Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it!
The magic system is currently not implemented so don't worry about that.
I've already made the level shorter by skipping some of the more filler-y screens and the level is much better paced and less of a pain to replay after dying as a result.
Initially the background was much brighter but it was kind of an eyesore during the boss so I darkened it to make the sprites pop more.
The lanterns are just background decorations don't worry lol.