English Dub Review: Wistoria: Wand and Sword “Hoping, Blooming, Thundering”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
Will and Julius try their hand at the Second Bloom.  Under the intense gazes of the tower’s high mages and the Magia Vander, Will confronts a Wors Ooze once more.  When he and Elfaria were young, they created magic together.  Thinking back on the origin of his sword, Will calls forth Wis through his own power.

Our Take:
This week’s episode shows another crucial moment of the series that I unintentionally spoiled for myself.  That moment I’m referring to was Will’s long-awaited reunion with Elfaria amid the Second Bloom.  After being apart for a long time, since childhood, they finally fulfilled their dream of being together again.  Sure, I can’t argue that Will’s progression through the Second Bloom was enticing due to his being able to combine magic with his sword.  Not to mention, his unlocked power was able to shatter Kreutz’s low expectations.  However, the reunion between childhood friends, along with Julius’s recruitment, is enough to make my heart soar.
I can tell that fans of the source material had been waiting for this scene to be adapted for a while.  Based on its execution, I can also see that they would be satisfied with the result.  Unfortunately, the reunion is short-lived, thanks to the leader of the Lightning Faction, Zeo, who crashed the party to recruit Will by force.  I thought he was a swell guy at first, but after what he’s trying to do to separate Will and Elfaria, I want to see him get his barbaric butt beaten.  What better person to make Zeo regret his selfish action than Elfaria, in a showdown that will serve as the basis for next week’s penultimate episode?  Buckle up, everyone, because this next battle is going to be fierce.