I was born with nothing. No name worth remembering. No family. No place to belong. Only hunger. And the cold.

They say children in the slums cry when they're hungry. I didn't cry. I watched. I learned.

The world doesn't care about people like me, not when you're a commoner, not when you're weak.

But I had one weapon. My mind. While others played, I studied maps. While others fought, I learned how to move pieces on the battlefield.

By fifteen, I joined the army. Not as a soldier, but a numbers girl. They laughed. Until my plans saved their lives. Until my strategies won battles.

Then they stopped laughing.

They called me a "genius", but only behind my back. To my face, I was still a "lowborn rat". But I didn't care. I climbed higher. Even the nobles had to admit, Ayaka Rin had talent.

Then came Veilscar. A battle we were supposed to win. But when things turned bloody… they left me behind.

My squad. My commander. The ones I trusted.

They ran. I stayed. I fought until my blade broke. Then the demons came.

I should have died. But fate had other plans.

I woke in darkness. Chains on my wrists. A cold mark on my chest, burning red, like fire and blood.

Before me stood the Demon King. Eyes like dying embers. Voice like old stone breaking.

"Serve me… or die."

I chose to live. But it wasn't life.

They carved a curse into my heart. If I betray them, I die. If I disobey, I suffer.

Now I am no longer human in their eyes. Not to Virelia. Not even to myself.

But I have not forgotten.

Not the betrayal. Not the lies. Not the faces of those who left me to rot.

They think I'm gone. But I'm still here.

And I will rise.

Not as a hero. Not as a saint.

But as the villainess they made me.