Actually, I think the different colors helps you identify your spells easier than if everything was melted into the same color, so I'm not exactly sure what the issue is with a colorful VFX and spell icons...

Thematically, SCH was a poison mage who chanced upon ancient magic used by tacticians accompanied with their fairy partner, like the other posts said. I think there was a good mix between the scholar, who had offensive and damage prevention abilities, and the fairy, who has supportive and pure healing abilities. It feels like two unique partners with different strengths, covering for each others' weaknesses. I think that's what solidifies SCH's identity as a battlefield strategist.

Unfortunately the poison mage stuff got nuked alongside individual control of the fairy (and one of the fairy's modes) and we're left with two entities that do the same thing, heal heal heal.

The floating holograms are a reference to FFXI SCH's Libra, which is scanning your opponent for weaknesses. It's meant to be imaginary. I don't think the shields look futuristic at all. It's hexagonal, which is the strongest structure in nature. I can understand Seraph being an issue thematically because it never really was explained where she even comes from. She's really lackluster for a fairy that you summon to raise everyone to full heal in your LB3. I agree with the Broil IV glasses, they look lame.