The hush of early morning weighed upon the orchard. Past dawn, a thin mist clung to the dew-soaked grass, while faint light cast delicate silhouettes of fruit trees against the sky. Kael stirred awake in his cradle, blinking at the soft patterns of light flickering along the wooden walls. A near-silent exhalation passed his lips. Another day of carefully balanced secrets lay ahead.
Father's breathing in the next room sounded more even now—a sign that his wound was healing under Altheon's magic. Outside, the orchard folk were already stirring, setting out to prune branches or sort produce. Though Kael was only six months old, physically so small and unassuming, the truth churned within him: each passing day, his hidden training advanced further. He was forging a future of quiet power in an unsuspecting world.
A Morning of Subtle Shifts
Mother leaned over Kael's cradle, voice hushed. "Good morning, little one," she cooed. Her expression, though gentle, still carried traces of tension. Ever since the orchard boar attack, a lingering worry gripped the household. Father was recovering—thanks partly to Altheon's healing—but the orchard families had grown uneasy, concerned that more beasts might be lurking.
Kael responded with a soft gurgle. The infant charade had become second nature by now—tiny arms, wide eyes, a toothless grin. Inside, he weighed possibilities: should he attempt a new synergy this afternoon or keep focusing on refining his existing triple-element practice?
Mother lifted him, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "Let's get your father some tea," she murmured, slipping to the kitchen area. Kael watched her from over her shoulder, mind quietly cataloguing everything around them: the angle of dawn light, the swirl of faint Air mana by the window. He yearned to practice. Each moment of stillness felt like wasted time. Yet he had to remain cautious; Altheon might still be nearby.
The traveling mage had spent the last two nights studying the orchard's perimeter. Though he no longer openly suspected Kael, his presence posed a threat. A single slip might give away Kael's advanced magic. No, Kael resolved. I can't afford to be careless. The orchard needed to remain calm, or Father might try something reckless again, still half-healed.
Father's Resolve
A low groan announced Father's awakening. He leaned upright on the small straw bed, pressing a hand to the bandage beneath his shirt. "Eliana," he called softly, "where's that salve?"
Mother set Kael down on a quilt near the table, hurrying to Father's side. "Here," she said, retrieving a small tin of ointment. "Altheon said to use it each morning."
Father's features hardened slightly at the mention of Altheon's name, but he kept silent. He applied the salve in ginger motions, wincing only faintly. "It's tolerable now," he said, glancing at Kael, who lay nearby. "Thank the stars. I need to return to the forge soon. The orchard folk have asked for more nails and fence fittings."
Mother frowned. "Don't push yourself." But Father's expression held a determined spark.
Kael observed them, quiet. In a way, Father's drive mirrored Kael's own: both wanted to protect their family, though from different vantage points. Father lacked the knowledge of Kael's hidden powers. Kael lacked the physical adulthood to act openly. They both bore burdens that no one else fully realized.
Altheon's Quiet Footsteps
Late in the morning, Kael glimpsed movement outside—Altheon, striding up the orchard path. He wore the same travel cloak, staff in hand, eyes scanning the fences. At times, he stopped to trace runes in the air, likely anchoring some minor ward or sensor. Indeed, the orchard families had chipped in money to fund a basic protective array. They hoped it would deter further mutated beasts.
Kael's heart pounded just a bit faster. Better keep out of sight. He wriggled in Mother's arms, feigning restlessness. She carried him inside the house, away from the door. Outside, Father stepped onto the porch, greeting Altheon politely. Their voices wove together in low conversation.
"Good morning, Altheon," Father said. "Any findings about the orchard's mana anomalies?"
Altheon's tone was measured. "Still investigating. The earthen fluctuations have subsided somewhat, but I sense deeper instability. Perhaps a dormant conduit under the soil." He paused. "And how's your wound?"
"Better," Father replied, voice subdued. "I… appreciate your healing." Despite Father's wariness around outsiders, the gratitude was genuine—Altheon's magic had sped up the recovery beyond normal healing.
From her vantage at the threshold, Mother listened, Kael in arms. Kael, meanwhile, pressed his ear to her shoulder, gleaning every scrap of dialogue. The orchard's fate might hinge on Altheon's final verdict. If he discovered Kael's secret, everything would change.
The Forge Beckons
After Altheon departed, Father insisted on hobbling toward the modest forge shack behind their home. The orchard's central area lay further off, but the forge was merely steps away. Mother tried to dissuade him, but Father gave a quiet, determined grin. "I can't lie around forever," he said. "If I'm to keep my reputation as blacksmith, I need to see what's left undone."
A while later, Mother set Kael on a safe patch of ground near the forge, close enough to watch but not so near as to risk him rolling into sparks or hot coals. Father carefully stoked the embers, each movement slow so as not to strain his torso. Kael marveled at Father's discipline. Even half-healed, Father's eyes shone with that unwavering resolve to provide for them.
As the coals gained heat, Father placed a half-finished horseshoe onto the anvil. Ting. Ting. Light taps at first—he dared not swing the hammer with full force yet. Kael watched intently, absorbing the rhythmic motions. Such mechanical precision, he thought. The forging process reminded him of synergy practice: combining separate elements, shaping them with skill until they formed a cohesive whole.
Afternoon Lull
By midday, Father's energy flagged. He sank onto a wooden stool, wiping sweat. His chest heaved, though the wound seemed not to have reopened. Mother offered him a canteen of water. "That's enough for now," she insisted, voice gentle but firm.
Kael, perched on a blanket, gave a small whimper for effect—he knew it might prompt them inside, ensuring Father rested. Sure enough, Mother lifted Kael, and Father acquiesced, letting her guide him back into the house. For a time, the forging efforts would remain half-complete.
Quiet Growth
Once Father dozed off, Kael found himself on the living room floor, safely penned by cushions. Mother busied herself preparing lunch, occasionally peering over to check on Kael. He seized the chance for a subtle internal exercise: Airand Fire synergy in the faintest measure. No outward flame or swirling wind. Just the intangible braiding of energies within his core.
He pictured a gentle breeze fueling a spark, letting them blend in his mind's eye. The swirl of mana responded, coaxing a faint hum in his bloodstream. Careful… keep it hidden. He practiced forming the synergy just beneath the threshold of perceptibility.
[Notification: Minor Fire Channeling → Lv.4. +1 Control Through Focused Practice!]
A silent flicker of delight coursed through him at the system message. He allowed the synergy to fade, glancing around to ensure Mother hadn't noticed any shift in temperature. She was still busy, humming lightly as she cut vegetables.
Kael exhaled, letting calm wash over him. Another small gain in Fire Channeling. Each incremental step would later feed into his triple-element synergy. Once that synergy stabilized, he could finalize Earthen Flame Gust. One day at a time, he reminded himself.
A Visitor Bearing Rumors
In the early afternoon, a knock sounded at the door. Mother, cradling Kael, opened it to find Rowan outside, looking anxious. "Eliana," Rowan said hastily, "sorry to bother you again. Another orchard worker claims she saw a different boar—possibly mutated—near the northern fence. She's spooked. Altheon's investigating, but folks want to warn you."
Mother blanched. "Another one? Are we sure?"
Rowan shrugged. "Not sure. But the orchard families are uneasy. Just be cautious, keep the forge quiet. If you see anything odd, call for help."
Mother thanked him, heart pounding. As Rowan left, she closed the door, voice trembling slightly as she turned to Kael. "We can't let your father face that alone. Not while he's wounded." Her eyes flicked to Father, still resting in the adjoining room. He'd undoubtedly try to help if he knew there was danger, Kael thought, worry curling in his chest.
Stirring Fears
Sure enough, within the hour, Father learned of the rumor from an orchard neighbor passing by. He stood by the door, leaning on his walking stick, expression set. "I won't just hide here if another rampaging beast attacks," he insisted, fists clenched. "I can still lift a spear if need be."
Mother's eyes flashed with concern. "You nearly died last time." She clutched Kael close. "Please, at least wait until Altheon confirms. This might be a false alarm."
Father's grim face softened at her plea. He inhaled, turning away from the door. "Fine. But if we hear screams, I won't stand idle."
Kael's heart twisted. He's still so fragile. The orchard's fate weighed heavily on everyone, and Altheon's wards might not suffice if the rumored beast was truly emerging. Part of Kael yearned to slip out at night, track down the mutated boar on his own. But how? He was an infant physically—he couldn't even walk properly yet. He needed to refine stealth-based magic or illusions if he ever planned such a foray. But one misstep in a real fight, and I'd be helpless if discovered…
Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
A Subtle Test of Strength
Despite the tension, the day wore on without immediate crisis. That evening, after Father and Mother drifted into uneasy slumber, Kael roused himself. The moon's pale glow seeped through the shutters, illuminating the main room. He crawled free of the cradle with practiced silence.
He recalled how, in the nights before, he tested triple-element synergy (Fire, Air, Earth) near the hearth. But after Altheon's arrival, the risk of detection had risen. Perhaps it was safer to do only small increments. Then again, time pressed. If a mutated beast reappeared, Kael's father might be in danger again. I must push forward, Kael resolved.
He approached the hearth's ashes, heart thudding. The embers had cooled significantly, only a faint warmth remained. Lowering himself to the stone floor, he closed his eyes. Gentle synergy, he told himself. Air to stoke leftover coals. Fireto intensify the faint heat. Then a slender thread of Earth to stabilize the swirl.
At once: a subtle swirl formed in his palm, intangible yet present. A soft glow sparked within the ashes, signifying the synergy's effect. Kael's mind blazed with focus as he balanced the three elements in a precarious dance. The swirl flickered, threatening to unravel. Gritting his teeth, he coaxed them to fuse just a bit longer.
[Notification: +1 Spirit for Maintaining Triple-Element Synergy Under Stress!][Notification: Earthen Flame Gust (Prototype) → Stability Increased!]
A swell of joy coursed through Kael. This synergy no longer collapsed within seconds. He extended the swirl toward the hearth, letting a quiet whoosh of heat blossom. The coals glimmered faintly, but no flame leapt high—he was too cautious for that. Nonetheless, the energy hum pulsed in his veins, so tangible it sent a thrill through his entire body.
Eventually, he allowed the synergy to fade. A bead of sweat clung to his forehead, testament to the strain. He let out a slow breath. The skill was still "Prototype," but each practice bridged the gap. If only he could test it outdoors, at full scale. Perhaps then he'd unlock a stable Earthen Flame Gust for real.
Kael eased himself back into the cradle, heart pounding. Another step forward, another glimmer of possibility. If the orchard threat persisted, at least he was preparing, in secret, to meet it.
Father's Inquietude
At dawn, Kael woke to find Father absent from the bed. Alarm lanced through him, but soon he heard muffled voices outside. Mother's tone sounded anxious. Hauling himself upright in the cradle, Kael listened carefully.
"—just checking the orchard fence," Father insisted. "No more. I won't go far, Eliana."
Mother's protest wavered. "But your side—"
Father's voice lowered. "I'm fine." Moments later, the door opened, and Father stepped inside, breathing a bit heavily but triumphant. "No sign of boars or anything else. A few prints that might be old. Altheon's wards remain intact."
Mother exhaled, relief mingled with exasperation. "You should still rest. Pushing yourself—"
"I'll rest," Father said gently, leaning the walking stick against the wall. "But we can't cower at every rumor." He turned toward Kael. "Our boy is strong, hmm? He's hardly fussed through all this."
Kael wiggled, letting out a playful squeak. Deep down, he felt an ache. If only you knew. But he couldn't reveal more. Instead, he gave Father a bright, toothless grin to ease the tension. The orchard hung by a precarious calm, and no one wished to disturb it.
A Small Glimpse of Bonding
As midday approached, Father found a calmer moment to settle on a bench in the yard. He motioned Mother to place Kael beside him, carefully. "He's big enough to sit up with a little support," Father murmured. The sun bathed them in gentle warmth. For a moment, orchard worries receded.
Kael gazed at Father's weathered hands, callused from forging. Father raised a finger, letting Kael's tiny hand grasp it. "You've got quite the grip, boy," Father teased. Kael cooed, playing along. A wave of love swelled in Kael's chest. This closeness… I'll protect it, no matter the cost.
Their hush broke when a wind rustled the orchard leaves. Father tensed slightly, but no threat appeared. Just the breeze. He relaxed again, ruffling Kael's small tuft of hair. "Soon enough, you'll be walking around, maybe swinging a little wooden sword." He chuckled softly. "Bet you'll be unstoppable—like your mother always says you have a bright spirit."
Kael's throat constricted with emotion. He wanted so badly to say Yes, Father, I'll be unstoppable because I have knowledge beyond my years. But all that emerged was an infant's gurgle. Father laughed, leaning to place a gentle kiss on Kael's forehead. For that fleeting moment, orchard troubles felt distant.
Tinkering with Runes
Later that afternoon, while Mother stepped into the orchard to gather vegetables, Father dozed indoors. Kael found himself on a quilt near the forge. Perfect time to test a different angle: rune comprehension. His previous life's knowledge, combined with the hint of Sage's Insight, might let him decipher forging runes.
A dusty tome lay on a shelf near the anvil, containing rudimentary forging instructions. The text was old, but occasionally Father referred to it for complex hinges. Kael couldn't exactly open it and read—Mother might return any minute, seeing him in a suspicious posture. Instead, he closed his eyes, focusing on the near-microscopic runes embedded on the cover's surface.
A subtle pattern of Earth synergy, used for reinforcing metals, traced across the tome's surface. If he studied them in secret, maybe he could glean a method to apply runes to small items.
[Notification: SSS Trait 'Sage's Insight'—Passive Analysis Engaged. Partial runic alignment recognized!]
A flurry of mental images flickered: instructions on how Earth-based runes bonded to metal under specific heat conditions. Without physically practicing, Kael gleaned a conceptual blueprint. In time, I'll replicate these runes, forging my own hidden augmentations. The idea thrilled him.
A muffled sound at the door snapped him out of the trance. Quickly, he retreated, adopting an innocent posture just as Mother stepped in with a basket of herbs. She smiled at him, none the wiser to the leaps he was making behind that baby face.
Evening Spark of Daring
As dusk settled, orchard life slowed once more. The rumored boar sighting never materialized into an attack, but anxiety lingered. Father turned in, though restless, occasionally rising to check outside. Altheon was nowhere in sight—perhaps patrolling deeper orchard regions.
Kael feigned sleep until he sensed both parents drifting off. Then he quietly maneuvered onto the floor again. Tonight, he aimed to push synergy a little further, test a subtle external manifestation if possible. But keep it small, he told himself.
Approaching the hearth, he discovered faint embers from the dinner fire. A perfect laboratory. He inhaled, harnessing a thread of Fire to coax a single ember brighter. Then a swirl of Air to shape it. Finally, a tether of Earth to ground the synergy. This time, he tried to rotate the swirl in a tiny circle above his palm, letting the ember follow the currents in mid-air for a fleeting second.
He succeeded—briefly. The ember rose an inch off the coals, flickering like a miniature torch. Kael's heart soared. But the synergy demanded total concentration. The swirl wobbled; heat blossomed too intensely. He cut off the flow, letting the ember fall back with a soft hiss, forcibly calming the swirling energies before they burst.
[Notification: Progress in triple-element synergy. 'Earthen Flame Gust' nearing Basic Level!]
Panting lightly, Kael grinned. He was so close to stabilizing the real skill. Another few nights of practice, and he might brandish a triple-element move enough to fend off small threats. For a toddler form, that was remarkable. One day, he thought, I won't have to hide in the cradle while beasts roam. The future glimmered with promise.
Late-Night Disturbance
Just as Kael prepared to return to bed, Father's voice cut through the silence from the other room, low and urgent. "Who's there?" A shuffle, then the sound of Father stumbling. Kael froze, worried that Father had woken to see him out of the cradle. But footsteps approached the door from outside, accompanied by a muffled knock.
Cursing inwardly, Kael scrambled back to the cradle, tumbling inside with mild awkwardness, ensuring he looked as if he'd merely shifted in his sleep. Moments later, Father opened the door a crack. "Yes?"
A voice responded—Rowan, sounding shaken. "S-sorry to wake you. Another orchard worker saw something by the northern fence just now. Altheon's heading that way, but we wanted you to be on alert in case…" He trailed off.
Father sighed heavily. "All right. I'll stay in. Let me know if it's serious." The door clicked shut. Father's silhouette showed him bracing on the wall, expression torn. He must be longing to go help, yet mindful of his wound. After a moment's hesitation, he turned away from the door and paced to the window. Kael, feigning half-sleep, watched the tension in Father's posture.
The minutes stretched in quiet dread. Eventually, Father let out a resigned exhale and returned to bed. "One more rumor," he muttered. "I pray it's nothing." Kael's heart pounded in sympathy. If I were older, I'd go check myself. But right now, all he could do was trust Altheon's vigilance.
The Dawn After
Morning arrived with no new alarms. Altheon never reappeared to deliver urgent news, suggesting the orchard's night had passed calmly. Father and Mother wore relieved, if tired, expressions. Kael sensed the orchard folk might be nearing their limit, though—fear left unaddressed could spark rash decisions.
Still, Kael had made quiet breakthroughs. The synergy approached a stable form. If a real threat emerged, he might at least manage a small defensive measure. Summoning illusions to scare away a beast, or unleashing a short-range gust of earthen flame. That possibility calmed him.
By midday, the orchard resumed its normal hustle. Father hammered more nails, gradually regaining confidence. Mother carried Kael about as she gathered herbs near the orchard's edge. Kael scanned the area, seeing no signs of monstrous tracks. Maybe the orchard's woes were fading… or maybe the deeper cause still slumbered.
A Moment of Clarity
Near sunset, Kael found a final private moment to rest on a blanket by the forge, where the last rays of daylight illuminated Father's work. Father shaped a new door hinge, each strike forging the metal with care. Mother tidied the yard. A tranquil hush settled, broken only by the clang of metal.
Kael stared at the glowing iron, letting the rhythmic hammering blend with his own heartbeat. He pictured forging synergy the way Father forged steel: repeated shaping under heat, each step carefully tempered, not rushed. In that moment, he recognized a profound truth: power, like metal, requires shaping and discipline. Rushing would warp it. Patience was the key.
He inhaled slowly, a vow forming in his mind. I will keep honing my synergy. Father, I promise you'll never face a boar's tusks alone again. The orchard's hush carried his silent pledge out into the twilight.
Status Check
As dusk surrendered to the night, Kael arranged for a final private moment. Father and Mother were preparing dinner indoors. He quieted his breathing, summoning the Status Window in his mind:
Status Window
Name: Kael Ashborne
Talent: SSS (Hidden
)Age: ~6 Months
Core Grade: Unawakened
Physique: Omni-Element Physique (Sealed)
Level: 1
Strength: 3
Intelligence: 10
Spirit: 14 (increased)
Agility: 3
Constitution: 3
Trait: Sage's Insight (Passive)
Skills:
Mana Sense (Novice, Lv.2)Minor Air Channeling (Novice, Lv.7)Minor Fire Channeling (Novice, Lv.4)Minor Earth Channeling (Novice, Lv.2)Earthen Flame Gust (Prototype)
His Spirit attribute had risen again, reflecting the synergy training. Minor Fire Channeling advanced to Lv.4, while Minor Air Channeling soared to Lv.7. Earth remained behind at Lv.2, but that was expected—he'd only recently begun integrating it. And Earthen Flame Gust, though still labeled "Prototype," drew nearer to full skill form. The added entry—Sage's Insight—stood out as the quiet bedrock of his analytical edge.
He closed the window, determination brimming. Each day, the orchard might face new threats. Each night, he inched closer to unlocking more of his reincarnated potential. Father's wound—Altheon's vigilance—rumors of mutated beasts: all these pieces wove a fragile tapestry of tension.
But Kael felt no despair. Instead, a surge of quiet optimism welled up. The orchard endured, and so would he. Step by step, his synergy grew. Perhaps soon, he would stand not just as a hidden guardian but as the child who could truly protect his family.
Night fell fully. Across the orchard, lanterns flickered, courtesy of simple runes or small fuel contraptions. Father snuffed the forge's coals. Mother rocked Kael, singing a lullaby to ease him into sleep. Kael nestled in her arms, mind drifting.
Tomorrow: he would continue forging synergy. If a real danger arose, he'd stand ready—even if it meant only an infant's subtle intervention. The orchard might never know how close their burdens were to being lifted by a child's clandestine magic.
At last, Kael closed his eyes, lulled by the gentle lullaby. The hush of possibility lingered in the warm night air, and within his heart glowed the promise of unstoppable growth.