as a literature comic and manga nerd I can say that although this is not the most original start nor does this have the most original themes it is a very very well made beginning to an already amazing series. I had started out with the web comic and I had picked up from the comic to the light novel so when I decided to backtrack and start the light novel from the beginning I was pleasantly surprised with of many of details that I missed.
I see now why it gained so much popularity and is so popular today.