I have to say, i thoroughly enjoyed this. I didn't think I would as much as I do, and I'm greatly looking forward to more. :D

Man I’m all here for pragmatic, apathetic Shikamaru refusing to fall in line with Dumbledore’s manipulation

Man just going from the summary? I’m excited to see how this all plays out. “There are few things more frightful than a motivated Nara.”

I know this is late, but Shikamaru is very much a Gar Stu.
He can’t not be as a ninja with 200 IQ
Shikamaru took out an S-Class immortal as a Chunin...

This is awsome keep up the good work.

This story is a pleasure to read. It's also very funny. Please continue this!

Do none of the teachers care that Shika stabbed a troll with a kunai? Like the giant cuts in its neck didn’t bring up discussions or conversations? Or that fact that he had them on him in first place?

I had this reread for the third time and I believe this is the first time I review because I feel like saying to stay safe and healthy because you know, covid.
Also,
I loooooove Snape! And how he appreciates Shikamaru’s common sense in these situations. It’s a headache dealing with children especially with Voldemort on the rise.

I really like this book so far! Shikamaru is a whole ass mood ngl-

You wrote that there were four of them when they were asked to came to Lockhart's place after pixie incident, but there were five of them: Shikamaru, Hermione, Harry, Ron and Neville.

I want to see what Shikamaru would react when he finds out about the witch trials and how the “took care” of “the sinners”. Like it’s the same as what the Mist did with their people on getting rid of everyone with a bloodline. I can see him try a bit harder to try and correct things in the future with the magical government. Cause why pure bloods wanting nothing to do with no maj’s started with the Witch trials. Like come on, also why hasn’t Heromine known about this, or at least thought of the possiblity of why they act that way instead of just being pompous peacocks because of their bloodline being pure? Like I don’t get why she hasn’t done more research in the no makeup territory? Could be because she’s closed herself a bit much or something else.

Severus likes Shikamaru. End of story.

Thank you so much for the newest chapter (14)! Honestly Shikamaru's emotional tolerance is so relatable at the end :D It's been lovely to see how he's integrated himself into the lives of everyone around him and have kept the pranks with Fred and George even more entertaining. I'm so excited to see what more he can do! (Also Professor McGonagall is amazing! :D)

Shikamaru and Severus's relationship is to die for honestly. It's really hilarious how similar they are sometimes. Also, this story is really refreshing. It has a good blend of dialogue and prose and the pacing is very well done too. Shikamaru's past is always a blast to read because it's so unexpectedly tragic every time and he doesn't even realise it. You have real talent as a writer which is rare to find in fanfiction these days so keep up the good work!

I have re-read the whole story because it is so amazing!
On the other hand there are things I'm curious about:
Is Shikamaru's patronus a deer like Harry's or not?
and
Will Shikamaru eventually succeed in going back to Elemental Nations?
Good luck with writing,
CaneVerde
P.S. Do you think you will be able to write the next chapter by the end of June (silly dream on behalf) but maybe by the end of the first hal of July? Anyway I'm waiting!