Better than average (in relation to other Webnovels). Disclaimer: I've read only up to Chapter 23. I doubt there would be any more controversial content that would change my review though. Main to keep in mind when reading this novel (knowing/understanding this will make it much more enjoyable IMO). This is NOT a reincarnation story The ML is supposed to be a reincarnated high school student into an otome game-like world. However there is little mentioned about his previous life that affects the story at all (I think he mentions he had a dog before. This could also change later on as I've only read up to Chapter 23). The ML's personality also doesn't match his effective age as well (other reviewers have complained about his submissiveness to the FL when she's basically a child). Also no prior knowledge is kept about his past life that would affect anything in this story (again, this is the case from what I've read, but I doubt that'll change). To enjoy this novel, ignore the fact that the ML has reincarnated, and just assume that he was just a random child born in this world. This will hopefully make Chapter 6 more palatable, as his personality matches more with a young child being enslaved to a noble. Other than that, this novel presents a lot of interesting and unique changes to the otome-game/isekai genre, which by itself probably makes it worth the read compared to other novels in the same genre.

I can't tell if this is good writing, in that it implies that Zombie has told Cranberry about the isekai story world sometime between the time skips. Or extremely bad writing where Zombie has said numerous hints about the isekai/otome game nature of this world and it's totally ignored by Cranberry. We already know from the previous chapters that Cranberry can understand Zombie, so having these hints in his dialogue without any indication that Cranberry understands the implications doesn't make much sense. Also having two time skips with almost zero progress in the characters makes me feel like the timeskips were only to move the main plot along quickly rather than simulating any character progression offscreen, which is poor writing IMO.

Was the unrefined mana plot point mentioned earlier somewhere and I just missed it? Seems a bit contrived that Neto would be hidden in this chapter but Toru wasn’t.

The random acceptance that he’s transmigrated instead of being some issue with the game was a bit jarring. Not sure why he trusts Azel so easily, and specifically when it’s only half-mentioned in the beginning of the dream. Also if Toru is going to be an important character, this was a really abrupt and awkward introduction scene. Not sure if instantly becoming allies in a bath is the best way of handling that.

This chapter solidifies my idea that it would have been better to remove the reincarnation portion of the story all together. If a high schooler (who also had an additional 10 years of life already) has a panic attack in the same situation as a 10 year old who doesn’t, he either has some sort of personality disorder, or he is incredibly weak. It would have been better to leave him as a normal child, as at least that would make more sense.

Seems like my main issue with this story (which is common among web novels I guess so it’s not anything too bad) is that the ML is a completely empty character. He has no backstory/characterization other than being submissive to Cranberry. Why is he okay with being her servant? Why is he trying to make her feel better? Why did he choose an offensive skill (does he want to get stronger to fight?)? What’s his goal? It seems like it’s to help Cranberry, but I’m not sure how he got to that conclusion. If it turns out the eternal servant bond is causing this personality that would be an interesting twist, but I doubt that’s the case…

It’s a bit odd their relationship hasn’t changed at all after 3 years. IMO it was a bit hasty to have a time skip so early on, since the character relationship wasn’t defined yet anyways. Now you’re getting to flesh it out more here (her understanding his groans, the laugh scene, etc), but it seems awkward that this is only happening after 3 years. What did they do before then that these events didn’t occur yet?

Not really saying anything that hasn’t already been said. The ML at this point is probably way too submissive to a 7 year old, especially since it’s mentioned that he’s at high school age. I could see maybe if he was a more submissive/introverted high schooler, but the pre-isekai details are extremely slim. It seems like at this point there was no reason for the ML to be an isekai, as there’s been no mention of that fact besides being in an otome game environment (through its quite early in the story). I wonder if it would’ve made more sense to remove the isekai portion and just leave him as a 7 year old, since that would make this submissive characterization more justified.