Afterword
Hello, Hitsuji Taro here.
This time, the fifteenth volume of Akashic Records of the Bastard Magic Instructor has finally been published.
To think, the fifteenth volume! When I was writing the first volume, I never imagined it would come this far (in fact, the story was supposed to wrap up in about five or six volumes).
This is all thanks to the support of the editorial team, my editors, and the incredible illustrations provided by the talented illustrator, Kurone Mishima-san.
And above all, it’s because of you, the readers, who have continued to support this story.
I feel like I say this every time, but that’s fine! I’ll say it as many times as it takes!
Everyone, thank you so much, always!
Now, about this fifteenth volume… well, the story just keeps getting bigger, doesn’t it?
No, really, this was always the plan for the story’s direction.
The stage has finally expanded to the world! Glenn and the others are being swept up in the grand currents of the era.
This volume feels like a prelude to that. The story, which had been spreading out wildly in all directions until now, has started to converge all at once… that’s the sense I got while writing this time.
That aside.
Writing about a world tournament is, as expected, thrilling. It’s just so much fun.
Characters who were once rivals joining hands to fight on a grander world stage—it’s practically a trope! No matter how many times it’s been done, it’s the ultimate classic structure that never fails to spark excitement.
I mean, come on, how many times have shonen manga done this? Honestly, Captain Tsubasa and Eyeshield 21—don’t you ever get tired of it?
Of course you don’t!
So, I, Hitsuji Taro, will write it! I don’t care if it’s been seen before, called a rip-off, or feels overdone!
I write because I want to write—yaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Ahem.
Anyway, lately, while writing Bastard Magic Instructor, I’ve been thinking a lot about “change.”
The changes and growth of each character. This has always been one of the core themes of Bastard Magic Instructor, and I’ve tried to portray characters like Sistine, Rumia, Re=L, Celica, Eve, and Albert gradually changing and growing as the story progresses.
It might be my bias as the author, but I believe this is largely due to the presence of the protagonist, Glenn.
So, what about Glenn himself? He’s become more forward-looking compared to before, but he still hasn’t fully settled his past dreams. What will happen to him?
Perhaps the time is approaching when he, too, will have to face something.
The endpoint is in sight. But this story still has a ways to go.
Until then, I hope you, the readers, will continue to warmly watch over the story of Bastard Magic Instructor and the journey of Glenn and the others.
Please, I ask for your continued support.
Hitsuji Taro
