Bladedance of Elementalers

Bladedance of Elementalers
Cover of Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance volume 1.
精霊使いの剣舞 (Seirei Tsukai no Bureidodansu)
Genre	Action, Fantasy, Harem, Romantic comedy
Light novel
Written by	Yū Shimizu
Illustrated by	Hanpen Sakura
Published by	Media Factory
Demographic	Male
Original run	December 24, 2010 – present
Volumes	14
Manga
Written by	Yū Shimizu
Illustrated by	Hyōju Issei
Published by	Media Factory
Magazine	Monthly Comic Alive
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	September 2012 – present
Volumes	2
Anime television series
Directed by	Tetsuya Yanagisawa
Produced by	Maki Fujii
Written by	Takao Yoshioka
Studio	TNK
Licensed by	NA: Sentai Filmworks
Original network	AT-X, Tokyo MX, MBS, TV Aichi, BS11
English network	NA: Crunchyroll
Original run	July 14, 2014 – present
Episodes	12

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance (精霊使いの剣舞, Seirei Tsukai no Bureidodansu, lit. Spirit Elementalist's Blade Dance), also referred to as Blade Dance of Elementalers or Dance Blade of the Spirit Master, is a light novel series written by Yū Shimizu with illustrations by Hanpen Sakura. A manga adaptation illustrated by Hyōju Issei serialization in the September 2012 issue of Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive. The first volume was released on February 23, 2013. An anime television series adaptation by TNK is scheduled to air from July 2014.

Plot

In a world where spirits exist and only pure maidens have the privilege of contracting with the spirits, maidens from noble families gather at Areishia Spirit Academy where they are trained and given an Elite's education in order to qualify to become an elementalist. Enter Kamito Kazehaya, a male teenager who does something thought impossible - he contracts with a spirit. Being the only male elementalist in the world (and only the second male elementalist in 1000 years) he received an invitation from the Academy's director, Greyworth Ciel Mais, to come to Areisha Spirit Academy. Upon arriving, he loses his way in the spirit forest and stumbles upon a girl named Claire Rouge purifying herself in a lake. She is, understandably, upset and embarrassed and attacks him. He is able to avoid the worst of her wrath and finds out that she intends to contract with a sealed sword spirit. He accompanies her so that she can guide him out of the forest once she has accomplished her goal. Claire attempts to contract with the sealed sword spirit but fails causing it to run wild. In order to save her life, Kamito forms a contract with the sword spirit himself, much to Claire's chagrin. Disregarding the fact that he saved her life, she accuses him of stealing her spirit and insists that he atone for it by becoming her contracted spirit. He, of course, refuses. What will Kamito's destiny upon arriving at the academy be?

Characters

Team Scarlet

Kamito Kazehaya (カゼハヤ・カミト, Kazehaya Kamito)

Voiced by: Makoto Furukawa

The world's only known male elementalist. Have dark hair and eyes and about 16 years old at the start of the story. He forms an incomplete contract with the sealed sword spirit, Est, while responding to a summons from the director of Areishia Spirit Academy.

Before being summoned to the Academy he was raised as an elite assassin by the Institutional School where he was conditioned to become an emotionless shell in order to make him a more controllable (and disposable) tool. However, his life changed after meeting the spirit, Restia. She taught him about the world outside of the school, and, in the process, rekindled his emotions. The Institutional School was attacked and destroyed by a rampant fire spirit which allowed him to escape, along with the sealed artifact (a special ring that belonged to the first Demon King) imprisoning Restia. An encounter with Greyworth, before she became the director of the Academy, further changed his life. She taught him various sword skills including special techniques effective against specific types of opponents e.g. demon spirits, multiple enemies, lone elementalists etc. He specializes in two sword fighting and tires more quickly when fighting with only one hand. The assassin skills and astonishing agility Kamito learned at the Instructional School coupled with the sword skills taught by Greyworth make him a fearsome sword fighter.

Three years before the events of the novel Kamito participated in the Blade Dance in drag under the name Ren Ashbell and won the title of the Strongest Blade Dancer. He wore a wig and an outfit (for girls) from what is believed to be his homeland as his disguise. He is constantly reminded of this embarrassing episode in his life as many girls admire Ren Ashbell for not only her skills but also because it was apparent that she was fighting for another. Since Ren Ashbell is such a prominent role model to many of the maidens at the Academy, Kamito tries to avoid using his better-known techniques to avoid revealing that everyone's favorite idol is really a boy, usually unsuccessfully. His attempts at subterfuge are aided by the fact that, as Ren, he wielded Restia (as a black sword) with his left hand (now covered with a glove), and he now wields Est (a white sword) with his right hand. Fianna discovered his secret during the previous Blade Dance and now uses this knowledge to occasionally blackmail, tease, and even cover for him. For some reason, with the exception of Ellis' older adopted sister, Velsaria Eva Fahrengart, no one has noticed that his eyes are the same as those of Ren Ashbell.

Kamito has two contract spirits. His first contract spirit is Restia, a Darkness spirit, whose Elemental Waffe form is the Vorpal Sword (The sword that pierces truth) with the special ability of destructive lightning. The contract symbol for her is on the back of the left hand and was formed when she kissed him right before the Instruction School sealed her up in the ring. Kamito won the Blade Dance using Restia but is unable to recall how he was separated from her as his memories from that time are unclear. Restia has been acting independently from Kamito for the past three years since they separated, the contract seal remains and will burn whenever she is nearby. Although she can detect his location, he doesn't seem to be able to detect hers. His second contract spirit is Terminus Est (The demon slayer). Her contract symbol looks like two crossed swords and appeared on the back of his right hand. This later changes to a sword crossed with a crescent moon. He initially enters the current Blade Dance to be reunited with Restia, and then later to have Est become a True Holy Sword instead of a cursed Demon Blade.

It's unknown what magic or abilities he received from being contracted with Restia, but his contract with Est allows him to: conjure blade weapons (he rarely uses this ability, probably because the conjured swords are always inferior to a waffe), have a body as durable as steel, and vastly increased regeneration/recovery. Due to the large divine power consumption required to use either of his sword spirits coupled with the extreme physical exertion required of his stronger moves Kamito is unable to fight at peak levels for extended periods of time. Although his body is naturally able to recover faster than normal, even without a contract, Kamito is also naturally resistant to Holy spells, which unfortunately includes healing spells.

Kamito's life at the Academy is rather taxing. The girls' feelings for him, which, coupled with wildly exaggerated rumors and misconceptions about him, often gets him into situations that he doesn't quite understand and results in those girls who catch him 'red handed' punishing him using magic. Despite the fact he never instigates any of these incidents, he is always the only one deemed responsible for them. The result of these hijinks is that Kamito becomes known as the 'Demon King of the Night' (and eventually daylight and noon). The irony of the situation is that if Kamito had actually done even a fraction of the perverted stuff he's rumored to, neither he or the girls he 'soiled' would be pure enough to use their contracted Spirits. Despite this inconsistency, the rumors about him are considered fact by numerous Intelligence agencies including the Draconian Empire who first wanted to castrate him to protect innocent maidens, and then later changed their minds to wanting to seduce him, with the hope that the resulting children would inherit his abilities.

Claire Rouge (クレア・ルージュ, Kurea Rūju)

Voiced by: Ibuki Kido

Claire is the younger daughter of Duke Elstein. She inherited the Elstein fire-red hair and eyes as well as the family aptitude for Fire magic. The Elsteins were grand nobles who had served the royal family for generations ever since the founding of the Ordesian Empire. Four years ago her elder sister, Rubia, the Queen serving under the Fire Elemental Lord, snatched the strongest flame spirit, Laevateinn, and disappeared. Outraged by this betrayal, the Fire Elemental Lord burned parts of the Empire and wouldn't allow any fires other than those of Flame Spirits to exist within the Empire. Ren Ashbell's Blade Dance the following year appeased the Fire Lord's anger enough that he stopped randomly burning the Empire. As the result of that incident, the Elstein duchy and fortune were seized and the duke and his wife were imprisoned in Balsas's prison. Although Claire was not sent to prison, the Imperial family demanded the return of Scarlet, her elemental spirit. However, Greyworth interceded on her behalf, saying that Claire would become an excellent elementalist at her Academy. The source of her allowance at the Academy is unknown but it is sufficient for her to live frugally. Having grown up with servants, she never learned to cook and her attempts at preparing food usually end up burned to a blackened crisp.

After Claire accepted Greyworth's offer, she dropped the Elstein family name and attends Areishia Spirit Academy under the alias Claire Rouge. Initially a meek and shy child Claire has strengthened herself in order to win the Blade Dance and find out the reasons for her sister's actions. Due to being ostracized as the "Calamity Queen's Sister", she has little trust in anybody other than Scarlet. Claire has studied intensely to become one of the top students of the school and become an able strategist. Claire's favorite spell is Fireball, and she can either engage at close/medium range with Flametongue (Scarlet's Waffe form of a whip) or medium/long range with Fire magic. Her position in team tactics is that of tactician/rear guard so she can analyze and plan tactics based on the enemies' moves during battle while providing support. Her contract symbol with Scarlet is on the back of her right hand and looks like a white/red whirling mass of flames.

In spite of her academic and practical accomplishments, Claire is considered to be a troublesome student due to fights she gets into with those who talk ill of her beloved sister. Although she treats Kamito as her 'slave spirit' as punishment for contracting Est in her place, she seems to enjoy books where the male character enslaves the female protagonist and even has dreams of being Kamito's slave.

Like many other maidens, she was inspired Ren Ashbell's Blade Dance three years ago. She has suspicions of Kamito being Ren Ashbell after observing him fight using the same moves as Ren and seeing him cross-dress during the current Blade Dance.

Ellis Fahrengart (エリス・ファーレンガルト, Erisu Fārengaruto)

Voiced by: Shizuka Ishigami

A Daughter of Duke Fahrengart who's the head of the militant Fahrengart family. She has contracted with Simurgh, a wind spirit who appears as a large hawk with a waffe form of a spear. When wielding him, Ellis can launch invisible wind blades, launch herself (or others) into the air, produce various other wind attacks and even limited flight. Her contract symbol is on the back of her right hand and resembles the view of a tornado seen from directly above in white/green.

Ellis is also the captain of the Sylphid Knights; a group of students, who help protect the Academy, enforce discipline and morals, handle wild spirits and the recently opened Astral Gates in the forest. Ellis has long blue hair in a ponytail and brown eyes, is a little taller than Claire, and has a fuller bust, which is one of the reasons Claire is easily irritated with her. Although initially vehemently against Kamito's presence at the Academy (as the only other known male elementalist was the demon king) she gradually warms up to and falls in love with him. Ellis has a strict and firm personality, but has the heart of an innocent maiden which her close friends and comrades in the Sylphid Knights take advantage of - she was once tricked her into believing a risqué outfit was the new dress uniform. Although spartan, her room is clean and she is a very good, albeit simple, cook.

Ellis usually fights in front line as a melee fighter (using Wind magic to strengthen attacks) with Kamito (using Sigmurgh in Waffe form of a spear,) but can also launch Wind Magic from medium/long range as well. She's even strong enough to cast «Wind's Protection» which turns the surrounding wind into an ally for a traveler (and anyone they're traveling with) with some protection from the elements as well as increasing travel speed. It's unknown if she had a specific wish for the Blade Dance, although she may have entered to save her sister Velsaria as well as to bring honor to her family and country.

After seeing Kamito fight numerous times she is suspicious of how similar his fighting style is to Ren Ashbell's, but is fooled by an article listing Ashbell's believed "preferences" which are different from his due to him giving vague yes/no answers back then to cover his voice cracking. As with the other girls, Kamito is blissfully unaware of the meaning of her hints, whispers, and clues as regards to her feelings for him. Although she's too embarrassed and shy to tell him her feelings outright, that doesn't stay her hand if she feels he's being inappropriate with another girl. In Volume 13 she gets a big boost to her divine power and recovery ability after kissing Kamito on the lips. The boost was powerful enough to heal several days' worth of injuries in one day and enlarged Sigmurgh enough to enable him to carry two people instead of just one.

The Duke Fahrengart, Ellis' father, who wants her to marry Kamito and raise kids. Ellis also has a two years-elder adopted sister, Velsaria Eva Fahrengart.

Rinslet Laurenfrost (リンスレット・ローレンフロスト, Rinsuretto Rōrenfurosuto)

Voiced by: Kana Yūki

She is one of the daughters of the Laurenfrost family. While a prominent family it was slightly lesser to that of the Elsteins before their fall. Have two younger sisters, Judia and Mireille. All three have yellow blonde hair with blue eyes. She is about Claire's height roughly, but like Ellis is a C (?) cup. Rinslet personality is that of a showoff that enjoys the spotlight chance permitting, but not at the expense of doing her duty. Despite that is still a shy girl who hides her concern for others and unlike many never treated Claire any differently from when they were friends to Rubia becoming the Calamity Queen. She was chosen by the Laurenfrost guardian spirit Fenrir to be his contractor. Although whether he's just the family spirit or has a great history like Scarlet is unknown. Do to being contracted with him she is very skilled in Ice magic and an accomplished sniper with his Waffe form of a bow. Like the others has the heart of an innocent maiden who falls deeply for Kamito, but is too embarrassed to tell him or anyone else about it. Also like the others this doesn't stop her from striking hard with magic (and holding him completely at fault) if she catches him in an embarrassing situation with another girl. Like Claire she is a skilled and charismatic leader, although not as skilled a tactician. Due to her maid Carol being completely lacking in skills of being a Laurenfrost maid except for being cute (and able to trick Rinslet easily) Rinslet is very skilled in housework like laundry, cleaning, and especially cooking. In fact, she was able to summon an Elemental Lord with her special pancakes that are her sister Judia's favorite dish. She enters the Blade Dance with the wish for the Water Lord to forgive her sister Judia and break the eternal ice curse cast upon her for what was thought to be a mistake during a kagura dance to the Water Lord. Similar to Ellis she gets a boost to her divine power in Volume 13 after kissing Kamito. Position in team is that of Sniper/Support as her Ice Magic and Bow attacks are best suited for mid/long range battle while extremely disadvantageous at close melee range. Also functions as Rear Guard to protect Fianna from enemies coming from behind. Contract symbol is on back of her right hand and resembles a white/blue complex snowflake with two sides cropped off by the edge of the symbol.

Fianna Ray Ordesia (フィアナ・レイ・オルデシア, Fiana Rei Orudeshia)

Voiced by: Saori Ōnishi

She is the second princess of the Ordesian Empire and the chosen contractor of the family guardian spirit, Georgios. Her contract symbol is white/gold in color and located just above her cleavage. She has long black hair, with gold-flecked purple eyes, and a rather large bust. Fianna has a mischievous personality with a risque sense of humour that earned her the nickname Perverted Princess. She is aware that Kamito is Ren Ashbell due to his having saved her from a rogue spirit while using Restia's sword form three years previously. She demanded his true name and made a promise to meet him again. When she enrolls in the Academy, Greyworth asks Kamito's team to act as Fianna's bodyguard and Kamito does not recognize her at first.

Fianna was raised as a typical maiden being trained in seclusion to be a potential Queen candidate but she has been unable to summon Georgios since Rubia stole Levateinn and took out Georgios in one strike. As a result she was ostracized as the "Lost Queen", practically disowned, and treated harshly by not only her family, but the family servants and other nobles as well. As with many other girls of her generation, seeing Ren Ashbell's Blade Dance three years ago gave her the strength to go on. Due to her training as a Queen candidate before her fall from grace, she is well versed in Kagura and ritual dancing, but very weak in combat as well as physical stamina.

Fianna joins Team Scarlet, and with the support of Kamito and the others, is able to summon Georgios again. Her purpose in entering the Blade Dance is to regain her ability as an elementalist. After regaining Georgios she takes on the role of Support in the team; strengthening her allies, creating a "home field" advantage, establishing a "stronghold," etc. which is especially powerful due to her training at the Ritual Institute as a Queen candidate. Due to lack of combat training she is unable to enter direct combat except for summoning and sending Georgios. After learning how to summon a waffe she is also able to cast the spell known as "Save the Queen" which establishes an area around the spot the waffe is stabbed into the ground as her territory which shields those inside from enemy attacks as well as heal wounds and replenish divine power. However, she is only able to maintain the effects for a short period currently. She acts as the team's healer but she has to be in skin contact with Kamito to heal him due to his resistance to Holy magic, which she does quite willingly and forwardly.

Despite regaining some favor with her family due to being able to summon Georgios again as well as her actions in the Blade Dance, Fianna is still estranged from her parents and regards her two years-older brother, Arneus Ray Ordesia, as cruel and unfit to be the next emperor. She has no interest in politics or social climbing as the emotional scars she received form her fall still cut deep. While she cherishes the friends who didn't abandon her she wishes to remain with Team Scarlet as they fully accepted her, even after discovering she was initially faking being an elementalist (especially as she's very much in love in Kamito.)

Terminus Est (テルミヌス・エスト, Teruminusu Esuto)

Voiced by: Ai Kakuma

Est is Kamito's second contracted spirit. Due to his guilt (for making another spirit contract) and refusal to abandon Restia, the contract was only partially completed so she can only manifest 10% of her power. Therefore, unlike other spirits, she can't return to Astral Zero to recharge and so spends a large amount of time sleeping in sword form to recover her strength. This also means Kamito can't summon her with the Spirit Seal on his hand as summoning only works if the spirit is in Astral Zero. She has long, white hair, blue eyes, and in human form looks to be about 12-13 years old. She is able to use her powers in human form but needs to be wielded as a sword with Kamito infusing her with Divine Energy to really bring out her power. She is usually stoic (speaking softly in a monotone), but she likes to be praised and having Kamito pats her on the head. She is especially expressive when eating bean curd and gets jealous when Kamito praises other girls. Est is especially jealous of Restia. In an effort to "please" Kamito she reads various books (usually Claire's X-rated stuff) and wears unusual costumes (usually from Fianna's collection) to bid him good morning. While he does get excited, his sense of propriety always wins out and he tries to gently correct her behavior although never in time to prevent getting caught and punished by one of the other girls who always hold him (and never Est) solely responsible for the situation. For some reason Est has no problem appearing naked as long as her legs are covered, usually with knee socks (actually thigh-high stockings). Whenever Kamito notes that she's naked, she counters that she's wearing socks and calls him a pervert for wanting to see her bare feet/legs.

In the past she was contracted to Areishia Idriss, the Sacred Queen who defeated the Demon King but her unique ability which destroys curses unfortunately builds up her own curse until it activates turning her wielder into Spirit Crystal. This is because she is not a true Holy Sword but rather a Demonic Sword. After years of daily fighting, her curse finally took its toll and, to her horror, Est witnessed Areishia turn into crystal right in front of her. After that she sealed herself in the Demon King's armory and refused to make a contract with anyone (until Kamito) to prevent the same thing from happening again. After her memory was restored, not wanting to curse Kamito too, she sealed herself away again but he refused saying that he would accept her curse and destiny even if it would one day lead to his own destruction. Since Est's curse didn't kill Idriss until after years of constant fighting at full power, and with only 10% of her power manifesting, Kamito should only be affected by 10% of her curse and should therefore have more time to find a solution before the curse activates. In volume 12 it is revealed that, amongst other things, Restia approves of Est being the new Demon King's (meaning Kamito) chosen sword.

Team Scarlet's Spirits

Restia Ashdoll (レスティア・アッシュドール, Resutia Asshudōru)

Voiced by: Yōko Hikasa

Kamito's first contracted spirit. She was sealed in the ring of Sulaimon and taught Kamito everything including about the world beyond the Institutional School giving him emotions as well as forming a Spirit Contract with him without permission. She was resealed for these acts. After the Institutional School was destroyed Kamito took the ring searching for a way to release her eventually leading him to Greyworth Ciel Mais who took interest in him and helped him to release her from the ring. Afterwards she and Kamito took part in the Bladedance becoming the Strongest Bladedancer and making a forbidden wish which corrupted her and made her disappear from Kamito's side. It's later revealed that she was one of the 72 pillars of the first Demon King and that her job is to find, select, and raise a potential candidate as the next Demon King if she feels that person is worthy of inheriting the title. Although Kamito is the first potential candidate she came in contact with who didn't get themselves killed before meeting or were overwhelmed with the Demon King's power within them and destroyed themselves. Personality is that of a mischievous, caring young woman fond of pranks but can be deadly serious when the situation calls for it. Like Est she cares very deeply for Kamito and is jealous that Est is also Kamito's contracted spirit. Spirit symbol on Kamito's right hand (representing Est's contract) resembles a pair of crossed swords initially, but after some events it changed from Restia's influence to that of a sword crossed over the crescent moon. Restia's contract circle isn't described but is on Kamito's left hand which he usually covers with a leather glove. As no two Spirit Contract symbols are alike this could expose his identity as Ren Ashbell whose Spirit Contract symbol is as well known as Ashbell is.

Her elemental waffe is The Sword That Pierces Truth Vorpal Sword that looks like a black greatsword with a red edge. Special power as a sword is releasing powerful black/purple lightning that destroys almost everything it touches. In human form she can cast the lightning herself, disappear into shadows and shoot all the feathers from her wings like darts, although using the latter prevents her from being able to fly until her wings recover. When controlled by the darkness turning her into the "Enemy of the World" she can infuse Spirits with darkness causing them to awaken if sealed, get much stronger, and go berserk until stopped or destroy themselves. Although there may be restraints doing this as she rarely used this ability when she was being controlled. To ensure she doesn't become the "Enemy of the World" by being consumed completely by the darkness she told Kamito that if she became someone other than herself, to kill her.

Scarlet/Ortlinde (スカーレット/オルトリンデ, Sukāretto/Orutorinde)

Scarlet is Claire's female contracted spirit that had been passed down the Elstein family contracting only with those Scarlet approved of by some unknown selection method. Contract symbol is on the back of Claire's right hand. Scarlet usually takes the form of a slightly burning, red house cat or, when in waffe form, that of a whip with Fire attributes. Through some circumstances Claire is told what Scarlet's long lost true name is, Ortlinde, who is the Scarlet Valkyrie that helped lead several armies against the first Demon King. Ortlinde appears as a young cat girl garbed in flames that wields a flame scythe and can conjure fireballs which are immensely more powerful than Claire's. While Ortlinde in human form (sign of a high level spirit) is more intelligent and has some memories of being Scarlet, doesn't have complete access to the memories except for those created as Ortlinde. Scarlet, however, doesn't seem to have any memories of being Ortlinde, and as a beast spirit is a strong spirit above common Spirits albeit at a much lower level than a spirit in human form. As such, Scarlet and Ortlinde are like two separate personalities who share the same body but share very few memories. Hence Scarlet acts like a typical cat in behavior, but with powers and higher intelligence. Ortlinde acts like a servile human with cat influences who will defend her master at all costs. Due to their close relationship Claire usually keeps Scarlet out for companionship, although Kamito seems to be considered Scarlet's Master's Master due to Claire's dreams and his habit of sharing food with Scarlet. Ellis' main targets of affection are for cute things to hug.

Fenrir (フェンリル, Fenriru)

Fenrir is derived from the name of the Norse god Fenris son of Loki, the devourer and demon wolf. Brother to both Hel and Jormungand. While Fenrir is a valued Spirit passed down the Laurenfrost family line, there has been no indication of having a human form, time lost True Name, etc. like Scarlet. Fenrir is an Ice attribute (male?) white/silver Wolf with blue eyes on par with Scarlet who's Spirit Contract is with Rinslet Laurenfrost, whose Contract symbol is on the back of her right hand. Size is unknown (much less whether can shrink/enlarge by using less/more Diving Power) but is large enough to be ridden by Rinslet alone. Waffe form is that of a silvery bow that shoots ice arrows. In addition to Ice Magic Fenrir can also 'suck' up items that are carried in some kind of pocket dimension (Hammerspace) that can be 'spat' out later depending on which items are wanted. While being 'carried' the items are kept in a kind of stasis so fish, for example, could be stored for months or years without going bad. What weight/size restrictions there are on what can be 'sucked' is unknown, but the hammerspace has shown no signs of ever getting full. Neither is what would happen to the items if Fenrir ever died. Access to hammerspace has always been done in wolf form, as bows don't have openings or 'stomachs'. So far Rinslet has been able to store numerous things such as a small table, a complete tea set, a frying pan, lots of cooking ingredients and numerous supplies. Like Scarlet, Fenrir likes Kamito partially due to his Contractor, Rinslet, being in love with Kamito and because Kamito shares his meals with Fenrir. Whether Fenrir considers Kamito to be his Master's Master or on equal standing for affection as his contractor is unknown.

Simorgh (シムルグ, Shimurugu)

Ellis' contracted Wind spirit. Can look like a large hawk or, in his waffe form that of a spear. Being a Wind spirit Simorgh can take more independent action at farther distances than other contracted spirits. How Ellis and Simorgh got together is unknown much less whether there is anything more to him than just being a strong spirit. Due to being strict and severe in presence is not considered cute by Ellis (fortunately never mentioned where he can hear) and thus never hugged like Scarlet.

Georgios (ゲオルギウス, Georugiusu)

Fianna's contracted Holy Spirit. Symbol of contract is on the side of her breast. Appearance is that of a glowing knight in full plate armor wielding a sword and shield. Waffe form is that of a ceremonial rapier. As a Holy Spirit he has extreme resistance and can inflict severe damage to Darkness Spirits. Due to extreme trauma Fianna was unable to summon him for a few years until she was able to regain the inner strength she needed thanks to Kamito. Unlike Claire and Rinslet, Fianna doesn't summon Georgios for companionship but only when needed for battle, whether against an enemy intent to kill or cat fighting with her friends. It's revealed in the later novels that he is the family guardian spirit who chose Fianna.

Ordesia Empire

Areishia Spirit Academy

Greyworth Ciel Mais (グレイワース・シェルマイス, Gureiwāsu Sherumaisu)

Voiced by: Mai Nakahara

Freya Grandol (フレイヤ・グランドル, Fureiya Gurandoru)

Instructional School

Muir Alenstarl (ミュア・アレンスタール, Myua Arensutāru)

Lily Flame (リリィ・フレイム, Riryi Fureimu)

Jio Inzagi (ジオ・インザーギ, Jio Inzāgi)

Voiced by: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka

Laurenfrost House

Judia Laurenfrost (ユーディア・ローレンフロスト, Yūdia Rōrenfurosuto)

She is the second daughter of Gryus Laurenfrost. Rinslet's younger sister.

Mirelle Laurenfrost (ミレーユ・ローレンフロスト, Mirēyu Rōrenfurosuto)

Rinslet's youngest sister.

Gryus Laurenfrost (グライアス・ローレンフロスト, Guraiasu Rōrenfurosuto)

Carol Nastassha (キャロル・ナスターシャ, Kyaroru Nasutāsha)

Voiced by: Manami Tanaka

Natalia (ナタリア, Nataria)

Terminology

• Astral Zero - The realm of Spirits existing alongside the human realm like an alternate dimension. Spirits can recharge and replenish themselves while here. Appearance is similar to what could be found in the human realm except extremely few humans present, an extremely larger number of wild Spirits (especially of the Demonic variety) in an area, and occasional magically induced features such as islands floating in the sky. Humans (mainly elementalists) are allowed to visit for short periods of time under certain conditions such as training, dueling or spectating. Long periods for any period more than overnight is only allowed in certain places (Divine Institute) for certain people (mainly shrine maidens studying at the Divine Institute) or for ordinary folk only certain areas during a special event such as a Blade Dance. What happens if anyone overstays their welcome is unknown, but likely involves getting killed by wild Spirits after the protections from the event are removed. While in this area any damage (up to a point) caused to humans is dealt as pain and psychological damage rather than physical. As a result a person won't die from wounds, even if stabbed by a partially manifested Waffe, but can end up a vegetable or brain dead. Also, powerful Spirits or fully manifested Waffe will cause physical damage as well the psychological damage and pain.

• Contract Symbol - A design within the shape of a 2 diameter circle on the contracted elementalist's body. Unknown whether elementalist or Spirit or both get a say on where on body it appears, but usually shows up on the back of a hand. Color is usually white/x where x is a color derived by the Spirit's element which also what the design symbolizes. Usually (but not always) Red flames for Fire, Blue liquid/ice for Water, Gold for Holy, Green air currents for Wind, Black for Darkness, and Brown for Earth. Although occasionally the Spirit's type holds more sway than the element, such as Est who is a Holy spirit has a white/white or white/silver coloration for her symbol of two crossed swords because she's a Blade Spirit. The Contract Symbol created when an elementalist forms a permanent contract with a Spirit through a kiss (which may or may not require touching both sides lips together, but does require one to kiss the other.) Acts as proof of contract, a "gate" to Astral Zero allowing the Spirit to return to Astral Zero whenever it wants to recharge or be summoned to the contractor's location from Astral Zero, and access to the contracted elementalist's Divine Energy to fuel spells abilities, magic, etc. The "gate" also allows an elementalist to use magic and spells of the Spirit's element. So Claire can cast fireballs and when she gets mad her hair stands up and sometimes appears wrapped in flames but can't do Holy healing spells, for example, without a Holy Spirit Crystal. While Rinslet can shoot Ice arrows and her surroundings get much colder when she gets angry but can't do Fire spells to start a fire or warm someone without a Fire Spirit crystal. Summoning only works if the Spirit is in Astral Zero and not physically present in the human realm. On rare occasions a Spirit will come to the contractor's location in the human realm from Astral Zero on its own initiative without being summoned. Compatibility between a Spirit and the contracted elementalist varies depending on closeness of relationship between the two, purity of the maiden's mind and body, strength and personality of both, age, and various other things. For example, as an elementalist grows older and less pretty around 21 years of age her compatibility slowly wanes as the Spirit is less interested in her until either the she's just completely unable to summon or use any of the Spirit's activated or passive abilities. It's unknown if a Spirit can break a contract once made on its own or if the elementalist has to do it herself, but there have been instances like Fianna where the elementalist has a Contract Symbol but couldn't contact/summon/use their spirit in any way. What or how terms are decided enforced, etc. between the elementalist and the Spirit are unknown, but it has been mentioned that some of the extremely powerful Spirits require the elementalist's life at some point in exchange for creating a contract. Most elementalists only form one contract as most Spirits are extremely territorial over their contractors and argue and/or interfere with the other Contracted Spirits from jealousy resulting in more Divine Power being used up faster and a lower level of power/abilities/focus drawn out of the Spirits by the Contractor due to the infighting.

• Spirit Crystals - Special crystals which "house" a Spirit inside. Usually only contain Spirits of the weaker or low level variety as they're easier to convince into a crystal. Strong spirits might break the Crystal one inside or more likely leave or attack the rude and insulting human waving a crystal at them. Crystals with Spirits in them can be used for a variety of purposes under the Spirit's element until the Spirit either runs out of energy (and returns to Astral Zero) or refuses to stay in the crystal anymore. So for Fire magic/effects or heat you need Fire Spirit Crystals, and for Holy magic/effects or light/healing you need Holy Spirit Crystals, etc. In the Empire, Fire Crystals are often used for cooking, warmth and light due to the Fire Elemental Lord's ban preventing all non-Spirit flames from existing within the country after the Calamity Queen stole Levaetinn. Once the Spirit is gone the crystal is just ordinary crystal until another Spirit is "housed" inside (assuming the Crystal is still unbroken and viable to "house" a Spirit,) the previous Spirit never returns. Types and strengths of crystals vary, some are one use only (and require breaking the crystal to use,) some can be used several times before running out of energy, some can only be used for a quick effect (like a flash bang) while others can be used continuously for a time (like a hand warmer,) some are cheaper while others are very expensive. However, a Spirit Crystal is never as powerful as that of a contracted Spirit in terms of ability or strength. Also, care and maintenance of an inhabited Spirit Crystal has to be maintained to encourage the Spirit to remain in the crystal or it'll eventually get fed up with the poor "living" conditions and leave the crystal to return to Astral Zero on its own. It's unknown if ordinary people can use a Spirit Crystal as well or as varied as a trained elementalist can or if it's limited to a preset type of use.

• Waffe - Aka Wrong. Term given to the physical form of a Spirit meant to be held/worn and used by an elementalist. Usually in the form of a weapon, such as swords, but can also appear as other items such as shields, clothes (like cloaks,) shackles, etc. When used in this form the elementalist acquires some of the characteristics of the Spirit's type (i.e. a Holy Waffe contractor can inflict and defend against more damage to/from a Darkness Waffe contractor,) strengthens the caster's magic, stats, and abilities. Also, a variety of attacks are possible such as Ellis charging forward quickly while surrounding her spear with destructive winds for a much more faster and powerful attack than if she tried to do the same thing with an ordinary spear. This form takes much less energy than a beast or human form allowing some Spirits to recover stamina and energy by "sleeping" while in this form without having to return to Astral Zero. (Which Est does often due to her contract with Kamito being too incomplete to form enough of a "gate" to pass through to/from Astral Zero.) For someone other than the contracted elementalist to pick up a Spirit in this form they need the Spirit's permission to do so or the Spirit needs to be too weak/injured to resist. Usage, on the condition the Spirit is willing, would be restricted to how well the person can wield the type of weapon the Waffe form emulates, and any magic from the Waffe would only be what the Spirit can cast itself without an elementalist. Each Waffe is individualistic of each Spirit so no two Waffes look exactly alike and only changes slightly based on the mood, length of time passed, personality, extreme events that occur to either the Spirit or elementalist. So Restia, for example, when wielded by Jizou through force looked slightly different in Waffe form from how she looked three years ago when wielded by Kamito. While an elementalist can change the shape, to an extent, of the Waffe, it requires both ability on their part and full permission by the Spirit who's forming the Waffe. So Kamito was able to change Resita and Est from their Great Sword forms to short swords (temporarily, they reverted to their Great Sword forms later) because he had the ability and their permission. While in Astral Zero most elementalists only partially manifest their Waffe so damage is limited to pain and the mind but not physical. A partially manifested Waffe will handle, look, feel, etc. the same as a fully manifested Waffe, the difference is the severity of damage dealt and physical wounds inflicted in Astral Zero. Most elementalists in Astral Zero only partially manifest their Waffe as they're usually participating in a Blade Dance and killing an opponent will incur the wrath of the Elemental Lords in addition to immediately losing the Blade Dance.

Spirits

Spirits are magical beings with special powers from a realm known as Astral Zero. Each spirit has one primary elemental attribute and a secondary 'form' attribute. The primary elemental attribute is the basis for a spirit's existence and is Holy, Darkness, Fire, Water, Earth, or Air. Some attributes are merely sub-branches of one of these. Ice, for example, is a Water based element that focuses on water magic and abilities of a cold or frozen nature, but not hot. Each attribute has a characteristic trait not shared by the others. Characteristic traits can be anything from waffe form, traits of whatever Spirit is composed of (like a Spirit mostly comprised and traits of Iron is called an Iron Spirit,) or use of. For example, Est is a Holy Element type spirit, but usually referred to as a Sword Spirit because her waffe is that of a sword and most of her abilities/skills/spells are based on characteristics of a sword such as allowing her contractor (Kamito) conjure a blade weapon out of thin air with magic. Spirits come in a multitude of variety, strength, and abilities. To sustain themselves they either consume divine power from their contractors or 'recharge' by returning to Astral Zero. Food provides no nourishment but some Spirits do eat as they enjoy the flavors of what they eat.

Spirits can contract with humans (known as elementalists) who possess the ability, divine power, and compatibility to do so. Main preferences are beautiful, pure maidens between 10-25 years old. As youth and beauty wane so does the elementalist's compatibility with spirits wane and focus then usually turns towards having children to inherit their skills. The contract symbol on an elementalist's body acts as a gate allowing the contracted spirit to return to Astral Zero or be summoned by the contractor to their location in the Human realm. What spirits get out of the contract isn't really explained although some contracts (especially for extremely powerful spirits) will cost the elementalist her life, either as payment at some point (Laevaetinn), a curse that builds up until it eventually triggers killing the elementalist (Est,) or draining the elementalist of something (blood, life-force, etc.) either too much at once or over a period without enough time to fully recover in between. How much say a spirit has in making/vetoing/maintaining contracts or following commands is unknown. Elementalists gain passive effects and magic of the same element as their Contracted Spirit. So Claire, for example, has a passive effect (just happens outside of her control) of her hair standing on end when burning mad but has to deliberately focus and cast a fireball spell. As Scarlet is a Fire Spirit she can warm things up with magic but can't cast heal or wind spells without a Spirit Crystal of the proper element. Her magic and attacks are stronger in areas with heat and flames but weaker around areas with large bodies of water like a lake or sea. After study, training, and honing skills a Spirit can be summoned in a Waffe form which is usually a weapon or item wielded/worn with the elemental characteristics of the Spirit. Spirits can't take on a beast/human form and a waffe at same time; it's one or the other. A Spirit that can take the form of a beast is high level (personality and intelligence somewhat higher than a normal beast) while a Spirit that can take human form is ranked highest in abilities (not uber powerful, but can talk, appearance pass for human, wears cloths, and intelligence on par with a human's.)

Media

Light novels

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance is a light novel series written by Yū Shimizu with illustrations by Hanpen Sakura. The first volume was published on December 24, 2010 under Media Factory's MF Bunko J. As of July 25, 2013, eleven main novels in the series have been released.

List of Volumes

No.	Title	Release date	ISBN
01	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 1: The Sword, The Academy and The Hell Cat Girl Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu 1: Ken to Gakuin to Hineko Shōjo (精霊使いの剣舞 -　剣と学院と火猫少女)	December 24, 2010	978-4-8401-3675-4
02	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 2: The Lost Queen Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu 2: Rosuto Kuīn (精霊使いの剣舞 ２　ロスト・クイーン)	February 25, 2011	978-4-8401-3824-6
03	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 3: Pledge of the Wind Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu 3: Kaze no Seiyaku (精霊使いの剣舞３　風の誓約)	May 25, 2011	978-4-8401-3930-4
04	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 4: The Blade Dance Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu 4: Bureidodansu (精霊使いの剣舞４　精霊剣舞祭)	August 25, 2011	978-4-8401-4202-1
05	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 5: Demon Slayer Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu 5: Maōgoroshi no seiken (精霊使いの剣舞５　魔王殺しの聖剣)	November 25, 2011	978-4-8401-4299-1
06	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 6: The Reminisced Darkness Spirit Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu 6: Tsuioku no Yami Seirei (精霊使いの剣舞６　追憶の闇精霊)	February 24, 2012	978-4-8401-4386-8
07	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 7: The Strongest Blade Dancer Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu 7: Saikyō no Kenbuhime (精霊使いの剣舞７　最強の剣舞姫)	May 25, 2012	978-4-8401-4580-0
08	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 8: The Night Before the Finale Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu 8: Kessen Zen'ya (精霊使いの剣舞８　決戦前夜)	August 24, 2012	978-4-8401-4684-5
09	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 9: Cross Fire Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu 9: Kurosu Faia (精霊使いの剣舞９　クロス・ファイア)	November 22, 2012	978-4-8401-4874-0
10	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 10: The Awakening of the Demon King Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu 10: Maō Kakusei (精霊使いの剣舞１０　魔王覚醒)	February 25, 2013	978-4-8401-4983-9
11	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 11: Elemental Lord Assassination Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu Volume 11: Seirei Ō Ansatsu (精霊使いの剣舞１１　精霊王暗殺)	July 25, 2013	978-4-8401-5225-9
12	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 12: Releasing the Sealed Sword Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu Volume 12: Fūken Kaihō (精霊使いの剣舞１２　封剣解放)	November 25, 2013	978-4-04-066075-2
13	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 13: Queen of Ice Blossoms Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu 13: Hihana no joō (精霊使いの剣舞13　氷華の女王)	April 25, 2014	978-4-04-066383-8
14	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance Volume 14: Imperial Disturbance Seirei Tsukai no Kenbu 14: Teito dōran (精霊使いの剣舞14　帝都動乱)	July 25, 2014	978-4-04-066915-1

Manga

A manga adaptation illustrated by Hyōju Issei serialization in the September 2012 issue of Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive. The first volume was released on February 23, 2013.

Anime

It was one of five MF Bunko J light novel anime adaptations announced at Media Factory's Summer School Festival event on July 28, 2013. An anime television series adaptation by TNK is scheduled to air from July 14, 2014. The opening theme song is "Kyoumei no True Force" (共鳴のTrue Force, Kyoumei no True Force) by Hitomi Harada and the ending theme song is "Blade Dance" (精霊剣舞祭（ブレイドダンス）, Buredo Dansu) sang by Ni-Sokkususu (にーそっくすす, Niisokkususu) (Ibuki Kido, Kana Yūki, Shizuka Ishigami, Saori Ōnishi and Ai Kakuma).

Episode list

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No.	Title	Air Date

External links

• Official light novel website Template:Ja icon
• Official anime website Template:Ja icon
• Bladedance of Elementalers (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia