I just caught up to the most recent chapter from "Moonlax Novels" (chapter 66) and I guess that's a somewhat good timing to leave a review.

Before starting, i'd like to leave a warning:

> Everything after chapter 34 will be flagged as spoilers (basically 10% or 1/10 of the story, which is 341 chapters)

... more>>

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Okay, let's start with the title and the synopse (Novel description).

• Tittle: "Saving My Favorite Minor Character"
  • It checks outs. The protagonist is always moving towards the goal of saving Reina.
• Synopse:
  • 1st Paragraph:
    • It's true. He's was the only one left trying to save her before transmigrating
  • 2nd Paragraph:
    • It's true. His connections with Ria, Seres, Drenor, and Ridifin to save Reina is not possible in the game.
  • 3rd Paragraph:
    • Up chapter 66, not yet.
    • The synopse says " infinitely stronger, breaking the balance of the game", but I guess that's around half-way through the story.

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BEFORE THE REVIEW, I'LL RATE HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE NOVEL NOW (C66) AND THEN LATER WHEN I FINISH

Overall, the novel (up to c66) is an overall 5.5/10.

Nothing surprising or unexpected. Quality-wise slightly above average. Things that are done poorly are overcompensate by things done well, bringing the overall experience to a 5.5.

• World-Building: 4/10
  • World-building is limited. But that's expected for an Academy-game novel. It's like nothing, except the Academy, matters.
  • Creativity is average I guess. A 5/10? Idk why science is theology but oh well, whatever.
  • Backstory is below-average. Only the bare-BARE minimum is showed here (such as the War and war-heroes).
  • It feels like the world would crumble apart if the Academy is destroyed. Anything outside of the Academy is a wasteland.
• Pacing: 6/10
  • It's fast paced, but it doesn't skip things that would make you confused.
  • And you might feel like a hole was created in the story for no reason
    • In one chapter, they're discussing something that will happen in a month; and the next chapter, one month has passed and the thing is about to happen. We don't even know how the MC prepared for that
• Plot: 7/10
  • It's consistent, but too vague
    • The goal is: >Save< Reina. But when will it end? Is there a point in the story when "saving" won't be necessary anymore? And when is it? Reina's goal is to grow and take care of herself.
    • The world-building is so awkward that I feel like the novel is just going to end the moment they graduate from the Academy and/or Reina gains her independency. That calls for a new goal—plot.
  • Not that compelling because the only thing that matters is Reina, nothing else. It's doesn't feel like a spider-web or a puzzle seemingly fitting together. Just a narrow path with no freedom/will at all: a train only going forward, never stopping.
    • It's not even MADNESS. It's just the MC life's goal apparently. MC isn't trying to fix everyone's life or achieve something from himself. It is just... Reina.
    • edit: oh, there's one. It was BRIEFLY mentioned that the MC will have enough connections in the 2nd year to ask try get answer for his transgression to this world. Where? the church. Who? god.
• Writing: 5.5/10
  • Author makes sure to not put MC in a pedestal (almost no illogical favoritism)
    • Writing aligns with the plot
    • Reina has an Advantage by having Van. It makes sense that she's on the spotlight
      • Her character is easy-going. Author doesn't go out of his way to make her different
      • When she met Van for the first time, her guard was down. Now that he's one of her closest friend, she doesn't really doubt him. Which again, aligns with her personality.
  • Description are overall simple and Straight-forward. Expected for this kind of novel
    • also vague and inaccurate. Lacking more info for a better imaging
  • Writing lacks depth such as character's expressions, intention, gesture and stuff. Everything is up to the reader to imagine, which is subjected to biased interpretation.
    • To me, it seems like the Author doesn't really care how the Readers perceives the situations, scenarios, characters and environment. He just write stuff and that's it. What is in his head isn't conveyed properly to the readers, leaving thousand of different interpretations because each person imagine a different thing.
  • It's like saying "Imagine a tree in a field and then draw it". It's straight-forward and simple, but the outcome is vague. Resulting in thousand of different scenarios with a tree in a field.
• Characters: 6/10
  • Too much charisma, too little depth and personality. That's the way I feel
  • Reina alone is an 7.5.
    • I like Reina the same way Van likes her, she's just too charismatic. But that's it. Why she's like that and how isn't introduced. She feels like a character with shallow past. In fact: A character, an extra.
    • Van (protagonist) is tasteless. I wound't say that I dislike him, buuut... he's just there to make the rest (especially the harem) likable (like teasing the girls to make them show their clumsy sides)
    • The rest of the harem is between one to three notches down compared to Reina.
      • Ridifin is cute and silly. Her personality is shy, that's it. Nothing more. Even Van doesn't feel anything special towards her
      • Seres is just filling a random spot in the harem. Why is she there? The reasoning the author gives us feels lazy and forced. She feels like a dog/cat instead of a human. Being not-social doesn't feel like an excuse.
      • Ria is part of the harem because she was saved and she has a curiosity towards him (different from rumors). Very shitty excuse in my book. Imagine willingly taking part of a harem just because of that? Even Harriet from [Demon's Prince Academy] has more pride than her.

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Now, onto the novel.

—> Between chapter 1 to 34:

» "Entrance Exam" « arc is good and enjoyable.

I really liked Reina first appearance; Seren (sister) characters also checks-out; And Drenor character is a bit childish, but that makes sense considering his background as an abandoned child

Spoiler

and then saved by someone who died shortly after. idk how the guy died

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Overall, Drenor is a child (17yr old) that didn't had a chance to grow up in a good environment and only got hurt, facing hardship not suitable to a kid. It's understandable that he has emotional issues (specially trust issues), making his personality a bit cringy, childish, blunt and stubborn.

• » Chapter 11 « kinda shows how Drenor acts towards everyone except Sonia; and the newly formed relationship between Van (protagonist) and Reina (the extra)
• » Ridifin appearance « is handled as you'd expect from a character with low self-esteem.

» Freshman Orientation - The first Attack « arc is quite annoying.

1 — The thing that I didn't like is the fight against the assassin. Like am I reading a Japanese novel or something?

• The way the Author handled "Killing Intent" made me hurt myself fatally. Do you even know what KILLING INTENT that makes your target shake like CRAZY means??? If someone can't control the shakiness of your body because the enemy has such a determination to kill you, then that means the situation is dire and alarming
• but why are you guys taking your sweet time to talk for that long when someone is trying to kill y'all?
• why is the assassin allowing you plan a counter-measure in front of him
• why is the assassin OOZING insane KILLING INTENT if he's dragging time FOR NO REASON?? He's suppose to kill Reina and everyone around! The author didn't even give us a reason like "the assassin is arrogant" or sum shit

Honestly, it's obvious that the cohort wont die there but the author killed all tension and made the situation look like a theater. I hated this part of the novel. Incompetent assassin and doofus author. It'd make sense to plan a counter-measure while fighting the assassin, but NO! they're basically resting.

1.2 — Ridifin trauma

it's understandable but the way Van handled is too... cringy. Like, he knows her potential; but for a third-party, it looked like he has an unwavering faith in a stranger he never interacted with. It touched Redifin because that was something she longed for her family, but idk I don't like it. Just encouraging her would be enough, but you practically glazed on her like a grandfather. Anyway. it was cringy and weird.

That makes Redifin weird too for believing in a stranger she never interacted with. At least give us her POV and show us how bad her trauma really is because the situation felt cheap and lazy for the sake of the plot.

1.2 — Lazy writing.

• Van drank a strong Elixir that supposed makes him lose collapse, a double-edge sword basically (that was implied). But for some reason, he had a whole ass time to
  • fake being defeated
  • change his clothes to conceal his identity
  • scare away the Assassin with arrangement made beforehand (fake his Skill level, a bluff)
  • get in a conflict with Reina (she thought he was another assassin)
  • run away from her to not escalate the situation (plus the professor could arrive any moment)
  • change clothes again
  • check Reina and Redifin to see if they're alright and avoid any seed of doubt
  • get inside the academy
  • AND ONLY THEN HE LOSES CONSCIOUSNESS

Like c'mon, at least give us hints that he's running out of time before collapsing. The plot-armor is too evident

2 — Also, I agree that Van needs to hide his identity. That's necessary to make Reina lower her guard and make things easier to him. Influencing her choices as a weak friend is much more easier.

» Freshman Welcome Party «

Not much to add here. Pretty normal and enjoyable. Using Resta as a shield for his plan to save Reina is understandable and a proof that the 2nd paragraph of the synopse was right: he has freedom to do stuff that was not possible in the game.

The faction thing and the fame of Reina and Redifin is fine too. Natural.

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After the fiasco that the Assassin arc, the novel gets better and significantly more enjoyable.

Spoilers ahead (chapter 34 to 66)

-- The actions scene gets better. Reina and Redifin starts to get way more active during fights scenes compared to Van, which makes sense since he's trying to hide his strength.

• Also, the fight in the dungeon is considerably more enjoyable because the way Van handles the ending is beyond what's capable in the game by using one of the rewards he got during the Assassin arc fiasco.

Character (quality) are average imo. All of them has potential but most aren't explored in depth or with attention/love.

• Van gained a few traits, making him not as bland as he used to. But still, personality-wise: average (or below)
• Reina stays the same, which is nice. Her charisma makes-up for the lack of depth
• Redifin stays the almost the same, which is frustrating. She handling her trauma while being in love, that's it
• Drenor gets SUPER likable. But he needs to heal and grow emotionally
• Resta is unique, I like him. Currently, his charisma is good; but development is necessary
• Ria is okay I guess. she doesn't appear that much, and when she does, it feels rushed.
• Seres is a two-dimensional character. She doesn't make sense imo

As for now, plot is going in a nice direction

• As expected, Van is using Resta to make Reina way stronger compared to the game since he has more freedom.
• Resta conflict with Redifin is weird early on, but explained later.
  • Long-story short: He cares about her but can't bring himself to show it because he's too hurt.
  • = He lost someone dear to him and it shook his entire persona; and now he seeks the truth behind it.
  • Funnily enough, Van considers himself as a pre-trauma Resta. In his words, he (Van) would become someone worst than Resta if Reina dies. And honestly, I don't doubt it. He spent a lot of his time on Reina even before transmigrating. He doesn't have the same level of affection with anyone else. If he loses Reina, he will lose his support/will.
• Reina and Redifin are getting stronger very quickly compared to other first-years. Even Drenor, the original main character, is getting left behind in terms of growth (which makes sense since Van is basically behind the scenes)
• Butterfly effect is nice IMO. Van actions lead him to face a enemy much earlier than expected; and every time he manages to succeed, worse things happens.

Romance-Harem is not that satisfying

• The only positive aspect of this romance is Reina. Even Redifin is so-so/neutral.
  • Redifin is cute, but that's it
  • Reina is the best girl hands down. Too much personality. I understand why she, as an extra, gained a lot of affection from other players
  • Seres is bland. She's just part of the harem for the sake of it. Ikd why the author put her there.
  • Ria just has a princess-saved-by-knight syndrome. Makes sense but please give up

Side-Character are overall satisfying (screen-time x quality)

• Unexpectedly, like Tyran. Although he's an antagonist, he has his charm. The fact that his subordinates has unyielding Loyalty tells us a lot about his character
• Seren is fine but bland. Her personality is Sister-complex, that's it.
• Camile Sparda is likable, i'd love to see her more. Unlike Seres and Seren, she has a personality.
• The second-princess is not talked as it should imo. There are no POV of Drenor atitude towards her whatsoever.
• The bichop trying to kill Reina is your average Villain. No substance, just politics and a lil bit of tyranny.
• Professor is two-dimensional. He has a personality but it's feels like he's just a NPC with a Trait instead

I guess that's. <<less

It's an interesting premise ruined by a s*upid author. The MC comes from a family famous for producing mage lords. He also has an affinity for four elements which is very rare because handling just two elements is already hard (stated by the MC himself). Lastly, he has Dual Casting, another rare and hard-to-acquire skill. Reading all that, you would think the MC would focus on magic, but sadly, just like every short d**k Korean author over-compensating for something, the MC chooses to train in swordsmanship.

What makes this decision dumber... more>> is that the first time the MC looked at his stats he lamented that the original mob character before the possession had spread himself too thin regarding his stats allocations. He recognized his current build was inefficient, but instead of focusing on magic to make up for the initial mistake, he doubled down on the inefficiency.

They say that the characters in a story are only as intelligent as the author, and if it's this early and the author is already this s*upid, then I don't have much hope for the future of this novel.

The icing on the cake is the MC hiding his powers because of "reasons". <<less

I'm not the best at writing reviews so I'll keep it short.

This book is quite good, the characters and interactions between them are nice. Althought I doubt the 'comedy' will make anybody laugh, it might make you crack a smile or two.

There's only been a few chapters as of me writing this so things may change in future chapters.

Cliche base, but very novel characters, the interactions and combinations of them are so fresh, solitary, cool, and tsundere original protag where the interactions are kept to minimum between him and the MC.

MC is a scoundrel, but hides his true nature, that even when the MC possesses the host even the close people around him doesn't notice, since the original and MC seems to match characters.

His butler though mentioned briefly cares for him, his sister is a brocon but not tsundere and understands her brother's temperament quite well.

The main heroine... more>> has no irritating traits, she honest, not a tsundere, never judged MC, and is a genuine talent and hard worker. Even the what should be "weak but trying to be strong" sub heroine is lovable, she shy, cute, and hides her talent because of a trauma, but she tried to change for the better right away when she got support from friends, and is reliable too. Then the "smart and wealthy" sub heroine has no princess complex and is quite competent at her job and intellect.

All of this is presented in a light and very easy to understand read since the trope is a cliche, but how it's written is surely of high quality. All in all 4.5 stars, the missing.5 is because the story is too straight forward and simple, it's missing some complexity. Still better than 90% of the same trope out there though, so give it a read. <<less

Keeping it simple:

Pros: 1) well written behavior between friends and others, 2) main heroine is likable, 3) good supporting characters, 4) minimal use of misunderstandings and miscommunication, 5) MC is strong, not OP, 6) clear primary goal, 7) assassinations aside, it's a cute story.

Cons: 1) assassins get a free ass at academy gates, 2) MC enlarges his harem with little to no effort, 3) Van hides his abilities for "reasons", 4) occasional cringy moments, 5) some of world settings and characters decisions feel illogical ... more>>

Spoiler

MC changing his clothes while Reina is blocking attacks with her life on the line to hide his identity, although his goal is to save her. Like, REALLY!?

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, 6) lackluster battle scenes, 7) cliches, lots of them, 8) MC is lacking in personality, like Mario in Mario games, 9) no events between attacks, it's aggressively repeated formula of interactions between characters> assassination attempt> repeat.

Pros kept me reading and hoping for improvement, but it is just not there. <<less

I honestly think this is one of the better written academy novels, though like most, it starts great and falls off later. Though the MC is pretty likeable and relatable, his setup and premise are pretty problematic.

The author sets up the story as one of those hidden power type protag's, but the problem with this one is, there is literal zero reason for this. It feels extremely forced on with a lazy plot Armour that original body he possessed hid it for a reason. 40 chaps in we still see... more>> nothing why, and it's really just a setting for his alter ego when he disguises himself as a masked mysterious hero... 🤷‍♂️

But the story had its possitives too. For once, there were relevant male side characters in a harem novel. But, although every side character was pretty likeable to me, they kind of lack real depth as they are pretty set in their personality acting type. Some of them were somewhat overboard making it cringe too. Like his brocon sister as it doesn't lean into yandere too much making it somewhat offputting and weird rather than as a unique story element in my opinion.

Point is, the characters don't act out of their boundaries really at all. The story should've also gone more into depth on the professors and classes too I'd say, they aren't really explained at all as the main cast is solely the students pretty much.

The biggest problem of this novel though is that there isn't really any real plot driving the story, it lacks a real in depth spanning main plot. The only main plot we get is A. Defending FL. And B. finding protag's past... thats it. No world ending shenanigans from what it seems. Even though the MC has the whole world's knowledge of the future future all the hidden secrets, he doesn't really actively use them. And it is served as plot armor.

Again, I liked the story but it was pretty repetitive as it wasn't really going anywhere and harem started to get baggy <<less