Late morning sunlight filtered through the orchard's leafy canopy, creating a shifting tapestry of dancing shadows. Kael lay on a patterned blanket in front of the modest forge where his father had been testing his recovering strength over the past few days. Despite the relative calm that morning, a current of subdued tension threaded through the orchard. Whispers of another sighted boar—a potential mutant—still lingered in the minds of workers and families nearby.
Father's wound was slowly healing, though not without restless nights and occasional flares of pain. He insisted on continuing his blacksmith duties each day, forging nails and reinforcing orchard gates. It was precisely that unyielding resolve that tugged at Kael's heart. He doesn't see how fragile he still is, Kael thought quietly. But I can't reveal my own hidden power so easily.
At barely six months old, Kael's appearance remained that of a chubby infant, wide-eyed and harmless. Yet behind that guise lay an entire realm of mana manipulation, a synergy of Fire, Air, and Earth that he continually refined in secret. The events of the previous few nights—his quiet attempts at forming Earthen Flame Gust—had emboldened him. Step by step, he felt closer to mastering a triple-element skill powerful enough to defend against mutated beasts.
Today promised at least a moment's respite. Word reached the orchard that Altheon, the traveling mage who had installed protective wards, was off investigating rumors of a monstrous footprint deeper in the woodlands. If that rumor proved true, the orchard might be safe for now—some mutated beasts roamed far beyond farmland territories. Even so, Father refused to let his guard down.
Hushed Footsteps and Ominous News
Midday arrived, bringing with it the orchard steward, Rowan. He approached the forge with careful steps, nodding politely at Kael's father—who sat on a wooden stool, sweat beading at his brow from shaping a new iron hinge. Rowan's face carried a flicker of anxiety, and he lowered his voice as though sharing a secret.
"Some orchard workers reported seeing odd claw marks on a trunk near the north boundary," Rowan murmured. "Might be nothing more than a boar scraping, but… it looks deeper. Maybe the work of larger beasts. Just—be mindful."
Father exhaled, setting aside his hammer. "Understood. If anything attacks, I'll be the first to help drive it off," he said, jaw taut with determination.
Rowan paused, glancing at Kael. The baby was sprawled on the blanket, seemingly oblivious. "You sure you're well enough?" Rowan asked gently. "Your wife told me you've been—"
"I'll manage," Father cut in, though not unkindly. His gaze flicked toward Kael, and a quiet resolve shone in his eyes. He wants to protect me, even if it risks his life. Kael felt a pang of guilt and gratitude in equal measure.
After a curt nod, Rowan stepped away. Father rubbed a hand over his bandaged side, wincing as if admitting to himself that the orchard might not be entirely safe.
A Subtle Exchange
Within the hour, Mother arrived from the orchard's far side, carrying a basket of fresh herbs and early-harvest fruits. She spotted the tension etched on Father's features and sighed. "Kael, dear," she murmured to the infant, "I see your father's still straining himself."
Kael responded with a bright coo, wriggling his arms. Inside, though, his mind churned. If I can strengthen Earthen Flame Gust, I might help if real danger strikes. He needed a safe environment to train more. But with orchard staff buzzing around, privacy was scarce.
"Let's head inside for a bit," Mother said, lifting Kael from the blanket. She cast Father a worried look. "Please don't push yourself too hard."
"I'll rest soon," Father assured, though his eyes flicked back toward the half-forged hinge. Mother frowned but led Kael away, mindful not to start an argument in front of him—even if he was just a baby in her eyes.
Strengthening the Thread
Back inside their modest home, Mother set Kael down in a corner safe from sharp edges and embers, placing cushions around him. She busied herself rinsing the newly picked herbs in a bucket by the door. Kael waited until her attention shifted fully to cleaning tasks, then inhaled slowly through his nose, summoning up a slight pulse of mana.
He let his senses expand, focusing on the faint vibrations of Earth beneath the floor, the ever-present swirl of Air in the room, and the flicker of Fire essence from the embers in the hearth. Blend them gently, he told himself. The synergy often risked bursting free if he tried to manifest it physically. Instead, he guided the energies in a purely internal dance.
[Notification: Triple-Element Synergy Under Control → +1 Spirit!]
A warm flicker of satisfaction pulsed through him at the silent system message. Another small gain. He relished these micro-steps forward. The best part was how it all took place below any normal perceptual threshold—Mother would sense no rise in temperature nor swirling wind.
He allowed the synergy to swirl for a moment longer, feeling the triple elemental currents align with his subtle breathing, then released them, exhaling slowly. Inside, the synergy remained a potent spark, not quite a formed skill, but creeping ever closer to stability.
Father's Return
Later, Father returned from the forge, leaning on the doorframe with a controlled breath. He wiped sweat from his brow, carefully rolling his shoulder to test the strain. Kael watched him, heart twisting. The orchard—and Father's pride—compelled him to keep forging, yet the repeated motion looked painful.
Mother stepped over, lightly pressing her palm against Father's forehead. "You're burning up. Lie down before you overdo it."
A reluctant chuckle escaped Father. "I'll manage… I think I just need to rest for a bit."
He slumped onto their straw mattress, letting out a long sigh. Kael blinked from across the room, wanting to help but unable to reveal his advanced healing knowledge or spells. He could only keep training in secret, hoping eventually to protect Father with minimal risk.
Afternoon Interlude
The day drifted into a slower rhythm. Orchard workers passed by occasionally, checking in on Father or dropping off small tasks they hoped he could manage once recovered. A sense of camaraderie pervaded the orchard—everyone watched one another's backs. That closeness comforted Kael. I won't let them down if real danger comes.
With Father resting, Mother quietly shooed visitors away, mindful of letting him gather strength. Kael was content to remain in a corner, observing. In fleeting moments, he repeated subtle synergy exercises, layering Fire with Air or Earth with Fire, forging fractional improvements in control.
He also recalled the faint rune-lore gleaned from the dusty forging tome at the forge's edge. His trait, Sage's Insight, had begun analyzing those Earth-based forging runes whenever he glimpsed them. He wondered if he could replicate small enchantments on everyday metal objects, perhaps forging some protective charm for Father. But I can't read that tome openly… I must proceed with caution.
An Unexpected Exchange of Seeds
Near mid-afternoon, an orchard caretaker, Marlis, arrived with a small pouch of seeds for Mother. "I heard these help strengthen orchard soil if planted at the perimeter," she explained. "Might keep certain pests away too."
Mother thanked her. "We need every safeguard possible," she said softly, glancing at the door to Father's resting area. "Kael and I are grateful."
Kael, perched in a wooden cradle, listened intently. Pest control typically wouldn't intrigue him, but something about these seeds—and their mana signature—caught his attention. He detected faint traces of Earth alignment, perhaps a mild warding effect inherent in the seeds. Another potential puzzle piece for his synergy learning.
Marlis departed, leaving Mother to examine the seeds with a curious tilt of her head. She approached Kael, half-laughing. "You look so serious, little one," she teased, holding a seed in front of him. "Oh, is that interesting?"
Kael wiggled, reaching out with tiny arms, though his real interest lay in the subtle Earth resonance he sensed emanating from that seed. A fleeting idea stirred: If I gather small Earth essence from these seeds, might it refine my Earth channeling further? But he could do nothing about it in front of her.
Private Glimpses of Power
By late afternoon, Father stirred from his nap, looking marginally improved. He insisted on stepping outside for fresh air, so Mother accompanied him, basket in hand—still reluctant to leave him alone. That left Kael in the cradle, the house momentarily quiet. A perfect chance.
He wriggled free of the cradle's edge and dropped lightly onto the floor, carefully balancing on all fours. Over the last weeks, his limbs had grown stronger, though still reminiscent of typical infant mobility. Better than nothing, he thought, shuffling across the room.
Reaching the small pouch of seeds left on the table, he extended a hand, focusing. A faint swirl of Earth mana traced along the seeds' outer shells. He closed his eyes, letting Sage's Insight parse their composition. Yes, definitely Earth-aligned, with minor warding properties. Not exactly skill-imbued items, but their resonance was tangible.
Carefully, he channeled a wisp of his own Earth energy, weaving it around the seeds in a gentle swirl.
[Notification: Minor Earth Channeling → Lv.3. +1 Control Through Focused Practice!]
A subtle thrill shot through Kael. Another small advancement. The synergy with Earth had lagged behind Fire and Air, but every improvement helped. He exhaled, letting the swirl dissipate before the seeds could crack open prematurely or glean a visible reaction. I must keep it subtle.
Twilight Threatens
As evening approached, an odd hush fell over the orchard. Father, still determined to prove himself useful, had hobbled back to the forge to finish that door hinge. Mother hovered near him, arms folded with concern. Kael, placed on a safe blanket near the forge door, had a front-row seat to orchard happenings.
A sudden commotion at the orchard's edge startled everyone. Distant shouts echoed, followed by a flurry of movement among the orchard rows. Father gripped his hammer, glancing at Mother anxiously. "Stay here," he commanded, though pain laced his voice.
Kael's pulse quickened. Something's happening.
Moments later, Rowan and another orchard worker sprinted up the path. "We spotted it again—a boar, or… or something bigger! We're not sure," Rowan gasped. "It's lurking near the fence on the north side. We need help to drive it off."
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Father set his jaw, eyes glinting with protective fire. "I'm coming," he said.
Mother rushed forward. "You're not fully healed!"
But Father merely pressed a gentle hand to her shoulder. "I can't stand idle," he whispered. "Stay with Kael. I'll be careful."
And with that, he strode off, wincing occasionally but refusing to let it stop him. Rowan guided him along, presumably to rally other orchard hands for a defensive line.
Helpless Tension
Left behind, Mother clutched Kael to her chest, heart pounding. Her eyes flicked repeatedly toward the orchard path. "I'm worried," she whispered, voice tremulous. "Your father can't keep throwing himself into danger."
Kael, in her arms, felt that same worry magnified. If that boar is truly mutated and strong, Father could be hurt again.More than anything, Kael yearned to join or covertly assist. But how? An infant's body was useless for open combat.
Time crawled. Distant sounds of startled voices, rustling leaves, and a few muffled bellows wafted from the orchard's depths. Mother paced in short, anxious steps, occasionally whispering reassurances to Kael—though they seemed more for herself than for him.
A Risky Decision
At length, Mother set Kael down inside the house, presumably to step out and glean updates. "Stay here, little one," she breathed, smoothing his hair. Then she hurried off, leaving the door ajar so she could still hear him.
Kael seized the moment. Adrenaline coursed through him. This might be my only chance to help… or at least prepare.He recalled the synergy he'd been perfecting: Earthen Flame Gust, still in a near-prototype state. If he could slip closer to the orchard's fence line undetected, perhaps he could fend off the beast with a sudden burst.
It was a gamble. But Father's life might be at stake.
Crawling to the threshold, Kael peered outside. No one stood guard. The orchard had emptied as workers rushed to the northern perimeter. He took a shaky breath, harnessing just enough Fire to warm his limbs—an improvised method of boosting muscle responsiveness. Then he carefully descended the porch steps.
Venturing Into the Orchard
Navigating the orchard yard by crawling, Kael felt painfully slow. Yet each moment of concealed movement reminded him that stealth was paramount. If an adult spotted him out here, they'd whisk him back to the cradle, dooming any chance of hidden intervention.
Low to the ground, he maneuvered around wooden crates and through rows of tall grass. He glimpsed the orchard boundary in the distance. The occasional shout echoed, followed by frantic scuffling. Even from here, he sensed a swirl of tension in the air. The orchard's workers were scattered, trying to corral or chase away something large.
At last, he found a vantage point behind a half-fallen fence post, where he could see about thirty yards ahead. A cluster of orchard laborers formed a loose semicircle, brandishing pitchforks and crude spears. Father stood among them, leaning slightly on his staff-like forging hammer. His stance was resolute, though Kael saw him grimace now and then, hand pressed to his side.
Across from them, partially obscured by orchard trees, loomed the dark, lumbering shape of a boar-like beast. Its tusks glinted with an unnatural sheen, its fur bristling with streaks of deep brown and irregular patches. Kael's heart pounded. That's no ordinary boar. The creature's aura reeked of a faint mana corruption. Possibly mutated by stray mana flows or some sinister influence.
A Desperate Standoff
The orchard workers shouted, trying to corral the beast away from the orchard fence. The boar snorted, pawing at the ground, clearly agitated. One orchard hand lunged forward with a pitchfork. The beast sidestepped, letting out a guttural squeal, then raked the pitchfork aside with its tusk. The man staggered, nearly losing his weapon.
Kael watched Father grit his teeth. He advanced a step, raising the heavy forging hammer. But Kael could see the slight shake in Father's shoulders, the tension in his wounded side. One misjudged move and Father could be re-injured. The boar lowered its head, ready to charge.
Now or never. Kael inhaled, summoning the synergy. Fire, Air, Earth. The swirl coalesced in his core. He had no illusions about unleashing it fully—he'd likely be discovered. But maybe a short burst from behind the orchard line could confuse or hamper the boar, giving Father an opening.
He pressed a tiny hand to the ground, letting Earth energy anchor him. Then, focusing on the orchard breeze, he harnessed Air to carry a small flame from his palm. If done right, the gust of heated air might lash the boar's flank or at least startle it.
A swirl of mana blossomed around his fingertips: fiery radiance tempered by an earthy undertone, propelled by a gentle wind. Kael's heart thudded like thunder in his chest. This was it.
Unleashing the Prototype
Earthen Flame Gust—still in a near-prototype state—flowed from his hand. At first, it flickered uncertainly, but Kael's honed practice over the last nights granted him just enough control. A small current of flame-laced air streaked forward, weaving between orchard trees.
The swirl smacked into the boar's flank with a sharp hiss, singeing its coarse fur. The beast let out a furious squeal, staggering to the side. Orchard workers gasped, heads snapping around as the unexpected flame flickered across the boar's hide. For a moment, Father froze, scanning for the source.
Kael's entire body trembled from the effort—he had poured more power than usual, risking overextension. The swirling synergy threatened to flare out of control, but he grimly forced it to dissipate.
[Notification: New Skill Formed: Earthen Flame Gust (Basic, Lv.1)!][Notification: +1 Strength for Overcoming Physical Limitations!][Notification: +1 Spirit for Rapid Multi-Element Fusion!]
Adrenaline surged at the system messages. He'd done it—finalized the skill in a real scenario. But there was no time for exultation.
The boar squealed again, thrashing wildly. Startled by the sudden flame, it backed away from Father and the orchard workers. Father's eyes lit up with an opening. He slammed his hammer down, striking the ground near the boar's front legs—just enough force to unbalance it without fully engaging. Another orchard worker stabbed with a pitchfork, driving the beast further back.
Snorting and whining, the boar whipped around and charged away through a gap in the fence, disappearing into the denser forest beyond. A tense hush followed. Orchard folks panted, exchanging looks of disbelief.
Aftermath and Hidden Relief
Kael crouched behind the fence post, trembling from the exertion. He'd expended considerable mana for such a small outburst. But it had worked—the boar retreated. Father stood upright, chest heaving, leaning heavily on his forging hammer. Gradually, orchard workers approached him, checking if he was hurt.
The group shared relieved murmurs. "Thank the stars," one muttered. "Did you see that weird flame? Came from… I don't even know where."
Father frowned, scanning the orchard row behind them. Kael ducked lower, heart hammering. If Father discovered him out here—! But after a moment, Father shook his head. "Some random spark of mana? Maybe a ward from Altheon?" he speculated quietly. "No matter. We're safe for now."
Kael's pounding heartbeat began to settle. He's unhurt… That's all that matters.
A Narrow Escape
As the orchard group broke up, heading back to gather tools and check each other's scrapes, Kael realized he needed to return before someone spotted him missing. Summoning the last of his energy, he crawled carefully around the orchard row, circling wide to approach the house from the opposite side.
Mother's voice echoed somewhere near the orchard path, calling Father's name. Good—she was distracted. Kael made his final push across the yard, breath ragged. At last, he managed to hoist himself onto the porch's wooden step.
He paused, hugging the porch rail. That took more out of me than I expected. The synergy drain felt heavier than usual—likely from real combat conditions. Nevertheless, a fierce joy coursed through him. He had successfully realized Earthen Flame Gust in practice and used it to help Father indirectly.
With trembling limbs, Kael inched back inside, settling into his cradle just moments before Mother hurried in, cheeks flushed from running. She found Kael lying there, eyes half-closed in feigned drowsiness.
"There you are," she whispered, scooping him up protectively. "Your father's all right. The beast ran off, apparently spooked by… something." She pressed her cheek to Kael's hair, sighing with relief. "I was so worried."
Kael let out a soft coo, half-lidded eyes concealing a swirl of triumph. You're safe, Father, he thought. That's all that matters.
Tending Wounds and Echoes of Magic
That evening, orchard folk gathered to share details of the event. Some insisted it was Altheon's ward flaring up. Others claimed a hidden orchard talisman might have triggered a flame trap. Father was uncertain but grateful: "Whatever it was, it forced the boar back."
Kael listened from the cradle. He wanted to grin hearing their theories. None seemed to suspect a tiny infant unleashing synergy. Perfect.
Still, the orchard remained on alert. The boar might return, or other mutated beasts might lurk. Father, though exhausted, wore a look of fierce satisfaction that they'd fended off the threat without any major injuries. He also complained of mild chest pain, prompting Mother to scold him for being reckless.
Kael felt a pang of guilt at the deception but remained resolute. Secrecy keeps everyone safe from bigger questions.Perhaps in time, he'd reveal his gifts— but not yet, not in this precarious environment.
Subtle Healing and Contentment
Later that night, once calm returned, Father reclined on the straw mattress with a compress pressed to his side. Mother gently dabbed a healing salve over the wound, scolding him under her breath. Kael, from a short distance, mustered a quiet, internal swirl of healing energy—a mixture of Earth's stabilizing nature and a faint thread of Water he'd gleaned from environmental moisture (though his Water attunement was minimal).
He dared not produce a visible spell, but he tried radiating a subtle wave of restful mana, hoping to ease Father's discomfort. Just a slight nudge, so Father might find deeper sleep.
[Notification: Minor Earth Channeling → Lv.4. Balanced Integration Achieved!]
A tiny success. Kael felt the swirl settle into Father's aura, like a gentle lullaby for bruised muscles. A relieved sigh escaped Father, who quickly drifted off, breathing evenly. Mother, suspecting only that the salve was especially good, relaxed as well.
Kael exhaled slowly, satisfied. A new dimension opened to him: subtle healing applications of Earth synergy. Though not a formal healing spell, it was better than nothing.
Late-Night Reflection
Close to midnight, with Father and Mother asleep, Kael managed to slink from his cradle again. He repositioned himself near the dying embers of the hearth to reflect on the day's events. The flickering glow illuminated the small living area, casting dancing shadows on the rough-hewn walls.
He did it. In actual combat conditions, he performed Earthen Flame Gust, finalizing it from a "Prototype" to a Basic skill. That memory of unleashing flame-laced air made his heart pound anew.
Cautiously, he conjured a diminished version of the skill now—barely enough to create a whiff of warm breeze between his hands. Indeed, it felt more stable. The synergy responded to his will with newfound clarity, no longer threatening to break apart at the slightest shift.
[Notification: Earthen Flame Gust (Basic, Lv.1) → Minor Progress. +5% skill familiarity!]
He grinned inwardly. Each subsequent use would refine his control, pushing him to the next skill level. Someday, that triple-element skill might become a devastating force.
"Father," he whispered in his mind, I'll keep you safe. The orchard, too.
He allowed the synergy to fade, mindful not to incinerate any stray sparks. Then he turned his gaze to the wooden table, recalling the seeds. In an impulse, he crawled over and gently touched the pouch. Could I embed a small Earth rune into the orchard soil to repel these beasts? A lofty idea, but perhaps feasible if he learned enough runic forging from that old tome.
For now, though, his body demanded rest. Exhaustion weighed on every limb. Carefully, he maneuvered back into the cradle, half-collapsing onto the soft blankets. Today had tested him physically more than ever since reincarnation.
Status Check Under Moonlight
Before fully drifting off, Kael summoned his Status Window in the quiet of his mind, recalling the new skill plus the attribute changes:
Status Window
Name: Kael Ashborne
Talent: SSS (Hidden)
Age: ~6 Months
Core Grade: Unawakened
Physique:Omni-Element Physique (Sealed)
Level: 1
Strength: 4 (increased)
Intelligence: 10
Spirit: 16 (increased)
Agility: 3Constitution: 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.4)Earthen Flame Gust (Basic, Lv.1)
Even in the moonlit hush, Kael's eyes shone with determination, reading that new line: Earthen Flame Gust (Basic, Lv.1). Finally, it was official—no longer a mere prototype. And his stats reflected the cost of pushing his body beyond normal infant limits.
He closed the status window, feeling a surge of gratitude. Each challenge overcame a boundary. He might be far from awakening his mana core in the official sense, but day by day, he was forging a real path of magical mastery.
Quiet Resolve
Morning would bring new questions from orchard workers. They would puzzle over the mysterious flame that thwarted the boar. Father might suspect a hidden ward from Altheon or some unactivated orchard charm. Kael hoped no one looked too closely.
For now, the orchard breathed a collective sigh of relief. The boar had been driven off, Father was safe, and no serious injuries had occurred. Kael felt a profound sense of accomplishment, tinged with exhaustion.
He gazed at his sleeping parents, Father's protective nature on full display, Mother's unwavering devotion close by. A gentle wave of love swept through him—love he never took for granted in either of his lives.
"Rest well, Father… Mother," he thought, letting his eyelids drift shut. "I'll keep honing these gifts, quietly. Next time, I'll ensure no beast can threaten you without facing something more than it bargained for."
With that silent promise, Kael surrendered to slumber, lulled by the orchard's nighttime lullaby of rustling leaves and the faint chirping of insects. Another day passed in silent triumph—one forging him further into the Reincarnated Magus he was destined to become.