Middle Life Crisis

A Rainy Day in Greenvale

On July 9, 2002, a quiet town nestled in the heart of Erythia, Greenvale, was drenched in the monsoon rains. The rain came down in a steady rhythm, a constant reminder of the season of renewal. It was on this rainy day that Aaron Vale was born, in the modest and unassuming rooms of Everwell Hospital. As the sound of the storm echoed outside, a new life began.

Aaron's birth was not a grand affair, but for his parents, it was everything. Arden Vale, a 40-year-old farmer, and his wife Elysine Vale, a woman who had known nothing but struggle, looked at their newborn son with a sense of hope and relief. Though they had little in terms of wealth or privilege, they had each other, and now, they had a child to love and protect.

The Family History: Roots in Struggle

Aaron's father, Arden Vale, was born in 1964 in a large family of eight siblings. His childhood was marked by hardship and neglect. His father, Alistair Vale, a drunkard and poor farmer, spent his days either at the bar or asleep, while his mother, Seraphina Vale, worked tirelessly, selling vegetables to make ends meet. Alistair's negligence and occasional abuse of Seraphina left a deep scar on the family. Arden, being the youngest of his brothers, felt the weight of responsibility early on.

With little education and a heavy sense of duty, Arden never had the opportunity to explore his own ambitions. At the age of 30, he left Greenvale to work abroad, first in the fields and then in a shipyard, hoping to earn enough money to support his family. But as the years passed, Seraphina's health deteriorated, and Arden knew it was time to return home. He was the only one of the siblings left to care for his mother, while the others had married and moved on with their lives.

By the time Arden married, he was already 40 years old, a man who had spent his prime years working for his family, sacrificing his own dreams for their survival. His bride, Elysine Favre, was born in 1974 into another struggling family, near the beachside. The youngest of five siblings, Elysine's father, Edgar Favre, was a drunkard who often took out his frustrations on his wife, Isolde Favre, a woman who worked hard selling fish to make sure her family survived. Like Arden, Elysine was deprived of the opportunity to pursue formal education, a sacrifice born from necessity.

Their marriage was an arranged one, not based on romantic love but on mutual respect and the shared experience of hardship. Elysine, though emotionally expressive and full of warmth, understood the realities of life and was willing to build a life with Arden. Together, they formed a partnership based on stability and responsibility, raising Aaron with the same values.

The Home: Simple but Full of Love

Aaron's early life unfolded in a small, two-compartment house, situated in a modest neighborhood in Greenvale. The house was attached to the homes of many neighbors, and the Vale family shared a communal toilet with them. While this was far from an ideal situation, it was all they could afford. Despite their meager living conditions, Arden and Elysine worked hard to make sure Aaron had what he needed to succeed.

Aaron's childhood was filled with the sound of his father's steady work in the fields and the aroma of his mother's homemade meals. Though they had little, they always made sure Aaron had the best. Their sacrifices were not in vain.

Early Education: The First Steps

At the age of three, Aaron was enrolled in a small nursing school in Greenvale. The school was designed for early developmental learning, where children were taught basic skills like communication, motor skills, and socialization. Though the school was humble, it was here that Aaron began his educational journey, laying the foundation for what would be years of learning and personal growth.

At the age of four, his parents made the decision to enroll him in Valecrest Academy, the best school in town for his kindergarten, primary school and highschool education. Despite their financial limitations, Arden and Elysine were determined to give Aaron the best opportunities they could afford. Valecrest Academy was a prestigious institution, and getting in was a feat in itself. But money was tight, and their sacrifices were many. They worked harder to cover the expenses, all for Aaron's future.

The Next 12 Years: What Lies Ahead?

Aaron would go on to spend the next 12 years at Valecrest Academy, from kindergarten through to his high school graduation. It was here that he would begin to understand the complexities of life—academically, socially, and emotionally. The experiences he had in these years would shape his future decisions, carving out his path and preparing him for the challenges to come.

But what did the future have in store for him? What challenges would arise? What friendships would he forge? And how would these years shape the man Aaron was destined to become? Only time would tell, but for now, his journey at Valecrest Academy was about to begin.