Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Harem, Slice of Life, School Life

Sub-Tags: Heartwarming, Spirits, Strong Lead

Callus and the Academy of Secrets!

Academy Life Fit for a Prince

Managing to temporarily suppress the effects of his curse, the latest volume in the series sees Callus’ quest for a cure take him to the Kingdom’s best academy. A place for nobles and commoners alike, Callus believes it to be the best place to begin searching for new light magic methods.

Now that Callus is living his life in public for the first time, more than just his family has the opportunity to be drawn in by the young prince’s infectious positivity. He quickly settles into his new surroundings and finds himself forming friends all over the place, both old and new.

On the reunion side of things, the second volume has the return of both Cryssie and Sissy. Time has done little to abate their feelings for Callus, and whilst Cryssie is willing to go toe to toe with Shizuku for Callus’ affections, Sissy is taking a more cautious approach as she’s at the academy in an official capacity.

The Mysteries of the Clock Tower

As for the new friends Callus makes in his first weeks at the academy, the most notable is Saria. Known as the hermit of the clock tower, it isn’t long before Callus’ insatiable curiosity leads to him sniffing her out.

Considering she dislikes people, she quickly takes a liking toward Callus, making him an assistant to her research.

Callus discovering Saria working within the walls of the clock tower is an overwhelmingly positive development for both characters. Given Callus’ ability to draw people together, Saria’s life is changed dramatically, hoodwinked into many an adventure with Callus alongside his friends.

Becoming friends with Saria leads Callus closer to discovering the truth behind his curse. As it turns out, the clock tower hermit isn’t the only mystery hidden between the bells and gears. The clock tower is also home to a strange dungeon, one that only Callus can enter. Hidden deep within is a part of history that perhaps is best left forgotten. A secret that involves a strange moon magician known as Luna. Born before the modern era, she has powers long lost to time. One of which is the power to cure curses, and she’s willing to share as long as Callus helps her escape. Whilst Callus agrees to the arrangement, there’s definitely more to her story than meets the eye.

Faction Fights

The clock tower isn’t the only place that reveals new information about Callus’ curse. Not everything is fine and dandy at the academy. Those lucky enough to pass the entrance exam are soon faced with the problem of factions.

An academy tradition, factions serve as an unofficial way to gain influence for later in life, although they’ve now turned into events where those in charge of faction tend to abuse their power. Callus wants none of this and decides to try and create his own faction.

Callus’ curse reveal is shown during a fight to add a powerful ally to his side. In a twist of fate, the curse of darkness may not be as malicious as it seems, saving its host from certain doom.

To conclude, Six Months to Live’s second volume continues the series’ overall positive outlook. Callus’ constant optimism in the face of adversity is one of the series’ greatest strengths, as it makes for such a change compared to similar series within the genre. This optimism also gives a more natural method for the author to have people surround the protagonist beyond being the nation’s prince.

Furthermore, the second volume reveals more regarding the series’ overarching mystery. Revealing the curse’s link to the country’s history and its lack of animosity holds interesting avenues for the series to explore in upcoming volumes.