This is the first of a two-part volume. So it does suffer a bit from being too stretched. This could have been one piece.

I did enjoy seeing the younger, lower level players learn to build their own confidence and fail along the way. I feel like this series does suffer from some of the same "plot armor" issues that most YA stories suffer from, but these characters aren't entirely free from consequences.

I was sometimes tempted to skip parts of the "kid" scenes to get back to what Shiroe was up to. That was far more interesting to me. I realize this character development is pivotal and I did enjoy it. I just wanted some more worldbuilding by this point. It'll come in the second part of this volume, I'm sure.

Great idea and I'll definitely keep reading.