Spy Classroom certainly has been garnering positive attention to many fans of the light novel, as well as those enjoying its current adaptation in various ways. With the last episode having touched a bit on an opponent Team Lamplight face, and the Impossible Mission's progress near the end. While many fans of the anime might have felt satisfied if also confused by how the Impossible Mission was resolved in three episodes, the following episode seems to focus on a certain character introduced previously but didn't have too much time to develop considering their screen time. However, this works to its advantage as it gives brief account of the events prior to the Impossible mission. Which brings up the question of what exactly happens in episode 4 of Spy Classroom?
Needless to say, many have seen the Impossible Mission's start, as well as witnessed a bit more about Klaus's backstory and his connection to his former master. While the previous episode focused on a seemingly one-sided battle of skill and technique, the true focus was on a battle of wits and deceit, which Team Lamplight and Klaus succeeded in spades. Despite that fact, there was the previous introduction to a secret 8th member of Team Lamplight that the audience wasn't aware of at first, because the narrative managed to hide this character particularly well. Despite all that, the fourth episode manages to show the progress of the training Team Lamplight goes through, along with Erna's own backstory and development with her as the focus of the episode.
Erna, The Fool And Her Doubts
Immediately, the episode truly starts with a scene of Klaus visiting the grave of his former team member of Inferno. Whether this takes place after or before the Impossible Mission isn't immediately clear, however the scene following the opening seems to suggest that we will be following events and scenes before the Impossible Mission covered in episode 3, "MISSION: Flower Garden III". After a brief conversation between Lily and her team about how best to catch Klaus off guard and force him to surrender, Erna seems to be the odd one out not by exclusion, but rather by her own admission. Erna reminds the team that to be an efficient Spy they need to be more doubtful and calculating when planning, as she decides to take a walk out of the manor and into town, her own inner thoughts turning to doubt.
Erna has her doubts and conflicting insecurities, having arrived later than her other teammates, and feeling disconnected from them. While she acknowledges this would be helpful as a Spy, she couldn't help but feel wanting to connect with them even more. However, Erna's thoughts are interrupted by a particularly common case of criminals attempting to either rob or harm her, to which Erna manages to deceive them and leading them into a spot where she can take advantage of her secret ability. Erna has an innate ability to sense misfortune or foresee accidents, and despite having led herself to a dead end, it was the perfect opportunity for an accident to attack and harm the criminals before Erna could ever get injured. While this brief scene shows her abilities, it also shows that she has an innate sense of self-loathing due to her natural misfortune and perception of herself. Which is where Klaus comes in, especially in the next scene.
Understanding The Fool
The following morning, Erna goes into town to gather supplies, running into Klaus along the way. Soon the two join together in this supply run, revealing that Erna is working with her teammates, using the misfortune she has to succeed and catch Klaus off guard. However, despite these attempts, Klaus's abnormal skills allow him to counter these accidents of misfortune and turning them into pleasant scenes of comedy. However, we get a brief flashback to Erna's origin and her backstory on some level.
Having been the only living survivor of a house fire, the doctor in this scene has stated that she gained the ability to sense misfortune because she subconsciously seeks it out. Erna's survivor's guilt drives most of her actions and her own words to herself, often calling herself a 'horrible' person due to her self-perception.
However, Klaus assuages her fears and doubts, by acknowledging the good that her ability has managed to do, preventing future disasters since Klaus was there to counter them. Even as she says detrimental things about herself, Klaus seems unfazed and more willing to comfort her.
Of course, this moment of character development doesn't last long. Eventually, Klaus and Erna both get caught in a meeting with one of the criminals that Erna had formerly injured with the misfortune from before. This meeting starts to go south rather quickly, and it seems like such an oddly tense situation. However, Klaus confidently figures out that even the 'hostage' that had been caught by the criminals was planted there on purpose, and the information and rumors they had heard were also planted by characters we are familiar with. In fact, it is revealed to have been an elaborate scheme by Team Lamplight to catch Klaus off guard even further, with Erna in on the plan since the very beginning.
Conclusion
Despite the plan having been mostly a success, Klaus once again proves that Team Lamplight still has a long way to go before being qualified to be his 'enemies'. However, Erna returns with a teammate with whom she shares history. Regardless, the friendly words and experiences has led Erna to grow a sense of self-achievement having come full circle and allowing Erna the courage she needed to be able to become friends with her teammates. This ends the episode on a rather lighthearted note, along with a newfound understanding of the unlucky Erna.
Spy Classroom does not fail to provide character development with even the minor characters, which is a pleasant change of pace all things considered. In all honesty, the episode has interesting pacing along with clever spy planning. Even now, Spy Classroom seems to be earning a lot of attention and praise from fans. One could see why, considering its episode pacing and such.