Secrets of the Silent Witch

Episode 10

From the start of the show, it's been a bit of a mystery as to why Monica is as socially inept as she is. Of course, there is the trauma of her father's death and the subsequent way her uncle treated her, but it's always felt a bit unlikely that she would never open up to anyone—not her teachers, fellow students, or the other members of the Seven Sages—until meeting Lana during her second school life. And with this episode, we get the big reveal: she had, in fact, opened up to someone: Bernie Jones, a talented young mage at the magic academy Monica attended. To say things ended on a sour note would be an understatement.

Bernie is a kid with a superiority complex. Not only is he talented, but he's been told all his life that he is special. He has taken this to heart in all the good ways and the bad. Because he is better than everyone else, he feels the need to prove it. Yet, he doesn't do things like bully others; that wouldn't garner him any praise or reinforce his beliefs. Rather, he chooses to “benevolently” help someone below him—someone he can raise and use to show his excellence. After all, this would show that not only is he the top of his class, but he also has the time and ability to raise someone else as well.

Young Monica was the perfect target. An orphan commoner is about as low as one can be on the social ladder—especially once you add to that her absolute lack of charisma. She quickly came to rely on him, with him “graciously” helping her cover for her faults. Everything was fine as long as the hierarchy between them was clear and unchanging. Even if Monica had some strong suits, as long as she didn't surpass him socially or academically overall, their uneven friendship would continue.

Of course, once that changed, however, Bernie did not react well. By becoming the newest Sage, she was suddenly far beyond him in social standing. She was now second only to royalty in fame and power. His being a top student, renowned noble, and talented magic user was nothing in comparison. And so, he lashed out at Monica. He knew exactly how to hurt her and did so, stunting her social growth and causing her to go into seclusion in the mountains.

Now, none of this is to say that Bernie was conscious about what he was doing—he's a kid and has nowhere near the amount of self-introspection to understand why he felt and acted as he did. All he knew was that his worldview had been overturned. He had been betrayed by his lackey, whom he had helped so much. Now, she was in front of him, flaunting her newfound superiority—hurting him. So he attacked back.

Now, a few years removed from those events, the question is what kind of person Bernie has become. Has he reflected on his past actions and, in his shame, set aside pride and ego for self-introspection and maturity? Or has he doubled down, refusing to see friendship as a thing between equals?

Even their reunion can be seen in two ways. Monica views it in the worst possible way, that if he recognizes her, he'll bully her emotionally again. So she's relieved when he doesn't seem to make the connection.

However, there is also the possibility that, while he does recognize her, he doesn't want to blow her cover. After all, she was clearly introduced to him under a fake name, implying she is on a special mission. His bringing up their former friendship may have been his way of telling her that her secret was safe rather than the veiled threat Monica fears it to be. After all, even if he still views her negatively, interfering with one of the Seven Sages is far from the best way to become one in the future.

Either way, this is yet another challenge for Monica to overcome. And unlike before, she now has a cadre of true friends and noble acquaintances in her corner to back her up; she's more than up to the task (whether she knows it herself or not).

Rating:

Random Thoughts:

• So who else thinks that Monica is going to pass out from the corset?

• A change in hairstyle, makeup, and posture—not to mention a pair of glasses—can absolutely make you look like a different person.

• All this talk of chess and music feels like it was written by someone who has only a cursory knowledge of both.

• So what, did they basically give Monica the staff and the robes of office and just send her back to school? That seems crazy. I'm surprised she wasn't mobbed instantly.

Secrets of the Silent Witch is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

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