Since ancient times, priestesses at temples carried swords with them in order to use them to exorcise "aratama"—unknown beings threatening the peace of humanity. Today, armed priestesses dressed in school uniforms are called "Swordsmen," and they serve in special police units—religious police special forces. They officially hold civil service positions and have the right to carry weapons. In Japan, there are five special schools where new generations of Swordsmen are trained. Their everyday life is almost indistinguishable from that of ordinary schoolgirls, except that when necessary they must fulfill their duty and stand to protect people, destroying aratama with swords and various superpowers. Every spring the schools send their best Swordsmen to a tournament, and as the time for the next competition approaches, representatives of the schools intensify their training, honing their skills and becoming stronger.
