The orchard saw only scattered sunlight through the hazy mid-morning clouds, but the relative calm felt like a blessing after the recent storms and beastly incursions. Vigilance hovered at the edges of everyone's consciousness—no one quite forgot how narrowly they'd escaped disaster. Yet daily life pressed onward: orchard workers pruned new growth, moved crates of fruit, and kept a wary eye on the fence line that had been repaired more than once. Father's limp was slowly improving, while Altheon's temporary wards still glowed faintly on the posts, offering comfort against unseen threats.
Kael sensed the orchard's somber resolve. He was swaddled snugly, a six-month-old physically but with a mind inherited from a past life—a grand magus named Aerion. Despite being forced to keep that knowledge hidden, he found purpose in covertly protecting these hardworking folk. The orchard's hush was a quiet resilience: fear tempered by perseverance.
A New Normal Beneath Gray Skies
Days had passed since the second boar attack. Though an uneasy watchfulness remained, orchard tasks could not be paused. Father focused on forge work, ensuring new fence brackets and orchard tools were strong enough to stand against anything short of monstrous. Meria, Kael's mother, continued her routine of sorting herbs, overseeing orchard logistics, and fussing over Kael whenever possible.
Sitting on a wooden crate near the forge, Kael watched Father hammer away at cherry-red metal. Occasionally, orchard hands would approach to ask for help reinforcing a gate or plan a watch schedule for dusk. In these glimpses, Kael saw how the orchard was healing. Yet the hush in each conversation told him everyone expected trouble eventually.
I need to be ready, Kael reflected. If more corrupted beasts come, I won't let Father risk his life alone.
The Subtle Twinge of Mana
Later that morning, Kael was settled on a blanket within the barn—Mother let him watch from there while she handled orchard duties close by. The barn was half-lit, stray beams of sunlight dancing among dust motes. It smelled of straw, old wood, and a lingering dryness from the wards Altheon had set near the doors.
All seemed ordinary until Kael felt a sudden prick of unsettling mana. A faint, twisted aura flickered at the edge of his Mana Sense. He stiffened, scanning the barn. A scuttling sound near the grain sacks confirmed something lurked there.
Peering between the hay bales, Kael glimpsed the source: a small weasel, fur patchy and eyes glimmering with an unnatural red. Matted into its neck was a blackish scab, pulsing with faint corruption—similar to what the monstrous boar had borne with that twisted collar. His pulse quickened. Even a small corrupted beast can be dangerous if left unchecked.
The creature hissed, baring elongated canines. Kael swallowed. I can't let it roam freely—someone might be bitten.
He checked for orchard workers. None were in earshot. If he caused a commotion, they'd arrive to find him casting spells well beyond an infant's supposed ability. So Kael resolved to handle it discreetly.
A Risky Confrontation
He crawled slowly, heart pounding. The weasel hissed again, scurrying behind a half-barrel. Kael formed a mental outline for subduing it with minimal noise. Earthen Snare might trap it. But remembering how the boar overcame lesser magic, Kael braced for the possibility he'd need lethal force.
In a practiced motion, he breathed deeply, channeling Earth synergy through his tiny hand pressed to the barn floor. He visualized shaping the soil into binding coils. This concept was simpler than any grand synergy like Stone Wind Lance, yet still required concentration to keep stable.
[Notification: New Skill "Earthen Snare" created (Basic, Lv.1).]
A faint hum of power rippled under the straw. Thin columns of compressed dirt rose around the weasel, coiling to clamp its legs. The creature screeched, thrashing violently. Kael clenched his jaw, sustaining the bind. Straw scattered; the weasel twisted, eyes flaring with that bizarre red glow.
For a moment, Kael believed he could contain it. But a surge of corrupt mana pulsed through the weasel's veins. With a fierce jerk, it snapped one coil, letting out a guttural squeak.
It's stronger than a normal weasel should be. Kael realized it might break loose completely. Grimacing, he prepared to strike. Mercy wasn't feasible if the orchard was at risk.
A Swift Strike
He withdrew the Earth synergy from the snare, letting the creature stumble momentarily, then transitioned to another move: Stone Wind Lance, albeit in miniature. Having practiced the synergy outside the orchard's main bustle, he'd grown more adept at controlling Earth and Air. A small, pointed projectile—no bigger than a finger—would suffice to pierce the weasel's chest.
[Notification: Stone Wind Lance (Basic, Lv.1) readied.]
The whirling synergy coalesced, forming a tiny spike encased in a funnel of air. As the weasel lunged, Kael released the lance. The sharpened stone bullet struck true, piercing the beast's torso. It shrieked and fell, limbs twitching in a final spasm before going limp.
Kael's heart pounded. He hated the necessity of killing, yet recognized the orchard's safety demanded it. At least I prevented a worse outcome.
An Unexpected System Prompt
As he knelt there, panting lightly, a new notification flared across his vision:
[Notification: You have slain a Corrupted Weasel (Lesser). Gained 50 EXP!][Current EXP: 50 / 100 to reach Level 2.]
Kael froze. EXP? So it's true—there's a hidden leveling aspect to my Status Window. This was the first time he'd personally dealt a finishing blow to a corrupted beast by himself. He'd suspected something like "experience points," but seeing it confirmed rattled him.
He swallowed, reflecting on the orchard's monstrous boar. Had he delivered that final strike, perhaps he'd have gained an immediate surge of EXP. So finishing blows matter. The revelation brought a swirl of excitement and apprehension: he could gain power faster by ensuring he was the one to end threats. But was that moral? He'd help the orchard no matter what—yet the system reward would tempt him to do it again.
Another line appeared:
[Notification: Minor corruption neutralized. +1 Intelligence from analyzing twisted mana!]
A small mental boost. Kael's moral qualms mingled with pragmatic relief. The orchard was safer, and he'd grown slightly stronger. But I must tread carefully, or I risk turning into someone who hunts kills for power.
Hiding the Evidence
The coppery scent of blood lingered on the barn floor. Kael grimaced—if an orchard worker found the remains, they'd realize something was amiss. Quickly, he scouted the area: a few stray tools, some straw bales, no immediate witnesses. He decided to bury the weasel under the dirt floor, hoping orchard folk would never dig deeply there.
He pressed his hand to the ground, shaping Earth synergy to carve a shallow pit. Once large enough, he placed the weasel's corpse inside, then sealed it with fresh-packed soil. To erase bloodstains, he tried coaxing droplets of moisture from the air—he hadn't practiced Water synergy extensively, but a gentle washing might be possible.
[Notification: Minor Water Channeling (Novice, Lv.1) unlocked.]
He exhaled relief. So he could now manipulate basic water flows. Using that watery trickle, he rinsed away the blood, brushing it outside with a minuscule gust of Air. The entire effort left him sweating—managing multiple elements in quick succession was no small feat. Yet he finished with the barn floor mostly clean, just damp straw in place.
A moment later, footsteps approached. Kael hurriedly crawled back to his blanket, feigning babyish innocence. Meria stepped in, eyes flicking around at the faintly disturbed straw. "Kael? You in here?" Spotting him, she brightened. "Goodness, I heard a scuffle… maybe the barn cat?" She gently scooped him up, none the wiser. Kael relaxed in her arms, relieved his secret remained safe.
Visitors at Noon
By midday, the orchard's usual routine was interrupted by two visitors at the front gate: a lean older man named Garrett—who wore local watch colors—and a younger companion, Gray, who claimed to be a traveling hunter. They'd heard rumors of monstrous boars and sought either to help or earn coin from protecting the orchard. Rowan, the orchard's de facto manager, listened politely, then summoned Father to discuss terms.
Kael, swaddled close to Mother, watched from a short distance. Something about these visitors felt both reassuring and concerning: on one hand, extra eyes at night might deter future attacks; on the other, more outsiders meant greater chance of someone discovering his hidden powers.
Father finally nodded at Rowan. "We can't pay much, but if you'll patrol the orchard perimeter at dusk and dawn, it might be worth it."
Garrett nodded gravely. Gray's eyes flicked to the fence lines, to the barn, and to Kael in passing. The older man said, "We've seen signs of corruption in neighboring villages too. This orchard isn't alone in facing twisted beasts."
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Kael's chest tightened. So the threat extends beyond Brightwood. Another sign that the orchard's plight was part of a larger wave. And if it worsens, I'll need more strength. He glanced at his father, forging a silent promise: I won't let you face it alone.
Barn Inspection
It wasn't long before Garrett and Gray decided to check the barn, ensuring no hidden lairs of beasts lingered. Kael tensed, recalling the weasel he'd buried mere hours ago. He stayed with Meria by the barn door, feigning a baby's wide-eyed curiosity while the watchers poked around inside.
Gray knelt, sifting through straw. He frowned. "Some spots of dampness here… but otherwise, nothing unusual," he muttered. "No fresh prints, either." Garrett shrugged, scanning the corners. "Likely the wards at the orchard edge keep bigger threats out. If something small came in, it's gone now."
Kael suppressed a sigh of relief. They'll find no corpse. I cleaned up just enough.
Meria looked mildly concerned. "You think more beasts might slip in?" She set a protective hand on Kael's back. Garrett offered a small smile, shaking his head. "With us patrolling, any stray creature that tries will have a harder time. Don't worry too much, ma'am."
Kael felt a mixture of gratitude and wariness: watchers could help, but if more corrupted beasts snuck in, Kael might have to intervene quickly to secure the final blow—an unsettling thought.
A Round of Rumors
Around midday, workers and visitors gathered for a light meal under an old oak tree at the orchard's edge. Between bites of bread, Garrett recounted stories from other areas: villages menaced by wolves rumored to carry swirling mana in their eyes, farmland plagued by twisted foxes, even tales of half-dead creatures stumbling around. Gray added that each beast showed traces of odd brambles or embedded crystal shards, reminiscent of demonic or cursed influences.
Rowan and Father exchanged grim looks. "It's not just boars, then," Rowan said quietly. "The land itself might be tainted. We can't just rely on wards for everything."
Kael listened from Meria's lap. So more corruption is stirring across the region. He thought back to the boar's collar and the weasel's scabby growth. If these anomalies spread unchecked, the orchard's future was bleak. I have to keep growing in power—secretly, if needed.
Evening Contemplation
That evening, Kael found himself in his cradle earlier than usual. The orchard staff were on edge, planning the watchers' patrol for dusk. Father, nursing a sore leg, retired to his chair near the forge, while Meria tidied up. As the sky darkened, Kael let his mind wander over the day's events.
He quietly invoked his Status Window, hoping to see the new lines referencing EXP
Status Window
Name: Kael Ashborne
Talent: SSS (Hidden)
Age: ~6 Months
Core Grade: Unawakened
Physique: Omni-Element Physique (Sealed)
Level: 1
EXP: 50 / 100
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 13 (increased)
Spirit: 21 (increased)
Agility: 3
Constitution: 3
Trait: Sage's Insight (Passive)
Skills:
Mana Sense (Novice, Lv.3)Minor Air Channeling (Novice, Lv.9)Minor Fire Channeling (Novice, Lv.4)Minor Earth Channeling (Novice, Lv.5)Minor Water Channeling (Novice, Lv.1) (new)Earthen Flame Gust (Basic, Lv.1)Stone Wind Lance (Basic, Lv.1)Earthen Snare (Basic, Lv.1)
He noted the progress in Intelligence and Spirit, possibly from repeated synergy usage and analyzing corruption. But the biggest change was the line confirming he was halfway to Level 2. If I gain another 50 EXP… I might level up. Will that grant me a surge of stats or new opportunities?
A flicker of guilt passed through him. Am I actually contemplating kills for the sake of leveling? He recalled the weasel's final screech, the coppery scent of blood. No, he didn't want to become a killer for power. But if more corrupted beasts threatened the orchard, he wouldn't hesitate to do what was necessary—and the System's reward was simply a side effect. I'll stand firm for Father, for Meria, for everyone.
Tired from the day's drama, he let the cradle's gentle rocking lull him. Distantly, he heard orchard workers chatting about the watchers who'd soon circle the orchard. Another night of tense waiting, though hopefully no monstrous intrusions. Kael drifted into uneasy sleep, half-dreaming of leveling up, half-fearing the next tragedy that would force him to act.
Quiet Determination at Dawn
Sunlight broke over the orchard rows, bathing them in gold. Kael stirred early, awakened by Father's soft footsteps. He was soon carried outside, cradled securely while Meria strolled along the fence line. The wards glowed faintly in the morning haze, and orchard workers yawned through a shift change with Garrett and Gray.
Gray gave a short report: "No signs of corruption overnight, though the wards flickered once around midnight—possibly a fleeting presence in the woods."
Rowan frowned. "We'll remain vigilant."
Father exhaled wearily. "Let's hope it was just a passing beast."
Kael squinted at the orchard's boundary. He could almost sense small pockets of twisted mana far off, unable to breach Altheon's wards. For now, we're safe.
Before Meria took him back to the house, Kael practiced a gentle swirl of Minor Water Channeling in the corner of the orchard, forming droplets on his palm that sparkled in the morning light. She simply chuckled, thinking he was fascinated by dew. Kael inched them around with a subtle motion, training the skill. If he could manage multiple elements fluidly, he'd be more prepared for any confrontation.
[Minor Water Channeling (Novice, Lv.1) → advanced to Lv.2!]A soft wave of mental clarity accompanied the jump. It wasn't a huge leap in power, but Kael felt the synergy flow more naturally now. Every incremental improvement might save a life.
Further Gains at the Forge
That afternoon, Father resumed forging orchard tools. Kael, perched on a nearby crate, decided to refine his Minor Earth Channeling by subtly reinforcing his grip or maintaining a small chunk of stone in the air. Repetition had taught him that frequent usage of these simpler skills led to incremental leveling.
After roughly an hour of discreet practice—shaping pebbles, balancing them midair—he felt an inner resonance shift:
[Minor Earth Channeling (Novice, Lv.5) → advanced to Lv.6!]
Kael bit back a grin, still feigning a curious baby's stare. Another step forward. He placed the stone aside, focusing next on Minor Air Channeling, swirling faint gusts around his fingertips. While these incremental skill ups weren't as dramatic as earning EXP from subduing a monster, they were safer and contributed to his overall strength.
At times, Joren would pause and glance his way, curiosity etched on his face—likely wondering why Kael watched the forge with such intensity. But Kael only babbled innocently, hiding the vast knowledge swirling in his mind. Soon, I'll help you forge defensive runes, Father. Just not yet.
Orchard Whispers
The orchard workers, still anxious, frequently exchanged rumors about monstrous sightings in neighboring hamlets. A cart driver passing by the orchard that evening claimed to have seen a pack of "rabid foxes" near a creek. Another swore they heard unnatural howling in the nights. Overhearing these remarks, Kael realized the orchard's relative calm might be an illusion. It's only a matter of time before something else tries to break in.
A subtle tension simmered in the orchard. Workers double-checked fences, Rowan discussed permanent wards with Father, and even Meria, typically cheerful, grew quieter. Each day felt like a borrowed reprieve.
Kael's only solace was that his secret leveling potential stood as a hidden shield. If a dire threat arrived, he'd defend the orchard again—even if it meant risking discovery.
Late Night Resolve
On the third night since Garrett and Gray began patrolling, Kael lay awake in the cradle, heart restless. Distantly, he heard the watchers' lanterns shuffle across orchard rows, occasionally murmuring to each other. Rain tapped lightly on the roof, reminding him of that fateful storm with the monstrous boar.
He closed his eyes, recalling the weasel's kill and how that had revealed the EXP system. Fifty more points to Level 2.The significance loomed large in his thoughts. Would leveling up grant him five free attribute points? Perhaps an immediate surge in mana control? He didn't know yet, and the uncertainty was maddening.
But no new creatures had attacked since. Should I wish for an attack just to level? No, that's reckless. He couldn't betray these orchard folk by secretly hoping for violence. Better to train gradually, raise skill levels by repeated synergy usage, and let the orchard remain safe if possible.
Yet a small corner of his mind insisted that eventually, fate would force another confrontation. And I'll be ready to strike. He reaffirmed that vow, tucking it away with a pang of both guilt and necessity.
A Quiet Dawn and New Day
Morning light returned, unremarkable yet peaceful. No monstrous roars or crisis. Kael blinked at the cradle's edge, pushing himself upright on tiny arms. Meria lifted him gently, humming a lullaby. "Mornings have been calmer, haven't they?" she said softly, perhaps to reassure herself.
Kael felt an odd mixture of relief and vigilance. Calm days were precious. Yet he suspected deeper corruption brewed in the wider region. If the orchard was merely a stepping stone for these twisted beasts, eventually they'd strike again—especially if those forces realized the orchard was so well-protected.
He let Meria carry him outside, the orchard fresh with dew. Workers bustled about, Father hammered in the forge, and watchers lingered to finalize the day's plan. Another normal day, from an onlooker's view. Kael inhaled the orchard's crisp scent, cherishing the moment. I won't let them down.
He shaped a droplet in his palm, swirling it delicately with a breath of Air synergy. Water and Air coalesced in a faint shimmering orb. If anyone glanced over, they'd see a baby transfixed by morning dew—no more. But inside Kael's mind, arcs of knowledge and synergy soared.
Steeling Himself
In the end, the orchard overcame the boar's second attack and the corrupted weasel invasion, forging a fragile peace. But Kael knew better than to trust peace unconditionally. He would continue refining minor channeling spells, practicing new synergy forms, and if forced again to kill a corrupted beast, he'd do it swiftly. He wanted no more orchard workers wounded—or worse.
Level 2 beckoned just beyond half an EXP bar. The faint sense of a new threshold made him yearn to test his full potential. Yet he refused to become a mindless hunter in search of kills. I'll do right by the orchard first, he told himself. If the orchard remains safe without my needing to strike, all the better.
Still, he accepted that the orchard's watchers, wards, and forging improvements might not be enough if corruption deepened. The orchard was but one corner of a world teeming with secret plots. Something was fueling these twisted beasts—perhaps a demonic influence or leftover curses from ancient wars. He recalled half-impressions from his past life, the final battles Aerion had fought. That old darkness might stir again.
Looking Ahead
For now, Kael's daily routine continued much the same: forging small synergy loops while Father worked, discreetly leveling channeling spells, listening for orchard rumors, and hoping the watchers would spot any trouble early. The orchard itself thrived under the warm season, with fruit blossoming on every branch. People went about their tasks with stoic determination—fixing fences, rotating watch shifts, and forging meager plans to handle the corruption.
Each day, Kael awoke with renewed resolve to push his skills. He'd glean a nudge in proficiency here, a slight level up in channeling there, building a quiet arsenal for the orchard's sake. By the time I truly need to fight, I'll be ready.
He never forgot the feeling of slaying that corrupted weasel, nor the thrill of reading the EXP notification. The orchard's hush might last another day, a week, or even longer. But if—no, when—danger loomed again, Kael would stand at the threshold, hidden behind the guise of an infant, prepared to protect them all. And if that path led him to a true Level Up, well… that was both a personal and communal victory waiting to unfold.
Thus ended another chapter of tense calm in Brightwood's orchard, with Kael forging resolve in the shadows—a child whose power grew each sunrise, whose unwavering vow glowed as brightly as any ward. The orchard's lull might be fleeting, but he was determined that so long as he breathed, this quiet sanctuary would not fall.