Despite the dawn sun spreading gentle light over Brightwood Orchard, an undercurrent of unease permeated the fields. The events of the previous weeks—when an abominable wolf-boar bearing a twisted collar had smashed through a section of fence—remained fresh on everyone's mind. Though they had slain the beast, the orchard workers moved warily, eyes flicking often toward tree lines or distant hills. No one could quite shake the sensation that more threats might lurk just beyond the wards.
Kael observed all of this from Mother's arms, feigning the wide-eyed curiosity of a child who barely understood what had transpired. But inwardly, his thoughts churned: We can't let our guard down. He remembered the savage roars, the splintered fence, Father's bruised ribs, and how a well-timed Stone Wind Lance had saved the orchard from a worse tragedy. I can't rely on chance again.
In the aftermath of that frantic battle, the orchard's watchers had decided to depart, believing the orchard to be safe enough. Father had neither the coin nor the will to argue, leaving Brightwood to fend for itself once more. Only the warding runes placed by the traveling mage Altheon—and Kael's own hidden scraps of runic defenses—remained to safeguard them.
Unspoken Tension
Morning rays filtered through the orchard's trees as workers resumed their tasks: pruning branches, sorting crates of produce, and hauling water for the orchard's small herb patch. Yet, no one laughed or chatted freely. A hush clung to them like a damp fog. Though no new howls or monstrous sightings had plagued them overnight, the memory of that savage wolf-boar was enough to cast a pall over daily routines.
Kael sensed Father's gaze drifting toward the fence every few minutes. Though Joren's limp had improved, Kael could tell he was still in pain. Meria occasionally rubbed Father's shoulder when he winced. Rowan, the orchard's long-serving hand, tried to muster confidence in front of the younger workers, but the tension in his brow gave him away.
Kael, cradled in Meria's arms, chewed quietly on a scrap of bread—more for show than sustenance. If only I could shoulder more of this burden openly. Instead, I have to hide in the background.
A surge of that old determination coursed through him. I'll grow stronger. Day by day, step by step.
Father's Worries
Later that morning, Kael found himself settled on a blanket in a corner of the barn while Father hammered at a newly-forged bracket. A broken fence post lay across a workbench, awaiting repairs. Nearby, Rowan assisted, handing Joren nails and iron loops. Meria hovered, half-listening, half-lost in thought.
"Rowan," Father said, pausing in his hammering, "did you check the orchard's north side? That's where the wards looked weakest two days ago, according to Altheon's last reading."
Rowan nodded. "Yes, I walked the perimeter before breakfast. The rune glow's faint, but steady. Not sure how long they'll hold if we face another direct assault." He frowned. "I wish we could reinforce them ourselves, but we're no rune experts."
Father exhaled. "If only that traveling mage would circle back soon."
"Let's hope he does," Rowan agreed. "But we can't count on it."
Meria sat by, anxiously fiddling with the folds of her apron. "It's so quiet, Joren. Almost too quiet after that attack."
Kael swallowed, recalling how that "too quiet" feeling had preceded the boar-wolf's rampage. Quiet can be deceptive.
He extended a tiny hand, brushing Meria's sleeve as if seeking comfort. In truth, he wanted to reassure her. She kissed his hair and pulled him closer.
Subtle Practice
At midday, Kael convinced Meria—through insistent cooing and gestures—that he wanted to crawl around the barn floor. She set him down on a soft patch of straw, thinking he merely wanted to explore. In reality, Kael intended to run through new synergy manipulations, away from prying eyes.
Once Meria left to help with orchard tasks, Kael crawled to a shadowy corner behind a stack of planks. He carefully took a deep breath, focusing on the faint swirling of mana within. At Level 2, my capacity improved slightly, he mused. Let's see how well I can refine Earth synergy now.
Over the next half hour, he practiced shaping tiny lumps of dirt and sawdust into small orbs, applying gentle Air synergy around them to keep them stable. Every so often, he glanced over his shoulder to ensure no orchard worker approached.
He combined Earth synergy with the faintest pinch of Fire synergy—aiming to bake the orbs into hardened pellets. While the effect was minuscule, it further honed his control. This discipline will help me create runic fragments for the orchard's defense.
By the time he finished, a single marble-like pellet sat in his tiny palm—firm and faintly warm. He let it crumble back into dust, satisfied with his progress.
[Notification: Minor Earth Channeling (Novice, Lv.7) → advanced to Lv.8!][Notification: +1 Intelligence from repeated synergy refinement!]
A soft shimmer crossed his vision. A wave of mental clarity warmed him, and he fought the urge to grin. Incremental gains stack up.
News from Outside
Shortly after midday, as Kael nibbled on a piece of fruit Mother had given him, a visitor arrived at the orchard. Kora, a villager from a nearby homestead, rushed in, breathless and wide-eyed. Rowan hurried to meet her as she stumbled through the gates.
"Kora, what's wrong?" Rowan asked, alarmed by her disheveled appearance.
Kora panted, pressing her hand against her chest. "The… the Henry farm, half a mile east—some livestock were found dead last night, partially devoured. We saw strange footprints, bigger than any normal wolf."
Meria, overhearing, paled. Father's expression tightened. "Corruption again?"
Kora shrugged helplessly. "Could be. The footprints were in the mud, leading off into the woods. I came to warn you—thought you should know in case these beasts roam further."
A hush fell among the orchard workers. So the threat remains close, Kael thought, a twinge of grim satisfaction that he had not let down his guard.
"We'll double up our fence watch tonight," Rowan said, though they all knew they lacked enough manpower.
Kora exhaled shakily. "I'll bring word to the next farmstead too. We'd best stay in contact if these creatures prowl."
With that, she left, leaving the orchard's folk exchanging uneasy looks.
Solidarity Among Farmers
That evening, a small cluster of neighboring farmers gathered at Brightwood for a rushed meeting. Old Marv from the west orchard, the Carter siblings from a small hillside plot, and a man named Torrel from a homestead by the stream. All had heard rumors of the devoured livestock. Together, they debated forming an informal watch network, each homestead lighting a lantern on a tall post if trouble arose.
Kael spied from inside the barn, where he perched on Father's workbench, quietly eavesdropping. The farmers shared anxious stories: sightings of shapes in the moonlight, half-eaten deer found near the stream. Corruption is steadily encroaching, Kael realized. We are not alone in facing it.
Though none of them had the funds for professional watchers or advanced mages, they decided to create a rotating watch plan. If any farm faced an attack, they would send a runner or a signal. The orchard, largest among them, would act as a communication hub thanks to Altheon's wards.
Father thanked them, but Kael detected lingering uncertainty. Even a network of watchers can't stand against multiple corrupted beasts.
He glimpsed glimpses of hopelessness in each farmer's eyes. I'll have to intensify my own measures.
An Evening of Hard Resolve
When night fell, Kael pretended to doze in his cradle near the forge. Father busied himself forging new fence spikes, Rowan aided, and a handful of orchard hands patrolled in pairs. Meria tidied up after supper, occasionally glancing at Kael to ensure he was safe.
Once the orchard settled into a watchful stillness, Kael waited for a moment when no one looked his way. Then, he carefully wriggled free of the cradle. He dropped to the barn's dirt floor, landing with a soft rustle. Time to try forging another runic fragment.
He rummaged for a small leftover metal shard from Father's forging scraps—iron from a broken bracket. Perfect.Cupping the shard in his palm, Kael eased Fire synergy to gently heat the metal, then pressed Earth synergy to shape it. Next, with slow, deliberate strokes of his fingertip, he etched a runic symbol. It was a rudimentary pattern, intended to release a minor jolt if any corrupted aura pressed too close.
Sweat beaded his forehead; the strain was more mental than physical. Carefully, he threaded a wisp of mana into the scratch lines, stabilizing the runic structure.
[Notification: Attempting Minor Rune Infusion with Earth + Fire synergy…][Minor Rune Infusion successful. +1 Spirit from forging synergy into metal!]
A wave of warm empowerment washed through Kael, and he exhaled in relief. It worked. Another fragment that can help protect the orchard fence.
He let the metal shard cool, then crawled out to the orchard's perimeter fence. Flickering lanterns illuminated parts of the yard, but the corners remained shadowed. Kael moved stealthily, pressing himself low to the ground. He found a suitable fence post near the orchard's southeast edge—where a previous boar had rammed its way in weeks ago. With small, trembling hands, Kael wedged the runic shard into a gap in the wood.
Please help keep us safe, he silently prayed, returning to his cradle before anyone noticed his absence.
Subtle Gains
The next morning, orchard workers discovered the new shard embedded in the fence. Rowan assumed it was something Altheon had left or perhaps a scrap from Father's forging hammered in for extra reinforcement. They found no reason to suspect baby Kael had placed it.
Father tested the shard's mild spark. "It… tingles if you touch it. Strange," he murmured. "But if it helps deter beasts, I'm grateful."
Kael, playing the clueless infant, merely babbled. Inside, he felt relief that no one guessed the truth. For now, secrecy remains my best shield.
That day passed with no monstrous sightings, but Kael noticed that many orchard workers stuck closer to the center grounds. The further edges of the orchard felt deserted. People were simply afraid to stray near the fence line alone.
An Unlikely Mentor's Return
Three days later, amid the orchard's subdued routine, Altheon returned. The traveling mage entered through the front gate around midday, staff lightly tapping the dirt path. Father and Rowan rushed to greet him, hopeful for an update or any further warding assistance.
"I heard rumors of devoured livestock," Altheon said, voice tight with concern. "I came as soon as I could."
Father gestured toward the orchard's perimeter. "We've had no direct attacks since the wolf-boar, but neighbors aren't so lucky."
Altheon nodded grimly and began scanning the wards again. As he passed each fence post, runes flickered in response to his staff. Kael, watching from Meria's arms, sensed the faint resonance as Altheon's mana tested the orchard's defenses.
To Kael's quiet satisfaction, Altheon paused by one of the newly placed shards—the runic fragment Kael had embedded. The traveling mage frowned thoughtfully, eyes tracing the faint glyph. "Hmm. This is not my style of runecraft, but it's stable enough." He turned to Father. "Did you hire another mage?"
Father shook his head. "No, we assumed it was one of your leftover wards, or perhaps you improved them on your last visit."
Altheon ran a hand across his chin, intrigued. "Interesting. Well, whoever placed it has a decent grasp of synergy inscriptions. It should help deter lesser beasts."
Kael's heart fluttered with pride—and a hint of nerves. Must remain discreet.
A Mage's Advice
After completing his inspection, Altheon joined the orchard staff for a simple lunch. Seated on a rough wooden bench, he shared what he'd learned from other homesteads. "Corrupted beasts are cropping up across this region. Several traveling merchants encountered monstrous creatures with brambled collars or twisted runes embedded in their hides—similar to what you described."
Rowan's grip on his cup tightened. "Who's causing it? A single cult? Demonic infiltration?"
Altheon shrugged. "Hard to say. Some suspect a demon-worshipping group. Others blame a rogue mage. In any case, the corruption spreads wherever these collars go."
Father sighed. "We're just farmers, Altheon. Is there no official help on the way?"
The mage pursed his lips. "I alerted a local steward in the nearest town. He promised to send a message to higher authorities. But the Arcane Kingdom is vast, and these outlying areas rarely receive swift aid." He paused, eyeing the orchard fence. "I'll reinforce your wards again. But I must move on soon—I'm tracking rumors of deeper corruption in the southern forest."
A hush descended. The orchard folk glanced at one another, realizing they remained largely on their own. Altheon was a lifeline, but a temporary one at best.
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Kael, nibbling on a small piece of bread from Mother's plate, mulled over the mage's words. Rogue mage or demon cult… Could there be more widespread chaos brewing outside the orchard? A sense of looming fate pricked at him. This is just the beginning.
Twilight Preparations
That evening, Altheon methodically traced glowing lines around the orchard's perimeter. He layered fresh Earth and Water runes into the ground, forging an interlinked array to bolster the older wards. Kael, carried by Mother, watched from a distance, enthralled by the lattice of shimmering energy. It reminded him that he still had much to learn. One day, I'll craft wards on this scale myself.
Father and Rowan escorted Altheon along the fence, occasionally describing past attacks. Meria kept a few paces back, swaying gently so Kael could see but not interfere. Kael concentrated, memorizing the mage's runic patterns. He recognized some basic Earth synergy, but Altheon's layering technique was advanced—blending multiple lines into a single continuous circuit.
He longed to replicate the method in his own forging. If only I had more time, more strength…
Eventually, Altheon finished, stepping back with a weary sigh. "This will hold off weaker corrupted beasts. But if more powerful entities appear, you must be cautious."
Father thanked him. Meria bowed her head in gratitude. Altheon mustered a reassuring smile. "I wish I could stay longer, but I must continue investigating. If fortune favors, I shall return soon."
They all bid him a respectful farewell, a subdued hope flickering in their eyes. Kael watched Altheon depart, footsteps fading along the dirt path until darkness swallowed his silhouette.
Nightfall's Promise
With Altheon gone, orchard life settled back into watchful wariness. Lanterns were placed at strategic points, orchard workers rotating guard shifts. Rowan insisted on patrolling with two others at all times, worried that lone watchers might be overwhelmed if a monstrous creature emerged from the trees.
Kael dozed in Father's arms for a spell, then woke near midnight. A faint breeze rustled the orchard's branches, the lamplight casting elongated shadows across the barn walls. He sensed a new tension in the air, as if the wards' fresh energy had disrupted the orchard's usual mana flow. These improved wards might keep us safer, but I wonder if they'll also attract the notice of whomever is spreading corruption…
Across the orchard, Rowan's voice occasionally broke the quiet, checking on fellow watchers. A gust of wind carried the scent of damp earth. Kael closed his eyes, inhaling the orchard's essence. I must keep training…
A Midnight Experiment
When the orchard staff settled enough that no one hovered near the barn, Kael made his move. Slipping from his cradle—something he had grown surprisingly adept at—he crawled behind barrels of seed. Heart thudding, he stretched out a hand, harnessing a swirl of Air synergy. He had reached the cusp of evolving his minor Air channeling; the system had once notified him it was near max for Novice rank.
Breathing slowly, he willed the synergy to spiral around him like a gentle vortex. In a corner of the barn, he raised a small collection of straw, letting it hover in a rotating current. Then, he tried to condense the swirl, refining it into a focused, cutting breeze—similar to a miniature wind blade.
The synergy vibrated with potential. He had to remain cautious—one slip could cause a loud whoosh or fling debris across the barn, alerting everyone. Inch by inch, he refined the swirl, shaping it into a razor-thin arc of air.
Suddenly, an internal shift clicked. A wave of new clarity surged through him.
[Notification: Minor Air Channeling (Novice, Lv.10) → eligible for Basic Tier evolution!][Do you wish to evolve Minor Air Channeling to Basic Air Channeling? Y/N]
Kael's pulse raced. This is it.
His mind reeled. Evolving a skill was no trivial matter—it would deepen his synergy capacity, but also demanded strong mana control to prevent Overload Dissonance. However, thanks to his steady training and early mana foundation, he felt confident.
He mentally affirmed: Yes.
A gentle hum filled his ears. Air currents swirled around him, invisible yet tangible. For an instant, it felt like the entire barn breathed with him. Bits of straw rose and circled in a silent dance. Kael's mana channels tingled, and the swirl consolidated into his core.
[Notification: Minor Air Channeling → Basic Air Channeling (Basic, Lv.1). Efficiency increased!][+2 Spirit for successful skill evolution!]
Kael trembled in place, relief and exhilaration mingling in his chest. He tested the newly evolved synergy: conjuring a small gust that smoothly lifted straw from one corner to the next. It's so much more stable and potent.
He carefully dismissed the swirling breeze, letting the straw settle. I have to remain discreet, but this new control might help me craft better runic wards—or create new spells that combine air with other elements.
His heart soared. Every gain matters.
Trials at Dawn
Morning arrived with a glimmer of hope. Kael felt the difference in his synergy from the moment he woke. Father's routine forging sounded more purposeful; orchard workers seemed faintly less tense, perhaps buoyed by Altheon's fresh wards. Rowan noted that no monstrous silhouettes had approached the orchard overnight.
In fact, Old Marv from the neighboring orchard visited at midday, reporting that their farmland had passed a quiet night too. "Those wards might be scaring beasts off," he remarked, sounding relieved.
Kael gleaned from the conversation that the local watch network had likewise encountered no dire incidents. Perhaps we'll have a lull? Even so, he refused complacency.
He spent much of the day quietly practicing minute spells from his vantage in the barn: condensing bits of Air synergy to gently blow away dust, combining Earth synergy with leftover clay lumps to shape small figurines. It was all part of building a strong foundation.
[Notification: Basic Air Channeling (Basic, Lv.1) → advanced to Lv.2!][Notification: +1 Intelligence from element manipulation drills!]
When the system message flashed faintly before his eyes, Kael disguised his grin with a feigned baby yawn. Another small step forward.
Father's Offer
That afternoon, while Kael napped in his cradle, Father and Mother had a hushed discussion by the barn door. Kael, half-awake, heard snippets of their conversation.
"Meria, I've been thinking," Father said softly. "We can't keep using watchers we can't afford. Nor can we rely on traveling mages who come and go. Perhaps we should consider… leaving the orchard."
Meria's voice wavered. "But this is our home, Joren. It's all we've built. Where would we go?"
Father sighed. "I could try finding permanent work in the nearest town. My forging might earn steady coin. And we'd be safer behind those city walls, away from these corrupted beasts."
A silence hung. Then Meria spoke, voice thick with emotion. "But Kael… he loves the orchard. Our orchard is the reason he was… born into a quiet life. Yet we keep facing horrors. Is it truly better to uproot and run?"
Kael's heart clenched. So Father is considering abandoning the orchard.
He heard Father's footsteps pacing. "I'm torn too. But I can't watch you and Kael live in fear. We'll give it another week or so. If these attacks worsen, we must do what's necessary to protect our family."
Meria murmured agreement, though it clearly pained her. Kael felt a pang of frustration. I won't let them abandon their dream. I'll protect this place—somehow.
Evening's Resolve
That night, Kael's mind buzzed with thoughts of Father's conversation. While orchard chores wound down and workers retreated to their cots, Kael lay awake, gazing at the barn rafters. I still have time. If I can bolster the orchard's defenses enough, maybe Father won't feel forced to leave.
He recalled Altheon's ward-laying method, his own budding skill in forging runic shards, and the synergy evolution he just achieved. It might be possible to create a rudimentary protective array that could cover more fence posts.
The idea excited him—imagine linking multiple runic shards so they shared an elemental synergy circuit. If a monstrous beast tried to break through, each shard could deliver a combined shock, far surpassing the effect of a single node. But forging that would require stable synergy lines, plus knowledge of linking runes…
He lacked formal training in advanced runic arrays, yet Sage's Insight from his reincarnation gave him a faint recollection of how grand arrays were once shaped in the past. He resolved to experiment piece by piece, forging smaller shards and seeing if they could connect.
[Notification: New Conceptual Skill in progress: Runic Array Formation. Requirements not met for immediate skill unlock.]
A faint system prompt blinked, confirming Kael's suspicion that a new dimension of runecraft awaited him. He felt a surge of excitement. I'll keep pushing. Slowly, carefully.
A Subtle Test
Under the veil of night, Kael ventured to the fence again—carried, fortunately, by the hush of slumbering orchard folk. He had a new shard, embedded with a simpler version of Altheon's Earth-based ward inscription, waiting in his small satchel. The satchel itself was a repurposed cloth bag for seeds, which Meria used to carry random items. Kael had quietly commandeered it.
He approached a section of fence near the orchard's west side, picking a spot less illuminated by lanterns. Heart hammering, he pressed the shard against the wood. Summoning Basic Air synergy, he attempted to link the new shard's pattern with a nearby shard he'd placed days ago. With trembling focus, he directed a thin filament of mana across the fence, bridging the gap between them.
Come on… connect.
For a moment, he felt a flicker—like two signals responding to each other. Then the synergy fizzled out, scattering harmlessly. Kael pressed his lips together. Not quite. I need more precise runic lines to guide the link.
He eased off. Overextending might cause a flash or noise that would alarm the orchard watchers. I'll refine it another time.
Still, the attempt left him hopeful. I can sense the possibility. If I succeed, I can create a chain of shards reinforcing each other.
A Rude Awakening
Just as Kael finished tucking the shard into the fence, an alarmed shout broke the orchard's calm: "Rowan! Something's moving by the southern boundary!"
Kael froze, heart pounding. An attack…?
He heard footsteps racing across the orchard yard. Father's voice rang out. Meria, awakened in the barn, called out in dismay. Kael crawled swiftly away from the fence, ducking behind a barrel to avoid detection. He peered around the corner to see orchard hands with lanterns charging to the orchard's south side.
A chorus of frantic yells erupted. Through gaps in the orchard rows, Kael glimpsed a silhouette—large, hunched, eyes reflecting lamplight with a sickly red gleam. Another corrupted beast? Possibly smaller than the wolf-boar, but still formidable.
"Keep it back!" Father roared. He brandished a pitchfork, jabbing at the intruder. The creature snarled, bounding aside. A flash of brambled roots was visible around its forelegs, reminiscent of the wolf-boar's collar.
Another collar…
Rowan swung a flaming torch, forcing the beast away from the orchard's interior. It hissed, scuttling behind a tool shed. Orchard workers formed a ring, prodding with spears and staff. Kael's vantage was limited, but he saw that the wards glowed faintly at the fence line, perhaps repelling the beast from fully entering.
The creature scrabbled for an opening, but was blocked by lines of orchard hands. Eventually, it let out a shrill screech and bounded back over the fence, disappearing into the night. A hush fell, orchard workers panting, hearts pounding. They'd managed to drive it away with minimal confrontation.
Kael exhaled shakily. The wards plus the orchard's team effort held. That's good.
Yet the workers wore grim looks. This was a near miss. Next time, the beast might be stronger or more cunning.
Lingering Disquiet
Once the orchard staff confirmed the beast had fled, they regrouped in the courtyard. Some trembled, others slumped in relief. Father tried to maintain a brave front, wincing from the stress on his still-healing ribs. Rowan set his torch aside, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Seems it tested the wards," Rowan muttered. "We got lucky."
Father nodded. "We'll remain on high alert. Everyone, keep weapons near at all times."
The orchard folk dispersed to continue guard rotations, hearts still pounding. Meria, anxious for Kael, found him in the barn, apparently asleep in his cradle. She lifted him gently, hugging him close. Kael heard her heartbeat hammering, felt her trembling arms. He let out a soft coo, wishing he could soothe her fear more directly.
Torn Hopes
Dawn arrived, revealing fresh claw marks near the south fence. Though the beast had not breached the orchard or inflicted serious damage, the orchard staff examined the gouges with somber expressions. This close call proved the wards weren't invincible. The orchard was safer than before, but far from invulnerable.
Father gazed at the marks, fists clenched. Kael overheard him muttering to Rowan, "If these incidents persist, we'll have no choice but to leave. I can't risk Meria and Kael's lives."
Rowan sighed. "I understand. But maybe with a bit more time, we can strengthen the orchard's defenses. We've come so far."
Kael's chest tightened. I won't let you lose hope, Father.
Another Day of Preparation
While orchard hands reinforced fences and arranged more lanterns, Kael took advantage of the bustle to refine his synergy again. Slipping behind the barn, he retrieved lumps of clay, forging them into small discs with Earth synergy. With Basic Air synergy, he inscribed shallow grooves along each disc. If he could embed a stable runic line, perhaps each disc could act as a link in the chain array.
He concentrated, ignoring the dull ache in his mana channels. Infusing even a small object required intense mental focus—especially for a child's tiny body. But he pressed on, determined.
[Notification: +1 Intelligence from repeated synergy forging!]
His mind felt sharper, more attuned to the runic lines. He tested the disc's resonance, letting it hum faintly in his grasp. Though incomplete, it was progress. Just a little more, and I can create a chain effect.
A Mother's Perceptive Gaze
Late that afternoon, Meria found Kael behind the barn. He had just finished shaping a clay disc and was about to hide it in a wooden crate. She approached quietly, brow creased with curiosity. Had she seen him channel synergy?
Kael froze momentarily, heart hammering. But she only knelt and offered him a gentle smile. "Kael, there you are," she said softly, collecting him in her arms. She eyed the clay disc. "Found some clay to play with, hmm?"
He cooed in a childlike manner, hugging the disc. Meria chuckled, ruffling his hair. "You truly love the orchard's earth, don't you?"
For a fleeting moment, Kael wondered if she suspected more—like how the orchard's subtle defenses were growing each day. But she simply carried him inside, disc in hand. Perhaps she's not quite sure what I'm doing, but she senses something.
He let the disc drop near a crate, hoping she wouldn't examine it too closely. Meria only gave him a fond look, as though to say, You're such a strange but precious child.
Quiet Support
That evening, orchard folk took renewed measures. Shifts were doubled at dusk. Father, though fatigued, insisted on standing watch for the first two hours. Rowan oversaw the rotation schedule. Meria busied herself preparing hot drinks to keep watchers awake through the night.
Kael sat on a hay bale next to Mother, absorbing the orchard's subdued energy. The question lingered: Would the collar-wearing beast return? Would new horrors strike?
He saw Father near the orchard gate, pitchfork in hand, shoulders tense. An orchard worker asked him about the possibility of leaving. Father's expression darkened. "I'm waiting a few more days. If these beasts come in force, we'll have to go."
Though the conversation was quiet, Kael heard every syllable with painful clarity.
A Spark of Determination
Later that night, as Kael lay in the cradle, the orchard watchers made their rounds. Lantern light flickered across the barn walls. Kael pretended to sleep, but his mind reeled with plans for runic arrays, synergy forging, everything that might help the orchard endure. He thought of Altheon's wards, the clay discs he shaped, the minor runic shards he'd placed.
If only he could unify them all, linking them into a cohesive perimeter. I'm close to unlocking that concept skill. Perhaps my next attempts will yield results.
Despite exhaustion tugging at him, he refused to rest entirely. Instead, he drifted in half-sleep, meditating on synergy flows. I'll show you, Father, that we can remain here safely.
Outside, the orchard watchers patrolled under a waning moon. The crisp night air carried the distant calls of nocturnal birds. For now, no corrupted creature prowled the fence line, and Kael surrendered to a drifting doze, lulled by the orchard's nighttime hush.
Dawn and a Glimpse of Tomorrow
Sunlight trickled through the barn door, heralding a new day. Kael blinked awake, feeling the gentle warmth on his face. He sat up in the cradle, noticing Meria rummaging through baskets of produce. Father and Rowan argued in low voices by the forge, probably discussing fence reinforcements again. A new orchard hand hammered extra planks into the southern boundary.
The orchard pressed on, battered but unbroken. For Kael, each passing day of quiet resilience sparked deeper resolve. He had only scratched the surface of runic forging, synergy infusion, and array linking. Yet every shred of progress meant one more barrier between the orchard and the lurking corruption.
So long as I breathe, I'll protect them—my parents, this orchard, everything.
A silent vow burned in his chest. He was no grand hero—just a reincarnated magus hidden in the body of a child. But that wouldn't stop him from shaping wards, forging shards, or leveling up his synergy. The orchard was his cradle, and he would see it bloom untainted.
Kael gazed over at Father's tense figure, quietly hammering a new bracket. I promise, Father, I'll do all I can.
And in that moment, as the orchard stirred to life, Chapter 18 of Kael Ashborne's quietly unfolding destiny found its steady heartbeat—one fueled by hidden spells, patient forging, and the unwavering determination of an infant soul reborn to shield a fragile peace.
Status Window
Name: Kael Ashborne
Talent: SSS (Hidden)
Age: ~6 Months
Core Grade: Unawakened
Physique: Omni-Element Physique (Sealed)
Level: 2
EXP: 50 / 200
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 17 (+3 from last chapter's allocations and synergy drills)
Spirit: 25 (+3 from synergy forging and skill evolution)
Agility: 3
Constitution: 3
Free Attribute Points: 0
Trait: Sage's Insight (Passive)
Skills:
Mana Sense (Novice, Lv.3)Minor Fire Channeling (Novice, Lv.4)Minor Earth Channeling (Novice, Lv.8)Basic Air Channeling (Basic, Lv.2)Minor Water Channeling (Novice, Lv.3)Earthen Flame Gust (Basic, Lv.1)Stone Wind Lance (Basic, Lv.2)Earthen Snare (Basic, Lv.1)