In Kimberly Magic Academy, nothing bad ever happens.
So let's hop onboard our broomsticks, pick up our wands and athames, and have a fun magical adventure with Oliver Horn and friends. In the school, we learn how to brew potions, fire spells, and wave a sword. Purely for defence, of course. Let's explore the halls of the academy and discover various fantasy environments and magical beasts. Maybe there is even time for broomstick games and cordial sparring. If you are ever in need of aid, you can rely on the kindhearted people of the academy. The mages' friendship is truly inseparable.
...Well, none of the characters are radically evil at their core. That part is true. They do not commit evil deeds for the sake of evil itself. They commit outrageous atrocities, but their path to them is believable and sympathetic. In fact, they work tirelessly for the benefit of their loved ones, mankind, or all sapient beings. All for their deeply held beliefs, for their sense of justice, for the society they envision.
These people actually have strong opinions on topics more nuanced than good vs evil in its simplest form. The problems faced by the inhabitants of their world are realistic and legitimate. Even in our world, the issues are very clearly relevant. These people face deep-rooted social, political, and other systemic issues that cannot be easily solved or overcome. They actually take a stand and make difficult decisions beyond simply being in favor of good things and against bad things.
It is easy to condemn villains who carry out evil for the sake of itself. The interesting situation is when they have well-thought reasons for doing so. They are not morally perfect reasons that would flawlessly stand up to every counterargument, but even so they are sufficiently comprehensible and compelling reasons. They are reasons that could reasonably drive people into action, even extreme action.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions. True darkness is not cutting down hordes of evil demons. In that secnario, the stakes are high, and carrying out the act may be difficult, but the moral judgment is easy, and you can focus your hatred freely without thinking twice about it. Instead, true darkness is the dawning realization that you will end up killing people you genuinely like, or at least do not fully hate.
The result is a bitter, visceral struggle full of empty, joyless victories. There is no parade waiting, no medals to be earned, no satisfaction. It is uncertain whether any of it will truly result in a better world. For all we know, the outcome may be worse than inaction. When trying to build a world of smiles atop piles of corpses, that is a risk people take.
"How much simpler things would be if they were all easily detested."
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