You transmuted your mother? As an 11 year-old child? I see. So that's what earned you the title Fullmetal Alchemist. You've had a rough time of it, for someone so young.

Before I earned my State Alchemist certification, our life was terrible. We were so poor in those days. My wife couldn't stand living that kind of life, so she left us. [He sighs] I can't afford to fail this assessment. I don't want to go back to those days again. I don't even think I could.