The Greatest Sinner

For the next week, Evan and Malespera settled into their new home. Evan forbade Malespera to leave Sector Three, but otherwise, he gave the girl complete freedom of action. She knew nothing of this world, and that was a big problem.

Thanks to Evan's recent actions, all the servants tried to address Malespera as respectfully as possible.

He tried to tell Malespera as much as possible about this world and what she needed to do to become stronger. Because she was a true genius, Evan didn't have to spend much time explaining. Malespera was a fast learner and often amazed Evan with her speed of progress.

During this time, Evan learned a lot about crimson "Warp" and about magic in this world in general. When he first "Creation" at the Zak Mansion, he condensed 25 drops of Void Liquid in four days. Barring a couple of extra hours, his speed was 6 drops per day.

For example, the average speed of people with Purple Warp was 2 drops per day. But, the situation with Malespera was slightly different. Evan had her "Creation" three days in a row, under exactly the same conditions as himself, but the results were mixed.

On different days, she condensed different amounts of "Void Liquid" drops. She condensed - 8 drops on the first day, on the second day 4, and the third day 6.  The average number was 6, just like Evan's, but it was too early to draw any conclusions. It had only been three days, and it wasn't enough to get accurate results.

Evan sat in his room and thought about it, <Hmm, if I can determine the reason why the speed was different every time, I can find a way to increase it. If Malespera can condense 8 or even 9 drops each day, that would be an unrealistic success. Moreover, if I solve this riddle, I might be able to get faster myself.>

<She was able to enter "Gust" as a mere human, does that mean her power depends on her emotions more than other mages? We'll have to ask the servants about the mood Malespera was in when she started "Creation." There's a chance that her speed is directly related to her mood and emotions. Okay, I'll think about that later, I have more important things to do.>

Evan thought and headed for the underground floor. As he expected, it only took him one week for the chain to start shaking. Today he would break through his first "Barrier" stage, the "One-Pointed Star."

Evan wasn't about to leave home. During that week, he'd set up one room so he could break through safely in it. He bought special spell scrolls and set up some formations. All of this was to contain the energy he would emit during the "Splash."

Many mages did this because otherwise, they would destroy everything around them during the "Splash." For example, if Draven were to make a breakthrough in this city, his "Splash" would definitely destroy a third of the central area.

"All right, let's get to it."

Thought Evan walking into the room. No one would disturb him, since no one was allowed in here, not even Malespera. He could concentrate entirely on the process.

Evan already had experience at this, so half of the links were destroyed after half an hour. A few more minutes, and he'd hit the first "Barrier."

<I wonder how strong the Splash will be? I've prepared thoroughly, but the stronger the mage, the more extensive his "Splash." I hope nothing happens to the house, I still have no idea what kind of power lurks within me.>

Evan thought as he watched the next link break. Strange things happened all around him each time he "Splash." The characteristics of the materials changed, like a stone turning into sand or a transparent crystal. 

<Once a living creature appeared next to me, the very first time an ordinary butterfly underwent an amazing metamorphosis. Moreover, grass and other vegetation increased its rate of growth, but so did its aging. I had a theory that I had some power to control or influence life and death, but that option doesn't fit. I need more data>.

Evan decided against this option because neither the power of death nor the power of life can turn a stone into a crystal. If it didn't, Evan would consider this option as the main one.

Crackle.

"Great, a little more." Mumbled Evan watching then as only three links were left of the chain.

Crackle.

A minute later, the chain was destroyed, and then there was a powerful "Splash." Gray energy with a slight violet hue began to emanate from Evan. He had no control over the process, now he was focused on the resulting power from the "Barrier's" piercing.

As Evan expected, the scrolls and formations worked. They were keeping that energy from escaping the room, but Evan realized that something had gone wrong after a few seconds.

<What the hell?! Why my breathing is so hard?> Evan thought as he looked at the gray energy. He quickly realized what was going on.

<So it's even affecting the air? Damn, I thought I could save it to do some experiments. It looks like I'll have to cancel the formation.>

Evan was about to do so when suddenly, a solution to the problem found itself.

Caw!

Sensing the energy, Reykar decided to get out of Nirvana, Evan. He was going to use it to accelerate his own progress.

Evan wanted to stop him but then realized that this was the best possible outcome. His original plan had failed, and if he released that energy outward, his house would simply change beyond recognition at best.

<If Reykar absorbs this energy, he will become much stronger. He might even be able to evolve again, hopefully, it will work out.>

Evan thought as he watched Reykar greedily absorb this energy. Evan could feel the raven's aura increasing with every second. Yet Reykar couldn't evolve or break through the "Barrier," that energy wasn't enough.

<Darn it, was it all for nothing?>

Evan was about to tell Reykar to go back to "Nirvana," but suddenly, the phrases he already knew appeared in his head. Then the giant rat's eyes shone brightly.

[The level of trust between you and Reykar increased significantly. Soul Level - 2. Received Spell - "Death Feathers Fan." "Awareness" spell - "One-Eyed Raven's Beam" increased to the first stage. Spell - "One-Eyed Raven's Beam," became a first level spell]

At that exact moment, Evan felt an incredible surge of strength. Reykar had a slight change with his wings, they got a little bigger, and a few feathers turned white.

<What a wonderful feeling... and this amount of information is truly astounding. Reykar couldn't evolve, but because he absorbed energy, I got a new spell and greatly enhanced the previous one. It's a real jackpot.>

Evan immediately moved to the "Library," a space that held all of his possessions. This space held all of his spells. He looked at "Death Feathers Fan" and smirked and muttered: 

"Great, it's a first-level spell. I couldn't ask for a better one. What's more, the improvement to "One-Eyed Raven's Beam" looks really interesting."

Evan already knew how much this spell had strengthened since his "Awareness" had reached the first stage. The beam itself hadn't undergone any changes, but the spell had an additional effect. Now, three sharp feathers would fly toward the target along with the beam. They were strong enough to kill a monster of rank zero.

<Unbelievable results...>.

He was about to leave when suddenly...

Crackling.

<What is that?> Evan heard another chain ringing, but it wasn't the Barrier.. The last of the 101 chains around the black Pillar was crackling.