1 Greem Steelguard

The [Citadel] was a magical tower which stood tall and ominous in the midst of the murky and oppressive swamp. It was made entirely of augite, a dark and dense mineral that seemed to absorb the light around it, making the tower appear even more menacing.

The lower part of the tower was entwined with crazily growing vines of a corrupted nature spirit, making its surface look like it was filled with metallic wooden spikes that glinted like razor-sharp blades in the sunlight.

Despite its intimidating exterior, the tower was home to hundreds of apprentices, all studying the arts of magic under the guidance of the powerful Magus Rutherford. The tower was over a hundred meters tall, and it emitted a chilly and silent glow at night, making it attractive to evil spirits and wraiths.

The tower was divided into different levels, each with its own purpose and function. The ground level was where the apprentices lived and worked. The living quarters were small and spartan, consisting of only a bed, a table, and a chair. The walls were bare and made of rough stone, with narrow windows that let in a dim and cold light.

The upper levels of the tower were where Magus Rutherford lived and worked. His quarters were more luxurious, with comfortable furnishings and intricate decorations. The walls were adorned with beautiful tapestries and intricate magical symbols, and the air was thick with the scent of incense and magical energies. However, none of it could compare to the foreign and otherworldly tools that were in his laboratory. There, he would complete all kinds of experiments, some being far too dreadful for the common human sense.

The library was located on the middle level of the tower, where rows upon rows of ancient books and scrolls were kept. The shelves were made of polished wood, and the books were labeled with different knowledge point values. Apprentices could borrow books with knowledge points, which they earned by completing tasks and assignments given by Magus Rutherford and nobles from the Greenhill Kingdom.

The tower was not just a place for learning, but also for experimentation. Magus Rutherford, the head magus, was known for his wild and dangerous experiments. The surroundings of the tower were also home to a variety of dangerous creatures, such as ghost maidens, scavenger crows, antfolks, dire wolves, flaming boars and many more still...

Despite the dangers and the harsh living conditions, the apprentices continued to study and learn, driven by their passion for magic and the promise of becoming a powerful magus themselves one day.

Inside one of the apprentice chambers, a young boy looked at himself in the mirror.

Like many others in the tower, he possessed classical features of a Greenhill Nobleman: blond hair, fair white skin and blue eyes. However, his eyes were filled with a coldness and apathy that was unfitting his age. Like many apprentices, he was obsessed by the thought of becoming stronger and seeking the truth.

Only then would he have a chance of mastering the unfathomable arcane arts taught in the [Citadel]