First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has followed Kadia’s journey up to this point. Your support and feedback—positive, negative, or somewhere in between—continues to shape my writing and push me to refine my craft. I’m aware that many of you felt that this third book wasn’t what they expected, especially after the first two books followed more typical Game lit themes. Some found it detached or felt it lost the charm of the earlier installments. Others were surprised by how different the tone and pacing seemed.

I’d like to acknowledge those feelings and explain why this book might have felt so drastically different. After writing the first two books without professional guidance, I sought out a developmental editor for this installment, hoping to expand the series’ foundation and give Kadia’s story new depth. The result—while aiming to explore more complex themes and set up crucial elements for future arcs—may not have resonated with everyone in the way I had hoped. I realize now that the transition was abrupt, and it may have come across as a “bait and switch” for readers who were expecting a continuation of the same style and pace. I know that not every reader will enjoy this book, and that’s okay. Some enjoy the slower pace and deeper introspection, others prefer the more straightforward game lit style that characterized the first two books. My goal has always been to create a story that resonates emotionally and thematically, even if it takes some detours along the way.

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Ultimately, this book was intended to lay the groundwork for the future of the series. I genuinely appreciate everyone who stuck with it, even if it wasn’t quite what they’d hoped for. Your honesty gives me perspective on what aspects worked and where I might need to improve. I’m striving to balance the slice-of-life elements, world-building, and evolving character arcs in a way that does justice to both the story and the readers who’ve joined me on this journey.

And finally, I want you to know that I’m still learning and growing as a writer. I am by no means a professional—I’m just someone who writes to keep boredom from creeping in, and with a hope of one day being able to earn a modest living. Your continued support and feedback mean the world to me, and they guide me as I refine my craft.

Thank you, as always, for reading and for sharing your thoughts.

Warmly, Taniko.

P.S. I am actively working on The Fourth Tail, and I promise it’s a lot more like the first book in the series. A character introduced in Book Three (Aeon) will be taking on all the administrative responsibilities for the temple, effectively freeing Kadia to rejoin her friends and embrace a more exploratory lifestyle. I’m excited to share what comes next, and I hope you’ll enjoy where the story goes from here.