I do believe that the ML will undergo some form of character development, but so far his character has just been overbearing [S]president[/S] military man. And when faced with the 17 yr old MC who is trying to learn their language it just ends up feeling exploitative and manipulative.

He forcefully overrides every decision the MC tries to make, often reminds him he has a disability and should give up on his dreams. I see, my couldn't stand it when he physically forced the MC into a haircutting robot despite his... more>> fear and aversion to it. The MC said he could braid it instead and the ML ridiculed that men don't wear braids. The haircut was horrible, the MC was forced to wear a hat.

He's also forcefully adopted and manipulated by the ML. He obviously is very naive and doesn't understand the choices he's being pushed into.

Finally at the end of ch29 an authoritative figure to the ML calls him out on his bullshit. But by now it's too late for me, I don't want to stick around in this very uneven power dynamic. I think if it wasn't played so straight and the MC wasn't so dependent, I wouldn't mind it so much. It's rare for me to find such issue with a novel. I really enjoyed My Husband is Suffering from a Terminal Illness so I'm let down I didn't like, e this as much. <<less

Such a well-written novel. MC, a half elf-dwarf in the magical setting world, got s**ked by black hole and appeared in a futuristic setting universe. Magic and mystery kind of setting plus sci-fi and futuristic, this got you wondered how these would go together but somehow they got together quite well. Even though magic+mech setting was well-played but overall vibe still follow the typical futuristic mech-mental power-universe kind of setting, which wasn't bad at all.

The story was full of fluff. MC was cute. He seemed to be s*upid but he... more>> also smart. Very loveable MC. And certainly, with magic+elven and dwarf skills, he quite OP but that didn't annoy me.

ML was your typical Mashal. OP, cool, hash with everyone else except MC, and a devoted lover. His feeling for MC develope quite early. His character was likable and well-written, didn't feel bland or one-dimension.

All side characters were diverse and unique, this showed how thoughtful the author was. I couldn't think of the combination of side cp until they were quite obvious, and that surprised me.

Spoiler

I LOVE MC PARENTS SO MUCH.

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This novel is a warm heart, full of fluff, well-written story. But if you got homework, exam or workload waiting for you, please keep this novel for later, it had an ability to draw you in till you forgot to sleep. Believe me, I learn it hard way with my panda eyes and work pilling up. <<less

Honestly, out of all the novels of the same genre I read, this one was not the best. For most, it might be but unfortunately, it wasn't for me.

The ML was simply too controlling and he didn't get the character development I wished he would. He degraded MC quite a bit too while some might think is comedic but, it's not. Degrading is never comedic. I can tolerate ML calling MC, wife because f#ck gender norms but not that.

MC, for me, was too naive and while I liked his character... more>> better than ML, it still wasn't for me.

What kept me going was the side characters which were really well written.

This is just my personal opinion, we have our preferences. <<less

What a way to end my 2019 and start my 2020!

If I could then I would've read it straight with no sleep *laughs* this novel is really well written. The characters are 3D and they really show emotions. You understand how and why they are doing this.

You won't forget the names being mentioned because they also have their own motives and goals, their character gets deeper with time. They clearly have their own reasons why they are like that.

And there's also the fact that the 'enemies' in this novel will... more>> lay down their grudges to form an alliance for the betterment of the general public. There's also people who know their limits. They know when to 'bow' in order to preserve their family.

It's not like the other 'enemies' in novels where the characters are brainless and all of their thoughts are: "Kill him, kill him, kill him."

These characters know how to weigh the pros and cons (which is amazing *in my own opinion*)

The character growth in this novel is really amazing.

I also love the MC and the ML. They are perfect! You'll get to read how their love grew.

And I especially love the MC's parents. (So adorable.)

I also love the side couples.

I'm just really amazed at they way the author portrayed these characters. You also get to relate with them.

And also the fact that this novel combines the technology of humanity and the magic of the MC's race (half dwarf and half elf) it's a very nice blending.

There's also the stigma that whenever it's a futuristic novel then it's sure to have the 'Zerg' theme but this novel is slightly different when it comes to that, additionally, it's quite nice to see that the MC wasn't immediately with the ML.

It's a very different approach and I think that this helped me expand my views when it comes to novels with the futuristic mecha themes.

The main antagonist in this novel is also very different.

You'll get hooked once you continue to read this novel.

Try it.

You'll love it. <<less

It's a pretty cute/ more-action-oriented-than-I-thought kinda book.

MC is a dwarf-elf hybrid who is transported into a mech/spiritual power future. The machines can't detect his spiritual power coz he is actually magical creature lol.

As a dwarf, he is super interested in mecha and mecha engineering. Even though he is pretty OP, he has to learn everything from the beginning and so he has a couple of really good teachers who polish his skills.

ML is a tsundere. Bitter mouth, sweet heart kind of person. He treats MC as a kid/ young person... more>> to be protected. But as the book progresses, he improves and starts treating MC as his equal.

MC parents - Super duper doting and super duper OP people. They keep beating the sh*t out of ML in order to 'train' him lol.

Overall, it appears a little too crowded with ideas but manages to remain a really interesting futuristic novel, even if it is a little chaotic. <<less

Entertaining story. It's cute and fluff but I got bored eventually.

If you're looking for a light novel after reading a heavy and dog blood drama then this one is good.

The MC is kind hearted and kind of OP in the story. It's not a problem though. While the ML serves as his guardian (kinda like his adoptive father). Probably, I dislike how controlling the ML is (it is in line with his chara personality), but compared to the overbearing president in danmei, the ML here is better.

Probably the downside is... more>> the predictable story which makes this novel a little boring. But overall, it good so I still recommend this

Reread. Last c29 <<less

Super cute! I loved the relationships between all the characters, especially cause the author was very good at frequently having old characters appear throughout the novel; no one-and-done people you never saw again. Even if it was only for a little bit, it was really nice to see a novel where the side characters appear again.

The MC.... definitely qualifies to be a gary-stue MC. He's hella strong, and the stuff his dwarf mama left him regarding forging and tinkering were novel to the point of MC being able to make... more>> multiple patents and improvements to current mecha tech. The MC also learns things like a sponge soaking up water, skipping so many grades throughout the novel that I've lost track, even when literally the rest of the country was like...... someone thinks they can skip a grade at xx military university?? Literally, he picked up the language super fast, learned so fast that professors were saying they were holding him back if he didn't skip, etc. Genius among geniuses. If you don't like OP protagonists, this one prolly isn't for you.

About the ML (regarding CasBrin's review and some others) :

Honestly, I agree. ML was definitely too controlling impatient at first, but I feel like it's a bit warranted. This is definitely a slow-burn novel, the romance doesn't progress fast. In the first ~30 chapters (out of 132, to be fair) the ML definitely acts like he's said to - he makes all the decisions for MC, cuts his hair (the robot stuck on his head def gives an ugly haircut but they get it fixed) etc. etc. He also does frequently bring up how MC would be considered a "third-rate disability" in their society (although when he says this, it's often "even though you're a xxx you can still progress and do things" kinda vibe... just not said the best). HOWEVER, I think all of this should be taken with a grain of salt. First off, again, this is a slow-burn novel. ML, standard cold-hearted general dude, finds this random tiny kid who can't talk, seems to have been kidnapped by s*ave traders and forced to mine radioactive ore until his body was permanently disabled, and has no background/family they can find. Based on the mine's radiation where they found him (MC has no spiritual power so he's unaffected because, as other reviews said, he's a magic creature instead) they judged that his chances of getting spiritual power, something HUGE in this society, are pretty much nil and his body growth was permanently damaged due to the exposure (nah he's just a dwarf), assuming his mind doesn't have any trauma from the double blow of stunted/damaged body + no spiritual power. For me, ML was already pretty good to see MC's defensive-yet-pays-back-goodwill attitude and choose to take the kid under his wing (again, MC was a minor and a tinier-than-normal one at that) and give him the resources to survive and hopefully thrive, even without his spiritual power (just like ML had to deal with no spiritual power and create a whole new type of mecha that could be driven without it). It's not just ML though, everyone on the ship assumes that MC is much more of a child than he really is (none-then-limited language + s*ave experience/radiation damage) and it's at ~30 that ML gets a talking to first from an old mecha dude and then his older brother and starts changing his perspective on MC (as well as everyone else).

I do agree with ylial's review that ML is pretty commanding (less than domineering president, ofc), even once he acknowledges that MC has the mind of an adult. This does continue through most of the novel, and at the end two ~special people~ (winkwink can't spoil) make him acknowledge that he's still trying to shelter MC and not let him face too much hardship when MC can be equal with him. You see him open up, actually tell MC when he's tired, tell MC his problems, and be more vulnerable after that. This progression definitely happens at the end, but it happens.

If you can stick it out past chapter ~30 for his first ~revelation~ I think you may really like this novel. <<less

What overbearing, domineering, manipulative, red flag ML? I've been cheated. All I see is just a tsundere trying to help MC in his own way.

He has grown up in an environment where his younger brother is a troublemaker and his older brother isn't really present. It's pretty natural for someone like that to become a bit tsundere and domineering. Now take that character is match it with MC's cautious and "naive" personality (remember, he is a person that has just gone to a place completely unknown to him alone). Plus... more>> he isn't bullying MC, he is actively caring for and trying his best to assimilate him into this unknown world. Dispite how it may look he is gentle and understanding of MC; they actively try to talk out misunderstandings when it happens, they try to work out what's best for MC and ML doesn't get extremely overly aggressive when MC makes a mistake.

All in all, ML is a green flag in my eyes.

As for wordbuilding and the other stuff, it's good so far. Most characters I have a unique distinctiveness and are well integrated with the plot; not disappearing after some time. The romance isn't quite there but it's understandable because It's still in the early stages and ML just wants to raise him, not date him. The worldbuilding is good, I don't see anything currently that makes it stick out but that doesn't inherently make it bad. Finally, as for the plot it is certainly unique. I love the dwarf and elven background being here not just for the, "ooo pretty fragile looking guy is super strong!" But also the trauma, over-cautiousness, confusion, curiosity, etc. That comes with going to a new unknown place alone

P.s. MC is not a child dispite what ML or the others might say. He has stopped growing and is therefore an adult (elf and dwarf mixed blood logic ig). Everyone just assumes him to be 17 because his bone structure to them looks like a 17 year old's <<less

About those who complain that ML is too cold and authoritarian, sometimes I wonder if they haven't read well, the novel clearly says why it is like this.

I always get mad at people who don't read to the end and say nonsense

When I read the reviews I was going into this thinking the ML would be a massive dickhead, but actually... He's not even that bad.

He's a tsundere, alright. Yes, he's controlling and overbearing, but it's not that there isn't any character development at all. His overprotectiveness to MC came from a caring heart. There are people around him who keep reminding him to communicate and to not keep treating MC like a child. And he learned and grew, just like any normal human being. He pampered MC but also wouldn't... more>> indulge him too much. He was angry when MC wouldn't take care of himself well, when MC wasn't eating and sleeping regularly. MC was thr kind of genius who would forget everything else when he was focusing on doing something. ML reprimanded him a lot for this. He's actually really sweet and soft-hearted. Their dynamic is really cute.

The age gap can make you feel a bit weird tho if you are uncomfortable with the theme. But it def didn't reach at the level of g*ooming, I don't think so. It's not s*xual at first. ML is more like a dad to MC tbh and he treated MC like a child too at first. Especially when MC is so innocent and naive...

Having said that, I still decided to drop this novel because it feels like the story is getting too dragged out and boring for me. I've read probably like 10 other novels like this one before, so that's why. And I'm not really fond of naive protagonist even tho I really love the ML. Which is very rare for me tbh... MC is a half elf half dwarf and that's actually a really interesting premise but he's getting too OP and I can't really feel excited to what's coming in the story anymore since it looked like he already basically mastered everything. <<less

Entertaining with some boring lengths.

In my opinion the "chase for the monster" was just too long, especially since the final fight was short and uneventful.

I did like MC. He is cute and super overpowered. ML is OK but his possessiveness and paranoid personality gets annoying.

... more>> Since MC is so super OP the whole school arc seems mood. He basically just turns up to skip grades. It gets boring.

It also took too long for MCs parents to appear, though I love them. I would wish for some extra in the magic world but there are none.

About the side characters, some are really 2d but there are also better ones.

All things considered this novel is OK. Entertaining but also frustrating due to logic holes and plotholes. Still OK to read. <<less

Before anything else, take note of the tags. This is more about adventure and world building. It is an interesting mixture of scifi and high fantasy. If you are only for romance, please look for other stories that has "slice-of-life" in them. This is slow-burn with more emphasis on character growth.

People who want to read might be misled at some reviewer's biased view of the ML. He is merely a tsundere and even though he is arrogant, he receives frequent comebacks from MC and other people (incl his subordinates)... more>> w/c is quite hilarious. Domineering doesn't really apply to him because as much as he wanted to control the situation, it doesn't go his way 100%. Also, it must be noted that he is an outlier... someone with a peculiar character and his tsundere-ness made it worse. I mean this is 2023. The seeming perfect 2d gong has been going on for years it's already gone stale. Why criticize an ML whenever it goes out of your cookie-cutter prince charming type? It won't help forcing your ideals on each and every ML out there. Or maybe that reviewer rejects the ML so is because she is similary as idealistic as the ML and may (or may not) realize it? lol. IMO, Chu Rong is actually alright. Aside from his temper, he is a gentleman when it comes to important things.

As for the age gap...

Spoiler

The whole first arc, at the start, from chap 1 to 29, ML regarded himself as a guardian. He wasn't sexually attracted to MC (but the good feelings are there). There was NOTHING AMBIGIOUS in his actions. Yes, he is controlling but he is like that to literally everybody. Besides, if he is crossing the line MC may be naive but he ain't s*upid. He would have felt that.

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The couple's progression of falling inlove with each other is cute and innocent, with character growth from both sides. The sugar every now and then is sweet. I appreciate that they started innocent with zero s*xual tension. It's full-on feelings. I also appreciate that when ML started realizing his feelings, he acted honestly on it (but still in a pure way) and did not relentlessly deny his feelings (like what usual tsundere MLs do) so that made him not annoying in my book.

For advanced readers, it's unfortunate that the raws are sometimes confusing. This one isn't that easy to mtl. But the story is very good I just can't put it down and finished it the end. Will reread once The translation is completed.

ps. if you want mpreg look for a different novel. I had two lists that comprises almost all stories that had actual mpreg in them. <<less

I've read lots of yaoi, bl, shounenai and mostly even if the ML is cold, overbearing, tyrannical. They are lovable, and you'll like their overbearingness towards their MC. They are also supportive and not gonna hinder the mc's growth. But this one? It's the first time I hated an ML. I really really don't like him. He is too manipulative. Everything the MC does, he doesn't like it. The MC wants to make potion to heal him, he doesn't like it and always scold the MC for not obeying him.... more>> The MC wants to make a cold weapon to make money himself, when the ML finds out, he's gonna explode in anger. What is he? I really can't stand him. He is too controlative. Even mc's time and what he eats, the ML wants to control everything.

I'll be happy if the MC ends up with the second ML. <<less

Agree with ylial’s review. It’s entertaining if you’re looking for something light and fluff. But otherwise it gets pretty boring.

Both MC and ML are too OP (specially MC, just toooo OP) . Even when they were “handicapped”, so they get even more OP when they get better.

In addition to that, they made the antagonists too sloppy or s*upid. So that made the story even more predictable theres almost nothing to make your blood pump. But as a face-con, I do get kinda excited when they boast the characters. Although that also got kinda too monotonous after some times.

Also, I tried to understand and read every detail they tell about mechs at the beginning so that I could have a little bit more empathy with whatever they get excited about but man I just got even more lost. So I just mostly skimmed over the technical parts in later chapters which made me feel more bored.

All in all, I almost just skim over everything until it’s about the MC and ML’s interactions and development.

The plot of this story is actually very good (although towards the end of the story the plot seems to be drag a bit, it's actually still good).

All the side characters are also very well written, it's like we can feel that they are alive.

Meanwhile for the shortcomings of this story itself is actually lies in the ML and MC character.

I don't know how to say it, but it's realy hard to like ML character... I mean having a ML with a dominant trait is something that is actually very... more>> common in Chinese story, but the author just couldn't describe/utilize this trait in a good way.

The depiction of ML with a dominant character is written in a very "awkward" way, and this things continues until the end of the story where we being told that he was changed, but still I personally can't see that "changed".

For me, ML character is still very difficult to like, because he trait/characteristics was very unclears from the start... if you say he's evil, he's not, but if you say he's good, that's also not true.

I'm sure you will understand once you finish reading it.

Meanwhile for the MC, he just feels flat, in the story itself he is described as having an innocent and pure nature, but to me it doesn't feel like that at all.

There is no impression of life in MC character, it just feels like the author was confused when writing MC character.

Well we all can see that MC was written as a character that like a clean plain paper at the beginning of the story.

But as the story progress of course he need to develop he's trait/character, and here the problem, it's look like the author doesn't seem to know how to upgrade MC characteristics and which direction that MC need to take for developing he's characteristics. <<less

The main character is interesting but I can’t stand the sheer idiocy of everyone else. After realising that the MC can’t understand their language, they attempt once to use image to communicate with him and then everyone seems to expect him to magically understand what they say to him like he’ll learn simply by being talked at. I just stopped reading because someone scolded the MC for being lay at classes no one told him existed and warning him to not be late again and giving him an instruction book... more>> when the MC barely knows the letter, doesn’t know the meaning of words let alone being able to read them. This is dumb. <<less

One of my favorite stories period. The cast really captivated me, and honestly, it's sad that I rarely found a novel with a secondary set of characters this well-developed. The ending is satisfying, though there's a couple of things I wish were tied up better, but it's still a full 5/5 for the ending.

About the MC and ML:

They compliment each other's personality very well, and each brought the other's best qualities into the surface. The MC is very very OP in the end, but thanks to the way the author... more>> write it, the MC does earn all those powers. He studied hard, he worked hard, he had setbacks he had to overcome... his personality by itself is very lovely also, and I agree with the translator that he's a complete tsundere magnet. He befriends tsunderes like a challenge he's determined to win (from his roommate, his classmates, his mentor...).

ML is a big TSUNDERE, with capital letters. His prickly personality is his character flaw, and I like that it wasn't glossed over. He actually has proper flaws that he must overcome in order to grow and become a better person. This is a good character writing, y'all. For those people who said that he's abusive, overly controlling, and a total red-flag... he's not. Yes, he's controlling, but the people around him calls him out of it, and it's not romanticized. He's never abusive. He's just very sour person who only loyal to his allies. I also really love his relationship with his family and subordinate. It's perfect!

About the secondary characters:

Oh boy, my babies. The MC and ML are also my babies, but this story's cast is special for me. Chu Yan, the ML's younger brother, takes the crown for me. It helps that he's the side characters with the most screentime, and therefore, most growth, but I really do love his storyline. He went from a bratty-but-cute-and-irresponsible comedy relief type character to the MC's best friend, who knows how to balance having fun and his responsibility. He grow up big and strong! My puppy!!!

There's also Xiang Kun, who

Spoiler

has a really good redemption-ish character arc. He first introduced as this annoying spoiled brat who is also Chu Yan's arch-enemy, who does get his hand kinda dirty in competition (not really cheating, but like... using his superior family connection to trip up Chu Yan) into a competent adult who defies his older brother's single-minded focus on destroying the Chu family because he can think and weigh the consequences dammit. He's also Chu Yan's future wivey. I like that because I was kinda hoping they have a rival-to-lovers type of relationship.

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Overall, none of the characters are truly brainless. They have understandable course of actions given their knowledge/goals/background. Yes, there's like, a couple of cannon fodders, but compared to the well-rounded characters, they are very few in numbers.

About the Plot:

this is more conspiracy-slash-adventure story with a dash of romance and politics. Also a lot of friendships. My baby MC have a strong network of friends. I love that, esp because in many romance stories (BL or otherwise), the MC usually only have their love interest as a meaningful connection.

About the translation:

Both translators are very competent. It's easy to read, the grammar are proper, and it's clear they care enough about their translation effort. Sadly, many stories I found nowadays are just haphazard MTL that is barely even edited. Reading this is very satisfying especially compared to those slogs.

Verdict: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Especially if you like the author's other works, such as Death Progress Bar and My Husband is Suffering from Terminal Illness. <<less

(Dropped) I won't rate this since I'm not far in the story, but I don't exactly like it. It's a matter of personal preference, of course, but I feel like this novel is quite predictable. This is probably going to be a nice novel for people who like fluff or novels with light plots. I don't enjoy this genre much and everything gives me a deja vu feel (the bug species, the empire vs federal thing-I read the raws I'm not sure if it's federal, even the S rank... more>> thing). It's not anything new. There are some parts it does better, but all I can see right now is a teen who honestly makes me cringe because of the way he thinks is like a child and an adult who apparently doesn't know a thing about patience or communication. It's getting better now at c15, we get glimpses of the MC's inner personality, and there will probably be more depth to them in the future. Despite this, I don't think it's worth me taking my time to read it. It's not that it's terrible, it's just not my thing. You might like it, perhaps? Sorry for the bad English and have a nice day. <<less

I like this story, it is exceptional and very amusing but the problem here is I don't understand why the translation site always blocking me even though I don't use any adds block at all. [Please relay my comment to the site because I can't open it even the home site]

Ok initially it was going to be 5 starts but from chapter 80 onwards it just started to drag on, I think the author could have definately gotten to the reveal of the true villain much sooner and I would have happily had the rest of the chapters as extras.

This is still a great story. It taught me a lot about the Mecha/scifi genre that I wasn’t ever interested in before when reading online novels.

MC is super OP but lovable ! Only moments I found annoying was when he was... more>> super timid with the ML and afraid he had done something wrong which I don’t think is a healthy trait in a relationship.

ML is has the aura of a yandere overbearing CEO. He is possessive and indulgent only with the ML, you know the trope. It got annoying when he started to get jealous around family I was like honey it’s not cute anymore.

I would have loved smut in the story but I want smut in every BL story I read lol so it’s not a criticism.

Great world building but def could have compacted alot of moments in the novel to make it shorter. <<less