Okay, damn, this is a great read, I was very entertained in each chapter! I especially love how all the best elements of a guideverse are included here, how the guiding system works and is visualized (the visuals here are some of the best guideverse ones I've seen; beautiful, epic portrayal of abilities, guiding, energy transfer, energy bowls, battles, etc.!), how there's enough action, tension, and lore that adds to the dynamic between the protagonists and doesn't feel like empty filler. The world here feels alive, fleshed out enough to suck you in, but there's still so much to be revealed so it keeps you on your toes. It's rare that I want to understand more about political intrigue as most stories don't have such compelling world building, but here, it's interesting and central enough to the plot and our MC that I want to learn more about it. The characters here all feel interesting and distinct enough despite not knowing much about them, so you want to learn even more (for example the crown Prince and Decal, the princess and Dion, even Doberman! Doberman, my beloved, he's such a cutie).
This is so good that I don't even mind the pacing. Yeah, maybe it would've been better if the MC didn't learn about the ML's vulnerability (his real emotions as he was performing forced guiding) that early in the story; maybe the MC could've got his memories back gradually, not all at once (I feel like Decal folded under zero pressure there by restoring his lost memories), thus keeping the tension and angst between MC and ML longer; maybe we could've seen the monsters in ML's bowl a bit later. But at the same time, some of these things just hint at stuff (knowing how this story layers lore on top of lore, it reveals just enough but there will be even more for later), makes you even more curious to know what it's all about, and the story does deliver consistently. It's satisfyingly coherent so far plot-wise, and the characters act according to their motives, issues, strengths, etc. The puzzle pieces fit nicely so far. If it was all more gradual, it would've been absolutely perfect, but even with this pace, it's good enough imo.
I also do like the fact we have a very strong MC. He's ready to fight (so badass at times!) and he tries to plan and strategize. Now, it's even more interesting to see how ML and MC have the same goal as they've been victimized by the same person, and in that regard, I appreciate how the story united two characters who hated each other at first and gave them a very touching shared past, believable enough to transform the hate to love. The "I'm his sword and shield" - overpowered esper × protected special dual blood dynamic is very pleasant to see, I'm glad the story developed it this way.
What did annoy me a bit was the "shitty ML just suddenly realizes he is and was shitty cause he actually has a shared past/likes the MC" trope used here. He just started treating him better only cause her realized who the MC is. The ML has the potential to be a very interesting, dimensional character (the monsters in his bowl, how did they get there? Part of the experiment? Did he absorb them all as it's his ability? How does that affect his psyche? Who is he, what is there to know him apart from being a former test subject?), but so far, he's suffering a bit from douchebag, soft core ML syndrome who just has three modes - jealousy, horny and protecc MC. Pls make him a layered character and don't just throw a lazy redemption arc for him.
I can't wait for updates, looking forward to season 2!
Okay, damn, this is a great read, I was very entertained in each chapter! I especially love how all the best elements of a guideverse are included here, how the guiding system works and is visualized (the visuals here are some of the best guideverse ones I've seen; beautiful, epic portrayal of abilities, guiding, energy transfer, energy bowls, battles, etc.!), how there's enough action, tension, and lore that adds to the dynamic between the protagonists and doesn't feel like empty filler. The world here feels alive, fleshed out enough to suck you in, but there's still so much to be revealed so it keeps you on your toes. It's rare that I want to understand more about political intrigue as most stories don't have such compelling world building, but here, it's interesting and central enough to the plot and our MC that I want to learn more about it. The characters here all feel interesting and distinct enough despite not knowing much about them, so you want to learn even more (for example the crown Prince and Decal, the princess and Dion, even Doberman! Doberman, my beloved, he's such a cutie).
This is so good that I don't even mind the pacing. Yeah, maybe it would've been better if the MC didn't learn about the ML's vulnerability (his real emotions as he was performing forced guiding) that early in the story; maybe the MC could've got his memories back gradually, not all at once (I feel like Decal folded under zero pressure there by restoring his lost memories), thus keeping the tension and angst between MC and ML longer; maybe we could've seen the monsters in ML's bowl a bit later. But at the same time, some of these things just hint at stuff (knowing how this story layers lore on top of lore, it reveals just enough but there will be even more for later), makes you even more curious to know what it's all about, and the story does deliver consistently. It's satisfyingly coherent so far plot-wise, and the characters act according to their motives, issues, strengths, etc. The puzzle pieces fit nicely so far. If it was all more gradual, it would've been absolutely perfect, but even with this pace, it's good enough imo.
I also do like the fact we have a very strong MC. He's ready to fight (so badass at times!) and he tries to plan and strategize. Now, it's even more interesting to see how ML and MC have the same goal as they've been victimized by the same person, and in that regard, I appreciate how the story united two characters who hated each other at first and gave them a very touching shared past, believable enough to transform the hate to love. The "I'm his sword and shield" - overpowered esper × protected special dual blood dynamic is very pleasant to see, I'm glad the story developed it this way.
What did annoy me a bit was the "shitty ML just suddenly realizes he is and was shitty cause he actually has a shared past/likes the MC" trope used here. He just started treating him better only cause her realized who the MC is. The ML has the potential to be a very interesting, dimensional character (the monsters in his bowl, how did they get there? Part of the experiment? Did he absorb them all as it's his ability? How does that affect his psyche? Who is he, what is there to know him apart from being a former test subject?), but so far, he's suffering a bit from douchebag, soft core ML syndrome who just has three modes - jealousy, horny and protecc MC. Pls make him a layered character and don't just throw a lazy redemption arc for him.
I can't wait for updates, looking forward to season 2!