As the time drew near, the discussion among fans mainly focused on puella magi madoka magica.
However, although everyone was very much looking forward to the animation of the first episode of puella magi madoka magica, they also wouldn't forget the release of the new volume of Re:zero - Starting Life In Another World before that.
Early the next morning, everyone put on thick protective layers and headed out early.
Arriving at the bookstore entrance, everyone didn't just wait quietly, but instead discussed the anime.
Although everyone came today for the same purpose, anime adaptations were clearly more popular, even among these old bookworms.
"Did you know? Madoka will officially air next week."
"Anyone with a little knowledge would know that, right? We're not internet-less savages."
"The broadcast time has been confirmed; it's not prime time, which is a bit of a shame, but at least it's Friday night, so there will be quite a few people who can stay up to watch, so the TV ratings won't be too bad."
"What do you mean 'won't be too bad'? It's going to be a huge hit! Recently, when many online forums discuss new anime, Madoka is basically always placed at the top."
"Speaking of which, I find it quite funny; those senior recommenders deliberately promoted Madoka as a children's anime, it's like they reached a tacit understanding."
"Because that makes it more interesting! When I recommended Madoka to a friend before, I watched the changes in his expression from the side, it was truly too amusing~"
"That's true, hahaha..."
"So I'm not the only one who does that?"
This discussion was much more harmonious than usual, because everyone stood on the same side, becoming pranksters.
However, after a brief pleasant chat, the arrival of the bookstore owner drew everyone's attention to another matter.
...
The end of one story is the beginning of another.
The foreshadowing laid in the first volume led to the start of the Royal Selection.
As protagonist Natsuki Subaru's perspective returned to the capital, numerous characters appeared before him.
After brief encounters with certain characters, Natsuki Subaru's journey of tempering began anew.
After experiencing several Return by Deaths, everything underwent subtle changes.
Successfully saving others led Natsuki Subaru to believe he had become a savior.
The power of Return by Death made him believe he could change everything.
Unknowingly, he committed the sin of arrogance.
Because he overlooked a very important fact: even with Return by Death, his own weakness coupled with the inability to speak the truth meant he wasn't as strong as he imagined.
Especially in front of others, his unusual behavior was truly somewhat inexplicable.
Brave and fearless, decisive and confident, a great hero who saves everyone.
This was probably the image Natsuki Subaru believed he projected to others at this time.
Or perhaps the image in Rem's eyes.
But in the eyes of more people.
Weak, selfish, arrogant, unreasonable… these were all his flaws.
So at this time, he couldn't understand Emilia.
Using the excuse, 'I'm doing this for your own good,' he thought everyone should understand what he did!
No, that was too arrogant a thought!
"I don't understand."
"I don't get it."
"Why can't I say it again…"
Emilia developed a resistance to him.
"This is all my achievement! You should be grateful to me, without me…"
These various restraints finally made the frustrated and arrogant Natsuki Subaru lose his mind, saying things he shouldn't have.
Although, a large part of it was indeed his achievement, he certainly said it in the worst possible way.
That hysterical appearance was no different from a clown.
It was such a heart-wrenching passage that it made people truly unable to bear watching it.
"This is a SAN value drop."
Eriri muttered.
When people are stimulated and pushed into a desperate situation, they often enter a state of losing their minds, and at such times, they will say a lot of muddled things.
Many things that shouldn't be said will blurt out, and by the time they regret it, it's too painful.
She considered herself quite experienced in this.
…
"This is also a necessary stage of growth."
Shino Aki sighed with emotion.
"To make ordinary people endure such suffering, the Old Thief is truly the Old Thief. Can't he give a little more help? Return by Death alone isn't enough!"
Usami Suzune's words expressed a different attitude.
The protagonist's seemingly pathetic performance didn't seem particularly ugly to them.
"If that were done, it would deviate from the main plot setting and turn into the kind of 'Dragon-Blooded Protagonist' you mentioned, which would lose its original meaning… The protagonist indeed needs to vent, otherwise, if emotions keep accumulating and aren't released at all, that would lead to the worst results."
Senju Muramasa looked up and slowly commented.
The protagonists in her novels are also growth-oriented, starting from nothing and reaching the top of the world through effort and struggle, without any powerful innate talents, so she could understand even more.
…
"I can't imagine what Natsuki Subaru would do if he collapsed and used the Return by Death ability, tsk tsk tsk…"
The words that popped out from the girl next to her made Elmi show a look of disdain.
"Elf, pay attention, this isn't a 'Dragon-Blooded Protagonist' fantasy harem novel, nor is it an 'Erotic' novel, there are no such plots!"
"Elmi, I feel like you're mocking me."
Yamada Elf narrowed her eyes.
Coincidentally, she wrote 'Dragon-Blooded Protagonist' harem light novels.
"Is that so? Perhaps Elf, you misunderstood… By the way, weren't you previously dissatisfied with and looked down on Izumi-sensei's work? Why did you also buy Izumi-sensei's new work?"
Elmi changed the subject, her gaze full of doubt.
"Eh, was there such a thing? How could I look down on Izumi-sensei? Sales are a writer's combat power, and his combat power is above mine, so he's naturally more amazing than me… I'm just simply unconvinced."
Yamada Elf directly corrected her previous statement.
"What you said makes a lot of sense."
Elmi was thoughtful.
"By the way, Elmi, what do you think of Eromanga-sensei's drawing?"
Yamada Elf said, seemingly casually.
"Why are you suddenly asking that?"
Elmi looked puzzled.
"Well, well, it's nothing…"
Yamada Elf's tone faltered, and she refocused her attention on the light novel.
Elmi suddenly realized something.
It seems Elf's light novel is almost finished?
…
Yamada Elf's gaze remained on a certain illustration in the book for quite a while without moving.
---
💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter