The Beginning After the End Volumes 8 and 9 Review
Noemi10 •
Since Arthur was born, he’s had to go through events that children his age shouldn’t have to. However, thanks to the memories of his past life, he’s able to grasp the power he desperately needs to protect the people he cares about. He’s now ready to join Xyrus Academy, the best magic school in the continent… although he’s keeping a few cards close to his chest as he doesn’t want to draw attention. But can he really keep to the shadows?
Arthur is now 12 years old and after experiencing a few years as a mercenary, he’s ready to take his first steps into the magic academy, together with his mercenary friend, Elijah. After their joint mission as mercenaries, Arthur and Elijah bonded as friends, and the fact that they’re of similar age is an added bonus. However, there is something more important that Arthur needs to do before starting school… find a present for his sister’s birthday!
It’s not easy as Arthur wants to find the best present for Ellie—he’s such a doting older brother! However, on his search he bumps into future classmates and teachers… and of course those accidental encounters can’t progress without any hiccups. Arthur’s plan to not gain attention is not starting successfully.
When it’s finally time for the academic year to start, Arthur reconnects with an old friend; Tess, the elven princess! In fact, the discovery of a new continent has brought the three races—humans, elves and dwarves— into an alliance and for the first time students from different races will study together. However, hints of war start appearing with the discovery of this new continent. Thanks to his skills, Arthur co-operates with the lead engineer tasked with creating tools in preparation of exploration (and possibly war) while also juggling his new role as a member of Xyrus Academy disciplinary committee in charge of making sure the academy’s rules are enforced. It seems like Arthur is not fated to have a peaceful school time, especially as Lukas—the mercenary who betrayed their team—is also attending.
In these volumes, I felt that the story picked up the pace quite a lot. The narration in the early volumes was slow as the author was setting up the bases of this new fantasy world and of the characters, but now the story progresses with not as much explanation and with way more fights. In these nine volumes, readers have seen Arthur grow, from a newborn to a pre-teen, but with skills far exceeding children his age. He has a hero’s personality as he cannot look away and needs to act against wrongful behaviours, whether it is discrimination against another race or bullying. However, he’s not above using his own powers and connections to put the perpetrators in their place—a chance of redemption is not something he’s willing to give to those people.
Tess finally returns in Arthur’s life as she joined Xyrus Academy a year earlier than him. She has grown into a teenager, however due to her royal status, she has to be more mindful of her manners compared to when she and Arthur were children. She also starts to notice that there are quite a few girls buzzing around Arthur, when she used to be the only girl in his life. It’s too early to say she has romantic feelings for him, but Arthur will need to deal with a girl’s crush much sooner than he thought.
The major turning point in these volumes is the discovery of the new continent, which might brew a war soon. Although no direct attacks have happened yet, it’s hinted that something major will happen—not only due to the alliance of the three races and the creation of a battleship, but also with the introduction of the Six Lances, the two strongest individuals of each nation (two humans, two elves, two dwarves), and my reader’s senses tell me they will be important in Arthur’s future.
The Beginning After the End is written by TurtleMe and started as a web novel before being adapted into a manhwa with art by Fuyuki, and into an anime with two seasons already available on Crunchyroll. The web comic is available chapter by chapter on Tapas, while the print edition is published by Yen Press. Volume 10 is already out.
Our review copies were supplied by Yen Press.
