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 then, if you'll wear this.

A quick question. What's this about, head priest?

Can you really not tell?

It's a magic item.

I was trying to ask what we're going to use it for.

Would you please...

...fill me in...

...sir?

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

...and it's not just that.

She's brought us all manner 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.

What goes through that little head?

With this circlet,

I shall take a look into your past,

Myne.

Before I was Myne, I lived in a vastly different era

as Urano Motosu.

Psychology, religion, history,

geography, education, folklore,

mathematics, physics, geology,

chemistry, biology, art,

health, language, fiction.

Literature was my life.

I loved books more than anything.

They held the wealth of mankind's knowledge,

and the thought of living a life surrounded by them

filled me with joy.

But then...

On the verge of death, I uttered a prayer.

Oh, God, may my next life...

...once again be filled with all kinds of books.

ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM

CHAPTER 1 A WORLD WITHOUT BOOKS

-So hot. -So hard.

Can't breathe.

I can't take it anymore.

-Yes. -It's hot.

Please, help.

Yes.

Somebody help me.

Huh? The voice is fading.

No, wait!

Wait... where...

Are these... really my hands?

Wait a sec.

I feel pretty certain I died.

Of course... I guess this could be

part of some weird dying dream.

Ow.

I'm not dreaming.

What's going on?

Just what am I doing here?

Who is that?

She has green hair.

What?

I don't understand what she's saying.

Someone's memories... are bursting into my mind!

Myne.

I'm not Myne.

My name is Urano Motosu.

Myne... are you all right, dear?

I can understand her now.

Myne... how are you feeling?

My mother...

This was the moment Urano Motosu began her life...

...as Myne.

That was when I suddenly realized.

My mother had been just as happy as I was when I landed...

...my librarian job.

But now, I would never see her again.

If only I had a book.

That's right.

If I have books,

I can deal with things no matter where I find myself.

I will... I have to.

All I need are my books.

Though, I wonder where I can find one.

Hey there. Are you okay to be up and about?

Tuuli, my older sister.

Hey, Tuuli, would you bring me a book?

A book?

Mm. I want to read something.

What's this book thingy?

Huh?

Does she really not know what a book is?

Hang on a sec.

How does that even happen?

Could it be possible...

...there are no books for kids in this house?!

Myne, are you okay?

Myne, how's your fever?

Hey, Mom. It looks like her head is bothering her.

The fever is finally starting to drop a little bit,

but I guess you're still not feeling your best.

Sleep tight until dinnertime, okay, sweetie?

-Tuuli, I'll need your help. -Sure.

This is my chance to track down some books.

Finding a book is worth it.

Hmm. Clothes, huh?

And whatever this is.

It would have been perfect if there were books ready to be found in this room.

But I guess that would be too easy.

Well then, it's time to check the next room over.

Oh.

Man, we've already hit a snag in our plan.

Huh?

Whatever it takes to find them, books are worth it.

All right, 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?

No good. It's locked.

I wonder if it leads outside.

I looked all over the house

and I couldn't find any books at all.

But why?

In this world, books could be expensive.

Maybe.

Even in the history of my world,

books were rare and pricey

till the printing press was invented,

which made their mass production possible.

At the time, if you weren't upper-class,

you would never get the chance to read one.

Oh, bother.

There must be something to read, though.

If not books, then newspapers or calendars.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing!

Nothing! Why is there no writing anywhere?!

How the heck am I supposed to live here?

We're back, Myne.

Now, now. Didn't I say to stay in bed until dinnertime?

And all this. Look at this mess you've made.

I want a book.

Huh?

Tell me what's wrong, darling. -Does it hurt somewhere?

I can't find a book anywhere!

Why? I want to read.

That's not asking for much.

Who can I talk to that'll understand me?

Somebody tell me, please!

ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM I'LL STOP AT NOTHING TO BE A LIBRARIAN

ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM I'LL STOP AT NOTHING TO BE A LIBRARIAN

I woke up as Myne three days ago.

And all three days have been an absolute hell.

Also, life here totally sucks beyond comparison.

The toilet is a bedpan which is dumped out the window.

And then Dad, who I barely even know,

grabs me to change my clothes.

This place stinks!

A WOMAN'S HEART SHAMEFUL

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

Now I've given up struggling,

and even get them to wipe me down.