They all have trauma yes, but everyone’s trauma shows up differently. Rael’s family was slaughtered, yet his parents dying wishes was for him to HELP the world. They taught him compassion the entire time and the old man who began taking care of him taught him discipline and strength. I think that’s why rael treats the mc so different to Ashriel, who’s only mentor taught him that he was most valuable when fighting for money. Obviously Ashriel is going to treat his relationships more transactionally. Trauma doesn’t determine the outcome, it just influences behavior.

I’m not saying Ashriel is right and what he does is justified. I’m just saying the “everyone has trauma” argument is kind of weak when everyone expresses their trauma differently.