The Greatest Sinner

The tattered book Evan was reading was a simple diary. Evan didn't know whose diary it was or if its owner was even alive. The book looked definitely more than a hundred years old. Many of the pages were practically, crumbling at any touch, and a third of the pages weren`t there at all.

Evan, however, was truly enthralled. There was no information in the journal about rare artifacts or incredibly powerful spells. Evan wasn't lucky enough to come across anything like that. Nevertheless, there were some researches and results of the author's experiments in the diary.

There was still a whole month before the departure to the Academy of Magic. Evan could have returned to Zak's estate and continued training, but he`d made a different decision.

To study, to learn new and interesting things, and to enjoy the process. That's what drove him now and always. After reading the old book, Evan learned something new, such kind of information he could only get at the Academy of Magic. But it wasn't the basic information that caught his attention, it was the author's thoughts and research. Evan intended to repeat them and figure it all out himself.

"I hope I can take the book away...". Evan muttered thoughtfully as he flipped through the last pages. Evan didn't know if he would be allowed to take the library property for a while. But he needed this book if, he wanted to do magic experiments.

He took the book from the shelf and slowly made his way to the first floor. While he walking down the wooden stairs, Evan was pondering what he had learned in this library. Naturally, he hadn't read a hundredth of all the books that were here.

He was interested in knowledge from various fields, but he didn't have enough time. He`d learned a little about the geography and history of Mossy Vulture, about the most common beasts that inhabited this world, and about monsters as well.

Some were similar to creatures from his past world, while others were strikingly different. One of the books detailed how ordinary people and magicians lived, and in this regard, his new world was similar to his old world.

Magicians were not just higher caste like nobles, but almost the creatures from other universes. The difference was colossal. The most ordinary and weakest magician was valued more than an aristocrat or a merchant. Magicians were practically a separate race compared with ordinary humans.

After a while, Evan approached the librarian and calmly said: "Can I borrow this book? If it`s necessary, I can pay."

Evan didn't like people like this man, but he wasn't going to break the library rules and steal a book. He didn't want any unnecessary trouble.

When he saw Evan, the librarian flinched and then looked at the book in Evan's hands. He was looking at the tattered diary as if he had never seen it before. It was obvious from his face that he didn't know what he should do.

After thinking for a while, he turned respectfully to Evan: "This book is no further use, you can take it away, if you want."

Actually, the librarian had no authority to give books to anyone, even temporarily, much less permanently. However, he felt that no one needed the book in Evan's hands and there would be no problem if he gave it away. The librarian wanted to improve his relationship with Evan.

Even though Evan was a newcomer among the magicians, he was apparently very rich since he had a card.To have such a man among his acquaintances was a real jackpot for a common person.

Unfortunately, for the librarian, Evan did not appreciate his gesture. The young man simply nodded and headed for the library exit. He had already visited the temple of knowledge, now it was time to move on.

The book appealed to Evan not only because he was curious to do some experiments, the second reason was the "Barriers" that Zak had told him about.

Of course, he hadn't even gotten close to the first "Barrier" yet. However, it would happen at some point anyway.

<Zak said that in order to break through the "Barrier" you have to get better at magic. I could just practice, but that's so boring... Much better to broaden your horizons by trying something completely new, isn't it?>

Evan preferred to enjoy the present. However, if you can solve a problem that will necessarily be in the future, then you shouldn`t miss this chance.

Evan looked around, choosing where he to go. He wanted to rent a small, cozy house where he could spend the rest of the month. He liked living at Zak's place, but it wasn't exactly what he needed.

It wasn't the riches or the size of the estate, but the fact that there were too many people there. He needed to be alone, alone with himself and his thoughts.

Evan didn't know where he could rent a place to stay in Mossy Vulture, but he quickly found a solution to his problem. In the distance of the square, he saw a sign that caught his eye.

It was a big inn and a hotel at the same time. Such a noisy place did not suit him. But further down the street, he saw houses with signs saying, "For Rent."

Step. Step. Step.

At Evan's leisurely pace, he headed down the street. As time went on, he began to notice more signs like this. It could only mean one thing - he had come to the right place.

Evan had chosen a house he liked and was about to walk over and talk to the salesman.

<Аh?>

Suddenly he noticed something interesting.

One of the buildings had a sign that was very different from the previous ones. It was made of more expensive material, but the most important thing was the text - "For Magicians Only".

Evan was curious about it. However when he approached the building he did not see a landlord.

When he inspected the sign once more he noticed that it had an indentation in the shape of a palm. He was surprised, but he quickly understood what he had to do - his experience with the card in the library helped him with that.

Whoosh.

Evan put his palm to the hole and began to infuse mana. The sign glowed brightly and then went out. At the same moment, Evan felt that he could no longer infuse mana.

"Huh, they use magic almost everywhere. I'm starting to like this world more and more every day."

He was pleased. After all, if magic is so heavily integrated into society, it meant how meaningful and multifunctional the magic of this world was.

"I guess I'll just have to wait a little while..." Slowly Evan muttered looking at the house.

...

About ten minutes later, a short girl with short red hair approached Evan. She was dressed simply and her face shone with a slight smile.

The girl bowed slightly: "Sorry for the wait. Do you want to rent a house for a while or do you want to buy it?"

"To rent for one month, is that possible?"

Evan didn't ask about what was inside the house, since the most basic information was written on the sign. All he wanted was privacy and nothing more. Furniture, garden or decor didn't concern him.

The girl nodded and quickly said: "That'll be three gold pieces. Will you pay cash or by card?"

Evan was surprised that such a seemingly ordinary girl knew about such a thing as a card. He didn't answer anything, but simply pulled a black card with a gold border out of his pocket.

The girl glimpsed it and then pulled a small wrapped scroll from her leather bag.

Whoosh.

The girl unfolded the scroll, "Please, you may read the contract."

Evan took the scroll in his hands and read it quickly and nodded. There was nothing interesting in it, the most usual terms and nothing more.

The girl nodded, and to Evan's surprise pulled a sharp, silver needle from her bag. Without blinking an eye, she pricked her finger and a crimson drop of blood fell on the bottom corner of the scroll.

She carefully wiped the needle with a silk handkerchief and offered it to Evan.

"Oh, I'm sorry, you probably have your own needle, that was extremely rude of me." The girl said hastily. The stunned look on Evan's face confused her. She couldn't imagine he saw such a procedure for the first time.

The girl was about to take the needle away when Evan suddenly stopped her. With a wide smile on his face he said: "No need, it's okay.

"Sorry, I was just thinking."

Whoosh.

Evan took the needle and the next second a drop of his blood fell on the scroll. The girl nodded approvingly, and stowed the scroll in her bag and pulled out a stone plaque. It was exactly like the one he'd seen at the librarian's.

Evan held the card to the stone plaque and three gold coins instantly disappeared from the account.

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