I finished Part I of The Guermantes Way this weekend. Overall, I liked it. Despite being 400 pages of dense French literature, it was overall fairly focused both in narrative and structure. It started with the narrator going to an Opera and briefly seeing some of French high-society. He then visited Robert Saint-Loup at his barracks. He return to Paris and there was a long, long, lunch party where the narrator met several members of the Guermantes family. And then, a the end of part I, his grandmother had a stroke. Part II starts with the narrator rushing for a doctor, which is where I am now.

Figure 1 An AI-generated anime girl reading a book.

As a whole, I felt like I could relate a bit more to the narrator in The Guermantes Way than in previous books. He spent a lot of times going on walks and just thinking about things (something I do often). And he has a general propensity to imagine great things about himself (something I do often). I also don't feel like he did anything overtly bad in this novel (whereas in the previous he solicited multiple prostitutes, which I found very off-putting). There were several very interesting scenes. When he used a telephone for the first time it was quite interesting to be propelled in the past at the marvel of talking to someone over a distance. The book made extraordinarily specific references to The Dreyfus Affair (so much so that even reading a history book on it would likely be insufficient to understand everything). The narrator, again, is obsessed with an older woman (this time Madame Guermante instead of Madam Swann). Robert Saint-Loup is far too good of a friend to the narrator, still. And the narrator's weird friendship with Baron de Charlus seems like a properly interesting plot point-that guy is unhinged.

Ah, I wish I had more to say. It's a very long book, but I feel like it's only understood by reading it yourself. Summarizing it's plot (which is, honestly, quite boring) does a poor job of emphasizing the "weight" of all of the characters. It overlooks just how long it takes to read, and the effect that has on the reader who must put up with it. I look forward to Part II.

Other Remarks

I'm still working on Symposium Magarum on the piano. It will be Black Friday soon, and I wonder what deals I'll be able to find (if any).

DanMachi is, of course, still in a commanding lead. Alicia's show (I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History) is also pretty fun. Alicia-sama gets cuter with each passing episode! And Kurumi finally cast and ancient magic spell array in The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians!

Figure 1 Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, Season 5 Episode 8

Freya attempting to seduce Bell following a day of miserable training.

Episode 8 of Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? begins with Hedin brutalizing Bell under the guise of "training" to such an extreme degree that other members of the Freya Famalia step in and stop him. Despite the abuse, Bell still manages to resist Freya's ploy, and she becomes increasingly upset. Hedin orders everyone to crush Bell's will to resist. Meanwhile, Hestia learns from Asfi that Freya is becoming increasingly desperate. Hestia prepares to contact Hermes using the note he left her.

Freya tells Bell she'll give him whatever he wants. Money. Power. Fame. He declines all of them. Freya tells her she loves him with all her heart. The next day Hedin orders the Freya Famalia to prepare for the Loki Famalia's return from the deep floors. He instructs them to wait outside the Tower of Babel and ensure they get charmed as they exit. Bell returns Mia's tavern and asks for Syr. Mia tells Bell to "survive", and he realizes she has memories of their conservation over a year ago. He rushes to find Aiz, and asks if she remembers him. Aiz begins to regain her memories of the times they've trained together, along with their shared promise to grow stronger. Bell remembers it all—he's not part of the Freya Famalia. Hermes realizes his memories have been reset. He asks the members of his Famalia if he's handed them any notes—they tell him he's asked this before, and he realizes his memories have been reset every time he finds the solution. He activates his last hope: Asfi. She orders him to speak to Hestia, who delivers his note: "make a hearth out of Orario".

Figure 2 I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History, Episode 8

Alicia speaks with Liz after spending two years studying dark magic.

Episode 8 of I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History begins Alicia immediately visiting Roana following her two-year absence. Using her newfound level 91 dark magic, she transfers one of her eyes to Will, granting him sight. Back at home her father faints when he learns she lost an eye. Gill makes her a black eye patch, and Alicia then dawns a matching black dress and returns to school. One of Liz's friends, Jane, immediately demands Alica leaves. In order to sound more evil, Alicia insults Jane's physical appearance by calling her fat and ugly. Liz arrives and apologizes for what happened two years ago. She offers to "save" Liz so long as Alicia believes in her. Alicia dismisses her kindness, and tells her she knows Liz hates her. Liz tacitly acknowledges her malice with her reaction. Alicia leaves, telling them she'll stay true to herself, even if it means she dies hated by everyone. Alica and Gill take placement exams and learn they're both eligible for the highest level of coursework at the academy. Prince Duke learns that Alicia gave away one of her eyes and becomes greatly upset that he failed to protect her. Alicia tells him he never asked him to be her protector. She immediately regrets the comment, but Duke is so hurt by the comment he immediately leaves.

Figure 3 Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, Episode 9

Oczy observes the final phase of Venus.

Episode 9 of Orb: On the Movements of the Earth begins with a young Count Piast being presented with a double-epicycle model by his professor—his professor tells him to complete the model. On his death bed, his professor tells him the double-epicycle model nevertheless contained persistent errors that cannot be corrected. As a consequence, he has wasted his entire life attempting to correct an incorrect model.

In the present, Count Paist permits them conditional access his records if they can prove the double-epicycle model wrong using the phases of Venus. In the heliocentric model Venus is fully illuminated as it passes behind the Sun. In the geocentric model it's dark. That Oczy verifies Venus's final phase: it's full illuminated. Paist, realizing his life work is wrong, collapses. He tells them years of accumulated research cannot be denied. Badeni tells him their direct observation is the truth. In tears, he hands them the key to the archival vault. He tells them it represents 2000 years of research that has hitherto failed to produce an accurate model. Badeni and Oczy collect the records they need from the vault. Badeni dismisses Jolenta, telling her he prefers to work alone. Privately, Jolenta tells Oczy reading and writing are "miracles". That night Count Piast redraws a heliocentric model in his notebook and collapses. Supine, dying, he looks up at the stars, reaches for the heaven, and says he can finally tell his professor the truth.

Figure 4 Ranma 1/2, Episode 8

Ranma and Akane watch Azusa and Mikado's 100-man-sparing match.

Episode 8 of Ranma 1/2 begins with Akane accidentally leaving P-Chan behind at a skating ring. A girl finds him, names him Charlotte, them then leaves. Akane rushes to Ranma and asks for help finding him. The girl who took him, Azusa, walks by Akane and Ramna. Azusa challenges both of them to a figure skating competition and the winner gets P-chan/Charlotte. Akane and Ranma accept. Ryoga wants to skate in Ranma's place, but they both quickly learn they suck. Azusa and Mikado practice a 100-man-spar—they beat up 100 people on the ice. Ranma realizes they have a chance to win... if he can learn how to skate. Mikado kisses Ranma and he quickly changes back to a man and demands to fight him. But he struggles to fight him on the ice because he can't skate. Despite this he manages to knock out Mikado. Ryoga quickly tells everyone Ranma kissed a good looking boy. Later, he tries to kiss Akane, but everyone in the family breaks into watch them, killing the mood.

Figure 5 2.5 Dimensional Seduction, Episode 21

Aria makes amends with her father.

Episode 21 of 2.5 Dimensional Seduction begins with Yo seeing Ariel's cosplay on social media—realizes it's his daughter, he puts down his work and departs immediately for Comiket. He arrives on the roof and sees Aria and her friends cosplaying. Okumura asks for his autograph and praises him for Valkyrie Battle in order to buy time for Aria to change into a Melia costume (Melia was a character based on her). Kisaki tells him his older work wasn't good—and he should forget it. He tells him he shouldn't degenerate his own. The manga he created made him happy—it changed his life. He realizes it was a mistake to prioritize the hatred of his readers over the happiness of his daughter just as Aria arrives in her Melia cosplay. She thanks him. He apologizes for being absent for 10 years. Afterwards he meets the rest of the crew. He tells them Liliel: A Side Story was poised to end soon, but he'll keep it going for them. At the end of the episode Aria relays a message from her mom: "promise me I'll be the first reader on the next manga".

Figure 6 Nina the Starry Bride, Episode 7

Nina and Sett arriving in the imperial capital of Galgada.

Episode 7 of Nina's very exciting show (Nina the Starry Bride) begins with Sett saving Nina from a tiger by shooting it. He tells her they'll rest until morning and wait for rescue. Later, he treats a wound he incurred from the tiger. She kisses him to make him feel better, and tells him to "pretend" to like her. Nina finds a stray tiger cub, the child of the tiger Sett killed, and decides to take it in. At drawn their rescue arrives. They arrive at Galgada and are greeted by Sett's brothers, who treat him poorly. Nina steps in to defend Sett, drawing the ire of everyone else. That night Nina and Sett are forced to share a room. She apologizes for her outburst earlier, and learns Sett, like her, lost his mother. As Sett falls asleep next to Nina, he thinks, "Galgadan nights aren't supposed to be this warm." The next morning Sett tells the Queen he plans to use Nina as a future justification for invading Fornta. The Queen tells Sett that plan will take too long, and orders he and all his brothers to capture Fortna by force. Whoever does so first will become the next king. Back in Fortna, Azure is crowned the new king of Fortna.

Figure 7 The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians, Episode 8

Kurumi and the others prepare a sauna using the hot stone.

Episode 8 of Kurumi's very exciting show (The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians) begins the day before the new semester. A heavy snow blankets Rettoran. Kurumi, Yuzu, and the others spend the day playing in the snow. Eventually they search for rocks, and Kurumi finds a large one in a gap in the ice on a nearby lake. Kurumi and the others use the rock as a sauna. The lake erupts with Element M following the removal of the stone, and one of the seven wonders of Rettoran, the wondering ice ridge begins to splinter towards it. Yuzu asks Kurumi to help her cast a joint magic spell array to neutralize the ice ridge. After some encourage she agrees to help, and together they cast a powerful ancient magic spell to channel the stone's power into the ridge, stopping it in its tracks. They decide to hide the rock and return back to school. The first day of the semester Mr. Harris announces Suzuki is still absent. Nevertheless, they should prepare for the festival. Mr. Harris hands Kurumi a ticket to the Magumi entrance exam. He tells her they'll be waiting for her. Meanwhile, an identified man kidnaps Suzuki and locks her in a a cage. It drains her magical power, and she's unable to escape.

Figure 8 Goodbye, Dragon Life, Episode 8

Dolan speaking with Diadora the day before the battle.

Goodbye, Dragon Life Episode 8 begins with Dio proposing they destroy the demonic portal before the three days is up. Dolan, Celina, and Christina again offer their help. George realizes Dolan is an ancient dragon and prepares to battle him again. That evening Dolan heals Diadora's wounds and promises to help her get revenge on the plant spirits that fell in their earlier battle. He comforts Celina who is too anxious to sleep. She tells him that she had the ability to kill one of the demons earlier, but hesitated because she's not used to battle. As a result, he escaped. She tells him she will not waver in the future. Christina asks him if he's ever heard of a "superhuman". He lies and says he hasn't. The next day the denizens of Ente Forest gather and head for the portal. As they approach, demons begin pouring out of the portal. Celina leaves on her own to fight them herself using a crystal charm Dolan gave her the night before.

Figure 9 Acro Trip, Episode 9

Mahou shoujo evil general sonbo Date Chizuko!

Episode 9 of Acro Trip begins with Date and Chrome walking up at 4AM to fight Berry Blossom. When they arrive at the park they find Berry Blossom, like Chrome, is half asleep. They both leave and pretend like nothing happened. During another fight with Blossom, Chrome gets his clothes dirty. He asks Tsuki and Kokoa to use their washing machine, but the machine destroys his outfit. Tsuki then makes him a new one from scratch. Later, Chrome learns his Kuma kaijins have left home. While he searches for his bears, he orders Date to fight Berry directly. He give her an evil outfit Tsuki made for her and she leaves to search for Berry. She bumps into her father, who mistakes her for a magical girl, upsetting her. She loses control of her emotions and, in turn, her magic, and Chrome has to save her. Grandpa returns with the Kumas. He took them all to training club.

Figure 10 Magilumiere Co. Ltd., Episode 8

Niko, Koshigaya, and Sakuragi work together to fight a mutated Kaii.

Episode 8 of Magilumiere Co. Ltd. begins with the team arriving at the Magical Technology Expo to tour and sample new equipment. Sakuragi and Koshigaya are asked about their shopping district magic by product mangers from Direct Core, who praise its effectiveness. The attend a demonstration on mutated Kaii that goes awry when a Kaii breaks containment. Kouji orders Sakuragi and Koshigaya to stop it. Nikoyama begins developing custom magic to counter each if its mutations. They manage to create new magic to stop its growth and its seeds from germinating. Eventually it produces explosive fruit, but the magic required to counter it takes too long to transmit because Niko is on his laptop, not his work computer. Under immense stress, Niko realizes he can't fail.

Figure 11 The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan, Episode 8

Noel duels Koga (again).

Episode 8 of The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan begins with Albert picking Koga as his dueling proxy. Koga and Noel begin their fight immediately. Noel tricks Koga into believing he has a trick up his sleeve and charges him with flagrant disregard for his own life. He strikes one of Noel's freezing bullets, and Noel quickly lands a decisive blow, ending the match. Finocchio declares Noel the winner, and Albert is taken away. Privately, Finocchio asks Noel to join the Lucianos. When Noel declines he steals his heart and threatens to kill him. Noel declines, telling Finocchio no one will be his king. He tells him it was all just a "joke", returns his heart, then leaves. Finocchio tells him he better make it to the top. Afterwards he frees Koga and immediately recruits him to his clan, the Blue Beyond. At the end of the episode, Noel acquires enough experience to rank up.

Figure 12 Wonderful Pretty Cure!, Episode 41

Yuki declines the drama club (again).

Episode 41 of Wonderful Pretty Cure! begins with a classmate giving Satoru an old family document about The Mirror Stone Shrine. It's a diary about a man helping a wolf. The drama club decides to loosely base their play off it, and everyone agrees to help. Torame watches the fictional play and falls in love the fictional wolf king, Wolfen, only to learn that it's actually a humain in costume. Enranged, she summons a Gaogaon chameleon. The Cures try to fight it, but struggle because it camouflages itself. Yuki uses a makeup brush to mark it, purify it, then send it back to Niko Garden.

Figure 13 The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor, Episode 7

Jill shaking hands with Dragon Knight captain Elentzia.

Episode 7 of The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor begins with everyone departing via dragonflight for the imperial capital, Rahlem. Upon their arrival they're immediately attacked. Jill is stuck and her magic is sealed. Hadis is wounded trying to defend her. George claims he's the false dragon emperor, and he and the others are forced to flee. She, Hadis, and the others hide in a nearby mountain cottage while they recover. After a month, Jill and Zeke enter Rahlem incognito to undergo the Dragon Knight test. At the start of the test, they're attacked by a dragon and she and Zeke quickly defeat it, passing the first part of the test. The First Princess of the Dragon Knights, Elentzia Teos Rave, arrives and thanks them. In a flashback, we see Elentzia committing suicide after she was captured by Jill.

Figure 14 You Are Ms. Servant, Episode 8

Yuki embraces Hitoyoshi following recurrent nightmares about her past.

Episode 8 of You Are Ms. Servant begins with Yuki dangerously low on tonkatsu sauce. Hitoyoshi inquires about Yuki's little sister, Hua, but remembers little about her. Over the next few nights Yuki has nightmares over of losing her tonkatsu sauce. She has nightmares about her childhood. About how she was a child prodigy. How she lost her mother and father. How she was kidnapped and turned into an assassin. How her younger sister abandoned her. She awakens and embraces Hitoyoshi. The next day at school Yuki learns of the upcoming Katsuda Festival at school. At school, another student, Naka Hikage, helps Yuki with a test. At the end of the episode, she tells Yuki she knows how they can win the festival.

Figure 15 The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest, Episode 8

Laust and Hanzum stand over their dead party members who abandoned them to globlins.

Episode 8 of Narsena's very boring show (The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest) begins with Keith, a novice adventurer, being abandoned by his party so that the rest can escape the labyrinth. After the opening, a wounded Keith arrives back and town and collapses. Laust returns the guild and orders the adventurers who abandoned Keith to leave the city. One of the guild representatives reveals himself to be Nogzem (currently, Hanzam), a former adventurer who, like Laust, was abused by his party. Together, both of them were abandoned by their party to a horde of goblins so that they could escape. But goblins prefer to hunt packs of monsters, and they chase after the original party. Nogzem tells Laust to abandon him, but he refuses. He heals him and they both back it back alive. As friend, Hanzam tells Laust to flee the city. Privately, Amherst asks Laust to clear monsters from around the city. At the end of the episode, Guild Master Mist receives a letter from the royal capital: do not let Narsena out of their sight. She has been chosen by god to bring peace to the land.

Figure 16 Let This Grieving Soul Retire!, Episode 8

Sitri and her "unamed" apprentice.

Episode 8 of Let This Grieving Soul Retire! begins with Akashic Tower unleashing all their phantoms simultaneously. Sitri orders everyone retreat as the phantoms begin fighting themselves. Sophia orders them to release the Malice Eaters. Sitri vows to find and capture her old apprentice, Sophia, who is responsible for these experiments. Krai, Liz, and Tino arrive at White Wolfe's Den while Flick, leading a Malice Eater, attacks the other Hunters. Sitri resists the attack and heals Sven, allowing him to quick defeat Flick. The Branch Manager arrives and defeats the Malice Eater. The leaker of Akashic Tower orders everyone to fight to the bitter end and use Akasha and Sophia Black ans their last line of defense.

Figure 17 My Wife Will Become an Elementary School Student, Episode 8

Keisuke and Mai hug Takae after she regained her memories.

Episode 8 of My Wife Will Become an Elementary School Student begins with Chika taking Miraka home—she doesn't remember anything about them. In fact, she's forgot everything that's happened over the past year. Chika tells the school she has amnesia, and lies in order to make it look like it was a result of her poor parenting. For the time being she decides to home school Marika. She tells her that Kikuchi and Mai are her friends, and there's no need to be afraid of them. Privately, she asks Keisuke and Takae to give up if she never regains her memories. Mai tutors Marika to catch her up on a year of lost schooling. She drops by Keisuke's house to work with Mai and finds old photos and their marriage "contract" and regains her memories. Keisuke speaks to a monk, who tells him his situation is appears to be spiritual possession, not reincarnation.

Other Remarks

I'm at 90% compleition on Decretum, and I just started Symposium Magarum today. My pants from Atelier Tuffery did indeed come in, and they fit! I may waylay my father into buying more, perhaps.

At this point I'm spending hours, at least two or three on weekdays, even more than that on weekends, playing the piano. To that end, it feels a bit weird that I haven't posted much about it on Morganna's House. Perhaps it is just that, the frequency of playing, that makes me forget to talk about it.

Figure 1 An AI-generated anime girl with white hair playing the piano.

My current daily piano schedule starts at school. I get there pretty early, naturally and, on my Nord Grand 2, I quickly play all the major scales in parallel and contrary motion. Then, I play several of my favorite songs: I See The Light, The Promise of the World, The Waltz of Chihiro ("Reprise"), A Town with an Ocean View, Bygone Days, and, I soon hope, Decretum.

Figure 2 An AI-generated anime girl with white hair composing music.

In addition, I'm also trying to learn Lilypond to engrave some of my favorite songs. The Musescore versions sort of suck. And it would be valuable to learn it anyways, I think. And fun!

Other Remarks

My pants from Atelier Tuffery should arrive sometime this week! I an excited!

Season 5 of DanMachi is still in a commanding lead as best anime of the Fall season. Nina the Starry Bride, despite all it's flaws, is still an interesting watch. And The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians may stick its landing... if Kurumi could just cast a single ancient magic spell array!

Figure 1 Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, Season 5 Episode 7

Freya (as Syr) offers Ryuu the opportunity to "share" Bell.

Episode 7 of Freya's very exciting show (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, Season 5) begins with Andromeda informing Freya has stolen Bell and brainwashed Orario. Bell continues to train with the Freya Famalia, fighting every day until he collapses. Freya offers to "treat" Bell's curse, but he still resists the idea that his memories are false. Ottarl reports Ryuu and Andromeda are missing—that night they return to the city. Another waitress at the bar, Anya, is upset that no one remembers Syr except her and Mia. Freya reveals herself as Syr to Anya and Ryuu. Freya offers to "share" Bell with her. She resists, but nevertheless eventually collapses due to Freya's charm. They take her to a dungeon to hide her from Bell. That evening Bell notices Freya is upset. She tells him she fought with a close friend. She tells Bell she loves him, triggering vague memories he has of Syr. Freya, upset, banishes him from her room for the night.

Figure 2 Nina the Starry Bride, Episode 6

Sett threatens to cut Nina-cute (again).

Episode 6 of Nina the Starry Bride begins with Sett watching Nina recover from the wound he inflicted in her. After she wakes up, she learns Sett "purging" the other nations of his two other prospective brides for fleeing—Anne warns Nina to be careful. Nina witness a Guard Captain attempt to rape another servant and steps in to save her. Her servant, Hikami, decides to teach her basic fighting techniques. She dresses up like a lady-in-waiting tricks the guard into touching her, then uses Hikami's technique to incapacitate him, winning the praise of the other servants who previously abused by the guard.

When Sett returns Nina explains it was necessary. Sett threatens to cut her deeper next time if she acts out. Sett decides to place Nina in charge of Neena's (his bird's) care. Sett tells Nina they'll soon depart for Galgada, and the ladies-in-waiting temm her that this could mean Sett actually likes her! Nina asks around to learn has much as she can about Galgada. Sett warns them his family isn't the kind of people she thinks they are. When Nina begins to act like a priestess, Sett decides she is the kind of thing he loves to corrupt, and kisses her. Nina, enraged, tells him he's never loved anyone before. Nina and the others depart early for Galgada due to an incoming rainstorm. Nina's carriage rolls off a cliff due to rocks and mud, and Neena escapes. Nina searches through the forest, but fails to find her. While searching, she becomes lost. As the episode ends, she wonders if this is God's punishment for pretending to be Alisha. She wonders if she returns to Fortna if Azure will forgive her. She then gets attacked by a Tiger, and calls to Azure for help.

Figure 3 Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, Episode 8

Badeni shares a "heretical" model of the universe with Jolenta.

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth Episode 8 begins Jolenta denying that she solved the problem. She's just posting it for her "master". Badeni immediately sees through her lies, and tells Oczy she's the perfect candidate. Badeni and Oczy speak to her privately. Badeni proposes the "heretical" idea that Earth moves, and asks to meet with her "master" tomorrow afternoon. That evening she overhears Count Piast demanding they be courageous and complete their model of the universe—the truth. Piast meets her and tells her to bring any future work directly to him. The next day Jolenta meets Oczy and Gras. She admits that she's the author, and Badeni asks her for help. She accepts. Badeni learns Jolenta works with Count Piast, who has spent 50 years working on the geocentric model. Jolenta tells them that Piast cares more about the truth than the heliocentric model.

The three meet with him and ask for his observation records. He angrily dismisses their model, as it is contrary to his life's work, and demands they leave. In a flashback we see a young Count Piast beginning his research of astronomy. He's told by a distant cousin their heliocentric model contains errors and they must correct it. In the present, as Piast lies sick in bed, he again tells himself he must perfect the model.

Figure 4 I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History, Episode 7

Alicia greeting Gill after spending two years studying dark magic to reahc level 90.

Episode 7 of Alicia's surprisingly good and very exciting show (I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History) begins a month after Alicia secluded herself in her study. Alicia's father, Arnold, gives Gill a potion that allows him to travel freely to Roana. Arnold tells Gill he laments the risk Alicia has been put in by being Liz's watcher. Gill tells him she likes the challenge. Roana harvests its first crop of potatoes thanks to Alicia's planning. The King asks Prince Duke if isn't interested in leading a proper reformation of Roana. Six months pass and Alicia is still studying in her shed. Nasty rumors continue to spread about Alicia at school in her absence, while Liz's reputation further improves. Duke asks Mel to look into Liz's "power"—is it possible she's mesmerizing those around her? Two years elapse. Alicia finally completes her training and leaves her shed.

Figure 5 The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians, Episode 7

Yuzu successfully casts an ancient spell array.

Episode 7 of The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians begins with the MaRC club attempting to contain the Engulfing Dark Fog. As it engulfs them, Kurumi attempts to cast another hand-drawn spell array, but hesitates and it fizzles. Yuzu steps in and does it herself, casting an ancient magic array to stop the Fog. That night Kurumi considers giving up on becoming a magician. On New Year's Eve, Hoota warns them the president and vice president of MaRC are captured by the Dark Fog. As Kurumi attempts another ancient magic array, the "gatekeeper" arrives to disable it—the school nurse. He transforms back into a cat then leaves. Yuzu has breakfast with Mirari to cheer her up, and notices her Magumi notebook. On New Year's Day Suzuki-sensei decides to pay Mirai's mother a visit—she warns her Mirai is losing confidence. Her grandmother was a great mage, and tells Suzuki all the magic of this land resides within Kurumi. Kurumi's resolution is to give up on magic.

Figure 6 Ranma 1/2, Episode 7

Kodachi fights Ranma to win... Ranma.

Ranma 1/2 Episode 7 begins with Ryoga and Ranma training for tomorrow's match. The next morning Akane finds they trained through the night. Ranma struggles to stay away during breakfast. They arrive and St. Bacchus' School for Girls and prepare for the match. Kodachi tries multiple times to injure Ranma prior to the start time. Ranma uses his real name at match, confusing onlookers, and annoying Kodachi. When they shake hands, she shackles P-Chan to Ranma's wrist in an attempt to slow him down. Throughout the match Kodachi attempts to play dirty using illegal weapons, all in the name of winning Ranma. Kodachi grabs and throws a pot tea, which hits Ranma and trasforms him and Ryoga back to normal. Quickly, Akane uses a firehouse to transform both of them back before the audience notices. Eventually Ranma destroys the floor of the ring itself, and they're forced to fight on the ropes. Ranma strikes the post Kodachi is standing on, knocking her out of the ring and winning the match.

Figure 7 Goodbye, Dragon Life, Episode 7

Georg tells Dolan he is a powerful fighter.

Episode 7 of Goodbye, Dragon Life begins with the arrival of Dolan, Christina, Celina, and the other elves to defend Diadora and the village. Gellen arrives as backup, but Celina, Dolan, and Christina manage to keep them at bay until another unnamed demon arrives. Dolan identifies it to be even more powerful than the previous three arrives at attacks Dolan. The demon, Georg, is assisted by Raflasia and the others, and Dolan is forced to use his dragon powers to fight back. After he parries Georg's most powerful attack, Georg tells him to join his army, or he'll destroy his friends along with the entire elven village. He orders all the demons to depart, and tells them they'll return in three days. Dolan will either join them or face ruin. At the end of the episode Dolan meets with the heads of all the villages of the Forest of Ente to plan.

Figure 8 2.5 Dimensional Seduction, Episode 20

Ririsa enjoying her joint cosplay at Comiket.

Episode 20 of 2.5 Dimensional Seduction begins with Okumura giving Ririsa a rare 1-of-5 Liliel water bottle so she can drink "in character". Okmura helps coordinate their posses, but Ririsa eventually collapses due to heat exhaustion and Nonoa carries her inside. After some discussion, they decide to leave the event early. Nonoa tells Ririsa she's her friend—and has her friend she doesn't have to do everything on her own. The spend the rest of the day practicing their poses together. At the end of the day, Nonoa learns the picture of her carrying Liliel inside went viral. Now she has loads of followers! The next dayt hey arrive back and Comiket and Ririsa takes the lead. Following their viral photo they quickly draw a crowd and begin their poses. During their break Ariel thanks Ririsa for making her feel connected to her dad.

Figure 9 The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor, Episode 6

Jill realizes Kratos was the one who turned back time.

Episode 6 of Jill's incredibly convoluted and unnecessarily complicated show (The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor) begins Gerald and the Marquess attemping to flee after they set fire to the city. Rave tells Jill that Kratos can possess any girl in the city of a certain age. Jill tells Rave she can defeat Kratos. She shatters Rave's barrier and tells him that, together, they will fell a god. Hadis orders everyone to flee the palace just as Jill proclaims herself the wife of the Dragon Emperor and demands Kratos appear to fight. Kratos, in the form of a black spear, appears and battles Jill through the city. Hadis shields the citizens from Kratos's attacks. Jill realizes the spear that struck her, and the one that turned back time, was Kratos herself. She shatters the spear then collapses. Gerald appears and attempts to kidnap her in her weakened state, but Hadis rescues her. Afterwards, Hadis asks Jill to marry him.

Figure 10 Acro Trip, Episode 8

Chrome and Date help Kokoa get her stuffed animal back.

Episode 8 of Acro Trip begins with Chrome pretending to be Date's father for a parent-teacher conference at school. The teacher, however, is Date's former father! Chrome tells him Date is doing an excellent job leading their evil organization. Date receives her her magic Fossa Magna debit card from Ohmizo Technica. One her way home from the store Date bumps into girl, Kokoa, who has lost her phone. She gives her a card she can use to call home, but Kokoa steals her Fossa Magna card instead. Using it, Kokoka invades their hideout and knocks out Chrome. She tells Date she's taking over their base. Date manages to get the card back and politely asks her to leave—she does, crying the entire way. They bump into her again searching for a lost stuffed animal. They find a dog has it and proceed to chase it all over town to return it. Afterwards, they attend a Berry Blossom handshaking event. Chrome arrives and offers to... shake her hand, but she attacks him.

Figure 11 Magilumiere Co. Ltd., Episode 7

Kana helps comfort civilians as they evacuate.

Episode 7 Magilumiere Co. Ltd. begins a wounded Lily encouraging Sakuragi to smile, despite their setbacks. Their backup, Tsuchiba from AST Corporation, arrives, and immediately orders an evacuation. Sakuragi manages to keep everyone calm while Tsuchiba uses hitherto unreleased magic to fight the mutated Kaii. Sakuragi offers to defend her while she prepares her magic, but Tsuchiba declines any help. Tsuchiba's magic annihilates the target. Tsuchiba tells her seeking "aesthetics" in their job is in error—all that matters is the Kaii is defeated. The hotel managers thank them for minimizing collateral damage and evacuating everyone so quickly. Afterwards, Lily tells Sakuragi that, while she's not perfect, she tries to encourage everyone else to stand tall. At the end of the week Sakuragi thanks Lily for everything. Kouji reads the report on the mutated Kaii. He's warned that the kaii are evolving, and he should speak with Kei from AST. Kei reads the same report.

Figure 1 Wonderful Pretty Cure!, Episode 40

All the Cures after Iroha and Mayu get turned into animals, too.

Episode 40 of Wonderful Pretty Cure! begins with following the great "Wanyan" incident: Iroha has been turned into a dog and Mayu has been turned into a cat. Prior to the incident, everyone arrives at Toboe Shrine shrine searching for Gaou. Yuki enters the shrine alone but finds it empty. Niko-sama transforms into a human and helps them search, but uses her powers incorrectly and accidentally turns Iroha and Mayu into animals. Regardless of the mishap, they decide to spend the day playing together. Torame hatches a Gaogaon frog. Niko has regained enough of her powers to transform Iroha and Mayu back. They all transform to fight the Gaogaon. Through a game of red light green light, they manage to approach it, purify it, and send it back to Niko Garden. After Torame leaves, Komugi wonders if he just wanted to play. At the end of the episode, Niko-sama turns Satoru into a rabbit.

Figure 12 The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan, Episode 7

Noel lies and tells Albert he poisoned his wine.

Episode 7 of The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan begins with Koga defeating Noel, who accepts his defeat. Alma arrives as his potion wears off and he collapses. Noel orders Alma to kill him. They find they're evenly matched, and Noel orders a retreat. Noel tells Koga to deliver a message to Albert: He's going to take down the Gambino family. He warns them Noel is strong. Albert and his team find Noel and Alma in a nearby bar. Noel tricks him into drinking poisoned wine and Albert quickly flees for a doctor. But this is a lie, the wine was fine. Regardless, Noel pretends to leave the capital. For the next week Alma trains while Noel investigates the Gambino family. He obtains Albert's birth certificate which proves he's not the boss's son. He hands it to Albert's subordinates. He also obtains proof Albert poisoned the previous boss in order to fake his illness. He returns a week later with Alma, and his Albert's subordinates turn on him. The order him to duel Noel, and Finocchio arrives as a witness.

Figure 13 The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest, Episode 7

Narsena tells Armia and Lyra about her past and asks them for love advice.

Episode 7 of Narsena's very boring show (The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest) begins with Laust and Narsena getting their (large) payout for the phoenix core. Narsena asks Laust if they could use the funds to rent a house together. Laust responds that they're probably not ready for that. That evening Laust and Narsena formally form a party with Armia, Sieg, and Lyra. Sieg asks Laust if he loves Narsena—he becomes too embarrassed to respond. Laust receives a commissioned report on Narsena. It confirms Narsena is the only daughter of the Earl and Countess of Annalestoria. She still nevertheless become an adventurer with her parent's approval. After some convincing from Narsena and the others, Lyra asks Sieg to become "life partners". He accepts. At the end of the episode, Laust tells Narsena he has something important to tell her.

Figure 14 You Are Ms. Servant, Episode 7

Yuki tries on different outfits.

You Are Ms. Servant Episode 7 begins with Yuki going grocery shopping and drawing a lot of unwanted attention due to her Victorian maid outfit. They decide to go clothes shopping next Sunday. Riko and Grace tag along. After visiting some questionable stories, they eventually buy several regular outfits for Yuki. Afterwards, everyone buys Halloween costumes and they watch a scary movie together. At home, Yuki feels a general malaise and decides to dawn her maid outfit again. A storm appears and causes the power to go out. Yuki accidentally slices Agemochitarou's tower to peaces in the dark. She recounts how her maid outfit was giving to her by her previews master shortly before his death. Hitoyoshi encourages her to continue wearing it. She tells Hitoyoshi her bell is the only thing that links her to her younger sister.

Figure 15 Let This Grieving Soul Retire!, Episode 7

Sitri discusses the plans to counter Akashic Tower.

Episode 7 of this terrible show, Let This Grieving Soul Retire!, begins with Sitri investigating the missing slime. The extra hunters arrive at White Wolf's Den and they're given Krai's warning regarding a powerful slime. An alchemist , Talia, an apprentice of Sitri provides a vial of "anti-slime" liquid, just in case. They spend the day clearing the den but find nothing. That night two mages from the Akashic Tower turn a wolf phantom into a powerful slime outside the Den. The hunters quickly find both physical and magical attacks are ineffective against it. Sven uses the anti-slime weapon, but it too is ineffective. Sitri arrives and quickly defeats it with an anti-mana potion. She tells everyone Akashic Tower is conducting experiments to control treasure vaults at will.

Figure 16 My Wife Will Become an Elementary School Student, Episode 7

Renji shouts to the sea that he loves Mai.

Episode 7 of the drama-laden snoozefest that is My Wife Will Become an Elementary School Student begins with Chika searching for a new job. On his way home, Keisuke bumps into Mai's boyfriend, Renji, upsetting him. At work, Keisuke gives some of his coworkers advice on love, and his coworker Moriya believes it applies to her. Mai invites Keisuke and Takae fishing so that they can get to know Renji. Mai overhears that the friend Renji lost to the sea was his old girlfriend he was planning to marry. Upset, she leaves early. Renji follows her and tells her that she's not a replacement. He wants to spend the rest of his life with her. Chika falls asleep on their way back home. When she awakens, she doesn't remember either of them and breaks down crying, believing she's been kidnapped.

Other Remarks

I've done multiple full playthroughs of Decretum, but I'll still have to spend quite some time polishing and smoothing out the final parts. My Nord Grand 2 case should arrive today, along with a bunch of sewing supplies.

A close reader of Morganna's House would know (although I can't imagine any exist given that I post entirely here for my own benefit—I'd rather update this site than go to therapy, as the colloquial expression goes) that I teach. Yet despite teaching being an integral part of my life, despite it being, perhaps, the largest influence I have on society, I rarely, if ever, talk about it here, or outside of school.

I feel compelled to talk about teaching today, if only briefly, because our state, yet again, is attempting to "fix" education by redoing the high-school diploma requirements. The policy-maker, I'm sure, with a binder full of acronyms, is only one buzz-word laced initiative away from fixing all our education woes. "If only we were like [European country] our math scores would be higher!" Or, "If only education was more authentic, students would actually pay attention!" It should be stated at the outset that the primary reasons we constantly reinvent education is because children are not robots. There is no direct dose-relationship between our methods and student achievement. Instead student achievement is a multifaceted issue for which teachers play an important, but not isolated role. To be clear: we can't expect teachers be damage control agents for every pan-generational crisis facing youth today.

Figure 1 An AI generated anime girl with white hair writing on a chalkboard.

I'll begin by listing some of the issues I personally see in modern education, then discuss how I believe they can be addressed. It may come as a surprise to the reader that I am not about to blame students, in really in capacity, for these problems. Children are entirely a product of their environment. If they're misbehaving, when they're misbehaving, that should be considered a mirror to society, and one should consider it a flaw in society itself when the fail. This isn't to say students have no responsibility. Instead, it is to say we, as a society, should accept the majority of the blame rests with adults—we're the ones raising them, after all.

Problem 1
Have we ever considered doing things that have actually been demonstrated to work, as opposed to things we just really would would work?

The first major problem I see in education is by far and away the general propensity to engage in "wish" strategies. That is to say, we do what we really wish would work as opposed to what has actually been demonstrated to work. So many initiatives, trainings, professional development, is spent (wasted) on things contrary to educational research. I'll given but one example: direct instruction. Direct Instruction has been consistently found to be highly-effective method of teaching, and the most effective at teaching academically non-compliant students. Yet every single training I've ever been to has been critical of it. As a consequence, I find it difficult to take any other part of the training seriously. It'd be like a doctor discussing healthy eating, then beginning by saying "there's no evidence sugar is bad for you." If anyone get something so fundamental wrong, it's safe to ignore everything they say thereafter. They simply haven't thought about the issues. This is where I am now. I ignore all the training and advice.

Problem 2
We're teaching to avoid failure, not to encourage excellence.

We seem, for whatever reason, to have as our ultimate goal, our central dogma, that whatever happens students can't fail. This goal, while noble and I believe correct, has been warped into teaching students skills to avoid failure instead of the skills needed to succeed. When I see students rush through assignments as fast as possible simply to "get it done", they're doing this out of a vague understanding that 0's are bad, but not out of a firm understanding that learning is good—that it is, in fact, the goal.

Problem 3
"We employ the least effective, yet somehow simultaneously the most restrictive means of helping students."

Every method we seem to employ, to whatever end we wish to achieve, is implemented in such a way that maximizes inconvenience while minimizing the actual goal. When we mainstream students with disabilities, we often place then in regular classes—the least restrictive environment. They miss social cues and act abnormally relative to their peers. Other students treat them differently. As a result, instead of feeling mainstreamed, they feel isolated and alone. They same applies when general education students very hard classes, or when ENL students take classes in English. There is a paradox in that the least restrictive environment for one student is often the most restrictive for another. And too often we avoid the others for the one who is most disruptive and combative.

Problem 4
"We can count on our school administrators to do the right thing after exhausting all possible alternatives."

And finally, school administrators. Ugh. By far and away the largest problems I face in my day-to-day teaching career are not difficult students. They're not difficult parents. They're room temperature IQ school administrators who make twice my salary while doing half the work. And I don't mean this is local to our school. State level admins who unilaterally change students without input are also highly problematic and a source of eternal consternation for us. Just yesterday we spent over an hour debating unclear changes to the high school diploma requirements for next year. I've personally spent hours writing standards again and again just to have no one read them. This week I've had meetings with admins randomly observed by other admins who were surprised to see each other there.

Figure 2 An AI generated anime girl with white hair grading papers with a red pen.

I heard another teacher claim the proposed diploma changes switching to the "European" system. This is an incredibly vague and nebulous thing to claim. Europe is an incredibly large diverse continent with many different education systems. Many of which have much higher academic rigor than our own. When we say "Europe" do we mean Finland, which requires Calculus to graduate? Sweden, which requires the same? What about Estonia, which also has significantly higher math requirements? What about Albania where if there's a problem in school the parents can formally petition a court to start a state-approved blood feud where they're allowed to violently attack someone over a disagreement (that's true by the way). Of course not. They don't mean that. Instead, they always mean France.

For whatever reason, when people say we need to make our schools more like Europe, they always reference the French system, specifically the lycée (``lee-say'') system. It's a system with fixed paths which, by the way, France abolished a few years ago.

Other Remarks

I ordered two more pairs of pants from Atelier Tuffery. I asked them to hem them. I hope they did, but if they didn't I can always do it myself. I also placed a big order for sewing supplies on Amazon. All I need is a serger, which I'll try and snag from Singer on Black Friday.

DanMachi Season 5 is still in a commanding lead this week, but On the Movements of the Earth is definitely stronger than expected. The characters are all a bit weird, but somehow it feels pretty effective overall. The story just... works.

Figure 1 Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, Season 5 Episode 6

Freya speaks with Bell about his "false" memories.

Episode 6 of Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, Season 5 begins with a Freya family family doctor, Heith, lying to bell, telling him he's afflicted by a "curse" which has falsely implanted memories of his time with Hestia Familia in his head. But Bell continues to resist. Freya orders Horn to find and seduce anyone who may have escaped her psychic attack. Hestia meets with Aiz, and tells her to stay away from him. In person, Freya meets with Ouranos and orders him not to interfere. That evening Freya meets with Bell and further perpetuates the lie by writing the mark of the Freya Familia on his back. During the day Bell trains with other members of the Freya Familia, who fight to the death as a method "training". Meanwhile, back at the guild Eina finds Bell's old log book which confirms that she, contrary to her false memories, was his previous advisor. Freya personally confronts Eina, steals the logbook, and reinforces the curse.

Bell is again led to Freya's chambers. Bell tells Freya his "false" memories of his time with Hestia. Freya uses his old log book to weave together a convincing lie that he's always been a party of her Familia by adding specific details only he, Hestia, and Eina would know. She again tries to seduce him, and he flees. Freya laughs, realizing that no man has ever been able to resit her allure.

Figure 2 Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, Episode 7

Jolenta steals astronomical records to solve the problem by Oczy and Badeni.

Episode 7 of Orb: On the Movements of the Earth begins with Jolenta spying on a meeting between Count Piast and several others—Arabian mathematicians have revised Greek astronomy. Jolenta hands her work to Kolbe for review. He says it's great, and plants to deliver to Count Piast. Oczy and Badeni continue their review of the documents on heliocentrism. Badeni tells Oczy to burn the documents if he dies before he can finalize the theory. Jolenta returns home to visit her father, Inquisitor Novak. She tells her the others won't let her do harder academic work because she's a woman. He encourages her to continue her studies.

Badeni and Oczy arrive back in town the next morning. They split up and post a challenging math problem for nobles to solve throughout town. Jolenta learns that Count Piast praised her work, but Kolbe stole her credit. He put his name on it when he submitted it. When she protests, he laughs—why would anyone read what a women wrote? If it were good, she'd be accused of witchcraft. Count Piast overhears that Kolbe stole Jolenta's work. In a moment of hesitation, she decides to lie and say he's mistaken. It wasn't her work. On the way through town she finds the complex astronomy problem posted by Oczy and Badeni. She enters Kolbe's office and steals the astronomical records required to solve the problem. She does, and posts a solution by the end of the day under a false name. Oczy and Badeni see her post her solution and approach her.

Figure 3 I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History, Episode 6

Prince Duke threatens Liz for indirectly injuring Alicia.

Episode 6 I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History begins following Alicia and Gill's capture. She can't use her magic, but still manages to fight back, eventually breaking free and incapacitates her captors. Liz arrives and mistakenly believes Alicia is at fault. As she's about to get stabbed, Prince Duke steps in and takes the strike. Liz tells everyone else Alicia was about to kill a man who wasn't fighting back, which enrages Prince Duke. He tells Liz that Alica was fully justified in fighting back, and had no reason to wait for her rescue. As Duke carries her away, he tells her not to risk her life, and Alica wonders if he has feelings for her, shortly before passing out.

Alica awakens in Duke's room, and he returns the pendent that was stolen from her. Gill arrives, fully healed, and they Neil, another student at the academy who was a fan of Liz, was behind the incident. Prince Duke suspects the King may have partially played a role, at least believing Liz could get training saving people as a Saint. Gill implies Duke is destined to marry Liz. He tells him destiny is something hill take a hold of himself, then looks at Alicia. Alicia continues to study and train in order to better defend herself. Liz is dismisses as Liz's watcher on the orders of her father—he tells her he won't allow her life to be put at risk for harassing Liz. She asks to stay, and her father tells her she can stay... if she can reach level 90. She accepts his challenge. At the end of the episode, Alicia moves into a remote cabin in order to entirely dedicate herself to her studies of magic.

Figure 4 Ranma 1/2, Episode 6

Kodachi tries to seduce Ranma.

Episode 6 of Ranma 1/2 begins with Ranma, as a woman, breaking up a fight between Kodachi ("The Black Rose") and the Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics team of Furinkan. She tells Ranma she's strong then departs. Following their defeat, the team asks Akane to stand in for them. Akane accepts and begins training, but struggles because she's clumsy. Ryoga steps in to help her train. Kodachi learns that Akane is training for the match, and ambushes her in her room. She manages fight well enough to force her to flee. As she does, she bumps into Ranma, who she finds incredibly handsome. She drugs him and tries to kiss him before Akane steps in and breaks them up. The next day at school Kodachi attacks Akane again. Ramna tells her she's engaged to Akane. Kodachi makes a deal: whoever wins the match gets Ranma. During training Akane twists her ankle. They decide to have female Ranma stand in for her.

Figure 5 2.5 Dimensional Seduction, Episode 19

All of the cosplayers at Summer Comiket.

Episode 19 of 2.5 Dimensional Seduction begins with everyone arriving at Summer Comiket. The four arrive and quickly get changed. Okumura tells them their Squadron cosplay is one of the best ones he's ever seen. Okumura recounts a story about how Liliel's side story saved his life, and he tells everyone to dazzle the crowds with their cosplay today. Okumura helps Lemon and Lime, two rival cosplayers, with their outfits. He learns that Lemon and Lime are fraternal twins, with Lime being a cross-dressing man. After seeing all the talented cosplayers, Ririsa wonders if she can really compete with all of them. Together, they all go to the rooftop for photos. It's packed and they to stake out a spot, but when they do a crowd of photographers quickly forms around their group. Initially their group is uncoordinated. And, during their first water break, they lose their crowd.

Figure 6 Magilumiere Co. Ltd., Episode 6

Kana and Lily fight a large Kaii.

Episode 6 Magilumiere Co. Ltd. begins with Lily taking Kana shopping. At lunch, Lily tells her this is a form of training—at her cosmetic company she needs to learn what products make (magical) girls shine. After shopping they begin a routine Kaii inspection at a nearby hotel. They hear noises from a nearby building being demolished and decide to inspect it out of an abundance of caution. When they do they found a large kaii and quickly evacuate all the workers. Lily uses water to stop the weaken the kaii, but instead it begins to mutate, adsorbing the water and becoming stronger. As the episode ends, Lily gets injured trying to save Kana after she falls.

Figure 7 Goodbye, Dragon Life, Episode 6

Diadora fights Raflasia who is attacking the Forest of Ente.

Episode 6 of Goodbye, Dragon Life begins with Dolan speaking with Gio, one of the elves of the forest of Ente. They both are aware of the demons overrunning the forest. Dolan offers to help them close the portal allowing demons to flood the forest. Just then, the portal fully opens and even more powerful demons pass through. A powerful demon, Geolude, attacks the village of Ente directly, injuring many of the elves defending it. Meanwhile, Dolan and the others fight their way through the forest to reach the village. Diadora, a powerful floral spirit, attempts to slay Geolude, but Raflasia, one of the Four Demonic Knights, intervenes to save him. Diadora attempts to fight Raflasia, but Raflasia is a floral spirit like her, and she's able to nullify all of her attacks. Dolan arrives to save Diadora just as the episode ends.

Figure 8 Nina the Starry Bride, Episode 5

Nina tells Sett she's happy to be his wife... after he just stabbed her.

Episode 5 of Nina the Starry Bride begins with Nina arriving at Castle Bastea... only to learn Prince Sett is gone. They tell her their wedding is over a year away—she can live in the castle in the interim. She quickly bumps into Sett (who was actually there) and introduces herself. Her first impression of him is positive—perhaps Sett is nicer than she thought? The next morning he meets Princess Kilimina and Mea, both are potential wives of Sett. They both break down down crying. Sett threatens to kill them then leaves. Nina tells her she'd be delighted to be his Queen, and Sett immediately takes her to his chambers and attempts to rape her. Sett confirms she's just a pawn to justify invading Fortna. She goes back to her room and cries.

Back in her room, Nina realizes she's powerless. She dreams about being with Az. When she awakens she decides to be cheerful and walks around the castle with a smile. She again finds Sett, and tells him she'll be his essential Queen. Sett tells her she'll soon break like the others. She makes friends with a lady-in-waiting near her age, Anne. When Anne is falsely accused of stealing a bird feather, Nina steps in to defend her. Sett steps in and slashes Nina across the chest for speaking out of turn. Nina laughs, telling her she's delighted to be his Queen, then collapses.

Figure 9 The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians, Episode 6

Yuzu, Mirai, and the others investigate an underground facility at Rettoran.

Episode 6 of The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians begins with finals exams. Suzuki-sensei, who is still missing, has delivered their final exams by mail. It's one page: draw a spell array for a spell they want to cast. Mirai fails to draw anything. Afterwards they throw a holiday party, but Mirai still feels despondent—she can't realize her dreams of being magician. Aniku Kuhmah from the Magumi class flunks out and transfers to the standard class. He performed poorly on the final. The students leave over new years to visit their families. Except Yuzu and Mirai. Alone in the dorms over break, Yuzu tells Mirai she let her parents down by failing to get into the Magumi class. She feels guilty, and doesn't want to visit them. She tells Mirai she'd like to return all the support her parents nevertheless gave her. Somehow. That's her dream.

Mirai tells Yuzu she handed back a blank final. She's giving up on her dream to become a magician. Asuka, Kyo, and Aniku also stay over break, and bump into the President and Vice President of the Magic Research Club. They recently discovered a secret underground facility at Rettoran. That evening they travel to the facility in search of an Element M geyser.

Figure 10 You Are Ms. Servant, Episode 6

Yuki embraces Hitoyoshi as he has bad dream about his mother leaving him.

Episode 6 of You Are Ms. Servant begins with Nitta (Grace) joining the school as their new gym teacher. She tells Yuki she's there just to have fun—she promises not to attack either of them. Nevertheless, Yuki still feels uneasy seeing Hitoyoshi associate another "member of the underworld" like Grace. She and Hitoyoshi drop by a store to buy Tonkatsu pork (and sauce). Yuki, with tears in her eyes, thanks the owner for how delicious both are. After they have Tonkatsu for dinner, Hitoyoshi lies in bed wonders about Yuki's past. He then remembers his own: his mother leaving him. Yuki tells him she doesn't know much about the Dragon's Nine herself. She was just following orders. She tells him that she'd like to continue looking forward to the future—a peaceful life with him.

Figure 11 Acro Trip, Episode 7

Crhome and Mashima on their way to interview for the same job at Ohmizo Technica.

Episode 7 of Acro Trip begins with Mashirou getting beating up by some stray cats. He saved one of them from drowning, but had to get saved by Chrome moments later. After the opening, we see two students, Mashima and Kurozana Chrome in school. With Mashima hating him, but Kurozane being utterly indifferent to their one-sided rivalry. Mashima tries to embarrass Chrome, but only ends up embarrassing himself by sharing their joint goals of becoming evil masterminds. They both interview for Ohmizo Technica, a so-called "evil organization", on the same day. On their way to the interview, Chrome saves Ohmizo's CEO from drowning, but gives them both the credit. They both get a job. A few months later, he again saves the CEO's life from a rampaging elephant by summoning a bear. The CEO recruits both of them into Fossa Magna, the evil organization side of Ohmizo Technica.

They begin researching Chrome's powers to summon bears. The CEO holds a competition to determine who will become the head of Fossa Magna. Mashima almost gets injured, and Chrome has to save him, winning the competition. Regardless, Chrome forfeits and tells Mashima he's more worthy than him, and the CEO makes him the leader. Mashima, still upset with his loss, attacks Chrome. As a punishment, he's turned into the cat we now know as Mashirou. Chrome wins again, this time by default. In the present, the Mashirou is pulled from the water and the cats thank him for saving them.

Figure 12 The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor, Episode 5

Jill and Hadies plan for Gerald's visit.

Episode 5 of The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor begins with Prince Gerald's visit. Jill warns the others to treat his visit as an enemy attack. Hadis kisses Jill, then tells Gerald how much he loves her. Gerald tells Hadis Jill won't lift the curse—a messenger arrives telling him Marquess Beil is dead, and he implies this is evidence to that end. Jill believes Prince Gerald is responsibly for his death. A possessed Sphere arrives and attacks Jill, calling her an impostor. Jill manages to break the possession, but Hadis believes there could be other girls who could become possessed. He orders Zeke and Camila to gather evrery girl in the kingdom under the age of 14 and determine if they'll become a vessel for possession. Jill and Hadis argue over the plan, and Hadis tells her maybe it's better that they don't fall in love. Multiple fires break out over town following Hadis order gather young girls. He places a protective barrier around Jill, then leaves the palace to deal with the rioters.

Figure 13 Let This Grieving Soul Retire!, Episode 6

Sitri returns to the city early.

Episode 6 of perhaps the worst anime of the season, Let This Grieving Soul Retire!, begins with Krai tricking Obsidian Cross into further investigating White Wolf's Den while he goes on a "deito" with Liz. They drop by a newly opened ice cream shop which is, in fact, a secret research facility for Akashic Tower. The shop quickly closes to avoid them, and Krai wonders if he'll ever find Sitri's slime. Sophia Black proposes they fight Krai. The guild has gathers even more adventurers to venture into White Wolf's Den. Krai delegates leadership to Obsidian Cross, and plans to show up only once things are wrapping up. He warns them about Sitri's slime. Meanwhile, back at the Den the memebers of Akashic Tower begin to panic at the sheer number of hunters being sent to find them.

Sophia tells the others her defense system will be able to repel them. Their Master orders them to follow Sophia's orders. Obsidian Cross orders everyone to leave the Den and wait for their reinforcement hunters to arrive. Back in the city, Sitri arrives and offers her help.

Figure 14 My Wife Will Become an Elementary School Student, Episode 6

A photo of Takae and her mother Chika.

Episode 6 of My Wife Will Become an Elementary School Student begins with Mai arriving and stopping Keisuke from telling the truth about his wife. A crowd gathers, and Takae and Chika depart. Back at home, Chika demands answers from Takae, and becomes upset that she won't talk to her. In a flashback we see Chika, as a child, being continually abused by her mother. And she wonders how/why she ended up being a "garbage" parent, just like her own mother. Keisuke finds Takae and returns her phone. He calls Chika a bad parent, upsetting Takae—she tells him she's still her daughter. Shortly thereafter she collapses due to a high fever. Chika, on her way home from work, sees her and she and Keisuke rush her home. When she wakes up, she decides to tell her mother the truth, and asks Keisuke to be there. Together with Mai, Keisuke tells Chika that her daughter is a reincarnation of his late wife. Takae tells her that, even with the memories of her past life, she's still her daughter—she's still the mother who raised her. She tells them she'd like to start over and raise her properly. Keisuke respects her wish.

Figure 15 The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan, Episode 6

Noel fights against Koga.

Episode 6 of The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan begins with Noel letting Koga and his slavemaster, Miguel, escape. He returns to Alma and Lycia and tells them the rumor he heard about the new drug. The mayor of Mintz village, now in debt thanks to Noel, meets with the head of the Gambino family, Don Albert. As a punishment for his debt, he orders Koga to cut off his right arm. Don takes Koga as his personal slave and orders him to kill Noel. Loki sells him out, but Noel lets him go. Koga arrives, and Noel drinks a 10 minute potion to prepare for what for difficult fight. After introductions they begin their fight. Noel quickly learns many of his attacks are ineffective on him.

Figure 16 The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest, Episode 6

Lyra, Armia, and Narsena discuss how they can find the phoenix.

Episode 6 of The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest starts with Laust and his party arriving at the labyrinth on their quest to slay the Phoenix. After a brief search they find its taken roost at the entrance of an unexplored part of the labyrinth. Meanwhile, Ralma drops by the Adventurer's Guild and demands to speak with the head of the guild, Mist. They refuse, and instead Hanzum speaks to her instead. She asks about the towers around town, and tells him there may soon be a labyrinth uprising. Back at the labyrinth Armia uses her water magic to weaken the phoenix. When she does, it undergoes another mutation, just like the Hydra. She prepares another more powerful attack and strikes the phoenix. Narsena follows up, grounding it, and Laust lands a killing blow. Back in town they have dinner with Ralma. There, Ralma tells everyone Narsena is the heiress to the Earl of Annalestoria. Just then, Laust remembers that she was the child he saved years ago.

Other Remarks

I started the final part of Decretum today! I am excited!

Given that I teach, I interface with a lot of kids everyday. One of the more interesting, and admittedly more depressing, aspects of Zoomers that I've consistently observed is just... how far right many of them are. The notion that young people are liberal and old people are conservative is false. The crypto-fascist Zoomers I deal with everyday prove that. In my experience the girls are often liberal, but the guys are definitely far-right wing "conservatives" (I put "conservatives" in air quotes because I don't exactly know what they're trying to conserve—on the contrary they're trying to destroy everything social media has told them to hate). This pattern exists in other countries too, such as South Korea. A massive gender divide exists there as well. And I think this is important to mention at the outset because it slightly precludes specific causal factors unique to the United States as an explanation for the slow burn culture war we will be dealing with for the next decade. Anyone who says "Oh, this Democratic policy is the specific reason why young men don't like Democrats" seem to ignore the very salient fact that Democrats don't control South Korea. No, something else is amiss here.

Early yesterday I say on the Gen Z subreddit the following post: How do you feel about the hate?. The 10,000 replies that followed area nothing but a bunch of fair-right wing Zoomers airing their grievances. Saluting in error. Criticizing the void. Or, more concisely, young perma-virgins complaining that all of their problems are somehow caused by... liberals? This is, of course, not true at all. Their problems are caused by the fact that they're unlikable incels that refuse improve themselves and instead blame "liberals", women, and LGBT people? But even a cursory reading of the content confirms a post a made yesterday: that the right conducts itself through perpetual victimhood and, despite all evidence to the contrary, utterly ignores that they are the unconscious authors of their own suffering. They are, for whatever reason, victims of "trannies", victims of LGBT rights, victims of women... but never victims of themselves and their own self-loathing. They don't hate liberals. They hate themselves. This is their central dogma: anger and spite.

Figure 1 An AI generated anime girl with white hair writing on a chalkboard.

We can see evidence of a generational divide when we examine concurrent posts from /r/teachers, They're... celebrating?. There, other teachers express a confused bewilderment at the fact that students, even those directly harmed by Trump and his right-wing policies, are celebrating his victory. But again, they're not celebrating his victory. They're hate-filled perpetually online retarded incels who operate purely out of an unwarranted desire for vengeance at a society they feel has wronged them. For them, the internet has created a artificial stage of high-drama where everyone is a either the dastardly villain or a great hero, as Jon Ronson would put it. A stage where every perceived slight, every mild injustice, is used as a justification to warrant their hate-filled bitter world view. They think to themselves women don't like them because of "feminism", but in reality women don't like their because they're terminally only retards who smell like Doritos. They think to themselves suicide rates are high because of "liberals", but in reality they're high because the wake up at 11:00 in the morning, chug energy drinks, then eat Totinos Pizza Rolls. They think they're miserable because of LGBT-rights, when in reality they're miserable because they haven't touched grass in the last 10 years, too busy playing Call of Duty while their mother pleads with them to leave the basement and to just please eat dinner with the family for once.

Figure 2 An AI generated anime girl with white hair working at a desk.

To be far, it's not just Zoomers. Just this morning, another post on Reddit, Why so many men feel abandoned by Democrats, echoes a similar sentiment albeit from seemingly older men. The idea that, somehow, male suicide, male incarceration, and men struggling in schools is somehow the fault of... democrats? Nevermind how Republican policies directly affect all of those and Democrats are trying to fix it. Nevermind that suicide is a problem in many other countries yes, even those not controlled by Democrats. Nevermind the fact that men struggling in schools, something I see every day as a teacher, is entirely predicated upon their general apathy which is entirely internal. It's easy to blame society, of course.

To put it in clearer terms for the perma-virigin incel young men who are mad at the world: the world isn't going to let you outsource your emotional regulation. Just because you're mad doesn't the world did something wrong.

Other Remarks

I should be able to move on to the final part of Decretum this weekend. I am excited!

Not only has Trump won, but for the first time three elections he has also won the popular vote. A twice impeached, 34-count convicted felon, civilly liable rapist has been handed a decisive victory by the American electorate. That same electorate has also handed the Republican party the House and Senate. If we only were to spend all our time on echo chambers like Reddit, we would have believed that a Harris victory was inevitable. Were one to simply go by public endorsements, a Harris victory would have seemed beyond a reasonable doubt. But, even months ago (see A general melancholy concerning politics from back on July 3rd), it was clear that such a victory was increasingly unlikely. Trump had always outperformed the polls. And when the polls were this close it became increasingly clear he would likely win. And he did.

Trump is not, nor has he ever, been out for justice—he's out for revenge. And in this time, in his final term in office, he will return embittered. Emboldened. And with a unique understanding of how to bend and break the system in order to act on his most aggressive impulses. Hellbent on retribution for every single perceived injustice, for every single slight, however insignificant, he will do the only think he knows how: lash out at everyone who has ever or will ever oppose him. He has no higher loyalty, no noble cause. Instead he, like his supporters, like the majority of the American people, it would seem, are operating purely out of spite. And so, for the next four years, we will have to sit back and watch the American experiment flounder, like an upside-down fat turtle in the hot sun. All because a clutch of hysterical low-information voters care more about airing their own grievances instead of the idea, however imperfect it may be, of democracy.

Figure 1 An AI generated sad anime girl with white hair looking out the window at a burning city.

Over the next few days and weeks, pundits from both campaigns will contrive narratives making Harris's defeat and Trump's victory seem retrospectively self-evident. "It was obvious all along", they'll argue. But it wasn't. Trump's flaws, individually disqualifying, in aggregate uniquely repulsive, would have precluded any other candidate. But not Trump. To his supporters, he is immune. And so too, with this election, we again underestimated the politics of contempt. We labored under the delusion that the electorate would, for whatever reason, rationally examine the evidence and conclude that they must do everything in their power to stop Trump from winning. But they didn't. His supporters don't care. Quite the contrary, this is what they want. They're out for blood. And they can and will slash and burn American democracy to satiate their lust for violence, both figurate and literal.

To be clear: Trump's victory was decisive and sweeping. We cannot take solace in the fact that the electoral college was "rigged" for small states because he won the popular vote, too. We cannot take solace in him just "barely" winning because he swept multiple swing states. We, who see Trump for who he is, a craven conman, are the minority. Policy? The majority of Americans don't care about foreign policy. Fiscal policy. Social policy. They don't care that Trump launched a direct attack on American democracy itself on January 6th. Theirs is the politics of hate. We have an angry mob, mad at anything, shouting at imagined shadows, and they are the majority. They have constructed an imaginary enemy, and fully plan to burn the country down in order to defeat it.

Figure 2 An AI generated anime girl with white hair playing the piano.

As for me, however, I will be fine. As I've said in several earlier posts on Morganna's House, very little in terms of politics will affect my day-to-day life. I bought my house with cash. I bought my car with cash. I have no debt. I'm rich. Come what may I will come home at the end of the day, do some calligraphy, play the piano, watch some anime, and maybe play some games (if I can ever find a good one). To that end, if it has so little effect on me then I should, if only as a sophisticated coping mechanism, stop caring. As-is, I've already started. I've slowly blocked all political stories on YouTube and, at least for the time being, I'll greatly reduce my news and social media intake (I'll just go to /a/ and talk about anime). This is, perhaps, something I should have done all along.

To be honest, though, I do find it mildly upsetting that I'll have to stop listening to and watching the news for a while. Because, while I do enjoy it, I simply cannot withstand another four-year fire hose of Trump-related news. Trump is, himself, the method of exhaustion. The same way a retarded kid in class will, eventually, force the teacher to admit to defeat. Trump has done the same with the American electorate.

Figure 3 An AI generated anime girl with white hair reading a book.

It's not all doom and gloom, though. I'm not entirely enamored with the idea that Trump himself will usher in the fall of the American government. I believe our institutions are strong enough to withstand four more years of this fat retard. And, to be completely forthcoming, I don't think Trump wants to destroy the American government to begin with. If he does so indirectly or through negligence, such a thing is a possibility. But at the end of the day Trump is just a fat orange old man who wants to eat McDonalds, drink diet Coke, and play golf.

And while Trump's presidency is sure to be a disaster, I do not believe these next four years have to be a disaster for me. I do have several goals I hope to achieve. One, is that I'd obviously like to continue improving my piano playing. I should have started playing years ago... but perhaps if I did I never would have bothered with learning calligraphy, another side goal I always had. Oh well, one can't control how heaven's wheel spins. Another goal was sewing. That got put on the back burner after I tried to make a bag over fall break and just completely failed. I didn't have the proper materials to cut, and the bolt of fabric I bought was so thin the sewing machine would often get jammed when I tried to use it. Oh, and I didn't have a serging machine. I'll save some money this month and hope for some killer Black Friday deals from Singer for one.

Other Remarks

I ordered several sheet music books from Wasabi Music last week. It looks like they should arrive today. One is for Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Two are from Nier: Automata (both the game and the anime). And one is a Final Fantasy song book. I didn't have a lot of success with my first Final Fantasy book... but now that I think about I may be able to use that Play Score app (or whatever it was called) to understand some of the more difficult parts. Actually, that is an utterly fantastic idea now that I think about it. I really wanted to get through Melodies of Life, but due to getting stuck on several measures I had to move on to a different song. I may give it another shot, if I can ever finish Decretum, that is. I'm still practicing that everyday, too. I'm making good progress. But it is by far and away the most complicated song I've learned so far.

Figure 4 Sheet music books

I ordered them from Wasabi Music. DHL delivered them today!

I finished a few songs in Volume 2 of Adult Piano Adventures, but when I get home I find it a bit of a slog to wade through that specific book. The songs are just a bit boring, so when I get back from work and just want to take a break, I want to play a song I enjoy.

After years we're finally here. The 2024 election is tomorrow. I plan to vote after school, although my vote won't matter because we live in a red state. Still, I ought to do it out of principle. I follow politics so much, for all these years, I'm at least mildly obligated lest I feel mildly like a hypocrite.

Figure 1 An AI generated sad anime girl with white hair playing the piano.

As for who I want to win, it's obvious Harris is the only rationale choice. Despite this, I have a feeling Trump will win. I say this because, while the polls are tied, Trump has always outperformed the polls the day of.

Figure 1 An AI generated sad anime girl with white hair writing at a desk.

I don't really have much else to say other than I feel like we, me, America, is about to lose. And I figure, years from now, it will be fun to look back and reflect on it all with this short post. And I mean short. I wish I had more to say, but I don't. It's all already been said by now. Now all that's left is to let heaven's wheel spin against us.

Other Remarks

Runescape released some silly update today where I have to farm a 1/2560 drop to get my Comp cape back. I've been farming all day and I'm at 4100 kills as I type this with nothing to show for it. I'm seriously considering quiting this terrible game. This is not fun at all.

DanMachi Season 5 is still in the lead this season, but Nina: The Starry Bride and I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History are both stronger than I would have ever expected going into them. Let's get into it!

Figure 1 Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, Season 5 Episode 5

Freya tells Hestia she's going to steal Bell from her.

Episode 5 of Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? begins with Freya explaining how she shared consciousness with Horn, while she herself roleplayed as Syr and lived among humans. Following her failure to seduce Bell as Syr, she decides to permanently "kill" Syr as a personality. Bell tells the others he turned down Syr, telling them his heart is set on someone else (Aiz). Syr is still missing and everyone begins searching for her. Meanwhile, Hestia realizes not Syr, but Freya, has been after Bell the entire time. Freya meets with Hestia directly and asks for Bell. She refuses. Freya immediately orders her familia to attack the Hestia familia and take Bell by force. Freya's familia quikcly captures everyone in their famalia, and Ottarl himself captures Bell. Freya demands Hestia recant her vow with Bell lest her children die and she get sent back to heaven. Hermes arrives and tells Freya he can recant his vows for several months, and kidnaps Bell in the interim.

Meanwhile, Freya seduces members of the guild and calls them to the Tower of Babel. Freya uses her power to defile the citizens of Orario, forcing them to bow before her and heed her every word. Bell awakens in a mansion, Folkvagnr, with the other members of the Freya familia. Hedin orders him to breakfast. They tell him he's now a member of the Freya familia, and insist he's never been a follower of Hestia. Bell flees, but Freya's power forces everyone in Orario to perpetuate the lie—he's always been a part of the Freya Famalia. She's rewritten their memories using her charm. But her charm doesn't work on Bell. As such, she's altered the reality around Bell instead. He bumps into Eina, who also fails to recognize him. He finds the Hestia famalia and everyone fails to recognize him, except Hestia. Hestia, threatened by Ottarl, pretends she doesn't know him.

Figure 2 Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, Episode 6

Badeni reads forbidden research on the motion of planets.

Episode 6 of Orb: On the Movements of the Earth begins with Oczy's presenting years of heliocentric research to Badeni. He finds them of interest, but nevertheless tells Oczy to leave. After the opening, we see a past Badeni being tortured for studying algebra and geometry. He tells the Father of his abbey he plans to determine why planets undergo retrograde motion—calling it God's greatest riddle. That evening he finds a book on the cosmos in the Father's room. He's caught reading it. As a punish his eyes are burned, partially blinding him. He's then banished to a remote Abbey where we find him today.

Badeni changes his mind and asks Oczy for all the research he's been given. He tells him that, due to his partial blindness, he'll need to complete observations for him. That night Oczy can't overcome his fear to look at the skiy and witness the heavens "gaze back", and considers destroying the research and moving on. He recalls that, at the moment of death, Gras and the Heretic were smiling. He decides to place his hope in the world and continue their research. He brings Badeni to the trove of documents in the forest. Badeni tells him these documents will change the universe. He tells Oczy the "errors" in planetary motion are a result of a moving Earth. To test their theory, Oczy draws the motion of Mars, including is retrograde motion. Badeni tells him this is no error, and has the two walk in circles around a branch. As Oczy passes Badeni, he appears to be moving backwards, despite their concurrent forward circular motion. Badeni tells Oczy that the heavens are in harmony with the Earth—that the Earth has always been a part of the sky's beauty. As the episode ends, Oczy gases up the stars, and tells Badeni they're more beautiful than ever.

Figure 3 I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History, Episode 5

Alicia (again) confronts Liz, calling her ideas dumb over tea with the King.

Episode 5 of I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History begins with the entire school hating Alicia for publicly bullying Liz. Back in Roana, Rebecca lists several of the problems she's heard from the villagers. Alicia agrees to help her get crops for the village to grow themselves. Alicia and her brothers are invited to a tea party with the King—Liz will be there, too, and her brothers ask her not to make a scene. During the party the King informs her her prediction of fall of Duran was correct, and she makes fun of Liz for predicting the contrary. She proposes they conquer it and make it a vassal state. The King likes the idea, and Alicia leaves the party believing she "passed" the villianess test. Prince Duke walks her to the exit, and she wonders why he's kind to her instead of Liz. Alicia suspects Liz's allure may be magic, and plans to look into it further. At the end of the episode, Gill and Alicia get kidnapped.

Figure 4 Nina the Starry Bride, Episode 4

Nina tells the king she can't kill her, lest he start a war.

Episode 4 of Nina the Starry Bride begins with Nina receiving gifts from Galgada. Azure tells her to ignore the gifts—he's sending a messenger to Galgada to negotiate the dissolution of her arranged marriage. Nina still works to determine who is trying to kill Azure. She speaks to the Queen and learns that she is not responsible. Later, the King questions Nina directly. He tells her that he knows Azure is a substitute—for a son he himself killed in a fit of rage. He tells her he plans to get rid of Azure because he is too perfect. When the King questions her, she firmly insists that she is Princess Alisha, causing him to doubt himself. She tells the King he'll only protect a nation of Fortna with Azure in it, and resolves to go to Galgada and protect him as its Queen.

Nina intercepts Azure's messenger and alters the message—she'll get married to protect him. Nina and Azure spend a day together in the town market. On their way home, Azure kisses her, telling her it's love. She thanks him for everything, then departs for her quarters. The next day she departs for Galgada, 10 days early in order to coincide with Azure's absence. Azure learns of this plot and rushes back to Fortna, but he's too late. Nina's caravan has already departed. As her caravan departs, Nina cries knowing she'll never see Azure again. In a post credits scene, the prince of Galgada murders Princes Eliza. They tell him Princess Alisha will arrive in a few days, and he tells them he doesn't know who that is.

Figure 5 The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians, Episode 5

The Standard Class crosses the first checkpoint during Rettoran Marathon.

Episode 5 of The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians, begins following the departure of Suzuki-sensei. Mirai, Maki, and Yuzu all agree to keep Suzuki's final words a secret. The others, wonder where she went. Rettoran students are preparing for a cross-country "race". Magic, however, is permitted. And Magumi students, who can fly, are the favorite to win the race. Kurumi and the others arrive at Lake Gourdy and stop for lunch. There, Yuzu tells the others they should try to win, even if Magumi is the favorite. They construct boats out of barrels and row across the lake. Meanwhile, magic instability cripples several of the Magumi, grounding them. On the other side of the lake they find a tunnel that allows them to pass under a large hill, and quickly arrive on the other side, arriving at the first checkpoint.

After the checkpoint they encounter a marsh. As they try cross it, they encounter an Element M geyser. Mirai quickly attempts to construct an ancient spell, but fails. The geyser erupts, throwing them across the finish line! Despite finishing, Mirari still feels about her failure to construct a spell. As the episode ends, she wonders if she'll ever become a magician.

Figure 6 Ranma 1/2, Episode 5

Ranma in shock after Akane kisses Ryoga.

Episode 5 of Ranma 1/2 begins following Akane's brutal surprise haircut. Crestfallen, she walks home. She asks Kasumi to help clean up the cut. Ranma walks her to Dr. Tofu's office to get her ankle treated. Afterwards, she breaks down crying in Dr. Tofu's arms—coming to terms with her haircut, and giving up on Dr. Tofu. Ranma tells her her haircut looks good on her (it doesn't he's retarded). Akane tells her that makes her happy. Ryoga arrives at the Ranma's dojo during the night and demands they continue their duel. Ranma realizes Ryoga has the same curse he does. During their fight he gets turned into a small pig due to rain and wonders into Akane's room. Ranma, however, mistakenly believes he got turned into a dog, and brings a dog back to their dojo. Akane tells him that's Beth, the neighbor's dog. Ranma (as a woman) takes the pig to a hot bath, and he immediately turns back into a human. He tells him the story of how he, too, fell into a hot spring when he journeyed to China to fight him. In fact, Ranma was responsible for knocking him into the spring to begin with. Akane kisses the pig and takes him to bed, annoying Ranma. Ranma sneaks into Akane's room to try to get Ryoga, annoying Akane.

Figure 7 Wonderful Pretty Cure!, Episode 39

Iroha tries to save Gaogaon Komugi.

Episode 39 of Wonderful Pretty Cure!, 2024's Halloween episode, begins with Niko-sama (in her human form) observing Animal Town as Gaou finally awakens from his slumber. Torame arrives at Gaou's shrine and finds it empty. Gaou walks through Animal Town observing the cohabitation of humans and animals, and laments how there are no more wolves. He bumps into Komugi and helps her drink from a nearby stream. Komugi tells him that he, like Iroha, must love animals. Gaou tells Komugi she can't trust humans, and the Cures recognize him as the wolf that attacked Niko Garden. As he to attacks the Cures, Niko arrives and transforms into a human. She tells her the people of Animal Town are different. He strikes Komugi and turns her into a Gaogaon. Komugi is able to call to her and break the curse. Zakuro arrives and backup and summons a Gaogaon bat. The Cures transform—and Cure Wonderful and Friendly are able to use their night vision to pacify then purify the bat in the dark. At the end of the episode, Niko tells Gaou that even if he wants to avenge his pack, it's wrong to hurt innocent animals.

Figure 8 Acro Trip, Episode 6

Berry sees Chrome pretending to be magical girl number two.

Episode 6 of Acro Trip begins with a flashback of Chrome as a child being bullied by another student, Ma-kun, who tells him to join an evil organization. After the OP, Chrome gets a call from headquarters, reprimanding him for his prior failures. He flees just as Hugh, the new evil mastermind, arrives to replace him. Date, afraid of Hugh, flees too and finds Chrome hiding in a box. He tells Date of his dream of becoming an evil mastermind, and Date tells him to stay. Hugh hijacks a local news station—Berry Blossom notices the hijack and immediately dispatches to fight him. Shen she arrives she's immediately captured. Chrome and Date quickly hatch a plan to save her. They arrive and find Mashirou and, following Date's plan, Chrome dresses as a magical girl and bust into the studio. They get Berry's and hand it to Date, who uses it to free Berry Blossom. He then takes Date hostage, who becomes enraged when he makes fun of Berry. Date uses her own magic to break free and melt his magic gauntlet. Date calls headquarters and tells them Hugh broke their equipment, and as a punishment they turn him into a fish. When Berry asks why Chrome saved her, he tells her her presence is valuable. At the end of the episode, Fossa Magna reinstates Chrome.

Figure 9 2.5 Dimensional Seduction, Episode 18

Okumura and the others arrive at Summer Comiket.

Episode 18 of 2.5 Dimensional Seduction begins with Aria sharing that she overheard her mother ostensibly talking about her father's death. She decides to continue cosplaying to honor his memory. Over dinner her mother tells her she divorced her father because he lost sight of his dream. After extensive research, Okumura finds evidence that Aria's father worked as an illustrator on Liliel: A Side Story. He tells Aria her father is likely still alive. Meanwhile, Yo Kisaki continues illustration work under Takamatsu-sensei, Liliel's author. He still keeps an old fan letter from when he wrote Valkyrie Battle many years ago. She speaks with her mother, and learns the conversion was about a distance relative, not about her father. She tells the others, who plan to use their Liliel cosplay to draw his attention at Summer's Comiket. Mikari makes a public announcement that she'll be there—Yo Kisaki hears about it, and decides attend. Okumura writes another fan letter to Yo. The episode ends with all of their on their way to Comiket.

Figure 10 Goodbye, Dragon Life, Episode 5

Dolan, Celina, and Christina set up camp after defeating several demons.

Episode 5 of Goodbye, Dragon Life begins with a group of unnamed elves being attacked by unidentified monsters in the forest. After the opening, Christina, Dolan, Celina and Captain Balan escort a group of pigs through the forest surrounding Verun Village. They get ambushed by the same unidentified monsters, and Dolan quickly identifies them as low-ranked scout demon. After speaking to the village elder, Maguru, Dolan and Celina decide to search through the forest for clues. Christina decides to tag along. A small fairy, Merl, arrives and tells them to flee. The again get ambushed by demons, and Dolan has to use his dragon powers to defeat them. As the episode ends, they encounter a group of Wood elves who retrieve Merl.

Figure 11 The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor, Episode 4

Hadis arrives to save Jill.

Episode 4 of The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor begins with Jill explaining the Marquess Beil's ploy to Hadis. Hadis tells the Marquess if he confesses and surrenders Beilburg his life will be spared. The Marquess refuses. That night Rave escorts Jill to her and Hadis's bedroom. She finds him sick and begins to care for him. She then thanks him for helping her earlier, and for saving the others. Hadis tells her he loves her, and asks her if she feels the same way. She tells him they're like "siblings" and it's not romantic. He continues to ask her if she loves him until she says yes. Zeke and Camila tell Jill Hadis's curse is likely real, and caused by the goddess Kratos. Sphere arrives and delivers a letter to Jill: Prince Gerald plans to arrive and bring her back to Kratos.

Figure 12 The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan, Episode 5

Alma hugs a teddy bear she bought with Noel's money.

Episode 5 of The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan begins with Noel's daily training routine, originally laid out by his grandfather. After his morning shower, Alma tries to kiss him. They drop by the Appraiser's Guild to consider Alma's rank-up options, then drop by various other places around town to restock and repair their equipment. He meets with Loki who gives him information on a prisoner, Hugo, who Noel believes was framed and put on death row. Loki warns him of a bad drag inducing a violent mania is circulating in the city. While walking through the slums, a beggar mistakes Noel for a woman, leading to a fight. Just as the fight is getting serious, Miguel, a slave master, steps in to tell Koga to stop. After the slave mater mistakes Noel for a woman he executes him to free Koga. Meanwhile, Alma speaks to an old friend over lunch regarding Noel's recruitment. Alma tells her she'll kill anyone else who stands by Noel's side.

Figure 13 My Wife Will Become an Elementary School Student, Episode 5

Chika confronts her boyfriend for cheating on her.

Episode 5 of My Wife Will Become an Elementary School Student begins with Takae telling Keisuke and Mai she may have to move to Saitama because of her mother's boyfriend. They tell her that's nothing compared to being separated by... death. Keisuke asks if she can spend Chritmas with them, but she has plants to spend it with her mother. Instead, he'll spend it with Mai. On Christmas Eve Takae and her mother visit a theme park. Her mom apologizes for hoer she treated her in the past. But her boyfriend doesn't show up, and they leave early. At a nearby shopping center, he sees her "boyfriend" with his real wife and child. She confronts him, then returns home and breaks down. Takae tries cooking something for her, but it only makes her madder. Takae tells Keisuke and Mai she's not moving after all. Her mom leaves work early one day and finds her room empty. When she searches for her, she sees her walking with Keisuke and Mai. Her mother fronts her as she's leaving their house, and Keisuke quickly weaves a story blaming her for her inability to parent.

Figure 14 Magilumiere Co. Ltd., Episode 5

Kana arrives at Miyakodo Ltd.

Episode 5 of Magilumiere Co. Ltd. begins with Kouji telling everyone they're having karaoke party. That evening all the members of Magilumiere Co. Ltd. arrive at a karaoke bar and sing songs from various magical girl anime and idol groups. At the end the night, Kouji tells them he wants to protect "moments like this". The nexy day Kouji gets a request from and old friend—Sakuragi will work with another company, Miyakodo Ltd., for one week. Sakuragi, familiar with the company, asks why she'd work with a makeup and cosmetic supplier. He tells her they have their own in-house magical girl department. She arrives and meets Lily Aoi, her partner on this joint project. Lily invites her to go shopping for cute clothes.

Figure 15 You Are Ms. Servant, Episode 5

Yuki, also known as Xue the White Wolf.

Episode 5 of You Are Ms. Servant begins with Grace planning to kill Yuki (Xue) in order to reaize her dream: living on on island with a bunch of hot guys. Yuki decides to sleep in the same bed as Hitoyoshi in case Grace ambushes them. She tells him that, come what may, she will protect him. Just then, Grace appears and attempts to kidnap Hitoyoshi. In Chinese, Yuki threatens to kill her, and she flees, taking Hitoyoshi with her. Grace holds Hitoyoshi hostage, and he tells her he's confident Yuki will save her. Grace tells her Yuki, "Xue", is a ruthless butcher. Hitoyoshi tells her the Yuki he knows is kind, and Grace plans to exploit her "kindness" and kill her when she comes to rescue him. She arrives and immediately attacks Grace. Grace springs a trap—remote guns fire bullets at Hitoyoshi, but Yuki is able to stop every bullet with throwing knives. Grace tells her she'll never be normal, and if she dies countless other assassins will come after her. Yuki responds she'll nevertheless protect the normal life she has now, and spares Grace's life. At the end of the episode, Hitoyoshi tells her she wants her to stay, then asks for advice on how to defend himself.

Figure 16 The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest, Episode 5

Laust, Narsena, and their party depart to complete their quest to slay phoenix.

The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest Episode 5 begins with Armia joining Lyra and Sieg's new party. Laust and Narsena drop by the guild to sell the magic stones they've collected from the Hydra. Other adventurers apologize for not intervening when Margulus was abusing him. They explain hydra's mutation to Hanzum, the defacto head of the local Guild branch, who isn't concerned. Amherst tells them the real head, Mist, is rarely seen. They pick up a quest to slay a phoenix, and decide to asks Sieg, Lyra, and Armia for help. When they all go shopping for supplies they bump into Ralma, Laust's old master. Over lunch, Narsena tells him Ralma is also a friend of her father. Ralma tells then Narsena's father wants her back—she left her home specifically to form a party with Laust. Ralma departs to investigate Mist while Laust and his party leave to defeat the phoenix.

Figure 17 Let This Grieving Soul Retire!, Episode 3

Liz duels against Tino... and wins.

Episode 3 of Let This Grieving Soul Retire! begins with Krai introducing Sitri Smart, their alchemist, who made a dangerous city destroying slime that Krai has lost. The next morning he has step in and stop Liz from murdering Tino during their "training". He wonders what lead to the powerful monsters in White Wolf's Den, and plans to ask Ark, another adventurer, when he sees him again. The Guild Master also begins looking for Krai to figure out the cause of the anomaly. Liz asks Krai to spend the day with her, and fights the Guild Master when he tries to speak with Krai. Krai continues to have nightmares about Sitri's missing slime. During his outing with Liz, Krai is followed by a spy. In a post-credits scene, Sophia Black asks Noctus to take her on as an apprentice.

Other Remarks

It's cold. I finally had to break out my Kakkatinuq parka today. That was fun. I may have to switch to using my phone for music on my walks (the wires otherwise get in the way of my heavy coat). I really like my Submariner brenton shirt. I think I will buy more (along with more pants from Attlier Tuffrey) later. Oh, I also bought some more sheet music from Japan. When they arrive I'll post about them. They just shipped today!