Which TBATE Novel Volume Covers Season 3 Arcs? The Complete Breakdown

Fans of The Beginning After the End already know one thing: this series escalates fast. What starts as a reincarnation fantasy with a gifted child slowly transforms into a much darker and more emotional journey filled with politics, betrayal, power struggles, and painful growth.

For many readers, the webcomic is the perfect gateway into the world of Dicathen. The art is clean, the pacing is addictive, and Arthur Leywin instantly stands out compared to typical overpowered protagonists. But after finishing Season 3 of the comic, almost everyone ends up asking the same question:

Which TBATE novel volume should I read after Season 3?

The short answer is simple: Volume 3 — “Beckoning Fates” — is the core novel adaptation for Season 3 of the webcomic. But honestly, that answer alone does not fully explain why this particular volume feels like the moment TBATE becomes something special.

Why Season 3 Feels Different From Earlier TBATE Arcs

The early parts of TBATE are enjoyable, but Season 3 is where the series starts showing its real identity. Arthur is no longer just a talented kid traveling the world and surprising adults with his strength.

Now the story begins exploring:

• social hierarchy inside Xyrus Academy
• racial tension between humans, elves, and dwarves
• Arthur’s trauma from his previous life as King Grey
• the dangers hidden beneath Dicathen’s peaceful image
• political manipulation behind noble families

This is also the point where the tone matures significantly. The comedy is still there, but there is a constant feeling that something terrible is approaching.

As someone who reads a lot of fantasy anime and light novels, this was the arc that made TBATE stop feeling like “another reincarnation story” and start feeling closer to series like Mushoku Tensei or even early Attack on Titan in terms of tension buildup.

The Exact Novel Volume Covering Season 3

Here is the clean breakdown most readers are looking for:

Technically, Season 3 starts near the end of Volume 2, but the majority of the important material comes directly from Volume 3.

So if you just completed Episode 85 in the comic, the best continuation point is:

Start reading Volume 4: “Horizon’s Edge.”

However, most longtime fans strongly recommend reading Volume 3 from the beginning first — and honestly, I completely agree with that advice.

TBATE Season 1 & 2 Ending Explained: What Webtoon Chapter Does the Anime Leave Off?

Why Reading Volume 3 From the Start Is Worth It

The webcomic adaptation is very faithful, especially compared to many anime adaptations that completely rush important arcs. Still, there are things the novel simply does better.

1. Arthur’s Inner Thoughts Are Much More Intense

One thing the comic cannot fully capture is how mentally exhausted Arthur really is.

In the novel, you constantly see traces of King Grey’s loneliness and paranoia. Arthur acts calm most of the time, but internally he is terrified of losing people again. That psychological layer adds so much weight to his actions around Tessia, his parents, and even his classmates.

It makes him feel less like a generic OP protagonist and more like someone desperately trying to correct the mistakes of a previous life.

2. The Worldbuilding Gets Much Deeper

The academy arc introduces a huge amount of lore that the comic condenses for pacing reasons.

Volume 3 explains:

• mana core progression in greater detail
• elemental deviants like gravity and sound magic
• noble family influence across Dicathen
• how the continent’s political system actually works
• tensions between races and kingdoms

If you enjoy fantasy systems and power mechanics, the novel version is significantly more satisfying.

3. Side Characters Feel More Alive

A lot of smaller interactions were shortened in the webcomic adaptation. The novel gives more breathing room to friendships, academy rivalries, and comedic moments.

Characters like:

• Elijah
• Tessia
• Kathyln
• Curtis
• Claire Bladeheart

all feel more fleshed out in prose format.

The academy starts feeling like an actual place instead of just a backdrop between fights.

The Xyrus Academy Arc Is Still One of TBATE’s Best

Among fans, the Xyrus Academy storyline remains one of the most loved arcs in the entire series.

Why?

Because it balances almost everything well:

• action
• school competition
• character development
• romance tension
• political mystery
• emotional foreshadowing

There is also a major tonal shift near the end of the arc that changes the direction of TBATE permanently. Without spoiling anything, Volume 4 becomes dramatically darker after the foundations built in Volume 3.

Many readers who started with the comic say this is the exact point where they binge-read multiple novel volumes in a single week.

And honestly, that is understandable.

Where To Read TBATE Officially

If you want the best experience while supporting the creator TurtleMe, these are the main official platforms:

• Tapas — official webcomic chapters
• Amazon Kindle — complete light novel volumes
• Audible — audiobook adaptation narrated by Travis Baldree

The audiobook version especially gets a lot of praise from the community because the emotional scenes hit surprisingly hard with narration.

Final Thoughts

If Season 3 of the TBATE webcomic made you curious about the deeper story, then Volume 3 of the novel is absolutely the right place to dive in.

But more importantly, this is the volume where TBATE evolves from a fun fantasy adventure into a genuinely emotional progression fantasy with real stakes. The academy setting may look familiar at first, but the atmosphere underneath becomes increasingly tense and unpredictable.

And once you move into Volume 4, the series stops holding back entirely.

For many fans, this is the point where reading TBATE turns from casual entertainment into full addiction.