Ascendance of a Bookworm Episode 4: Forests and Clay Tablets

The episode opens with Rozemyne navigating the grand halls of her new noble home, a visible symbol of the weight now on her young shoulders. She understands the necessity of funding her printing ambitions, but the path forward through this new society is far from clear. At a tea party, she endures the complex, coded interactions of noblewomen, finding it a battleground of influence rather than a social gathering. The mental strain quickly overwhelms her, highlighting her fragility in this unfamiliar world. She needs a better strategy to survive these social engagements.

After the tea party, Rozemyne meets with Ferdinand, Elvira, and Florencia to discuss her fundraising efforts. Elvira praises Rozemyne's early success, acknowledging the interest she sparked among the noblewomen. Inspired by a memory of a charity bazaar from her past life, Rozemyne proposes selling used items from the temple or castle to raise more funds. Her mothers, however, immediately reject the idea, explaining that such an act would bring shame to their noble houses. This moment underscores the clash between her commoner sensibilities and the rigid noble values she must now uphold.

Undeterred, Rozemyne quickly shifts her strategy, proposing a charity concert featuring Ferdinand playing the feshpiel. She argues his musical talent and popularity would guarantee success, an observation immediately followed by a whimsical, stylized image of Ferdinand as a swooning pop-idol. Back in reality, Ferdinand's reaction is swift and firm: a cold, flat "no." He sees the idea as a frivolous distraction from his duties, his expression unyielding against her pleading look.

The standoff is broken by the arrival of Rihyarda, who instantly commands the room. With a formidable presence, she scolds Ferdinand for his lack of cooperation, reducing him to a chastised child. Rihyarda lectures him on his duty as Rozemyne's guardian to support her ventures, making it clear that a few songs are a small price to pay. Ferdinand finally yields, his agreement etched with misery, while Rozemyne begins brainstorming ways to monetize his enforced performance. His quiet life, she realizes, is now hers to dismantle.

With Ferdinand's reluctant consent, the concert planning begins in earnest. Rozemyne, Elvira, and Florencia use magic ordonnance birds to coordinate with other noble families, setting dates and securing venues. The atmosphere is energetic, fueled by the prospect of success. Elvira is particularly enthusiastic about selling premium tickets and exclusive merchandise, even expressing interest in a portrait of Ferdinand herself. Rozemyne observes this, recognizing the true gold mine she has uncovered in Ferdinand's unexpected popularity.

Ferdinand, ever in control, announces that Rozemyne's magic training will commence the very next day. His ominous smile suggests the rigor she is about to face. Her guards, Brigitte and Damuel, escort her to the vast, empty training hall, their apprehension mirroring her own. Ferdinand stands in the center, explaining the task: she must create her own high beast, a magical creature for transportation and combat, from a dull magic stone he presents.

Rozemyne takes the dull magic stone, and Ferdinand instructs her to pour her mana into it, explaining that its color and shape will reflect her magical input. Brigitte and Damuel observe with a mix of curiosity and concern. As Rozemyne concentrates, the stone glows with brilliant yellow light, pulsating with her mana's intensity. Ferdinand notes the purity of her magic. He then tells her to visualize the shape of her desired beast, emphasizing that it must be a clear reflection of her will, not a wandering thought.

Instead of a formidable high beast, Rozemyne's mind conjures a simple yellow balloon, a soft and buoyant image for travel. The magic stone reacts, forming a large, wobbly yellow blob that floats clumsily. Ferdinand watches, his frustration growing at her apparent lack of seriousness. The blob then shakes violently, bursting into countless glowing shards that scatter across the floor, throwing Rozemyne back. Ferdinand, eyes closed, pinches the bridge of his nose, clearly annoyed. He sternly lectures her on focus, calling her visualization frivolous and warning her against treating such serious magic as a game.

Recognizing her exhaustion, Ferdinand produces a vial of dark, foul-tasting recovery potion, forcing Rozemyne to drink it all to replenish her spent mana. She gags, making a comical face of disgust, but Ferdinand remains unsympathetic, insisting on its necessity. He then delivers his ultimatum: no access to his library's magic books until she successfully creates her high beast. This 'book ban' strikes fear into Rozemyne, her desire for knowledge outweighing any fear of her strict tutor, providing her with the ultimate motivation to succeed.

Later that night, Rozemyne is seen working late in her chambers, still grumbling about the potion and the lack of books. She plots her 'revenge' through concert merchandise, envisioning printed illustrations of Ferdinand in various poses, exploiting his newfound 'idol' status for profit. Fran observes her with concern. The next morning, Rihyarda catches Rozemyne attempting to sneak a book into her bag, reminding her of her duties. Rozemyne pouts but complies, knowing she cannot outwit Rihyarda’s sharp instincts, yet her entrepreneurial spirit remains undimmed.