The Greatest Sinner

Evan nodded and asked, "Does the assessment of the test show how strong the mage is at his stage?"

Hugo shook his head, "No, it's hard to explain, and you'll figure it out yourself during the test. Of course, some are stronger, and some are weaker. But, I'm sure you know that two people can be at the same stage and their strengths can be different. After all, you are much stronger than most mages at your stage. However, the two mages may have different fortitude, stress tolerance, ambition, and so on. Basically, I'm talking about those factors that also affect strength and potential but are not power in its purest form."

"Hmm, that sounds interesting. I see your point. Even among the weak, some brave men do not fear death and, because of that, go forward and rise to the top of the world. Just as there are cowards among mighty men who are afraid to face their difficulties and enemies face to face. In such a case, the first man is weaker, but it is only for a while. If he keeps going forward, he will surpass the second man, even though he was much weaker." Calmly Evan said.

"That's right, okay, enough talk. You're the only rookie today, so get through the test quickly, and I'll go mind my own business." Calmly said Hugo.

He didn't mind explaining the test to Evan. It might have saved him future questions and conflicts. But Hugo wasn't going to talk, as he said he had other things to do. Moreover, he only came to this room when Evan approached the Devil's Horn.

Evan nodded and said, "Okay, what kind of test am I going to go through? Am I going to have to fight someone?"

Hugo shook his head, "No, simple sparring can't show what we want to learn. For the most part, sparring is no different than training. It's too inefficient."

"Then, what am I supposed to do?" Evan asked.

Hugo stood up and headed to the other end of the room, gesturing for Evan to follow him.

"Right here." Said Hugo standing a few feet away from the plain wall.

Evan looked at him puzzled, but the next moment he realized what was happening.

Hugo leaned over and put his palm to the floor, and then a large number of different symbols and runes appeared on one large slab. The slab came into motion, and Evan saw what was behind it.

It was a pool, but not a simple one. First of all, the water in this pool was more like ink. It was just as dark. Secondly, there was an eerie aura coming from this water, and what's more, dark hands came out of the pool from time to time.

"All you have to do is take a dip in the pool, and then you have to show all the strength of your spirit," Hugo said calmly.

This all seemed very strange to Evan, but he knew that from Demonic Tree should have expected this. As Hugo spoke, Evan observed him, and he could tell with certainty that Hugo wasn't lying or trying to trick him in any way. This creepy pool was an ordeal that every member of the Demonic Tree had to pass.

"The steps extend to the bottom of the pool. You'll have to go down deep enough that the water completely covers your bodies." Said Hugo.

Evan sighed and slowly headed into the pool. The water looked pretty scary, but Evan wasn't going to be afraid of the water. Step by step, his body plunged into the dark water.

To his surprise, Evan felt nothing, nothing at all. He felt as if he were not in water but in the vast sky with only air and emptiness. His clothes did not get wet, and neither did he himself. It was a strange sensation.

Eventually, everything but Evan's head sank into the pool, only the last part was left, and the ordeal would begin.

"Well, let's see what the Demonic Tree has in store for me." Mumbled Evan and plunged entirely into the water.

Hugo looked at the dark water and muttered to himself, "Eh, Evan, I hope you don't disappoint me. I've never seen Rave take as much interest in someone as he does in you. What secret are you hiding?"

The next moment he put his palm to the floor and poured some mana into the seal.

Whooooooooosh.

More than a hundred magical circles appeared on the pool and overlapped to form one powerful formation.

...

"А? Where am I?" muttered Evan.

He found himself in a strange space, there was nothing around, but when he turned around completely, he saw three doors in front of him. But, they were unusual doors. Someone was standing next to each door.

On the left was a dark door with a burning outline, and standing next to it was a creature very reminiscent of a canon demon. It had red skin and two long horns on its head.

"Come on, come here." Said the demon, gesturing for Evan to come to him.

Evan looked at him, puzzled.

"You want to learn more about the dark side of this world, don't you? For that, you must see the real darkness. All you have to do is open this door."

"No! Don't you dare listen to him!" A voice came from the right.

There was a white door with a glowing outline. Next to the door stood a creature resembling an angel. It was a beautiful girl with long blond hair and white wings.

She looked at Evan and said, "There's no point in you going to that wretched demon. The light is still in your soul."

This ordeal was tailored to Evan himself. This meant that not everyone who passed the test had to choose between supposed good and evil. This variation of the test was explicitly created for Evan, which is why this test could not be failed. But, at the same time, the test could put a person in a difficult situation for him. Moreover, these doors were only the beginning.

"You think you can show me what true darkness looks like? Don't make me laugh. You're just a pathetic semblance of the horror and despair that exists in this world." Said Evan looking at the demon and then turning his gaze to the angel, "You're even worse, people like you always talk about light, but in reality, you're pathetic hypocrites.. It's many times worse than the darkness."