Chapter 1

"Ahem, ahem...!"

In the depths of a dark and cold cave, I was lying on the ground, coughing up blood. Around me, the skeletal creatures, armed with rusted swords and spears, were shuffling closer, their bones clattering. I was covered in wounds, and my 'magic power' was completely drained. I had no means left to resist. I was completely cornered.

"Ha... Is this the end? My life was the worst, wasn't it..."

On the brink of death, I reflected on my twenty years of life and muttered these words.

First, the family I was born into was terrible. I was born into a baron's lineage, but it was a title in name only, and we were always struggling with poverty. My grandfather, who was a fairly skilled 'mage,' had been elevated to nobility for his achievements in war when he was young, but the land he was given was barren, and there was no way we could live a luxurious life.

—The people in the territory were mostly criminals or sick individuals who had drifted in from somewhere. They all lived with dead eyes. Born into such a place, there was no way I could become a normal person. My mother left due to the hardships of life, and I suffered from constant hunger, which inevitably turned me into a stereotypical gloomy girl. Naturally, my body didn't grow well, and as a scrawny noblewoman from the lower ranks, I couldn't find a husband. By the time I turned fifteen, I was told to "earn money for the family" and was forced to become an 'adventurer,' starting a life of battling monsters.

...It was a painful and miserable life. I often got injured while gathering herbs to make healing potions, and I risked my life, as a noble lady, to obtain materials from monsters that the nobles used as decorations. For five years, I relied solely on the moderate magic power I inherited from my grandfather, barely surviving multiple near-death experiences, and being mocked by my peers due to my dark personality. Despite all this, I never achieved any significant results and was about to die.

"Haha, it's fine... If you want to kill me, go ahead!"

Laughing at my utterly miserable life, I roared at the surrounding skeletons. Ah, it had been months since I last laughed. I cried every night. While thinking about such trivial matters, I was torn to pieces.

And then...

"Ah, finally born! The gender is... oh, it's a girl."

...Huh!? What's going on...!?

I thought I had been toyed with and killed by the skeletons, but the next moment, I found myself being held by Father. What the...!? There's no way I could have survived miraculously and been taken to a hospital... That's impossible in two ways, yeah. I was definitely mortally wounded, and we didn't have the money for treatment.

Besides, my vision is blurry, but doesn't Father look much younger...?

"Hmm? Who is this child...? She doesn't cry at all. Well, as long as she's alive, that's fine. Your name from today will be 'Sophia Gracia.' Grow up to be a fine lady, worthy of the Gracia family name."

Huh? I am Sophia Gracia, but... What's really going on...?

After a while of confusion, I was suddenly overcome by drowsiness and quietly lost consciousness.

---

【If you could, please do the following】

If you found it even a little

• Interesting

• Want to know what happens next

Please consider bookmarking and rating the story.

You can rate the story by tapping the stars [☆☆☆☆☆] at the bottom of this page.

I hope to continue providing interesting stories, so it would be great if you could bookmark and follow the story.

Your points are a huge, huge encouragement to me (ノシ ;ω;)ノシ Bang Bang

Thank you very much...!