The next day, Marcus was given access to PCA District 4's residential dorms. It wasn't much—just a private pod with a bunk, desk, and smart-pane windows—but to Marcus, it felt like freedom.
He activated his PCA Linkband and explored the internal network: mission listings, Rift activity charts, and staff hierarchies. What caught his eye was a breakdown of salary classes:
Trainee: Unpaid
Auxiliary: $56,000 base
Specialist: $89,000
Senior Exorcist: $120,000+
Knight-Class Operatives: Variable, up to $300,000 with hazard bonuses
> I'm officially part of this world now, he thought. No more training wheels.
But the real challenge came during his induction into the Auxiliary Assembly—a semi-formal gathering of newly promoted exorcists. There, Marcus met Lisette Harrow, a blunt, sharp-eyed girl from another district, and Julian Craye, a cold, genius-type who was already applying for Specialist status at 17.
Julian glanced at Marcus and sneered. "You're the Rift-Loop kid, huh? The one with the relic that talks."
Marcus met his gaze evenly. "And you're the one with the superiority complex."
Lisette snorted. "I like him already."
Things escalated fast.
Later that evening, Geoffrey pulled Marcus aside. "Just a heads-up—your performance is drawing attention. Some higher-ups don't like when rookies start stealing the spotlight. Politics in the PCA are as dangerous as monsters in the rift."
"Am I in trouble?"
"No. But they'll test you. And not just in the field."
He handed Marcus a sealed folder.
> Assignment: Class-C Spiral Rift – Reconnaissance Only. Location: Redwood Grave.
"Solo mission?" Marcus asked, eyes wide.
"You won't be alone. Your Eidolon will be with you," Geoffrey said with a rare smile. "Time to see what a paid exorcist can really do."