Coco wants to redo the seal on the shoes Agott had lent her, but she still can’t draw steady lines. As we saw last week, give her tools similar to what you would find in dressmaker’s shop and she excels. Give her standard pens and she doesn’t excel. Only now does Qifrey finally decide to take Coco shopping. He’ll finally let her pick out her own writing instrument, which feels like what he should’ve done in the first place. I dunno about this guy, man. Even if I assume his intentions are good, he seems like a sloppy instructor in general. He does not strike me as an adult who has it together. If it weren’t for his looks (I’m told he resembles a certain beloved JJK character) and his VA, would viewers be so tolerant of his foibles?
When they reach the city, Agott, still being the unfriendly brat that she is, immediately announces that she’s going off on her own. And of course Qifrey just lets her. Whether or not he notices her unfriendly disposition towards Coco, he seems content to do nothing about it. What do I think he should’ve done? He should’ve sat her down and talked this out. He needs to insist in no uncertain terms that he won’t tolerate any further schemes to get Coco kicked out of the atelier, because the previous attempt almost got Coco killed. Qifrey is not just responsible for teaching them magic. He’s also responsible for their upbringing and ensuring that they become well-adjusted adults. So far, he’s done nothing of the sort. He’s allowed Agott to act and do as she pleases. All he does is ask Coco how things are going between the two of them. Are you kidding me? That’s it? What kind of teacher is that? There’s no structure or discipline here. Plus, I don’t think any large city is safe for kids to be wandering around on their own. It doesn’t matter if she’s a witch, because there are witches everywhere here. She’s not exceptional in that regard. Basically, I think Qifrey is a shitty teacher and role model.
Even with the remaining three, Qifrey isn’t really paying close attention. Tetia has to make sure Coco doesn’t fall too far behind, but our heroine is already distracted as someone or something is calling to her. At the shop, Coco gets to see how magical ink is extracted from a certain tree. She was about to try out some wands when she sees a certain Brimmed Cap staring at her through a window. Desperate to learn anything that might help her save her mother, she bursts out of the shop and chases after the Brimmed Cap on her own. Tetia and Richeh quickly follow after her. They know she’s new to this city. They know they can’t let her wander the streets on her own. They even end up dragging Agott with them. Meanwhile, Qifrey is… doing what, exactly? Again, why does he not have an eye on his students? For fuck’s sake, man. Could he have prevented any of this from happening? Maybe, maybe not. But at least he’d be able to respond immediately rather than wait until sundown.
The Brimmed Cap leads Coco on a wild goose chase through several conspicuously empty alleyways. Before the kids realize it, they have been transported to another location with stark white walls and unfamiliar architecture. Yep, this ain’t Kansas Kalhn anymore. And then a dragon shows up. Y’know, just for good measure. Clearly, the kids — more specifically Coco — are being tested, and if they get eaten, then so be it. A mysterious woman — probably the same Brimmed Cap that Coco has been chasing — states matter-of-factly that Coco is their hope. Uh huh. All these years, they have been waiting for someone to use forbidden magic? Did they never think to pay Coco a visit and just show her how to do it? I mean, the anime opened with the kid doing laundry on her own, so it’s not like she was never alone. I’m just sayin’, these Brimmed Caps sure like to play the long game.
The three trained apprentices start trying to figure out a way to escape. In the meantime, they distract the dragon by making Tetia’s gown float in the wind, which is kind of funny. It’s like the dragon is a dumb cat chasing after a balloon. Meanwhile, Coco can only stand and watch. After all, she still hasn’t picked out a new wand. She assumes that Agott will blame her for getting all four of them into this mess, and her worst fears are quickly confirmed when Agott just unloads on her. Granted, Coco did make her screw up in the middle of drawing a spell. But you know who I truly blame? C’mon, it’s obvious. It’s clear that Qifrey has not spoken to Agott since the whole Dadah Range incident, so the girl’s simmering anger has now boiled over. I’ve never seen a more useless teacher. Can’t keep Agott in line, can’t keep an eye on four kids. All he can do is look cool. Other than that, I have not seen one redeeming quality. He should not be in charge of children.
Stray thoughts & observations:
— At least the brush buddy is sticking around for the long haul. It doesn’t always choose to hang out with Coco, though. Yo, where’s the loyalty?
— Don’t give Guillermo del Toro ideas for a new movie.
— Coco, now’s not the time to be fangirl over magic. Agott already doesn’t like her, but she’s not helping her case.
— So this is about where the first manga volume ends. Like I’ve said before, I haven’t gone any further than that. Whatever happens from here on out is completely new to me.
