Not a bad read! Though there's apparently more to come, I feel like the story works pretty well as a vignette even now. Many worldbuilding details will presumably be fleshed out and paid off in what is set to follow, but other plot points – like the protagonist's sick mother, or his academic exploits – do come off as interesting context for the characters and the drama between them. It's honest slice-of-life but well enough paced and structured to avoid the worst pitfalls of the genre.

On the other hand, I feel like the prose could use some further polishing; many lines feel kind of clunky and labored. At the risk of getting too nitpicky, let me pull out an example of what I'm talking about: "Finally passing through the gate, I try and estimate the amount of time I have left before my first lectures at the academy begin." First of all, I think "try and estimate" sounds less natural than the more obvious choice "try to estimate", and "the amount of time" is sort of a heavy phrase – "how much time" or some other rewording would probably work better.

Also, for a narrative that feels like it wants to evoke a strong sense of setting, I think it doesn't really push the descriptions far enough. Though the writing pulls off the mechanical delivery of information, the sensory experience of what it feels like to live in this world is not painted sharply enough to really elevate the worldbuilding. The tangible physicality of the character interactions is good, however; it feels like the game pays attention to all the correct things there.

But even if the presentation is not without its issues – the sprites jumping around as a result of some expressions being misaligned, for instance – I would call the art the VN's strongest aspect overall. There's a lot of it (the opening sequence is so charming!), and it's erotic in a sort of classically romantic way that fits the relatively restrained story. Though there is some rougher and less refined stuff in there, it feels like nailing expressions and anatomy was a priority, and it works out fantastically. It's just pleasant to look at all around.

'Respite in the Core' is a sweet fluff gay romance vignette within an interesting bigger fantasy world. This visual novel is just a really charming little thing, with all the custom art sprites and backgrounds, it really carves out an aesthetic for itself. The characters are really well explored, and there's just enough context clues in the dialog to really get a sense for the social dynamics that each lives in. This artist definitely has a body type they enjoy and I am here for it, very appreciative of the body positivity message that permeates through the story.  In a way, this is very much a 'high-school/college' drama, but set in the ancient era, where robes and loincloths are the fashion, and a lack of plumbing and electricity are it's defining traits. 

You have Lyla the meek lower-class but hardworking guy who's striving to be better, who has a crush on Hati, the hot jock new student who moved into town last year. After getting protected from the haughty high-class bully, the two young loves go on a picnic, and Lyla gets to watch Hati take a bath in the river, and then join him, so teasingly hot and erotic, but also sweet. So good that they get to have a moment of intimacy, before just falling asleep with each other, still barely dressed. My one critique is to add more sprite expressions and outfits for the characters, just to help give that extra bit of detail. It's not re-inventing the wheel of a good budding gay love story, and that's fine, sometimes it's good to appreciate a classic formula, especially one that has such great world building and lovely art at all the most important moments.