When the Villain Joined the Knights to Avoid Doom Flags, but Somehow the Heroines Started Approaching Him

Yulis, the second son of a Count’s family, is a character who always gets condemned by the heroines in every scenario of the game Akashic Academy. The protagonist, having reincarnated into this villainous role, makes a firm decision: “If I don’t bother avoiding the doom flags and just join the Knights, where the heroines aren’t around, then I should be fine!” The story’s setting is a prestigious academy attended by nobles. All of the scenarios that the heroines trigger only start after entering the academy. So, if he avoids the academy and keeps his distance from the heroines, he should be able to avoid all the doom flags. Being part of the Knights, who protect the country’s peace, should also keep his parents from complaining. With this plan in mind, Yulis hones his skills, passes the exam, and finally manages to join the Knights. However… “…Hey, why are the heroines even following me to the Knights?” “Heroines…? I don’t really get what you mean, but I’m your devoted personal maid, so I’ll stay by your side♪” Even the princess, the daughter of a prestigious knight family, and the personal maid, who were supposed to dislike him, start approaching him willingly…

Original Publisher

kakuyomu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on When the Villain Joined the Knights to Avoid Doom Flags, but Somehow the Heroines Started Approaching Him Alright, let's dive into "When the Villain Joined the Knights to Avoid Doom Flags, but Somehow the Heroines Started Approaching Him" (phew, that's a mouthful!). Overall, I found it to be an enjoyable, if somewhat predictable, read. It’s the kind of story that's easy to pick up and get lost in, but perhaps not one that will stick with you long after you finish. ### First Impressions Initially, the premise grabbed my attention. The idea of a villainous character actively trying to avoid his doom flags by joining the knights is quite interesting. It starts off with some familiar tropes and plot points, but thankfully it does diverge and finds its own footing as the story progresses. ### What Works Well The core concept of the story is executed decently. The protagonist's journey from zero to hero (or at least, not-a-villain) is satisfying to witness. I particularly liked how the protagonist straight-up refuses to apologize when it was suggested by the maid. It was a refreshing change of pace and showed a proactive approach to changing his fate. It's always fun to see a character actively trying to subvert their predetermined role, and the author did a reasonable job of making that engaging. The romance aspect, while leaning into the harem genre, is handled well enough, with each heroine having her own distinct personality and reasons for being drawn to the protagonist. ### Areas of Concern My main issue lies in the story's predictability. While enjoyable, it doesn't really break any new ground. The "MC decides to change randomly and after enough time the girls flock to him" trope is played straight, and there aren't too many surprises along the way. While the ending is decent, it does feel a bit abrupt, as if there was more story to tell. The story also feels a bit rushed in places, and the world-building could have been more fleshed out. ### Final Verdict "When the Villain Joined the Knights to Avoid Doom Flags, but Somehow the Heroines Started Approaching Him" is a solid 3.5/5 stars for me. It's a fun, light read that's perfect for when you want something easy to enjoy. While it may not be the most original or groundbreaking story, it delivers on its premise and provides a satisfying, if somewhat predictable, experience. If you're looking for a quick and entertaining read with a harem twist, this might just be the novel for you. Just don't expect anything too revolutionary.