Meet Aetius Ironthorn—warrior, competitor, and a man who has discovered that an alarming number of life’s problems can be solved with enough confidence and appropriately applied violence. In this interview, we dig into the relentless training, brutal rivalries, and hard-fought victories that eventually put the crown of Aeltharia on his head.

But what’s underneath all that strength and bravado? Get to know the man behind the warrior, his tendency to charge headfirst into danger, and why, once Aetius commits to something, he really commits to the bit.