English Dub Review: Ascendance of a Bookworm “Dreamlike World”

Overview:

Mine gains the respect she deserves.

Our Take:

While Ferdinand did stand up for her, he needs to quell all doubts. After the Trombe was defeated, they need to cast a spell to restore the land. However, Ferdinand gave the task to the noble night (someone who did not do any of the fighting). He didn’t have enough mana, even though he hadn’t wasted any, and even collapsed from exertion. By comparison, Main is able to do the same task with ease, and go beyond expectations. This proves to everyone that she is not just right for the job and not just boosted by Ferdinand’s words, but really shows the noble knight that his actions were in the wrong.

However, that doesn’t change the knight’s insistence that he’s right– via his parents. Once people have a status, then they are willing to cling to that, even if they were in the wrong. That’s the issue with entitlement; it doesn’t go away that quickly.

That last scene, however, doesn’t feel right. We have seen Ferdinand discuss the possible reality that Main would have to be adopted by nobility. Indeed, that would give her some protection, especially since her amount of mana would make her a prime target. Considering how the noble knight treated her from her doing something as simple as existing in his presence, a level of protection is necessary. The church wasn’t enough, because the nobility still has power within the church walls. This is a logical decision on Ferdinand’s part, and that he’s entrusting Main to his second means that she’d be in a place he knows is safe.

At the same time, it completely neglects the heart. Main is doing something like traversing from home because she wants to be with her family. As we saw with the Benno case earlier (which I didn’t know would end up being foreshadowing), adoption when the family is still alive and still wants their child in their life is nothing but painful. It ends on such a tender moment between them, and knowing that is going to be torn apart is not something I’m looking forward to seeing. Bookworm’s third season hasn’t been announced yet, so this question will likely go unanswered until then (unless I cave and read the LN). All in all, a strong end to the season, and a killer cliffhanger– so here’s hoping another season is on the way!