(Originally posted on BookWyrm and Dreamwidth)

(2023/04/07?-2023/04/09)

This volume is pretty packed with plenty of things. Then again, so does volume 1, but I feel this volume is even more jam-packed somehow, even though it doesn't actually progress a lot in the main plot. This volume finally further explored the once-sidelined characters in the main group, especially Pete and Chela, and the strengthening of their bonds as they have an adventure together. They're all very endearing. I especially love Katie's and Guy's rivalry in cooking, out of all things. It also introduced fun and quirky new characters. Some of them have depths already, and although they can be cliché, I enjoyed their moments. My personal favorite is Rossi and I hope to see more of him. You can't just make someone so handsome only to throw him away later! Chela's father also finally appeared and he's hilarious as hell.

On the other side, there is a bit more exposition about the the magical society. Very focused on the pursuit of magic, being a reversi - a genderfluid mage - is seen as a great thing, and having romantic relationships with people regardless of their gender is also allowed, so that's pretty progressive of them. I'm a bit surprised by how straightforward and matter-of-factly the story mentions sexual organs as a part of mages, but it's a welcome sight. On the other hand, noble mage families can be pretty harsh or even scary. Although volume 1 touched upon the madness of mages, this volume hammered down the point once again. Mages can be as insane as they are because they're hard to kill, for better or worse.

In the end, things really get dire and intense. I can't wait to read the next volume!

My only complaint for the book is how it keeps repeating nicknames/descriptions of characters. This is something writers (such as fanfic writers) also struggled with, so I understand the plight, but it gets bothersome at some point. Please use synonyms or call them by name.

RAMBLINGS, SPOILER ALERT.

• It's interesting how the brooms are actual living beings. They also poop. The way to ride them is also interesting, they have saddles and such like a real horse, unlike how it's usually portrayed in media. I agree just riding a broom that way hurts your crotch.
• I did heard about a main character whose body changes sex in this light novel before, turns out it's Pete after all. I can't say I welcome the budding tension between him (he still identifies as male so far, Carlos meanwhile has they/them pronouns) and Oliver, but, it's a welcome progressive sight. I couldn't help but chuckle when one character said "...woke up one morning to find their dick gone" and one replied, "I thought it had shriveled up and tucked itself inside me-" LMAO.
• So there is a group fighting against Kimberly's instructors after all. Feels cult-ish. I wonder if Oliver is a part of it, or if they just happen to share a similar end goal (killing all related instructors)...? Even if the reason is different, perhaps they can work together toward the same goal.
• ...Is there something going on between Chela's father and Esmeralda? 👀
• I love Rossi already. Other than being handsome, he is also a pretty fun character. Cute, even. I hope he shows up again later. For his grand entrance, his story sure ends in an anti-climatic way, though. Lol.
• Oliver is further shown to be truly a jack of all trades, only capable of masterfully copying things. And that's why his jokes fell flat in volume 1.
• I love Miligan's gap lol, she has a few screws loose but is otherwise a responsible senior. I also love her sense of humor (?) as she calls her own severed hand "Milihand" lol.
• The reveal that Chela is half-elf is surprising. So dark skin is uncommon there, after all.
• Stacy starts off as the usual childish and annoying villainess full of envy, but her story turns sympathetic in the end. Hers and Fay's story is cliché but damn, I still dig it very much. They're so cute together. Please don't die, Fay. I can't imagine the rollercoaster of emotions Stacy must've felt in the span of a few minutes...
• I actually feel bad for Albright in the short time he appeared. I hope he survives. 😢 He's just about to get character development, you can't just kill him off yet!! To be fair, they did say "students were abducted", not killed. So there's hope they're still alive.
• I can't wait to see more of Alvin Godfrey in the next volume. He reminds me of Arashiyama Jun (World Trigger) in a good way. Such a nice guy.