01x01 - Dad Becomes a Villainess

[bunniefuu]

My Lady!

Lady Grace!

My name is Grace Auvergne.

I'm the daughter of Duke Auvergne.

After falling from a horse and hitting my head,
memories came flooding back to me...

Grace!

Are you all right, Grace?!

Lady Grace!

Y-Yes.

I'm fine...

This world is a game with a copious amount of
handsome men that you can enjoy romancing.

One of those so-called "Otome games."

And as for how exactly I know this...

That was my last memory.

The next thing I knew, I was in this body.

So I guess this is one of those
"reincarnated in another world" scenarios.

Well, that's all fine and good, but...

Why would I, Kenzaburo Tondabayashi,
a 52-year-old bureaucrat,

get reincarnated as the villainess
in the world of an Otome game?!

Even for one of God's pranks,
this is too extreme of a mismatch!

And although I have enough otaku knowledge
to understand reincarnation in another world,

I don't know the first thing
about Otome games!

So how in blue blazes am I
supposed to live my life in this world?!

Pardon me!

L-Lady Grace.

I've brought you a change of clothes.

O-Okay. Thank you, Josette.

You can leave them there.

Huh?!

Are you okay, Josette?

Ah... yes! Of course!

I'll be g-going now!

Crap, I startled her...

I'm supposed to be
this rich mademoiselle named Grace.

I even have all of her memories.

And based on those, Grace is someone
with a rather cruel personality.

Not only is yelling at her servants
how she usually interacts with them,

but she's never even once
said "thank you" apparently.

Well, there's nothing I can do about that.
It's just her personality.

My biggest problem is

the conclusion that I'm drawing based on
what all those character traits mean.

Simply put,
in the world of this Otome game,

I am meant to be the big bad villainess!

Know where you stand!

This academy is
a prestigious place of learning

where lowly commoners like you
have no right to be!

Wow.

Games these days

have some pristine graphics.

I know, right?

"Magical Academy: Love & Beast".

Based on all the pretty boys
decorating the cover,

I assume this one of those Otome games.

The fact you're playing it openly
in the living room,

means you've become a
full-fledged otaku, eh, Hinako?

I'm just taking after you and Mom!

So, who's this girl with all the ringlet curls?

Oh, her?

She's the rich snob
who's always causing trouble

and getting in the way
of the main character.

You know, the "villainess" type of character.

The villainess, huh?

That ringlet curl hairstyle
has been the standard

for rival female characters
since back in the Showa era.

Like Ayubleep Himekawa in
"Glass Masbleep",

or Madame Butterbleep
from "Aim for the Ableep".

And the best example of the villainess trope:
Elizbleep from "Candy Canbleep".

Sorry, Dad.

Those references
are way too old for me to get...

Based on what I saw back then

and comparing it with all the knowledge
that Grace has,

I'm certain this world is basically the same

as the one from the Otome game
"Magical Academy: Love & Beast".

I'm now the villainess known as
"Grace Auvergne."

And starting today, I'm going to be a student
here at Royal Magic Academy.

Then, there's her...

The girl who dashes through the academy gates
with a smile full of hope.

Until...

She takes a big tumble.

A ditzy girl who the players empathize with.

Now I'm certain of it!

She is the main character
of this Otome game world...

Anna Doll!

Anyways, in spite of her stumble,

Anna here is super enthusiastic
about her first day at the academy.

But then she gets stopped
by the antagonistic Grace.

Nearly all students at the academy
are members of nobility,

so a commoner like her
can only get in by special exception.

Grace immediately berates Anna
to make her feel inferior...

but when it reaches the point
that her beloved family gets insulted,

Anna cries out of frustration!

That experience lights a fire under Anna
to study magic hard

and eventually show Grace up.

I've been mulling it over this whole time,
but I still don't understand.

Why the heck would
a 52-year-old bureaucrat like me

get reincarnated in the world
of an Otome game meant for girls?

You there. Wait a moment.

That's Lady Grace Auvergne.

The daughter of Duke Auvergne?

Isn't that, like, the second-most powerful
family in the kingdom after the royal family?

I've heard talk about you.

Apparently,
despite your commoner upbringing,

you took the entrance exam
and passed with the top score.

But this academy is a special place

where only those of noble birth
are allowed to be.

Surely you're aware of that?

Yes.

And yet you're here in spite of that.
How interesting.

It can only mean one thing...

You must have been lovingly raised
by great parents

who are very proud of you, yes?

Ah! Crap!

I totally forgot about being a villainess,
and let some of my fatherly feelings slip out!

Y-Yes.

Th-That's right!

I never dreamed that a member of the nobility
would speak so graciously about my parents!

Look. That commoner girl has started crying.

Lady Grace must have really
given her a tongue lashing...

Serves her right!

Huh?

Seriously?!

L-Let's go somewhere else!

Follow along now!

O-Okay!

Have you calmed down?

Yes.

I'm sorry, I let my emotions
get the better of me.

Fair enough.

But this academy is where the esteemed ladies
and gentlemen of nobility come to learn.

It's considered poor form to let
your emotions show so openly around here.

Right. I'll be careful.

It's just, although my family
is not well-off by any means,

once my parents learned
I had an aptitude for magic,

they worked themselves to the bone
to save money...

and gave me this opportunity
to learn sorcery at the academy.

So hearing you praise them like that just...

made me so happy!

I see.

In that case, I hope you understand
what you must do at the academy

to reward your parents for all their efforts.

Yes!

I'm going to study really hard,
and get employed at a respectable job,

and then provide my parents
with a more luxurious life!

How splendid.

But...

I was actually thinking of something different.

You should focus on developing your skills
to make great achievements

and use them as the foundation
to build a life of happiness for yourself.

Because isn't that what any parent
would truly wish for their child?

That's right!

My parents told me the same thing.

How do you understand
my situation so well?!

Well, it's simple.

Looking at you told me
everything I need to know.

Come now, wipe away those tears.

You can't very well attend the
entrance ceremony looking like that, can you?

I'm sorry...

Oh?

Is that you over there, Grace?

Goodness me.

It's only the day of the entrance ceremony
and you're already making other students...

shed tears?

Hm?

I recognize this handsome hunk
from Grace's memories.

He's one of the potential "love interests"
in this Otome game

that the main character can romance.

But right now,
he's the first Prince of the Kingdom

who's actually engaged to me, Grace.

His name is...

Wait, what was it?

Oh please, Your Highness.
Don't sully my reputation.

If you must know, I just finished
making friends with this nice girl.

Oh, is that so?

Allow me to explain!

There are many times
when ol' Kenzaburo has difficulty

remembering people's names on the spot,

but this is not because he forgets them.

In fact, he has memorized so many
different names throughout his life

that he cannot choose
the correct one right away!

Ah! It's nice to meet you...

My name is Anna Doll!

Good job, Anna!

"Doll"?

The new student?

Ah, yes. I've heard about you.

You're the girl who got the top score
on the entrance exam

despite being part of the peasantry, right?

Congratulations!

Y-Yes. It's a pleasure to be here.

C'mon! Say your name, Prince!

Wait.

Based on Grace's knowledge,

I'm aware of an unspoken rule
in the etiquette of high society

that those at the top
never introduce themselves.

Which means, it will be incredibly suspect
if I don't introduce the Prince to Anna myself!

How do I handle this?!

Wh-While we're at it, Anna...

my name is Grace Auvergne.

It's a pleasure.

And as for this fine gentleman
standing here...

try guessing his name!

I'll give you a hint:
the first Prince of the Kingdom.

Huh?

His Highness Crown Prince Virgile?!

Yeah! That's it!

Indeed.

Good on you for knowing, Anna.

W-Well, yeah...

There's nobody in this kingdom that
doesn't know the name of the Crown Prince!

All right, ladies.
Don't be late for the entrance ceremony.

Yes! Pardon us, Your Highness!

Hm? This situation seems
oddly familiar somehow...

In the story,
after Anna gets humiliated by Grace,

she runs off to the courtyard to cry alone.

There's where she meets and
gets comforted by Prince Virgile!

It's the first event
that triggers the Virgile route.

Anna, what was your
first impression of the Prince?

Well, how can I put it?

He seemed like a great guy.

So, the love flag has been set, huh?

Anyways, um...

When you spoke to the prince,

you said something about us becoming friends,
and I was really flattered to hear that!

If you don't mind, um,
could I start calling you "Lady Grace"?

Huh?!

Sure. By all means, go ahead.

Now, let us be on our way, Anna.

Okay, Lady Grace!

Thanks to the tact he cultivated from
spending 30 years in the public sphere,

Kenzaburo avoided any major fiascos.

But now, as Grace,
he has one nagging concern

about whether this Otome game
is actually on the right track or not.

This place is huge.

Indeed.

Although I'm a middle-aged man parading around
in the body of this rich mademoiselle,

I'm doing well enough
that nobody's noticed yet.

Grace Auvergne!

It's nice to finally have you here.

Welcome to Royal Magic Academy!

According to Grace's memories,

this elderly gentleman
is the school's principal.

Except she seems
to have forgotten his name.

But I have nothing to fear
from engaging with him,

even if he does know Grace personally.

Because...

Greetings, Mr. Principal!

I greatly appreciate your ongoing support.

I have enough experience
dealing with similar social situations

that I've mastered the technique!

Why hello, Mr. Principal.

A fine day to you.

And just like that,

every action I take in this world
is automatically converted into behavior

that's befitting of a lady
from the upper class!

I dub it:

"The Elegance Cheat"!

Well, that's the kind of perk being
reincarnated in another world gets ya.

And thus, I, being Grace,

made my way through the entrance ceremony
as the new student representative.

That is your textbook.

Please use it with care
over the next three years.

So far, this is playing out
exactly like the beginning of the game.

I'm honestly excited

at the idea of studying magic.

at the idea of studying magic.

However, one thing seems problematic...

This is amazing, Lady Grace!

I've never had such a pretty book before.

I've never had such a pretty book before.

It's a dream come true!

It's the fact that Anna,
who's supposed to be the main character,

All the books I've ever used were old

and beat up ones that I borrowed...

I never thought the day would come
I could use brand new books,

I can't thank my parents enough!

Anna!

Our teacher is in the middle
of giving a lecture.

Save your celebrating for when
you're in the privacy of your own room.

Oh! I'm so sorry! I wasn't thinking...

There we go.

That must have come off
as a little more villainous.

I do feel bad lashing out
at such a pure and honest girl,

but since I've been reincarnated as Grace,

I must do what I can
to act the part of villainess.

My gosh... I can't believe
how nice Lady Grace is!

We hardly know each other,

but she's admonishing me so that I learn
to correct my shortfalls as a commoner!

Not to mention,

Lady Grace herself is the shining example
of how people in high society should behave!

I'd hate to bring any shame to her
after she called me a friend,

so I have to watch her closely and learn how
to properly conduct myself at the academy!

She looks so focused.

And...

the way her eyes travel back and forth
from the textbook to the teacher's lectern.

She's showing me what it will be like
when our actual lessons begin!

Lady Grace is such a genius.

I have to lick my dry skin to prevent
my finger from slipping on the page.

I struggle to see things close up
due to farsightedness.

It takes time for my eyes
to adjust their focus.

No slipping.

No problems reading small letters.

And I can quickly switch between
looking far and near.

This is heaven!

Lady Grace has probably seen
enough books about magic to last a lifetime,

yet look at how happy she is...

She's so gung-h* about learning!

I need to follow her example!

All right, then.

Everyone should have
their textbooks now, yes?

Next, I'm going to hand out the most
important item that you'll be receiving today.

After I call your name,

please come up to me one at a time.

Yo, Virg!

Auguste.

You're supposed to knock on the door
before you open it, you know?

Aw, don't be such a stiff.

C'mon, Your Highness.
You and I are chill, right?

I just came to kick back now that the
entrance ceremony is over and done with.

So tell me, Virgile,

any news on who you're scouting among
the new students to join the council?

Let's see.

Considering that members
of the Student Council

must be chosen based on
achievement, status, and character...

for starters, the top scorer on the exam:
Anna Doll.

I think she would be a welcome addition.

Furthermore, if we're going off
accomplishments and status,

then Grace Auvergne would be the choice.

Hmm. Grace, huh?

I mean, she's not a bad person.
But her stern attitude can be a problem.

I really doubt that she'll get along
with a commoner like Anna Doll.

Good point.

To be honest,
I had my reservations about that as well.

But, actually, she seems to have changed
for the better recently.

My plan is to see how things unfold

and then decide who should join
the council after that.

Welcome.

This is the academy dining hall.

All of you new students will be able
to use it starting right away.

I'm sure you must be hungry.

Please, help yourselves.

Whoa...

So, we're allowed to eat whatever we want?

All-you-can-eat!

Talk about extravagant!

Ah, so it's buffet style.

How wonderful.

This is amazing.

I want to take some home with me
to share with my family.

I understand how you feel, Anna,
but this is a school.

The dining hall is yet another classroom.

So be aware that this is where we shall learn
and implement the manners of fine dining.

R-Right!

That rebuke must have come off
as pretty villainous, right?

She's on another level!

Lady Grace really is a genius!

What did you say?

You must be kidding!

Do you mean to say that we,
despite our noble blood,

have to carry our own food
all the way to the table?!

Yes.

Your servants are not allowed
on academy grounds.

Our school's educational policy

is built around developing the skills
for you to be self-reliant in everyday life.

This is cruel!

Setting the table is a job
for servants, is it not?

I'm afraid those are the rules.

Interesting.

So that's one way for the rich snob type
to respond, huh?

But if you ask me,

that seems more suitable for a spoiled brat
than a self-respecting villainess.

Certainly not the sort of attitude

that Grace Auvergne,
daughter of the duke, should have.

Come along, Anna.

Uh, r-right!

Well, well.

It seems the duke's daughter
knows exactly what is expected of her here.

Let us partake.

Okay, Lady Grace!

Wow. This is quite good!

Yeah! It's really yummy!

I-I guess we should
help ourselves to some food.

Y-Yes, we should.

That's an Otome game for you.

Although the overall culture and aesthetic
mimics that of 19th century Europe,

the standard of hygiene and food here
is on par with modern-day Japan.

I figured as much already,

but this confirms I'm not anywhere
in the real world.

That being said, the teachers
and students are real.

Everyone I've met here is a living,
breathing person.

Which means I should treat them

with all the respect and manners
that are due to fellow humans.

Except...

I'm really just a commoner with only
basic knowledge of proper etiquette, myself.

Clean your plate.

Thanks for the meal.

Hey, chef! It was delicious!

Thanks. Come again.

Express your gratitude.

Do we leave our dishes with you
after we've finished eating?

Yes. Thank you.

Before I go,
I have one request I wish to make...

Would you pass on a message to the chef?

Please tell them that it was most delicious.

Yes! I'll let them know.

U-Um, I would like to thank the chef, as well!

Y-Yes, give them my thanks!

Same here!

Lady Grace is such a genius!

This later went on to become a tradition
at the academy.

And thus, the 52-year-old bureaucrat
known as Kenzaburo Tondabayashi

began his roller coaster of a life
in another world.

When you get to be my age,

it's hard not to complain
about you-know-what...

Ugh, I'm just going to say it!

I can hardly see things close-up anymore!

I'm like "View Jacked-man."

Muscular gentleman
are certainly easy on the eyes!

Whoa, the elegance cheat at work!

Um, Lady Grace?

Too slow!

Too sloppy!

Any good servant should know how

to make themselves useful

without being asked!

If you can't do the job right,

then don't bother doing it at all!

Can't you work more efficiently?!

Don't miss a single speck of dust!

It shouldn't be taking you this long!

You need to try harder

if you can't even do the

most basics of basics!

You better finish before the day is over!

You still have work to do!

That's not good enough!

You're no longer needed!

How many times must I say it?!

Get out of here!

From

From Bureaucrat

From Bureaucrat to

From Bureaucrat to Villainess:

Dad's Been Reincarnated!

From Bureaucrat to Villainess:
Dad's Been Reincarnated!

I can never avoid role playing

No matter how much time passes

I'm a cog in the machine from morning to night

All systems nominal

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9

There are nothing but villagers

Everywhere I look

While people wish upon a star

God snickers to himself

Nonsense

Choose for yourself what to believe in

Don't let loud voices fool you

Not everything in the world is just

Sometimes we have to choke back tears

Ah, you've made your choices in life

To sing of the things that you love

Ah, I'm sure that your voice

Is my shining beacon

Episode 1: Dad Becomes a Villainess

Royal Magic Academy - Front Gate

Grace

Don't you know that magic is something only nobles are allowed to learn?

Your parents must be too stupid to know how the world works!

Dad Mode

Dad Mode

[Again]

The

Wisdom

of Age

Ja**n Stat**m

Je*n-p**l

B***mondo

**El-ge**rd

Chr***opher Lee

Ja**s T. K**k

Jean-cl**de

V*n Da**e

Mi***el J. F*x

J*an *Ierre Pol****ff

Ch**k No**is

Villg**t

Arn**d

S**warzen****r

H***ison F**d

Be**donna

Lu** Skywa***r

Den**obi*m

L**m Ne**on

L**do Cal****ian

Je**-*uc Pica**

**Tger Ha**r

N**holas

C**e

Ri**r P***nix

Leo**rd Mc**y

Ben**min

Si**o

Mi**s O'B**en

T*m Cr**se

Ste**n Se**al

K**fer Su***rl**d

THE ELEGANCE CHEAT

Highly

Adaptable

Each book is imbued with magic that will

overwrite the contents to become

Wow, it's so new! It's almost sparkling!

overwrite the contents to become

more complex the more you study.

Wow, it's so new! It's almost sparkling!

So please be careful with them.

So please be careful with them.

It's the fact that Anna,
who's supposed to be the main character,

It's the fact that Anna,
who's supposed to be the main character,

has taken a liking to me - the villainess!



Kenzaburo

Finger

Licking



Kenzaburo

Can't See

Up Close



Kenzaburo

Eyes Take

Time to Focus



Grace



Grace



Grace

In Heaven

Anna's "Motivation" stat

has gotten a boost!

CONVERSION

Elegance

Cheat

SMUG

Genius Grace!

Munch, Munch, Munch

Munch, Munch, Munch

THE ELEGANCE CHEAT

Take-a-Number Queue System

Next Number

Document Office - Pick-up Window

Please Take a Number

and Wait Your Turn

PR Division

Come play the bongos

Come hear the samba

Dance to the rhythm of the carnival

Let's party day and night until we feel all right

Don't stop the fun tonight, we are shining bright!

I feel the hot breeze blow and let my body go

I wanna dance and dance until I'm in a trance

The waves sing my song with samba, we belong

Expense Report

The rhythm in my heart, we'll never be apart

Olé, Olé!

Matsuken Samba

Olé, Olé!

Matsuken Samba

Ah, fall in love [amigo]

Just dance [senorita]

Forget about the time today

And let's dance the night away

Samba, viva, samba!

Matsuken Samba!

Olé!

Next Episode:
Dad Becomes a Sorcerer