The Otome Heroine's Fight for Survival

Orphaned by a monster attack on her village, young Alicia spends three horrid years in an orphanage before finally running away. When she flees, however, Alicia has a violent encounter with an older woman hell-bent on killing her. During their tussle, she comes into contact with a strange crystal that bestows upon her a wealth of knowledge, transforming her from an innocent child into a cool and calculated planner. Now aware that she was meant to be the protagonist of an otome game and disgusted with her supposed fate, Alicia decides to take matters into her own hands and become strong—by any means necessary. Using her newfound knowledge, and with some help from a stranger she meets in the woods, she learns to survive by herself in a world far too harsh and unforgiving for a girl her age. Ready or not, she’s determined to carve her own path.

Young orphan Alicia—now going by Alia—manages to escape death at the hands of Graves by jumping into a turbulent river. Narrowly surviving the raging torrent, she makes her way to the isolated cabin of Cere’zhula the Fiend—the demoness and retired sorceress who was once the mentor to the woman who attacked Alia in an alley—and becomes the dark elf’s newest apprentice. Under Cere’zhula, Alia learns new spells and combat techniques and dips her toes in the art of alchemy. After a few months, the young girl grows used to her new life in the woods, only for it to be thrown into disarray by the arrival of a mysterious man from Cere’zhula’s past...

Alia continues to roam the land in her quest to become stronger and overcome her fate. Her ruthless actions and impressive feats of carnage have made her notorious among those who operate from the shadows of the Kingdom of Claydale. Her habit of coating her hair in illusory ashes and her developing features have earned her the nickname “Lady Cinders,” and that name alone is enough to strike fear in the hearts of many. Cutting down any who would stand in her way, Alicia returns to the Barony of Horus—where her journey began two and a half years ago—to repay a debt. There, she runs into a few familiar faces...

After bonding with a mythical coeurl and failing to kill Graves, Alia gets recruited by her old mentor Viro to join his party, the famed Rainbow Blade. Alia heads to the royal capital to take care of the necessary proceedings at the Adventurers’ Guild, and to meet with the rest of the party so they can prepare for their mission: escorting the young royals of Claydale during a dungeon expedition. Knowing that Princess Elena is among them, Alia feels she has no choice but to go along with the plan. As usual, trouble follows Alia wherever she goes, and when she finds herself in a difficult situation, she reunites with an old ally...