No, the main text is about as long as the previous books (or maybe longer, even). Volume 2 is ~380 pages according to my local library, while volume 3 is ~460 pages.
I remember from the あとがき that the author said they had a ton of stuff they wanted to show before the next arc. (I don’t think it’s that important though, but I did enjoy the stories at the end of arc 1)
I finished the main series, I am currently waiting for the next volume of the spin off series (takes place about half a year after the end of the main series and follows different characters). So, I guess?
Like that, in the abstract, it’s a bit hard. Without spoilers, it’s the best LN series I have read. The world building is great, and the way me progressively expand our knowledge of the world felt really satisfying. Also, the dynamics of the world (economics, politics, etc) makes sense to me. There’s no weird game element, hand waving, or plot holes there.
I also like the writing style a lot.
One of the things that impacted me the most in this series was the epilogue of volume 1, so I’d recommend going in blind and at least finish it. The series starts a bit slow, but it’s worth it.
Welp, we were wrong 
I find it really weird that these kids are going into their baptism (that’s what it translates to right?) and just have no idea what they are doing. Like this is the first time they’re getting their creation myths ever? I know it makes for a better narrative but it definitely took me out of the story.
I had to look up what a グリコののポーズ was since I totally didn’t realize that they meant the chocolate brand (I just assumed it was some weird onomonopea I didn’t get ). I would probably also have struggled to not laugh if someone unexpectedly did that in a church service, if I’m being honest 
Woah kid, slow your roll a bit. There’s liking books and there’s liking books. What does she expect there to be in this library? I’m gonna take it that 麗乃 never read the bible or any other holy text bc I can’t imagine pledging my life to anything for the “privilege” of reading that
Oh and here’s her collapse
Oooh, I’m excited!
shitsurei and Naphthalene have made great points; I’m with shitsurei where these beginning volumes haven’t really spoken to me, but I a) already own a lot of the audiobooks and ebooks through sales and b) hear about all the positive reviews from people I trust (like Naphthalene) and want to give it a good solid chance. I will say that, personally, each successive volume has been more interesting, even if they’re still not quite reaching the bar I’m hoping for.
If nothing else they’re fun to read as a group, as these early volumes in particular do tend to inspire strong opinions one way or another. They’re a great way to practice with L30 material, too.
Edit: Oh! And I forgot the most important reason! There’s a hot blue-haired guy on the cover of later books and I need to know who he is. 
But the thing is poor people are really not religious at all. Have you seen anyone around Main pray or even just mention the gods?
Actually, I just checked the book (because I was afraid I was about to spoil something), but the scene I was thinking about happened before, so I’m good: after winter, when Main and Lutz (had to look up the English spelling ) meet with Marc and he gives them a religious salutation, neither of them knew about it.
So, in any case, it is consistent with the world we have seen so far.
But it’s not really the first time? I just checked the text and Lutz is bored by it (potentially because he knows it already) and we are reminded that Benno did talk a bit about it too.
The whole point of the second bonus story of volume 1 was to prepare us for that. She would put anything on the line (including her own life) to be able to read things.
That is indeed one of the best reasons.
I totally agree that that’s what we’ve seen in the book so far. But if you care that little about it, why are you sending your kids to do it? (I suppose it could be a required thing and the blood that they have to use in the ceremony could be for reasons down the line). But I feel like if no one cared (and I agree no one seems to care, at least in their class), that you wouldn’t send your kids. And even if you didn’t care/didn’t believe, you’d at least say “this is what’s going to happen when you go in” to 6 year olds.
That’s true. But then it seems like Lutz’s family told him but Myne’s didn’t tell her? It just feels weird… it’s not like the kids go to school and she missed out on that. And they’re still young. This isn’t the type of thing you stop telling kids until they’re quite a bit older. I wasn’t raised anything close to religious but I got way more than this by her age… if she popped into their world a month ago, sure, but she’s been in this body for something like two years now? I just find it to be difficult to suspend this disbelief.
It’s totally in her character, but at the same time, she has yet to read any books in this world. What if they are all terrible
I guess to that point, one thing that’s been bothering me is that she wants to write a book so that she can read it? Which is… weird to me. Like, does she just enjoy the physical sensation of reading and doesn’t care what the words say?
It’s explained in the chapter. That’s how you are registered as a resident of the city, the thing Otto mentioned all traveling merchants want. By sending your kids in, you get it for free no question asked.
As far as I know, people do know what to expect. Now that you mention it, it is a bit strange that she never got any mention of it. I can’t really remember, though.
I couldn’t find anything on Google and I don’t have time to re-read volumes 1-3, so I asked chatGPT about it (although it gave me wrong answers in the past, so who knows). It told me:
マインの家族は庶民であり、教育レベルも高くありません。洗礼式は身近な行事であるがゆえに、**「説明するまでもない常識」**と考えてしまっていた可能性があります。
which kinda tracks with her lack of interest for most things not related to books and the general attitude of her family.
I guess it’s a bit of a spoiler, but (no details)yes. She will look at written characters for the fun of it, even if she doesn’t understand what they say. She likes it better when she does understand, but it isn’t a strong requirement. Same thing with all books being terrible: not an issue for her.
Ahhhhh. Ok I got they were registering but I thought with the church or something, I didn’t realize that that was basically their citizenship registry. That makes sense now. (I maybe shouldn’t have been texting while I was reading this afternoon )
All that I remember them talking about it is what she and Tuli (we’ll go with that) would be wearing. And making hair decorations for Frieda. Never what it’s about, just what you’re gonna wear.
This is also a fair point.
Honestly, this makes her desire make more sense. As it is, it feels kinda silly, but knowing this it’s like, ok, sure, that’s fine.
And omg I want that. Just think of how much more extensive reading I’d get done.
I can definitely see her mother having that talk with Tuli at the time while Main was present, but inside Main’s brain there’s nothing but a tiny monkey playing cymbals, but when they crash they make “本、読みたい” as noise.
And that is why she read more books than all of us combined.
@shitsurei you were right; things are finally picking up and they’re exciting. 反対と説得 in particular was excellent.
So, several thoughts on this chapter. First, I’m very proud of マイン for deciding to reject the 巫女習い position once she learned it would mean giving up her family (regardless of that apparently not being the case, per a later conversation in the chapter), especially since she said (iirc) she would’ve made that trade as うらの (however you write her name). Not gonna lie, if she had pursued that option even knowing what she’d have had to give up, I would’ve dropped the series then and there. It was a good character growth moment I didn’t think she’d be able to achieve, honestly.
Secondly,
I did not expect my wish to be fulfilled so quickly. 
Ask and ye shall receive, amirite? I was glad we got an illustration, since I wanted to be double sure it was him before getting excited. On that note, anyone know the difference in position between a 神殿長 and a 神官長?
And third, I’m curious what kind of tongue-lashing ベンノ’s about to drop on her, given the title of the next chapter. 
Something related to “do you know what you’re getting into, joining the church?”, I’ll bet. I’m not too surprised the 身食い is important to these church officials, since magic seems to be pretty precious and a commoner being able to use it is likely unusual, putting it mildly, and I’m glad we’re using that idea to move forward. I appreciate マイン’s entrepreneurial activities, but, you know. Magic.
This is extremely aptly put. 
omg this cracked me up so hard! I was like, are you effing kidding me with this. Well I guess based on future book covers (and, tbf, this chapter itself) we know where the next arc is heading 
Guessing from the kanji 神殿長 would be involved in running the actual temple operations and 神官長 would be like a personnel leader, but entirely a guess, lol.
omg this! I need many more books of this! Are the rest of the books like this? lol
Honestly it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting
I like how Benno’s shrewdness always seems to manifest in such a way that it helps Myne. Add in what Mark was saying at the end of the chapter about how Benno actually cared about the two of them, despite what he’d want to say out loud, it’s almost like he likes these kids.
I’m at my second chapter for the day and honestly would probably keep going if I didn’t have a Japanese conversation lesson in half an hour. Blah
I don’t know if it really counts as spoiler (it will be explained later anyway, maybe next book?), but yes. The 神殿長 is the religious head as well as the face of the organization, while the 神官長 is the head of staff (and thus the number 2 in the organization). There’s obviously some overlap between them (the 神殿長 can micromanage if they feel like it; the 神官長 can interact with outside people), but the former is more high level management and the latter more mid-level management.
Awwww ルッツ, my fluffy little donut boy 
I feel like he’s in the cover of future books, so I’m not too worried about him. Plus all of the things that ベンノ set up for them. But still. He’s my nephew’s age and while I think that realistically マイン and ルッツ act more like 12 year olds, I know how my much this would hurt an actual 6 year old.
omg! Just as I wanted to yell at 神殿長, マイン did!?! And everyone listened to her!?!
It’s supposed to be my last chapter for the day… but there’s only two more chapters in the actual book left so maybe I’ll just keep going…
Also, 父さん was pretty かっこいい here too! I usually find her parents to be kinda annoying (which makes sense because they’re filtered through her eyes) but going head to head with 神殿長 and not backing down!
I had to take a break today; been sick and too tired. 
Take care of yourself!
Oh no! Get well soon!
I was considering racing to the end (of the main story, not the whole book) today but I’ll wait now. It’s not like I don’t have a ton of book club books to read anyways
@shitsurei I’m back and feeling much better, so I should be able to jump back on the マイン wagon tomorrow or so. And now I’m behind on book clubs again…
Glad you’re feeling better again! I spent my weekend catching up on my book clubs so I’m still where I was before. I decided I didn’t want to get that far ahead of you, esp bc I will probably need help getting through all the short stories at the end
I’ll probably finish the book proper either today or tomorrow, depending on if this or catching up on my Japanese tv wins.
This is mostly my thoughts so there’s not a lot of spoilery stuff in here, but still:
I forgot that the first and last chapters seem to be from not マイン… if I had remembered that I probably would have read the last two マインchapters together.
I think this is finally the first 本好き that I will rate 4*. I’m not excited about the hundred pages of side stories that’s still to come, but my ratings are so far for the main narrative anyway.
Regarding the epilogue, it did do a good job at setting expectations high for the next book, I will say that.
I’m also starting to see where the L32 level is going to come from. I might need to start putting some of these books into jpdb soon if they keep on ramping up the difficulty
