Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre

“This is an explanation about basic magic circles.”

As Vivian spoke, pushing up her large round glasses, a newfound confidence emanated from her that was previously unseen.

After coming out of the magic tower, she spent the entire day staring blankly into the air.

But I wasn’t too worried. I knew very well that she wouldn’t crumble like this.

Her love of alchemy was so passionate that she hadn’t left this world with a grudge against her mentor, but rather with a desire to hold an ink brush one last time.

And the next day, when she had recovered her strength as expected, she clasped the pen in her hand and said:

‘I’ll prove that Miss Belinda’s insight was accurate. I’m prepared to create anything you desire.’

The pupils behind her glasses sparkled with a stronger light than the day we first met. With a proud heart, I made my request without hesitation.

‘In that case, create a healing potion of great restoration that can cure any injury instantly.’

‘That’s…….’

She had hesitated in her response for a moment, but soon Vivian confidently answered, more so than ever.

‘Yes, I will create an item that will satisfy Miss Belinda.’

Immediately, she turned a room at the end of the first floor of the annex into a laboratory and set to work on the healing potion.

After watching her for a day, I realized that what she was pouring into her stomach while she worked was coffee, coffee, the occasional stomach medicine, and coffee again, so I dragged her into the dining room in a panic.

Then I subtly asked Vivian if she could teach Leo and I the basics of magic, and she readily agreed.

And so, the first day of lessons began.

With a fluttering heart, thinking that maybe I had a talent for magic as well, my expectations were shattered into pieces.

I stared at the complicated theory and intermingled magic circles on the blackboard with a blank expression.

Was this a magic lesson or a lesson on how to shatter my self-esteem?

I glanced over at Leo and saw tears welling up in his eyes as he stared in confusion.

Surely, he was bouncing on his feet with excitement at the prospect of learning magic just a few minutes before class began.

The system window then kindly displayed the results of today’s lesson.

Goodness, has there ever been such a cost-ineffective lesson in the world?!

I sighed quietly.

“Vivian.”

“Ah, so you think we should skip the intermediate magic circles and move on to advanced spells?”

“Why do we add the seal magic circle to the ritual you explained at the end?”

To be honest, I didn’t understand from the first paragraph, but I asked the question with a feeling that the end was a bit challenging.

“…Huh? If you ask why…”

Ah, the face that says ‘why are you asking the obvious?’

I felt like a school kid who asked the stupidest question in the world. I don’t think I’ve ever been called a failure before anywhere, but today would be the day.

“Because it feels like we should?” Vivian answered matter-of-factly.

“……?”

But something about Vivian’s answer was odd.

With a sense of disbelief, I threw another question.

“Then, why do you make modifications when adding the magical formula that you explained earlier to the first magic circle?”

“I feel like it needs to be modified based on intuition.”

Wait a moment. Could it be that magic is not difficult, but…

‘Isn’t it just that Vivian is hopelessly bad at teaching?’

“Do you draw up blueprints beforehand when you make your tools?”

“I’m not skilled enough to draw blueprints in advance. But somehow, I manage to complete the tools by following my instincts.”

So, that’s how geniuses exist!

Finally, I realized.

The problem was not with the student but with the teacher.

I gently patted Leo, who was slumped over in defeat.

Then I turned to Vivian.

“Vivian, you know how to put up a good fight.”

“Huh? What… what do you mean, Miss Belinda?”

That’s why my child’s enthusiasm is being crushed. You’re too much of a genius!

***

I wanted Leo to have the best magician in the kingdom as his teacher.

And when referring to the kingdom’s greatest magician, it naturally refers to the owner of the Gray Tower.

‘But that person is unparalleled when it comes to being hard to approach.’

Ending Number 11 of “Hirome,” the Conqueror of the Gray Tower.

As the name suggests, the protagonist becomes the disciple of the master of the Gray Tower and later succeeds him as the tower’s master.

It’s not a difficult ending to collect, as the Gray Tower’s master will come at you like a bulldozer, asking if you’d like to be his apprentice as long as the encounter event with the Tower Master is fulfilled.

If you accept the Tower Master’s proposal, various investments pour in.

Not only does he pour his magic into the protagonist every day to replenish his magic, but he also provides a full course of magical training for free using the elite resources of the tower.

At first glance, it seems like a perfect Cinderella ending, but…….

‘I always had a feeling that something was fishy.’

The more I progressed through the Conqueror of the Grey Tower ending, the more I couldn’t shake the feeling that the Tower Master was hiding something.

How can I put it? It felt like there was something mysterious about the person.

He always wore a hood deeply pulled over his face, so I never saw  face properly.

The only thing I know is the name “Kiss,” and since the position of the Tower Master itself is a name, they are simply referred to as “Rue,” which means Archmage, signifying the Tower Master, without casually mentioning their actual name. 

Furthermore, although he’s good at what he does, he’s not a very good person.

He’s temperamental, fickle, selfish, and strangely childlike, and sometimes he’ll get a little annoyed with the protagonist.

‘Now that you mention it, he’s a real arsehole.’

Come to think of it, he’s the one who killed Belinda the most of any of the supporting characters.

I couldn’t entrust Leo’s education to someone like that, at least not while I was by his side.

That’s why I chose Vivian to teach him magic.

There is no doubt that Vivian is an exceptional magician, but I realized through this opportunity that not all geniuses become great teachers.

‘I’ll have no choice but to try and find a magic teacher for Leo in the Magic Tower.’

I searched my memory to see if there was anyone in the game who might be suitable.

“Miss Belinda, Miss Belinda, I’m ready!”

Leo’s door, connected to my room, suddenly swung open, and the most adorable creature in the world came running out energetically.

Wearing a top with a large sailor collar, shorts, and a slightly tilted beret.

Leo’s cuteness was no longer of this world, as he was wearing the outfit I had kept for special occasions.

Ah, my eyes cleared, and all the wickedness in my heart was purified. Okay, bonus points for the butler responsible for Leo’s outfit!

“Oh my gosh. That’s him…….”

One of the maids, who had been doing my makeup, covered her mouth with her hand in surprise when she saw Leo.

Judging by the unfamiliarity of her face, she must be a newly appointed maid, and I fully understood her admiration.

Leo had changed beyond recognition from when he first came here.

The efforts I made to feed him well seemed to have paid off as his previously thin cheeks had filled out nicely, and his shoulders, which were always hunched from being cautious, now stood straight and confident.

Although I couldn’t say warm words to him, Leo grew day by day, like a tree thriving under the sunlight in the courtyard.

It made me both grateful and regretful to see him growing up so fast.

‘But still, it would be better for him to gain some more weight.’

His plump cheeks were as soft as dough, and I should fatten them up until they stretch when pulled.

Just imagining the sight of him being full made me unknowingly smile with satisfaction.

At that moment, Terry, who was coming out of Leo’s room, asked me.

“Oh, Master. Don’t you like Ratchet’s outfit?”

No way. I liked it so much I was considering giving you a bonus.

“Why?”

“Because the way you’re looking at Ratchet’s outfit is like, ‘If you draw a line on a pumpkin, it’s still a pumpkin.'”

Leo, who was approaching me, came to a sudden stop at those words.

“Pumpkin…….”

With a gloomy whisper, I not only canceled Terry’s bonus but also decided to reduce her salary.

Afterward, Leo sat quietly on one of the chairs, waiting patiently for me to finish dressing.

However, despite his composed appearance, his legs were uncontrollably shaking with excitement that didn’t touch the ground.

We were getting ready to go see the festival currently taking place in the royal capital.

It was a plan I came up with to lower Leo’s skyrocketing stress level.

As I waited for my hair to be done, I caught a glimpse in the mirror of Leo whispering something to a distant maid.