IntelliJ not recognizing "out" key word in Java

You don't have to create the standard java.lang.System as an object of any class. Its methods can be used directly without prior declaration or instantiation, like this:

See also: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/49555859/why-dont-we-have-to-create-object-of-system-or-math-classes-in-java-and-use-the

Thank you so much, i also had to cast strings as strings again for some reason

That is because you initially added an unneeded <String> type parameter into your main method declaration. After you've removed it, casts became unnecessary - and that's the way it should be.

Try this website in order to get your Java basics covered. A lot of things about the syntax and code construction are explained pretty nicely there.