About thirty years before the events of Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy, Theodore Bronev was born to Leon and Rachel Bronev and had an older brother named Hershel. When he was very young, a cultlike organisation named Targent kidnapped both of his parents for their knowledge of the Azran civilization, leaving Theodore and Hershel behind alone in the house. An elderly couple, Roland and Lucille Layton, came wishing to adopt the child named Hershel. Theodore's brother gave him his name and caused him to be adopted in his place. From then on, Theodore Bronev would be known as Hershel Layton. Then, eighteen years before the events of Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, Hershel Layton is in high school and undergoes an archaeological expedition with his close friend, Randall Ascot. While the two explore the Akbadain ruins, they accidentally activate a trap, which leads to the presumed death of Randall. Years later during his years at college, he meets the love of his life, Claire. Claire gives Layton his top hat as a present just before he becomes a professor of archaeology at Gressenheller University, ten years before the events of Professor Layton and the Unwound/Lost Future. Immediately following this exchange, however, Claire is killed in an accident involving a time machine. Professor Layton's drive to be a gentleman, and willingness to solve puzzles, come from these two events.
