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 …