[Chapter 8: Solving the Big Rent Problem]
'1,000 Merit Points! This is different from the spirits I've dealt with before. No wonder the basic Summoning Incantation barely affected her. But the Divine Incantation for Purifying Souls? That's seriously powerful. Just one chant and she was scattered -- both soul and spirit -- without me lifting a finger.'
"Mr. Cross, is she... is she really gone?"
Amanda's cautious voice cut through Daniel's thoughts.
Daniel nodded. "Yes, it's settled. You're not going to die."
As soon as Daniel finished, Amanda rushed forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him, sobbing.
After all, she was only 18 years old. For someone so young to face something like this, her fear made perfect sense.
She had been holding it together until now. Hearing it was over finally broke her composure.
The soft, warm scent of her pressed against him made Daniel's heart skip a beat.
'Seriously, this girl -- doesn't she realize how her figure could easily lead to some... awkward situations?'
Daniel patted her back reassuringly. "It's okay. It's all over now. That spirit's gone, and it won't bother you anymore."
After a few more moments of quiet crying, Amanda finally pulled away from his embrace.
Daniel turned and couldn't help but stare at his shoulder, which was now covered in tears and snot.
Amanda laughed softly -- a little squeaky "puchi" sound -- as a snot bubble popped. Her face instantly flushed crimson, and she dashed off to the bathroom.
Daniel smiled and started cleaning up the mess.
Once he finished gathering his things, Amanda returned, holding a check.
He took it, a surge of relief washing over him.
With twenty thousand dollars, the pressure of the rent was suddenly lifted.
Watching Daniel put the check away, Amanda said gratefully, "Thank you, Mr. Cross. You really saved my life."
Daniel smiled. "You pay, I work. No need to thank me."
Amanda looked around the room. "You're amazing. It actually feels like this place has changed. I don't know how, but it's just more comfortable now."
"Once the weather clears up, open the windows, pull back the curtains, and let the sunlight pour in. That'll help even more," Daniel advised.
"I got it." Amanda nodded, then her eyes lit up again. "Can I ask you one more thing?"
"Go ahead," Daniel said.
"Can you do divination?"
Daniel blinked in surprise. "You want a reading?"
Amanda shrugged, "Who wouldn't?"
Daniel thought for a moment. "What do you want to know about?"
Amanda's eyes brightened to full sparkle. "Career and romance."
Suddenly, Daniel's expression turned mysterious. "If you want to know, it comes with a price."
Amanda nodded without hesitation. "Of course. What's the price? It can't be too high -- I don't have much to spare."
Daniel mulled it over, then Amanda offered, "How about $20,000? Ten thousand for career, ten thousand for romance."
That made Daniel's eyes gleam. He hadn't planned on asking for so much.
"Alright, $20,000 it is." He accepted immediately. "Which one first?"
"Career, definitely."
Hearing her decisive tone, Daniel sighed inwardly. No wonder she was known as one of Hollywood's four.
Amanda was one of the Four Young Actresses of Hollywood -- not a mega-star, but constantly in the headlines. Daniel was familiar enough with her story.
He wanted to just tell her, but realized it wouldn't feel convincing without ceremony. A ritual gave the reading weight and mystery.
Daniel placed the scrying sphere at the center of the altar cloth and lit a single blessed candle behind it. He rang the hand bell once, then rested his fingertips lightly on the glass and spoke:
Let what is near be seen.
Let what is false fall away.
He watched the surface of the sphere as the candlelight bent and shifted inside the glass, then spoke like a practiced con artist: "What I see is that you'll soon gain popularity due to a specific project. From there, your career will smooth out. You won't be a superstar, but reaching a solid second-tier actress status is within reach."
Amanda lit up. "Soon? How soon is soon?"
"Any projects coming out?" Daniel asked.
"Yes -- my movie Mean Girls drops at the end of the month. I'm a supporting role."
"That'll be the one," Daniel confirmed.
Amanda was ecstatic. "Seriously?"
He smiled. "Why not wait to see for yourself?"
"Okay." Amanda's smile was radiant. "What about my love life?"
"Assuming no outside forces change your course, you'll have three relationships before you turn 30. After that, you'll marry and have a son and a daughter."
Amanda's smile deepened. "Sounds perfect."
"But romance is unpredictable," Daniel warned. "Someone unexpected could disrupt your path. Be prepared."
"I don't mind. As long as my career is good," Amanda said cheerfully.
"It's time to pay the price now."
"Wait here."
Amanda dashed upstairs, then came back with another $20,000 check.
Daniel took it, barely able to suppress a grin.
He'd made $20,000 just by talking. Before, he'd worked hard for way less. This felt ridiculously easy.
Especially since the rent crisis was solved just like that.
As he prepared to leave, Amanda stopped him. "You said I won't be a superstar. What should I do if I want a bigger career?"
"That falls under changing fate and shifting luck -- definitely not something a few tens of thousands can fix."
Amanda thought it over and agreed. She didn't have much money now anyway.
She decided to wait until after Mean Girls came out to see if Daniel's reading came true before making any big moves.
"Alright then. When I have enough money, I'll get in touch."
"I'll be waiting."
Amanda walked Daniel to the door. He climbed into his car and waved goodbye.
...
Back at Cross Hall, Daniel pulled out both $20,000 checks, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in a satisfied smile.
"I just made $40,000 in one night. Being an Exorcist really pays. More importantly, I'm earning Merit Points and leveling up."
He tucked the checks away and opened the system interface.
Merit Points had risen to 1,200. The upgrade buttons next to Exorcist Level, Sanctum Blade Technique, and Prayer Seal Crafting Art all lit up brightly.
Daniel didn't hesitate. He upgraded his Exorcist Level at once.
Pain hit like a ton of bricks. Though he'd prepared, a muffled groan escaped his lips.
He suspected the pain came from forcing his upgrade with Merit Points. Training naturally likely wouldn't hurt this bad.
Still, rapid progress was worth the agony, at least for now.
With no other options, he accepted the discomfort.
[Exorcist Level: Senior Exorcist]
[Merit Points: 800 points]
"It dropped by 400 points just like that. This is exponential growth. Next level will cost 800 points."
He noticed the upgrade button beside Exorcist Level had already grayed out.
His hunch was confirmed.
"If it doubles every time, I'm in trouble."
A headache crept up again.
"Forget it. I'll deal with it later."
Daniel shifted his focus to the Sanctum Blade Technique and Prayer Seal Crafting Art.
"Prayer Seal Crafting Art -- upgrade."
[Prayer Seal Crafting Art: Second Tier]
[Merit Points: 700]
"When I had 1,200 points, I could still upgrade the Sanctum Blade Technique, but now I can't."
"Does the spell cost 1,000 points to go from Tier Two to Tier Three?"
*****
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