Ascendance of a Bookworm (本好きの下剋上 司書になるためには手段を選んでいられません)

My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!

Episode 7 I Entered a Dangerous Dungeon...

If I could be reborn,

I'd want to be her friend again.

Let's stop for tea on the way home.

Sure. Want to try the new place by the station?

That sounds good!

Right?

I-I'm sorry!

Please don't die!

I can't bear the thought that I killed someone with my butt!

Um, I'm fine...

I'm sorry!

H-Hey!

Oh, thank goodness! Are you hurt?

No, I'm fine.

I'm really, really sorry!

Don't worry about it.

What were you doing, anyway?

This tree was practically calling out to me.

I had to climb it.

But I got ahead of myself, and my foot slipped.

Wait, what about you? Are you hurt?

I'm fine.

You're so nice, Sasaki-san.

Huh? How do you know my name?

You're Sasaki Atsuko-san, right?

We're in the same class.

Oh...

I haven't learned the names or faces of anyone in our class yet.

I'm sorry.

Really?

Then, I'll introduce myself now.

My name is—

She gave me a new world.

Every day was exciting and fun.

The days I had spent reading books alone and never talking to anyone

didn't seem real anymore.

Acchan... I'm done for.

The rest is up to you.

What are you talking about?

It hasn't even been ten minutes yet.

You want to miss out on getting into high school this year?

But I'm just so sleepy...

This reference book must have a curse on it that makes people sleepy!

Okay, if you pass the exam,

I'll let you play my most prized otome game all you want.

Really?! Thanks, Acchan!

I'll pass the exam to get into high school, whatever it takes!

Passing Examinees

What now? Want to stop by my place?

I'm gonna head home for today.

I want to conquer the black-hearted, sadistic prince by tonight.

You've really gotten into Fortune Lover, huh?

Okay, good luck.

Thanks! See you tomorrow!

I took for granted that those days would last forever...

but they ended so suddenly.

She was involved in a traffic accident on the way to school.

She'll never come back.

Acchan, I can't conquer the black-hearted, sadistic prince!

This was her last message to me?

Acchan, I can't conquer the black-hearted, sadistic prince!

From now on, I'll have to live my life without her.

I'll carry on in the new world that she gave me.

So if I have a chance to be reborn when my life ends,

I want to be friends with her again.

Why am I...

Heave-ho...

and here we go!

Lady Catarina!

Morning, Sophia. Is something wrong?

I had a very sad dream,

and suddenly, I wanted to see you.

A dream?

Yes. It was a very, very sad dream.

I don't remember what happened in it very clearly,

but I think it was something that happened long ago.

Long ago?

I don't mean when I was a child.

Much, much longer ago than that...

This all sounds very strange, doesn't it?

No, it doesn't.

Bad dreams happen sometimes when you're nervous.

Nervous?

We have exams starting today, right?

I'm sure you had a sad dream because you're nervous about that.

But don't worry! I'm just as nervous as you!

Let's both do our best on the exams!

Okay.

I hate exams!

I just want to play all the time!

How long are you going to act as if it's still summer vacation?

If we don't pass the exam, we won't advance to the next grade.

But whether or not we get to the next grade isn't what's important.

It's whether or not we get the doom ending!

Maria doesn't seem to be in love with anyone at the moment.

She didn't have any summer flings, either!

We should continue our observation of developments in Maria's love life.

But right now, we need to focus on the exam.

If we don't advance to the next grade...

Catarina!

How could you fail to advance to the next grade?!

We'll get the doom ending when our own mother kills us!

L-Let's focus on the exam.

No objections!

Your practical exam will consist of exploring these ancient ruins.

Deep in these ruins, where it's said that a great mage once lived,

there is a stone inhabited by magical power.

The team that brings it back here will pass the exam.

It's a bit like a treasure hunt, isn't it?

Yeah. Sounds like fun!

Everyone, do not take this task lightly.

The ruins are as complex as a maze on the inside.

In addition, there are various traps set at every turn.

Traps?

I heard that the great mage set traps to protect his magic tools from thieves.

Those traps still deter invaders to this day.

And they're tossing students into a place like that?

These teachers and second-years are here to serve as aides in the exam,

but still, you must not get careless.

Demonstrate your command of your own magic and everything you've learned

to make your way into the depths of the ruins.

Now, each team may proceed to their chosen entrance.

Yes, sir.

You two are on the same team as Prince Alan, right?

Yes.

I'm sad that you and I will be separated, but I'll do my best!

I'm worried about you, for many reasons.

Be careful.

I will!

Let's do our best with our team, too.

Right!

Catarina...

Don't leave my side once we're inside the ruins, all right?

You can count on me to look after my sister.

You really do follow us everywhere, don't you, Keith?

It was the teachers who chose the teams, Prince Geordo.

You may follow us, but that's all.

Did you say something?

She hardly even has any magic.

Such jokes won't work with me.

Must be nice to have so many people around to help her out.

She even has princes helping her. It's not fair!

I see you're all together.

As you've heard, this exam is very dangerous.

Be careful.

And good luck.

It looks like the setting for a novel.

Yeah. It's so dark and spooky.

If you're scared, do you want me to hold your hand, Sister?

As her fiancé, it's my job to escort her, Keith.

As her family, it's my job to protect her, Prince Geordo.

Huh?

I wonder what this is...

What happened?!

Sister!

I'm sorry! I'm sorry!

Try not to touch anything! It's too dangerous!

What's that?

We won't be able to get past that ice.

But there's no other way.

We'll just have to break through it.

I see.

This is a test to see whether or not we can get through.

Everyone, stay back. This will be dangerous.

That's amazing, Prince Geordo!

Look!

Let's hurry through it.

Right!

It's so dark... I hope Lady Catarina is doing all right.

She'll be fine. Geordo's with her.

That's exactly what I'm worried about.

Lady Mary, Prince Alan, what's that?