I would like to wish everyone a late Merry Christmas. I tried to have this ready for Christmas, but I refuse to let my quality and content suffer to get the story out faster. Thank you for reading, hope you enjoy the story.
As Kamito finished the incantation, the arena was inundated with divine power. 'Is this Kamito's true strength? No wonder he was able to defeat me so effortlessly, I stood no chance against power such as this.' Ellis thought as she used her spear to support herself from collapsing under the overwhelming pressure.
'It's as if we are in the presence of an Elemental Lord, where is all his power coming from?' Rinslet practically screamed in her head.
Everyone stared in awe as the spirit they knew as Atlantae raised her face and arms to the sky and started glowing a blinding blue. She vanished in a spray of blue sparks only to appear as a shaft of blue light in Kamito's hands. As the light faded, it was revealed that Kamito was now holding a double bladed sword with a blue cord wrapped grip and waves etched into each of the blades on the opposite sides of the tsuka. The tsuba at the base of each blade was molded into the shape of the swirling waves of a whirlpool. Rinslet and Reisha, both being water attribute users with their ice spirits, could feel the moisture in the air being manipulated.
"Churn the waters, Charybdis."
The demon spirit roared loudly and charged at Kamito, bringing back its larger more heavily muscled arm to swipe at Kamito. With a twist of the grip, the weapon in his hands separated into two individual swords. Water began coalescing along the length of the blades. Kamito swung the swords in quick succession, launching a crescent shaped blade of water with each swing.
The first water blade severed the demon's massive arm from its body. The next one struck the demon horizontally across the torso, cleaving in two. Each successive slash sliced the demon into smaller pieces. After the last swing, Kamito reattached the two swords, and temporarily forgetting he had an audience, spun the dual blade so it was held behind his back with his left hand and extended his right hand with the palm out. "Hado 33: Sokatsui" A wave of pure blue energy fired from his palm at the disappearing demon spirit, completely obliterating it.
The girls watching Kamito sat in stunned silence at the display of power they had just seen. They had never seen such a high level demon spirit such as the one that had just attacked them defeated by a single elementalist before.
Kamito's waffe faded into blue light particles and Atlantae was once again by his side. 'Nice job concealing you powers.' Iseria commented sarcastically.
Kamito rubbed the back of his head 'I guess I went a little overboard there.' He was breathing slightly hard from expending so much power in a short amount of time.
'A little?' Iseria shook her head. 'Well, the damage is done, so let's see how bad the fallout is.'
Kamito and Iseria approached the group of girls as they managed to recover from their shock. Ellis quickly walked up to Kamito and bowed deeply at the waist "Please join the Syphlid Knights, a power such as yours would be a great benefit to the protection of this school."
"No fair captain! You're stealing a march on us!" the other girls cried out.
"I.I'm not stealing a march!" Ellis denied.
Kamito was surprised by her request. He wanted to keep a low profile, but there was something in the way Ellis asked that made him want to consider joining. "Thank you for the offer, but I will need time to consider. I only just arrived here and have not yet adjusted."
"Oh, of course, please think about it though." Ellis sighed.
"You were so amazing." "I have never seen a waffe like that before, it is so beautiful." "What kind of spell was that? Was it a type of annihilation magic?" "How did you get so strong?" The girls were bombarding him with questions and comments so quickly he couldn't tell who was saying what. Stepping back, Kamito raised his hands defensively.
'My my, look who's becoming mister popular.' Iseria commented dryly, crossing her arms over her chest.
"It's getting late, I think we should be getting back to the academy." Kamito suggested, yawning to emphasize his point. Grumbling discontentedly, the others agreed that it was time to turn in.
Arriving back at their room, Kamito flopped onto his bed while Iseria sat next to him. "That was certainly interesting." Kamito said aloud. Deciding to shower in the morning, Kamito stripped down to his boxers to get ready for bed. Turning around, he discovered Iseria already in his bed. "You know what? I'm too tired to argue tonight." Kamito sighed. Pulling back the covers, Kamito caught sight of what Iseria was wearing. She had on a sheer ice blue camisole, which did little to conceal her pert c-cup breasts, and similarly colored bikini panties. Kamito could feel his blood flowing south and had to close his eyes and clear his mind to keep his body from reacting.
Iseria pouted a little when Kamito failed to react to her choice of night wear, but smiled and sighed contentedly when she snuggled in close to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "Good night Kamito."
"Good night Iseria."
Kamito found himself in an unfamiliar room. Looking around, he appeared to be in a shrine of some sort. On the far wall was a sword displayed on an ornate stand. The sword looked familiar, but he could not remember from where. He bowed respectfully as he entered the shrine. Reaching for the sword, Kamito was surprised to see, not his arm, but the arm of a young woman. He looked at the reflection in the sword blade and saw a young maiden around fourteen years old with beautiful gold blonde hair. Kamito recognized the reflection as that of Arieshia Idriss, the Sacred Queen that had vanquished the previous Demon King, Solomon.
"Are these the memories of the sword spirit?" Kamito asked aloud.
"Demon King, why do you seek my power? Do you desire conquest?" Kamito turned to the source of the voice to see a very young girl of around twelve or thirteen. She had silver white hair and large violet eyes that contrasted with her porcelain white skin. She stood there expressionless with her hands to her sides, waiting for Kamito's answer. Behind him, the memory continued on.
In a flash of light, the sword changed into a young girl with silver white hair and large violet eyes and a blank expression. "Who are you?" Areishia asked the young girl.
"I am your sword milady. I will give myself wholly and completely to my elementalist, you." The spirit said.
"For what purpose do you seek power?" The spirit asked Kamito again.
"What is your name?" Arieshia asked the spirit in the memory.
"To protect." Kamito answered after much thought. "I wish to be able to protect those dear to me and as well those around me. I will use my power to save the world from the darkness that is threatening to devour it. I have promised to release the Elemental Lords from the bonds of insanity. I have the blessing of the Water Elemental Lord, Iseria Seaward, to aide in my quest." Kamito became more confident in his answer as he continued.
"My true name cannot be pronounced in your language, but in the spirit language, my name is Terminus Est." The spirit answered Arieshia.
Terminus Est regarded Kamito silently while she considered his answer. Finally she closed her eyes "Master, I am your sword. I am yours to command."
"This name sounds a little long… How about I just call you Est?" Areishia asked.
"My name is not Est, it is Terminus Est." The Est in the memory insisted.
"I'd rather not, it's quite hard to say. It is decided, your name shall be Est." Areishia made up her mind and reached out to pet Est on the head.
"Mistress, please do not do that." Est protested.
"Then it is decided, I shall call you Est as well." Kamito informed the sword spirit. Kamito pet Est on the head.
"Master, please do not do that." The current Est protested, sounding just as she did when Areishia had done the same thing a millennia prior.
"Est." Kamito addressed his newest contract spirit.
"Yes master?" Est gave her attention to Kamito.
"Let's take care of one another." Kamito smiled and placed his hand on her head again.
"Fwah. Yes master, for I am your sword." Est responded with closed eyes.
Kamito awoke early as was his norm so he could go for a run before he took his morning shower. This morning though, Kamito was stuck trying to figure out how to get out of bed without disturbing his bed mates. Iseria was still snuggled up to his left side with her head on his shoulder. Her could feel her breasts pressed up against the side of his chest, only separated by a thin piece of fabric.
Kamito knew that Iseria had feelings for him, and honestly, he returned many of those feelings. How could her not after spending the last three years with her, but how could he act on those feelings if he could not give himself wholly her? Restia still occupied far too much of his heart. After all, she was his light in the darkness. Without her, he would still just be an emotionless tool from the instructional school.
He was also aware of a new presence on his right. He suspected he knew who was there since no one had entered the room by conventional means. She, and he knew it was a she judging from the small bare breasts his right arm was currently being squeezed between, had just appeared in his bed earlier that morning. Pulling back the covers, Kamito let out a heavy sigh 'This is going to be one of those days, I can already tell.'
Working slowly and carefully, Kamito managed to disentangle himself from Est's grasp, earning him a small whimper from the still sleeping spirit. Next, Kamito gently moved Iseria's had to a pillow and thus freed his left arm. Sliding noiselessly from the bed, Kamito dressed in comfortable, loose fitting pants and a sleeveless shirt. Slipping silently out the door, Kamito found a bench in the courtyard to help him with his warm-up stretches. After he felt sufficiently limber, he set out at a brisk jog. Breathing in the slightly chilled early morning air, Kamito was able to clear his mind and find a comfortable rhythm.
About an hour later, Kamito quietly entered the room and stepped down to shower. Feeling refreshed, Kamito walked into the bedroom to finish drying off and get dressed.
"Good morning Kamito." Iseria greeted him as he began to dress. Est sat up with her legs folded on either side of her and rubbed her sleepy eyes.
"Est, why are you naked?" Kamito finally asked the question on his mind.
"But I am not naked master, I have on my knee socks." Est responded blandly.
"Right…" Kamito drawled. "well, in any case, we really should find you some clothes to wear."
"Does my appearance displease you, master?" Est inquired.
"Well.. I can't say it's unpleasant, but is not appropriate for a girl of your apparent age to be so exposed. It could generate misunderstandings." Kamito tried to explain.
"You look very young by human standards, it could be troublesome for Kamito to be seen with you not fully covered." Iseria said.
"Very well master, I will do as you command." Est nodded. Her body glowed brightly for a few seconds. When the light faded away, Est was wearing a simple knee length white dress.
"That dress suits you Est." Kamito commented.
"Thank you master."
"Est, please call me Kamito. I don't see myself as being your master, but your partner." Kamito requested.
" .to….Kamito, I will call master Kamito." Est tried to get used to saying his name.
"I guess that will have to do for now." Kamito straightened his tie in the mirror when he remembered something important. "Est, one more thing. Nobody other than Greyworth knows that I am the demon king or that Iseria in the Elemental Lord. When we are around others, please address her as Atlantae."
"Yes Kamito, I will do as you ask." Est responded. Kamito noticed that Iseria was now wearing her usual blue dress and knee high socks.
"You are lovely as always Iseria." Kamito complimented the Elemental Lord.
"So, what is the plan for today?" Iseria asked.
"I thought we would go into town today. We need to stock up on supplies and I heard that there will be a competition today to try and will a militarized spirit. Might be a good opportunity to scout some possible blade dancers." Kamito replied.
"I'm not sure if we will find any good candidates there, if they already have a powerful spirit, why attempt to gain a militarized one?" Iseria reasoned.
"Never hurts to check." Kamito shrugged. The three of them departed their room for the academy town at the base of the hill.
"Stupid Kamito with his stupid water spirit stealing that stupid sword spirit. I don't need them. I've been alone these past four years. I don't need anybody." Claire grumbled to herself as she walked down an empty alley in the town that supported the academy. She had heard about the competition today, and she decided that she would enter and win that militarized spirit.
"What would you give to obtain more power?" A quiet voice whispered in Claire's ear.
"Gyah!" Claire nearly had a heart attack when she heard that voice. Turning quickly to see who had spoken to her, Claire found herself face to face with a young woman wearing a dark cloak. Claire could not see her face, but figured she had to be very beautiful judging from the rest of her body. "Who are you?" Claire asked one her heart was back to beating close to normal.
"Me? I am but a wanderer. More importantly, I might be in a position to be of assistance to your quest for power." The hooded girl stated.
"You can help me get stronger?" Claire asked suspiciously. The girl nodded and held out her hand where a dark fog formed. Claire reached out her hand and the girl handed over the fog.
"Gespenst, the madness spirit. He had the ability to draw out someone's true potential." the girl informed Claire. The fog absorbed into Claire's hand and she felt like she had just dipped her hand into acid. A jet black seal appeared on her left hand momentarily before vanishing along with the pain.
"What do you gain from helping me?" Claire asked, flexing her fingers and looking at her hand.
"By you getting stronger, he will get stronger."
"He who?" Claire looked, but she was alone in the alley.
From a nearby rooftop, a young woman removed her hood revealing a beautiful face with dusk colored eyes and dark hair. "Fufufu, I hope you enjoy my present, my dearest Kamito." She smiled as she disappeared in a cloud of black feathers.
Kamito was walking down a side street in town with Iseria holding onto his left arm and Est walking a step behind to his right. They were enjoying the day of window shopping. Kamito was well aware of the stares he was receiving from the princess maidens, but he chose to ignore them so that it wouldn't ruin his day. Kamito suddenly felt a sharp pain from his left hand and let out an involuntary grunt. Iseria and Est looked at him in silent question. The stinging sensation from his seal faded away a few moments later.
"Restia was near here." Kamito explained. "We should keep a lookout for trouble." Kamito went on to explain how he had felt a similar sensation just prior to the demon spirit attack the previous night.
"Kazehaya Kamito!" Kamito sighed and turned to the very familiar voice. Just as he already knew, the blue haired captain of the Syphlid Knights was walking briskly in his direction. Glancing at Est, Kamito had a feeling he knew what Ellis was going to accuse him of.
'And it was such a nice day too.' Kamito complained, earning a giggle from Iseria.
'Kamito, I am your sword. She will not be allowed to bring harm to you.' Est needlessly assured Kamito.
'Thank you Est, but that won't be necessary." Kamito chuckled and rubbed Est on the head.
"Fwah." Est sighed, happy with the attention.
"Have you no scruples ? Seducing such a young maiden, you should be ashamed." Ellis glared at Kamito then turned her attention to Est. "He hasn't harmed you, has he?"
"Kamito is my master." Est replied blandly.
"Making her call you master, that is unacceptable." Ellis drew her sword before Kamito could respond. Ellis almost dropped the sword when the blade drooped like a wet noodle. "What manner of sorcery is this?!"
"Howling Property Resonance. As a sword spirit, I can freely interfere with blades." Est explained expressionlessly.
"You're a spirit?" Ellis gaped.
"I am my master's sword. I will not permit you to harm my master." Est warned.
" have two contacted spirits?" Ellis was flabbergasted. It was extremely rare to have a spirit powerful enough to take human form, but to have two that could was almost completely unheard of.
"Yes, I have two contracted spirits, right now anyway." Kamito did the last part quietly, flexing his left hand. "Was there something I could help you with, Captain?"
" , umm, well, I was wondering if you had put any thought to my offer." Ellis asked shyly looking away.
Kamito sighed. "I don't think it would be a good idea at this time. People are still getting used to having a male elementalist around, and I don't think that they would react well to having me placed in such a position of authority this soon. Perhaps another time once everyone is more accustomed to my presence."
"Your right." Ellis sighed in disappointment "I hadn't considered that." She fidgeted in place for a moment. "I suppose you are in town to purchase provisions?"
"That's one of the reasons." Kamito confirmed. He felt a tug on his sleeve.
"Kamito, I would like some food." Est requested.
"I would like go eat as well." Iseria seconded, latching back onto Kamito's arm possessively.
"I guess we're going to go find a cafe." Kamito smiled apologetically. Ellis wanted to offer to accompany them, but decided not to when she saw how close the two females were sticking to Kamito. Ellis sighed again and resumed her patrol.
"So, what should we eat?" Kamito asked once they were away from Ellis. He knew that Iseria was looking for an excuse to get away from the bluenette, but figured it wasn't worth dwelling on. He knew he would never understand how a woman's mind worked, so why try.
After a quick lunch at a cozy cafe, the three of them made their way to the arena to watch the competition. The battle had already began as they located some empty seats. Kamito was checking out the field when he recognized a certain redhead. She was currently being pressured by a pair of elementalists, but surprisingly holding her own. Her small stature and quick reflexes allowed her to avoid being hit by the crystalline golem summoned by one of her opponents, but unfortunately for her, it was highly resistant to her flames. To make things harder for her, the other elementalist had a mirror spirit that could reflect any of her fire spells.
"Pitiful Claire Rouge, to think this is all the sister of the Calamity Queen is capable of." The mirror user taunted after reflecting a fireball back at Claire. "Even that traitor was able to back her actions."
"Quit talking about my sister like you knew her!" Claire cracked flametongue at the taunting girl only to have it intercepted by the golem.
"Give it up, there is no way you can beat my Adamantine." the golem' s master gloated.
"tsk.." Claire jumped back to evaluate her options. She knew she was in trouble, the two elementalists she was facing were both underclassmen and had worked together for a long time. One on one, she was sure she could defeat either of them, but their teamwork was good enough to cover any openings she could have tried exploiting.
'My true potential huh? I wanted to do this without outside interference, but I guess it can't be helped.' Claire was wearing down from fighting the two girls at once. She focused her divine power to her left hand and screamed in pain, collapsing to her knees. Flametongue vanished in a puff of smoke and a dark feline spirit jumped into existence. Claire had stopped screaming, but remained motionless on her knees, her eyes glazed over and listless.
"What the hell?" Kamito jumped from his seat when he felt Claire start to summon Gespenst.
"Her divine power has gone into a frenzy, and it has spread to Ortlinde." Iseria told Kamito, her voice heavy with concern.
The frenzied hellcat attacked the ore golem and the mirror spirit, black energy flowing into them. The golem turned on the mirror, smashing it in one hit as well as knocking the mirror's elementalist unconscious. "Adamantine! Stop! Attack Claire Rouge!" The golem's master screamed as her spirit turned its attention on her. Scrambling to escape, she tripped and sprawled on the ground. Closing her eyes, she balled herself up and waited for the smashing hit she knew was coming.
"Dispassionate queen of steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil, now form my sword."
The impact the golem elementalist was expecting never came. Slowly opening her eyes, She saw the back of a young man standing next to the severed arm of her contract spirit. The golem roared loudly in pain and anger. In his hands, the young man, who she now recognized as the male elementalist Kazehaya Kamito, was a brilliant silver hand and a half single edged long sword. With a quick slash, her spirit was sliced in two and dissipated into spirit particles as it faded back into Astral Zero.
Turning to her, Kamito asked "Are you injured?" she slowly shook her head no. She could not take her eyes off the young man that had just saved her and was now concerned for her well being. She could feel her heart start beating faster and her face flush.
"If you are unharmed, you should go help your friend escape." Kamito instructed before leaping away to confront Claire and Scarlet.
She watched him go for a moment before looking around somewhat dazed. She could see the female spirit that accompanied Kamito on the other side of the arena engaging other frenzied spirits with orbs of water, defeating them with utmost ease. Hearing a groan behind her snapped her out of her daze. Helping her friend to her feet, the two quickly made their way or of the arena and to safety, but not before the golem elementalist stopped and gazed at Kamito one more time. 'Stay safe, I still need to thank you for saving me.' She blushed thinking about how she was going to thank him.
"Claire!" Kamito called out to the red head who was still sitting on her knees staring off into nowhere. Hearing her name, she turned unfocused eyes at the voice. Seeing that she was out of it, Kamito slapped her across the face. The stinging sensation in her cheek snapped those ruby eyes into focus instantly. Glaring angrily at the man in front of her, she was about to shout at him when he stopped her.
"Is this the extent of your pride? The extent of the Elstein pride that is so famous? No, it's fitting that you are going by Claire Rouge because you don't deserve the name Elstein."
"Who are you too talk to me like that? Do you know the pain and torment I have had endure these past four years? Do you know what is fella like to be completely alone?" tears formed in Claire's as she spoke. *smack* Flames of anger replaced the tears in Claire's eyes when Kamito slapped her again.
"Do you think you are the only person in history to have a hard life? I am the only living male elementalist. I am constantly scorned as the second coming of Demon King Solomon. I live my life trying to prove I am nothing like the Demon King of old. I am not alone though, and neither are you. Just as I have Is..Atlantae and Est, you have scarlet. Or does she mean so little to you that you would sacrifice her in your pursuit of power?" Kamito was beyond furious at her attitude.
"Kamito!" Iseria called out to get Kamito's attention. He turned in time to see the possessed Scarlet leap at him for striking Claire. A blue orb of water struck the enraged feline, knocking it across the ground. Scarlet regained her feet and was about to attack again when her path was blocked.
"Evil winds, go forth and rampage."
"About time you showed up Ellis." Kamito smirked.
"I had to gather the knights so we could assist in evacuating the arena." Ellis responded, not catching Kamito's sarcasm.
"Now Claire Rouge, are you going to continue make Scarlet suffer? If so, i will end her now and you will truly be alone." Kamito raised a hand up in the frenzied cat's direction.
Claire's eyes opened wide. "Scarlet?" she asked quietly, taking in the the sight of her spirit attacking anything within reach. Looking down at her left hand, Claire whispered "It's all my fault…" "Kamito, please help Scarlet, I know what I have to do." Kamito watched her form a small fireball in her right hand and jam it into the spirit seal on her left hand. Nodding, Kamito readied Est to keep Scarlet from attacking Claire. The moment the fireball touched the seal, Scarlet yowled in pain and last at Claire, only to be stopped by Kamito before another water orb slammed into her side. A torrent of wind blades kept Scarlet pinned to the ground.
Suddenly Claire threw her head back in a silent scream as the black seal shattered. A black fog like spirit exited her body through her mouth and nostrils and Claire collapsed from all the stress on her body. Through half lidded eyes, Claire watched as similar clouds left the bodies of the fallen spirits and elementalists. All the spirit pieces clumped together to form a single spirit that faded into Astral Zero.
"Scarlet." Claire croaked weakly trying to get to her contract spirit. Kamito went and picked up the exhausted hellcat while Est, now back in her human form, assisted Claire into a sitting position. Kamito placed Scarlett into Claire's lap, who in turn hugged the cat into her bosom. "Scarlet, I'm so sorry Scarlet. I've been so blinded with my own feelings that I never considered yours." Tears flowed freely from ruby eyes. Scarlet mewwed weakly and locked Claire's hand where she had burned off the other seal, leaving charred skin. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Now go, go and rest." Claire wiped her eyes as Scarlet dissolved into particles as she went to recover in Astral Zero.
Claire was surprised when Iseria knelt in front of her and held her hands near her injured hand. Blue light glowed softly and Claire could feel the pain of the burn fading away and the skin start stitching itself back together. "why?"
Iseria sighed "Just because I don't like the way you have been treating Kamito doesn't mean I won't help you. A young maiden such as yourself should not be marred by scars. You may not realize it yet, but your Scarlet Valkyrie is far more powerful than you know."
"Thank you." Claire's mumbled looking away once Iseria was finished healing her hand.
Kamito placed his hand on Iseria's shoulder and was about suggest that they leave when he stiffened up and started looking around.
"What's the matter young Elstein, you didn't like my little gift?" A beautiful voice chimed from above the arena. Floating in the air was a young woman with black feathered wings on her back. She had dark hair and dusk colored eyes set in flawless milk white skin. Wearing a dark dress and knee high socks, she was a vision of dark beauty.
"It's her." Claire turned to the others pointing at the floating spirit "She is the one that gave me that madness spirit!"
"Hello Kamito." the spirit smiled sweetly.
"Restia…"
Well, that wraps up chapter 4. As always, thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed. I hope no one was disappointed by Iseria's waffe, Charybdis. Yes, Kamito can use kido. I thought as the Demon King he should be able to use the Demon Arts. Comments, questions, and concerns are always welcome. Have a great day.