I Became The Academy’s Narrow-Eyes

My Thoughts on I Became The Academy’s Narrow-Eyes

"I Became The Academy’s Narrow-Eyes" certainly has a unique hook, and the premise of an OP protagonist hiding their powers while navigating academy life is undeniably appealing. However, after diving in, I found myself with mixed feelings. It's a novel with clear strengths, but also some significant drawbacks that kept me from fully enjoying the experience.

First Impressions

The initial chapters definitely grabbed my attention. The concept of a main character obsessed with playing a narrow-eyed character, getting isekai'd, and then leaning hard into that trope is inherently funny. I was ready for a lighthearted, action-packed comedy, and for a while, that's exactly what I got. The world-building seemed promising, and I was eager to see how the MC would use his unique perspective to navigate the academy.

What Works Well

When the novel hits its stride, it's genuinely entertaining. I particularly enjoyed the main character's personality. His carefree demeanor and tendency to troll everyone around him create some truly hilarious situations. The author seems to want you to watch the protagonist do what he does best: trolling and teasing, and I found myself chuckling along with him. I also appreciated the development of the relationships between the MC and the female characters. It's not a straightforward path to romance, which felt much more natural and engaging.

Areas of Concern

Unfortunately, the novel suffers from some significant pacing and writing issues. The early chapters, especially the academy entrance exam, drag on far too long. Spending over 40 chapters on a single day felt excessive, and the constant inner monologues, while offering insight into the characters, often felt repetitive and tedious. It also seems that the author's writing skills improved as the story progressed, with the first 30 chapters being noticeably slower and less polished. The translation quality is also a concern, with inconsistencies in gender pronouns and name spellings that can be quite jarring.

Final Verdict

"I Became The Academy’s Narrow-Eyes" is a novel with a lot of potential, but it doesn't quite live up to it. The humor and the main character's personality are definite highlights, but the pacing issues and translation problems hold it back. If you're looking for a lighthearted comedy and are willing to overlook some flaws, you might find something to enjoy here. However, if you're easily frustrated by slow pacing and inconsistent writing, this might not be the novel for you.