This is a heavy slow-burn. If you’re looking for instant action and constant rivalries from chapter one, you’re going to have to thug it out for a while. The first half is a lot of world-building and lonely grinding that can feel draining, especially if you’re used to faster paced LitRPG. That said, the magic system is incredibly unique, and once the MC finally gets his feet under him and starts making real progress with his class, the story takes off. The ending of Book 1 makes the entire wait worth it. If you can handle a long setup, the “elite” moments at the end are top-tier. Crossing my fingers that Book 2 keeps the foot on the gas.