Prologue:
The Villain Aristocrat Awakens
ONE EVENING WHILE EATING DINNER, I SUDDENLY realized—or perhaps I should say “remembered”—something important.
Ah. That’s right. I’m a villain aristocrat.
I became keenly aware that somehow I existed not in my own world but in the world of a certain fantasy light novel. Worse, I was not even the main character… I was the aristocratic villain.
That’s about all I’ve realized though. So, what now?
“What’s wrong, Luke?”
“I was…just thinking about something.”
“I see. Well, be sure to eat your dinner before it gets cold.”
The table boasted an array of luxurious dishes and all kinds of fancy silverware lined up beside them. I sampled one, but it all tasted like nothing in my mouth. A few moments too late, the bizarre reality of the situation finally began to hit me. Like seriously, is this even possible?
Crap, what kind of story was this again? I can’t remember how it goes. Let’s see, I’ve got the setting, some of the characters maybe…that’s about it. This is no time for eating. I need to get a handle on this situation.
“My apologies, Mother. I’m feeling somewhat unwell, and I would like to retire to my room for the evening. May I be excused?”
“Oh dear, are you all right, Luke? I shall call for the priest at once—”
“That won’t be necessary,” I quickly interjected. “I’m just a little tired, that’s all.”
“I-is that so? Very well then. You must tell me if you take a turn for the worse.”
“Yes.”
I kept my reply to the bare minimum and quickly left the room. My butler trailed behind me down the hall. Then another voice called me.
“Luke.”
I stopped.
“Yes, Father?”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. I’m telling you the truth.”
“Right. Go on then.” He turned to my butler. “Alfred, inform us at once if you notice any change in his condition.”
“Of course, Master.”
Jeez, they’re such overprotective parents.
But I guess that must be why Luke turned out the way he did. It’s really fuzzy, but Luke’s memories are filed away in my head, and very few of them are of being scolded.
I’m so talented I can do basically anything on the first try. And even when I’m completely in the wrong, nobody would dare tell me—I mean, him—off. Of course that’s going to make him conceited and full of himself. He’s the very incarnation of arrogance. His personality was clearly heavily shaped by his environment.
“Well then, Master Luke. Please call for me if you need anything.”
“Sure.”
Alfred left me at the door to my room. Once I was inside, I immediately dove into bed and buried my face in a pile of pillows. I desperately tried to rein in my racing thoughts.
What do I do now? What’s my goal? What’s Luke’s goal? Seriously, where do I go next?!
I spent a while thinking about the possibilities. Due to my superior mental abilities, I could run through countless scenarios in an instant.
But no matter how I look at it, there’s only one answer.
The goal is simple: happiness.
I’m a villain named Luke now, and there’s nothing I can do to change that. The main character’s going to come and beat me up in the end because that’s what happens to the antagonist. Hm, what was the protagonist’s name again? “A”-something, I think? I can’t quite remember. It’ll come back to me eventually, I hope.
Anyway, I want my story to have a happy ending. I want to live a happy life. Luckily, as an aristocrat, I don’t expect I’ll want for much in most regards. But there’s more to life than money, and it’d be boring to just sit around doing nothing. There’s a whole fantasy world out there after all, with magic and swordplay and adventure. I feel compelled to get out there and explore it, and why not? What’s the point of holding back?
It was then that the thought struck me.
“I should really make an effort.”
It seems like this Luke character just coasts by on his privilege and never actually puts any effort into anything he does in this story. He’s never had to try. He started out with everything that most people have to struggle for years to obtain. That’s why he’s powerful and invulnerable to criticism despite being such a deeply unpleasant guy to be around.
He’s the kind of character you’re meant to hate, who only exists to give the readers a sense of satisfaction when he gets his comeuppance. Well, I have no interest in playing that part. But now I see that I’m in an interesting position: What would happen if this lazy, obnoxious character actually set his mind to something? I can’t help but wonder how that might change this world. I shouldn’t get ahead of myself, though; at this point in the story, I’m just ten years old. If I just keep going at this rate, following the plot, then I’ll be accepted into the magic academy at the capital by age fifteen. That’s what I see in Luke’s memories, anyway.
I figure that’s where I’m going to end up meeting the main character, unfortunately… No, never mind that! My desire to learn magic is way stronger than my aversion to meeting him. Most importantly, a person’s freedom is directly correlated to how powerful they are, particularly in this world. The more power you have, the more options become available.
I should start learning magic as early as I can. I have five years to wait until I can enter the academy. Maybe I should study on my own until then? Nah, I should find someone who can teach me. Oh, and it’s not just the magic I should be occupied with; I have to learn to handle a sword as well. Come to think of it, which is he—I mean, which am I—better at?
I’m naturally skilled with both magic and swords, of course, but is there a standout?
Hmm… If there was, I can’t remember, so I guess I’ll study both for now. I can always shift my focus later.
“My course is set… Mwa ha ha! Things are about to get interesting.”
I couldn’t help but let a few words of my internal monologue slip from my mouth.
Oh yeah, I’m looking forward to this. I was confused at first, but now I’m getting fired up. I mean, sure, it’s weird, but it’s not like I can’t have a little fun while I’m here. In fact, I think it’d be impossible not to.
A knock at the door startled me back to reality and away from my racing mind.
“Master Luke, are you well? I apologize for the intrusion, but your father has requested that I check on your condition.”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied tersely, a bit upset at the cold water thrown on my thoughts.
Hey, hold on a second. Didn’t it turn out that the butler was actually…
A dim memory surfaced, and I had to be sure. I opened the door.
“You. Alfred-sa—urk.”
Huh? That’s strange.
“Al…fred.”
“What can I do for you, Master Luke?”
Huh. Why couldn’t I address him politely as Alfred-san? I was always taught to respect my elders by using the proper honorifics, but I couldn’t get the words out. Or rather…
“You need not show such deference to a mere servant.”
A fierce voice bubbled up from deep inside and silenced me with its righteous indignation.
What was that…? Is part of Luke’s will still inside of me?
I looked at Alfred once more. His face was wrinkled and bore the marks of his age, but he carried himself with grace and his well-muscled frame was obvious beneath his weathered skin. Frankly, he was quite handsome. Quite fitting for a man who used to be the vice-captain of the Royal Knights.
Sure sounds like he’d be the perfect person to teach me how to handle a sword… But I could never stomach that. Me, submitting to the tutelage of a lowly butler? I would rather die than endure such humiliation!
Huh…?
Luke’s will…it’s so intense, so hard to resist. Damn it, why can’t I just ask this?
“Alfred, t-t-tea…”
Oof. Damn it, why can’t I say the words?! I almost did it!
“T-t-tea…”
Argh!
“Teeeeaaaa…”
“What is the matter, Master Luke?” he asked with mild concern. “Ah, are you unwell?”
“No!”
My reply came out as a scream, but I couldn’t help it. My body was drenched in sweat from the strain, and I imagined my eyes were probably bloodshot too. I gasped for air, exhausted.
It’s no use. I can’t get the words out. What is this curse upon me…? No matter how hard I struggle, I’m still arrogant, obnoxious Luke at the end of the day. Just a snotty rich kid who’s too stuck up to ask anyone for anything, especially not a butler. C’mon, think, there’s gotta be a way…
“I…order you t-to…t-teach me the…sword!”
Ha! I did it! Luke doesn’t ask, he demands. There’s the loophole—I can just order him to do it.
Physically, I could not supplicate myself, of course. But spiritually and emotionally, I got down on my knees and bowed just as low as I could go.
“…Excuse me? What did you say, Master Luke?”
Alfred’s words knocked the wind right out of my sails. You’ve got to be kidding me.
“You…seriously didn’t hear…?”
C’mon, don’t be like that, Alfred-san! I can’t bear to go through that again! But I will, if I have to. As many times as it takes!
“T-teach me…the s-sword…!”
“My apologies. I am old and doubted my own hearing for a moment.”
“Hoo… Right,” I panted.
Alfred stood in silent contemplation while I anxiously awaited his reply.
Please don’t refuse me. I’m trying really hard to fight it, but I don’t know what I’d do if you said no. I can see in all of Luke’s memories just how much trouble I’ve caused for you, Alfred-san.
“Understood. If you consider me worthy of the task, then I will serve as your instructor, Master Luke.”
Excited as I was, I didn’t dare reply. The curse of the rich boy’s sharp tongue might wreck everything the moment I opened my mouth. Instead, I just thought to myself: I really am sorry for all of this, and I really am very grateful.
Jeez, how am I going to be able to find a happy ending to this story when I can’t even say a simple thank-you…?