I Reincarnated as a Cringeworthy Villainous Noble, but Got Obsessed With Magic

Episode 15 – A Little Disturbance Before the Entrance Ceremony

“Wow! So this is the Royal Academy! It’s amazing!”

“…Indeed.”

I’m exhausted!! I endured the constant chatter of Yuno without much rest, making it a tiring ride on the carriage.

It’s understandable that he’s excited since it’s his first time in both a carriage and the capital, but I wish he’d consider the feelings of his fellow passengers.

I look out of the window with a somewhat tired expression. Well, I can understand why Yuno is excited.

The Royal Academy is simply enormous. Not just the school buildings, but various facilities as well. There are sports fields, libraries, research centers, student dormitories, and even entertainment facilities.

The Royal Academy has become a whole town in itself. It’s equipped with everything you need to live comfortably.

Just by looking at all this, you can get a sense of how much the kingdom invests in the Royal Academy. The students who graduate from here may end up playing a crucial role in the country’s future, so it’s like an investment in the future.

Still, sometimes I can’t help but think they’ve gone overboard.

“We’re going to live here from now on? I guess it’ll be hard to get used to this after living in the village.”

“It’s natural to feel bewildered when your environment changes. You’ll get used to it in about six months.”

“The hard part is getting used to it.”

Yuno says with an exasperated expression. I can understand his feelings.

In my previous life, I grew up in a place with nothing but mountains and forests. When I moved to Tokyo for university, everything was new and fresh, but there were also inconveniences. Well, once you become a student at the academy, you’re guaranteed a certain standard of living, and you probably won’t… probably won’t starve. Probably.

“Well then, let’s go. You probably don’t know your way around, right?”

“I just found out I was enrolling here yesterday. Of course, I don’t know.”

“That’s true.”

I get off the carriage and guide Yuno. At the entrance of the academy, there are many people forming a line. Waiting in line is quite a hassle, and I’m feeling a bit annoyed when suddenly, a girl with chestnut hair, wearing the academy’s uniform, walks over from the front.

“You are, Xenon Lestinata-sama right?. And… this gentleman here is?”

“Yes, I’m Xenon. This man here is Yuno, my friend.”

“Yuno… um, your family name?”

“I don’t have one.”

At that moment, the woman’s expression turned icy as she looked at Yuno. I furrowed my brows, realizing that the aristocratic elitism rooted in the academy was still very much alive. At the same time, I concluded that there was no point in trying to find common ground with someone who had already drawn a line based on our commoner status.

“So, what do you want?”

“Well, I was instructed to guide Xenon-sama…”

“I see. Thank you.”

“But… um, I’m afraid commoners like him are not within the scope of those to be guided.”

The woman cast a mocking glance at Yuno.

Yuno looked uncomfortable as he observed both me and the woman, but I was somewhat taken aback.

— This is impressive!

I introduced Yuno as my friend at first, yet she still looked down on my friend. It can be inferred from her choice of words that she’s a lower-ranking noble, but it’s astounding how she can discriminate against someone just for being a commoner.

I gave her a faint smile and spoke.

“Oh? In that case, I don’t need any guidance. It’s as simple as standing in line quietly.”

“T-That would be inconvenient!”

“Why is that? It’s inconvenient only for you. I have nothing to worry about.”

“Well…”

The woman turned pale and looked at me imploringly.

Ah, I see what’s going on.

“Most likely, your intention is to bring me into your faction. Under the guise of guiding me, you plan to lead me to the head of the faction you belong to. Well, guidance is guidance.

— I suppose I’ve gone a bit overboard with the wordplay, haven’t I?”

“Argh!”

The woman’s face twisted in shock and fear.

It seems I unintentionally exuded some intimidation. My way of doing things is a bit awkward… My tone is already so cringeworthy from the beginning, so I’d like my actions to be a bit smarter.

While I was thinking about these irrelevant things, Yuno quietly asked, “Faction?”

“Ah, there are factions in the academy. The heads of these factions are usually upper-class nobles, typically ranked as high as earls or higher. In simple terms, it’s like a miniature version of the political landscape after graduation.”

“…I don’t quite get it.”

To Yuno, who didn’t fully understand, I explained while keeping the woman ignored.

“The eldest sons of noble families who couldn’t enter the Royal Academy usually go to the Noble Academy. However, those who have talent and potential, even if they are the eldest sons of noble families, enroll in the Royal Academy. In other words, there are future noble leaders galore here. These eldest sons, who are the future leaders of the noble houses, are in a situation where they want companions for their future political struggles. The nobles who were loyal to the previous head of their house can’t guarantee that they’ll stick around after the succession has occurred.”

“Ah, so that’s why they want friends and support during their school days, right?”

Surprisingly, he grasped it quickly. Is it because his head is quick despite not having the knowledge? I raised my evaluation of Yuno somewhat. So far, there’s not a trace of any scummy traits, and I’m starting to feel like I’m the one being overly suspicious.

“That’s right. That’s why that young lady over there approached me. Most likely, she was ordered by the head of her faction to do so.”

“Xenon, are you from a prestigious family or something?”

“The Lestinata family holds the title of duke. We’re essentially at the top of the noble hierarchy, but… I’m the third son, and the position of the head of the family will be inherited by my older brother. They’re not looking for me, but for the name Lestinata.”

“I see.”

I glanced at the woman in passing, and she trembled with fear, letting out a soft “Eep.” It seems the intimidation from my magical aura had some effect.

…But Yuno seems uninterested.

Until yesterday, he had no connection to nobility or anything like that.

“Well, that’s the gist of it. I have no interest in factions whatsoever, so you can tell the leader of your faction that.”

“Grr…!”

Leaving the disgruntled woman behind, I contemplated.

Even if I were to join a faction, it would be my brother’s faction. It’s a safe and peaceful place, and many good-hearted people join due to their admiration for my brother’s character.

I did consider forming my own faction, but I’m not planning to enter politics in the future. It would only get in the way.

What I need more than faction members are friends. Having the protagonist as my first friend is quite an interesting story in itself, though.

“Hey, are you sure about this? You don’t have to worry about me for joining a faction or anything,”Yuno said.

“Y-Yes!! You’ll regret it!!”

With a voice that finally shed her polite language, the woman raised her voice in agreement with Yuno’s words.

… This is starting to irritate me. Yuno’s personality is just too good.

I concealed my frustration and smiled at the woman.

“Haha, regret? I wonder who’ll end up regretting. Oh… it seems the leader of your faction chose a well-mannered young lady as your guide, but they made a mistake. I have no intention of joining a faction that belittles my friends.”

“…”

“Yuno, let’s go.”

“S-Sure… Hehe, somehow, this is embarrassing.”

“…You’re annoying.”

With my friend Yuno in tow, I joined the line.

I cast a glance back at the woman behind us.
The woman continued to glare at me, gritting her teeth.

… She’s probably thinking I have the appearance of a commoner.

That aside, Yuno, you’re grinning too much. Even though I don’t openly show it, it’s embarrassing to call someone a friend with a Xenon face.

“What do you think the entrance ceremony will be like, my friend? Hey, friend, oi, friend!”

“Should I demote you to acquaintance status?”

“What kind of treatment is that!? I’m sorry! There were only old folks around, and I didn’t have any same-age friends, so I’m happy about this.”

“I see.”

“Honestly, when they suddenly told me to enroll in the Royal Academy, I was terrified and miserable, but now I’m looking forward to it because Xenon is here!”

“Are you into guys?”

“Absolutely not!!?!”

The entrance ceremony began.

ーーーーー
Author Note:

There won’t be any BL developments here.

Just to clarify, there’s no harem either.

Also, I’m having fun writing this (a sudden candid moment).