Interestingly, after a couple of days of play I can confidently say that I've found somewhat of a solution. After the thought of messing with Windows performance options themselves came to mind—though I wasn't able to find the setting I mentioned, I did come across and decide to lower the `Appearance and Performance of Windows` settings. Basically, all the basic UI functionalities of Windows—and I set that to `Adjust to attain Best Performance.` Now while it didn't 100% iron out the game for me, (given the time to run for a little while) the game lags A LOT less, if at all sometimes. I do still get some lag spikes when initially entering an area and especially if I rush in as soon as it boots like before, but unlike before, it is much more brief—lasting only 30 seconds or a minute if even that (where as before the lag took forever to stop regardless), after which the game again runs smoothly. ლ(^o^ლ)
I'll keep it in the back of my mind to see if there's anything else I come across that might completely better the performance, but I can't say I have the highest of expectations for my Laptop, so what I've reached so far is honestly great. More than bearable even. Thank you for your help—you and @Naroxas44, @taiiat—God bless, and hard maybe this thread might help someone else...! (人*´∀`)。*゚+