A hush settled over the orchard as the final light of evening dissipated behind rolling hills. Between the neat rows of apple trees, pale moonbeams revealed shifting silhouettes in the light breeze. Kael, however, felt anything but tranquil. The cloth scrap he'd discovered the previous night still weighed on his mind, etched with ominous puppet-rune fragments. He'd told no one yet; forging a complete picture might protect them better.

A Subtle Clue

Earlier that day, Kael had quietly examined the orchard boundary again, paying extra attention to the southwestern corner where he'd spotted the robed figure. He found faint footprints partially erased by wind and orchard workers' busy feet. The footprints hinted that someone had ventured near the orchard's fence, likely carrying the same runic talisman he'd witnessed. They're probing for weaknesses. The orchard illusions had forced a retreat—but for how long?

That evening, Kael slipped out of the barn loft once more, forging disc in hand. He refined it further, adjusting runic lines meant to detect puppet runes or forced-awakening arrays. This time, he tempered the disc in an oil bath instead of water, hoping the slower quench would embed synergy more smoothly. A stable foundation is crucial, he reminded himself, recalling his past life's forging knowledge. Illusions alone might not protect us from a determined saboteur.

Secluded by tall crates near the barn, he sat cross-legged, drawing deep breaths. Let's see if I can refine my synergy to better resonate with detection arrays. He turned his focus inward, guiding the gentle swirl of Air synergy within his core. For months, he had kept Air synergy at a steady Basic level, content to practice illusions. Now, he pushed further, weaving subtle illusions in the air around him—translucent wisps that flickered in the moonlight.

A faint headache threatened, telling him not to overreach, but he persevered. He conjured illusions of faint orbs drifting overhead, their shapes dancing in a swirl. The forging disc on his lap vibrated lightly, as if responding to the illusions. Each success and failure taught him more about synergy integration.

Training Through Adversity

Abruptly, he heard footsteps. Hastily, he dispersed the illusions. One orchard worker, a man named Baret, approached, a lamp swaying in his hand. Kael slipped the disc behind his back, feigning innocence.

"Kael? Thought I saw something glowing." Baret peered around, baffled.

"I was just practicing… a small lantern trick Father taught me," Kael lied, offering a childlike grin. "Didn't mean to spook you."

Baret chuckled. "Shouldn't be out here alone too late, lad. Saboteurs might lurk. Let's keep safe, all right?"

Kael nodded dutifully. After Baret strolled off, Kael exhaled in relief. I must be more cautious. My illusions are too noticeable if I slip. Still, the near interruption provided a lesson in concealment.

Gathering his forging disc, Kael decided further work might risk exposure. He returned to the barn, mind roiling with half-formed ideas. One in particular took root: Maybe I can incorporate illusions directly into a synergy circuit that disrupts puppet runes. That melding of illusions and detection could yield something more potent.

Unexpected Company

While rummaging through the barn for forging materials, Kael nearly bumped into Rowan. The steward of the orchard stood with arms folded, studying the half-finished synergy plates piled near the forge.

"Busy as ever, Kael?" Rowan asked, sounding half-amused. "You forge more than some men twice your age."

Kael wiped sweat from his brow. "Just… trying to help keep the orchard safe," he said honestly, though not explaining the runic intricacies.

Rowan studied the plates. "I've heard rumors among the men that you might be dabbling in more than a child's chores." He gave Kael a measured look. "I'm not complaining—your illusions on the fences have helped. But do be mindful. The orchard's trouble is bigger than it seems. Don't shoulder too much alone."

Kael dipped his head, warmed by the concern. "I'll… be careful," he promised. But the resolve in his heart only grew stronger. If the orchard was threatened, he wanted to be at the forefront of its defense.

A Meeting Under Lantern Light

Later, Joren—Kael's father—invited Kael to a small meal in the orchard courtyard. Together, they sat at a splintery table with bowls of stew, a single lantern warding off the darkness.

Joren's expression held quiet pride as he eyed Kael's dusty hands. "You've been forging late. You're so young still… yet you show more diligence than many grown men. Is anything on your mind?"

Kael hesitated. Part of him wanted to share the cloth scrap's puppet runes. But caution took hold. He wasn't certain how Joren might react—perhaps worry or immediate confrontation, which might spook the saboteur further underground.

Instead, Kael offered a half-truth. "Just forging more plates to strengthen orchard defenses. We saw what awakened beasts can do. I'd rather be ready."

Joren nodded, ruffling Kael's hair. "That's wise. And I appreciate your efforts. But remember not to overwork yourself, son."

Kael managed a small smile, finishing his stew. If only Father knew how close the saboteur lurked. But for now, I must handle it quietly.

A Subtle Breakthrough

That same night, after Joren and most orchard hands turned in, Kael returned to the barn's dimly lit forge. He pulled out a small, separate piece of metal—thinner than his usual plates. If illusions, detection, and mild shock synergy could fuse, perhaps it wouldn't need to be large.

He hammered carefully, focusing on runic grooves that channeled both Air synergy for illusions and Earth synergy for structural stability. Then, recalling the puppet rune patterns from the cloth scrap, he etched a miniature detection circuit designed to vibrate or glow faintly when encountering similar runes.

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As he shaped it, the synergy in his core churned. For an instant, he felt a subtle shift, like a door opening wider in his mind. The illusions he attempted around the new plate came easier, swirling softly in the air with less drain.

A faint shimmer enveloped the plate. Kael's heart leapt with excitement. It's more stable.He guided a gentle flow of synergy into the etched lines, letting illusions swirl over the metal surface.

Suddenly:

[Notification: Through focused practice and synergy refinement, Air Channeling has advanced from Basic Lv.9 to Basic Lv.10!]

The surge of understanding flooded him. I've improved my illusions channel! Although only a single level within Basic rank, it was proof of progress.

A grin tugged at his lips. He would test more illusions tomorrow and see if he could push Air synergy beyond Basic. For now, he set the newly forged piece aside, letting it cool while he stifled a yawn. Tired, but satisfied, he climbed up to the barn loft.

Unseen Observers

Dawn arrived with a crisp glow, orchard workers stirring about as usual. Kael, bleary-eyed but determined, checked his new synergy piece. The runes glimmered faintly in sunlight, though no illusions were active. Tonight, I'll test it near that southwestern fence corner—see if it reacts to leftover puppet energy.

He planned to do so discreetly, but fate had other ideas. Halfway through the morning, Rowan gathered the orchard staff for an announcement near the main gate: a traveling merchant caravan had arrived, offering supplies and trading. Such caravans occasionally passed by, and Rowan welcomed them to restock orchard tools, seeds, or basic wares. The orchard bustled with activity as workers greeted the newcomers.

Kael lingered near the wagons, scanning the faces of merchants. Most looked ordinary: a chatty cloth merchant, a gruff blacksmith hauling raw materials, a pair of herbalists. But one figure in a hooded cloak, standing at the rear of the caravan, caught Kael's eye. Their posture reminded him eerily of the saboteur from the other night—tall, lithe, cloak too heavy for the summer warmth. Kael felt a jolt of alarm. Could it be them, coming in openly to observe?

He ducked behind a stack of crates, stealthily inching closer. The hooded figure took in the orchard surroundings with slow sweeps of their gaze. Kael spotted a faint glimmer of runic lines on the figure's gloves—similar Ebony ink. This has to be more than coincidence.

A Discreet Pursuit

While orchard workers bustled around the wagons, Kael inched forward, illusions dancing faintly around him. He had to keep them weak to avoid drawing attention, but enough to blur him from casual glances. The figure moved away from the main throng, slipping behind a wagon to rummage through a chest. Kael followed, heart hammering.

He caught snippets of a muttered voice: "This orchard's illusions… must find the breach… puppet rune synergy incomplete…" The figure's accent was harsh, vowels clipped. They're definitely connected to the sabotage, Kael realized.

The figure stood, as if sensing being watched. Kael froze, illusions swirling. To his relief, the figure seemed uncertain, scanning the area with narrowed eyes but not spotting Kael. Within moments, orchard workers approached with inquiries, and the hooded person resumed a merchant facade, hiding the gloved runes under their cloak.

Kael bit his lip. I can't confront them in broad daylight. They might vanish or turn violent among unsuspecting orchard staff. For now, he retreated, illusions dissolving, a new plan taking shape. If the figure planned to remain in the orchard overnight, Kael could track them when they tried placing puppet runes again. I must be ready.

Nighttime Rendezvous

True enough, by dusk, the traveling caravan set up small tents at the orchard's edge. The hooded figure kept to themselves, ignoring communal dinner with orchard staff. Kael watched from afar, detection disc tucked under his shirt, mind racing.

After midnight, while most slept, Kael crept out. The orchard was draped in starlight. He circled wide around the tents, forging disc in hand, illusions lightly cloaking him. The detection runes hummed softly against his palm—confirming a faint residue of puppet energy in the air.

Slipping behind a cluster of apple trees, Kael spotted the hooded figure again. They carefully moved along the orchard boundary, scanning fence posts. Then, with silent efficiency, they pulled out a talisman that glowed with Ebony runes, pressing it against the fence. The illusions flickered, resisting infiltration, but the figure fiddled with another item—likely a disruption device.

Kael's heart pounded. They're going to sabotage the orchard wards. Should he rush in? Or watch?

A better idea struck him: If I let them partially disrupt illusions, I can see their method… then intervene before real damage is done. In that moment, Kael saw a small swirl of Ebony lines unravel part of the orchard illusions. They're well-practiced at forcing openings in illusions. He gritted his teeth—time to act.

Creeping closer, Kael set the forging disc on the ground. Its detection runes glowed faintly, reacting to the puppet synergy. Now or never. He channeled a slender thread of Air synergy, crafting an intricate illusion around the intruder's feet: a swirl of phantom vines that snaked around ankles. The saboteur tensed, swiping in confusion. Kael pushed more synergy into the illusion. The figure stumbled, illusions tangling their senses.

For a crucial few seconds, the saboteur's Ebony talisman flickered. That was enough—Kael dashed forward, staff in hand, knocking the device aside. The figure hissed, swinging around with surprising agility. A gloved hand crackled with mana, threatening a direct blast. Kael ducked behind a fence post, controlling illusions to obscure his exact location.

The orchard illusions flared back to life, synergy plates re-stabilizing with the saboteur's disruption incomplete. Realizing they were compromised, the hooded figure spat a curse and bolted, illusions swirling in disarray.

Kael considered giving chase but feared an open confrontation might wake the orchard. Instead, he watched them vanish into the darkness beyond the boundary. At least the orchard remains intact. They failed to break the illusions entirely.

Breathing heavily, Kael retrieved the detection disc. It still pulsed with residual puppet energy, confirming this intruder's connection. He glanced at the ground—no fresh clues except a single Ebony-coated shard from the disrupted device. Pocketing it, Kael exhaled, mind whirling with triumph and caution.

A Wary Triumph

Despite the successful defense, Kael knew the saboteur wasn't done. They might try another tactic or return with allies. But at least for tonight, the orchard was safe, illusions mostly intact. The forging disc had proven its worth too, reacting strongly to puppet synergy. My synergy illusions and detection approach are working.

He picked up the Ebony shard, gazing at the swirling runic lines. I can study this further and improve the orchard wards. Next time, they won't escape so easily. Yet he also felt a twinge of worry—why did the saboteur target this orchard so persistently? Was it a mere test site or part of something bigger?

Answers might wait until daybreak. For now, exhausted and slightly shaken, Kael slipped back to the barn loft, disc in hand. The orchard dozed under a star-laden sky, unaware of how close sabotage had come once more. Kael would keep his eyes open, forging illusions and synergy, determined to protect these peaceful rows and the people he cared for—even if it meant dancing on the edge of danger.

Status Window

Name: Kael Ashborne

Age: 6 (Approaching 7)

Talent: SSS (Hidden)

Core Grade: Red (Awakened in secret)

Level: 10

EXP: 520 / 1600

Attributes:

Strength: 20 Agility: 6 Constitution: 19 Intelligence: 34 Spirit: 45

Free Attribute Points: 0

Trait: Sage's Insight

Synergy Channeling:

Earth Channeling (Intermediate, Lv.2)Fire Channeling (Intermediate, Lv.1)Water Channeling (Basic, Lv.9)Air Channeling (Basic, Lv.10) ← recent improvement!Light Channeling (Basic, Lv.9)*