The Ancient Magus’ Bride vol. 12

Here we have a volume that feels more focused on the struggles of the supporting cast as opposed to its main duo.  Which isn’t a bad thing as that means we get to learn more about some of the newer characters. Like Philomena, who was caught spying on everyone at the end of the previous volume.  While that, along with her aloof demeanor, may have given her an initially unlikable disposition, what we learn about her here will likely flip a lot of readers’ feelings towards her on their heads.  There’s also a lot going on between Alice and Renfield here as well. She wants to be able to protect this man who has sacrificed so much for her, while he still sees her as the daughter he never had.  It’s interesting to see these characters try to hash out these adult feelings and (thankfully) not have a hint of romance about them.

In addition, we learn a bit more about the scions of the various houses that are attending the college, see more of its teachers, and get to see Chise head off with her classmates on a camping trip to Scotland.  That they encounter some kind of monster there should not surprise anyone — though good luck guessing what it actually is. Chise also has a special familiar accompanying her on this trip: A portion of Elias. Now that the Magus knows what the concept of loneliness is, he’s become awfully clingy and having this part of him come with Chise on her trip is something of a compromise.  So while they might not be front-and-center here, vol. 12 does still have some interesting things to say about the couple’s constantly evolving relationship. It just does it while lifting up the characters around them at the same time.