Reincarnated as the Piggy Duke: This Time I'm Gonna Tell Her How I Feel! Volume 1 E-Book

Rhythm Aida

• Herausgeber: J-Novel Club
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

In the popular anime Shuya Marionette, there is a character whom everyone looks upon with scorn: the so-called “Piggy Duke,” third son of Duke Denning and a student of Kirsch Mage Institute. This can only spell doom for the current Slowe Denning, who knows he’s been reincarnated into the world of that anime as said villain!

There is a ray of hope, however. If he uses his in-depth knowledge of the anime and his unparalleled power as a master of all the elements, surely Slowe can gain popularity with his peers and change his fate! Perhaps this time, he can make the one small wish that never came to fruition in the anime come true: to become a man worthy of Charlotte, his retainer, and to confess his love to her!

Leseprobe

“The Piggy Duke was intelligent, strong, kindhearted, and sadly, too stubborn for his own good. From another perspective, the story of Shuya Marionette can be interpreted as his tragedy.”

—Director of Shuya Marionette

Prologue: A Sincere Declaration!

When I woke, I had memories of a previous life.

I leapt down from the bed and rushed towards the mirror in the corner of the bedroom. Gradually, from within the dark, misty depths of reflective glass, a silhouette came into view. “Yikes,” I muttered. Reflected back was a figure beyond all imagination: a seemingly privileged, obese young man with shiny, messy black hair.

This wasn’t just an obese man staring back at me—it was one big, revolting pig.

Still half asleep and not fully conscious, I studied the bipedal pig in the mirror. My hair stuck to my forehead, slick and sticky with sweat. It was simply awful.My face twisted into a haughty, taunting expression. To be blunt, I really looked like I had no friends, period. This was the look of someone who would abuse his wealth and influence to get his grubby hands on a girl, snorting like a pig.

I’d definitely recognize this face anywhere.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me... I’ve reincarnated into the world of Shuya Marionette?!”

After all, this was the face of the scorned character from that super popular, extremely famous anime, Shuya Marionette, which had trended everywhere immediately after it had aired. The fantasy anime was about the brilliant school lives of the students at the Kirsch Mage Institute, complete with cute girls. It featured the classics—swords and magical combat—as well as an assorted cast of monsters, including orcs and dragons.

The plot went something like this: A young nobleman blessed with talents in fire magic enrolls in the Mage Institute, befriending girls of the school along the way even as he’s looked down on for his eccentricity. From there, he proceeds to tackle the girls’ personal troubles and goes on to resolve a war between his country and hostile nations. Basically, it’s a hot-blooded, action-packed anime.

As for why I was reminiscing about the details of the anime, well...I was a dedicated fan of Shuya Marionette in my previous life, having followed it religiously.

But still, why? Just...why? I didn’t want to believe this was real. I wanted to deny that this was my reality. After all...

“Why did I have to be the Piggy Duke? The cast is filled with way better options! Someone like the protagonist, for instance...”

Born to one of the great noble families of the country of Daryth, the Piggy Duke Slowe Denning in the anime was the third son of House Denning, the Family of Wind.

The guy ticked every box for a person to frown upon: he was arrogant, conceited about his noble upbringing, extremely obese, and the closest a human being could get to being an orc. In the end, even his own family drove him out and disowned him. To compound on that bleak future, his secret crush joined the ranks of the protagonist’s harem. His own father even told the poor kid that he was originally picked up from a dungeon.

“Jeez. So my crush is doomed to wilt away, forever unrequited, huh...”

Though only despair awaited me in my future as the scorned Piggy Duke, my face looked as if I didn’t have a care in the world. I stood there nonchalantly in contrast to my inner turmoil.

I lightly slapped my flushed plump cheeks, which were extremely soft and pliant to the touch. Honestly, I never thought I’d see the day when I would find my face so ugly. It’d been my best friend for sixteen years.

“Now that I’m getting a proper look at myself, I really am an absolute mess.” The pig in the mirror twisted his face into a look of torment. “...Wait a second, all of this means that...” I spoke aloud to myself as my memories and experiences laid the current situation out crystal clear. “I basically know the future of this world?”

That’s right. I had information of the future from the anime, and from theories thrown around on forums. I knew exactly how everything went up until the so-called protagonist saved the world. In other words, the world was my oyster. I could do anything. The situation was perfect. Except...

I sighed deeply as I eyed my flabby stomach and pinched it on reflex.

“With this kind of body, calling it an absolute mess doesn’t even begin to cut it,” I muttered, staring at my unquestionably unacceptable figure. “My life has to start out difficult, doesn’t it...? The god who planned this is so mean. If you had to reincarnate me as someone, you could have given me an easier time by choosing a better character... Like that guy, the protagonist of the anime and all...”

No matter what I planned on doing from now on, going on a diet and thinning down would be my absolute top priority. Even if my pajamas had cute little piggies sewn on them. They did nothing to hide my terrible figure, round as a barrel.

Not only that, but I couldn’t even lead my normal, day-to-day life properly if I remained so hated, considering Slowe was dubbed the biggest problem student in the entire history of the institute. I’d acted the part of the self-centered, blackhearted Piggy Duke in my life up until now. It hadn’t been without reason, and I’d been convinced that the act was absolutely necessary.

But now, with knowledge of the anime, I could become anyone I wanted to be. Up until this point, I’d been the scheming, blackhearted, most infamous problem student of Kirsch Mage Institute. But from now on...I could protect her—the girl who was so precious to me—and return to my glory days back when they heralded me as the Prodigy of Wind.

I was grinning to myself at the thought of such a bright future when suddenly a knock sounded from the door.

Who could that be, this early in the morning? I thought as I moved into the living room from the bedroom. I snorted as I heard another knock.

“Master Slowe, are you awake? I’ve brought breakfast.” A clear voice, pleasant and familiar, reached my ears. It was her.

“I’m up. Please come in, Charlotte.”

“Okaaay,” my retainer chimed back, dragging out her last syllable as she entered the room. My heart thumped in my chest. I inhaled sharply at the sight of her. She’s so lovable and adorable.

“G-Good morning, Ch-Charlotte,” I stammered. Don’t look at me like I’m some sort of weird, die-hard otaku! I can’t help it; you’re just too darn cute! All the girls in Shuya Marionette are really cute!

“Good morning, Master Slowe!”

There stood the personification of a goddess of snow—no, the fairy of snow herself. Her waist-length silver hair glimmered under the light. She wasn’t wearing the cute Kirsch Mage Institute uniform, nor did she wear a frilly maid dress. Instead, she wore a slightly less fashionable uniform fit for a retainer, which emphasized her earnestness. She was well-proportioned and her posture oozed elegance. She adorably kept herself busy, preparing breakfast with utmost concentration, but you could tell that the natural noble aura around her clashed with her retainer status.

That couldn’t be helped, though. Charlotte tried to keep it under wraps, but she was actually a member of the royal family from a destroyed kingdom. In other words, she was a princess!

“Master Slowe, you managed to wake up on your own today, I see.”

“Oink!” I snorted in agreement.

Charlotte was also the secret crush that the protagonist stole away from me in the anime.

I plopped down into a chair next to the expensive-looking table. There, I watched Charlotte ready breakfast with practiced efficiency. It was a little strange, though. I experienced this every single day. Why did it feel so fresh and new all of a sudden?

“Please wait a moment. I’ll prepare breakfast now,” Charlotte said as she placed a water pitcher and food onto the table with ease. “It appears stew is on the menu for today.”

“Stew first thing in the morning?” I replied. “I’d get fat.”

“What are you saying, Master Slowe? It’s a little too late for that, isn’t it?” Charlotte quipped back.

“...True.”

As I watched my retainer carry out her daily routine, I thought about our first meeting nearly ten years ago.

Charlotte had nearly been sold off as a slave in an auction held deep in the forest which covered half of my father’s territory when I, the Piggy Duke, had saved her. When she was young, Charlotte had been extremely grateful and felt indebted to me. As she spent more time with the anime protagonist and got caught up in the war against the Dustour Empire, however, she slowly grew distant.

All of these events came to a climax one winter’s day near the end of our third and final year at Kirsch Mage Institute. The anime protagonist rescued Charlotte from her plight at the last second, after which she joined his harem.

In the anime, I’d realized that Charlotte was slowly but steadily falling for the protagonist. In response, I had poured blood, sweat, and tears into winning her back. It was all in vain, however. I ended up being a laughingstock as one effort after another came to naught.

Based on all of that, I, the Piggy Duke, was the absolute worst character. Despite all that, I stood at the top of all character popularity rankings for Shuya Marionette, unbeaten by a mile.

It sounds like a bad April Fool’s Day joke. I am unbelievably obese, a piggy, and a lazy bum leading a self-indulgent lifestyle that anyone would compare to an orc’s.

There were three reasons for the anime Piggy Duke’s dramatic popularity.

First and foremost, nobody liked the anime protagonist. Nobody felt like this guy deserved his harem. All the girls in Shuya Marionette were gorgeous, after all. It was only natural that the viewers would be jealous of him.

“Master Slowe, breakfast is ready,” Charlotte called out to me. “The stew might be a little hot, so please make sure to blow on it a few times before eating.”

Without thinking, I gave a snort of affirmation. That sound came out of my mouth! Sometimes, this weird pig-like snorting sound would just burst out of me. I couldn’t control it. That was a minor detail, though. Nothing to worry about.

As I was saying, the second reason why the anime Piggy Duke was popular was all his hard work behind the scenes. Charlotte’s identity was a well-kept secret until the end of the story. Too well-kept. This was all thanks to the anime Piggy Duke, who fought tooth and nail to protect her.

In the anime, Charlotte’s identity as a princess made her a target when it came to the hostile empire. The anime Piggy Duke fended off many assassins night and day behind the scenes. Nobody knew of his efforts since he kept his lips zipped, resulting in the anime protagonist stealing the poor Piggy Duke’s limelight without lifting a finger.

In the end, I never told her how I felt in the anime. It was only later that the creators revealed that only I had known of Charlotte’s identity as a princess. My anime self had been scorned and despised, but fought selflessly all on his own. His tragic nature really appealed to the viewers, and they loved me for it.

To be honest, though, even orcs would probably discriminate against me based on my piggy appearance. If I ever did confess to Charlotte, it’d probably go as well as pouring gasoline on a house fire. That is to say, horribly.

As for the last reason that the anime Piggy Duke was so popular...

“Charlotte. I can’t thank you enough for everything, oink.”

“Huh?” Charlotte widened her eyes, dumbstruck by my words. In her shock, she dropped the tea tray she held with a loud, metallic clang. “I—I am so sorry, Master Slowe!” Charlotte hurriedly began to gather the broken shards when I cut in.

“Please don’t worry about it,” I said. “O wind, play a little trick for me. Little Wind Dance.”

Charlotte looked at me in surprise as the shattered pieces on the red carpet gently floated in the air, dancing as they gracefully twirled.

There was also a secret backstory that the creators had revealed: I, the Piggy Duke, was the mage most beloved by the spirits in history.

The season was spring. The brisk, pleasant weather had just welcomed fresh students with open arms. The blackhearted Piggy Duke—no—I was now sixteen. One year had passed since I’d entered Kirsch Mage Institute. In this short span of time, my infamy had spread throughout the entire school and beyond to the other nations.

None of that mattered to me, though.

“It’s a little late, but...” I began. “Morning, Charlotte.”

My retainer, Charlotte. No. Charlotte Lily Huzak, a princess of a ruined kingdom.

“G-Good morning, Master Slowe,” Charlotte replied, bowing her head in greeting.

Watching her, I swore a solemn oath to myself.

This I swear to you. Even though I wasn’t able to accomplish this in the anime...I will become a man deserving of you.

Chapter 1: The Problem Student of Kirsch Mage Institute

It was roughly before the storyline of the anime, Shuya Marionette. I found myself in a period I had little information on. Before me stood Kirsch Mage Institute, the stage for the anime. There, trees lavish with fresh green leaves surrounded the venerable school buildings built of stone. Only one thought was on my mind as I felt the cool early morning breeze brush up against my skin.

You pig! You pig! You utterly hopeless pig!

All I felt was anger and exasperation towards my past self, the blackhearted Piggy Duke. The cause of my anger? Figuring out exactly why I’d become so obese. Why had I acted in a way completely unbefitting of a nobleman, inviting the scorn of those around me?

This had all been intentional. All according to plan for that blackhearted Piggy Duke!

“Oink, huff, o-oink.” My snorting came out irregular, my breathing erratic.

Daryth was often referred to as the Country of Knights by its neighbors. Within Daryth, House Denning was one of its most powerful noble families, having been bestowed control over the country’s military force by the royal family itself. A person born to House Denning would never be allowed to marry a common retainer. And so my past self plotted to make everyone hate him and to sully the dignity of the House, which would lead to his family disowning him. I was appalled at my past self’s outrageous plan.

The whole point of this scheme was to run away with Charlotte after being disowned and live happily ever after. Of course, my past self’s dream would never come to fruition. I now knew very well that my beloved would be stolen away by thatprotagonist.

“O-Oink oink, huff, ugh. O-o-oink!” Sweat poured down my face in buckets as I jogged in the sports grounds, which were otherwise deserted in the early morning.

Ugh, my clothes are so sweaty, and I’m probably gonna trip over my feet at some point. This is pure torture! How little did the blackhearted Piggy Duk—I mean, me. Just how little did I exercise?! How did I even think I had a chance at Charlotte’s heart in such horrible shape?!

“Hey, look over there. The Piggy Duke’s jogging first thing in the morning...”

“The Piggy Duke? Jogging? In the morning? I haven’t seen him run a single time this past ye— Oh wow, you weren’t kidding, huh... He looks like an orc being roasted alive with how red he is...”

“Shush. What are you gonna do if he hears us? Don’t forget, even with that getup, he’s still from House Denning...”

Jeers and mockery filled the air as students heading from the dorms to the dining hall spotted me. But I kept on running, swinging my arms for all they were worth. This had been the goal of the blackhearted Piggy Duke’s persistent self-fattening, even among all the ridicule. I needed to be made fun of and looked down upon by my own countrymen.

Within the prestigious House Denning, I was heavily doted on by my father, the current Duke Denning. Not to brag, but my talents were indeed extraordinary. No one else within my long family history could measure up to me. Due to that, I received special tutelage for as long as I could remember, all in order to whip me into shape as the duke’s successor.

“Hey, is that you-know-who...?”

“I’d heard the rumors, but...I’ve never seen someone that fat...”

“Are you first-years? That student over there is the most infamous problem student in the history of Kirsch Mage Institute, Slowe Denning. If you want to live out your life here in peace, you should stay away from him...”

However, this all changed when I turned six.

I’d found an illegal slave market held in the woods on House Denning’s territory. There, mischievous wind spirits told me the sad truth of a young girl lined up on the altar. I learned that the malnourished girl before me was the princess of a destroyed kingdom. I found out about the tragic life that had reduced her to slavery. I saved that girl, Charlotte, whom I appointed as my personal retainer.

A few years later, I made a choice that I knew would change my life forever: become the blackhearted Piggy Duke.

“Ugh... That’s the Piggy Duke over there...”

I’d set it upon myself to transform from the brilliant Denning heir into a spoiled brat, leading an unhealthy lifestyle and demanding preposterous things. Boy, was I successful. I’d evolved into a vile piggy without a hitch. More like devolved, rather. For my past self, the Piggy Duke, life at the Mage Institute was the last linchpin in my plan.

“Oink, huff, oink, oi-oi-oink!” I panted as I ran on.

In the anime, everything had gone according to my former plans. My father claimed that I was an orphan picked up from the dungeon like a stray cat found on the side of the street and proceeded to kick me out of the family. Mission accomplished.

“Oink, oink, huff, oi-oi-oink!”

But did I want that for my future? Not a chance! I recalled the words of the anime’s main director at an event once.

The Piggy Duke was intelligent, strong, kindhearted, and sadly, too stubborn for his own good. From another perspective, the story of Shuya Marionette can be interpreted as his tragedy. The Piggy Duke had the power to accomplish everything by himself... And because of that, the protagonist took Charlotte away from him.

The greatest miscalculation the Piggy Duke made was the war with the North and the South. Charlotte was heavily involved in the war due to her association with the protagonist, and trying to conceal Charlotte’s identity amidst all of that was no easy feat. However, the Piggy Duke persisted, protecting his retainer from harm behind the scenes.

The absolute dunderhead in the anime had kept his feelings for Charlotte secret, trusting that secret to nobody. He stoically carried out every task all on his lonesome and intended to confess to her after the storm had passed. That piglet, who asked for no help and acted faithfully on his feelings for a single girl...was me.

“Oi-oink, huff, oi—huff—nk, o-oink.”

But I didn’t want to make those same mistakes twice. I didn’t want to live my life being misunderstood by everyone, only to be cast aside and left utterly alone.

Therefore, I had to thin down and become a proper reasonable human being.

My life was a disaster. Even though I was in the prime of my youth, living out my schooling days, I had no friends at the institute. The only one I could speak with was my retainer. I knew I was reaping the seeds I’d sown, but my pitiful state still practically brought tears to my eyes.

To start out, I wanted to improve my relationship with the other students of the institute and earn an enjoyable school life with Charlotte. I wanted to live with her as my true self, not as the blackhearted Piggy Duke weighed down by lies and deceit.

Earning back my place as the successor of Duke Denning, though, was a whole other mountain of work I didn’t want to face. I only wanted a humble life with Charlotte, which was more than enough for me. I pushed myself hard for the sake of realizing that wish, but...from all directions, I felt the sharp gazes of young noble girls drill into my skull. Their eyes conveyed their skepticism. I could hear them in my mind, mocking me. “Look, that piggy is still running!” “Him, thinning down? Impossible.”

Damn it! They’re driving me mad!

The anime Piggy Duke started out by making himself look the part of a completely hopeless person. They say to not judge a book by its cover, but looking like an orc certainly sold the spoiled-brat story better.

“Oooink! Huff, oink—aah!!!” Since I was in such deep thought as I ran, I failed to notice a rock buried on the track. I slipped and lost my balance, falling over in a heap onto the floor.

Ow... I think I cut my face. I must look so pathetic right now... Nobody would think I’m beloved by spirits, seeing me like this.

“Look there, y’all! That’s the legendary Denning piggy dance!”

“Hey, be quiet. He might hear you.”

“From this distance? I doubt it.”

Brushing off dirt and dust from my body, I stood up and glared at the chatty onlookers who’d been annoying me for a while now.

Are you trying to pick a fight with me? I can hear every single word! I have way more important things to do than to rise to the bait, though, so I’m purposefully choosing to let it go in one ear and out the other! That aside, though... I think that’s enough for today.

I finished swiping off the muck from all over my body, took out a black wand etched with the Denning crest, and gave it a light wave. A refreshing wind enveloped my body as all the grime disappeared, leaving me squeaky clean.

“The Piggy Duke only has his great skill in magic going for him, as usual... Wait, that direction he’s heading in, could he be...?”

“This is a rare sight. Who would have expected the spoiled, pampered Slowe Denning to head to the dining hall on his own two feet?”

A crowd of onlookers scrutinized me with morbid curiosity as I walked across the sports grounds. I just ignored their questioning gazes and marched towards the dining hall.

Slamming the dining hall doors open, I took a brief moment to survey my surroundings. Many students sat enjoying their breakfast at numerous rows of long dining tables. The clinking of cutlery rang out over the room as maids dressed in frilly pinafores bustled around with trays of breakfast in both hands, moving between the tightly packed rows of long tables.

Now where do I sit? I’m pretty big, so I want to avoid being in between two people... All right then, seems like the corner of a table near the exit would be a good spot. Grunting as I plopped down on the seat, I promptly realized a very dire problem. Oh no... I’m too big for the seat. I’m way too fat... I nearly laughed out loud at just how ridiculously plump I looked. I really am the Piggy Duke, huh. I really need to cut down my weight! I really hope this seat doesn’t give out under me... Can this thing really hang on?

As soon as I took a seat, a cute maid came over carrying breakfast. She was clearly tense and nervous, and her trembling hands dripped with sweat. She probably couldn’t believe that I was in the dining hall. Usually my meals were delivered straight to my room.

“G-G-Good morning! M-M-May I leave your food over here?”

“Please leave it here,” I said with a vague gesture. “Yes, right there. Thanks.”

“Huh...? U-Uh... O-Okay!” Her face was red as a tomato as she scurried off. Other maids ran over to her one after another, whispering to her. They were probably asking whether she was okay or if I’d bullied her.I sighed heavily.

Another day of life-shattering revelations, huh. Revelation of the day: the maids fear me too...

I stuffed my face at lightning speed. Eating among my peers wasn’t a bad experience at all. Hearing the many conversations going on around me made me feel like I was one of them, like I also had someone to chat with.

Of course, I didn’t actually have any friends.

“Hm?” I paused, staring down at my plate. “My plate’s empty. Wait, what?” Huh? Hold on a minute, isn’t this way too little?

I’d cleaned my plate in the blink of an eye. Did someone do this out of spite? It didn’t even taste that great. Could this even satisfy anyone? I looked around, gauging everyone’s reactions. But the moment their eyes met mine they either averted their gazes or halted their conversations, walking off with friends to put away their plates.

Wh-What? Why are they acting like this? I felt a pang in my heart at their reactions. Is this what they call bullying? Am I being bullied?

“Lord Slowe, if it would be to your liking, please have this.” A tray of breakfast appeared before me.

Hm? What’s this? I looked up in question.

Before me stood a young man with beautiful blond hair. His light blue eyes shone under the light like a pair of sapphires. He smiled gently, almost like a maiden. Great, a pretty boy. I didn’t like pretty boys very much. Who was he again? I tried to put a name to his face. He was in the same cohort as me...

Ah, I know. The eldest son of Earl Greatlorde, if I remember right! He was a minor character who never appeared in the anime.

“My name is Valjean Greatlorde. I am the heir of Earl Greatlorde, who governs the northeast region of Daryth,” the young man began politely. “Though our territory may not be as vast as Duke Denning’s, I believe my family holds quite the reputation within this institute. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Slowe.”

Having someone greet me so politely in the morning wasn’t bad at all. However, just as Valjean finished speaking, I heard someone click their tongue as conversations died across the hall. Everyone in the room stared intensely at the two of us, exchanging hushed whispers between themselves. I could understand their reactions. Nobody had had the gall to speak to me in a public space before. Which raised some questions... Why did this guy start talking to me all of a sudden? What does he want from me?

“So, uh...” I trailed off in thought. “You’re offering to give me your breakfast?”

“Yes,” Valjean said with a nod. “I spotted you jogging this morning before heading this way. I was concerned that a single serving might not be enough for you, and that concern led me here. Please enjoy it in my stead.”

“Oh, really...? That’s quite considerate of you. I guess you earls know your manners, huh, er...” I paused. “What was your name again?”

“My name is Valjean Greatlorde,” the young man repeated.

“I appreciate your considerate gesture. It’s quite touching.”

“A-Are you saying that you will accept this offering, Lord Slowe?” Valjean did not hide the joy in his voice.

“...”

A single portion definitely wouldn’t be enough to satisfy my stomach.

I’m really, really tempted! If this were a boxing match between me and my hunger, those words would be an instant KO to me! But no, I have to resist! I swore that I would cut down on food and slim down! Don’t forget that!

I looked up, channeling the sternness of a Duke’s son. In a serious tone, I rejected the pretty boy who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

“Sorry, Valjean,” I began. “My portion is enough for me. If I accepted yours, you’d have nothing to eat, right? So I can’t accept— Uh— Wha—!”

Something felt off beneath my buttocks. In fact, I didn’t feel anything there at all.

“Uwaaa! Wha—!”

The chair had tried its best, but my weight had been too much for it. The chair legs folded and snapped loudly in surrender, and I plummeted towards the cold floor. A hushed silence fell over the dining hall. Then, just as quickly as it went silent, the room echoed with roaring laughter.

“Ha ha! Did you see that? That’s Denning for you! The Piggy Duke of House Denning! I’m so glad I woke up early for breakfast today!”

“Hey, don’t laugh at him! Pfft! If he turns on you, you’re in for a lot of trouble... Ahaha!”

Damn it! Don’t laugh at me! It wasn’t my fault! That chair was not up to standard!

My breathing quickened. I slowly clambered back to my feet and glared daggers at the spectators. Silence engulfed the dining hall, the other students no doubt sensing the threat of a painful spell aimed at the next person who dared to laugh.

“U-Um...” Valjean spoke up. “Lord Slowe, are you certain you do not need this breakfast?”

“Shut up. Can’t you tell by looking at me? I am quite full, thank you very much,” I snapped. “Don’t ever offer me something ridiculous like your breakfast again. You hear me, pretty boy?”

“‘P-Pretty boy’?”

“Yes, you, pretty boy! Take it away already! I want it out of my sight right this instant. It’s such an eyesore!”

“Are you sure? Please do not force yourself. Are you not hungry?”

“Who do you think you’re talking to? Me, forcing myself? Hmph. Listen here, buddy. People often assume that I eat a lot because of my looks, but surprise! I have a small appetite,” I ranted. “Do I make myself clear? Repeat after me.”

“Y-You have a small appetite!”

“Exactly,” I replied. “Drill that fact into your skull. I’ll see you around.”

Unfortunately, Murphy’s Law decided to kick in just then. Just as I left the dining hall, my stomach shamelessly protested with a loud rumble. I could hear the sudden laughing fits from students through the door.

With my face flushed red like an orc in heat, I sprinted towards my dorm.

“...As all of you know, the love of the spirits is the most vital aspect of practicing magic,” Professor Arle lectured in a soothing voice from the teacher’s podium. “If you read through the latest research papers published by the Magic Academy in recent years, you’d know of an interesting theory. This theory states that fire spirits are partial to passionate blood, water spirits to kind blood, earth spirits to earnest blood, and wind spirits to intelligent blood.”

Professor Arle’s voice was so soothing, in fact, that she was famous among the students for putting her class to sleep. Case in point, half of the students in the classroom dozed in their seats.

“They say that spirits take a liking to sophisticated noble blood, which has been passed down through generations. Those of you of common birth need not worry, though. Many commoners graduate from Kirsch Mage Institute having managed to manifest and grasp the use of their magic during schooling days.”

If I’d heard these statements about “magic” and “spirits” in my previous life, I would have questioned what fantasy world the speaker was talking about and moved on.

I listened to Professor Arle from the top row of the lecture hall. The row was completely empty except for me, as if I’d booked all the seats. I wasn’t against people sitting next to me, but nobody was willing to approach my row or even my general vicinity. They really don’t have to be so cautious of me. I had a complete change of heart, after all.

“An effective method of strengthening your magic output is to embed items that appeal to the spirits into your wand. A good example is Duke Denning, who is highly regarded as a mage. He is said to have crushed an entire ether fruit, embedding it into his staff to appeal to the wind spirits.” From her spot at the podium, Professor Arle occasionally glanced over at me, like some other students did. She probably perceived me as a dangerous, feral piggy dungeon boss or something.

“Kirsch Mage Institute has produced many notable individuals in its long history. All of you students here should follow their example and study hard. That concludes the lecture for Magic Studies today.”

Nodding at Professor Arle’s words, I watched students shuffle out of the room.

Table of Contents

Cover

Prologue: A Sincere Declaration!

Chapter 1: The Problem Student of Kirsch Mage Institute

Chapter 2: The Protagonist and the Heroine

Chapter 3: Who Is the Protagonist?

Chapter 4: The Creeping Shadows

Chapter 5: The Mage of All Elements

Final Chapter: This Time, I’m Gonna Tell Her How I Feel!

Afterword

Color Illustrations

About J-Novel Club

Copyright

Landmarks

Table of Contents

Color Illustrations