfect yesterday, because of you I was able to collect a lot of data~"

"I knew it, it was you who implanted those Spell Armament Seals on them."

Velsaria emitted a strong murderous aura that made the leaves around them fall.

"Yes, but, they were destroyed immediately. Even if it is the famed Areshia Spirit Academy, it is rare to find such a fine specimen like yourself!"

"Disappear. I told you to never appear in front of me again."

"Wah, you're pretty cold. I just came here to find out how the corruption rate of the 'heart' was."

"I have no intentions to support your research. The 'heart' can already be fully controlled."

Vivian Melosa laughed out loud.

"Don't stretch it. A 'spell armament seal engraved on a heart'— the only person who could possibly control it is the Dusk Witch. If you just leave it like that, you will die in a few years~"

"Not a problem. As long as I live till the Spirit Blade Dance Festival two weeks later, it is enough."

"That is troublesome to me though. You are actually a specimen I took a liking to—"

In an instant, Velsaria released her Elemental Waffe towards Vivian Melosa.

With the strength of the compressed Divine power, it blew apart the trees in the forest, and blasted away the dirt in front of her.

After the dust had settled, there was no one there. Only the dense darkness.

"...That damned witch."

Facing the empty space, Velsaria bitterly cursed.

*Thump*—, the 'heart' started painfully throbbing.