PrePub - Ascendance of a Bookworm

Last week began with Rozemyne departing for her rescue mission after waking from a nap. Using rediscovered knowledge from the book of Mestionora, Rozemyne, her retainers, Justus, and Eckhart were able to teleport from the Knight's Order training grounds to Kirnberger with Sylvester's assistance. She then forms her Grutrissheit—much to the surprise of those present—and activates the teleportation room within the country gate. Rozemyne receives a necklace charm given to Sylvester from Prince Sigiswald—proof that Rozemyne is acting with the royal family's permission. She then activates the teleportation circle. Destination: Dunkelfelger's country gate.

Rozemyne meets with the Dunkelfelger archducal family, including Hannelore who will join the fight to clear her disgrace from the bride-taking ditter match. After discussing their invasion plan, Rozemyne joins Dunkelfeger in performing their prefight ritual. They then teleport to Ahrensbach's country gate.

Despite anticipating resistance to their invasion, the Ahrensbach knight's order is nowhere to be seen. Rozemyne's group goes to the temple while Dunkelfelger provides distraction near the castle. Hartmut, Justus, Laurenz, and Matthias enter the temple to subdue the priests, secure permission from the High Bishop to enter the book room, and to check for traps. Meanwhile the rest of the group encounters three Lanzenavians—out on their feystone hunt—which are easily defeated. Once deemed safe, Rozemyne enters the temple's book room and uses the bible key in the Mestionora statue revealing the path to the foundation.

Rozemyne nearly triggers a trap while entering the foundation room. She cautiously proceeds to the foundation and drains some of its mana with feystones. Aided by rejuvenation potions, she then proceeds to overcome the remaining mana and dye the foundation. Their group then frees the priests and meets with Dunkelfelger who have secured the castle. An Ahrensbach noble attempts to persuade Rozemyne to go close the border gate before Lanzenave can flee and save his captured daughter. Rozemyne empathizes with the noble, but ultimately rejects his plea for the moment to instead save Ferdinand. Justus informs Rozemyne the order to administer potions to Ferdinand since he cannot enter the replenishment hall himself. At Hartmut's suggestion, Rozemyne uses waschen to purify the replenishment hall to remove any remaining poison or powder residue. She then takes the box of potions and enters the replenishment hall.

How do you predict the reunion with Ferdinand will go? What do you predict will happen with Letizia and the Lanzenavians? What other story predictions do you have for this week?

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We started part 5 volume 8 with a prologue following Justus. We saw his perspective as Letizia returned his name swearing stone and was told to go. We saw how Justus and Eckhart were able to escape Ahrensbach and make it to Ehrenfest's tea party room at the Royal Academy. There we witnessed Eckhart and Justus's loss of hope and their conviction to follow their lord in death after exacting revenge on the Ahrensbach archducal family. However after meeting with Sylvester and learning of Rozemyne's plan to rescue Ferdinand, their hope is restored. They promise to save Ferdinand no matter what.

In the following chapter we see Rozemyne gathering her retainers to inform them of her impending invasion of Ahrensbach to steal their foundation. She directs various tasks for her retainers to complete and decides who will join her and who will stay in support of Ehrenfest. Rozemyne's own preparations include copying and pasting maps and magic circles from her Grutrissheit. A reunion with Justus and Eckhart occurs upon their arrival after sixth bell.

Hartmut is happy to extol the miracles of Rozemyne's growth to an inquisitive Justus as Rozemyne and Eckhart eat dinner and exchange information. Justus mentions that Ferdinand had a message for Rozemyne: "I entrust Eckhart, Justus, and Lasfam to you. Stay in Ehrenfest and do nothing at all. Upon my death, everything I own will become yours. And as promised, both Ehrenfest and Yurgenschmidt will be saved." Rozemyne refuses Ferdinand's proposition and vows to rescue him regardless. Justus convinces Rozemyne to accept Ferdinand's name to envelop him with her mana thus granting more time before he is completely drained. With Justus's assistance Rozemyne creates a name-stone-enveloping box, puts Quinta's name stone inside, turns it into a cocoon with her mana, and gives Ferdinand the order to live.

The book's cover art has some plot spoilers, but there are still lots of predictions to make. Will Rozemyne's retainers learn the truth about her obtaining the wisdom of Mestionora? What role will Hannelore play? How will the Ahrensbach nobility react to the invasion? What will happen to the Lanzenave envoys? Will Rozemyne encounter resistance or will Dunkelfelger provide enough of a distraction? What will the magic circles she copied from the Grutrissheit do? How will Ferdinand react to being reunited with Rozemyne?

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Last week's conclusion of part 5 volume 7 began with a side story following Charlotte when she learns of Rozemyne's disappearance after the Dedication Ritual. We see how Charlotte deals with an excitable Hartmut, an impatient Hirschur, Prince Sigiswald, the Ehrenfest dormitory, and the eventual return of Rozemyne.

The concluding short story is from Leonzio's point of view after the epilogue takes place. We learn of his future plans for Letizia, his relative inexperience with magic, his desire to end the farcical relationship with Detlinde, his desire for power, plans to hunt the nobles siding with Letizia, the three main houses of Lanzenave and their princesses, future plans for Alstede, Blasius, and their daughter, the teleporter between the Lanzenave Estate and the old Adalgisa villa—now remodeled as Rozemyne's future villa, and the relationship between Lanzenave's King Gervasio and Raublut.

This week begins a new volume and a return to the main story. Who do you predict we will follow in the prologue? Do you think Rozemyne's ploy to rescue Ferdinand will go as planned or will there be complications? How will Ahrensbach react to an invasion force from Dunkelfelger?

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Last week began with the epilogue from Letizia's point of view. We learn that Lanzenave has arrived a season earlier than usual in Ahrensbach and Ferdinand has been busy with Spring Prayer. After Letizia's retainer Roswitha mysteriously disappears, she seeks Ferdinand's help to find her. On her way to meet Ferdinand, Letizia is given strange tasting sweets and a silver tube—which Leonzio suggests she use when consulting with Ferdinand. Ferdinand tells Letizia that Roswitha is missing as part of a an obvious trap and to give up on finding her. Letizia has blurred thoughts of using the silver tube to convince Ferdinand to save her. The silver tube burst with a cloud of white powder that poisons Ferdinand. Ferdinand gives Letizia name-swearing stones to give to Justus and tells them to go. Leonzio and Detlinde later show up to falsely accuse Letizia of murder. Leonzio uses another silver tube to eliminate the guards protecting Letizia. Detlinde details her plans to send Letizia to Lanzenave along with the feystone of her murdered retainer Roswitha.

The other chapter was from Prince Sigiswald's point of view and takes place when Rozemyne disappears after providing mana to the statue of Mestionora in the library. Sigiswald meets with Rozemyne's retainers to discuss her disappearance. They decide to keep her disappearance a secret and use the excuse that she has been bedridden. As time goes on without Rozemyne's return, the royal family discusses alternatives to obtaining the Grutrissheit including having Eglantine visit the shrines now that she completed giving birth and nursing her baby. After yet more time has passed another meeting with Rozemyne's retainers takes place. Hartmut explains his ability to feel Rozemyne's mana growing stronger as a name-sworn and assures Sigiswald that Rozemyne is well. We learn that Fraularm was unanimously decided to be relieved of her teaching role after insisting that Ehrenfest was lying and Rozemyne had ascended to the distant heights. One night Sigiswald receives word that Rozemyne has contacted her retainers and needs to be let out of the Farthest Halls. Sigiwald realizes that Rozemyne has received the blessing of the gods when he sees her changed form. He agrees to Rozemyne's request to discuss the details of her absence during the Archduke conference.

This week will be the conclusion of part five volume seven with more side stories. Who's point of view would you like to follow this week?

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Last week began with Rozemyne performing the spring baptism ceremony for the lower city's new seven year olds, including her brother Kamil. Rozemyne has a chance to see her lower city family and Lutz after the ceremony has completed.

Rozemyne is summoned to an archducal family meeting to discuss Ehrenfest's defenses. She is not assigned a particular defensive duty due to the necessity of her leaving for the Sovereignty in the near future.

During the meeting Rozemyne has a vision of Ferdinand being poisoned and paralyzed at Ahrensbach's Mana Replenishment hall in a plot of Georgine's design. The rainbow feystone charm that Rozemyne gave Ferdinand is helping to protect him, but Detlinde puts schtappe sealing bracelets on him and forces his mana to drain into the foundation.

Rozemyne is adamant about saving Ferdinand before all his mana is drained and convinces Sylvester to provide his support. They use the magic tool given to Aubs to have an emergency meeting with Aub Dunkelfelger. Rozemyne explains the situation to Aub Dunkelfelger and convinces him to join in her plan to take Ahrensbach's foundation to save Ferdinand and also to help defend the Sovereignty from Detlinde's plan to take the throne with Lanzenave's support.

Aub Dunkelfelger and Rozemyne discuss the necessary preparations for their battle and decide to meet at midnight at Dunkelfelger's country gate. After the meeting Sylvester receives word that Eckhart and Justus have escaped Ahrensbach and are in Ehrenfest's tea party room at the Royal Academy. Sylvester agrees to contact the Royal Family and other duchies as well as to go meet with Eckhart and Justus. Rozemyne leaves to prepare with her retainers for the coming battle.

This week should see the end of the main story for this volume. What do you predict will still happen? Who's point of view would you like to follow in the epilogue?

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Last week began with Rozemyne being measured for new clothes. The seamstresses present who knew her—Tuuli included—were shocked to see how much she had changed. She pledges to protect Tuuli no matter what happens.

Rozemyne meets with Sylvester and explains that their bible key was swapped for Ahrensbach's. They consider their options for protecting Ehrenfest and formulate strategies to that end.

At Hartmut's suggestion, Rozemyne decides to involve the archducal retainers for preparation of rejuvenation potions and magic tools. While in her hidden room, Rozemyne discovers the name stone of Quinta. With the assistance of Hartmut, Clarissa, and Lieseleta, Rozemyne creates three new combat ready shumils using Adrett—a library shumil created by Hirschur and Ferdinand during the last term—as a reference.

What new developments do you predict will occur this week?

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Last week began with Rozemyne arranging for her retainers to come get her from the Farthest Hall. She postponed discussing her absence with the royal family until the Archduke Conference. Rozemyne discovered that she had missed the rest of the school year and the feast celebrating spring had just taken place.

Upon returning to Ehrenfest, Rozemyne meets with Sylvester to inform him how Georgine could take Ehrenfest's foundation using the temple's bible key. Sylvester believes that Georgine will make her move during Spring Prayer.

Rozemyne returns to the temple to investigate her bible's key. While there she sends Damuel and Angelica to gather information and inform the lower city guard. Matthias and Bonifatius are also sent to check for signs of activity in Gerlach. Rozemyne determines that the key to her bible is in fact Ahrensbach's bible key and was swapped when Viscountess Dahldolf invaded the temple. Rozemyne plans to immediately report her findings to Sylvester.

Will Rozemyne's retainers discover that Georgine and her allies are near by? What plans will Sylvester make to defend Ehrenfest's foundation? What else do you predict will happen this week?

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Last week started with the dedication ritual for archnobles and archduke candidates. Gentiane and Rozemyne decided the joint research would focus on revival of old religious ceremonies. During the ritual light arose from the statues of the gods. Rozemyne received permission from the Zent to use some of the gatered mana for the library. On the way to the library she notices the magic circle in the sky is now shining. After providing mana to the library's foundation, Schwartz and Weiss urge Rozemyne to provide mana to the statue of Mestionora. While supplying mana to the statue, a magic circle appears in her mind after which she finds herself in darkness.

Upon lighting the room with her mana, Rozemyne finds herself in an illusion of her greatest desire: being surrounded by books. She meets a golden shumil who leads her to the Garden of Beginnings where she meets 'Gramps'. Gramps mistakes her for someone else and believes her to be cursed due to her small vessel size. Anwachs—the God of Growth—assists Gramps with expanding Rozemyne's vessel, causing her to physically mature rapidly. At Gramps' behest Rozemyne forms her schtappe, speaks the words given to her in the shrines, and prays to receive the wisdom of Mestionora.

As Rozemyne absorbs the unorganized knowledge of Mestionora, she realizes that Gramps is Erwaermen, a former subordinate to the God of Life. She also realizes that Georgine could somehow steal Ehrenfest's foundation, but is unable to dwell on the issue while absorbing all the information. The knowledge of Mestionora is found to contain the memories of previous Zents and aubs which are added upon their deaths. Rozemyne is disappointed to discover missing gaps in thirty to forty percent of the knowledge she received. After discussing this with Erwaermen, it is determined that Rozemyne is marked by Ewigeliebe and has very similar mana to Ferdinand due to him dyeing Rozemyne's mana when viewing her past memories in her shrine maiden days. It is learned that Rozemyne was mistaken for Ferdinand by Erwaermen who can only see mana, that Ferdinand had received the thirty to forty percent of Mestionora's wisdom Rozemyne is missing, and that his true name is Quinta. Rozemyne rejects Erwaermen's suggestion that she kill Ferdinand to obtain the missing knowledge from his feystone. Rozemyne then leaves the Garden of Beginnings.

After such a pivotal part last week, the story has many different directions it could lead. Where do you predict the story will take us this week?

!Rozmyne in High Bishop robes

spoiler

!Rozmyne on the floor

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Last week started with the advancement ceremony and the fellowship gatherings. Hildebrand is once again overseeing the academy this year. We are introduced to Lady Gentiane, a new first year archduke candidate from Klassenberg. Murrenreue of Immerdink confronts Rozemyne on rumors of her joining the Sovereign Temple, but is rebuffed. The Dedication Ritual is decided to take place on Earthdays starting with the archnobles and archduke candidates.

Classes begin at the Royal Academy and once again Ehrenfest does well with their written lessons. The first year students are registered at the library where it is learned that Hortensia is ill and will not be returning anytime soon. Rozemyne is concerned when a music professor requires her to give a blessing during her recital. In professor Hirshur's class, Rozemyne is embarrassed to learn the primary use of synchronization potions not previously explained by Ferdinand. She commits a social faux pas in regards to her previous experience with mana resistance. Rozemyne meets with Eglantine after class. She expresses concern that something unexpected might occur during the Dedication Ritual. They also discuss Ehrenfest's position on the forced joint research with Klassenberg.

Rozemyne seems convinced something will occur during the Dedication Ritual. Do you agree? If so, what do you predict will happen? Any other predictions for this week's story?

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Last week was the start of Part 5 Volume 7. The prologue was from Ferdinand's perspective. Many details of Ahrensbach's current situation were revealed. Ferdinand had lunch with Letizia serving meals and sweets sent by Rozemyne. In their discussion Ferdinand learns more of the ongoings of the Lanzenave Estate and that Lanzenave has a non magical explosive similar to gunpowder.

Following the prologue is a chapter about the baptism and debut of Dirk and Bertram. We witness a side of Gretia's character previously unseen. It is also revealed that the Royal Academy's dedication ritual will be held at the start of the term. An anomaly occurs during Dirk's mana registration where his mana colors were faint with Wind being the most prominent. Bertram gives Aub Ehrenfest the greatest display of gratitude possible while receiving his noble ring.

We then get an update on the status of the winter playroom. Charlotte receives her crest engraved pendant from Rozemyne after which Melchior and Wilfried design their own to be ordered from Johann. Students then depart for the Royal Academy. The second year and higher students make a trip to the gathering spot to collect materials. While riding her highbeast, Rozemyne sees the beams of light that were revealed to her during the Archduke Conference. Flying high in the air allows Rozemyne to see that it forms an enormous selection magic circle. Rozemyne contemplates how to activate the magic circle by prayer and Judithe proposes the shrine in the Farthest Hall. Bertilde becomes Rozemyne's archattendant and Melchior's apprentice retainers will serve Rozemyne during the term.

With the Royal Academy Dedication Ritual, advancement ceremony, and fellowship gatherings on the horizon what developments do you predict will occur?

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Last week began with a chapter from Lieseleta's point of view. We learn how Lord Thorston is attempting to exploit Lieseleta using their engagement and his higher status to obtain leniency for his captured family. Lieseleta and Elvira discuss a way for Lieseleta to join Rozemyne in the Sovereignty while canceling her undesired engagement to Lord Thorston and making sure her house has a successor to replace her. Lieseleta accepts Rozemyne's request and will become her head attendant.

The book concludes with a chapter from Sylvester's point of view after the Ahrensbach funeral. We learn that the Sovereign knights subdued during the funeral were all originally from Ehrenfest and sent to the Sovereignty before Sylvester's time as Aub. The knights were executed by Detlinde's request before they could be interrogated. Sylvester suspects Georgine's involvement and postulates her desire to keep Sylvester from meeting the knights during winter socializing and that a confrontation between he and Georgine is inevitably fast approaching.

Once again, Ewigliebe the God of Life has hidden away Geduldh the Goddess of Earth. And we know what that means: Baptism and debut of new nobles, the gifting ceremony, winter socializing, winter playroom, and the Royal Academy.

As Rozemyne soon enters her 4th year at the Royal Academy what predictions do you have for this year? Will Rozemyne's impending royal adoption be kept secret? What legends will born? What rampages will be had? What dangers await?

(As of this writing P5V7 is not on the j-novel club calendar. Hopefully we are still getting part 1 this week)

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Last week started off with the epilogue following Lutz's perspective after meeting with Rozemyne in the temple. We learn that Lutz and Tuuli are now engaged. Lutz also obtains permission from his parents to move away from Ehrenfest.

The other chapter was from Detlinde's point of view and takes place before Aub Ahrensbach's funeral. We are introduced to the king of Lanzenave's grandson, Leonzio, whom pleads with Detlinde over the Zent's refusal to accept a Lanzenave princess. Detlinde is swayed by his words and vows to aid him. She is unable to convince Ferdinand to join in her plight to persuade the Zent and considers Ferdinand to be heartless. Detlinde returns to Leonzio where he expresses his desire to have Detlinde take the throne and for them to be wed.

This week will conclude Part 5 Volume 6. Who else would you like to see a point of view chapter for?

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Last week started with Rozemyne creating and distributing feystones with the crest of the Rozemyne Workshop for some of her commoner personnel and retainers who would stay in Ehrenfest until a later time. Tuuli's coming of age ceremony was performed and received an unanticipated large bonus blessing from an emotional Rozemyne.

Aub Ehrenfest interviewed Dirk and Bertram and accepted to become their guardian. Florencia gave birth to a baby girl and a week later the entwickeln was performed for Groschel.

The Harvest Festival was performed and the Gutenbergs were picked up from Kirnberger. Later the Gutenbergs were made aware of Rozemyne's future move from Ehrenfest. Charlotte and Rozemyne designed a medallion that will signify their bond as sisters.

With the main story of this book coming to a conclusion this week how do you think it will end?

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Last week we continued with the Leisegang interaction. The issue was resolved fairly peacefully and was revealed to have been caused by Florencia manipulating Barthold in attempt to curtail the Leisegang influence.

Sylvester returned from Ahrensbach with gifts, materials, and correspondence from Ferdinand. A more simplified method of producing the maximal quality paper was also revealed. Unfortunately the highly coveted "very good" praise was not to be had for Rozemyne's efforts.

The story left off with a trombe hunt to create more fireproof paper. Following that was the starbind ceremony where Zack was married and Damuel learns of Philine's future intentions.

Where do you predict the story will take us in the near future?

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Last week there was improving paper to maximal quality, but at a heavy expense of mana and materials.

We also had the spring coming of age ceremony for the commoners where we saw Lutz's brother Ralph in the crowd and might have recognized Rozemyne. Clarissa has also joined the name sworn club.

The archducal kids had their tea party interrupted by the Leisegang elders storming the castle.

This week will continue with the showdown with the Leisegangs. How do you think it will play out? What will happen next?

!part 1

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!part 2

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!part 3

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!part 4

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!part 5

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!part 6

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Artist links:

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/95106164

https://mangadex.org/title/0c3b8f0e-7bef-4b04-be2a-75641936d3d3/honzuki-no-gekokujou-girl-power-dunkelfelger-style

Reddit Post (no extra content):

https://www.reddit.com/r/HonzukiNoGekokujou/comments/152h2kt/prepub_563_girl_power_dunkelfelger_style_2_by/

PS: Last one for today I don't really plan on cross posting stuff for a few days.

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Last week our favorite bookworm returned to the temple and found two orphans who would be given magic tools to become nobles. Then there was a meeting to bring Benno up to date and request fey paper for Ferdinand. We left off at Rozemyne's library with Clarissa, and Hartmut to experiment on improving the fey paper by brewing.

Any guesses on where the story will take us this week?

(Please no spoilers from the web novel readers.)

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