So it got removed because it made it slower and wasn't classed fast enough of a difference to be called a speedrun? Or was it just a Quality of Life change to make runs slightly faster?

If you start a new character run, do you have to have 0 mana when you start, if not, why? It makes sense to me to start fresh for new characters so everyone is on an even playing field. If not people can just instantly fully level up an item and be able to do it faster than others.

1 death (I think) in Scrabania Nests which cost like 18s? Some movement mistakes but overall really happy with this run :)

Yes that is allowed.

Thank you Phoenix for the approval, I will make sure the audio is fixed for the future.