Takumi was given a name shortly after his birth—Aiden Voren. His parents chose it with care, believing it held strength and grace. He inherited his father's deep black eyes and tousled, jet-black hair, soft and fluffy like a midnight breeze. His mother, in contrast, possessed striking blue eyes, a trait that made Aiden's dark features stand out even more.
From an early age, Aiden showed signs of exceptional intelligence. Within months, he began walking and eating on his own—much faster than most children his age. His parents often exchanged astonished glances as they watched their son grow; his progress defied their expectations.
Yet, they shared a concern. The Duskarra Kingdom, where they resided, was plagued by monthly unrest—violent conflicts that disrupted the peace of the land. It was no place to raise a child, let alone educate one. They whispered about this often, not realizing that Aiden, even as a toddler, had begun to understand their words.
By the time he turned two, Aiden could do everything a child his age should—and more. But beyond his physical and mental growth, something else stirred within him. Memories, faint and sorrowful, from a life once lived. Though fragmented, they brought with them a sense of regret and longing. He avoided dwelling on them. The past, he decided, was not worth remembering. What mattered now was the present—and his parents.
He began to take an interest in their work, especially his father's labor in the fields. Observing, learning, helping. It gave him peace, and more importantly, a purpose.
One evening, as the sun dipped low behind the mountains, his father, Kael, approached him. With a gentle voice, he asked, "Aiden, would you like to attend school—on the other side of the Duskarra Kingdom?"
Aiden wasn't surprised. He had overheard the discussions, seen the worry in his father's eyes. He stepped forward, wrapping his small arms around Kael in a quiet hug. Then, looking up with a faint smile, he said,
"If this will make you happy, Father… I'll do anything for you."