Nah. Season 2 was incredible. Your parasocial feelings towards Ian do not make this a bad story.
If you don't appreciate the world building and way that Brian/Sol's relationship truly changed the world, then this ain't the web comic for you.
"Parasocial feelings"? My guy, Ian is the main character, you are supposed to be attached to him. It's not that I don't appreciate the world building, I don't appreciate how the author wrote season 2 to barely have the main character around. I get that Brian technically is Ian but they have different personalities and motivations and are also different people. I think it is completely fair for a reader to dislike not seeing the main character of a story for over 30 chapters, especially when the readers are already invested in Ian.
I don't think the flashbacks aren't inherently bad either. The author is a very skilled writer and that shines through, I just think that the flashbacks would work much, much better if they were spread out and not dumped in a single season. My main reason for thinking this way is that the present day plot has not moved, and it is natural for a reader to see that lack of progress and feel bored with the story. You do not have to agree with me on any of my takes as they are *my* opinions alone. I am not trying to convince you of anything, you do not have to agree with me.
You should re-read season 1 after reading season 2. Cause every think Ian feels toward Sol during the building of their relationship is like “Deja vu” or like a “Familiar thing”.
Even the little kid recognizes that the power held by Ian was similar to Sol’s while he admitted his was different. Every little details in their interactions serves as “cue” to lead us to understand that actually Sol and Ian was bonded. Ian personality isn’t that different of Brian’s, they’re both restless, stubborn, loyal to their beliefs and with a strong sense of justice. The major difference is that Ian was always rejected and invalidated for simply existing.
But atp it’s your loss to not understand that this author want to make a story with near 0 plot hole. I’m very grateful for season 2 cause it explains the very deep bonding of Ian and Sol.
This backstory is wasting time 30+ chapters that could've just been a single one. The audience doesn't need to know the minutiae of Brian's life. We do not need to know how exactly he built all these cities and brought peace to the land. Not one thing here will be needed after the backstory section is done. The author really fucked up imo with including this section and making it as long as it was when all the audience really needs to know is the backstory of the dragons and what killed Brian. Idek if I even want to continue bc this season has been pissing me off so much and apparently we don't even get back to Ian until season 3 so like. I read this for Ian not this ugly blue hair and pronouns fraud Brian what kind of name is brian why would an ancient man be named Brian Brian is like surfer dude bro kind of name not ancient dragon prince consort or whatever the fuck