This series is absolutely amazing. No, amazing would be an understatement. The anime was incredible too but failed to capture some of the subtle touches that the author carefully includes in these light novels. Every chapter carefully builds the sub-conflict of each volume in the story and always ends with an incredible finale that progresses the main conflict and makes it irresistible to start reading the next book. And the best part? The main character, Cid Kagenou, is completely oblivious to what is going on. Personal Plot Introduction (mild spoilers only for the beginning): Prior to being isekai'd (by yours truly, truck-kun), Cid Kagenou, or on Earth,Minoru Kageno, was enraptured by one thing ever since he was a child. As a kid, he saw tv shows about heroes and villains, but they never interested him. It was the mastermind, the one who intervened and showed off his strength, only to disappear into the night, that truly captured the mind of young Minoru. And no matter how old he grew, he never changed.

For the sake of his dream of becoming a true EMINENCE IN SHADOW (mastermind), he threw away everything: romance, friendships, youth, etc. All for one thing; training to become a shadow broker. During the day he played the part of an ordinary forgettable student (mob character), and by night he trained in every martial art and pushed his body past human limits. Yet he despaired. Because no matter how hard he trained, or how strong his body became, he would never be able to survive a point-blank blast from a nuke. The shadow brokers he knew would never be defeated by the likes of a nuke. So, racking his brains for a solution, Minoru arrived at a single conclusion, magic. He needed magic in order to gain the power he desired. However, no human has ever harnessed the power of magic (as far as he knew) and he had no idea how to go about finding it. But Minoru didn't give up. Kageno meditated under waterfalls, crucified himself, traveled to extreme locations, and even hit his head against rocks/trees to gain understanding of nature. His hard work paid off, when he saw light in the distance while training in the forest during the middle of the night. Minoru ran towards the light and gained understanding of magic...not. (it was truck-kun).

Waking up in the body of a baby. He surmised that he has been sent to another world entirely after a few days of observing his surroundings. From then out, it was smooth sailing. Reborn as Cid Kagenou, he continued his path on becoming an Eminence in Shadow with renewed vigor. Just like his previous life, he played the part of an average, mediocre, forgettable person by day, and spent the night training. And what do you know? This world has magic. With potential to become a true shadow broker at last, Cid forges his way to becoming a mastermind in this fantasy world!