At first there was something that felt familiar to Mahoutsukai Reimeiki but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Turns out that it is actually a spinoff sequel to Zero Kara Hajimeru Mahou No Sho. So that’s why. Well, I suppose it is better than keeping that Zero Kara Hajimeru Mahou No Sho title because it once confused and trolled the hell out of me back then. Yeah. With new characters and plot, old ones like Zero and Youhei will only make cameo appearances and become secondary characters. Not sure if I am okay with that (since Youhei was ultimately a pretty cool character in my books) but I shouldn’t jump into hasty conclusions first without watching the whole thing.
Episode 1
Saybil is summoned by the headmaster of Wenias Royal Magic Academy. Many think he will be expelled for he is the worst student and the one with the lowest grade. Outside the headmaster’s door, he sees Loux Krystas trying to force her way in to see Albus. She tries to threaten Saybil’s life to get her to open up but Holdem puts a stop to this charade. Albus finally opens up and is shocked to see Loux here. A bit of history how the Church and witches were at war until 5 years ago. Though, there are still witch hunts in the south these days. But the main war happened 10 years ago when Thirteen tried to end persecution of witches and created a place for them. It led to the world being aware of magic and the world’s view greatly changed on witches. Thirteen would eventually be executed by Albus herself. Although magic is being integrated into everyday life, in the south Albus has created a village for witches where they are still not treated equally. Hence she is sending Saybil there as a mage. If after 3 years he is deemed as unfit, he will have his memories erased. Loux will gladly accompany Saybil there. Oh, the witch that was supposed to accompany Saybil? Loux swapped jobs with her! Loux’s goal is after all The Grimoire of Zero. Albus will not allow her to get her hands on that text although she can arrange to meet its author. Before Saybil and Loux begin their journey, they are joined by Hort, a student senior who will be accompanying them on their journey. There is also Kudo but he is not travelling with them and escorting a couple of their mages himself just to avoid his grades getting docked. Saybil and Hort learn about Loux’s living staff, Ludens. It eats anybody’s magic who touches it, causing them to die eventually. Loux is immune due to the pact she made with it so when her magic is fully depleted, Ludens still keeps her alive.
The journey begins and somehow Saybil has motion sickness in this slow carriage ride? They camp for the night as Hort prides on her smile because she claims it is easier to get people to like her. Saybil reveals he has no memories prior to the academy. That is why he must succeed in this task for having his memories taken away, it means he’ll be left with nothing. Also, he cannot cast proper magic. Well, he can but he cannot control them and it will go berserk. Meanwhile a couple of witch hunters sighted a certain lizard and plan to crush him just to give warning there will be no peace between the Church and witches. Next morning at their inn, Loux and co hear Kudo’s escorts complain how he ran away by himself after they were attacked by bandits. But Loux smells something different. Nothing of theirs got stolen and yet they would fetch a higher price than that lizard. It could mean Kudo sensed witch hunters and drew their attention away from them. Loux will go rescue him herself and wants the rest to stay put since they are weak and will likely be a deadweight. Of course the duo will not stay put for long as Hort uses her tracking magic to track Loux down. As for those guys, they’re not willing to risk expulsion for a lizard. Jerks. Saybil thinks they would’ve agreed had Hort flashed her smile. Then they troll us as she smiles and confess that she likes Saybil. As a friend. The duo then stumble into Kudo’s tail. A fake one, right?
Episode 2
They also notice footprints. They recognize those belonging to Kudo and Loux. However the third one as Hort believes could be an Arbiter from Dia Ignis, death row inmates hired by the Church to hunt down witches. She has a trauma of meeting one when she was small. She went to a nearby village to visit a friend but an Arbiter killed them all for being witches. Hort lied that she isn’t one so she could escape. While the logic is to turn back, Saybil thinks it is only right to save a friend. He believes Hort wouldn’t have run had her friend was still alive. Kudo has stumbled into many traps while escaping. His luck runs out when he stumbles into Tyrant. Finding him an amusing creature, he wants his men to bring the cage. This traumatizes Kudo as he doesn’t want to go back there again. From young he was treated as a freak show, his limbs chopped off just because it can grow again. He laments he cannot protect others if he cannot protect himself. When Albus suggested an escort, he declined one. Albus assured him that as long as he is a student of this academy, she will not abandon him. Kudo wonders if he had gone with Loux, would she have protected him. As Kudo tries to resist, Tyrant gets fed up and will just kill him instead. Just in time, Loux is here to save the day. He recognizes Ludens and is now super cautious. He is out of options until he hears Saybil and Hort’s voice looking for them. Trying to help but now they’re dead weights. Tyrant grabs Saybil and threatens to kill him. Although Loux will kill him if he kills any one of them, he wants Loux to give Ludens to him in exchange for Saybil’s life. Since she disagrees, he is fine with everyone dying together. Loux then changes her mind and drops the staff. As Tyrant forces Saybil to get it, he sounds out to Hort and tells her to drop the act. He reveals she is a spy for the anti-witch faction.
Hort goes into trauma mode. Short flashback on her young life. She grew horns on her head and others thought she was a child of a demon. Against her will, they sawed it off claiming it was for her own good. She was then made to work for the Church and then a mission to infiltrate the magic academy. Because Albus treats her nice, she really wanted to graduate as a mage. Then she was put on this mission and had a bad feeling. So she tried to delay their travel and throwing off their schedule and hoped Kudo’s group would get attacked. But she never imagined Tyrant would be here and it jeopardized everything. In the end, she betrayed everyone. Of course Saybil doesn’t blame her. Confused at how he can smile at a traitor like her, Hort then uses her magic to attack Tyrant but it proves futile. As Tyrant is about to kill her, Saybil decides to grab Ludens even if it costs him his life. Against Loux’s wish, Ludens goes out of control. In the aftermath, the surrounding vicinity is decimated. Saybil is still alive. Loux very mad and scolds everyone. Even Ludens is not spared. It seems Saybil has unlimited magic. This is the reason why he has trouble controlling it. Since Saybil’s magic exceeded what Ludens could siphon away, hence that.
Episode 3
Hort feels weird that nobody is mad at her for being a spy. She tells Saybil about her horns and why she is working for the Church, supposedly to cleanse her tainted soul. They talk about how if a beast warrior and witch die and the former’s soul has nowhere to go, it will enter the witch’s bloodline and become her descendent, a part-beast and part-human. Over time, that power dilutes so the beast soul’s influence weakens while taking more of a human form. Hence Hort and Kudo are beastfallens and she is glad for Saybil because he doesn’t speak ill of them. As thanks she gives him a little kiss. It is discovered those guys Kudo escorted were the ones who leaked info. Now they will face the consequences but it doesn’t matter to our little gang. Loux will have Kudo regenerate his limbs and with Saybil’s unlimited power, that is possible. Trolling us they have to kiss to do that? No to gay beastiality! The healing is a success and after a little party, they continue their journey. Stopping by at the next town, Saybil learns from Kudo why he wants to become a mage. The Church Knights have been rebranded as Church & Mage Army after peace was made with the witches and a beastfallen unit was created. But only the top of the cream can join. Kudo being a weakling, his only shot at it is by becoming a mage. He is adamant of becoming one because during his days as a freak show, when a crazy witch appeared to destroy the world and caused destruction, he was trapped in some rubble but a knight found and saved him when he was not obliged to. Kudo wanted to be like him and made the army his goal.
The journey resumes and it went smoothly since Loux knows the people at the stops and the best places to camp. She even teaches them some hunting methods for fun. As this journey is going to end, Loux lets them know her excitement to meet the owner of the Grimoire of Zero. As a witch who has lived so long, as she does not need food, sleep or even love/romance to produce offspring, all that is left for her is to seek thrill and have fun. That’s why she relishes seeing all sorts of events even if one puts the world in danger. Of course recently she learnt it is fun travelling with others and doing so with them was really fun. Suddenly a young boy, Laios tells them to hide because somebody will kill them if they find them. Using his magic to shield them, but this is only temporary as that guy, Youhei sniffs them out. Seems he knows about the trio in the field programme. Loux handles him and has her students escape with the kid. Youhei will not go after them because turning his back on her would be a mistake. However he won’t fight her either as he knows he cannot win. Loux is surprised Youhei knows about Ludens and the field programme. He just needs Laios to return to the village, that’s all. He tells her to go after her students and is confident they’ll meet again.
Episode 4
At the village, they meet the priest, Shinpu. He claims the control of this village changed hands 2 years ago when the previous witch surrendered to an invader without a fight and vanished. Ever since, no one has been able to oppose her. Then they realize they are all troubled students who got sent here and it could mean going back to the academy, expulsion awaits. Kudo thinks of getting help from the Church & Mage Army but Shinpu believes they’re not going to risk losing 1000 soldiers over a strong witch. Especially if this is just trouble in a witch village. Shinpu and Loux engage in some suspicions talk as she suspects him of sharing info from the Church with the witch. Shinpu hints about the best way is to kill anything suspicious but Loux has other ideas. Laios returns to his father, Uls. Laois explaining he is the only kid in this village and a witch casted a spell on him so everyone would like him. As Uls guides them to the house they’ll be staying, there are life sized straw dolls hanging from the roof for those who lived here. This is to stop people from trying to run. Later Loux thinks they should go kill the witch and Albus while at it since she lied to them. Because of there’s no supervising witch, her job can’t end. Hort thinks of getting the Church & Mage Army to help but Saybil thinks they should do it themselves to prevent the whole place from turning into a battlefield. He is confident with his unlimited magic, the rest can cast as many spells they want. Kudo is not happy because he is implying to die fighting in a losing battle. Saybil notes during Tyrant’s attack and when he touched Ludens, it made him realize he was not afraid to die. This does not sit well with Hort since she was trying to tell him not to die. She runs away in tears so Saybil gets a lecture about friendship. Hort just doesn’t want him to die like a dog simply because they’re friends.
As Hort prays at the church, a little girl Lilly tries to comfort her but with Shinpu back, she is sent scurrying back home. Hort realizes too late from the symbol of Shinpu’s stick that he is from Dia Ignis. He doesn’t blame her for betraying the Church since she spent 4 years at the academy. He traps her and is going to have a long talk. When Saybil cannot find Hort, he goes back to get Loux’s help to trace her. Looks like she is in this cave. When blood is spotted on the ground, they know it is a trap but Loux will still push forward. However Kudo will not take this risk and leaves. Despite Loux’s motivation to be brave and valiant, Kudo knows his limits. He is not strong and doesn’t want to die a stupid death. He doesn’t care if he gets expelled. But on the way out he bumps into Youhei who thinks he has deserted his comrades. Care to join him? Because he can also get him into the army and can even enter a witch’s blood contract with him. But when Kudo asks about Hort, Youhei claims he killed and ate her. Kudo rejects him so Youhei goes off to kill his buddies. But Kudo will not allow that and is going to fight him. Loux asks Saybil why he want to save Hort. Because she’s his friend. He’ll do it even if it goes against Loux’s orders. Oh heck, he’ll save her too if she’s in the same position. Saybil and Loux are ambushed by Shinpu. After he takes Ludens, he locks them in a room. So that witch before them is Zero?
Episode 5
Zero mocks Loux as an amateur witch. Zero claims in order to take them from Albus, she has gone great lengths to take this village for herself. She wants Saybil to join her and nobody will hurt him. However he refuses to do so and doesn’t accept Zero as part of his memories. Loux kisses Saybil to absorb some of his magic. This allows her to fire back a great one at Zero. Too bad she neutralizes it easily. Remember, all magic were created from her! Now Zero will unleash her payback. And uhm, paper confetti? Zero claims she is the witch who will supervise them in this field programme. Since Saybil is slow on the uptake, Loux tells him they were tested. Here is Hort, happy that Saybil has passed. Seems she was tested too. Had she crossed over to join the witch, she would’ve failed. It seems everyone in the village was just pretending and part of this test. The mastermind behind it all is of course Shinpu. To complete the good news, Youhei brings in Kudo who also passed his. Loux knew it all along because the place they were staying, everything is too brand new despite claims of not being occupied for years. Albus receives a letter that her students have passed. She is overjoyed with this news because last year not one passed. Now she sets her target to capture Tyrant alive since he hurt her students. Over the village party, Zero explains this test is to see if students were virtuous or not. Failing ones will be expelled and that is what they sought of them since their powers are too great. An exceptional mage who is swayed to the path of evil will destroy the world. Zero can see the greatness they will become if they continue their practice their magic. As part of the training, they are to open a store each where the villagers can seek their help. They have a few days to think what kind of store they want to open. When Saybil asks Zero if she took him into the academy, she tells him it’s alright if he doesn’t remember.
That night, a knight on a white dragon, Heath arrives to give letters to Saybil, Hort and Kudo. It seems the letters approve them of using their full magic powers without any restraint. This feels like full authorization to engage in battle. Kudo goes up to Heath and wonders if he still remembers him. As one who saved him from that trapped cage, of course. Kudo wonders if he has a chance to join the army. Heath sounds pessimistic. Only because he isn’t in charge of recruitment but views him a possible valuable asset to his squad. So keep up the good work. When the trio get back, they feel sad thinking that Loux will leave since her escort mission is over. While that is true, she will only do so after reading all the books in this village. That will take about 3 years. Hence she will be staying for the time being and will help them get better. As long as it entertains her, she’s up for it. Time for a big group hug! Later Loux talks to Zero alone and can tell she is suffering from some magic depletion disease. That is why Saybil is like God sent. Zero continues to reveal bits of Saybil’s past. Because of his exceptional power, a witch targeted him. His mom was killed before his eyes but the witch perished via magic overload. This trauma caused Saybil to seal his own memories and led to him experiencing all sorts of oppression. Seeing how deep this goes, Zero thought it would be best to give him a new lease of life at the academy. After all, he has no memories so he can make a clean start. However with his great magic being unstable on occasions, the reason she also sought his expulsion. Loux wonders why she is trying to control his life. That’s because Saybil is Zero’s nephew. And this means his father is Thirteen! We all remember the guy who started to war on the world just to create a world for witches? Yeah, that same guy who also stole Zero’s grimoire.
Episode 6
It’s been 2 months. Saybil is running a magic supply shop and he hardly leaves the house. This doesn’t impress Loux because at this rate he won’t learn anything and will fall behind. Worse, she finds it appalling that he is doing Hort’s laundry. She gets agitated and furious of how dense he is, not knowing the implication of it all. Loux then forces Saybil to go pick some tea leaves in the forest. He meets Laios who will help gather some. But they get lost. Luckily Laios recognizes mice that belong to Lilly so they are guided back to the village. Shinpu invites Saybil into his chapel and has Lilly make a decent meal for him. Saybil then sees Lilly’s true form, a mouse. Shinpu also lectures Saybil of heading somewhere dangerous without knowing it because he almost went to some bees’ territory. After Saybil leaves, he stumbles into Hort whose clothes is a bit bloodied. She explains it belongs to Youhei. They were patrolling the forest after receiving reports that monsters were trampling the vegetation. They were attacked by wolves but since Hort was too slow in her incantation, Youhei fought them off and Hort’s magic hit him. Hort feels useless and doesn’t think she deserves to be a mage since Youhei was mad at her. Loux then brings Saybil to Zero trying to heal Youhei’s wounds. Zero kisses Saybil to suck some of his magic to completely heal the wounds. While Hort won’t be expelled, Youhei being mad at her as a lesson because there’ll be a next time. Because he isn’t such a nice guy who will lecture those he won’t intend to pair up again. Loux is worried that Saybil might be falling behind but Youhei doesn’t mind. He is fine the way he is and if he doesn’t want to study magic, so be it. Zero adds that even if Kudo and Hort are advancing, it doesn’t necessarily mean Saybil needs to run at the same speed. Later Loux privately talks to Zero about just taking just a little of Saybil’s magic because if he is running a shop providing magic, it will not be a crime. Zero doesn’t want to exploit Saybil and even though his magic is unlimited, who knows one day the well will dry up. Loux notes at this rate she will wither and rot away. Zero does not mind it and prefers this way. To age and die with the one she loves than the opposite. Holdem is on his way to inspect the village and looks like a captured Tyrant is being brought along too.
Episode 7
Kudo also has his fair share of problems. He was trying to heal several people with an infectious disease but collapsed halfway and had to be brought back. The trio reflect on their abilities and what they must do. They go to see Zero but she will give Hort a special lesson to learn to control her magic. But during that lesson, Zero runs out of magic and collapses. Saybil tries to transfer his magic but it is not working. Maybe through the lips? As he brings her home, Zero notes the medicine book he is holding. Despite being effective if you follow it exactly, yet to the author they’re still defective. She hints it is his father who wrote it. Later Saybil joins Laios to gather herbs in the forest. Suddenly WTF this Corona virus ball thingy starts shooting spikes?! Both get injured but Laios gets a fatal one through his chest. A weakened Saybil carries him back for help. However he thinks he can’t go on further and desperate calls for Loux’s help. Her voice tells him not to give up and trudge on because Zero and Youhei are on their way. Once Loux also arrives, she gives her blood to Zero as requested as Zero starts her healing. Laios is healed but both witches collapsed due to loss of magic. Then they discuss about that monster believed to be called Remnants of Disaster. The spikes it launches will suck blood and then sprout more while awaiting more prey. It was created during the disaster in the north and even with the demons gone, they continue to multiply. For one to apply here in the south, it means somebody let it loose here. As Youhei goes to see Shinpu, he stumbles into Holdem. They discuss that there might be someone catching and selling the Remnants of Disaster. They’re going to leave the village to find more info. But wouldn’t this leave this village defenceless? I guess those witches aren’t enough for the time being. Youhei dares Holdem to stay back as defence. However Zero wants to come and despite Youhei’s protest, the rest agree so hallelujah to democracy.
Episode 8
Holdem will now be in charge looking after the village but Saybil and co are just suspicious of him. Of course Loux believes there is another reason for all of this but Holdem changes the topic to have Loux take care of the Remnants of Disaster. Doing so, he’ll see to it that Loux will be allowed to borrow the Grimoire of Zero. Uls talks to Saybil and despite knowing it is not his fault, wants him to stay away from Laios. Saybil promises to become stronger so they can hang out again. Suddenly Saybil gets kidnapped by Tyrant. This prompts traumatic memories of his mom’s death. Before she died, she told him to stay away from the witch with the same eyes as his as she’ll take away everything he has. Then the witch came in to look for Saybil and threatened to kill mom. Saybil came out of his hiding but the witch still decapitated her. Then she tried to steal his magic but he overflowed more into her body, causing her to melt and die in the most grotesque way. Hort and Kudo are haphazardly riding their way to save Saybil. They manage to free him but all still lose since they are indecisive about killing him. As Loux picks Remnants of Disaster, she finds Holdem passed out on the ground. She hears from him that Uls was telling Hort and Kudo about Saybil being kidnapped. Before he knew it, he passed out. Loux isn’t so surprised, though. Isn’t this whole thing a trap set up by him?! The only thing Loux didn’t count on is that Tyrant is in on this.
Before the young ones get decimated, Tyrant gets sliced by Shinpu. Don’t worry, he won’t kill and all this dismemberment can be restored via magic. With the rest arriving and Holdem being busted for knowing Tyrant, time for him to spill the truth. It seems the academy made a deal with Tyrant to spare his life if he could bring back a student to the academy. Hence this isn’t a test for the students but an inspection to see if the village is able to protect them. This forces them to admit the village has serious defence issues. This means it will be impossible for them to protect every inch of it when it comes down to it due to lacking manpower. Holdem then suggests using Tyrant as extra manpower if they so needed. However Hort is against this because if he can betray the Church, there is no telling that he may betray them too. Uhm, did Hort also betrayed the Church? Zero explaining about witch hunts and all, she understands those who want revenge. As Tyrant has been ordered to serve this village to atone his sins, she has Hort consider his execution. If she goes ahead with it, Shinpu says she must also execute him for he has killed many under the orders of the Church. Even Loux as well since Ludens has taken many witches’ lives. Now it has come to this, Hort will have Tyrant live in Youhei’s bar and she will keep a constant watch on him. Oh well, better than having him killed, right?
Episode 9
Saybil talks to Hort despite he has his memories back, he feels nothing has changed. He asks about love. Because Loux says she likes him. What do you expect her to answer?! So as she tries to give advice, she asks the first person he thinks when he is dying. Loux? Then he must be in love with her. So is Hort going to be his advisor for love? Saybil then goes to talk to Zero about his regained memories. She reveals more about her brother Thirteen who is also Saybil’s father. He is the kind of person who would burn the world for her. Thirteen must have realized the potential of obtaining a child with unlimited magic. That’s why Saybil’s mom took him and ran. Though, she blames herself for many of the misfortune that he has suffered. Saybil is also worried about supplying magic now in fear that he might overload his clients and kill them. Zero trains him how to control it. Loux and Hort arrive too late as Kudo’s place has been attacked. Hort thinks Tyrant is the cause and to unhand this young kid whom they found infected in the forest prior. Upon releasing him, the kid attacks but Loux anticipates this and captures him. It is believed he is a pawn used by the Church. They are visited by Lady Hearthful who runs a school in town. They weigh in on his role, because the anti-witch faction doesn’t know much about this village, they sent him in to see how he is dealt with. Hearthful also advises Tyrant about his behaviour because it is better to learn some manners and etiquette to make less enemy. She also warns acting fearsome will get him nowhere since nobody in this village will fear him. Youhei suggests torturing the kid for more info and since Kudo and Hort are against this, the only way left is to get Shinpu to do the interrogation. He asks the questions and despite the kid doesn’t answer them directly, because of his body reaction and all, Shinpu has his answers. Now that they have some info, Shinpu also cannot exclude the possibility that he was supplied false info. It is very highly likely that someone at the top of the Church who is presenting themselves as a peace faction but is actually supporting the extremists. While it might seem no movement has been made, it is believed the move is already made in secret. They think to postpone sending this kid back to Wenias. Hort sees Tyrant helping kids make fish traps at Hearthful’s school. Despite he is being honest being a killer, the kids don’t fear him since he says he won’t kill them. Hence insufficient grounds for them to fear him. Hearthful wants Hort to accompany them on a fishing trip tomorrow but she still has trauma of Tyrant killing her best friend.
Episode 10
Kudo takes Kady (that traitor kid) to have a meal with Lilly. Kady laments he can’t die a hero and his name go down in history so Kudo tells him off about his criteria on what he views as evil. Since Kady considers witches and beastfallens as evil, Kudo surprises him that Lilly is a beastfallen. Her cooking is delicious, no? Feel free to puke it up if you think otherwise. Later, Saybil confesses he loves Loux! What gives?! So, love as a teacher-student? Nope. Love as in he wants to marry her! Definitely gave Loux the biggest surprise of the day. Hort has to tell him about love being a negotiation game. But sorry, you can’t tell someone you just confessed to to forget it. We see Kady’s flashback that he has been brutally trained by the Church to kill their enemies. Kady is invited by Hort to join Hearthful and the kids at the river. He is amazed they can still interact with Tyrant like normal despite being a traitor. They talk about trust like Kudo who still doesn’t trust anybody especially Hort. Basically, trust being something that is earned. Saybil tests his magic potion on Ludens before telling his reasons why he likes her (as advised by Hort). I don’t know, it sounds cringe but kudos to Loux for keeping her composure. Saybil then tells her about Kady joining the rest at the river. Now we see a flashback on Tyrant. Damn, he looks so mature even for a kid?! His father told him to make traps but was beaten up for it. Because of his skills in making them, a noble hired him to make traps as sports for slaves he released into the wild to be hunted. Those who escaped will be freed but those caught will be killed. Ever since hiring Tyrant, his success rate has been 100% and it has been no fun. But soon Tyrant is captured by the Church and given a deal to die now or live in agony. Tyrant talks to Hearthful about coming to a witch village despite a witch destroying her home. She puts it that even if a hunter kills her child, she will not hate humans. She might even become one and teach her child how to hunt without killing. When Kady starts acting weird, he soon turns into a monster. It is believed he didn’t bring a single Remnants of Disaster. Tyrant holds him down while Hort chants her spell to seal him. It worked but Kady breaks free. Tyrant tries to hold it back but gets killed. Hort then uses all her magic to burn Kady. Once Kady dies, Kudo heals and revives Tyrant. But out from Kady’s corpse are little bug monsters. Feeding time. They have to run but Tyrant can’t since he lost too much blood. Oh, they don’t have too. They just need to duck and lie low since Loux is here to feed Ludens snacks. A clean sweep.
Episode 11
The trio lament they can’t save Kady as they pay their tributes at his grave. Soon, Heath arrives to tell the trio they have orders to return to Wenias since this village will turn into a battlefield soon. They then go talk to Zero about not wanting to leave because if there is going to be a war, they’ll need all the help they can get. Zero warns of expulsion but Saybil would rather drop out than follow such orders. He even has a plan to make this war a defensive one. His plan is to disable the enemies than kill them. He has made some magic potions although it is still unfinished. With Loux making a fuss that she likes this village too, Zero will call Albus and see what she has to say about this. She is impressed with this idea of a war where no one dies and gives them the green light. Saybil reveals to Hort and Kudo that his father is Thirteen but they don’t care about that and treat him the same. The children are treating Tyrant to their treats as thanks for saving them. Tyrant then talks to Hearthful. Despite sounding he wants to torment them, she believes he is in love with her. She doesn’t find it surprising because when you’re in love, you’ll find the importance of protecting it. Then he goes to talk to Hort and hints that he can kill those he loves even when ordered to. That is how he is trained. She acknowledges that scums like him can protect others and this messed her perception of him. This might have him suffer his whole life under the weight of everything he took but if living makes him suffer, then keeping alive is worth it. She will even protect his back.
Loux talks to Shinpu about the Remnants of Disaster that ate through Kady’s stomach. Had she not destroyed it, it would have multiplied infinitely and continue to consume others. This raises the question if the Church extremists intend to take themselves out along with the witches. Since no one is foolish enough to spread a plague without a cure, then whoever knows how to stop it is also the one who spreads it. Cal reports to Faeria about the Church extremists marching down towards Zero’s village. She is worried many will die and wonders if things will be okay if she leaves a single medic here as proxy in her absence. She writes a letter for Albus. Albus is talking to Torres about the Remnants of Disaster seeds found in dead bodies. They were taken back to the Church who then passed them secretly to the extremists. The question is when and where they will use them. With Cal arriving to hand over Faeria’s emergency message, Albus wants him to head to the north to call back the mage commander. Cal is worried since he still wants to live. Albus assures him that he will be protected. Final briefing after setting up all the traps that won’t kill. Worst scenario is that they may end up massacring. Saybil then requests Zero to take in as much magic from him. He wants her to protect the future of all mages even if his own future is ruined. Saybil transfers so much magic that even Zero can’t handle it and pulls out. But Saybil now know what it feels like to have less magic. Zero then bestows him the name of the Abyss Witch. While his friends are happy for his achievement, Zero reminds them if they fail, all of them will get expelled. What a way to rain on their parade.
Episode 12
As the soldiers march on, they fall into various traps. However soon after, they get healed completely. They soon realize that this is a warning from witches. Hence they decide to make good of this blessing and retreat. However those continuing to soldier on are beastfallen mercenaries. When Shinpu and Youhei realize Lilly is not among them, they hurry to her rescue. Thank goodness they are fast enough before the beastfallen boss kills her. So while the duo make a massacre out of the pack, another group of beastfallen mercenaries have reached the village. But thanks to Tyrant’s traps, many experience the pain before being completely healed. They are given a choice to evaluate their next move. Youhei is having trouble fighting the beastfallen boss and requests Zero’s help. Thus she unleashes a horde of zombies to finally take down the mother. With the beastfallen mercenaries retreating with their tails between their legs, nearby Albus and Torres have organized it all as a big show for rich people and nobles to watch. A great success. Suddenly Remnants of Disaster attack the place and start eating up everyone. The big cardinal, Ideamor claims he has a ward to keep everyone safe. But this could all be a ploy to smoke the perpetrator out as Albus points out how he could create one without knowing the enemy’s source. The Remnants of Disaster then eats everyone but as you would come to expect, they’re all eaten away by Ludens and they are just models created by Loux. She can tell his plan that he has made his soldiers eat seeds of Remnants of Disaster. So that when they flee, they will be unleashed and he can blame it on witches. He forces him to eat one that was in Kady’s stomach. Do that and she’ll forgive his sins. Wow, Loux more powerful than the pope now? In the aftermath, this incident became a farce as the people laugh at how they couldn’t subdued a single village despite being a large scare military operation. Saybil, Hort and Kudo finally graduate as Albus gives them a new mission. But first, they return to the village and say goodbye to everyone. Zero giving Thirteen’s book to Saybil. So aunty not coming along with them? Now the trio head north to the Forbidden Library to bring back more info on the Remnants of Disaster.
Season Of The Witch
Basically it just took 3 outcasts of an academy to turn the anti-witch faction into a laughing stock for generations to come. Yeah. Best joke ever. Those motherf*ckers looked down upon this puny witchy village and look how hard the door hit them in the backside on their way out of history? Weird. I doubt that those extremists will end here or let this embarrassment slide, but for the time being, they’ll lie low and lick their wounds. This also gives our freshly graduated trio some time to do and explore something else. So, next season when? Not that I am counting on it at any point. Hopefully not. Hope you guessed my sentiments from that one already.
I have mixed feelings for the overall story. The first half of the series seemed interesting. Probably everything was new and were being introduced to the new main characters as well as the predicament they are in. It was all pretty fine and dandy, while I’m not saying it was totally absorbingly interesting that I had my eyes glued to the screen for each passing second, at least it was interesting enough to hold my attention. Then almost at halfway point after Zero and Youhei made their cameo and turned out the whole thing was a trial for them, that is where it started to go downhill. There was really nothing much to it after that, save for the trio doing their internship in the village. Which feels as boring as f*ck if you ask me. So they throw bits and pieces like the revelation Saybil’s past to keep things interesting but I hardly find that would have an impact on my overall sentiments for the series. So for the final stretch, the war feels like a rush because they need to showcase how much our internship trio have grown. Honestly, I don’t see any difference although I’m not supposed to have unrealistic expectations that will achieve some God-like power overnight. Yeah…
Hence I can’t see the direction and plot for this series because like I said, it is mainly the main trio playing internship in the village and that’s basically the main focus for the rest of the series. There isn’t any outright war going on despite there are lots of secret movements and espionage kind of stuff from the Church. It could have been interesting but that would have taken the spotlight away from Saybil and co. Which makes it a lot more confusing when the series reaches its final stretch. So they make it easy with some big war that has the witches losing no casualties and the only thing the enemy lost was their ego and pride. If that isn’t the passing grade with flying colours for graduation, I don’t know what is.
The characters don’t really impress either. I know Saybil is unique and different from many other main characters. Oh wait, I take that back. He is the same like almost any main character if you view him in general. Has a tragic past, possessed some super power and is a dense person. Yeah. Only difference is that he sounds weak and depressed, which makes him look like a pussy and weakling. Can’t blame him after what he went through. But sometimes it gets annoying after a while. While I don’t expect him to change overnight into somebody different, at the end of the day, I still have the same perception of Saybil as he was in the beginning. Then they try to distract us about him being in love. Imagine a person who doesn’t understand the concept of love trying to dish out an emotionless confession. I’m sure Loux is more shocked of this deadpan display than the confession itself. So yeah, Saybil’s only worth is because he has almost seemingly unlimited amount of mana and that’s about it.
Loux is particularly interesting at first because of her lively and spunky nature. Not to mention that accent of hers. She is living life at her very own pace and does what she wants. Sometimes sounding like a spoilt brat and this could become annoying after a while. She sounds like miss smarty pants but then again, this is what she sounds like to a simpleton to me. Why do I have this feeling that she is designed to satisfy lolicons? Yeah, keep trying to peak at that sexy panty crotch area… Then there is Kudo and Hort to round up the main characters. Kudo being a very realistic lizard dude and he just doesn’t want to be seen as weak, that’s why he sometimes acts like he doesn’t care but eventually he does. It must be his running joke each time he gets embarrassed, his face will obviously change colour. So is he a chameleon now? Why do I feel that Hort is there to provide some big boobies fanservice? Was her design taken after a cow? Anyway, I can’t make head or tail about her character. Because they trying to confuse us with some pseudo love with Saybil whatever. In order to give her some sort of purpose, that is why she somewhat becomes Tyrant’s new owner. Also to tell us that she can be a nasty b*tch if she wants to. Don’t mess with those tits.
Speaking of Tyrant, I figure why this series is somewhat disappointing because for one of this genre, there is no main antagonist. It was interesting when the ragtag students encountered a very brutal Tyrant in his hunt. I thought they really killed him off and that’s a shame. Oh well, maybe he wasn’t to be the main antagonist but somebody else who will be more brutal. Then they had to bring him back and now he is all docile and under a leash. Uhm, I don’t know about you but that feels boring? Imagine a merciless killing machine suddenly using his power for good. Well, not that I’m saying that it is a bad thing since people are bound to change if you give them a second chance. But it just feels that he has turned soft ever since he returned. Whatever the case for him, the choice is clear for him if he wants to live. Who the f*ck that Ideamor guy in the end? Feels like he is just the scapegoat needed to bring this season to a closure. It feels so rushed they managed to pinpoint the culprit just for the sake of plot convenience so him being the big bad villain pulling the strings from the shadows, it all feels so meh now. Thirteen is gone so deal with it. Unless somebody resurrects him as a zombie. So this leaves the Church extremists as the baddies but since we don’t see any faces, it feels like they’re fighting an unknown enemy or at least some very generalized foe. As cliché as it may sound if some big boss’ face was known to us so we know whom the heroes will have to or eventually have to deal with, but that’s how it is.
As for the other characters, they don’t fare any better to. Even Zero and Youhei felt quite negligible as it is understandable that they are the main characters no more. Oh heck, even I find Youhei’s tough love policy that makes him a pretty likeable compared to the rest of characters. You may think the Church might be one sh*tty place since we have quite a few Church defectors. Even Shinpu talks in funny riddles although there is some sort of tinge of sadness in what he says. Lilly, uhm, animal mascot fanservice. Laios, uhm, shotacon fanservice. What else more can I say?
Art and animation are pretty standard affair. Looks pretty okay in my books and nothing much to complain. Oh right. That damn bad CGI. Luckily they are reserved for the Remnants of Disaster (not sure if they were employed elsewhere). The only reason I’m going to say that its CGI doesn’t come off as terrible is that perhaps we don’t know how these monsters actually move in real life. Heck, there are none! So I’ll give them the leeway that by watching them move so CGI-like is because that is how they naturally move. Otherwise still terrible CGI. Also, there are some very gruesome and bloody moments. The one taking the cake was Saybil’s mom’s killer melting to death. That was truly haunting. But otherwise, all those limbs dismemberment and blood gushing out, those are pretty standard affair to veterans like me. Unlike the original series which was done by White Fox, Tezuka Productions (Black Jack, Kanojo Mo Kanojo, Dororo) helmed this spinoff sequel. Not that I can remember or tell the difference at this point.
For the voice acting, I am intrigued with Miho Okasaki as Loux. She gives that brattiness spell to that loli watch. And to think she is the voice of Rimuru from Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken. Come to think of it, she sounds almost like Rimuru, only brattier. Then there is Rie Kugimiya as Laios. Not my first time hearing her voice little boys’ role but certainly it’s rare. Feels like her character is sounding hard trying not to sound tsundere. The only other seiyuus I recognized are Kana Ueda as Faeria and Mai Nakahara as Saybil’s mom. Also, I thought Youhei sounded a bit different than before so true enough, they changed his seiyuu. Now Masaaki Yano helms this white tiger beastfallen. But don’t worry for Zero and Albus as Yumiri Hanamori and You Taichi were retained for their roles respectively. The other casts are Shuuichirou Umeda as Saybil (Izumi in Kawaii Dake Ja Nai Shikimori-san – now I see why both characters sound so weak and gay), Sayumi Suzushiro as Hort (Kei in Kaguya-sama Wa Kokurasetai), Taku Yashiro as Kudo (Ryuuji in Darwin’s Game), Takuya Satou as Tyrant (Alvin in Kono Healer Mendokusai), Masaaki Mizunaka as Shinpu (Diablo in Isekai Maou To Shoukan Shoujo No Dorei Majutsu), Manaka Iwami as Lilly (Teresa in Tada-kun Wa Koi Wo Shinai), Saori Oonishi as Hearthful (Aiz in DanMachi) and Masayuki Katou as Holdem (Demiurge in Overlord).
The opening theme is… OMFG! IT IS ONLY MY RAILGUN! Only it is not!!! Oh damn. That was too close a call. You see, you can definitely tell that Fripside sings Dawn Of Infinity with their typical chaotic techno beat permeating all over. But of all the Only My Railgun spoofs that I have heard (since many of the songs I heard have this similar trademark as well), this is the closest that I have come to identify. Heck, I might not be surprised if this is actually the same song and they just tweaked a few lines and voila! A seemingly new song? I don’t know if I should call it a blatant copycat-cum-rip-off because this one doesn’t impress at it is mostly noisy. Hence, Only My Railgun still remains my favourite till this day. Sorry copycats, you got to do better than that to impress me other than just borrowing a tune. As for the ending theme, Imprinting by Trinity is more of a rock piece. Didn’t like this one either because it is also noisy.
Overall, not a very good sequel spinoff as the plot is all over the place and the main characters feel pretty bland. This makes the original Zero Kara Hajimeru Mahou No Sho look way better than this. I might not remember much about that series at this point but my guts tell me that the original definitely fared better than this recent one. Yeah, my brain may have forgotten but the body has not? Weird. Maybe there is some kind of sorcery or magic that eats my memories, huh? Well, you do remember there is a difference between sorcery and magic in this fantasy world’s setting, no? Oh heck, not that I care at this point. They all look the same to me. The choice is clear.
Chua Tek Ming~*Anime Power*~ !LiVe FoR AnImE, aNiMe FoR LiFe! 