Episode 9 (Anime)

Explore (迷宮探索（エクスプロア）, Meikyū tansaku (Ekusupuroa)) is the ninth episode of the Reign of the Seven Spellblades (Anime) series.

Synopsis
Katie is given a workshop, and she and her friends go into the labyrinth to take a look at it.

Summary
Oliver finds Pete in pain. He uses some healing art to help him fix his manaflow as he body isn't used to handle it while he is in his female form. Since Pete is feeling better, Oliver tells him it will take him time to get used and when he is in pain, he can tell him and Oliver will help him again. Oliver also tells Pete that it will be hard to keep his situation a secret.

The next day, Pete decides to tell his friends that he is reversi. Michela then decides to explain that female bodies can store mana in their womb and shows him how to open it, making him feel that his magic increases. Katie gets excited as it can help Pete dress in some female clothes, but he isn't interested. Tullio shows up and explains that he had lost again and is forfeiting from the competition. He warns Oliver to be careful as some of the people are quite strong. He also wonders if Pete got stronger already.

During sword art practice, Pete faces Stacy, but he can't do anything against her. His friends remind him that he can use magic, but he can't hit her with his magic either. Katie wonders why he isn't using his reversi powers, but Michela notes that he isn't yet on the level to be able to use them. Stacy continues to land blows, annoyed that he humiliated her when he said he read all the volumes of the teacher's book. Pete still doesn't give up and manages to almost land a hit, but the time's run out. His friends comfort him that he almost landed a hit, but Tullio states that a loss is a loss. He then comes out on the ring, stating that he will be starting to learn the basics too.

Katie receives a message from Vera, letting her know that she can have her workshop in the labyrinth as an apology for her actions. Katie informs her friends and states they can use it as a secret base. Oliver and the rest however feel that its too risky and early for her to have a workshop. Katie explains that the school is treating the magical fauna badly and kills hundreds each year. She wants to change that, but first needs to make a name as a researcher and needs a place where she can raise magical fauna. However she can't do it alone and wants her friends to help her run the workshop. Nanao agrees and one by one everyone else also agree. Oliver then states they should check it out tomorrow and may even spend the night there.

The next day, they go into the labyrinth. On their way, Guy feels that they are encountering too many magical fauna and feels that Katie chose this path they take on purpose, but she acts like she doesn't know anything. They reach a point where she explains it may be a bit dangerous and throws a ball revealing that the ground is filled with bowshells. She explains that their spikes can't kill them, but it may hurt a bit. She then uses special incense, stating that it will put them to sleep right away. Nanao feels that something is coming from behind and they see its a trap. The group then runs through the bowshells before they went to sleep, but all manage to pass with only guy getting stung on the butt. Nanao then smells something and they find a group of freshmen eating a BBQ. One of them then introduces them as The Labyrinth Gourmet Club's new-member-welcoming BBQ. They invite Oliver and the rest to join them, but seeing the weird creatures they are eating, Oliver and the rest decide to pass. As they proceed, Michela explains that the person who invited them to join them is quite famous and know as the Survivor. Oliver then realizes he was Kevin Walker, which makes Guy regret that he didn't speak with him. Michela explains that he went missing in the labyrinth and six months later came back alive. Nanao wonders what is BBQ and the group decides to make one too, but Katie wonders from where they will get ingredients.

They go to a girl that sells various ingredients in the labyrinth. The girl then decides to give them a discount, hoping that they will become regular customers. Continuing on their way, they finally reach the workshop. Everyone ends up liking it as its quite big and has lots of stuff. After the group have a BBQ, Michela suggest that they name their group and workshop. Nanao then makes them all draw their swords and touch their blades in circle, noting that this is called sword rose in her country, a symbol of bonds between warriors. They won't vow, but will remember the shape of this rose. She then suggest to name them the Sword Roses. The group agrees. They all feel a bit embarrassed, but Oliver states that this will help them make this moment unforgettable.

Characters

 * Oliver Horn
 * Pete Reston
 * Shannon Sherwood
 * Guy Greenwood
 * Michela McFarlane
 * Katie Aalto
 * Nanao Hibiya
 * Tullio Rossi
 * Stacy Cornwallis
 * Luther Garland
 * Annie Mackley
 * Theodore McFarlane
 * Fay Willock
 * Marco
 * Kevin Walker
 * Pamela Gorton

Light Novel-Anime Differences
"Of course, it’s up to you…but you do have the option to make the most of this trait. The great sage Rod Farquois, a fellow reversi, was famous for his many male and female lovers. I hear that nonmagical society is rather heteronormative, but relations are much more varied in magical society. There’s certainly no need to be shy or avoidant of it."
 * The episode cuts some lines from the discussion of Pete being a reversi, notably Chela's comment about Rod Farquois's pansexuality:


 * The cooking competition between Guy and Katie in the Sword Roses' new hideout is dropped.
 * The post-credits scene showing Stacy Cornwallis and Fay Willock winning a duel by the dormitories is original to the anime.

Trivia

 * Though Pamela Gorton appears in this episode, she is not named in it, similar to her appearances in the novel and manga. However, her name is listed in the credits and is said in the review of Episode 9 in the Animated Shorts.