Hello again. It’s Miya Kazuki. Thank you very much for reading Ascendance of a Bookworm: Hannelore’s Fifth Year at the Royal Academy.
This side volume featured Rozemyne’s dear friend Hannelore as its protagonist. I held a poll asking which short stories readers wanted me to write after finishing the main series, and the results led to the creation of this very book.
The prologue was written from Cordula’s point of view. Through her conversation with Hannelore’s mother, we were able to see the impact of Hannelore’s friendship with Rozemyne and the process by which it was decided that she needed suitors.
Most of this volume focused on Hannelore battling to choose her own partner, despite suitors having already been thrust upon her. Her father decided on Kenntrips and Rasantark, both Lestilaut’s retainers, but romance can never be simple—her half-brother Raufereg, Ortwin of Drewanchel, and Sigiswald of Korinthsdaum also threw their hats into the ring. And let’s not forget Wilfried, the true(?) object of Hannelore’s affection.
Back in Part 5 Volume 3, Hannelore declared that she wanted to be considerate of Ehrenfest and understand what value she could provide them. What answers did she find? And how did she respond when the descent of a goddess landed her in very hot water?
Hannelore agonizes over her situation, trying her best to reach a conclusion befitting an archduke candidate. I hope you enjoy watching her grow and her romantic situation become increasingly complicated. Not that she’s some kind of zoo animal to be gawked at, but her way of thinking is so far removed from what we’d consider normal in Japan, and the culture of her duchy is so strange, that it might be best to observe her from a distance.
It was surprisingly fun to write about life in Dunkelfelger’s dormitory, since it stands out so much from Ehrenfest’s. Having a supervisor who actually spent time with the students was a game changer, although I was so accustomed to the elusive Hirschur that I almost forgot Rauffen would be around during mealtimes. (Haha.)
The epilogue, an expanded version of a short story I posted online, was told from Kenntrips’s perspective. I thought he would be an appropriate choice to elaborate on what happened when Hannelore was possessed and then rendered unconscious.
This volume’s original short stories were written from the perspectives of Rasantark and Sigiswald, respectively. Rasantark didn’t have much of a presence in this volume, despite being one of Hannelore’s suitors, so I aimed to give readers a stronger impression of his character. I hope you enjoyed seeing his impressions of Kenntrips and Hannelore in their youth—I tried to weave in memories that only childhood friends could share.
Sigiswald’s story touched upon his first winter as Aub Korinthsdaum. It should provide some insight into the state of his duchy, the importance of a first wife, the influence held by former members of royalty, and—in a general sense—what the erstwhile crown prince has been up to.
The cover art for this volume shows Hannelore with her suitors—and Rozemyne, who set out on her own adventure to repair a severed thread. It looks a lot like an illustration for an otome game, don’t you think? Hannelore’s timid, troubled expression is so cute.
The color illustration depicts the gods performing a Starbinding. I was so pleased to see them in color. (Hannelore and Rozemyne are there too, of course.)
You Shiina-sama—thank you very much.
Last but not least, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who read this book. Thank you.
May 2024, Miya Kazuki