Episode 8

"Lutz's Main" (ルッツのマイン, Ruttsu no Main) is the eighth episode of the Ascendance of a Bookworm anime series. It originally aired on November 21, 2019.

This episode was adapted from Part 1 Volume 2 of the Light Novel series (Chapter 6: Ordering Tools and Materials - Chapter 10: Completed Paper).

Summary
Lutz and Myne begin work on their paper prototype in earnest, using their new workshop as a headquarters. They start by going to a range of craftsmen, lumber workers, and carpenters to commission the materials they need. A month and a half later, they go to the forest to collect wood and make paper. Lutz goes to collect firewood, while Myne picks up kindling nearby.

She inadvertently picks up a taue fruit that turns into a trombe when she touches it. Seeing the fast-growing feyplant, Myne calls for help, and Lutz calls the other children to help cut it down. Once the plant is cut down, Lutz explains that trombe usually drains nutrients from the soil to grow quickly, and that the Knight's Order needs to be called if it gets big enough. Myne suggests using the cut trombe to make paper, since it's freshly sprouted and should be soft. To her delight, it works well.

Lutz still seems to be acting strange. He helps her with the paper, but is more withdrawn than usual. He also seems suspicious about her familiarity with using chopsticks and her in-depth knowledge of paper-making, something which the Myne of this world has never tried before. Once they finish their first batch of paper, Lutz insists that they have the conversation they postponed. He asks who Myne really is and she admits that she isn't the original Myne.

Outraged, Lutz demands that she give back the "real" Myne. She says she doesn't mind giving back her body, but explains that she believes the original Myne is already dead. When he lashes out at her, she becomes angry and says that she wouldn't have chosen to steal such a sickly, frail body. He asks how long she's been "Myne", and is surprised to find that his memories and his friendship were formed with her, not the original Myne. In the end, he forgives her and accepts her for who she is.

Together, they bring their paper prototypes to Benno for him to test, and he is thoroughly satisfied.