On the way to the university, the man driving the carriage speaks to Aron. 

“You don’t seem too hot, kid. Whassa matter?” He says in a gruff, nasally voice. Aron doesn’t respond because he is still in shock about what just happened. 

“Oh, duh, you’re a kid. Listen, I know it may seem like your mom hates you or somethin’, but trust me kid, this is the best decision for you. I promise.” 

Aron’s mind flashes back to his past life. Memories flood his mind of his childhood and his old mom holding him. “You’ll be okay. I promise.”

Aron gasps as he snaps out of this state and clutches his chest. He breathes heavily and gets angry at the man driving the carriage. “Shut up. You don’t know anything about me.”

“Ooh, a feisty brat.” He chuckles. “I like you, kid. Listen, I-” Something appears in front of the carriage and the horse-like creatures pulling it stop. The man hops out of the driver’s seat and goes over to the side of the carriage. He’s dwarvish, with strong, muscular arms–probably from working on iron in the past. He takes out his axe from his back and prepares for whatever has the creatures driving the wagon so spooked. He comes around the corner and sees a person in a black mask painted with a creepy white smile and eyes like a bird. 

“Hello,” The person in the black mask says in a distorted voice, drawing a black sword from his scabbard.

The dwarf swings his axe and the maniac jumps  and lands on top of the carriage, shaking it moderately. Aron gets ready to cast and pulls out the book. ‘Why is this happening right now of all times? My mother abandoned me, my father left, and I feel like I was just about to get some interesting lore from that dwarf dude. No matter.’ Aron reads from the book and a blue beam of light comes out from his hand. He points his hand to the ceiling of the carriage. 

“Hahaha. You really thought that swing would work on me?” The man in the mask asks the dwarf. The dwarf looks inside the carriage and smirks. 

“No, but this will.” He chuckles.

“What?… but you aren’t even doing anyt-” An ice shard shoots through the ceiling and into the masked maniac’s torso. They cough up blood and fall to the ground. Aron sees the corpse fall and his eyes go wide with regret.

‘I didn’t even need that knife. But… that was someone’s life. He probably had a family and I just…​​​’ Aron thinks to himself, breathing fast.

The dwarf looks surprised and runs over to Aron. 

“Hey kid, you did it.” He smiles at Aron.

“Thanks… but is this something to celebrate?” Aron contemplates.

“It doesn’t get any easier. That’s something you gotta deal with your whole life from now on. You’re only three and you have your first kill already. Bear the pain and talk it out with some friends that you find. I know I’m gonna after this. I’m sure you’ll find some people.” The dwarf smiles as if he didn’t witness a child kill someone. 

“Let’s just get back on the road please.” Aron says, almost ready to throw up from what he has just done. “Say, do you know who that dude was?” 

“No, I don’t… Also how the heck are you talking like this at three years old?” The dwarf sits down on the ground.

“My parents taught me I guess, besides, it’s practice.” He shrugs, trying not to raise any more suspicion. 

“Keep your secrets.” The dwarf smiles and chuckles.  

“What’s your name by the way Mr.?” Aron sits down.

“Malleus Storn. It was my grandfather’s name. He was an adventurer.” He begins to cook some meat that he got from a creature on a portable furnace he seemingly got from nowhere.

“Adventurer?” Aron seems interested now.

“An adventurer is someone who gets into all sorts of trouble for money, basically. They take on dangerous quests that pay well.”

“Wow, that seems really fun. Did you wanna be an adventurer too, Mr. Storn?”

The dwarf sighs, reminiscing about his childhood. “Yes, at one point. But the people at the castle weren’t too happy about me trying to go fer it, so they just had me work iron for a while.” He gives a piece of cooked meat to Aron.

“Castle? Are you a king or somethin’?” Aron asks wide-eyed, excited at the possibility of meeting a ruler like he was.

“No, but I’m 24th in line for the throne. I’m never gonna be king, but I still hold a lot of power back on Garto.”

“Still cool though, you’re royalty!” Aron shouts and smiles from ear to ear as what he said echoes across the green forest that they’re in, and bites into the piece of meat.

“Shh, not so loud. Saying stuff like that’s gonna get us both killed.” He points to the dead body on the ground.

“Oh, right. Was he here to kill you?” Aron asks worriedly.

“That part I don’t know and I don’t want to find out. Come on, let’s get movin’ kid.” Malleus chuckles and begins to stand up and Aron follows suit. They pile into the carriage and drive away to where they were going before so rudely getting interrupted by a masked maniac. 

“So, Mr. Storn… what is this university I’m going to?” Aron asks curiously.

“I can assure you, it is the absolute best university for humans. It’s in a city called Tomal in the kingdom of Vanguard. Only the best of mages attend it.”

‘I didn’t know this… I thought there was one ruler for each continent.’

“There are kingdoms?” Aron asks thoughtfully.

“Yes. Each continent has multiple kingdoms within it. You were born in the Kingdom of     Moder.”

“Wait… my mother’s last name is Moder. Is she royalty?” 

Malleus is surprised. “Uh… yes. You’re very smart for only three years old, kid. Your mother is second in line for the throne, being the Queen’s second daughter. She ran off some 20 years ago with a man she had barely met.” The dwarf chuckles.

‘I had just assumed that this continent was ruled by one king, but I guess it has multiple rulers, and it seems the kingdom I was born in is a matriarchy. Interesting. Wait did he just say…’ 

“MY MOM WAS ROYALTY AND SHE ABANDONED THAT LIFE FOR MY SCUMBAG OF A DAD?” Aron covers his mouth and tries to calm down.

“If you wanna put it like that, then yeah.” The dwarf laughs.

“Ahem. How’d you meet my mom anyway? I’m sure you aren’t just a carriage driver for anyone who pays. Right?”

The dwarf coughs and pauses for a while. “Well I am.” 

“Oh.” Aron snickers. 

“BUT. this rude brat. I did happen to meet your mother during one of the World Summits.”

“World Summit?”

“Yes. It is a meeting where all of the noble and royal families gather together and brag about how great their country, city, or continent is doing when most people are dying while we get to eat. My father. Anyway, your mother and I talked about how corrupt our families were and we really hit it off. I told her that she could call me any time she needed help with anything and vice versa.”

‘So he has a crush on my mom. Got it.’ A sly grin appears on Aron’s face.

“You know my mom’s single now, right Mr. Storn?” Aron smiles at Malleus.

“Uh… well, I didn’t know that… Maybe I oughta give yer mom some space though.” Malleus blushes slightly, out of view from Aron.

“I’m sure she’s gonna be real lonely without me or my dad around though… Maybe she could use your company?”

Malleus chuckles. “Uh… maybe I’ll talk to her once I drop you off. Yeah…” 

“How far are we from the university, Mr. Storn?”

“About a day’s travel away. You should get some sleep boy. Sun’s startin’ to set.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Storn.” Aron gets ready to go to sleep, using a blanket made out of some sort of beast hide his mother packed in his bag to cover up. 

“Good night, Mr. Storn.”

“Good night, Aron.” The dwarf smiles and looks behind him to see Aron sleeping peacefully.