The Greatest Sinner

Evan tried to understand why the area around him was changing in a very strange way during the "Splash". The ground and grass underwent significant changes, the first time an ordinary butterfly suddenly turned into a fiery icy one. When he broke through the second "Barrier" during the test, some strange ant appeared next to him that couldn't have been there.

"Is there something bothering you?" Draven asked, looking at the puzzled young man's face.

"Yes, my two "Splashes" were quite unlike what you describe. I can't say exactly what it was. But, it wasn't like a case of Zak fire." Evan tried to make sense of what was happening to him.

"You shouldn't burden yourself like that. Just watch what happens after every "Splash". Not everyone has this phenomenon as obvious as Zak does. Evan, you have to understand that "Splash" doesn't tell you where you should move or what spells to use. You're the only one who determines what "Splash" looks like. You just aren't capable of understanding and controlling it yourself yet, but you don't need to. You, your desires, and more are what create the "Splash" you see in the end."

"Basically, I need to listen to myself, since "Splash" is part of me, right?"

"Yeah, step by step you'll know what direction you're going to go in next." Draven calmly replied.

"I see, Draven, I wanted to ask you something, too." Evan slowly mouthed.

"Of course, ask it. I'll answer all your questions in detail."

"On my way to the academy, I encountered some monsters and beasts. One of the monsters I had to fight, though with difficulty, but I won. Then I encountered a monster that was virtually indistinguishable from a beast. I would like to know how I can tell monsters from beasts. Are there any methods other than external signs?"

Draven smiled and said: "Before I answer your question, Evan, do you think it's possible to know how many ends the Magician's Star has?"

"I think it is. But, it requires special methods or strong spells." Evan found Draven's question strange. He didn't understand how Draven's words had anything to do with the way monsters are distinguished from beasts.

"You're partly right, but no tools are needed for that. One zero-level spell is enough."

Draven got up from his desk and headed for one of the cabinets. He took a thin book from the shelf and handed it to Evan.

The young man quickly read the book's title: Spell Book - "The Eye of Truth".

"Like I said, it's a zero - level spell. You can use it to determine if it's a monster or a beast, recognize other people's powers, and much more. We're a little over two hours away from the opening ceremony. I'll explain it to you now, and I think you'll have time to master this spell at the entry level." Said Draven draining the glass and filling it again with the amber liquid.

"Is it possible to master a spell in two hours?" Evan didn't understand how it was possible.

It had taken Evan half a day, or more, to first cast and master the entry-level spell of "Ice Veil" or "Magic Missile".

"Normally not, but this spell is quite simple, as far as the entry level is concerned. What's more, I gave you a book to familiarize you briefly with the spell. But, it will be me who teaches it, not the book." Draven said calmly and took a sip of whiskey.

Evan nodded and immediately opened the book. He was curious to know what kind of spell it was. Moreover, now Draven was teaching Evan the spell for the first time. After about fifteen minutes, Evan had looked through the entire book.

It wasn't big at all, for the most part the book contained the Magic Circle of the spell, information about the spell itself, and the method of using it. Evan didn't read every line because he knew that Draven was about to explain everything to him, but he definitely kept in mind the Magic Circle and how to interact with mana.

"Oh, I`ve forgotten something, I'll be right back."  Draven said and a few minutes later, he entered the room with an unusual rodent in his hand - it was a small rat with white fur. 

At first sight, it seemed to be an ordinary rat, but as soon as you looked closer you could see that it was not.

Its paws were covered with hard chitin, while its claws were razor-sharp. Just as unusual was its tail. It was covered in a thin layer of ice, yet it functioned perfectly.

<What?> 

When Draven put it on the table, the rat's behavior changed immediately. Cold currents of air flew out of its mouth, freezing the area around it.

Whoosh.

The rat's white fur suddenly stood on end and its body was covered in a thick layer of ice. The rat immediately fell asleep, fenced off from the world by its icy armor.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, this child is not grown up yet and is scared of everything, well on the one hand it's even better." Said Draven.

"And... why do we need this rat...?" Evan was puzzled by what was going on.

"As you might have guessed by now it's a monster, I brought it here for your practice. I wasn`treally necessary to bring it here, but you wanted to learn how to tell monsters from beasts."

Draven took a sip and continued: "You've already seen the Magic Circle and spells and read how to use it. I guess you have one question- what is the "Pillar of Soul" that the book talks about, right?"

Evan nodded. There was indeed a term in the book that he had never encountered before.

"Evan, the "Pillar of Soul" is exactly what will let you know your opponent's strength, distinguish monster from beast, and more. You will use the "Eye of Truth" on this rat until you see a white pillar over it."

"I see."

"Now listen to me carefully and do as I say. Move the mana from the "Warp" to your eyes. Slowly and smoothly. Next, begin to activate the Magic Circle and only then condense the mana at the eyes, then continue..."

Evan did as Draven said. However, even with his teacher's advice, Evan couldn't master the spell in a couple of minutes. He needed practice. At some point, he wasn't attentive enough and his mana went to waste. He was in a hurry, which caused the attempt to fail.

Draven was right that the spell was quite simple, because Evan understood it almost immediately. All that remained was to get used to it and learn how to use it. Draven guided Evan the whole time he was pleased with Evan's progress because he could see the mana flows flowing through the young man perfectly.

<I think a little more and he will make it.> Draven thought to himself.

Whoosh.

After about an hour Evan had his first success. He could feel the spell was almost completed, only one final step was left to be taken.

Whoosh.

After another hour, Evan's iris glowed with a bright white light and he saw the "Pillar of Soul" hovering over the rat.