The protagonist, a devoted fan of a game director, finds himself deeply engrossed in the newly released otome game, "Magic Romance ~The Commoner Me is Doted On by the Princes!?~". After an all-night gaming session, he is abruptly killed and reincarnated as a baby named Edward in a world that mirrors the game. Four years later, on his birthday, Edward, retaining his past life's memories and adult consciousness, realizes he is a commoner in the Criminal Kingdom, the setting of "Magic Romance". He also discovers that his hometown is Haralua, a town destined to be the first to suffer a devastating monster disaster.
Determined to protect his newfound family and hometown, Edward devises a plan to enroll in Freesia Academy, the game's central institution. This requires overcoming significant financial and academic hurdles. He discovers he possesses a status screen, but crucially, lacks a level system, meaning he cannot grow stronger through traditional means. To fund his education and prepare for the academy's entrance exams, Edward embarks on a risky strategy: using his knowledge of the game to acquire rare items. He obtains the "Coward's Garb," which guarantees escape from battles, and the "Robber's Gloves," enabling him to "steal" items from monsters.
Over the next ten years, Edward diligently steals valuable items like "Rainbow Crystals" and "Guardian's Short Spears" from monsters. He exchanges these items at the Antique Guild for stat-increasing seeds, focusing on increasing his Stamina and Dexterity to facilitate more successful thefts and improve his chances of acquiring the exorbitant entrance fee for Freesia Academy. He also sells the stolen weapons, eventually earning enough money. His parents, though initially unaware of his true activities, eventually learn he's been venturing outside the town and selling items, but ultimately support his dream of attending Freesia Academy.
After a decade of preparation, Edward, now a capable commoner, successfully passes the rigorous entrance exams for Freesia Academy, securing one of the limited spots for commoners. He enters the academy, a place he knows intimately from his gaming experience, and is assigned to Dorm D. He quickly befriends Hank, a fellow commoner from the capital, and together they navigate the academy's strict social hierarchy, where status heavily outweighs age or merit.
On the day of the princes' arrival, a mandatory event for students, Edward witnesses the first prince and main love interest, Alec Criminal, for the first time. He also observes the stark class divisions within the academy, noting the preferential treatment of nobles. As he settles into academy life, attending classes in the lowest-tier D class, Edward encounters Jessica, the game's protagonist, a pink-haired girl destined to become the "Light Priestess." The narrative ends with Edward, now a student at Freesia Academy, ready to participate in the "story" of Magic Romance, albeit from the perspective of a commoner with a unique, self-made path to survival and protection.