The Man Behind The Mage

Information

Status

Completed

Year

2025

Author

UberGoblin

• Chapter 39
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 38
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 37
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 36
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 35
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 34
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 33
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 32
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 31
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 30
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 29
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 28
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 27
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 26
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 25
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 24
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 23
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 22
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 21
  May 17, 2025
• Chapter 20
  May 17, 2025

What readers say about The Man Behind The Mage

• “My review here may offer perspective on the nature and the relationship of Niles and Birgit that will fundamentally change or spoil the story so out of an abundance of caution I am spoilering a large chunk of this review. The opening with Niles getting isek…”

  RznRoyal Road5.0 / 5

• “I love this story so far, it will definitely be going on my list of favorites! The two lead characters are very well defined, and have interesting interactions so far. Each one of them wants something different but it is very entertaining to see them work t…”

  BrockMRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

Community Reviews(10)

• RznRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  My review here may offer perspective on the nature and the relationship of Niles and Birgit that will fundamentally change or spoil the story so out of an abundance of caution I am spoilering a large chunk of this review.
  The opening with Niles getting isekaied is interesting enough, a nice method for sure. The summoner Birgit is a kappa, and despite the cover art, she described as having a wide mouth and vertical slits for eyes giving her a frog-like appearance. The matter of species and love here gets a bit handwaved away, but by the end Birgit (and others) become indistinguishable from human in the prose - even when physical differences should matter. Why does this matter? For a world full of different creatures these differences amount to token accessories. That and this does go extensively into the meme of hand holding.
  It is well-written with good pacing and has some humor and a variety of activities that thankfully do not cause it to get bogged down in the magical school story humdrum. Instead, this focuses almost entirely on their relationship and development. Given the society, and the prevailing interest it does make sense for the focus to be on Niles and Birgit's relationship to the detriment of other aspects for the purposes of good storytelling and not allowing the reader to be distracted long enough to break free of Birgit's 'spell'. The reader experiences what Niles' life is like even when the POV is from Birgit. Whether or not this resonates with the reader should be considered by chapter 5/6. If a reader makes it to the end of Chapter 10, they'll probably be ensnared until the end. The end itself felt a little rushed, but the conclusion worked.
  Now for the spoiler aspect - you've been warned this may change your perspective of the story!!! This is probably not what the author intended, but this part here is an observed aspect of the relationship and while I do not go to the latter half of the book - this will likely ruin the romantic element.
  With t
• BrockMRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  I love this story so far, it will definitely be going on my list of favorites! The two lead characters are very well defined, and have interesting interactions so far. Each one of them wants something different but it is very entertaining to see them work together. I hope that the author posts the rest of the story soon. If help editing/anything else is required to post early just pm me I’m invested in the story.
• Jeffhowell3Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  The story knows what it is. Doesn't delay what it's doing does what it wants and leaves with a satisfying ending. Thankfully the author didn't drag on forever and just did with the heart of the story was. Recommend for anyone. Just looking for a quick read that has an ending.
• ThankyouRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  I loved it. Good character feelings and motivation.  The pacing was on point, and when it wrapped up it left me with a good mix of satisfaction and wanting more. I can't wait to see what else the author has for us. Hope y'all enjoy it as much as I did.
• AstyanaxRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Definitely consider this story if you like:
  Light romance
  A light-hearted tone
  A well-executed story that leaves you wanting more
  A story that doesn't drag on
  What this story does NOT feature:
  Pulse-pounding adrenaline-fueled action
  Elaborate plot twists and surprises
  Blue boxes and litrpg elements
  Epic length
  The Man Behind the Mage review (contains minor spoilers)
  Style: A competently written story that prioritizes character development over plot twists, but it still left room for me to wonder where it might end up. Good pacing.
  Story: The story starts with an amazing hook that completely drew me in without relying on action or tragedy.
  The setting is fascinating and could've easily been expanded on further, but I respect the author's choice to prioritize romantic developments over, say, writing a slice-of-life school story with tournament arcs and a painfully dragged out love triangle.
  I did feel the ending part was a bit rushed, but even so, it wrapped up the loose ends and left me with good feelings.
  Character: The two protagonists are very well fleshed out: their thoughts and motivations are clear and believable.
  Dependency, class status, and awkwardness are but a few things that stand in the way of open and honest conversation (as is the case with many romance stories), and I feel this part in particular was done excellently.
  Side characters were secondary, and unsurprisingly, were not fleshed out to the same degree as the main characters.
  Grammar: Only the occasional error, nothing that impacts comprehension.
  Bottom line: if you're into this genre, you won't regret reading this one.
  As for me, I'll be moving onto UberGoblin's other published stories.
• Groo98Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  Great writing and characters. My only critique is that the overall story was a bit weak. I'd have also liked to hear Niles explain life on Earth to these people. More fluff words to follow: one two three four five six seven eight nine ten eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen.
• MakionGamesRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  I really like this premise, how the MC is able to work their unique form of magic. I even like how it's kind of a support role. But I do have to agree with other reviews, how he didn't want to be 'used' like he was in his previous relationship, but seemed ok with it again.  I can kinda understand how he might, since his place in this world is closer to slavery than not, but it seemed a bit over the top.
  I think this story is a good example of how not communicating with the person you're in a relationship with (on whatever level, and these main characters have at least a working relationship) can lead to questions, disappointment, dissatisfaction, or heartbreak. Once the 2 MC's do talk, they're a lot happier. I know you have to have some back and forth to make a good story, so ok.
  Those 2 issues are worth 1/2 a star for me. This last one is what pushed me to give it 4 stars, not 4.5.
  The epilogue chapter was pretty disappointing to me. It ended about how you'd expect, which is nice. But, it wrapped up in a paragraph or 2.. No description of any sort of happily ever after, kind of like how you'd expect. Just.. Yep, they're happy, off to class again. After so much angst, and back and forth about how they want this or that in life, the story just.. ends. Maybe there's supposed to be a epilogue part 2?
  So, good story, overall. A little more work, and it could be great.
• SablethollowRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 3.5

  I liked the setup and overall flow of the story, character and world were interesting enough. My only and biggest problem with this is Niles swearing to not be used in a relationship, and then immediately settling down as a living battery and servant for other people. He is effectively treated as a non-person because of his status and easily accepts anyone and everyone pulling magic from him out of nowhere. At the very least I could see that as being rude, comparing it to everyone taking a part of him simply because it grows back, but he allows it without pause. Regardless of what they say, they do treat him like a resource rather than a person, and he barely puts his foot down, only to double back and forgive/regret it immediately. Where's the demand to make his own decisions? the choice to withhold magic until he knows someone? A relationship with someone where him granting magic is either never mentioned or even rejected by the other person? I am glad that the romance is not as easy as their eyes meeting or sudden reversal of outright hate to overwhelming love, but it is not healthy in the slightest. And that saddens me, because I would hope that be a base requirement after he just left a toxic relationship behind.
  Again, like it more than some other stories, but diminished by Niles' lack of self-respect or agency.
• Laurent JerryRoyal Road

  ★★★ 2.5

  Its nice enough, the concept IS novel which is getting rare, the writing quality is really good.
  Now the character are interresting but quite inconsistant. MC swiches to deep resentment to friendly all the time. Summoner has visibly never payed any attention to invocation classes, she never questions her summon interest or seek his opinion, never tries to dig into his motivations and belief, takes him for granted, breaks the terms of contract about 2hours in, and worst of all she realizes her summon is not happy with her and his situation and several time that she is fudging up but says nothing. Or maybe its the worst school ever.
  The MC says that he resents being a spectator of his own life and wants more agency and yet he barely ever speaks up and is enterely passive and lets everyone steamroll him. He wants someone in his life that values him and not what he provides and despite that the FMC barely consider him more than furniture but is hung up on his benefits.
  Still original and enjoyable overall even if crippled with character bipolarity on both MC and summoner thats very very hard to understand. I have a sweet spot for a nice romance, so i can see its an attempt to set things up even if turns more into a wicked vile thing, overall it quite a nice read
• krum_2k1Royal Road

  ★★★ 2.5

  Great start, interaction seemed too human..hoped there would be more imagination considering it was supposed to be a alien world and all..
  ‎ Too fluffy in my opinion...‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
  I hope author improve on those points otherwise I really like the idea, being summoned and becoming guardian ..has a nic ring to it .. hopefully it will be gritty enough and good fights