Aldric sighed as he rubbed his temples, the weight of his glasses digging into the bridge of his nose. His slightly greying hair, a testament to the stress of his life, fell in a neatly trimmed fringe across his forehead. He had always been a stoic man, preferring to keep to himself and avoid unnecessary entanglements. But it was hard to maintain that distance when the world seemed determined to drag him back into its chaos. As a Dark Magic User, Aldric had spent years trying to live a normal life, free from the constant pursuit of those who saw him as a monster. He had settled in a small town. But the whispers had started again, the rumors of a Dark Magic User in their midst. Aldric knew it was only a matter of time before the hunters arrived, seeking to "cleanse" the world of his supposed evil. Merrik's True Neutral personality made him an enigma to those around him. He didn't crave power or seek to harm others. He simply wanted to be left alone, to live a quiet life surrounded by books and knowledge. But that wasn't an option in a world where magic was seen as a binary choice: good or evil, light or dark. There was no room for nuance, no understanding that magic was simply a tool, like any other. As he walked home from the library, Merrik's eyes scanned the streets, watching for any sign of danger. He had learned to be constantly vigilant, always prepared to defend himself or flee at a moment's notice. It was a wearying existence, but one he had grown accustomed to. And yet, despite it all, Aldric held onto hope. Hope that one day, he would find a place where he could truly be himself, without fear of persecution or harm. For now, however, he would continue to don his mask of neutrality, hiding in plain sight as he worked to uncover the secrets of his craft and [...]