CH 1

Ah, I remembered!

I’m the villain aristocrat.

It all came clear to me now.

That this world is a fantasy world of a certain light novel.

And I’m not the hero of it.(E/N: Protagonist.)

I just noticed this fact.

So, what do I do now?

“Luke, is something wrong?”

“… Just thinking about some things.”

“Is that so? Your meal is getting cold, so don’t overdo it.”

Oh damn, seriously.

How is this possible?

Uwaa—, what am I gonna do?

What kind of story was it… argh, that sucks, I can’t remember.

I vaguely remembered the characters.

And that was about it.

“I’m sorry, Mother. I’m feeling a little under the weather, may I rest in my room?”

I had no more spare time to eat.

Right now, I would like to use the time I have to understand the current situation.

“Huh? Are you all right, Luke? Call the priest immediately───”

“No need. I’m just feeling a bit tired.”

“I hope so… If you feel something is wrong, tell me right away.”

“I will.”

“… Luke.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. I’m not lying.”

“Right, take some rest. Alfred, let me know right away if there’s anything unusual.”

“Understood, Sir.”

Sigh… My parents are as overprotective as always.

Thinking so, I walked to my room with my butler, Alfred.

I see.

So this creates the character of Luke.

I have all these memories of what I’ve been through as Luke, but I don’t remember anyone being angry at me at all.

A prodigy that can do almost anything, anytime.

A family environment where no matter how bad I was, there was no one that would scold me.

No wonder his self-esteem was so high.

And he was arrogant and irreverent, too.

To be honest, I have to say that this environment has built up this guy’s personality.

“Well then, Master Luke. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.”

“Ah.”

Having Alfred stand in front of the door and I went in.

And dived straight into bed.

Burying my face in the pillow, I let my thoughts wander.

So, what do I do now?

How should I proceed from this point on?

Let’s think about the future for a while.

But… no matter how much I thought about it, there was only one answer.

My goal─── is to be happy.

It doesn’t help that I’m already a villain as Luke.

The main character will probably beat me up anyway.

What’s his name again, the hero’s?

Argh, I can’t remember..

Maybe I’ll remember it in time.

Anyway, I want to live a happy life.

I want my life to have a happy ending.

And luckily, I’m an aristocrat.

So I won’t be having any trouble with money.

Though.

Doing nothing is boring.

It’s such a fantasy world.

There’s no way I can resist the intense desire to fully enjoy swords and magic.

At that moment, a thought suddenly came into my head.

“…Yes. Let’s make an effort.”

As I recall, the character of Luke never really made much of an effort at all.

Actually, there was no need for him to make any effort.

Luke from the beginning possessed the ability that people acquired through hard work.

So no one ever complained about his character, even if he was the ultimate in arrogance and irreverence.

Truly a haughty character.

Well, that’s what makes him a hated character.

They exist only to collect hate and to make the reader satisfied when the hero smacks them in the face.

Sigh, I don’t want that to happen though.

But it looks interesting.

Characters who are not supposed to make an effort work hard.

I’m a little curious to see what changes it will bring to this world.

Well, let’s try to do it in moderation.

Anyway, my current age is 10.

I have a talent for magic, I will probably go to a magic school in the Royal Capital at 15 if everything goes in order.

This is what Luke’s memory tells me.

… But somehow I feel like I’m going to meet him when I go to that school.

By him, I mean the protagonist.

Well, whatever.

The desire to learn about magic has overtaken the desire to see the protagonist by a comfortable margin.

Besides, I think in a world like this, strength is directly related to freedom.

The stronger you are, the more options you have.

For that reason, the sooner I start learning magic, the better.

But I’ve got five years to enroll.

So, what do I do now?

Until then, should I study on my own or find someone to teach me?

Ah, I also need to learn about swords.

It’s not just magic I’ve to be proficient in.

Come to think of it, which one is this character, or rather, which one am I better at?

I know I’m talented in both, but isn’t it too biased?

Hmm, I can’t remember at all.

My memories are not worth relying on at this moment.

So better learn both for now.

Then, if I find myself to be good at something, I can focus on that.

“Guess the roadmap is somehow clear… fufufu, it’s going to be interesting!”

I can’t help but talk to myself.

That’s right, I’m looking forward to it.

At first I was confused, but deep in my heart a flame was burning with passion.

I can’t stop being excited.

It’s impossible not to enjoy this world.

───Knock, knock.

There was a knock at the door.

My burning passion quickly switched to cool ones.

“Master Luke, how are you feeling? My apologies, Sir, your father has asked me to check on you and report back to him.”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

I replied back a little grumpily, my thoughts being watered down.

Hmm, wait.

I opened the door with a bang.

“Alfred… -an?”

Something is not right

“Al… fred.”

“What is it, Master Luke?”

… Honorifics are not good.

I was going to say Alfred-san.

It’s normal to use honorifics for people older than you.

But I can’t use it.

No, to be exact.

───I have a strong sense of ‘there’s no need to use honorifics for a mere butler’ at the base of my being.

What’s this?

Does this mean Luke’s nature is still there?

I looked at Alfred again.

A face wrinkled with age.

But he was graceful and, to put it bluntly, handsome.

His physique had never weakened.

I’m sure that’s true, too.

Alfred is a man who used to be the deputy commander of the Royal Knights.

I remembered that earlier.

I thought it would be best for me to learn swordsmanship from him. 

But can I… say that.

How am I supposed to ask a butler to teach me?

I’d rather die than do something so shameful.

Ha…?

What an irresistible and intense feeling.

Damn, why do I have to go through all this trouble just to ask him to teach me a sword?

“Alfred, can you…”

Ggggggg… Damn, I’m speechless!

Just a little more!

“Can youuuu…”

Dahhhh!!!!

“Can youuuuuuuuuu!”

“How can I help you, Master Luke! Huh! Are you not feeling well…?”

“Nooooooo!”

I yelled out.

I could feel the sweat pouring out of my body.

My eyes were probably bloodshot too.

“Haah… haah….”

No, I can’t ask.

No matter how much I wanted to ask, I couldn’t find the words.

What’s this curse?

It sucks.

Am I just going to be the ‘Arrogant Luke’ no matter how hard I try?

No, I’ve to change my thinking.

“Teach me… the way of… sword.”

I said it!

I managed to say it by making it imperative!

Alfred-san, I’m so sorry!

I know!

I know I’ve caused you a lot of trouble in my life!

I’m so sorry!

I got down on my knees, at least in my mind.

“… Forgive me? What did you just say?”

“Didn’t you hear me…?”

Alfred-san!!

It’s too hard to say it again!

Well, I’ll do it.

As many times as it takes me to learn the sword.

“Teach me… sword…!”

“No, excuse me. I am an old man, and I doubted my own ears.”

“Haah… haah… I see.”

I waited quietly for a response.

Alfred-san seemed to be thinking about something.

But please, please don’t say no.

I’m trying so hard to resist, but I don’t know what I’d do if you said no.

… really sucks.

Seriously, what is this curse?

“Yes, sir. If it’s all right with me, I’d be happy to serve in that capacity.”

“…………”

I managed to get his approval.

Good.

But I can’t thank him now.

I’m afraid if I open my mouth, I’m going to say something hateful, so I have to remain mute.

I’m so sorry, Alfred.

Thinking, I thank him from the bottom of my heart.

Haah…

Will there ever be a happy ending for me who can’t even say thank you…?