Title: Reign of the Seven Spellblades Vol. 5
Author: Sakae Esuno, Bokuto Uno (Story), Ruria Miyuki (Characters)
Publisher: Yen Press
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Pages: 192
Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: February 21, 2023
The Story
Reign of the Seven Spellblades volume 5 continues the first-year battle royal. At the end of the last volume, Oliver stated that he would defeat Mr. Rossi within eight moves. Well, he did just that. Mr. Rossi takes his leave after being begrudgingly lectured by Oliver. Once that is settled, the team tries to get comfortable and accommodate Pete after he turned into a girl. He finally gets the courage to tell everyone that he is a Reversi.
Throughout all of this, they decide that if they are going to ride out this tournament, they are going to need a secret lair. It just so happens that Katie knows just the spot… the old lab of Ms. Miligan! Apparently, Ms. Miligan was willing to lend it to her but it’s hidden deep within the first layer of the labyrinth. After traversing their way there and dispelling a lot of traps along the way, they arrive and set up camp.
After spending the night there, they awake to find that the girls are missing. Turns out they went out to get Marco… the troll that Katie grew attached to and Ms. Miligan had joined them. With Marco as their protector, they set off to explore more of the labyrinth making their way to the entrance to the second layer; however, just when they arrive, they are greeted by a two vs two proposition… until… someone else joins to make it three on three!
Characters
Of all the characters that got any sort of development, it was Mr. Rossi who received the bulk of it. After losing his duel with Oliver, he takes Oliver’s lectures to heart. Plus, he was humbled by someone else who makes another appearance at the end of the volume. Perhaps ‘e will overcome ‘is insecurities ‘an become a much ‘etter mage? (On a side note, it was kind of jarring to read his dialogue like that. Oof).
Ms. Miligan had her hand severed but instead of regrowing it, she turned it into a familiar. Say hello to Milihand!
Yeah, that’s about it for her.
Oh, and Nanao is still crushing hard on Oliver and he’s pretty aware of it. Still… no further development on the relationship front, though.
Final Thoughts
Most volumes, there is a lot of information to unpack but this one was pretty straightforward. Mr. Rossi and Oliver’s duel ended with Rossie getting a bit of development, they learned to make potions, and they ended up with a secret base. This felt more like a transitional volume more than anything but at least we’ll be kicking off the sixth volume with a three-on-three duel. That should provide some nice entertainment but it makes me wonder if Oliver and company will come out of it unscathed.
One of the things that they foreshadowed here was that Nanao had kept the seventh spellblade a secret from everyone. Only Oliver knows of its existence but since they are up against a very formidable trio, it makes me wonder if that will become the difference-maker. Especially since Nanao has had trouble activating its power a second time. All of that leads to an event where its power will come out to save them and/or possibly win them the duel. Plus, Oliver has a spellblade as well. Could we see both of them activate? Would they really be that foolish to try a stunt like that?
Those little nuances lead to a nice bit of suspense for the upcoming battle. We’ll have to see how it all plays out. While things were a bit slow here, it was needed as the pacing was a little bit hastened. It was a nice breather of a volume but don’t relax just yet as we’re about to step back on the gas in the next one!
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This item was purchased for review
