Afterword
Hello, this is Hitsuji Tarou.
This time, the fourth volume of Akashic Records of the Bastard Magical Instructor has finally been published.
I extend my infinite gratitude to the editors, everyone involved in the publishing process, and all the readers who have supported Rokudenashi—or Rokuaka for short. Thank you so much!
Now, about the fourth volume… Man, this is exactly the kind of story I wanted to write!
This time, Glenn and Albert, former comrades from the Imperial Court Mage Corps, take center stage! Each holding fast to their unyielding beliefs, they team up for a common goal, leading to a hard-hitting, gritty development… Honestly, there’s just something so great about these clumsy, rough-around-the-edges interactions between guys, right? It’s the kind of thing that gets your blood pumping! Of course, the heroines also shine, each moving vividly in their own roles with their unique personalities. I’m really satisfied!
By the way.
This is a bit out of nowhere, but I have a trusted friend who often gives me feedback on my creative work. I usually have them read my manuscripts before submission to get their opinions… and this time, we had a conversation like this:
“Arghhh! So close, Hitsuji! You were this close! I’m talking about Albert, man, Albert!”
“Huh? What’s wrong with Albert? Did I mess something up?”
“No, no, that’s not it… Why didn’t you make him a female character?!”
My friend was apparently joking, and at the time, we laughed it off with me going, “Huh? What’re you talking about, you idiot? Shut up, it’s just a joke, haha!” But…
…later, when I really thought about it.
Albert’s character… now that I think about it, doesn’t he kinda feel a bit like a heroine or something?
For example, if you change Albert’s first-person pronoun from ‘ore’ to ‘watashi,’ and imagine those lines being spoken not by a ‘long-haired black-haired man’ but by a ‘long-haired black-haired woman’…
“…Fine. If you say so, I’ll trust you.”
“Tch… Do whatever you want. This time, I’m really done with you.”
“Well, fine. I warned you. All I can do now is pray you don’t hesitate when the moment comes.”
Wait, what? This guy could seriously pass as a heroine!? He’s totally giving off cool, aloof, kuudere older-sister vibes now! And honestly, it’s kinda hitting all my buttons! If that’s the case…
…No, hold on, Hitsuji! You wanted to write about the awkward camaraderie between men, the kind of fiery, punch-throwing moments where they can only understand each other through fists, right?! That’s why you’ve been fine-tuning Albert’s character and backstory all this time, isn’t it?! Are you really going to throw all that away now?! Just because of a fleeting whim, are you going to flip everything upside down… Is that something you can do? Don’t you feel guilty toward all the readers?!
“That’s right, I’m a novelist who’s been given the chance to work as a professional! I’ve got to stick to my principles, the ones I’ve known all along, right, Hitsuji?! I’ll protect my pride as a novelist no matter what…!”
And then, a few days later.
“Hello, you’ve reached the Fantasia Bunko editorial department. This is I speaking.”
“Oh, Editor I-san? Hey, it’s Hitsuji Tarou. So, I came up with this really great idea—what if we made Albert’s true identity a woman? Like, how about that twist…”
“Rejected, you moron.”
Hitsuji Tarou
