The protagonist awakens in an unfamiliar bed with a throbbing headache, only to find himself face-to-face with a maid named Emilia. He quickly realizes he has been reincarnated into the body of Asta Crawford, a notoriously detestable villain from the popular game "Astral Frontier" (Asufro). Asta's original character was a pig-like noble who relentlessly harassed the game's heroines and protagonists, leading to widespread player hatred and a guaranteed, gruesome death in every route.
Upon discovering he possesses latent lightning attribute magic, a rare and powerful ability originally intended for Asta but later reassigned by the game developers, the protagonist resolves to avoid his predetermined fate. He decides to live a righteous life, aiming to defy his villainous reputation and prove his worth. He begins by studying magic diligently, surprising Emilia, who has been caring for him as a surrogate sister figure. Emilia, a fan-favorite character whose popularity ironically fueled Asta's hate, is deeply moved by his changed demeanor. The protagonist also reveals knowledge of her secret, offering her high-quality potions for her sick sister, a gesture that solidifies her loyalty. He then requests a tutor, specifically choosing Sylvia Marius, a sub-heroine and exceptionally talented mage known as the "Silver Ice Princess."
Sylvia, a reclusive S-rank mage who had grown disillusioned with the entitled nature of noble students, is initially hesitant but agrees to tutor Asta. During their initial "magic alignment" session, both Asta's immense latent magic and his lightning attribute are revealed, astonishing Sylvia. She recognizes his potential and, seeing a reflection of her own past struggles with power, resolves to support his growth. Under Sylvia's rigorous training, Asta dedicates himself to both magic and physical conditioning, much to the surprise of the household staff. He demonstrates remarkable progress, even managing to save Emilia from a fall using his lightning magic. Emilia, whose sister was cured by the potions Asta provided, pledges her eternal loyalty to him, choosing to remain his maid despite no longer needing the income.
A year later, Asta has become proficient enough in magic to challenge Sylvia to a duel, a requirement for him to gain access to the Adventurer's Guild. Despite his significant progress, Sylvia's overwhelming power makes him struggle, but he eventually achieves his first victory. Emilia, who can now use basic healing magic, supports him by healing his injuries, while Sylvia continues her strict tutelage, often enjoying pushing him to his limits.
The narrative then shifts to Sylvia's perspective, revealing her past disillusionment with teaching nobles and her subsequent retreat from society. She was surprised by Asta's summons and, upon meeting him, recognized his potential and maturity, deciding to dedicate herself to his development.
The story culminates with Asta, Emilia, and Sylvia heading to the Adventurer's Guild. Asta's reputation precedes him, drawing scorn from other adventurers. When a brutish adventurer named Kurogane no Ganza insults Asta, Emilia steps in to defend him. Ganza attacks Emilia, but Asta intercepts, using his lightning attribute magic to defend her and defeat him with a powerful new spell, "Thunder Fist." This display of power, combined with Emilia's fervent declaration of Asta's destiny, earns him the grudging respect and awe of the guild members, marking a significant turning point in his journey to escape his villainous past.
