The Blade Dance spanned ten days from preliminaries to finals, but Altair had no intention of waiting that long. At the academy, the ranking battles were routine, focused on points without real hostility, so he never needed to act. The Blade Dance, however, was different.
This world seemed idyllic, beautiful girls fighting alongside spirits, full of charm. But beneath the surface, it was steeped in darkness.
The continent's major powers were locked in endless wars, fueled by human greed and ambition. What began as pleasing spirits for power had twisted into controlling and exploiting them. Humans developed cursed armament seals to bind and command spirits.
In time, even a Spirit King fell under human control, the fiery, foolish Fire Spirit King.
Altair had no patience for this messy bunch. He'd end the entire Blade Dance on the first night!
The preliminaries selected the top four teams for the finals. If Altair swept every team on the first night, only his team would remain, rendering points and finals meaningless.
That was his plan to conquer the Blade Dance in one night!
Of course, the girls had prepared for months. It'd be unfair to deny them a chance to shine. So, Altair would give them one day to showcase their strength, letting everyone see their dedication to the Blade Dance.
With him backing them, they could fight without fear, unleashing their full power and exhausting themselves in a blaze of glory. Other teams wouldn't dare go all-out on the first day, wary of ambushes exploiting their fatigue.
Rinslet's team would seize a massive advantage.
After three days at the sanctuary, watching elemental maidens in revealing outfits, the Blade Dance began.
Teams from various nations gathered at the sanctuary's teleportation gate, awaiting transfer.
Rinslet's team was raring to go. Altair had outlined the strategy: charge in as a unit, overwhelm nearby teams, and keep pushing. Fight with flair, show their strength, Altair would cover their backs.
The girls were thrilled, ready to dive in and unleash everything.
Before teleportation, the Divine Ritual Institute's maidens reiterated the Blade Dance rules to ensure clarity. Then, the teleportation array activated, launching the tournament.
In the preliminaries, teams landed together. Rinslet, as captain, scanned the group.
"No one's missing. We're all here."
"Great! I can't wait, let's get started!" Claire said, gripping her whip with excitement.
"We need a direction. The battlefield's huge, with tons of teams. Where do we strike first?" Ellis, ever the disciplined knight captain, asked.
"We're at the edge of the field." Kamito noted. "Let's move along the perimeter, circling inward like a spiral."
"But the field's massive. We might not even complete one loop in a day." Fianna said, frowning at Altair. "Lord Altair only gave us one day to perform."
"Rinslet, you're the captain. What's the plan?" Altair asked.
"Let's charge straight for the center!" Rinslet proposed.
"Wouldn't that invite a surround?" Kamito cautioned.
"A surround's perfect! We've got limited time, and I want to show off my strength!" Rinslet said, unfazed. She was itching for a team fight.
"Lord Altair, I'm right, aren't I?"
"If you're surrounded, everyone but you might struggle. They don't have your defensive skills." Altair said, shaking his head with a smile. Rinslet, bolstered by his magic, could phase out of danger, standing invincible. Even if her magic ran dry, she could recharge with him on the spot. And if anyone dared touch his partner, he'd cut them down.
But the other three girls weren't so secure. Kamito could only protect so many at once. Claire, Ellis, and Fianna would be vulnerable in a surround.
"But Lord Altair, if we don't, we'll waste too much time traveling!" Rinslet said, tugging his hand and pouting to sway him.
"Rinslet, think of your teammates." Altair said, playfully poking her forehead.
"Let's stick to the edge and spiral inward. As for travel, I've got that covered."
Travel was no issue.
"Somersault Cloud." Altair called. A fluffy cloud materialized before the team.
"A cloud?" Rinslet gasped.
"Yep, Somersault Cloud, my go-to for getting around." Altair said, pulling Est and Rinslet onto it while explaining.
"It's incredible! We can walk on it! Is this a spirit?" Claire asked.
"No, not a spirit. Think of it as elf magic, part of my power." Altair clarified.
"This is magic? It's way too useful!" Fianna said.
Stepping onto the soft cloud, the girls' eyes sparkled, just like the kids back in the day. They couldn't resist touching it, poking the fluffy surface. Even Est and Restia joined in, pinching it curiously.
Girls really loved soft things.
"Let's go. Pick a direction, and I'll have the Somersault Cloud take us there." Altair said, lounging on the cloud with his hands behind his head.
"Then, this way!" Rinslet said, standing at the front, one hand on her hip, the other pointing ahead, brimming with excitement.
"Lord Altair!"
"Alright, Captain Rinslet, Somersault Cloud, full speed ahead!"
Rinslet's team's Blade Dance had officially begun!
***
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