Reign of the seven spellblades is a light novel series that piqued my interest when the anime adaptation was first announced. As a kid I have always loved harry potter, and this was one of the few magic school stories that was similar to it. While it is far from perfect, I can confidently say that reign of the seven spellblades is the light novel that I have had the most fun with. What stands out the most about this light novel is its worldbuilding. The story is set in the magical school of Kimberly, a place that is known for its rigorous training but alsodanger, as many students are killed or 'consumed by the spell' every year. We follow the protagonist Oliver as he meets new friends and uncovers the many dark secrets in the world of magic. While some of the early chapters might seem a bit slow, it is absolutely necessary for establishing the setting and tone of the school. All of this pays off, as the ending of volume 1 reveals the protagonist's true intentions, and truly begins the story. Unlike many other magic stories, Nanatsuma has many unique things to its world. There is the inclusion of sword arts and spellblades which adds a layer to its combat and magic, the many layers of the labyrinth beneath the school, and even the existence of gnostic hunters and interdimensional invasions in the outside world. All of these topics are slowly explored throughout the story, urging me to continue reading and delve deeper into its world.

As mentioned before, the story has a darker tone, which I really enjoy. Both students and teachers are not afraid to hold back during fights, as the existence of healing spells means that as long as they're not dead, everything is fine. Having students die in the labyrinth while researching magic is not an uncommon thing, and is even encouraged in the magic world as it helps push forward the development of magic. This philosophy allows many crazy battles to happen that normally wouldn't be allowed in schools.

The story does have your occasional light novel ecchi moments, but at the same time it is handled in quite a nice way. The concept of sex and sexuality in the magic world is viewed very differently, with many seeing it as a way to enhance their mana or to make their bloodline stronger, which helps the author discuss about lots of topics without making it too weird. Another weakness of the story would be that there are many characters, which could make it hard to properly develop them at the same time. However, the light novel is far from finished and the characters have only reached their third year, so there is still plenty of time for them to grow more.

If you want to jump into a vast world of magic, filled with many mysteries and many layers to its lore, reign of the seven spellblades is the story that will make you keep wanting for more. With the current state of the story, I cannot wait to see how the story continues.