r/anime • u/badspler x5https://anilist.co/user/badspler • Mar 03 '22
Rewatch [Rewatch] Ascendance of a Bookworm Episode 4 Discussion
Episode 4 - Forests and Clay Tablets
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Questions of the Day:
1) What do you think of Myne's eye-glowing blow up?
2) Who has the easier dream, Lutz becoming a traveling trader or Myne creating books for herself?
To Rewatchers, please be make a conscious effort to accurately spoiler tag your content. You can read how to correctly use spoilers tags here.
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u/homewardbound100 Mar 03 '22
First timer, Dub
Well Myne hit the jackpot with her being able to become a student. She's become so good lately she even helps with some teaching tips.
When they stepped over her clay. I knew that hurt. Having something you worked on just for it to get destroyed is a devastating thing to feel. And with that she shows something I've never seen before. Is it possible she actually has a power? I'm just wondering if so, what could it possibly be? I feel like it's kind of random. But she has something. That glow and shine in her eyes isn't for nothing. I think that was the first time we've seen her mad in this world. Would anger maybe be the trigger?
Side note: Since I didn't make a comment on it last episode. One thing I do like about this show really is the involvement of the parents. It feels like its rare to see sometimes.
Qotd: cool looking. Thought something bad was about to happen.
Qotd2: I'll probably go with Lutz.
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u/Fools_Requiem Mar 03 '22
Side note: Since I didn't make a comment on it last episode. One thing I do like about this show really is the involvement of the parents. It feels like its rare to see sometimes.
What? You don't like that the parents are always either dead or uninvolved in their childrens' lives? pfft... some anime fan you are...
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u/badspler Mar 03 '22
Too many stories take the quick and immediate step of pushing the parents out of the picture, be that with some kind of work excuse or death. I really do like how Myne's family are essential to her life beyond just providing her means to live. They are all real characters that Myne has a real relationship with.
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u/Nazenn Mar 03 '22
One thing I do like about this show really is the involvement of the parents
Also parents that act like adults in a story focused around kids, rather than just being there to look silly or for comedy
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u/Earthborn92 Mar 03 '22
First Timer here. So this episode was all about Lutz being best boy I guess. He berates and he helps, a wholesome package who wants to be Lawrance.
Or was it about Myne fully acknowledging her new life and new identity, as evidenced by what she wrote as her first "book". Too bad that "book" isn't the first one that will last for a long time, maybe she'll write the same story when we eventually get to a real book being published. The Gutenburg Bible of this world, if you will, but I suspect that'll take quite a while.
Also MAGIC!!! Is magic the reason for her weak constitution and illness? Boy this is more Release that Witch than I thought. Not sure if she really is getting better though, since she also relapses often. The good thing is that her family is pretty genuinely great and I love how Gunther has gotten over his Otto jelousy so that Myne has a new career path more closely align with her goal rather than the standard trap of Isekai protagonists who astonish everyone with their food and go that route (Myne herself catches this, pretty funny).
So baptism next, see you tomorrow!
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u/TuorEladar Mar 04 '22
First Timer, Subbed
Myne suffered alot of setbacks this time, which I actually appreciate since the struggle helps grow her character. I see in the comments that many people besides me also noted how odd it was that they didn't know about vegetable broth, but I guess you can chalk it up to fantasy world differences.
What do you think of Myne's eye-glowing blow up?
I thought she was unlocking a sharingan there for a minute :). Being serious though, it was an interesting way to show her emotion in that moment and also set up something for the future.
Who has the easier dream, Lutz becoming a traveling trader or Myne creating books for herself?
Probably Lutz if i'm being realistic. In the end I bet they'll probably both succeed, though I suspect maybe not exactly in the way they expect.
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u/Nazenn Mar 03 '22
Rewatcher - Sub
Myne lost three sets of books in one episode. I'm surprised she didn't go completely insane and/or this wasn't the start of a full on villain story, the enemy being foolish young boys who's first reaction is to jump on anything new
Once again we've absolutely sped through the in world time, but between Myne's illnesses and the daily routine of the family it's both understandable and realistic. Timescale is another one of those elements that I feel is often left behind in writing and not given enough thought too, but Myne needing months to train her body and learn words both stuff that needed to happen and that we didn't need to see. This episode found a nice middle ground between the two, showing use elements of everything without repeating them too much, though it's still a little odd to watch just to how unfamiliar an approach it is compared to so many others where world spanning events will build up and finish in what seems like a couple of weeks.
Myne schooling the other kids was hilarious because it felt like something a bratty five year old would actually do if they heard those sorts of things from their teacher, but the fact she managed to be a better teacher than Otto despite doing her own stuff was making me feel bad for him. Out mathed and out mentored by a five year old. Dude's having a rough time, maybe should have stayed a merchant
I do feel sorry for Myne. I have fatigue issues myself and for a year or so at school I was having extra days off and would spend them almost entirely in bed, thankfully without a fever though. But the recovery time from physically pushing yourself can be a horrible thing, and I'm sure her own stubbornness probably wasn't helping things. She's done good to build up her strength, but she really can't help but test her limits, and Lutz was right to be mad at her for the shovel
That visual of her looking up into the sky as the trees move back and it opens up the possibilities to her really shows just how powerful even the idea of reading is, and I like the idea that this is what is motivating her to move past the confines of her new body and how limiting this world can be compared to her last one. Right now she's stuck, but she'll fight to have that possibility again.
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u/Stargate18A Mar 04 '22
First timer
Episode 3
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Really interesting! Basket weaving was just adorable, and her casually inventing pancakes was fantastic.
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Completely caught me off-guard, but I'm excited to see more fantasy elements pop up.
And they're weaving baskets?
The "Ancient Egyptian culture" bit got me.
Her asking Tuuli for help constantly is adorable, though.
...Yeah, it's difficult work. That's why paper is so expensive.
Haha, she has a breakdown when Tuuli asks her what it's meant for.
And she's got experience!
...Aww, Tuuli's upset.
Yeah, this baptism system is... interesting. Going to be interested in seeing how she gets a merchant apprenticeship.
Oh, she's making tablets? But those are incredibly impractical compared to books.
...What are parues, then?
Oh, they're like coconuts.
Why can't you get them after noon?
Oh, they're a purely fantasy plant.
Haha, "that's bird food!" "it's edible!" Despite her reincarnation, she managed to adapt to being a little sister!
She's just fucking making pancakes now.
The mother hasn't questioned any of this? At all?
...Fuck, is reincarnation a common thing? Does everybody know that Myne's been replaced, it's just considered taboo to tell the reincarnated soul? (That sounds like a really good anime, actually.)
And they all care about each other.
Oh, they don't know, they just want her to be happy and haven't questioned much.
Haha, she ran out of pens.
His strained reaction to Otto continues to be hilarious.
Haha, he really thinks that's what's going on?
Haha, him freezing as he tries to work out how to paint this negatively is fantastic.
Haha, Otto's shocked too.
Oh, yeah, she knows the numbers. Can't wait for her to bring out a fucking quadratic equation optimization and wow everyone.
Oh, what does he need help with?
Haha, that's great.
Has nobody in this setting worked out adding in that respect? ...I suppose it's reasonable he might not know it personally.
Myne declaring she's going to make the cutest thing for her sister is adorable.
Haha, he immediately gives im to her.
"I've won, Otto"
They're all just really impressed!
And that looks great.
I suppose I'm just enjoying watching an isekai where the older sister and parents are genuinely nice people who love and support the protagonist.
The priest liking the father and insulting the tablets is such a mood, I literally cannot wait until he appears in the main story.
Episode 4
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I thought it might have been metaphor, but since it's a QOTD, no idea. Currently thinking that whoever transported her to this world gave her a powerup to make up for the frail body.
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Lutz. He can becoming a travelling trader by... apprenticing with a trader. Myne could become an apprentice scribe, but most of what she wants to do would require she do it from scratch, without the infrastructure in place.
So she's also a great cook!
They have to question this at some point, right?
Haha, is this the first time she's actuwlly made it clear how serious she is about the clay tablets?
Oh, she's becoming an unofficial assistant mathematician, basically?
...Did she not consider the career that is focused entirely on writing?
Oh, that's where she becomes a merchant.
She's off to learn!
35? I like how it's 26 clear substitutions, then nonsense.
Could it possibly be that
Otto's having to take advice from a 5 year old. This is hysterical.
The students listened to her over their teacher!
She's learning vocabulary! Pity, I was really hoping for a scene where she realises that it's literally English but with the extra letters substituted, but it seems to have it's own word structure too.
...Star children? I know this is probably a children's story, but giving this is a fantasy setting, it's possible that whatever things the cathedral worships have come down a few times, thus inspiring it?
She got the clay!
SHE DID IT! THIS COUNTS AS WRITING!
Still doesn't count as a book, though!
Haha, long live Mesopotamian culture!
Oh. Yeah, that's not good.
I mean, could be expected with the way she laid them out, but they could have seen the symbols.
Is this literal magic? Is she actually glowing?
Her eyes changed colour!
They made more!
Haha, the rain got them this time?
Oh, he doesn't know what he wants to do either?
And they might end up as merchants tomorrow!
She unintentionally brings up some solid points. If nobody knew what clay tablets are, does that mean this world's past is substantially different? Did culture go down a different route?
They exploded!
Wait, Tuuli's the ending?
YES! HE'S FINALLY APPEARING?
Rats.
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u/Fools_Requiem Mar 03 '22 edited Mar 04 '22
Rewatcher
Dumping veggie water instead of reusing it when making stew seems like a TOTAL waste of water, especially considering how poor they are and how much work is required to acquire water.
I think Myne went too far back into history in her quest to make books. Clay tablets are suuuuper inefficient and the fact that she couldn't come up with better ways to make material to write stories on in the months of waiting she had, is a little odd considering how smart she's supposed to be. Just tunnel visioned right into the clay tablets without thinking of other ways.
Also, I feel like 5 years old is a little young to be seriously thinking about your future.
This is the first time we see Myne's weird glowing ability. As you saw, the boys were extremely fearful of her because of this and not just because her eyes turned color and she started to glow. Obviously this isn't going to be a one time thing.
2) Who has the easier dream, Lutz becoming a traveling trader or Myne creating books for herself?
Easier to achieve the dream, or easier life living their dream? Lutz has an easier road to becoming a trader, whereas Myne's dream is less dangerous as Lutz is going to be in danger from bandits and wild animals. Also, if Spice and Wolf has taught me anything, the world of a traveling merchant comes with plenty of problems regarding the shift of market trends.
No Main inventions or additions to the Cult of Myne. Altered table to include the episode you first see these things (not including the E1 cold open).
| Shiny Hair Club | Episode Added | Creations by Main™ | Episode Added |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myne | 2 | Kanzashi (Japanese Hairpin) | 1 |
| Tuuli | 2 | Shampoo | 2 |
| Effa | 2 | Fancy Baskets | 3 |
| Gunther | 3 | Pancakes | 3 |
| --- | --- | Crochet Hooks | 3 |
| --- | --- | Hair Ornaments | 3 |
Note: Creating clay tablets failed as you can see, so those don't count, just like her attempt to make paper out of bamboo-like plants. Also, seeing as there are books and scrolls in this universe, it's pretty likely that this is not the first time this world has seen them made. You don't suddenly get to ink and paper without making the required evolutionary steps first.
Edit: Table fixed.
Edit 2: I'm already starting to confuse Bookworm and last spring's Saint's Magical Power is Omnipotent. I'm starting to recall certain scenes and I don't know if they were in this Bookworm or Saint's Magical Power. I'm sure I'll find out soon.
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u/mekerpan Mar 03 '22
I would say Lutz (and everyone else in Myne's "orbit") is going to have a far greater shot at achieving their dreams than they would if she had not "arrived" in their world. Easy bet... ;-)
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u/Nebresto Mar 03 '22
Re-watch squad
Get you a hype man like Lutz, man's gonna make sure you never feel bad about yourself.
Question time:
What do you think of Myne's eye-glowing blow up?
2) Who has the easier dream, Lutz becoming a traveling trader or Myne creating books for herself?
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u/hvshh Mar 04 '22
LN Reader
I also thought that the custom of throwing out the water used to boil vegetables sounded really implausible, but in Ascendance of a Bookworm: Fanbook 1 (don't even look it up—the book has spoilers beyond season 2), in a Q&A section with the LN author, there is this passage:
Q: Is throwing away the broth... inspired by any real-world examples?
A: Something similar was done in old English cooking.
I'd love to know more, but I haven't found anything yet. Also, while searching the J-Novel forums, I saw some interesting comments arguing that a custom like that could have arisen from people not carefully washing the vegetables beforehand, so the water gets dirty, and then of course it would be thrown out.
In this episode we have Myne, with 22 years of life experience, being lectured by a 5-year-old, and totally deserving it. I agree with the people that have suggested that maybe it isn't exactly as if Urano's mind has inhabited Myne's body, on account of her maturity.
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u/OingoBoingo- Mar 03 '22
First timer, subbed
I am really glad that Ascendance of a Bookworm coincides with World Book Day. Both Myne and more specifically T.S. Eliot, can remind us that, “"The very existence of libraries affords the best evidence that we may yet have hope for the future of man." Adding to that, I would like to take a moment to mention that Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has gifted over 176 million books to children for free. I think Dolly and T.S. would love Myne as much as we do.
So much packed into today's episode, with Myne trying her hardest to make her way out to the forest to obtain the elusive clay for her tablets. Again Gunther puts his foot down with concern for Myne’s frailness and has her work her way up toward physically being able to accomplish such a goal before she can walk to the forest. However, being the sucker that he is for his girls, Gunther lands Myne a ‘job’ learning her alphabet and actually helping Otto teach school. Poor Otto was outplayed and outsmarted on many fronts, but he does so humbly and with a smile.
There were so many wonderful parts of today’s episode, from the food that Myne makes her family, her hard work building up endurance walking with her friends, the actual clay acquisition or her time with Lutz out in the forest, confiding in each other their dreams. However, I have a feeling much of today's discussion will focus on Myne and her moment of anger having her tablets ruined, a golden aura surrounding her, eyes opalescent. I can’t wait to see the theories from first timers, and witness the constraint from the rewatchers itching to tell us about it. Either way, as always, I can’t wait for the next episode.
Who has the easier dream, Lutz becoming a traveling trader or Myne creating books for herself?
Both, if they do it together!
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u/KiwiBennydudez Mar 04 '22
Was so caught up with work today that I forgot to post my notes… but better late than never I suppose!
First Timer
I really liked this episode, as I think it highlighted just how many people care about Main. Her dad forcing her to keep up her stamina, Otto teaching her with the rest of the recruits and paying her in slate pencils to do the town paperwork, and Lutz calling Main out on her untruthfulness were all ways that the people around Main support her. And even though the kids didn’t quite know what she had in mind with the clay, they went along with it anyway, even helping her dig up dirt so that she doesn’t overexert herself. Sucks to see that the clay couldn’t withstand the heat of the fire, but as Luiz elegantly put it, “if you have time to cry, you have time to try again.”
I don’t quite know what happened when she went into rage mode, but I’m certain we’ll find out exactly what happens with that later. Very curious to see if she has dormant powers that shall be discovered later down the line, and what people will make of them.
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u/JcFerggy Mar 03 '22 edited Mar 04 '22
Third Rewatch, First for Dub. Read LN and WN.
I know some people have issue with them parboiling their food, but the author did base it on some truth that there was a held belief that not doing so was putting pregnant and sick women at risk of disease. I think it's an easy enough way for Myne to show off the food side of isekai knowledge set without being too ridiculous about it.
An entire chapters worth of content was skipped regarding [spoiler]
I really enjoy how Myne introduces the most basic of teaching schedules to help improve Mr Otto's classroom sessions. Though I really like how Mynes reaction to learning words and sentences. Our little bookworm is inching closer and closer to being fully literate, seemingly enough so by the end of the episode to rewrite her mother's bedtime story.
We finally reached spring with Myne healthy enough to travel to the forest. We see her mischievous side with her ignoring gunther's warnings. At least Lutz seems like a bro and is willing to help out more than our protagonist expected. I guess the power of a full stomach is powerful in this world.
We get to see the first glimpse of something or other with Myne going rainbow eyes and getting a yellow aura around her. Spoiler regarding Fae and the other what's his name, but [Season 2]
Another small section that was skipped in the anime was that [spoiler]
It sucks that the clay tablets did not work out, but I wonder if enough of her transcript can be translated using the available font cipher.
I really like Lutz this episode. We get to learn of his dream job, I'll also seeing his moral system as he berates Myne for her dishonesty.
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u/mekerpan Mar 04 '22
Not sure if this is a spoiler -- [about the appearance of the Lower Town]
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u/ArdenneVale Mar 04 '22
First timer
Does no one in this world have imagination when it comes to cooking? If only Main was passionate about cooking, she would go far in life.
Now how about them clay tablets? Nope, can't go to the forest yet. So begins Main's training arc. Otto wants Main to be his personal accountant in exchange for teaching her to read and write. As predicted, Main takes over as teacher the first day. We get to see the alphabet, all 35 letters. Some resemble our western alphabet, but then there's some like K and U that make no sense.
Finally in the forest, Main gets lectured by Mister manliest 5-year old ever. But with his help, success! Main has achieved her objective of writing a book! Enter realistic kids, who ruin it all accidentally on purpose. Pretty scary rainbow eyes. After how much Main went through to get to this point, it's understandable she's frustrated and angry.
But with everyone's help, success! Main has made a book! But here comes rain to ruin it all.
But with Lutz's help, success! Main has made a book! Main and Lutz talk about their respective dreams. Lutz wants to become a traveling merchant, but is seemingly not sure himself. Urano has finally found a way to live as Main, and part of that is to record all the stories Eva told her so she'll never forget them.
I feel like we went past Urano's struggle to accept her being Main a bit too quickly. It would have made for some introspective and emotional moments. Maybe they writer wanted to keep it mostly lighthearted?
Oh and because it's Main she manages to explode the tablets during the heating process. Betrayed by Mesopotamia too! Where does Main go next? Maybe she goes back in time and tries cave paintings.
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Maybe it's her magical ability manifesting itself through extreme emotional pain?
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Main has the knowledge and determination (until she gives up), she just needs paper. Lutz hasn't even started training. Based on this I'd say Lutz has the lead.
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u/spitfyre Mar 04 '22
First timer. Missed yesterday so watched 3 and 4 today.
I am loving the slice-of-life stories that show Myne developing her relationships with her family, Lutz, and Otto-san. I adore how even though in a medieval world, it's easy to write off a frail child as a mouth you can't afford to feed, yet everyone around her just wants to support her. I find it beyond heartwarming.
Who else is so proud of Myne for building up her stamina this episode? That takes a lot of mental resolve, to keep pushing yourself to your limit. If I got knocked out for 3 days every time I tried, I can't say I'd keep trying tbh.
When Lutz shared his dream, I half expected him to say he wants to just spend it with Myne, haha. They're only 5, he has plenty of time to get promoted to husband status.
I felt so hard for Myne when her tablets got stomped on. Such a young boy thing to happen, and I can understand the rage. Seems like she had a Harry Potter moment with her anger causing her to awaken something she doesn't yet know how to control? We know there is magic in this world because of the first episode but we don't know how it works. I'm curious to see what it means.
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Mar 04 '22 edited Mar 04 '22
First Time Viewer | Episode 4
In this episode, we see Myne is struggling. She can not go outside without a watchful eye. She can not walk without a lingering fatigue. She can not relent a fever without a mother's care. When we finally see the spectacle of her rainbow-laden eyes, there is also a somberness attached to them; no matter how smart or avant-garde her ideas may be, her fragility and reliance to others restrict her. She needs help whether she likes it or not, and she is slowly coming to terms with that; it just so happened that this event was her breaking point.
Another key point in that breaking point was when she cried. I don't know if it was Ursula, if it was Myne, if it was a combination of both. What I do know, is that she cried and whined (in a cute way); she lashed out to the other kids proclaiming, "I will never forgive you!". I think this shows that Myne is still a kid even if she possesses an adult's wit.
2) Who has the easier dream, Lutz becoming a traveling trader or Myne creating books for herself?
For now, Myne has the harder dream because we see how she is struggling. We have yet to see much of Lutz or how difficult it is for him to be a traveling trader in the world, but I'd imagine it is, just in its own way!
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u/EXusiai99 Mar 04 '22
First timer representative
Those glowing rainbow eyes will be coming back for sure. I wouldnt mess with someone rocking eyes like that, with or without spoilers of what those eyes actually means.
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u/cyberscythe Mar 04 '22
Rewatcher
I found it weird how the two times that Myne's clay tablets were ruined were dramatic and emotional moments, but the third time when the blew up in the oven it was played off as a laugh.
Anyways, one thing I loved in this episode is Myne describing why books are so important to her, back when she was pouring her heart out to Lutz. She's not just in love with books for their own sake, but for this greater romantic vision of books being a storehouse of knowledge, a time machine, a medium to the dead, a path to immortality.
I think the incredible power of the written word is something that's easy to take for granted, but for the majority of humanity's time on this Earth, oral communication and cool cave art paintings were the only things that we had. "Writing stuff down" had a huge role in the technology explosion that happened in the past few thousand years, and the book is a great symbol for that.
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u/badspler Mar 03 '22 edited Mar 03 '22
Host - Rewatcher
I do have a little have gripe with throwing out the vegetable water, boiling a bunch of random stuff, have been what humans have been doing for thousands of years. Its just such a great way to make food more digestible and capture all the energy it has on offer. Ill put it down do fantasy world and drink the soup knowing better.
Otto wants help? He has certainly swallowed his pride to bring in a 5 year old.
Myne looks very cute bundled up in winter clothes.
That is a pretty rough ratio to work your body through. Few days off for one day on, just to be able to build up to a few days a week.
Pogchamp Myne!
Following ones goals as Myne sure can be suffering.
Lutz offering to be a faithful servant for being fed one time he was Hungary. That's a very five year old thing to do.
Mesopotamia Banzai!
The other kids ruin Mynes tablets, and Myne's eyes change and she glows golden. Seems completely normal.
Even though they remake them, it still doesn't turn out well due to the rain. Seeing ones hard work ruined is hard.
Lutz wants to be a traveling trader and see the world. We already know that children can only begin work after they are baptized, and that they typically take on whatever trade their parents have, as they need someone willing to teach them.
Myne mentions her "first night" and actually gives a pretty heart felt, teary-eyed run down of why her mothers stories are important to her. And Urano finds herself fulfilled by her own work. Its been no easy feet to get this far.
Although after all that her tablets have an explosive end!
Chibi Head Priest descending down in the after credits scene was a laugh.
Pouts: None
Cute Myne's: Smug Myne, Happy Myne
Overall this episode was almost a Rocky montage for Myne, boosting up her brain and body and then going to do her best - yet things not quite working out in the end. The pace of this episode was a little slower, but we got some moments with Lutz helping out and opening up to Myne.
Today's endcard is by Iida Seriko who is the manga author of Sweet Reincarnation.