First I can get some of their statements but while sure the story was slow at the start it’s needed to keep in mind that these two books are about Arthur training and his life at the Academy. It is in majority a story to transition to the next arc which I can already tell will be amazing. While the side characters are weak your comparing them to a quad elemental 30+ year old king who is trapped in a TWELVE year old body and sure Arthur does act more emotionally but in my opinion it makes him more of a relatable character and see it as his growth in character. Secondly the cliff hanger is a cliff hanger but these books are from a Webnovel made into a audio book which the author releases new chapters constantly already there are already six volumes with more in the works and as such there will be cliff hangers if the arc is not finished in those two books made into audio. I personally really loved the book while some parts where a little slow for my taste it was overall a fantastic book and would recommended anyone who liked the first to give it a listen. Only thing I’m disappointed in is that I have to wait a few weeks to get my next fix.