Part of growing up is learning to let go of the past, which is a specter that, unfortunately, continues to haunt Monica. Before coming to Serendia Academy, our girl wasn’t always alone. She actually had a friend in the form of a young, talented mage. His name was Bernie, and he defended her from typical, grade school bullies. He even took our dear Monica under his wing, aiding her in schoolwork, giving her encouragement when she doubted herself, and introduced her to quick chanting when she was too scared to speak in front of others. Sadly, this was where it all unraveled. As we already know, Monica would eventually develop unchanted magecraft, become anointed as one of the seven sages, and the rest is history. There’s just one problem: Bernie also wanted to become one of the seven sages.
It’s obvious that Monica formed an attachment to Bernie. He was her savior, after all. She looked up to him, and they could’ve become close friends for life. Maybe even more than that. But his jealousy got the better of him. He felt as though she lied to him and used this opportunity to somehow steal a spot as one of the seven sages — a spot he never had in the first place. Bernie ended up being a bully as well, and bullies are rarely rational. Some people punch down, like those jerks who tried to make Monica swallow a spider. Others, like Bernie, punch up. Maybe the former group is slightly worse than the latter, but at the end of the day, you’re still a mean, petty human being. It just took a while for him to reveal his true colors. As one might say, the trash takes itself out.
Unfortunately, Monica still wants to be Bernie’s friend. She still thinks she’s wronged him somehow, so she wants to apologize. Like I said earlier, part of growing up is letting go of the past, and that often comes with the realization that we’ve outgrown our old friends. Becoming one of the seven sages was a double-edged sword. In a way, it was akin to skipping grades. One of the things they always warn you about skipping grades is that you’ll miss out on a crucial part of your childhood. Monica already had it bad enough as cripplingly shy introvert. She then got isolated even further by her new role. So going undercover as Felix’s bodyguard is actually a boon; it’s a second chance at a “shining” school life she never got to experience.
This time around, she gets to do more than just throw herself into magecraft. She’s learning chess, ballroom dancing, horseback riding, how to throw tea parties, etc. And every step of the way, Monica not only becomes a more well-rounded person, she even makes a new friend and gains a new perspective. I know most people want to focus on their subject of expertise, but this is why schools have general education requirements. But I digress. Hopefully, her “reincarnation” as Monica Norton will allow her to look back at the past with clarity and finally let go of Bernie. If he hasn’t grown up by now — and it sure looks as if he hasn’t matured a bit since they last met — then he’s not worth it. Smash him in chess and move on. But who knows? Maybe Bernie will surprise us in next week’s episode and show us he still has a heart.
Stray thoughts & observations:
- Monica is chosen to represent the academy in an upcoming chess tournament. In fact, her team wants her to be captain. This neatly mirrors her relationship with Bernie in a good way. In chess, like with quick chanting, she starts out as a newcomer, but her teammates recognize and accept that she has superior skills compared to them. If only Bernie could understand that.
- Somehow, the conversation turns to the “musicalilty” of one’s chess style. I’ve never heard of linking chess to music, but I’m also not a chess player so what do I know? More importantly, Monica’s style is supposedly similar to a certain young prince. I see this as basically more breadcrumbs for a potential MonicaxFelix pairing. This show’s pacing is rather slow, so breadcrumbs are all we get. Plus, the idea of two people getting together because of the way they play chess is pretty silly.
- Monica’s friends try a couple of different tactics in order to protect her from Bernie. First, they give her a complete makeover. I prefer her everyday look, but this is neither here nor there. When Bernie grows suspicious of Monica anyway, the two familiars steal the show. They pretend to be Monica’s partners in a sordid love triangle, which is enough to make Bernie scurry away for now. What a scandalous chess player we have.
