M: {ED}
F: Main lived a new life as part of a poor soldier's family in a world without books.
F: Wanting to read,
F: she looked to make her own books through trial and error.
F: But she had failed to account for one huge problem...
B: If it is the Devouring,
B: she'll die very soon.
Title Card: Ascendance of a Bookworm
Title ,Title Card: Ascendance of a Bookworm
Ep Ep Title: Chapter Seven Seeds of Suspicion
L: Wow!
M: Yeah. Hard to believe it's part of the same town, isn't it?
L: I bet lunch will be amazing, too.
M: Yeah... That invitation we received
M: was one for lunch with Mister Benno.
Flashback,M: "See me at Gilberta Company by the fourth bell."
Flashback,M: Where's the Gilberta Company?
Flashback,O: It's on the first floor where I live.
Flashback,M: Where you live?
Flashback,M: So Mister Benno was the one who didn't want
Flashback,M: to be separated from his dear sister?
Flashback,M: Which means you and him are... brothers-in-law?!
Flashback,O: Correct.
M: They got us.
M: Lutz, we have to be careful not to be tricked today.
L: Huh? Aren't we just gonna have lunch?
M: This is the place.
L: Okay, I'm starting to get nervous.
M: Someone just went in.
L: I don't see many customers.
L: Not many goods, either.
L: Do they really make money?
M: I'm pretty sure they do.
M: The shop is squeaky clean,
M: the customer service is thorough, and the employees are all classy.
M: Their clientele must be nobility and the wealthy.
B: I apologize for asking you to come on such short notice. Now, let's eat.
M: Thank you.
M: Ugh, they've thrown all the broth away.
M: The soup at home is way better than this.
M: Is Benno mad at something?
M: What did I do?
B: All right. It's time to talk.
M: He's gonna yell at me!
B: Why did you turn to Otto?
B: He told me that he provided nails for you.
B: He also mentioned that it was a trade for the liquid that makes hair shine.
M: You mean the Simple All-In-One Shampoo?
M: That's right. Is there a problem with that?
B: Of course there is!
B: You should've come to me first!
M: But we've only been conditionally accepted.
M: We're not your apprentices yet.
L: Yeah.
B: That's not it!
B: Listen. If the plant-based paper you make has value,
B: you two will be hired as apprentices to this company.
B: The paper will be Gilberta Company's merchandise,
B: so you should be talking to me first about everything!
M: I'm sorry.
M: I failed to realize that it would make you look bad as our employer.
M: It won't happen again.
B: What are you doing?
M: Crap! They don't bow their heads in apology here!
M: Nothing... I understand.
B: As long as we're clear.
B: Now, let's get down to business.
B: I'll provide you with everything you need to make your paper.
M: But isn't this our apprenticeship test?
M: Are you sure you want to help us with it?
B: I can't assess your abilities fairly without the right environment.
B: Besides, you can't start a new business without capital investment.
M: That's true, but still...
B: Of course, I'm not doing it out of the goodness of my heart.
B: In return, I want the recipe for the liquid that makes hair shine. How's that?
M: I see.
M: You want it instead of collateral, right?
B: Where did you learn that word?
L: What's collateral?
M: When you lend money to someone, you take something in exchange for security's sake.
M: You'd want to ensure you got your money back, wouldn't you?
B: But a recipe can't serve as a collateral, so I'll buy it outright.
M: That certainly doesn't sound like a bad deal.
M: When you say "everything we need," is that limited to tools and equipment?
M: Or can we ask for materials as well?
B: That's fine by me.
B: I've already heard that Lutz has been talking to lumberers.
B: You're looking for a tree with soft wood, aren't you?
M: So this is a merchant's connections at work.
M: How long will your backing last?
Diagram ,Sign: Apprentice Age Age
Diagram ,Sign: Baptism
Diagram ,Sign: Salary %
Diagram ,Sign: Paper Gilberta Company
Diagram ,Sign: Gilberta Company Sale Money
B: Until your baptism.
B: We'll buy all the paper you've produced by then.
B: Once we deduct the material costs and commission, the rest of the money is yours.
M: And after our baptism?
B: The paper will be sold through us.
B: Ten percent of the profits will be added to your pay as royalties.
M: Instead of those royalties,
M: I want to reserve the right to produce the paper.
M: And Lutz will have exclusive rights to sell it.
B: What do you mean?
M: Royalties added to our pay will mean nothing if we're fired.
M: I'd rather not be cast aside as soon as you have the product in hand.
B: You want job security rather than short-term profits, huh?
M: That's right. Is that a problem?
B: I'm impressed that you already have the wherewithal to protect your interests.
B: You've only mentioned the rights to the paper.
B: What about the liquid... Simple All-In-One Shampoo, was it?
B: Don't you want to reserve the rights to that as well?
M: No, that's all right. I'm selling it to you.
B: Very well.
B: That's that, then.
B: Go ahead and make your order forms.
M: Wait, how am I supposed to...
Mark: Pardon me.
Mark: I'm Mark.
Mark: Rest assured, Master has filled me in already.
M: And so, I learned how to write order forms from Mark,
M: while Lutz practiced how to write.
Ma: You can calculate without using a calculator?
Ma: How intriguing.
M: I just don't know how to use one, actually.
M: Lutz, are you okay?
L: Yeah.
M: I'm done writing out the order forms.
B: Good.
B: Mark, prepare the contract magic.
Ma: At once.
M: Huh? Contract magic?
M: Did he just say "magic"?
M: Is this a fantasy world?
M: Will I get to use magic, too?!
B: As I'm sure you know, only nobles possess mana.
M: First the books, and now mana? Darn those lucky nobles!
B: Contract magic was created as a way of curbing high-handed nobles.
B: When signed, the magic ensures that the terms are binding,
B: and it can't be canceled without the consent of all parties.
B: This is the paper and special ink used for contract magic:
B: magical items only granted to merchants that cater to nobles.
M: That's a strange ink pot. The ink is blue, too.
Ma: It's highly expensive,
Ma: so it's only used for deals that are considered very profitable.
M: So wait, the Simple All-In-One Shampoo?
M: I let it go too easily!
M: "Main reserves all rights to produce the paper or decide who makes it.
M: Lutz retains exclusive rights to sell the paper.
M: Neither shall retain any rights to decide its pricing or the profits."
B: Is that acceptable to you two?
M: Yes, it looks fine to me.
L: I'm okay with it, too.
Ma: Then please sign here.
B: Mark.
M: The ink turned from blue to black!
B: It's your turn now.
M: What? I can't!
L: Main? Aren't you going to sign the contract?
L: Hold out your hand. I'll do it for you.
B: With this, our contract is signed.
M: I didn't expect to spend so much time there.
M: I was surprised that you managed to write your name perfectly.
L: I was taught how to write it before.
M: You did well not to forget.
M: Now all that's left is to make the paper.
L: Yeah.
M: What's the matter, Lutz?
M: Lutz!
M: Wait, Lutz!
L: Hey, uh...
L: You are Main, right?
Eyecatch: Ascendance of a Bookworm
Eyecatch: Ascendance of a Bookworm
L: If you are, how were you able to have that conversation?
M: What conversation?
L: All that stuff you were talking about with the boss. I didn't get half of it.
L: Main talking to an adult about stuff I don't know like an equal doesn't seem right.
L: Are you really Main?
M: Are you saying I seem like someone else to you?
L: Uh, sorry. That was a weird thing to say.
L: I'm just a bit surprised by all the complicated stuff you were saying.
M: I messed up. I was too eager today.
M: But once we start making the paper,
M: Lutz will definitely realize that I'm not Main.
M: What will he do when he finds out?
M: Lutz...
M: I'm home!
E: Welcome back. You were out late.
M: Yeah. I had to write out order forms at Mister Benno's place.
T: I have to prepare for tomorrow.
G: I know you only just got back,
G: but could you get some water for us?
M: Oh, sure.
R: Hey!
R: Who are you?
L: Where's Main? Give her back!
M: Help!
All: Who are you?
All: Who are you?
All: Who are you?
All: Who are you?
All: Who are you?
All: Who are you?
All: Who are you?
All: Who are you?
All: Who are you?
All: Who are you?
M: No!
E: Main?
E: Did you have a bad dream?
M: I'm fine now.
E: Then go back to sleep, okay?
M: If they find out that I'm not Main...
M: then I can just let the fever consume me and disappear.
M: I don't wanna have any regrets when that happens,
M: so I'll put my everything into making that paper.
M: Facing Lutz is a little awkward now, though...
L: Morning.
L: I have to go to the forest today, so I can't come with you to see Mister Benno.
M: Got it.
M: I should finish all my dealings with adults while Lutz isn't around.
M: That way, I'll avoid any more suspicion.
M: That's it!
Ma: Shall we go place our orders, then?
M: Yes, please.
M: Mister Mark, could we have a workshop to put all our equipment?
Ma: A workshop, is it? I'll talk to Master about it.
Ma: Do you have any requirements?
M: We'll be going to the forest a lot, so something near the south gate would be nice.
Ma: Understood. I'll take a look around that area.
Ma: Oh, we're nearly at the lumberer's.
M: Oh, is that it...
Ma: Miss Main?!
M: Huh? Where am I?
C: You've come to, Main?
B: Oh, you're up, lass!
B: I lost years of my life when I heard you'd collapsed!
M: I'm terribly sorry!
B: Wh-What are you doing?
M: Kowtowing!
M: W-Well, uh, it's my way of showing I mean it when I say I'm sorry.
B: Otto did tell me you were frail,
B: but I didn't expect it to be quite this bad.
M: I'm fine now!
B: Your fever's gone down.
M: Yes, it has! It's gone!
B: Go straight home today.
M: But there's so much to do!
B: Why, you little! I said to go straight home!
M: Ow!
B: You're hereby banned from coming here alone!
B: The lad should be with you every time!
B: If you have any memory at all, you'll never forget that!
M: Okay, okay! I won't!
M: Ouch!
M: And so, I was forcibly brought home,
M: where I was given a real earful by Mom
M: and found myself bedridden again.
B: That lass...
B: She really may have the Devouring.
O: You brought that up last time. What exactly is it?
B: It manifests in commoners who are born with mana.
O: But don't only nobles possess mana?
O: Besides, I've never even heard of this.
B: It's not well known because most of these kids don't live to see their baptism.
O: What? Don't live to see their baptism?
B: Yeah. As one grows, so does their mana.
B: But if it grows too much, it'll devour and k*ll them.
B: And the more mana they have, the sooner they die.
O: Is there any way to survive it?
B: Yes, but it needs magical items that can extract the excess mana from their body.
O: Then without them, Main will...
B: We don't know that for sure yet.
B: But if it really is the Devouring,
B: she will die very soon.
O: The captain will be inconsolable.
G: Listen up, Main!
G: Push yourself one more time, and I'm not letting you out of the house!
M: I-I get it, Dad.
G: Lutz, take care of her.
L: Sure, Mister Gunther.
G: Also, you are to accompany her every time she has to go to Gilberta.
M: They said I'm banned from entering if you're not with me.
L: Banned?
G: I'm counting on you, Lutz.
L: I was just really upset, you know?
L: When I saw you doing calculations and talking about all that complicated stuff,
L: I felt like you didn't need me at all.
M: Lutz...
L: That's why I lashed out.
L: Sorry.
M: Oh, that was you lashing out?
M: Thank goodness. I thought you'd come to hate me.
L: I-I don't hate you!
L: Come on, let's go.
B: Lad! Looking after the lass is your number one priority!
B: Know that it's a vital mission that only you can handle, okay?
L: Only I can handle it?
B: That's right.
B: Do you think anyone other than you and her family could babysit this reckless lass?
L: Nope.
B: Do you think anyone here could do it?
L: Nope.
B: Then let me ask you:
B: do you think she can walk to the south gate today?
L: Should be fine as long as she doesn't walk too fast.
B: Excellent.
B: I'm letting you have a workshop close to the south gate.
B: Have Mark show you there.
M: Thank you!
M: We should move everything as soon as...
B: Don't do anything stupid! Just behave yourself!
L: I'll do the heavy lifting, so don't do anything that'd leave you in bed.
Ma: Please, just take care of your health.
L: From that look on your face, I bet all that went in one ear and out the other.
M: Huh? How'd you know?!
M: Sheesh!
M: At the time, I hadn't yet realized
M: that Lutz had completely stopped calling me "Main" since that day.
Next_Chapter,Title: Next Chapter Lutz's Main
M: From this day onward, Lutz came to be highly valued as the Main Supervisor.
F: Well, I can certainly see why.
M: What's that supposed to mean?
F: Can you imagine how shocking it is to see you suddenly collapse?
F: I truly empathize with Benno and the others.
M: Oh, Head Priest! I'll actually make plant-based paper next time,
M: so look forward to it!
01x07 - Seeds of Suspicion
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Anime series based on a light novel and manga series written by Miya Kazuki and illustrated by Yō Shiina.
Anime series based on a light novel and manga series written by Miya Kazuki and illustrated by Yō Shiina.