The Greatest Sinner

The fork in Evan's hands was covered in a thin layer of ice in a second. The temperature around it quickly began to drop, which was also reflected in the water.

"AHAHAHAHAHA, as I see you don't like to wait. I think I should join." Zak took a small knife from the tray and in an instant he heated it to unbelievable temperatures.

He didn't stop there, however. Zak dipped the knife halfway into the water, and it boiled over in a second. This was in stark contrast to the icy water next to Evan.

Whoosh.

He swung the knife sharply toward Evan, unleashing a wave of boiling water on him. The young man didn`t expect that, but he was able to react. Evan threw the fork straight toward the wave and plunged deep to the bottom.

Splash.

Water spilled all over the room, spreading its hot steam.

Evan dived out of the water and looked with surprise at Zak, who was twirling the fork in his hands at that moment.

"Now I'll explain what this whole demonstration was for. Either way, though, I'm pleased. Watching your face was a lot of fun. AHAHAHAHAHAHA."

While Zak was laughing, Evan pondered what had just happened.

<How strong is he if he could create a wave with such a small knife? What if he had a huge sword in his hand?> Evan was once again amazed at Commander Zak's abilities.

"Evan, listen to me carefully. Now I'm going to tell you about the "Awareness" of spells and how many stages it is divided into."

The young man immediately became serious. Everything about spells and magic was very important to him.

"But, first. Evan, tell me what people train for?" Zak asked Evan such an unusual question.

The young man replied, without thinking a lot: "In order to hone their skills in one thing or another."

Zak nodded satisfactorily: "Well, you're right, but there's a nuance. For example: let`s take blacksmiths and blacksmithing. If a blacksmith has to forge swords all his life, he will be a master at it. But if he has to forge spears he will make it poorly, to say the least."

Zak took a sip and continued: "That's what I'm trying to explain to you. By practicing a spell you increase your awareness of that spell."

Evan wasn't too surprised by these words. It made sense that the more energy you put into a particular thing, the better you were at it.

The "Awareness" of spells is divided into five stages - "Beginner", "Intermediate", "Medium", "High" and "Absolute."

<There is such a strict definition in this world..> Evan was shocked by such a thing. He didn't think a person`s skill could be defined by any framework.

"Commander Zak, what stage is my "Ice Veil" at?" It was the spell Evan had trained the most. So he was confident in himself. However, all he heard in response was a loud laugh from Zak.

"AHAHAHAHAHA, man, it's obvious. You haven't even made it to the "Beginner" yet." These words were like a bucket of cold water, poured over Evan's head, which cooled his ardor.

"But, no need to get upset. Margaret has told me of your progress. I can tell you're moving at a very good pace. And even though the first stage is called "Beginner", it's not as easy to reach as it may seem at first glance."

For two days, Margaret had been following Evan's progress and told Zak about his progress when he returned home. Margaret had known Zak for a very long time, so she could appreciate Evan's accomplishments quite well.

"Okay, I have another question, will I be able to reach the "Beginner" stage in at least one of my spells in a month?"

In about thirty days, he would have a duel with another novice mage. Naturally, Evan wanted to win. It would be his first victory in the mage world.

Zak smirked and answered briefly, "Yes."

Evan didn't need more than that. He quickly climbed out of the water, looked at Commander Zak and said: "I'm off to the training ground."

Zak didn't answer anything and just continued drinking and enjoying the hot water. He wanted to talk to Evan about "Creation" and "Barriers" at the way to the "Void Liquid" condensation, but seeing his fighting attitude he couldn't stop him.

...

Bam. Bam. Bam.

The explosions and sword banging against hard, metal dummies could be heard on the training ground all night long. Because of Evan, half the servants didn't get enough sleep that night, but since Zak didn't mind, there was nothing to be done about it.

About an hour before dawn, Evan collapsed without strength and remained lying on the cold ground. He nonstop used "Magic Missile" and "Ice Veil". And as soon as he ran out of mana, he started to "Create".

He hadn`t condensed a single drop of "Void Liquid'. Because to do this, it was necessary that the gap between the external and internal shell of the "Warp" be completely filled with a manna.

Step. Step. Step.

"Get up, boy, stop sleeping" When the sun was high in the sky, Evan was awakened by Zak's loud voice.

He opened his eyes and reluctantly got up. He didn't look his best, but that didn't bother him.

Evan looked at Zak and said with a slight smile on his face: "We are going to start the day with a training?"

Zak nodded: "Yeah, just for starters you should eat."

Saying this he pointed to a table nearby that already had several dishes and drinks on it.

Evan silently made his way to the table and ate everything. He had expended an enormous amount of energy last night; he just needed a recharge.

After eating breakfast, Evan took his sword from a nearby stand and prepared to spar with Zak.

Just before it started, he noticed Margaret, who walked up to and sat at the table. She had a small basket in her hands.

"I'm not going to babysit you. So you're one hundred percent going to get hurt, but Margarita will quickly lead you into feelings."

Whoosh.

After these words, Zak pulled a simple sword from its sheath and attacked Evan.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

Commander Zak attacked very quickly and his blows were serious. If Evan missed one of them, he would really get hurt.

Though it was difficult, Evan blocked Zak's blows. After each lunge the commander made, the young man's hands trembled, but he still didn't back down.

<I'm so weak even considering the incredible physical strength this body has gained because of Sin>. After a couple of strokes, Evan's hands were already numb. However, he realized that Zak hadn't even begun to fight seriously yet.

Whoosh.

<There it is!>. Evan was focused so he saw that Zak's attack was only a feint and that the real punch was a left fist.

The young man didn't block Zak's massive fist. He was sure he would take a lot of damage. So he just did a roll and jumped back.

"Not bad, Evan, not bad. Learn from your mistakes, huh?" Zak was pleased with Evan's actions.

<Evan was able to assess his strength to the fullest as well as my capabilities. He really is talented>

It was worth realizing that they were not having a knight's duel where only sword strikes were allowed - that was nonsense from fairy tales.

In a real fight, no one would wait for you to make another lunge. Rather, the sand will be thrown into your eyes, after which you will be punched to the gut and be killed. It was the truth and it was what really happened. That was the truth and it was really going on.

Evan didn't attack, so Zak did it. He got to the young man with one tug and he brought the blow right down on him. In the next moment, however, he did a strange action. Zak let go of his sword and struck Evan in the side with his left hand just like the last time.

< Again?> Evan didn't understand why to do the same action and repeat his mistake.

The young man tried to dodge again, but...

<А?>. In the next moment, the world before his eyes was turned upside down.

Zak knocked Evan down with one hard blow. There was no way Evan could have expected that.

Bam.

It wasn't over. While Evan was trying to figure out what had happened, Zak hit him hard with his right hand right in the stomach, sending him flying several meters away.