"You summoned it faster than most seasoned agents," Geoffrey murmured as Marcus opened his eyes, Orenmir gleaming in his grip.
Marcus stood slowly, feeling the pulse of time shift around him. The blade vibrated faintly with an ethereal hum—like it was breathing.
"Let's test your synergy," Tyrese said. "Try activating one of its Base Form abilities."
Marcus focused. The air shimmered—then ripped.
A small rift opened in the air, time folding in on itself. Within it, a moment replayed: Tyrese taking a step forward, twice.
"Temporal Fracture," Geoffrey whispered, impressed.
Marcus didn't stop. The blade devoured a nearby mana stream released from a training talisman. His body surged with energy—stronger, faster, clearer. Energy Devourer was instinctive now.
A shadow of a grin crossed Tyrese's lips. "Looks like Orenmir's hungry."
Over the next few hours, the two instructors walked Marcus through basic applications of each ability: absorbing spells, reflecting weakened blasts, and using Predator's Instinct to sense attacks.
But each success came with feedback.
Temporal backlash gave Marcus brief vertigo. Energy absorption burned at his muscles. His own reflected spell destabilized mid-air from improper control.
"Power," Geoffrey said, "always comes with price tags. And Eidolons love to test you."
Marcus wiped sweat from his brow, nodding. "I'll pay whatever I need."
Tyrese clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Then you're ready for your first real field mission."
Geoffrey handed him a black case with PCA branding. Inside: standard exorcist gear—blessed talismans, sealing paper, blood-inked summoning cards, healing potions, cursed traps, and a small personal ward.
"Your uniform will be delivered tomorrow," Geoffrey added. "Dark grey combat garb, black boots, white gloves, PCA sigil in white across the back."
Marcus exhaled. He was now a soldier, a medium, a vessel of something far greater.
But he wasn't afraid.
Because the future no longer held power over him.
With Orenmir in his hands—he could cut through time itself.