I Became the Masked Man at the Academy

My Thoughts on I Became the Masked Man at the Academy

I dove into "I Became the Masked Man at the Academy" with a healthy dose of curiosity. The premise – a protagonist transmigrated into a game with a cursed mask that severely limits him – sounded like a fun twist on the usual academy tropes. After reading a good chunk of the available chapters, I've got some thoughts.

First Impressions

The initial chapters hooked me pretty quickly. The setup is intriguing: our main character, Adele, finds himself stuck with a mask that seals his magic and prevents him from speaking. This immediately throws a wrench into the typical overpowered MC scenario, which is always refreshing.

What Works Well

I found the character interactions to be a major strength. Adele's cynical personality, coupled with his reliance on a whiteboard to communicate, leads to some genuinely funny moments, especially with characters like the headmaster. The female leads, such as Carnelia and Reve, also seem to have more depth than your average harem members, each with their own motivations and mysteries. The pacing keeps things moving nicely, balancing academy life with the overarching plot involving looming "disasters." I also appreciate that the story focuses more on Adele's cleverness and resourcefulness rather than relying on brute force.

Areas of Concern

While I enjoy the premise, I do share some concerns about the execution of the "handicaps." The mask and muteness, while initially interesting, seem to lose relevance as the story progresses. Adele's ability to use a whiteboard, and later float it, essentially negates the communication challenges one might expect. This feels like a missed opportunity to explore the limitations and creative solutions that could arise from being unable to speak.

Final Verdict

Overall, "I Became the Masked Man at the Academy" is an entertaining read. It might not be groundbreaking, but it's a solid entry in the academy genre. If you're looking for a story with a unique premise, entertaining characters, and a protagonist who has to rely on his wits rather than raw power, this might be right up your alley. Just be aware that the initial promise of the "cursed mask" might not be fully realized. I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.