Rowan's orchard drifted into a tense lull after Kael's late-night clash with the awakened hound. Yet few believed the saboteurs were truly gone. Rather, the orchard workers walked with heightened vigilance—constantly darting glances at the fences, checking for fresh footprints or signs of tampering. By day, chores proceeded with stoic focus; by night, the watchmen paced relentlessly beneath dim lanterns.

For Kael, these watchful days and restless nights became opportunities—openings for forging synergy wards, practicing runic illusions, and concealing the breadth of his abilities. He was only six going on seven, but the orchard's troubles demanded both cunning and ever-increasing strength.

Whispers of a Hidden Trap

Early one morning, Kael found Rowan in hushed conference with Joren near the barn's wide doors. The orchard steward's brow furrowed as he spoke in low tones.

"The saboteur sightings have slowed," Rowan said, "but last night, Torik swears he saw flickers of a lantern beyond the eastern orchard boundary. We suspect they're lurking, waiting for a chance to strike again."

Joren let out a frustrated sigh, muscles tense. "We can't keep everyone awake all night. We need a more permanent defense."

Kael cleared his throat softly from behind them. "Father… Rowan… perhaps we could lay a false trail—something to draw the intruder in?"

Rowan glanced over. "Explain."

Kael stepped closer, voice calm. "If we appear less guarded in a certain orchard row—leave some tools out or a small chest that looks valuable—someone might be tempted to slip in. Meanwhile, we discreetly watch from vantage points. Maybe we can catch them."

Joren exchanged a look with Rowan, and Rowan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "A baited trap. Risky, but perhaps it's worth a try. We must be cautious not to endanger the orchard staff."

Kael nodded, heart pounding a bit. If we lure them in, I can sense their approach with synergy. Maybe glean more about their motives. But outwardly, he made sure to appear only mildly confident. "Just a suggestion. We'll need hidden watchers in place."

Rowan exhaled. "Very well. Let's prepare an area in the older orchard rows, near that broken shed. We'll store a 'locked chest' there—some random scraps inside to make it look worthwhile. Everyone else can hide among the trees after dark."

Joren looked to his son with an approving nod. "We'll do it carefully."

Kallen's Curiosity

Later that day, as the orchard staff moved about normal tasks, Kael busied himself near the barn forge. He hammered a half-finished synergy plate, occasionally sprinkling fine powdered flux to help the runic lines fuse. This was his third attempt at incorporating a faint Light synergy array—knowledge gleaned from Gethran's partial schematic.

The corner of the plate glowed with a subtle brilliance, but it kept winking out. "Tch," Kael muttered, wiping sweat. I might need a stabilizing rune… or a more refined synergy flow from Light channeling. Basic-level Light synergy was tricky to embed on metal without a stronger theoretical foundation.

A polite cough came from behind him. He turned to see Kallen—his older cousin from a neighboring village—standing at the threshold. Kallen had arrived several nights ago, drawn by rumors of orchard trouble. With short sandy hair and a pragmatic demeanor, the nearly fourteen-year-old wore a curious expression.

"Working on something new?" Kallen asked, stepping carefully around the scattered forging scraps.

Kael nodded, controlling his tone. "Just reinforcing a plate for the orchard fence. We keep finding sabotage attempts."

Kallen's gaze flicked to the faintly glowing runes. "This forging method… it's more advanced than I'd expect from a typical blacksmith's boy."

Kael gave a casual shrug, though internally he braced. "Father taught me the basics, and I've been experimenting. I read an old forging manual that mentioned synergy traces."

Kallen eyed him a moment longer. "Well, it's impressive. Let me know if you need an extra pair of hands. Uncle Joren said we might be setting a trap soon."

Kael quietly exhaled. Kallen was helpful but also sharp—he might notice Kael's quick leaps in forging skill. "Sure. But for now, I'm just finishing up. The synergy lines are finicky."

"Understood," Kallen replied. Then he gestured toward the orchard outside. "I'm going to patrol the eastern fence. If you see anything suspicious, let me know."

Kael nodded, returning his attention to the half-forged plate. I have to remain subtle with synergy forging. Kallen's suspicion is mild, but I don't need more eyes prying into my secrets.

Late Afternoon Preparations

By dusk, word had spread among the orchard hands about Rowan's plan to stage a trap. A small chest was placed by an old wooden shed, with a battered lock affixed. In truth, it contained only useless scraps—broken nails, shredded cloth. But from a distance, it might appear like valuable orchard property.

Torches were dimmed along the orchard's perimeter, giving an illusion of lax security. Meanwhile, the orchard men prepared vantage points in the surrounding trees. Rowan assigned each worker or volunteer to a designated spot. Joren, Kallen, and a few others would hide behind wooden crates near the row.

Kael approached them just after sunset. "Let me take a position on that hillside," he suggested, pointing to a gentle slope behind the orchard fence. "From there, I can see if anyone sneaks around the outer boundary."

Rowan paused, unsure about placing a child alone. But Joren caught Kael's eyes. Over the past days, Kael had shown remarkable perception—somehow always catching glimpses of intruders. Finally, Rowan relented. "All right, but keep your staff with you. Don't engage alone."

Kael nodded. Of course, I'll handle it if necessary. Aloud, he said, "I'll signal with a lantern if I see anything."

They agreed, and Kael set off, staff in hand. A hush settled over the orchard as everyone took their positions, waiting for night to deepen.

Hidden Among the Shadows

From his vantage on the hillside, Kael lay prone behind a patch of tall grass. He could see the orchard's fence line below, the old shed faintly visible under starlight. The so-called "treasure chest" glinted dully where moonbeams caressed its metal edges.

He kept his synergy sense partially open, especially for faint Air flows that might indicate footsteps or movement. The orchard's usual nighttime hum—crickets, rustling leaves—provided a soothing backdrop. But Kael's mind was alert, heart steady.

Minutes stretched into an hour. Twice, Kael spotted orchard guards shifting position behind a cluster of trees, but no other figure approached. I hope this trap doesn't keep us all out here for nothing. Then he checked himself. Better a fruitless vigil than letting saboteurs slip in again.

At last, something stirred on the far edge of the orchard. A silhouette, barely more than a ripple in the darkness, flitted among the fence posts. Kael's pulse quickened. Someone's there. He blinked, carefully regulating his breathing. Focus.He channeled a sliver of Air synergy to sharpen his vision—just enough to pick out subtle movements.

Yes. A person—cloaked, hood drawn, creeping along the fence. They paused, seemingly scanning for watchers. Then the figure ducked under a fence plank, moving inward. Step by slow step, they drifted toward the old shed.

Kael quietly retrieved the small shuttered lantern Rowan had given him. He lifted the cover a fraction, letting a thin beam of light flicker. In the orchard below, Kallen or Rowan should see it as the agreed-upon signal.

Closing the Net

At the orchard's edge, the cloaked intruder approached the shed. From Kael's vantage, he saw the figure stoop behind a half-rotted barrel, perhaps verifying the area was clear. The orchard men remained hidden, waiting for a decisive moment.

Kael felt a swirl of tension in his chest. Should he slip closer to help corner the intruder? Or remain at his vantage to spot any accomplices?

He decided to watch for a moment longer. The intruder, apparently satisfied no one was around, inched toward the chest. They knelt and prodded the lock. Even from up on the hill, Kael could sense them fiddling with a small pick or tool. So they're not just a random thief—they come prepared.

A whisper of movement on the intruder's flank. Kael recognized the orchard men creeping out from behind crates. Kallen, sword in hand, flanked from the left while Rowan advanced from the right. Torches remained unlit—stealth was crucial.

Now, Kael thought. Any second…

The intruder jerked upright, apparently hearing the faint rustle of footsteps. In a flash, they dropped the lockpick, whirled around, and bolted away from the chest—straight toward an orchard row that was supposed to be blocked by orchard men. Indeed, two workers rushed in with raised clubs, but the intruder pivoted with impressive agility, ducking under a swing.

Kael's Intervention

He couldn't remain a mere bystander. Kael sprang to his feet, staff in hand, and scrambled downhill. As he ran, he channeled a sliver of Air synergy for speed, though he tried not to produce any visible arcs of wind.

Down in the orchard row, the saboteur feinted left, then rolled under a worker's outstretched arms. Kallen lunged, sword gleaming faintly. But the cloaked figure managed a quick parry—revealing a short blade or dagger. Metal clanged, and Kallen staggered back, surprise etched on his face.

Rowan barked an order. Another orchard man tried to tackle the intruder from behind. The intruder twisted, slashing at him. The orchard man yelped, a shallow cut across his forearm.

Kael closed the last few yards. He's dangerous—more skilled than random bandits. The orchard men were strong but not trained to deal with a nimble knife fighter. Kael dashed forward, staff extended. A swirl of Earth synergy steadied his footwork as he approached from behind the saboteur.

He lashed out with the staff, aiming to knock the intruder's legs out from under them. The cloaked figure sensed the attack and leaped sideways, but Kael pivoted, shifting synergy mid-strike. Stay calm. He let a small burst of Firesynergy flicker along the staff's tip, adding a fraction of force.

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Crack! The staff caught the intruder's shoulder with enough impact to spin them around. They let out a muffled grunt, stumbling.

Kallen seized the opening. He thrust his sword lightly, not to kill but to disarm. The intruder deflected it with a quick parry, but Kallen's momentum forced them back.

Rowan and two orchard men closed in. The intruder realized they were surrounded—no easy escape. They whirled, presumably weighing an all-or-nothing dash for freedom.

A Surprising Escape

Without warning, the intruder flicked their free hand. A dark sphere tumbled to the ground—a small orb that shattered with a hiss. Thick, acrid smoke billowed out, engulfing the orchard row in choking fumes.

Kael coughed, eyes burning. He recognized the tang of a smoke bomb laced with mild tear-inducing herbs. They came prepared, indeed.

Shouts rang out, and orchard men fumbled about in the smoke. Kael stumbled, staff braced, trying to sense the intruder's location via synergy. But the swirling smoke disrupted his line of sight. He channelled a quick surge of Airsynergy around his nose and mouth to push away some fumes. Through stinging eyes, he glimpsed a flicker of movement—someone dashing toward the fence.

"Stop them!" Rowan yelled hoarsely.

Kael forced his watery eyes open, broke into a run. The figure vaulted the fence with astonishing athleticism. Kael leaped after them, hooking the top fence rail with one arm. He glimpsed a silhouette in the moonlight, sprinting across open ground.

No orchard men were close enough to intercept. Kael weighed the risk of revealing too much power. If I channel a big burst of synergy, I might catch them. But that would expose me. He exhaled, letting a modest thread of Air synergy enhance his speed. He sprinted across the grass, staff held back to avoid tangling.

The intruder had at least a dozen paces of head start. They reached the orchard's outer perimeter, vanished behind a cluster of shrubs. Kael dashed around the shrubs—but by then, the saboteur was nowhere in sight. He paused, scanning the darkness with synergy sense. Faint footprints or residual mana footprints ended abruptly—perhaps they had a mount waiting or used a hidden path.

Clenching his fists, Kael realized the trail was cold.

Aftermath and New Clues

By the time Kael trudged back to the orchard row, the smoke had mostly dissipated. Rowan was helping an orchard worker with a bandaged forearm. Kallen stood nearby, frustration etched on his features.

"They slipped away," Kael reported.

Rowan nodded grimly. "We saw them vault the fence. Too swift for us to catch. Did you see anything else? A face, or insignia?"

Kael shook his head. "They wore a cloak. No obvious markings."

Joren, who had arrived in time to see only the tail end of the chase, sighed heavily. "At least we forced them to abandon their lockpick. They didn't loot the chest."

Torik muttered, "It's not just about loot. Feels like they're testing us—like it's more sabotage or infiltration than simple thievery."

Rowan agreed. "Yes. Still… let's see if they dropped anything."

A quick search around the old shed and orchard row turned up a small metallic pick and the shattered remains of the smoke bomb orb—bits of glass and resin. The orchard men also discovered a partial slip of paper near the fence line, likely lost in the struggle. It bore only a few cryptic runes, smudged with dirt.

Kallen picked it up, frowning. "These runes… can't make them out. Possibly partial instructions or a code."

Kael's gaze flicked to it, heart stirring. Could I decipher it with my synergy-based runic knowledge? But revealing that might raise questions. Instead, he said softly, "We can keep it. Maybe Father or Rowan can find a scholar to interpret."

Rowan slipped it into a pouch, nodding. "We'll try to get answers."

Brooding in the Barn

The trap had succeeded in drawing out the saboteur, but the orchard's men were left with more questions than answers. Later that night, as others turned in or treated minor wounds, Kael retreated to the barn's loft. He lit a small lantern, mind racing with possibilities.

The intruder used advanced stealth, a smoke bomb, and a short blade. They also carried runic picks. This is beyond a random thief. He recalled the awakened beasts, the sabotage of orchard fences, now an infiltration attempt… Who is orchestrating all this? Perhaps a mercenary group, or an underworld faction… or something darker.

Outside, the orchard was restless. Kael could almost taste the tension in the air. Yet he refused to let frustration weigh him down. Instead, he turned to forging. He set about finishing the synergy plate from earlier. If the orchard would keep being tested, they needed stronger defenses.

His hammer rang softly, rhythmic. He poured small filaments of Earth synergy to bind the metal's structure, layering a faint trace of Light synergy—still incomplete, but each attempt brought him a step closer to a stable pattern. Exhaustion tugged at him, but he pressed on. Training freak… yes, that's me. I won't rest while we remain vulnerable.

At last, near midnight, the plate glowed with a stable runic line for a few breaths before dimming. It wasn't a total success, but the partial Light synergy array didn't collapse entirely. Encouraging progress.

No system prompt came—no skill rank increase or attribute leap—but Kael felt the subtle refinement in his synergy threads. Small steps accumulate.

He cooled the metal in a bucket of water, steam hissing. Then he stared at the half-finished runic pattern with quiet determination. "I'll crack the puzzle eventually," he murmured.

Village Rumors

The next morning, news of the orchard's near-capture of a saboteur reached the surrounding village. A few curious neighbors came by, inquiring about the orchard's safety or offering unsolicited theories. One old craftsman insisted it was the work of an exiled mage. Another insisted it was a vengeful bandit clan from the west. Rowan politely accepted their gossip, gleaning no real answers.

Kael took advantage of the village chatter to slip away to a local herbalist's hut. He recalled how the intruder's smoke bomb contained a distinctive tear-gas herb. Perhaps the herbalist can confirm its composition or who might have purchased such an herb. He walked with purposeful steps, staff tapping lightly on the dusty path.

The herbalist, a middle-aged woman named Merella, greeted Kael with a kindly smile. She'd known him since infancy. "My, you're out and about alone, Kael? Everything all right at the orchard?"

Kael nodded politely, then explained the orchard's sabotage predicament in vague terms. "We encountered a smoke bomb with some pungent herb. It caused stinging eyes, a cough. Do you know which herb might cause that effect?"

Merella's brows rose. "Oh dear. Likely tear-thorn pods, ground to a fine powder. Not many grow that plant around here—it's rarer, often found near marshes. The Alchemists' Guild or traveling apothecaries might carry small amounts."

Kael pressed gently. "So… it'd be unusual for a local farmer to have such a thing?"

"Quite unusual," she confirmed. "It's more advanced alchemical stock. Or used by mercenaries to blind foes, I've heard." Her eyes narrowed a bit. "Kael, do be careful. The orchard trouble might be more serious than folks realize."

Kael thanked her and departed, mind churning. So they are using specialized alchemical items. Possibly from a bigger network or a black-market channel. He sighed. It doesn't narrow it down much, but it means we're dealing with well-equipped saboteurs, not random amateurs.

Seeds of Doubt

That afternoon, Kallen sought out Kael near the orchard forge. Sunlight cast shifting shadows across the wooden floor as Kallen closed the barn door behind him.

"I asked around in the village," Kallen said quietly, "trying to see if anyone recognized the saboteur's description. No luck. But I did hear you visited the herbalist."

Kael put down the forging hammer, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yes. I wanted to confirm that tear-gas herb is something unusual—means we face a real threat."

Kallen studied him with thoughtful eyes. "You're surprisingly proactive about all this. You're just a child, but you act like… well, more than a simple blacksmith's son. I've never known a six-year-old so curious about runes or synergy forging."

A prickle of caution rose in Kael's chest. "The orchard is part of my home. I can't ignore what's happening."

A small smile curved Kallen's lips. "True. We're all grateful for your efforts. I just wonder if… well, it's as though you have knowledge beyond your years." He paused. "You're forging synergy plates with advanced runic lines—stuff many adult forgers don't master. Where'd you learn that?"

Kael feigned a slight blush, letting out a short laugh. "I read old manuals in Father's trunk. And I guess I experiment a lot. Not all attempts succeed."

Kallen nodded slowly, perhaps unconvinced but not pressing further. "Just be careful not to push yourself too hard, cousin. Sometimes, knowledge can attract the wrong sort of attention."

Kael forced a grin. "I know. Thank you."

Inwardly, he recognized Kallen's suspicions. I must remain cautious. The orchard's dangers demanded he grow stronger, but not at the cost of letting slip that he harbored an awakened core or memories from a past life.

Quiet Breakthrough

That evening, Kael managed to steal a brief moment alone near the orchard's southwestern corner—where he'd installed his earlier synergy plates. He carried the newly forged plate from last night, partially imbued with Lightsynergy. He wanted to see if affixing it to the orchard fence might yield any immediate effect, however small.

The sun dipped low, painting the sky in bands of orange and violet. Kael knelt by the fence post, prying off a simple iron plate that had offered minimal warding. In its place, he carefully nailed the synergy-etched plate. Light synergy runes faintly glimmered in the twilight.

He channeled a gentle pulse of Earth synergy to fuse the nails deeper, then touched the plate, trying to feed a slight spark of Light synergy from his own channels. Initially, the runes stayed dull. But as he persisted, they flickered with a faint halo, as if acknowledging the synergy flow.

It's far from perfect, Kael thought, but better than nothing. He closed his eyes, focusing on stabilizing the synergy lines. A tingle spread across the fence post, like a mild static. Then the glow dimmed, settling into a near-invisible hum.

No grand effect, but Kael felt the subtle presence—like a partial ward that might repel lesser illusions or necrotic energies. It'll dissuade some infiltration attempts or small curses, at least. Satisfied for now, he retrieved his hammer and left.

Nightfall Reassurance

That night, Kael joined Kallen on a brief fence patrol. The orchard staff had begun rotating watchers to ensure no single vantage had blind spots. The air was cool, the moon high.

Kallen broke the silence. "You know, Uncle Joren is worried about you forging so late. He says you rarely rest properly."

Kael gave a nonchalant shrug. "I rest enough. Besides, forging wards might keep us all safer."

Kallen shook his head with a rueful grin. "You're an odd one, cousin. Most kids your age care about playing hide-and-seek or dozing in the sun. But you… you forge synergy plates and chase saboteurs."

Kael tried to deflect with humor. "Maybe I'll hide and seek the saboteurs instead."

They shared a quiet chuckle. Then they lapsed back into companionable silence, stepping over orchard furrows. The orchard's edges seemed still, no sign of infiltration this time. Perhaps the attempted theft the previous night had made the saboteur group cautious.

At length, Kallen asked, "What do you make of that slip of paper Rowan found? The runes looked strange."

Kael shrugged, feigning ignorance. "I couldn't decipher them. Maybe it's partial instructions for sabotage or coded messages." In truth, his Sage's Insight had gleaned some runic structure—something akin to "preliminary incantation" or "ritual marker." But acknowledging that knowledge would raise Kallen's eyebrows.

"Yeah," Kallen murmured. "We'll see if we can find a traveling mage to decode it."

An Uncertain Path Forward

Two days passed without further sabotage or beast attacks. The orchard's workers felt a slight easing of tension, though nobody relaxed entirely. The men patrolled in pairs, scanning fences for runic plates (sometimes with mild curiosity at Kael's forging skill). The orchard's nights remained vigilant, while Kael continued forging whenever he could, perfecting synergy patterns in small increments.

Still, the orchard staff remained unsettled by the saboteur's near success. The partial runic note, the advanced smoke bomb, the forced awakenings of beasts weeks prior—too many mysteries hovered unsolved. Rowan told Joren he planned to dispatch a message to a local scholar or mage group for assistance in decoding the note.

Meanwhile, Kael persevered in his quiet growth:

Physical Training: He hammered synergy plates daily, each forging session straining his arms and forging synergy.Synergy Refinement: He practiced small illusions at dusk, focusing on blending Air and Light synergy to create fleeting illusions that might trick a watchful foe. They were feeble illusions for now, but each day his control sharpened.Cunning Observation: He roamed orchard perimeters, quietly mapping possible infiltration routes. He'd leave a subtle sign or rune to detect if someone tampered with a fence post. If more awakened beasts threatened them, he wanted early warning.

No dramatic leaps in attributes or skill ranks had come. But Kael sensed intangible improvements—a surer synergy flow, a steadier mind in tense moments. Power doesn't come from single leaps alone but from ceaseless, methodical work.

A Glimpse Toward the Future

One late afternoon, Kael found himself perched on a half-finished fence rail, gazing out at the orchard fields. Workers bustled in the distance, gathering produce. Near the barn, his father hammered away at a standard plow repair. Kallen walked along the orchard's boundary with a watchful eye. Life felt… tenuously normal, despite the lurking threat.

As Kael swung his legs idly, a memory from his past life flashed—fields aflame with demonic corruption, entire villages left in ruin. I won't let that happen here. He clenched his fists. This orchard was more than farmland; it was a symbol of everyday life, precious and fragile. If saboteurs believed they could break it, they would find Kael forging wards, training synergy, and readying any cunning plan needed to thwart them.

He hopped down, heart set on forging more synergy plates that evening. I'll keep building our defenses one rung at a time. The orchard won't fall while I draw breath. And though he was a mere child in the eyes of the world, he carried centuries of arcane insight in his soul. Each day, he honed that knowledge in secret—protecting what he loved and steadily crafting his future potential.