The Greatest Sinner

While Marcel and Sitreg were negotiating a mutually beneficial partnership, Evan was training hard. But at the moment he wasn't practicing using the "Magic Missile".

Swing. Swing. Swing.

He swung the "Reverse Death" methodically, slicing through the air with the snow-white blade. In his past life, he had used scythes very often. Few mages used edged weapons, but Evan had a different opinion on that. There could always be a situation where your enemy got too close to you. Moreover, if Evan wanted to fight with a scythe, why not?

Evan was a little frustrated that his current result was far from what it had been. His body wasn't keeping up with his skill and Evan felt it wasn`t the only problem. This world was very different, even the air was different.

He hadn't noticed it before, but when Evan started training with the scythe, he felt it clearly. He realized that he would have to get used to his new world and improve his skills. Of course, he had skills, experience, and intuition, he just had to train his body and get used to his surroundings.

Deep down, Evan was glad. He could finally wave his scythe in plenty.

He could enjoy the breeze, the power felt from every swing, and its excellent mobility.

He wasn't going to stop there. Evan wasn't just aiming to reach the level of scythe handling he'd had in his past life. He was determined to surpass himself.

If another person saw Evan, he would consider him a true master.

As for Evan, he was unhappy with his present results.

"What a fine weapon Sitreg has made!" Said Evan and continued swinging his scythe.

Technically the "Reverse Death" was also a spear, but Evan wasn't going to use it as a spear weapon. He didn't handle spears well, and he didn't want to learn. In his opinion, though the spear was a strong and accurate weapon, it was too simple and uninteresting.

He understood that a true master of the spear could instantly pierce his enemy and bring down a hail of blows on him. But in case with Evan, it just wasn't "his" weapon.

Besides, "Reverse Death" wasn't just a scythe for Evan. His experience with the "Ice Veil" had made it clear that his weapon was partly a "Catalyst", and it could be used so.

Aside from the white blade aside, the black base and the blue crystal tip were very reminiscent of a staff. It was exactly like that- for Evan, "Reverse Death" was not as a scythe and a spear, but as a scythe and a staff. A strange and seemingly impossible combination, but nothing is impossible in the world.

Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.

Evan was breathing heavily after an endless series of blows, and the sweat was dripping from his body.

"Well... at least I've warmed up... I feel better now..." Evan muttered intermittently, trying to catch his breath.

...

Evan spent the next four days practicing both "Magic Missile" and "Reverse Death".

The tournament was five days away, and during that time Evan had already made some progress. The "Magic Missile" beam was almost the same as at the beginning of training, but there were some changes, and significant ones.

The beam became a little denser and more accurate. But the main change wasn`t in the spell itself, but in Evan. He was relaxed, and his gaze was calm. In the beginning, when he had just learned the "Magic Missile", he had tried his best, but now there was no need.

Now he could cast "Magic Missile" without any training. He had gained experience and a better understanding of himself, and how the spell worked. It can be compared to when you first start doing something. You are stressed and spend all your energy and time for a great result. But, as time passes and you become more experienced, then you can do what was previously difficult for you, practically with your eyes closed. The previously unattainable level becomes quite ordinary.

Evan felt that a little longer and he would reach the first stage of "Awareness" in the "Magic Missile". There wasn't much time left before the tournament, but there was one more thing Evan needed to do before it.

Tomorrow Evan was going to go to the "Shadow of the Thread" to pick up his new coat that he had ordered from Demien.

"Hmm, maybe I should get a change of scenery..." Evan decided to pick up his order and go for a walk out of town. It was quite safe near Mossy Vulture and there were beautiful views there. He thought the new surroundings would be able to help him achieve his goal. So the next day Evan quickly packed up the essential things and headed to the "Shadow of the Thread".

By lunchtime, Evan was outside the unusual clothing store.

Click.

The young man opened the door, and just like the last time, he was confronted by a puff of smoke floating in the room. Demien was sitting in the same place and smoking. The day was hot, Demien was sitting in a relaxed pose, he did not seem to want to do anything, he was even too lazy to move.

He didn't even immediately react to Evan's appearance in the store. Demien didn't want to see anyone today and he wasn't in the mood for work.

"Hi, it's time to get your ass up and show me my coat!" Said Evan gladly as he approached the counter.

Demien looked at Evan and said: "Oh, you`re a cheeky boy, as I see. I thought you'd forgotten about your order and I was going to take the coat for myself. What a pity you came. Well, it can't be helped."

With an obvious reluctance to move, Demien rose from his seat and headed for another room. Before he did so he extinguished his cigarette and the smoke slowly began to disperse. He gestured for Evan to follow him.

"Shouldn't the coat be in the main room?" Evan inquired.

"Well, I worked very hard on your order, as I do on any of my work. I wouldn't want it to stink of cigarette smoke." Demien replied simply.

It turned out there was a descent down in the room.

At that moment, Evan remembered that there wasn't even a mirror in the main room for the customer to see what he looked like in his new clothes. Everything seemed to have been done so that the number of customers was minimal, and Demien himself had even fewer orders.

When they came down, Demien took out the key and opened the iron door.

They crossed the threshold and found themselves in Demien's private workshop. It was quite different from the way the store looked like. Everything was clean, neat and in its place. It was as if someone else worked here.

Demien pointed his hand at a mannequin in the middle of the room and said: "Here's your coat, boy."