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)

Now, wear this.

What is this, Head Priest?

Can't you tell? It's a magical item.

I'm asking what we're using it for.

Please... tell... me...

Myne's the only one who uses this to tie her hair.

And it's not just this hairpin.

She has brought us all sorts of creations.

But the most surprising thing of all

is her passion for books.

She treasures literature, and even wrote some picture books for children.

Her obsession is clearly abnormal.

Just what goes through that head of yours?

I shall take a look into your past, Myne.

Before I was Myne,

I lived in a distant era as Motosu Urano.

Psychology.

Religion.

History.

Geography.

Education.

Folklore.

Mathematics.

Physics.

Geology.

Chemistry.

Biology.

Art.

Health.

Language.

Fiction...

Literature was my life.

I loved books—laden with mankind's knowledge in all disciplines—with all my heart,

and felt unbridled joy at living a life surrounded by them.

But then...

On the verge of death, I uttered a silent prayer.

"O God, may I be able to read all kinds of books in my next life, too."

Ascendance of a Bookworm

Chapter One A World Without Books

It's so hot... I can't breathe... I can't take this anymore!

Yeah.

It's so hot... Help!

Yeah.

Someone help me!

Huh? The voice is fading.

Wait!

Where am I?

Are these really my hands?

Wait, I'm pretty sure I died.

Am I having some kind of weird, dying dream?

I'm not dreaming. What's going on?

What am I doing here?

Who is that?

Her hair's green!

What? I don't understand what she's saying.

Someone's memories are bursting into my mind!

Myne?

No! I'm not Myne!

My name is Motosu Urano!

Myne? Are you all right, Myne?

I can understand her now!

How are you feeling, Myne?

Mom...

In this moment, Motosu Urano began her life as Myne.

And that's when I realized...

My mother had been just as happy as me when I landed my librarian job,

but now I would never see her again.

Mom...

I'm so sorry.

If only I had a book to read...

Yeah, as long as I have books,

I can deal with things no matter where I am.

No. I will deal with it.

I just need my books.

I wonder where I can find one, though...

Myne? Are you okay to be up and about now?

Turi, my older sister.

Oh, I know.

Hey, Turi, bring me a book.

A book?

Yeah. I wanna read.

What's a book?

Huh?

Does she not know what a book is?

Hang on a sec. How does that even happen?

Maybe there are no books for kids in this house?

Are you okay, Myne?

Myne, how's your fever?

Mom, it looks like her head hurts.

The fever is starting to go down, but I guess you're still not feeling your best.

Sleep tight until dinnertime, okay?

Come help me, Turi.

Sure!

Now's my chance to find some books.

Books are worth it.

Clothes, huh?

What even is this?

It would've been perfect if there were books in this very room,

but I guess it's not gonna be that easy.

Time to check the next room over, then.

And we've already hit a snag.

Whatever. Books are worth it.

I made it!

Ow!

This pain will be my medal of honor!

It's open.

The kitchen, huh?

No books in here, I bet.

A storeroom, I think?

It's locked. I wonder if it leads outside.

I looked all over the house, but I couldn't find any books.

Why?

Wait, are books really expensive in this world?

Even in the history of my world,

books were rare and pricey till the printing press made them possible to mass-produce.

If you weren't upper class, you would never get the chance to read one.

Oh, well.

There must be something to read, though.

If not books, then newspapers or calendars.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing! Why is there no writing in any way, shape, or form?

How the heck am I supposed to live here?

We're back.

Myne? Didn't I tell you to stay in bed until dinnertime?

And look at this mess you've made.

I can't find any books.

What's wrong, Myne?

Does it hurt somewhere?

I can't find any books!

I want a book!

I want to read!

That's all I want!

Who can I talk to that'll understand me?

Someone please tell me!

It's been three days since I woke up as Myne.

These three days have been hell.

Also, life here seriously sucks.

The "toilet" is a bedroom bedpan which is then dumped outside,

and then "Dad," who I barely even know, changes my clothes.

Good grief!

Femininity

Shame

I have to abandon these things or I'll never last!

Now I've given up and even get them to wipe me down.

Turi thought that was weird, but it made me feel a lot better.

And then...

What are you doing?

I'm trying to tie up my hair 'cause it's bothering me,

but it's not working out.

Well, you do have really straight hair.

Yeah. If I use a ribbon, it falls right away.

Oh, right.

Can I break this?

That's my doll!