Dark Fantasy Normalized

The canvas upon which pure and passionate scholars painted the future.

That was how the Gray Tower Master remembered the Gray Tower of long ago.

“...”

But.
The Gray Tower that met the Master's eyes today was entirely different.

The pure and passionate scholars were no more.
The Gray Tower had become a den of opportunists and traitors.

The Gray Tower Master gazed at the puppet before them with cold, lifeless eyes.

“Was this the best you could do?”

The puppet, trembling with shame, replied.

“Yes. This was the best I could achieve. I am sorry for failing to meet your expectations, Master.”
“I see. You’ve worked hard all this time.”

That was all the recognition given to the puppet for its long years of service.
The Gray Tower Master extended a hand toward the puppet.

“...”

The light faded from the puppet’s eyes.
The puppet, which had managed the Gray Tower in its Master's long absence, reverted to being nothing more than an inanimate object.

The Gray Tower Master cast a somber glance at the Tower’s current state.
The moment lingered only briefly.

Without hesitation, the Master turned their back on the Tower.

The Gray Tower had lost its pride and now its Master.
All that remained were opportunists and traitors.

[Location – The Fallen Gray Tower]

***

The Wandering Star

The Gray Tower Master, known as the "Wandering Star," was a creature of legend.
To find anyone who could claim to have seen this being, one would have to seek out those with at least five years of experience at the Tower.

Yes, the Master of the Tower had not shown their face within its halls for a full five years.
Even when they visited briefly five years ago, it was only to meet a few select individuals under a veil of secrecy.

Some remarked:
"A merchant dealing in cursed properties would show more interest in their investments than that."