I was born in the Kingdom of Drowin, as the 13th child of the king. My parents named me Alice Quittenhei.

I was my father's illegitimate child. I never knew my mother. Everyone in the palace treated me poorly. The servants sometimes even beat me. The only person who was kind to me was my teacher, who discovered my talent for mathematics.

In the Kingdom of Drowin, children had their magical power assessed at the age of six. That was when my life took a sharp turn.

On my 6th birthday, the entire city celebrated. My magical power assessment was scheduled for the afternoon. No one expected my magic level to be high. But what happened was beyond anyone's expectations.

The magical power was measured using a shiny crystal orb. When I stepped up to the orb and placed my hand on it, a deep silence fell around me. Everyone eagerly awaited the result. After a few seconds, the surface of the orb began to darken. Soon, a number appeared on it... Zero.

In the Kingdom of Drowin, as well as in a few neighboring countries, there was a tradition: if someone's magic level was zero, they would be taken to the vast forest on the border of Roovin and Drowin, a place infamous for the monsters that lived there.

My father didn't seem upset when it was revealed that I would soon become a monster's meal. As for my stepmother, her joy was evident—she was glad I would finally be gone.

We set out for the forest at dawn the next day. I was dressed in black, blindfolded, and my feet were bound to prevent me from escaping. The carriage was escorted by only two soldiers. Once we were deep in the forest, they removed the ropes from my feet and pushed me out of the carriage.