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

Episode 2: Trying Hard to be the Usual Zenon

“Calm down, calm down. It’s still likely a dream.”

Despite believing that, I pinched my own cheek and purposely hit my pinky finger against the corner of the desk. However, it just hurt normally, and I couldn’t wake up from the dream.

My sense of pain was entirely intact. Everything I could see and feel was so real that I couldn’t possibly believe it was a dream. But the thought of something as unscientific as possession weighed heavily on my mind, and I agonized over it for a few minutes.

My rapid thoughts were interrupted by a knocking sound.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Ah!”

“Can I come in… What’s wrong?”

The man who looked at me with a puzzled expression had chestnut hair and bore a resemblance to me, or rather, to Zenon.

I felt like I’d seen him somewhere before… Ah, right. He’s my older brother.

One of the few morally upright characters in this anime, who only appeared in the first episode, Ganon Lestinata.

In this anime, where there are only jerks, he’s Zenon’s brother and the eldest son of the Lestinata Ducal family. His personality and abilities, including combat and governance, are outstanding in every way, and Zenon was supposed to have an inferiority complex towards his brother…

So, according to the official book, he always seemed to be at odds with him.

It’s all so vague.

But this is a critical situation.

If I’m suspected now, it could hinder my future actions.

Um, Zenon’s tone and how he addresses his brother…

“Do you have business here? Even between brothers, shouldn’t you exercise some courtesy before entering?”

I deliberately adopt a cold expression and an indifferent tone.

“…Do you, um, what’s going on? I’m starting school tomorrow, so I thought I’d come to say hi.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Zenon, you’re entering school three years later, right? If it’s okay with you, would you come to the entrance ceremony—”

“—It’s fine. It’s not like our parents will attend the school’s entrance ceremony, let alone our siblings. We’re different from commoners, after all.”

“That’s true, I’m sorry. Well then, I’ll be going.”

Ganon left with a sad expression.

With a sigh, I stared at the completely closed door.

“What’s with me, I sound so unfriendly. Actually, this exchange is just like the past… I’m just following that, but… it hurts my heart.”

I slowly lowered my posture, leaning against the room’s wall. I undeniably recognized that this was reality. Everything, from people’s expressions to everything around me, was so real that I thought it made more sense to act based on the assumption that this was reality rather than a dream.

“Thank goodness, dear brother whom I admire. Thanks to you, I’ve figured out the timeline in the original. It begins with the entrance ceremony three years from now.”

That’s where Zenon would recognize the existence of the protagonist and start stalking him. His way of starting an enmity is on par with making eye contact – he’s such an embarrassing guy.

“For now, let’s consider my course of action. I have no intention of adhering to the original story. The problem is my current existence, which is barely above that of an amoeba.”

My brother’s way of dealing with me is still relatively civil.

Even though it’s just for show, I have to be polite to my brother. However, my treatment of commoners is unbelievably harsh. I haven’t acted yet, but insults are a given. I even act imperiously towards the maid accompanying me.

The maid is about the same age as Zenon and is still serving him. She’s a professional who continues her work with a smile. If I suddenly act like my true self, I’ll be exposed immediately, and they’ll suspect that I’m sick.

She was portrayed as an airheaded maid even in the anime. Despite Zenon berating her as a commoner, she quietly trusted him. That tsundere dere doesn’t come across at all!

In the end, the maid is taken by the protagonist, resulting in a heartbreaking ending.

“At this point, let’s keep Zenon’s speech pattern and such as they are. But don’t take any action, don’t get involved with the protagonist. Live quietly without making enemies. After all, I’m the third son, I’m free. Also, considering there are monsters and dangerous creatures around, I should build up some strength for self-defense.”

It’s a pure fantasy world, so there are monsters and magic. There may not be skills or levels, but there are similar concepts.

Zenon isn’t called a genius for nothing, and he should have some talent ingrained in this body.

Well, I’ll figure it out somehow!

Knock, knock, knock.

“Ah!”

“You may enter… What’s the matter?”

I jumped at the knocking sound and found myself looking at the maid, a woman named Seres, with a sense of déjà vu. She had short indigo hair and beautiful blue eyes, making her a lovely girl in a maid outfit that accentuated her ample bosom. She’s two years older than Zenon, and for now, she’s just a pure, beautiful maid.

I quickly switched to Zenon mode.

“Why don’t you confirm before entering after knocking, just like Brother does?”

“Hahaha, isn’t etiquette something you use with people above you or those you respect? Not everyone needs it.”

“What?”

Since the anime didn’t depict Zenon and Seres’s interactions much, I had assumed it was Zenon who spoke rudely to Seres, but now I suspect that Seres might be at fault.

“Don’t make such a scary face, please. It’s just a joke.”

Even Seres’s laughter made me want to snap, but I controlled myself.

“Well, fine. What do you need?”

Seres momentarily looked shocked and gave me a second look.

“U-um, right. I came to inform you that the young master is calling for you.”

“I see. I’ll go right away.”

“Understood. I’ll be waiting outside the room.”

“Alright.”

As Seres opened the door again and left, she glanced at me with a puzzled expression.

“Did I say something strange…? I thought it was in line with the original.”

More importantly, the young master… Zenon’s father, I presume. The one who constantly compared Zenon to his brother Ganon, fueling Zenon’s inferiority complex. He’s the main culprit. Since he’s unintentionally encouraging Zenon to do better, he’s somewhat to blame.

In any case, if I’ve been called, I must go. If Seres is guiding me, I shouldn’t get lost.

Well, I know the layouts of Zenon’s house, the school, and the protagonist’s house from the official guidebook. My one and only skill from my previous life is memorization.

Besides, with this body being Zenon Lestinata, there’s a high chance I can use some hidden abilities.

“Oh, this is scary.”