Secret World of Occultists-Chapter 28: Screening Process

The first and second floors of the building were where the Trust's administrative and financial operations were carried out.

Henry gave Abel a brief tour of these floors. They contained offices and cubicles for loan officers, insurance clerks, and investment managers.

There were also conference rooms for the employees. Furthermore, there was also a secured records storage as well as a restricted access area.

Abel speculated that this area was only accessible to Ministry personnel. Other than that, he was shocked that the operations being carried out were so smooth and efficient.

The Trust's structure closely mirrored other financial institutions in Newport that Abel was aware of. Moreover, there was a clear division of public-facing and covert roles, ensuring secrecy while at the same time maintaining functionality.

Finally, the third floor of the building was where the senior executives of the Trust as well as its Chairman operated. Needless to say, there were several Occultists there as well!

Apart from the senior executives, there was another department that occupied this floor.

"Security & Special Operations?" Abel asked, his eyes gleaming with fascination.

Henry nodded, revealing a smirk. As he led the blue-eyed youth to Mr. Kensignton's office, he greeted several people on the way.

Most of them cast curious gazes toward Abel but did not strike up a conversation with him—just a brief and polite greeting.

"Yes, that is what I am a part of as well," said Henry. "We Occultists within the security division have a dual mandate - providing conventional security and carrying out covert operations."

"Covert operations?!" Abel asked excitedly, but at the same time, there were also hints of fear and nervousness surfacing in his heart.

Will I be able to carry out such operations? What if I'm not good enough? What if these operations are life-threatening? Just like my time inside the Spirit Crucible.

I hope I'll be prepared sufficiently for such things...

He couldn't help but begin to think all sorts of pessimistic things. After all, even though covert operations sounded very intriguing, they undoubtedly carried great risks.

Seeing the expression on Abel's face, Henry was able to figure out what he was thinking. So, he patted his shoulder and assured him, "Don't worry, Abel. You will undergo a strict training regimen before you are even allowed to go on duty."

"Is that so?" Abel subconsciously heaved a sigh of relief.

John Kensington's office was on the other end of the fourth floor. Once the pair finally arrived at the entrance, Henry politely knocked on the door. "Sir, may I come in?"

After receiving an affirmative response, Henry silently nodded at Abel and then finally opened the door, leading him in.

Upon entering through the solid oak door, the two entered a reception chamber with dark wooden paneling, imported carpet, and a marble fireplace.

The seating area consisted of a long sofa and armchairs arranged around a polished round table. There were bookshelves lined with leather-bound ledgers, legal texts, and various magazines.

Abel felt that the outer office was already so fancy, that he began to wonder just what the main office looked like.

Suddenly, his gaze landed on the large gilded mirror that hung over the fireplace. His eyes lit up and he found himself walking toward it, much to Henry's surprise.

Then, under Henry's stunned agaze, Abel touched the surface of the mirror with his finger, causing it to magically ripple outwards.

Henry's eyes widened and he silently mouthed the words, "Your Hallmark?!"

Abel's lips curled up into a smirk as he nodded.

Henry was surprised for a few moments before showing a thumbs-up to Abel. Then, he led the youth to the double set of doors beyond which lay the Director's main office.

He knocked once again before opening the door. However, he didn't enter. Instead, he made way for Abel. "I shall be waiting here."

Abel's expression turned solemn and he nodded. "Okay!"

He then straightened his clothes and ran a hand through his hair, taking a few deep breaths and finally stepping through the doors.

The Director's personal office was grand, to say the least. The air was suffused with the scent of parchments, candle wax, and tobacco smoke.

John Kensington sat on a high-back leather chair. Before him lay a massive table strewn with various documents, ledgers, and other miscellaneous items.

The bald old man with a thick white beard was smoking a cigar while intently gazing at the blue-eyed youth.

Abel couldn't help but feel greatly nervous in his presence. He took off his hat and respectfully greeted, "Good morning, Sir."

John Kensington got straight to the point, "Is it just mirrors or any reflective surface?"

Abel was taken aback. He couldn't help but think to himself in slight shock, Did he notice what I was doing outside?

He quickly nodded. "That's right, sir. Any reflective surface. Uh, I'm actually not sure. I've only tried it on ice, but that was inside the crucible. I haven't had the chance to test my abilities in the real world yet."

John exhaled a plume of smoke, nodding. "Intriguing." He gestured at one of the two seats across from him. "Sit."

"Yes, sir." Abel obediently sat down.

"What else can you do with your Hallmark?" He asked.

There was something that Abel realized at that moment. A keen light flashed past his piercing blue eyes before he answered, "I can access the world beyond the reflection."

John's eyes gleamed with interest. "And how big is this world beyond the reflection?"

Abel thought for a moment before replying, "I'm not quite sure. Inside the Spirit Crucible the entire mountain was covered in ice, so I had access to a vast area. I could enter and exit that mysterious world at will."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "But I couldn't take another person with me. Although, I was able to take a dagger to that mysterious world."

"Very interesting." John nodded as he set aside the cigar on the glass ashtray.

He rested his hands on the table and interlocked his fingers, gazing at Abel with a serious expression, "Let me give you a piece of advice, lad. Keep what happened in the Crucible to yourself, no matter how much you trust someone.

"The things you face during your Trials of Ascension, and the choices you make along the way, are deeply personal. They show a man what he truly is, strengths, flaws, and all. Best to keep such things close to your chest."

Abel was taken aback, not having expected the old man to suddenly say that. But in hindsight, he felt that it made sense. "Thank you for the advice, Sir. I shall keep it in mind."

"Good lad." John Kensington nodded, picking up the cigar and taking a puff. "A Hallmark tied to reflection, is it? That would put you in the Aberrant category."

"Aberrant... category?" Abel was confused. Aside from that, the suspicion in his heart grew stronger.

"Patience, lad. All in proper time," said the old man.

"Yes, sir!"

John Kensington deeply looked into the youth's eyes and began, "I trust you realize, Abel, that your awakening was an exceedingly rare occurrence."

"Yes, sir." Abel nodded. "Henry did mention that to me. He said something about people usually awakening their spirit energy through a ritual. But I, uh... well, I nearly died and awakened mine."

"Precisely." John savored the flavor of tobacco in his mouth before exhaling it.

"The Ministry seeks out potential Occultists either by recommendations or direct scouting. Naturally, the vetting process is most thorough.

"Those deemed worthy are subjected to a series of interviews, and if found suitable, they are required to swear a binding oath of secrecy."

Abel was astonished that the Ministry's recruitment process was so rigorous. However, John Kensington wasn't done yet.

"These candidates then serve as free agents under probation for three months. This is the final test to prove they have the mettle to join the Ministry as a full-fledged Occultist.

"They train in firearms, melee combat, field tactics. They accompany seasoned Occultists on supervised missions, gaining firsthand experience.

"Furthermore, they undergo thorough tests of psychological resilience. Only after proving themselves in all these trials are they deemed fit to take their place within the Ministry of Occult Affairs."

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"And let me guess, only then do they go through the ritual that awakens their spirit energy," said Abel with conflicting emotions.

John Kensington silently nodded. He then pointed his finger at the blue-eyed youth and flatly stated, "And you, Abel Bishop, bypassed the entire screening process and stepped straight into the ranks of Occultists."