A full year had swept across Greenwood Orchard like a gentle breeze. Kael—now eight years old—maintained a disciplined routine that saw him at the forge by dawn, forging wards and honing synergy channels until the moon replaced the sun. Though the orchard's saboteurs seemed to have vanished, Kael never let his guard down. Beneath the calm exterior, he sharpened his skills and illusions with quiet intensity, preparing for the day when peace might shatter.
A Year of Constant Growth
In those twelve months, Kael's life followed a rigorous but deeply satisfying rhythm. Most mornings began at the orchard's barn, where the steady clang of metal on metal announced his latest forging project. Between forging sessions, he traversed orchard rows to check synergy wards and illusions. If small awakened beasts ventured onto orchard grounds, he dealt with them swiftly, ever mindful to hide any remarkable feats from prying eyes.
Yet the orchard's troubles seemed to fade with time. Fences were mended, fruit harvests boomed, and no saboteurs tested their wards. Anyone else might have relaxed. Kael, though, used the lull to push every facet of his training further. The synergy channels he'd awakened to—Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and Light—advanced significantly over the year, edging each element from Basic to the threshold of Intermediate or beyond. Even his mana core, once at the early stages of Red, now hovered at the very peak of that grade, poised for the next breakthrough.
Advanced Forging & Subtle Mastery
Late one morning, Kael was in the barn carefully etching runic lines into a half-finished short sword. Embers glowed beneath the forge, and the metal's faint red hue outlined the synergy script along the blade's central groove.
His father, Joren, observed from a short distance, arms folded."You're forging something more refined than fence wards, I see," Joren noted, stepping closer.Kael nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "A sword balanced for synergy conduction," he explained quietly. "Something that can store illusions or channel elemental surges in a pinch."
Joren's gaze flicked to the carefully inscribed runes. "I'm impressed," he admitted. "I see some lines I've never encountered. Did you figure them out from those forging tomes?"Kael gave a modest shrug. "Partly. I've, uh, tested a few designs on leftover scraps."Despite his calm exterior, Kael's heart thrummed with satisfaction. Experimentation on synergy-forged steel had let him incorporate illusions, lightning arcs, and mild flame bursts into the same weapon—a remarkable feat even for advanced blacksmiths. He planned to keep the final version hidden, of course; a child brandishing a synergy-infused blade would raise eyebrows.
The Orchard's Peaceful Facade
Meanwhile, orchard life thrived under relative peace. Workers replaced old fence posts, reinstalled wards Kael had forged, and marveled at a record harvest of apples and pears. Rowan, the orchard's steward, proudly declared the saboteurs must have "lost interest" in Greenwood. The orchard hands maintained casual patrols at night, but gone was the tense vigilance that had once seized the place.
Kael alone kept his senses sharp, patrolling fence lines after dark. He would slip illusions across weak points, layering illusions with synergy wards to deter intruders. Sometimes, orchard guards saw him and simply chuckled at the "overzealous boy." Yet they also admitted that no trouble had befallen them in a year, so Kael's measures must work.
"Maybe it's just luck," Kael would say, feigning a sheepish grin. In truth, he knew an unguarded orchard was an easy target; those who had tried to sabotage them before could easily try again when the orchard seemed most relaxed.
Revelations in Synergy
The orchard's absence of danger allowed Kael to refine his synergy channels to new levels:
Earth Channeling soared to a higher rung of Intermediate, sharpened by forging and the daily shaping of metal.Fire Channeling reached robust Intermediate form as well—he used it to superheat the forge, as well as conjure flame arcs for small hunts.Water, Air, and Light Channeling likewise progressed from Basic to Intermediate over countless hours of practice—Kael would spin airy gusts around the barn or produce illusions infused with gentle Light synergy to camouflage orchard boundaries.Each channel felt deeper, purer, letting him merge or weave elements in ways unimaginable a year ago.
On a crisp afternoon, Kael tested an experimental synergy blend behind the barn, swirling Fire and Air synergy into a searing gust that peeled bark off an old tree stump. The technique nearly backfired—he almost lost control of the swirling heat—but he wrestled it down with a final push of Earth synergy to ground the energies. Though he had to catch his breath afterward, the victory confirmed his synergy thresholds had all advanced beyond the "basic" stage.
Skill Refinement & New Creations
Kael's spells and skills also evolved drastically from a year ago. A quick mental review reminded him:
Earthen Snare (Intermediate, Lv.2): Upgraded from the earlier version; vines and earth lumps rose faster and stronger, capable of entrapping mid-tier awakened beasts.Ember Bolt (Intermediate, Lv.2): Now had a more concentrated fire charge and better range. Even orchard workers who glimpsed it from afar remarked on the "bright sparks" Kael summoned.Stone Shield (Intermediate, Lv.1): Formerly Basic at level 5, it had advanced and now conjured thicker, sturdier slabs of earth to block attacks.Windflare Alarm (Intermediate, Lv.1): Enhanced from its Basic version, generating sharper wind currents that triggered illusions when intruders neared orchard perimeters.Warmth Ward (Basic, Lv.5): He still used this as an auxiliary skill for forging or orchard comfort, pushing it further but not yet crossing it to Intermediate.
Beyond these refined spells, Kael had also innovated brand-new illusions-based techniques. One he named "Phantom Veil"—a skill that cloaked him in refracted light, making him semi-invisible if he stood still. Another was "Static Lash", weaving Fire and Air synergy to create a short-range whip of crackling flame for crowd control. He kept both carefully under wraps, practicing them alone at night.
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Any orchard worker glimpsing these would assume him a prodigy—but Kael masked his advanced skill usage, only unleashing partial illusions or toned-down spells around others. Subtlety was his ally.
A Near-Breakthrough in Core
One dusky evening, Kael closed his eyes in the barn loft to sense his mana core. He could distinctly feel that he was perched at the upper limit of Red—a hair's breadth from breaking through to Orange. The synergy vortex in his center churned more vibrantly with each passing day.
He recalled how, a month prior, he'd confronted a vicious, awakened Dire Boar that had wandered too close to Greenwood. Defeating it in single combat netted him a pulse of EXP that nearly overflowed his level gauge. The leveling boon, plus the forging-induced attribute gains, had him brimming with new power.
[Notification]: You have gained enough EXP to level up.You have earned +5 free Attribute Points.
He had allocated them across Strength and Agility this time, balancing out his forging muscle with quicker reflexes. Each forging session or synergy practice also yielded incremental improvements in physical stats, culminating in a body that no longer looked scrawny but rather wiry and fit—far stronger than an eight-year-old's frame suggested.
Status Window (Post-Year Progress)
With a quiet exhale, Kael summoned the window in his mind:
--- Name: Kael Ashborne
Age: 8
Talent: SSS (Hidden)
Core Grade: Red (Peak) – on the brink of Orange
Level: 12
EXP: 560 / 3000
Attributes:
Strength: 28Agility: 10Constitution: 24Intelligence: 36Spirit: 50
Free Attribute Points: 0
Trait: Sage's Insight(Advanced comprehension of spells, forging, synergy theory.)
Synergy Channeling:
Earth Channeling (Intermediate, Lv.4)Fire Channeling (Intermediate, Lv.3)Water Channeling (Intermediate, Lv.1)Air Channeling (Intermediate, Lv.1)Light Channeling (Intermediate, Lv.1)
Skills & Spells
Earthen Snare (Intermediate, Lv.2)Ember Bolt (Intermediate, Lv.2)Stone Shield (Intermediate, Lv.1)Windflare Alarm (Intermediate, Lv.1)Warmth Ward (Basic, Lv.5)Phantom Veil (New – Basic, Lv.2)Static Lash (New – Basic, Lv.2)
Kael opened his eyes. The barn loft looked unchanged, the orchard still quiet, but inside him seethed tremendous potential. If a crisis forced him to break his core's barrier, he felt certain he could step into Orange territory. But for now, concealing that final leap was best.
Gathering Clouds of Uncertainty
Though outwardly calm, Kael had begun noticing subtle signs that the orchard might soon face renewed threats. Torikand other hands occasionally mentioned footprints or abandoned campsites along the southern roads. While none had proven directly hostile, the orchard's uneasy watchers remembered the sabotage from a year ago all too well.
Kael carefully maintained illusions and wards along that perimeter. "Let's not assume we're safe," he'd tell Torik. Torik, no longer scoffing at the boy's caution, simply nodded in agreement. Even though he lacked Kael's synergy sense, Torik realized that large conspiracies or bandits could return at any moment.
Another Late-Night Vigil
One mild summer night, Kael found himself crouched near the orchard's southern fence, ear pressed to the ground. He quietly channeled Earth synergy to pick up faint vibrations. Leaves rustled overhead, and somewhere far off, an owl hooted. The orchard behind him was ablaze with starlight, silent except for distant chirps of crickets.
No immediate threat. And yet Kael's instincts prickled, reminiscent of the hush before a thunderstorm. He sensed the orchard was perched on a precipice. The saboteurs might be biding their time or an entirely new menace might be circling. He watched until the moon sank low, then finally returned to the barn loft, slipping into restless sleep.
Glimpses of a Brewing Storm
The next morning, Rowan mentioned to Kael in passing, "Some of our workers spotted odd scuff marks near the southwestern orchard boundary. Possibly travelers passing through. But I'd rather not discount any possibility."Kael gave a solemn nod. "I can strengthen the illusions there and add a few synergy plates."Rowan clapped him on the shoulder. "Thank you, lad. You've done more than enough already, but I won't deny your runic wards have been a blessing."
It was a moment of uneasy appreciation: Rowan's cautious eyes implied he suspected more trouble was looming but dared not speak it aloud. Kael recognized the orchard's caretaker was no fool—nor were the orchard's seasoned guards. All shared a subdued watchfulness that mirrored Kael's own vigilance.
Quiet Tides… For Now
Late that evening, Kael busied himself forging a final runic plate in the barn. The glow from the coals revealed sweat on his brow and determined concentration in his gaze. Once finished, he set it aside to cool, then took a moment to breathe in the summer air.
Standing at the barn doorway, he gazed upon the orchard. Lanterns dotted the perimeter, orchard workers enjoying a moment of peace as they swapped stories by the fire. From here, one wouldn't guess potential danger loomed. The orchard's calm rustling and sweet fragrance lulled the senses, beckoning one to believe the troubles were truly gone.
But Kael knew better. His synergy-laced mind perceived a tension in the air—like the hush before the next wave. Though he felt no immediate surge of malevolence, the memory of footprints and scraps of campsite near the roads kept him alert. He mentally prepared to test his newly refined illusions and synergy if push came to shove.
Eventually, he returned to the loft. In the dim glow of a single lantern, the half-forged short sword reflected his unwavering desire for readiness. Tomorrow, he would finalize the blade's synergy circuit. Soon after, he might need it. The orchard's year of calm had done wonders for Kael's growth. But all good things reached an end; he could sense the tide shifting again.
"Whatever comes," he murmured, "this place—these people—won't be caught unaware."
And so, the orchard's subtle tensions thickened, the hush of the summer night carrying the promise of a gathering storm. Unbeknownst to most, Kael's year-long respite had molded him into a far more formidable defender, each synergy channel honed to a lethal edge, each illusion prepared to confound any enemy who dared to strike.
Status Window (Post-Chapter Snapshot)
Name: Kael Ashborne
Age: 8
Talent: SSS (Hidden)
Core Grade: Red (Peak)
Level: 12
EXP: 560 / 3000
Attributes:
Strength: 28Agility: 10Constitution: 24Intelligence: 36Spirit: 50
Free Attribute Points: 0
Trait: Sage's Insight – Fosters advanced comprehension of spells, forging, synergy
Synergy Channeling:
Earth Channeling (Intermediate, Lv.4)Fire Channeling (Intermediate, Lv.3)Water Channeling (Intermediate, Lv.1)Air Channeling (Intermediate, Lv.1)Light Channeling (Intermediate, Lv.1)
Skills & Spells:
Earthen Snare (Intermediate, Lv.2)Ember Bolt (Intermediate, Lv.2)Stone Shield (Intermediate, Lv.1)Windflare Alarm (Intermediate, Lv.1)Warmth Ward (Basic, Lv.5)Phantom Veil (Basic, Lv.2) – A subtle invisibility cloak built on illusions.Static Lash (Basic, Lv.2) – A short-range whip of crackling flame and air synergy.