“Chapter Fifteen – Apprentice Priestess”
What They Say:
Avid bookworm and college student Motosu Urano ends up dying in an unforeseen accident. This came right after the news that she would finally be able to work as a librarian like she had always dreamed of. When she regains consciousness. She was reborn as Myne, the daughter of a poor soldier. She was in the town of Ehrenfest, which has a harsh class system. But as long as she had books, she really didn’t need anything else. However, books were scarce and belonged only to the nobles. But that doesn’t stop her, so she makes a decision … “If there aren’t any books, I’ll just create some.”
Content (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
As Myne celebrates her acceptance in joining the church as an apprentice priestess, plus the main benefit of being able to once again, it is Tuli who has to remind her there are still preparations yet to be done before she can start work. But as she returns to Gilberta Company to inform Benno of successful negotiations, she cannot but laugh at Lutz’s nervousness as he greets his friend, and it does make things any easier to see her laughing at his clumsiness. It is then when she informs her mentor of the terms of their contract: being taken in as a blue robed priestess, being able to live at home and commune to the cathedral plus keeping control of Myne Studio, all exchange for being tasked of taking care magical items and the library. While he is disappointed by his student predictably being lured in by the allure of books, he is glad the deliberations went well, even so much as stating she should be able to trust Head Priest Ferdinand. And yet as she returns home and informs Carla of her son’s hard work, Lutz’s mother warns the young girl about a strange man looking around the area and asking for information about her, telling the child to be wary about strangers.
When she and Lutz return to the store the next morning, Benno declares the same person who was asking about her was probably the same one who broke into the Merchant Guild the prior night, giving him a chance to state that is was probably the church and nobility who are at the heart of the matter. However before their new apprentice priestess arrives, the Head Priest informs the High Priest of his investigations into this mysterious girl, but in order to keep a watch over her, both men will appoint their own personal retainers to spy plus one problem child, all in an effort by the arrogant man to get as much mana and money out of this troublesome commoner. As morning arrives, Myne and Lutz are greeted at the main gate by a grey robed priest who addresses her as Lady Myne, and while her friend cannot but laugh at the unsettling title, she cannot apologize to the man who seems unconcern by the mocking attitude. And yet as he escorts her into the building for the oath taking ceremony, it is only then does she truly understand the separation of classes within the church, as a blue robed priest insults the child with a vulgar insult and grey robed servants who are cleaning the hallways look on in utter disdain.
In Summary:
While it is delightful to finally continue the adventures of Myne, unfortunately the first half of the episode felt too much like a recap thanks to scenes and information taken from the prior side stories before the start of the new season. And yet even amid this disappointment, the second act still reminds us why we adore this show as the true abhorrence which was introduced via the High Priest once again rears its ugly head – a repulsive reminder of how lower class people are treated by nobility and the church. Although we cannot but feel utter disgust at this vulgar truth, it is the sincere possibility that our heroine will show them a better way that makes the future a brighter chance to see what is to come.
Grade: A-
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
