A non-editor framework for learning game development as an intermediate.

Hey! I've been learning game dev and programming (C# for Unity, GDScript for Godot) for quite some time now, doing all sorts of projects in 2D and 3D. I am an artist first. I do animation and 2d art and music, and I feel like working in an engine is great but I want to LEARN and UNDERSTAND what happens under the hood, how memory works, how a game is made from top to bottom by creating tiny games (like Pong) with a focus on learning the bare basics of programming and game development without the hand holding and bloat of an editor.

I've been thinking about using a framework like Raylib (I know it's C/C++ but I don't mind learning) or Monogame (I love C#) but I don't know if it's great for an intermediate like me. I will probably need some learning resources to get started.

What do you guys suggest?