The part of the map you traverse from Yumna to Narhiz can be important, even after defeating Alvir, if the required level hasn't been reached. There are neutral creatures in this part of the map that allow you to quickly gain experience.
It's clear that playing with a mentor makes any map easier than without one.This isn't about making the game easier or harder. When the map is large and there's an opportunity to develop at a leisurely pace, a mentor is a nice bonus. Here, it's simply necessary because the number of spells available to the player is very limited, and there's no time to think; you have to take what's available. The player will, in any case, find out what magic is available, either through cheats or by replaying from the beginning – what's the point of such unnecessary complications?
