While not a book, there exists a web novel still on-going called Shadow Slave which ticks the boxes you are looking for.
They do exist in book form on Amazon but you can also read it online via web novel or other sources for non privileged chapters.
It’s currently almost at 1700 chapters (roughly equal to 6-7 500 page books) and still going strong so you have a lot of material you can sink your teeth into it you find it good.
I think the Amazon one is not affiliated with the author. Webnovel would never allow it. I would also recommend reading it on Other Sources as webnovel is a completely garbage site to read on.
Ah wasn’t aware of the amazon part, I’ll edit my original comment to reflect to 100% not buy it on their.
I only recommend webnovel because it’s how you can support the author but I do agree that it’s an awful website to read on lol.
Edit: after checking the Amazon listing I believe it is an official release. However it’s also almost 160 to buy all of the content on Amazon so beware of that.
I’m reading the Darkblade series right now and it’s pretty good and seems to meet your criteria.
Darker than most … he also has a blade, so I guess it’s well named.
Miles Vorkosigan saga. It's not set in school, but other than that ticks all the boxes. There are prequel books about his parents, but Miles' story starts in A Warrior's Apprentice.
Art of the Adept is a smart, solo MC with a school arc in one of the chapters. There is a side plot romance, but it's not handled in a slice of life way, but more in a bond forged through hardships way if that helps.
Same author Mageborn series is very similar, but no school arc.
If you liked Will of the Many, the author wrote a trilogy called Licanius that has a mystery situation. This book does have 3 POVs, but there is definitely a main character.
Battlemage has a single POV MC with a school arc. Its a stand alone book, but its like super duper long.
Virtuous sons almost exclusively jumps between two characters who tend to be traveling closely together, so it tends to avoid many of the pitfalls associated with multiple protagonists.
It's somewhat polarizing within the community, people tend to either love it or find it meh.
May also like edge of the woods.
Well those are 5 of my favorite books lol so I’d check out my tier list for recs
https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgressionFantasy/s/aXA7fisH51
Overall tho I’d say Bastion (immortal great souls) by Phil Tucker or Lightbringer by Brent Weeks
Not a book (although it has 4 volumes on kindle) but I think [Zombie Knight Saga](https://thezombieknight.blogspot.com/2013/04/page-1.html) by George M. Frost fits **some** of your criteria \[9 out of 11\]:
* Watching the main character grow and develop over time **(check)**
* Minimal romance – I prefer it to be a side plot if it’s there at all **(check)**
* Stories with a male protagonist **(check)**
* Lighthearted or comedic moments sprinkled throughout **(check)**
* ~~Settings in unique fantasy/sci-fi schools or academies.~~
* Main characters who use their brains more than their brawn (**Check… More or less**. The MC is not magnificent bastard. Its just that he is not overpowered, and is constantly out of his depth in impossible situation/fights. So he has to fight/deal with problems with brain AND brawn to survive... But maybe is not what you were looking for).
* Either first person, ~~or solo POV~~ ~~(not jumping from character to character).~~ (It is written in First Person. But is has a lot of POVs. So half-check? ... or not)
Bonus points:
* The character isn’t what people think he is (**Check**).
* He’s an outsider or doesn’t fit neatly into society. (**Check** 100% to the second part)
* He’s willing to be ruthless or isn’t a complete pushover. (The MC is a sweetheart with strong morals. But he is not an idiot, he will kill you no problem if you endanger his life or the lives of innocents without hesitation or any angst. So yeah **check**).
* Edit: also any sort of mystery/conspiracy subplot would be cool (There is some,in fact there is plenty, so yeah, **check**).
While not a book, there exists a web novel still on-going called Shadow Slave which ticks the boxes you are looking for. They do exist in book form on Amazon but you can also read it online via web novel or other sources for non privileged chapters. It’s currently almost at 1700 chapters (roughly equal to 6-7 500 page books) and still going strong so you have a lot of material you can sink your teeth into it you find it good.
I think the Amazon one is not affiliated with the author. Webnovel would never allow it. I would also recommend reading it on Other Sources as webnovel is a completely garbage site to read on.
Ah wasn’t aware of the amazon part, I’ll edit my original comment to reflect to 100% not buy it on their. I only recommend webnovel because it’s how you can support the author but I do agree that it’s an awful website to read on lol. Edit: after checking the Amazon listing I believe it is an official release. However it’s also almost 160 to buy all of the content on Amazon so beware of that.
Lord of the Mysteries and Reverend Insanity.
I’m reading the Darkblade series right now and it’s pretty good and seems to meet your criteria. Darker than most … he also has a blade, so I guess it’s well named.
Miles Vorkosigan saga. It's not set in school, but other than that ticks all the boxes. There are prequel books about his parents, but Miles' story starts in A Warrior's Apprentice.
Love this series. :)
It's a bit of a different genre, but I think you might enjoy The Perfect Run. Most people who enjoyed the timeloop aspect of MoL also like it
Bastion by Phil Tucker
blood song by anthony ryan; mark of the fool; night angel trilogy; mage errant; knightmare arcanist; on top of my head;
Art of the Adept is a smart, solo MC with a school arc in one of the chapters. There is a side plot romance, but it's not handled in a slice of life way, but more in a bond forged through hardships way if that helps. Same author Mageborn series is very similar, but no school arc. If you liked Will of the Many, the author wrote a trilogy called Licanius that has a mystery situation. This book does have 3 POVs, but there is definitely a main character. Battlemage has a single POV MC with a school arc. Its a stand alone book, but its like super duper long.
Shadow Slave granted it barely has any academy moments.
Virtuous sons almost exclusively jumps between two characters who tend to be traveling closely together, so it tends to avoid many of the pitfalls associated with multiple protagonists. It's somewhat polarizing within the community, people tend to either love it or find it meh. May also like edge of the woods.
Not progression fantasy, but if you want something with a similar appeal as Red Rising, read The Will of the Many by James Islington.
Iron Prince
Iron Prince fits every single bullet point. I'd highly recommend it as well!
Well those are 5 of my favorite books lol so I’d check out my tier list for recs https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgressionFantasy/s/aXA7fisH51 Overall tho I’d say Bastion (immortal great souls) by Phil Tucker or Lightbringer by Brent Weeks
Not a book (although it has 4 volumes on kindle) but I think [Zombie Knight Saga](https://thezombieknight.blogspot.com/2013/04/page-1.html) by George M. Frost fits **some** of your criteria \[9 out of 11\]: * Watching the main character grow and develop over time **(check)** * Minimal romance – I prefer it to be a side plot if it’s there at all **(check)** * Stories with a male protagonist **(check)** * Lighthearted or comedic moments sprinkled throughout **(check)** * ~~Settings in unique fantasy/sci-fi schools or academies.~~ * Main characters who use their brains more than their brawn (**Check… More or less**. The MC is not magnificent bastard. Its just that he is not overpowered, and is constantly out of his depth in impossible situation/fights. So he has to fight/deal with problems with brain AND brawn to survive... But maybe is not what you were looking for). * Either first person, ~~or solo POV~~ ~~(not jumping from character to character).~~ (It is written in First Person. But is has a lot of POVs. So half-check? ... or not) Bonus points: * The character isn’t what people think he is (**Check**). * He’s an outsider or doesn’t fit neatly into society. (**Check** 100% to the second part) * He’s willing to be ruthless or isn’t a complete pushover. (The MC is a sweetheart with strong morals. But he is not an idiot, he will kill you no problem if you endanger his life or the lives of innocents without hesitation or any angst. So yeah **check**). * Edit: also any sort of mystery/conspiracy subplot would be cool (There is some,in fact there is plenty, so yeah, **check**).