DB Scans
joined Jun 26, 2017
the double page 12-13 is misplaced at the back because it doesn't follow the 00page scheme.
Thank you for pointing that out, I fixed it.
but also it's really funny that the youkai everyone always uses to show off how dangerous and scary youkai really are is Rumia. This little clown who bonks into trees because she can't even see where she's going half the time.
Azuma Aya using Rumia in this case is actually pretty smart. Her canon personality is great for showcasing the importance of Spell Card rules, the problem is that people misunderstand her. In BAiJR Aya interviews her, its where she says she bumps into trees (which she has no problem with), can't see where she is going and that she has trouble catching humans. In the same article Aya complains about how it is too dark to see and Rumia tells her she already let in enough light to read the newspaper, basically her night vision is so good she can read in an environment a Tengu considers pitch black. She can make it so she can see and others can't but usually just goes for maximum darkness. Aya also suggests she blend into the shadows at night and lay in wait for humans, to which she responds is too much trouble. Later in PMitSS Akyuu recounts a man being chased and swallowed by her darkness cloud but since she "couldn't see him" he escaped. Basically Rumia could be very effective at hunting humans but chooses not to be and people mistake that choice for stupidity.
What's the point of this lore dump. Well as Rumia herself says "it's a Youkai's job to attack humans" and as pointed out in Spell, Youkai are getting weaker since there are not enough humans to kill so they are without purpose. Rumia is in this listless state in chapter one but once Reimu picks a fight with her she goes berserk and tries to kill her. She has no healthy outlet to release her power or fulfill her purpose, spell cards gives her that outlet. Later in chapter 6 she meets Marisa and is in a much better headspace due to spell cards and when she gets challenged she expresses concern for Marisa's safety because of the wounds she inflicted on Reimu. Her personality is both wanting to attack humans but not really having a strong desire to kill them, therefor she is a great representation of who the spell card system is really for, it keeps Youkai like her from being a danger to themselves and others by fulfilling their built-in purpose without bloodshed.