(Originally posted on BookWyrm, Dreamwidth, and Mastodon)

(2023/03/25-2023/03/29)

I've read the manga adaptation so I already knew the plot, but even so, it's been a while since I last read the manga so my memory needs a refresher and the light novel has so much more content.

At first glance, it's like a "Harry Potter" magic school knock-off with the addition of swords, but the it's soon revealed that the magical world of this story, and by extension the magic academy, isn't full of rainbows or sunshine. Far from it, it's full of madness and death always looms nearby. There's even a political turmoil about civil rights for demi-humans/magical beasts. The world is solid and well-built. There is a sinister, dark tone all over the book, and I dig it.

Even with all the exposition about the world and magic, I don't feel like it's too much or feels like a drag, I find them all very fascinating (as you might be able to tell by how long I wrote about the excellent world-building), save for Nanao's extended backstory. Although I like the slow pace of the first half as I get to learn about the world, the latter half being fast-paced and action-packed is also very exciting and fun.

Of course, no story is complete without characters to move the plot and explore the world. The 6 main characters feel tropey but done well, especially Oliver (a nice guy and jack of all trades, but hiding something dark - as the point of view character, he has enough inconsistencies for the reveal to work and not feel out of the blue) and Nanao. With 6 main characters, there isn't enough time to fully flesh out all of them, but we can already see their main personalities and quirks. They're a lovable bunch already, I love their fun interactions.

RAMBLINGS, SPOILER ALERT.

Screaming over my ship:

• It feels like Oliver and Nanao are created for me LMAO. They're exactly the kind of ship I really love right now. Friends, yet also enemies at the same time. A complicated relationship.
• Unhinged comment: It was very romantic of Oliver to realize, upon seeing Nanao's tears, that there's a void only he could fill. That they reach a mutual understanding and conclusion to fight to the death on their very first duel. Beautiful.
• That dynamic - specifically "oh my god, they're in a screwed-up relationship because one wants to fight to the death with the other (in a twisted love/happiness)" is resolved halfway, but the ending opens it up again. When Oliver mused that they might fight for real someday and that he's going to test the ideology she mentioned, "enjoy the sword of mutual love, not vengeance", I screamed. So they might fight for real someday, after all...!!
• Actually, isn't this pretty similar to the author's past work, "Alderamin in the Sky"...? Except it's only shown much later that the two main characters might have to fight each other.
• But even without all that mess, they're cute together. Oliver is the type to naturally take care of people and Nanao, being new to everything, needs someone to take care of her and teach her the ways there. They're just so good together. Later on, after confirming her feelings to be love, Nanao is so straightforward in her interest in Oliver, it's cute and refreshing.

About some differences with the manga adaptation:

• Some changes and cuts are understandable, as the two are different forms of media, with their own strengths and weaknesses.
• I appreciate the manga putting more foreshadowing to Oliver's true intention. Unlike the light novel, where the reveal happened right at the end of the book to pique your curiosity (so that you buy the next volume), the manga doesn't have that, so it has to put more foreshadowing to attract readers to the mystery. Even without more foreshadowing, the light novel still achieves it well.
• I like the changes the manga did to maximize its visual medium - such as Chela explaining a duel in real-time in the manga, as opposed to the light novel. There are other small bits like that.
• However, there are also things I wish the manga includes, like some parts about magical comedy. Perhaps it'd be hard to adapt that into visual form, but I feel like it's a good part of the world building and character bits, so it's too bad to be left out.
• Some things that are cut can also result in confusion to the readers due to the lack of information. It still can be followed, but it felt like something was missing. In the end, the light novel is more full and in-depth with its information and narrative.
  • I feel like Oliver's words to comfort Katie suffered the worst of this. The manga's lines don't really make sense to me, but it's much better in the light novel.
  • Likewise, Nanao being admonished for her twisted desire too. It's okay in the manga but much better in the light novel.
• Where's the scene of Nanao kissing Oliver and asking him to kiss her (in the cheek) we deserve?? Anime, please include this!!
• The manga upped Katie's romantic attraction towards Oliver to 11 and I don't really know how to feel about that. At least it's consistent in the changes to that part.