Aron wakes up in a familiar cold and empty place. ‘Don’t tell me I died again.’ The same Astral Voice enters his mind once again. 

“Nah, don’t worry. I just wanted to check up on you, see how you’re liking your new life.”

“Well I would’ve been perfectly fine if both my parents hadn’t abandoned me by the time I was three years old.”

“Touchy. Very touchy, why is that? I just wanted you to experience some hardship before the real fun begins” The Astral Voice laughs in a distorted manner. 

“It’s funny that you’ve put me in this type of pain for both of my lives now? Coward, you aren’t even showing yourself to me.”

“How amusing. What do you think you’re gonna do, boo boo? Kill me? I gave you life in both worlds, I can just as easily take it away. Also I could show myself to you, but you will be traumatized so deeply that you can only hope to breathe.” The Voice laughs again wickedly.

“I’ll kill you if I must. Don’t think I can’t just because you ‘created all things’.”

“I’d love to see you try, but are you sure you can handle even seeing me at your current state. Maybe later once you’ve lived in this world for longer, but right now? You are less than an insect to me.” A crack revealing light forms in the darkness. Then another. Then another. Then another. A giant four pointed star with earth, fire, water, and air circling around it comes out from the light and seemingly floats above the ground, moving toward Aron. Aron falls to the cold, black ground. Everything turns white. He wakes up in a cold sweat, grasping his chest tightly and breathing heavily. ‘What the heck was that.’ 

“Hey kid. We’re here.” Malleus smiles at Aron as he gets out of his driver seat and goes over to him. “Sweet Mother of the gods. You look like you’ve seen a Rensha or somethin’ kid.”

Aron breathes heavily, pretending to be fine when Malleus talks to him. “Something like that. Do you have a glass of water?” 

“I’ll go buy you a whole drek [gallon] if that’s what you want.” Malleus looks concerned for the kid. 

“Thanks Mr. Storn. Anything helps, really.” 

Malleus hurries into the bazaar next to them and buys Aron a water. Aron drinks it immediately, trying to get what he saw out of his mind. 

“Thank you Mr. Storn. I really appreciate it.” 

“No worries. You gonna tell me what you saw or keep it to yourself?”

“I don’t think it would be safe for you if I told you. Or if you would even believe me.”

“Nonsense. I’ve heard plenty o’ stories. Real or made up. Hit me.” He smiles confidently.

“You sure?” Aron asks, concerned about his new friend’s safety.

“I’m sure. You don’t gotta worry about nothin’.”

“Okay. I was reincarnated here when I died in another world.” Aron looks at Malleus’ reaction, searching for any sign of doubt.  “You… believe me?” Aron asks sincerely.

The dwarf laughs heartily. “Of course I don’t. Kid, your intuition for lying is really bad. You can’t make up a believable lie and you can’t detect when someone knows you’re lying. Tell me the truth kid, okay?”

Aron’s eyes gleam with tears. “I’m telling the truth. I thought we connected enough over the past day to tell you it. Why don’t you believe me?” Aron starts crying and all the citizens of the city look at the dwarf and the child. Malleus tries to comfort Aron and gets down to his level. 

“Okay kid, I believe ya, just please quit cryin’.” This obvious attempt to placate Aron fails and he just starts crying louder. Malleus looks around at ways to get him to shut up before people think he’s abusing the kid. 

“Uhh…Maybe the kid isn’t making this up.” He thinks of something. “You want a new book, kid?” 

Aron looks up at him and the tears suddenly stop and the last one falls down to the ground. 

‘Haha, it worked!’ They both think.

 “Sure Mr. Storn. I think that would really help me get over the fact that you didn’t take my word.” 

Malleus looks guilty and brings Aron into a library. His eyes immediately light up when he sees all the books. 

“I’ve never seen so many books.” Aron looks around in awe. 

“And I’ve never seen a three-year-old be so excited about books.” Malleus chuckles.

“Yeah? Well maybe I’m just short for my age.” Aron crosses his arms and pouts.

“Well, in this world you’re three, so maybe don’t go spoutin’ out that you’re reincarnated or whatever.” Malleus smiles doubtfully, not completely convinced, but not wanting to upset him.

Aron picks out a book, or rather, points at a book and Malleus picks it out for him and they leave the library. 

“Mr. Storn?” 

“Yes kid?” 

“Can we go to the university now?”

“Sure, but I wanna show you somethin’ first” He picks up Aron and puts him on his shoulders. 

“Do you see it, boy?” 

“No, what am I supposed to be looking at right now?” Aron asks very confused.

Malleus sighs. “I suppose I am a bit too short. No matter, I wanted to show you the castle of Tomal.”

“Oh. Too bad you’re too short to get me to see it.” Aron smirks.

“W–well you’re short too.” Malleus scoffs.

“I’m supposed to be short, I’m only three.”

“Uh… Fair enough.” Malleus hangs his head down in defeat. “Let’s go to the university, I suppose.”

“Yeah. To the university of Tomal.” Aron says excitedly.

Malleus walks them over to the other side of the city. Aron looks around in awe at all the new things he sees along the way. A few men are pretending to sell swords, eager to scam any tourist who passes by. The smell of spices and foods from the local street vendors make both Malleus and Aron want something warm to eat. By the time the sun begins to set, they finally reach the university’s gates. The university is a towering, white building that resembles a castle with a moat surrounding its base. At the top of the building, there is a crest with the four elements of magic: Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. A relatively young looking woman, around Aron’s mother’s age, stands by the doors, awaiting Aron’s arrival. The young woman, adorned in a grey cloak with a hat covering her face, waves at Aron and Malleus to come over to her. Malleus sets Aron down and they walk over to the woman. The woman bends down to Aron’s level and begins talking to him.

“Hello kid. I’ve heard so much about you. Your mom has left you in my care.” She smiles sincerely. “Oh, how rude of me. You two must be cold. Come in, come in.” She waves them inside the doors and walks across the hallway to be in front of them. “Do you want a tour of the place, Aron?”

“Nah, I kinda just wanna go to sleep” Aron shrugs.

“Oh. Alright. Tour tomorrow then?” She seems disappointed.

“Sure thing. Can you show me to my room please, it’s been a rough couple of days.” Aron sighs, not wanting to disappoint the woman too badly. 

“Yes, of course.” She smiles weakly and shows Aron to his room. 

“Get a good night’s sleep and don’t worry about anything ‘til you’re about six years old. Okay?”

“Okay, thank you… What’s your name?” 

“You can call me Auntie Trish. It’s a formality thing… all the people here do it.” She smiles and leaves the room. Malleus quietly says his goodbye to both of them and leaves the university.

“Good night, Aron.” Trish closes the door and Aron falls asleep a short while later.