After half an hour of deliberation, Rinslet and Claire finally selected only one person: Ellis.
As the leader of the Sylphid Knights, Ellis's strength, while not on par with the current Rinslet and Kamito, is definitely comparable to Claire's, and she is also a high-level elementalist.
Rinslet specializes in ice and is currently one of the strongest ice elementalists, so the team doesn't need another ice user. Claire is a powerful fire elementalist, making water unnecessary for the team. Kamito's contracted spirit, Restia, is a dark spirit, so there's no need for another dark spirit. To ensure diversity in the team, the remaining options are essentially rock, holy, wind, and water attribute spirits.
Water spirits can combine with Rinslet's ice to create large-scale freezing effects and often possess healing abilities. Rock spirits can alter terrain to control enemies or protect teammates. Holy spirits typically offer strong defensive capabilities and some healing. Wind spirits can enhance Claire's fire attacks for powerful wind-fire combinations and assist Rinslet in delivering widespread ice attacks.
Each attribute brings unique strengths that can complete the team's configuration.
However, not every team can afford such luxury, as high-level elemental spirits are rare. Only high-level spirits can fully manipulate elements, while lower-level ones have limited capabilities. Thus, a multi-element team is quite extravagant.
Among the high-level elementalists, only Ellis satisfied both Claire and Rinslet. Consequently, she passed the selection and joined Rinslet's team.
The others left the arena disappointed, leaving Ellis to face Rinslet and her companions alone.
Holding her wind spear, Ellis looked at Rinslet. To fight alongside Ren Ashbell, she had even abandoned her original team, which was almost complete with four members from the Sylphid Knights, all of whom she knew well. But to follow her idol, she tearfully left them. Fortunately, her friends understood that her strength surpassed theirs and supported her decision to join a stronger team.
"Now, can I meet Ren Ashbell?"
"Of course, you can join my team and meet Ren Ashbell as well."
"Then take me to her."
Seeing Rinslet's sincerity, Ellis sheathed her spear, her eyes brimming with anticipation for meeting her idol and receiving the answers she sought.
However, after waiting for what seemed like an eternity without Rinslet making a move, Ellis frowned.
"Rinslet, what are you playing at? Hurry up and take me to Ren Ashbell."
"Haven't I already brought you to her?"
Rinslet smiled, tilting her chin towards Claire and Kamito.
"There she is."
Ellis glanced at Claire and Kamito, confused. Where was Ren Ashbell?
"Rinslet, are you mocking me? If you dare to trick me, I'll make you pay dearly for my anger!"
Feeling deceived, Ellis raised her spear again, green wind swirling at its tip. She was furious.
"No need to rush."
Unfazed, Rinslet winked at Claire.
"Claire, why don't you have your spirit demonstrate?"
"Hmph, he's my spirit; you don't get to order him around."
Claire stepped in front of Kamito, asserting her claim by puffing out her chest, then commanded him.
"Kamito, show her. She'll be our teammate now."
"Alright."
Kamito felt uneasy but had no choice. With Restia back, his secret was bound to come out. He valued having Restia by his side more than keeping his identity hidden. After all, his cross-dressing past paled in comparison to being with his partner.
So be it.
"Restia!"
Kamito raised his left hand, the one always gloved in black, and a dark purple light emanated from it.
"Answer me, Restia!"
"Yes, Kamito."
Restia's voice came from behind him. The dark spirit appeared with wings spread, floating mid-air. At Kamito's call, she embraced him from behind, her black wings enveloping him before transforming into a burst of black light that settled into his left hand as a pitch-black magic sword.
Gripping the Vorpal Sword, Kamito's eyes shone with confidence.
With you, Restia, I can achieve anything!
"This... this sword!!!"
Ellis stared at the magic sword in Kamito's hand, eyes wide with shock.
"This is Ren Ashbell's sword!"
Kamito struck his signature pose from years ago, exuding determination and confidence, the iconic Ren Ashbell stance that left Ellis speechless.
"This... you... this..."
"Yes, I am Ren Ashbell. The one you knew three years ago is me."
Enduring the awkwardness, Kamito nodded in confirmation.
"What!!!"
Ellis's scream echoed throughout the arena.
Kamito's confession was hard for her to swallow. The Ren Ashbell she had idolized was a man!
To convince her, Kamito demonstrated his unique techniques, identical to those from his past performances. He even donned a shrine maiden outfit with Restia's assistance, cross-dressing to look just like he did back then, only taller. Now, denial was impossible for Ellis.
Reluctantly, she accepted that Kamito was Ren Ashbell and agreed to join Rinslet's team, but with one condition.
She wanted Kamito to participate in the Blade Dance cross-dressed, just like before. She wished for her to retain that dashing image in battle, at least in her memories.
Upon hearing this, Kamito was about to refuse, but Claire instantly agreed, and Rinslet cheerfully consented as well. Ellis desired to preserve the beautiful image of her idol, while Claire and Rinslet saw it as punishment for his past deception, requiring him to cross-dress again for the Blade Dance.
Even Restia joined in, expressing full support, sealing the decision.
Altair, observing from the sidelines, was astonished. Kamito was going to cross-dress!
Moreover, his cross-dressed appearance was stunning, surpassing even the beauty of typical female protagonists, exuding a heroic charm unlike any other cross-dressing character. Incredible!
He could already picture the scene: starting tomorrow, Kamito in feminine attire at the academy, swarmed by students calling him 'Onee-chan.'
Well done, Ellis!
As anticipated, from the next day onward, Kamito wore the school uniform, a short skirt revealing his long legs, and even a bra courtesy of Ellis, complemented by a custom wig. The legendary blade dancer had returned.
The school was abuzz.
Claire, perhaps eager to flaunt him, insisted that Kamito accompany her to class in his cross-dressed state, unleashing the full force of Ren Ashbell's popularity.
Students neglected their studies, loitering around Kamito whenever possible. Even on his way to the dormitory, crowds of girls lined the paths, cheering "Onee-chan!"
He became the undisputed idol of the noble ladies' academy.
Claire reveled in this, parading with Kamito's arm in hers, smugly implying ownership, much to the envy of other students. Unbothered by their resentment, she had always been at odds with them.
Ellis, however, was displeased. Since it was her idea for Kamito to cross-dress, she refused to let Claire monopolize him and seized his other arm.
Thus, whenever Kamito stepped out, he was flanked by a red-haired and a blue-haired beauty clinging to his arms, practically dragging him along, a peculiar sight indeed.
Occasionally, Restia would add to the spectacle by perching on his back, making Kamito look like a human Christmas tree adorned with people.
Altair found this daily occurrence highly entertaining.
Then, on the third day of Kamito's cross-dressing escapade, the empire's second princess made an unexpected visit to the school.
The final team member Altair had arranged for Rinslet had arrived at last.
***
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