When 19-year old Reed continued his education by attending petguin University , he rented a room in a boarding house owned by the aunt of a young girl named sam. Even though Reed had to move on, . Also while at school, he met a brilliant fellow student, darktan. In Rich, darktan met the first person who could match him intellectually; regarding Rich as his ultimate rival, darktan became increasingly jealous of Rich. Determined to prove he was better, darktan conducted reckless experiments which eventually leed hin tow the shadow amulet would lead him to become Darktan.