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.