"I mean an animal with capabilities well beyond that of a regular animal. More intelligent; more powerful. Not magical as such - though for all anyone knows, they might learn such things if only they had the speech and dexterity."

He doesn't know more than that, really. Spiritual animals are as diverse as regular pets, and much, much rarer. He grew up in a powerful, wealthy family, and even they didn't have any.

"Then it might indeed be a monster capable of illusions."