Ascendance of a Bookworm: Short Story Collection

Mushishi

Mushi are the most fundamental forms of life, existing since the dawn of creation. They are neither plants nor animals, neither good nor evil. They inhabit the shadows behind closed eyelids, the silence of deep forests, and the spaces between life and death. Most people cannot see them, but their influence shapes the world in ways both subtle and devastating. Ginko is a mushishi, a rare individual who can perceive these creatures. He travels from village to village, drawn by rumors of strange occurrences. With a calm demeanor and a sardonic smile, he investigates the mysterious afflictions and wonders that follow in the wake of the mushi. Each encounter brings him face to face with people

The Ancient Magus' Bride

Chise Hatori has spent her fifteen years unwanted and unloved. Abandoned by her father and orphaned by her mother, she has been passed between relatives who never wanted her, until desperation drives her to a slave auction. There, she is presented as a rare Sleigh Beggy, a being with an unusual affinity for magical energies, and sold to the highest bidder. Her buyer is Elias Ainsworth, a mysterious magus with a beast's skull for a head and powers beyond her understanding. He takes her to the English countryside and declares that she will not be his slave, but his apprentice—and his bride. Thrust into a world of fairies, dragons, and ancient magic, Chise begins to learn the ways of a mage.

Shadows House

In a vast, dim mansion live the Shadows, a family of faceless nobles whose bodies are pitch black and constantly emit soot. To keep the residence clean and to serve as their public faces, each Shadow is paired with a living doll that resembles them. Emilico is one such doll, a cheerful and diligent girl assigned to serve the young Shadow lady Kate. As Emilico learns her duties, she and Kate begin to form a bond that goes beyond that of master and servant. But the mansion is full of locked doors and strict rules whose origin no one can explain. Administrators watch over the pairs from the upper floors, judging their every move for purposes that remain unclear. As the two grow closer, they s

Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid

Kobayashi is an office worker who lives a quiet, solitary life in her small apartment. Her routine changes when she meets Tohru, a dragon who can transform into a young woman and who insists on becoming her personal maid to repay a debt of gratitude. Tohru is devoted and eager to help, but her lack of understanding of human customs and her overwhelming powers turn everyday tasks into unpredictable situations. As they share a home, Kobayashi tries to keep her ordinary life on track while dealing with a dragon maid whose good intentions rarely go as planned.

The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated!

Jahy was the second-in-command of the Dark Realm, a figure feared and respected by all. Her life of power and authority comes to an abrupt end when a magical girl destroys the precious mana crystal, causing the Dark Realm to fall. Jahy survives but is transported to the human world, stripped of almost all her powers and trapped in a childlike body. Now she lives in a cramped, crumbling one-room apartment and must work to pay rent and cover her living expenses. Her goal is to gather more mystic gems to restore her original form and rebuild the Dark Realm, but she must first learn to navigate the everyday struggles of human life, from menial jobs to dealing with her landlord. Despite her red

Aria

On the planet Aqua, once known as Mars, Akari Mizunashi arrives in the city of Neo-Venezia, a faithful recreation of ancient Venice. She leaves behind her life on Manhome, formerly Earth, drawn by the rustic charm of a town where gondolas glide through winding canals and technology has not erased a simpler way of living. Her dream is to become an Undine, a professional gondolier who guides visitors through the city's waterways. To achieve this, Akari joins the Aria Company as a trainee. There she works alongside other aspiring Undines from rival companies, learning the skills of her trade while discovering the quiet beauty and hidden wonders of Neo-Venezia. Each day brings new encounters, f