The sun hung low over the orchard, bathing rows of sturdy apple trees in a coppery glow. For days now, the orchard hands had continued their vigilant routines—checking fences each dawn, patrolling under moonlight, and repairing any sign of sabotage. Yet a sense of tension permeated the air. One could almost feel the orchard holding its breath, anticipating the next strike.
Kael found himself at the center of this guarded calm. Ever since the saboteur's night escape a short while ago, Rowan and Joren consulted him on orchard defenses in hushed tones. Despite being merely six going on seven, Kael's forging experiments with synergy wards were slowly becoming part of the orchard's protective patchwork. The orchard workers hadn't fully pieced together how he managed those advanced runic engravings, but the results spoke for themselves—fence posts where Kael placed synergy plates reported fewer incidents of tampering.
Still, the unknown threat weighed heavily on everyone's minds.
A Glimpse of the Past
Early morning found Kael in the barn once more, an iron blank heated to a soft glow in the forge. Outside, roosters crowed, orchard men tended animals, and the day's first tasks began in earnest. Smoke from the forge drifted up, dancing in morning light.
Clank. Clank. Kael's small hammer fell in measured beats. Each strike carried a fraction of Earth synergy, subtly reinforcing the iron's molecular bonds. He'd gleaned advanced forging theory from a battered manual—and from memories of forging arcane artifacts in his previous life. This synergy forging was still rough by grand magus standards, but in the orchard's eyes, it verged on magical.
Sweat dotted his brow. He paused occasionally to blow away steel filings and check the runic grooves he'd etched. Satisfied with the preliminary shape, Kael quenched the piece in water. A hiss of steam rose, momentarily clouding his view.
His mind drifted back to decades—centuries—ago in another life, forging gear for an entire legion to face demonic hordes. Aerion's life is gone, he reminded himself. But the knowledge lingers. I won't let it go to waste here.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. He placed the cooling synergy plate aside. Today, he planned to incorporate a layered design that would partially interlock with a second plate. If it worked, orchard defenses might become easier to expand. One step at a time. Keep the orchard safe, keep forging—without drawing too much suspicion.
An Unexpected Visitor
Just after midday, a small commotion outside the barn drew Kael's attention. Through the open doorway, he spotted a lone rider approaching—a wiry man wearing rugged leathers. Closer inspection revealed a short sword at his belt and a satchel slung across his back.
Rowan walked out to greet the stranger, flanked by Kallen and two orchard workers. Kael set aside his tools and wandered closer, curiosity piqued.
"Name's Vargis," the man said in a weathered voice. "I was passing through the village and heard rumors of sabotage in this orchard. Figured I might offer my services for a fee—I'm a freelance tracker."
Rowan exchanged a guarded glance with Kallen. "A tracker, eh? We do suspect repeated intrusions. But how do we know you're not working with them?"
Vargis gave a tight smile, raising both hands in a gesture of goodwill. "Fair question. I've got letters of reference from folks in the next county. I've tracked bandits, missing livestock, awakened beasts. You can check with the reeve in Willowford Village."
He produced a folded parchment from his satchel, handing it to Rowan. Indeed, an official reeve's seal adorned the corner.
Kallen studied Vargis warily. "And what do you hope to gain here?"
Vargis shrugged. "If I help you identify or catch whoever's causing trouble, I'd expect fair coin. I hear from villagers you're losing produce, worried about orchard sabotage. Maybe I can sniff out their trail."
Rowan and Joren convened briefly on the side. Kael, eyes narrowed in thought, felt uncertain. Was this a simple mercenary or another hidden agent? But the orchard did need more help than a handful of overworked staff could provide.
Rowan eventually nodded. "We'll consider your assistance. For now, you can stay in the village inn, or we can arrange a cot in the orchard's storehouse. We have no gold to spare unless results follow."
"Understood," Vargis said. "I'll begin by scouting orchard perimeters for signs of forced awakenings or hidden footprints. I've seen evidence of forcibly awakened beasts before—there's usually a residue of tampered mana."
Tampered mana? Kael's interest piqued. He glanced at Rowan. "He might spot what we missed," Kael said quietly. Rowan gave him a small nod.
And so, the orchard gained a new face—one that might either prove a valuable ally or yet another complication.
Reassessing Ward Plates
That evening, with an uneasy hush settling over the orchard once more, Kael carried his newly forged synergy plate to a far corner by the orchard's western fence. He liked to test runic wards in areas previously sabotaged. The older synergy plates had offered partial protection, but Kael was certain a multi-layer design could yield better coverage.
He kneeled, comparing the plate's grooves to a second partial plate hammered last night. Fusing them together along the fence post might double the synergy effect—if done carefully. Yet the orchard men often wandered by, so Kael had to stay discreet, appearing as though he was merely nailing a standard reinforcement.
Darkness crept in. Fireflies flickered among grass. Kael set about quietly installing the new dual-plate design:
Earth Synergy Base Plate: Stabilizes physical structure, makes the fence post more resistant to tampering or brute force.Light Synergy Overlay Plate: Introduces a faint purifying aura that might repel illusions or mild curses.
He hammered them together, channeling small pulses of synergy with each swing. Sweat trickled down his temple. Almost there.
At last, a gentle glow rippled along the runic lines, then faded to near-invisibility. Kael sensed a synergy presence lingering—enough to hamper any cunning sabotage that involved illusions or runic interference. Progress. He wiped his brow and stepped back, lips curving in satisfaction.
No system notifications yet. True advancement is slow, he reminded himself. But these incremental steps may pay off eventually.
Eavesdropping on the Tracker
While heading back from the fence, Kael noticed torchlight near the orchard's gate. Rowan and Vargis stood conversing in low tones, their forms outlined by flickering flame. Kael lingered behind a wagon, curious.
Vargis's voice carried faintly in the still air. "There are footprints deeper in the orchard's northern boundary. Could be from multiple saboteurs. I suspect they used a specialized powder to stir beasts into partial awakening—makes them hostile. Saw some leftover residue by an old tree trunk."
Rowan muttered something about how that matched the orchard's experiences with awakened animals. Then Vargis said, "Might be worth setting a snare or two in that area. If they return to awaken more beasts, we could catch them."
Kael's chest tightened. So it's not random sabotage. They're systematically forcing beasts to awaken. This aligned with the orchard's earlier suspicions. He exhaled, continuing quietly on his way. One more puzzle piece...
A Clash at the Brookside Clearing
Next morning, Kael debated returning to the Brookside Glade—where he occasionally gathered herbs for forging flux. If saboteurs roamed the orchard edges, perhaps he'd find clues or forcibly awakened creatures there. He left the orchard discreetly, staff in hand, telling his father he wanted more forging materials from the creek bed.
The glade was tranquil as ever—water trickled along the rocks, dense bushes swayed in a light breeze. Yet Kael's synergy sense pricked with unease. A faint distortion in the air suggested tampered mana. Something's off. He advanced slowly, staff held ready.
Rounding a cluster of tall reeds, he spotted two shapes: large, dog-like beasts rummaging near the creek bank. Their fur bristled with swirling mana, eyes glowing faintly. Awakened hounds again? But these looked bigger than the one he slew days ago—perhaps further artificially mutated.
One lifted its head, sniffed the air. Its gaze locked onto Kael, muzzle curling back in a snarl.
Kael's pulse quickened. They're definitely awakened… and aggressive. The orchard was about a mile away—no immediate reinforcements. He'd have to fight or flee. But letting them roam free risked further attacks on orchard hands. I can't allow that.
With measured steps, he advanced, staff angled across his body. The second hound growled, saliva dripping from its maw. Kael inhaled, letting synergy swirl in his limbs.
They lunged. One charged head-on, the other flanked to the side. Kael pivoted, letting Earth synergy root his stance. The first hound's jaws snapped at empty air as he twisted aside, staff whipping around in a controlled arc to strike the beast's ribcage. A dull thud resonated—strong enough to stagger it, though not kill.
The second hound lunged from behind. Kael barely caught its outline in his peripheral vision, channeling a small burst of Fire synergy along the staff's tip. He spun, slamming the staff upward. Crack. Sparks flared. The beast yelped, tumbling back with singed fur.
Panting, Kael took a half-step backward, re-centering. Both hounds recovered swiftly, snarling with renewed fury. I have to finish them quickly before they coordinate. He focused, letting a trickle of Air synergy enhance his reflexes.
The first hound sprang again, jaws wide. Kael ducked low, driving the staff into its chest with a concentrated burst of Earth-Fire synergy. The blow landed solidly, cracking bone. The creature's snarl turned into a ragged whine, and it collapsed, twitching.
The second hound snarled, pouncing in desperation. Kael pivoted, staff deflecting the snapping jaws. He poured more Fire synergy into the staff's tip—just enough to sear fur. The beast recoiled, giving Kael an opening to strike its neck with a downward smash.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
A final whump resounded, and the second hound crumpled. Blood stained the grass. Kael stood over them, breath coming fast.
[Notification: You delivered the final blow to two Awakened Hounds (Minor Tier). Total EXP gained: 160 (80 each).]
His heart pounded. 160 EXP? That takes me from 360 to 520. He did some quick mental math. Still not enough for a level-up. He exhaled, shoulders easing. No attribute gain either. But progress is progress.
Wiping sweat from his brow, Kael surveyed the area. No sign of other saboteurs. He quietly dragged the hounds aside, ensuring they posed no further threat. Best if the orchard staff disposed of them properly. Another grim piece of evidence that someone was forcibly awakening beasts near the orchard.
Return to Cautious Normalcy
Hauling the hound carcasses proved a chore. Kael took breaks, channeling faint Earth synergy to boost his stamina. By midday, he managed to bring the beasts near the orchard boundary, where orchard men gaped at the sight.
"Another pair?" one worker exclaimed, astonished at the child's involvement. Kael shrugged, downplaying the fight. "They ambushed me by the creek. I got lucky."
Rowan arrived soon after, eyeing the remains with concern. "We'll burn them carefully. That forcibly awakened essence can linger." He paused, giving Kael a searching glance. "You weren't hurt?"
Kael shook his head. "I'm all right."
Rowan exhaled. "You must have a guardian spirit watching over you, lad. But thank you… that's two fewer threats prowling our outskirts."
The orchard men busied themselves disposing of the carcasses. Kael retreated to the barn, heart still pounding from the close call. Inside, he let the staff lean against a workbench, arms shaking faintly from adrenaline.
Such is life in an orchard under siege. I can't remain reactive forever; we need to find the root cause. Yet how?
Gathering Intel
That evening, Kael lingered near the orchard storehouse where Vargis had been granted a temporary cot. Through a gap in the door, he glimpsed Vargis sifting through scraps—maps, old notes, pieces of cloth with odd stains.
Deciding to take a measured risk, Kael rapped lightly on the frame. "Excuse me?"
Vargis looked up, brow slightly raised. "Ah, the little orchard prodigy. Come to see if I've found anything?"
Kael hesitated, then stepped inside. "I heard you found footprints near the orchard's northern boundary. Any leads on who or what might be behind them?"
Vargis shrugged. "Not conclusive yet. The tracks are small—maybe a female or a slender man. Possibly wearing specialized boots. I found faint runic residue on a half-buried shard of pottery. Suggests they might use arcane implements."
Kael's gaze flicked to the notes Vargis had pinned to the side of a wooden crate. They described partial silhouettes, possible times of infiltration, mentions of beasts. "They could be skilled in runic craft. Or have black-market magitech," Kael mused quietly.
Vargis arched a brow. "You're quite astute for a child." He tapped a note. "One interesting detail: the orchard's sabotage pattern matches an older case I handled near Amberwood. A group tried to awaken local beasts to terrorize farmland, then sold 'protection services' to frightened farmers. Could be a similar racket here."
Kael nodded slowly. A protection racket using awakened beasts. "That might fit," he said. "But these saboteurs seem more elusive. They used advanced infiltration techniques."
"Indeed. I suspect they're testing the orchard's responses. Maybe they intend a bigger operation soon." Vargis paused, studying Kael. "Why do you care so deeply? You're not just a farmer's son, are you?"
Kael managed a half-smile. "I grew up here. I can't let the orchard suffer." Then he excused himself before the tracker probed further.
Tensions on the Rise
Over the next two days, orchard life settled into a wary routine:
Patrols: Rowan established rotating pairs, joined occasionally by Vargis who combed the perimeter for clues.Synergy Wards: Kael quietly installed more plates, improving old fence posts.Lingering Attacks: While no new infiltration occurred, orchard men spotted glimpses of cloaked figures at night. Shadows flitted among distant trees, always vanishing before anyone approached.Bandit Rumors: From the nearby village, rumors circulated that a roving band of cutthroats might be linked to forced awakenings. But no one had conclusive evidence.
Kallen, forging a friendship of sorts with Vargis, helped track footprints. Though they found partial trails, they ended abruptly near rocky outcrops or shallow streams. The orchard staff grew restless—like they were besieged by phantoms.
Meanwhile, Kael pressed on with training. He maintained a careful front: a child with a knack for forging, but not overtly awakened. Each evening, he hammered synergy plates or practiced illusions behind the barn, pushing his synergy channels in small increments. When orchard men asked about the faint glows from his forging, he claimed it was "just a runic trick" he picked up.
Night of Broken Silence
Tensions reached a new pitch on the third night after Kael slew those two hounds. An unsettling hush blanketed the orchard. Workers on patrol walked with stiff postures, lanterns clutched tight. Even the crickets seemed subdued, as though anticipating an intrusion.
Midnight approached. Kael dozed lightly in a corner of the barn loft, staff by his side, drifting between half-formed illusions in his mind. Then a shout cut the silence.
"Alarm! They're in the orchard again!"
Kael jolted awake, heart pounding. He scrambled down the ladder, staff in hand. Outside, orchard men hurried with torches toward the eastern rows. Kallen sprinted past him, sword glinting.
Rowan's voice boomed. "They tripped our wire near the orchard gates. Move!"
Kael followed the commotion, synergy buzzing in his veins. At the orchard's eastern fence, two orchard workers wrestled with a hooded figure. Another figure dashed away, melting into shadows with uncanny speed.
Clash of steel—the hooded figure managed to break free, slicing at an orchard man's shoulder. The man cried out, collapsing. Rowan lunged, brandishing a short spear, but the intruder parried fluidly. Kallen rushed in from the side, forcing the assailant to retreat a step.
Kael circled around, staff poised. Torchlight flickered on the intruder's cloak, revealing partial runic stitching at the cuffs. A runic cloak? That might explain their stealth abilities. The intruder, cornered, hissed a curse under her breath—a woman's voice, Kael realized.
She slashed her blade in a wide arc, sparks flying as it collided with Kallen's sword. Rowan tried to lunge from behind, but the intruder twisted. She's well-trained, Kael thought, creeping closer, searching for an opening.
Vargis appeared from behind a wagon, throwing a net. But the intruder sensed it, pivoting to avoid the weighted corners. She kicked a lantern, plunging part of the orchard row into darkness.
Kael seized the moment, channeling a small burst of Air synergy to enhance his speed. He dashed in low, staff sweeping at her legs. The intruder, partially blinded by darkness, didn't see Kael's approach until too late. His staff hooked her ankle, toppling her off-balance.
Rowan lunged again, aiming to subdue. The intruder recovered with catlike reflexes—rolling aside and slicing upward. Rowan jerked back, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow. Kallen lunged in tandem, forcing her to jump away.
A swirl of runic energy flickered around the intruder's free hand. She hurled a small orb—another smoke bomb? Kael braced himself.
Fwoosh—grayish vapors erupted, stinging the eyes. Chaos ensued. People coughed and fumbled. The intruder tried to bolt again, but Kallen blindly thrust his sword in her path. Metal struck flesh with a wet sound. She gasped, stumbling.
Kael blinked through the haze, staff raised. If I let her vanish again…
But this time, her injury slowed her. Torchlight from across the orchard revealed blood staining her cloak. She clutched her side, breathing raggedly.
Rowan, eyes watering, advanced carefully. "Surrender," he commanded. Orchard men circled, cutting off escape routes. Even the second cloaked figure was nowhere in sight—likely fled.
Trapped and wounded, the intruder tensed. Then, with a soft cry, she sank to one knee, dropping her blade. Kallen kicked it aside. Rowan motioned for the orchard men to bind her hands.
Interrogation and Revelation
They hustled the captive woman into the barn's side room—often used as a makeshift storage. Kael followed, heart hammering. Finally, they had one saboteur in custody. Rowan, Joren, and Kallen were present. Vargis hovered near the door, arms folded.
By lantern glow, they got a clearer look at the woman's face—pale, with sharp features, perhaps in her mid-twenties. Blood soaked part of her cloak, and she grimaced in pain.
Rowan spoke first, voice harsh. "Why are you attacking our orchard? Who do you work for?"
She spat at the ground. "You orchard fools have no idea what's coming."
Kallen pressed a rag to her wound to stanch bleeding, albeit roughly. "Speak, or we leave you to your fate."
She hissed, but her bravado wavered. "We awaken beasts for—" She broke off, eyes darting around. "We're… offering certain lords awakened beasts as weapons. The orchard's a testing ground. Our group's name is none of your concern."
Joren scowled. "So you're just mercenaries dealing in awakened creatures?"
Her lip curled. "Call it what you like. There's a thriving demand for forcibly awakened beasts across Aurelia. Some pay handsomely for them. We refine the process here, under orders from… from someone high." A flash of fear crossed her face, as though mentioning her superior was taboo.
Vargis, leaning against a crate, prodded gently. "A name?"
She remained silent.
Rowan turned to the orchard men. "Bind her tightly, keep her guarded. At dawn, we'll see if she's more willing to speak." He glanced at Kallen. "Tend her wound enough so she doesn't bleed out. Then we'll figure out what to do with her."
Kael, silent in the corner, felt a tumult of emotions. So they're manufacturing awakened beasts for sale… The orchard is a stepping stone, a trial zone. A dark tide of anger rose in him. All those beasts forced into rampage, all this sabotage—just to perfect a trade in living weapons.
He gazed at the battered intruder. But who truly leads them? She likely answered to bigger forces. Possibly aligned with black-market magitech rings or an even grander conspiracy.
A Sober Aftermath
Rowan ordered double patrols for the rest of the night—there was no telling if the second intruder would attempt a rescue. The orchard men complied, watchful torches dotting every fence corner.
Kael tried to return to the barn loft and rest, but his mind buzzed. The orchard had one captive saboteur. A trove of secrets might be pried from her if they handled it right. But can we handle it ourselves? He remembered the orchard was just a private estate, without official authority for harsh interrogations. Rowan might request the local reeve's help, or even city guards from the nearest town.
In the small hours before dawn, Kael took a break from forging to calm his thoughts. He walked the orchard's perimeter, staff lightly tapping the ground. The air felt cool, carrying a faint swirl of orchard blossoms. Torchlight flickered across runic plates he'd hammered into fence posts. He paused at each synergy plate, listening for any disruption. The wards were stable, faintly humming. I must keep improving them. Perhaps I can blend illusions next to lure saboteurs into traps.
At one post, he glimpsed a faint runic glow—the dual-plate design from before, still intact. Good. A sense of subdued pride welled in him. Even if he hadn't leveled or gained a new skill from these upgrades, each synergy ward contributed to the orchard's defense.
Dawn's Uncertain Promise
When morning broke, the orchard staff gathered in a wary hush near the barn, anticipating Rowan's next move regarding their prisoner. Some advocated handing her to local authorities. Others wanted direct answers about how many accomplices lurked nearby.
Kael stood off to the side with Kallen, discussing the night's events in low voices. Kallen massaged his shoulder where the intruder nearly slashed him. "That was close," he admitted. "She was well-trained. If not for your staff sweep, she might've escaped again."
Kael forced a small smile. "Just luck and a bit of synergy forging reflex." He caught himself—he rarely mentioned synergy reflex out loud. Kallen didn't seem to notice. "We'll see what she reveals."
From behind them, Rowan's voice rang out, addressing the orchard men. "We'll send for the reeve to handle this prisoner properly. We're simple orchard folk, not jailers. Meanwhile, keep up full alert. If her companions return, we must be ready."
The orchard hands murmured agreement. Vargis suggested he'd ride to the village and bring the reeve's men. Rowan approved. By late afternoon, local reeve's guards would arrive to take custody.
Quiet Resolve
As the orchard men dispersed to chores, Kael felt the hush return. Over the course of a single night, they'd captured a saboteur who revealed a shadowy scheme of forcibly awakening beasts to sell as living weapons. The orchard's role was that of an unwilling test site. Yet the orchard's victory felt fragile—there might be more saboteurs lurking, or a bigger mastermind. Kael suspected they'd only scratched the surface.
Still, for a moment, the orchard's battered morale lifted. They'd proven they could fight back. They weren't powerless farmers anymore.
Kael retreated to the barn forge, resolved to continue forging synergy plates to bolster orchard fences. We can't let our guard down. He stoked the coals, metal clanking as he arranged iron blanks. With each hammer blow, he thought of the orchard's safety, of the future that beckoned him to a grander destiny. But for now, the orchard was his battlefield. He'd stand firm, forging and training with every ounce of cunning and knowledge gleaned from a previous lifetime.
In a quiet corner of his heart, he relished the next sparks of synergy—both literally and metaphorically. Step by step, he was growing, and though no system message announced a grand breakthrough, Kael sensed that each day's relentless effort would soon bear fruit. The orchard might still face threats, but with cunning, synergy wards, and the vigilance of those who called this place home, it stood resilient under the rising sun.