Night gave way to an early dawn in Brightwood, the village's thatched rooftops emerging from the darkness as gentle light broke across the horizon. The soft glow spilled into the Ashborne home, illuminating stray motes of dust dancing in the air. Near the hearth, tiny Kael stirred from a light sleep, blinking at the warm beams that played across his face.
He was nearing five months old now – still infantile, but armed with a mature awareness that extended well beyond his physical constraints. Over the past weeks, he'd focused heavily on harnessing minor threads of Air Mana, refining the Minor Air Channeling skill. Meanwhile, a budding curiosity drew him toward other elements. Small as he was, Kael balanced caution with ambition, practicing only in measured increments and never in front of onlookers.
He gazed around the single-room main area. His mother, Eliana, knelt by the low table, humming a song while preparing an oat mash for breakfast. His father, Joren, stood at the forge corner, adjusting its banked coals to begin his day's work. The gentle ring of steel soon followed, weaving with the crackle of embers into a soothing background lullaby that Kael had grown to cherish.
Though his body remained weak, Kael's mind brimmed with recollections of advanced arcana. Each day, he tested these memories in small ways, coaxing new threads of power that aligned with his infant form. The previous evening's successes – swirling the air to direct stray sparks and maintaining it long enough to gain an incremental level – still buoyed his confidence.
He exhaled quietly, letting a subtle filament of mana flow through his chest and arms. A part of him yearned to conjure a more formidable gust or even test a spark of Fire Mana that occasionally danced in his memories. But father's gentle hammer-blows reminded him: caution first. Any sudden brilliance might alarm his family or the villagers. The best path was slow and steady – especially at this stage.
A Humble Morning
Mother soon approached, a small wooden bowl in hand. Soft steam rose from the mashed oats tinted with crushed berries, the sweet scent drifting pleasantly through the air. She stooped to pick Kael up, nestling him against her shoulder with practiced ease.
"Morning, my precious Kael," she cooed, touching a fingertip to his cheek. "Time for breakfast. You've been patient."
Kael gurgled in reply – an infant's noise that concealed an adult's amusement. Despite his mental maturity, hunger reminded him that this body followed its own simple demands. Mother gently spooned the mush to his lips, and he swallowed, letting the warmth settle in his stomach. Each careful bite made him reflect on how drastically life had changed since his days as Aerion. No more commanding elements with grand gestures or dealing with immediate existential threats. Instead, he was rediscovering the world from a vulnerable vantage – and, in truth, he found it strangely calming.
Across the room, Father hammered metal with measured strikes, forging a new set of door hinges for a neighbor's barn. He paused occasionally to dip the heated piece into a trough of water, sending quick bursts of steam skyward. Kael's gaze followed these motions with fascination, mentally tracing the interplay of Fire and Water Mana. Each sizzling contact created a swirl of elemental energies that he itched to replicate in some small way.
"Eliana," Father said, setting the tongs aside, "I might need to fetch more iron stock soon. Merrek's due with fresh supplies in a fortnight, but I'm running low."
She nodded while shifting Kael to feed him another bite. "We can manage with what we have till then, I think. But do be careful going to Ironspur alone. Word says the roads are… uneasy."
His brow furrowed. "Aye, I heard rumor of wolves venturing farther from the forest's edge. Possibly because the mana lines are shifting. No matter. I'll keep watch."
Kael listened quietly, gleaning bits of local happenings. The mention of wolves near the forest caught his attention. Magical beasts or ordinary ones? Perhaps soon he'd have a chance to see real, if minor, threats close to home. The cautious part of him recognized that any such threat was also an opportunity – carefully orchestrated practice might accelerate his progress.
Mother set the bowl down, wiping Kael's face with a clean cloth. "That's enough for now," she said softly. "Don't want you overstuffed, do we?"
He gave an infant's contented sigh. Inside, however, his mind sparked with new determination. If the roads were indeed getting dangerous, he needed to sharpen his fledgling control further – not just for himself, but for the family that had embraced him with such warmth.
Subtle Exercises
As the morning wore on, Father returned to forging, while Mother busied herself patching a tear in an old cloak. Kael found himself propped against a cushion on the floor, a vantage point that let him watch everything happening around him. The gentle warmth of the hearth relaxed him, but he refused to be idle.
He extended a hand carefully, letting his awareness sink into the threads of Air Mana around him. Over the past month, he'd gotten comfortable drawing minor breezes, but with each success came the push to refine it further. Gently, he attempted to swirl the warm air from the hearth into a small spiral just above his palm. The aim: create a stable, mini-whirlpool of warmth.
A soft flicker of heat coalesced, swirling in an intangible funnel. Kael's brows knitted, concentration tight. He felt the tension in his baby limbs. The swirl wobbled precariously, threatened to dissolve… then steadied.
[Notification: Minor Air Channeling → Lv.5. Efficiency Improved!]
The golden text flashed in his mind's eye, and he suppressed a pleased grin. The swirl dissipated, leaving only a hint of movement in the air. Though minimal, every level gained meant smoother control.
He exhaled quietly, the mental exertion leaving a pleasant fatigue. The forging area, too, seemed to sense a subtle shift, as if the heated aura resonated with his little swirl. He took a calming breath, remembering not to push too far.
[Notification: +1 Spirit Through Focused Practice!]
A gentle warmth coursed through him, a flicker of expansion in his mana circuits. Faint dizziness brushed the edges of his senses but quickly subsided. Just like that, another inch of progress.
He glanced around, ensuring neither parent had noticed anything amiss. Mother was still sewing, humming lightly, and Father hammered away. Content, Kael let himself slump back onto the cushion, resting after the micro-effort. The forging clang felt almost like applause, though Father was unaware of what had just transpired.
An Unexpected Visitor
Around midday, the rhythmic clank of iron gave way to the sound of footsteps outside the open doorway. Kael saw a figure lean into view – a man in simple traveling clothes, face etched with lines of middle age.
"Ho there, Joren," the man greeted, stepping in. "Busy as always, I see."
Father looked up, wiping sweat from his brow. "Dorin? I wasn't expecting you so soon."
Dorin offered a half-smile. "Apologies for intruding. I've come with news. Up near the orchard trail, we've had trouble – something prowling about at night, scaring my sister's livestock. I remember you're good with a spear, so… wondered if you might help check it out come dusk?"
Eliana set aside her sewing, worry flickering in her eyes. Kael, from his vantage, narrowed his focus on the conversation, curiosity piqued. A prowling creature – presumably a mundane beast, or perhaps something infused with low-level mana?
Father nodded, glancing at Mother. "Sure, friend. If it's just investigating tracks or scaring off a wild boar, I can handle that. Let me finish this set of hinges, and I'll swing by later."
Dorin's expression eased. "Grateful as always, Joren. My sister will thank you too. Lost a couple of chickens. Could be foxes, but folks said they heard a deeper growl." He cast a nod to Mother and then to the squirming Kael. "Your lad's grown. Soon he'll be chasing off critters by your side, eh?"
Father let out a hearty laugh, though he quickly tempered it. "One day. For now, he's more about drool than scaring beasts."
Dorin chuckled, offered a wave, and left. His footsteps receded down the path.
Mother chewed her lip thoughtfully. "Joren, do be careful. If it's more than a mere boar…"
He patted her shoulder reassuringly. "I'll be cautious. Could be some mutated wolf, but I doubt it's anything we can't handle."
Kael's mind raced. A mutated wolf might not be wholly beyond normal means – but such creatures sometimes had minor elemental traits. Another chance to see real-world applications of magic, if only from a distance. He also realized that Father might face genuine danger if it was more than a simple beast. In the swirl of these thoughts, Kael reined in any impulse to intervene directly. He was still an infant physically, incapable of offering overt help. The best he could do was glean knowledge from whatever happened next.
Afternoon Preparations
The day rolled forward calmly. Father hammered away, finishing the barn hinges. Mother tended to chores, occasionally singing to Kael or bouncing him lightly in her arms. The early afternoon sun slanted through the windows, painting the interior with a warm glow.
Once Father completed his work, he cleaned and set aside his forging tools. He took up a short spear from a corner rack – a simple weapon with a well-crafted iron tip – and inspected it.
"I haven't used this since last year's boar cull," he murmured, running a hand along the shaft. "Still sturdy. Let me just sharpen the tip."
Kael watched from his cushion, enthralled by the straightforward readiness. In his past life, Aerion would prepare by layering arcane wards or conjuring magical relics. Here, Father's approach was purely practical: a sharpened spear and a good sense of caution. That simplicity grounded Kael, reminding him how small everyday conflicts could be for villagers. Yet it also underscored the larger truth: even minor threats could shatter their peace if left unchecked.
Mother held Kael, pacing near the doorway. "Do come back before midnight, Joren," she urged quietly. "If it's too dangerous, you can always gather a group come morning."
Father offered a confident smile, sliding the spear across a whetstone. "I'll be fine, Eliana. Dorin's place is only a short walk. I'll see if I can spot any tracks, scare off whatever it is, and be home soon."
Kael felt a twinge of protectiveness – an odd sensation for a baby who once was a grand magus. He had to trust Father's skill. Meanwhile, an idea formed: if the creature lingered near the orchard, perhaps Kael could glean new experiences. Even at a distance, sensing a magical beast (if it turned out to be one) might accelerate his attunement.
But how? He was still too small to walk, let alone accompany Father. For now, he resigned himself to waiting, to gleaning any scraps of information that returned with Father.
Twilight Falls
Dusk crept in swiftly, painting the sky with streaks of deep orange and purple. Father donned a light leather vest – more for utility than armor – and strapped the short spear to his back with a simple harness. After a quick meal, he kissed Mother on the forehead and bent to brush a gentle hand over Kael's hair.
"Be good, little one," he teased lightly. "I'll be back soon."
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
Mother tried to mask her nerves as she smiled. "We'll be waiting."
And with that, Father slipped out into the twilight. The door eased shut behind him, leaving the small home in a hush broken only by the crackle of banked coals.
Kael's mind whirred. Soon, he told himself, he'd be able to support them in ways they couldn't imagine. For now, the best he could do was keep refining his budding powers – each minor gain a step toward ensuring no harm befell this family.
Time passed slowly in the dim interior. Mother lit a small oil lamp, bathing the space in a gentle glow. She rocked Kael in a newly crafted cradle by the hearth, humming a lullaby that drifted in tandem with the evening breeze.
Kael half-dozed, occasionally letting his mana sense wander. He practiced detecting faint elemental traces from the flickering lamp flame, guessing at the interplay of Fire Mana. Each subtle test fed his internal repertoire.
Subtle Worry
Hours pressed on, and Father did not return. Mother's lullaby faltered, replaced by a worried expression. She lit another lamp, stood by the window, peering out at the moonlit yard. The hush of the village weighed heavily – nearly everyone else likely asleep.
Kael watched her subdued pacing. If not for his infantile limitations, he might have volunteered to slip out and check on Father. Instead, he settled for quiet reassurance. He tried cooing softly, as though to say, He'll be back.
She offered him a shaky smile. "It's all right, sweet Kael. Your father's just… thorough, that's all."
Yet her eyes betrayed her unease. Another hour dragged. The moon rose higher, silvering the thatched rooftops. Mother paced, stoked the coals, then paced again.
Finally, a faint scuff of boots sounded outside. Mother froze, rushed to the door, unbolting it with trembling hands. Through the threshold stepped Father, disheveled but seemingly unhurt. A wave of relief washed over Mother's face.
"You had me worried sick," she breathed, eyes glistening.
Father shook his head, setting the spear aside. "Apologies, Eliana. Tracking took longer than expected." He moved to the hearth's glow, revealing a shallow scratch on his forearm. "Dorin and I found tracks – definitely a large beast, possibly a wolf with minor mana infusion. It was cunning, but we managed to chase it off before it could do more harm."
Mother guided him to a chair, fussing over the scratch. "You're lucky it's not deeper. Let me clean and wrap it."
As she fetched a cloth and basin of water, Father exhaled heavily. "We cornered it near the orchard's edge – a bigger wolf than usual, eyes glowing faintly with greenish mana. Not a full-blown magical beast, but it had some sort of Earth alignment, maybe. Claws stronger than normal. We drove it away with torches and spear thrusts, but it dashed off into the thicker woods."
Kael, from his cradle, felt a thrill. So it was a semi-mana-infused wolf indeed – a partial Earth affinity, if the green glow hinted anything. This was tangible proof that Aurelia's wilderness wasn't always docile.
Father winced as Mother dabbed a mild antiseptic on the scratch. "Dorin said he'll keep watch with some neighbors. If the wolf returns, we might gather a bigger group. But hopefully, we taught it to fear humans. For now, no more livestock lost."
Mother sighed, relief mixing with lingering anxiety. "Thank the stars." She finished bandaging him. "You men, always so quick to chase trouble… but I'm proud you helped keep the orchard folks safe."
Father looked to Kael, giving a tired grin. "And you, little one, you'll be forging steel or learning spells soon enough, eh? Then you can spare your old man these midnight hunts."
Kael answered with a soft coo, partly comedic timing, partly heartfelt. Inwardly, he yearned for the day his capabilities matched his knowledge. Soon, but not yet.
A Quiet Resolve
Night wore on, the tense hush replaced by drowsy fatigue. Mother insisted Father rest. She retreated to the adjoining small sleeping area, cradling Kael until he, too, drifted into the half-slumber of an infant. Yet in that half-sleep, his mind churned with new possibilities:
A near-magical wolf roamed not far from the village.Father had faced real danger.The world's edges bristled with lesser threats that could escalate if not managed.
Even if Kael's ultimate goal was to prepare for grander challenges – future demons, potential conspiracies – these small events underscored how pivotal everyday vigilance could be. Had Father failed, the orchard families might have suffered more. The entire village might be at risk if the wolf returned with others.
Kael felt a renewed urgency to progress. Summoning a swirl of air might be entertaining, but he needed robust skill in multiple elements to shield this life he cherished. At the same time, secrecy remained crucial: revealing too much too soon could upend the fragile balance of his childhood.
Days of Incremental Gain
The days that followed settled into an odd calm. Father's scratch healed quickly with Mother's careful tending. The orchard families kept watch, but the wolf did not reappear. Some villagers whispered about "mana beasts" and prayed at the small local shrine for protection. Others brushed it off as a single anomaly.
Kael used the lull to intensify his micro-practices. By day, from the vantage of a wooden high chair Father made for him, he observed forging or household chores, gleaning insight into how mundane tasks could intersect with mana flows. By night, once Mother put him down to rest, he would slip into a semi-meditative state, cycling his latent mana with deliberate care.
On one such morning, as he concentrated on the swirl of heat from the hearth, Kael decided to experiment with a faint spark of Fire. He had studied the interplay of the lamp's flame enough to guess how to conjure a tiny ember. Carefully, he drew a subtle wisp of Fire Mana from the residual heat in the coals.
It answered, flickering in his mind's eye. He coaxed it along, forging the shape of a tiny flame the size of a fingertip. In the real world, only a faint glow shimmered above his palm. Yet the effort felt monumental – a single slip might burn him or alert his parents with an unexpected flash.
[Notification: Minor Fire Channeling (Novice, Lv.1) Unlocked!]
A wave of elation surged through him. He let the miniature glow fade almost instantly, not daring to maintain it for more than a breath. The heat pricked his skin, yet no damage showed. So here, at last, was a new skill domain. Grateful for the success, he relaxed, cheeks warm from adrenaline.
An infant's squeal of delight escaped him – enough that Mother glanced up from across the room, curious. She smiled, seeing only that he seemed happy. "You're in a good mood this morning," she teased gently.
He responded with a giggle. Inside, he studied the new skill listing:
Status Window
Name: Kael Ashborne
Talent: SSS (Hidden)
Age: ~6 Months Old
Core Grade: Unawakened
Physique: Omni-Element Physique (Sealed)
Level: 1
Strength: 3
Intelligence: 10
Spirit: 10
Agility: 2
Constitution: 3
Skills:
Mana Sense (Novice, Lv.2)Minor Air Channeling (Novice, Lv.5)Minor Fire Channeling (Novice, Lv.1)
He drank in the sight of the newly added line. So it had begun: a second element now accessible in small measure. The listing was modest, but symbolic of how he could systematically gather the building blocks of multi-element fusion well before normal children would even awaken. He recognized the burden of caution. Any direct demonstration of Fire to his parents might spook them. For now, incremental training it would be.
Afternoon Interlude
That afternoon, Father was out delivering newly forged tools to a neighbor. Mother stepped out to gather fresh water from the well just behind the house. She laid Kael securely in a small cradle near the window, trusting him to remain safe for a brief moment while she retrieved the bucket. The open window let in a pleasant breeze and a view of the yard.
Kael seized the opportunity, focusing on the synergy between his existing Air skill and his new Fire ability. Could he warm the breeze slightly, creating a mild updraft? Gently, he invoked a thread of Minor Air Channeling, swirling it around the cradle. Then, with pinpoint caution, he introduced a spark of Fire into the swirl, aiming for a mild infusion of heat.
The results were immediate – the swirl took on a tiny swirl of warm air, rising in a subtle current that wafted across Kael's face. A sense of triumph coursed through him. Even such a mild effect confirmed synergy: Air + Fire. It was no grand Flame Cyclone, but the principle was there.
He watched as a stray piece of lint on the cradle's edge caught in the updraft, rising an inch before settling. His heart pounded in satisfaction. If he kept refining these micro-fusions, by the time he was physically able to stand, he might manage more advanced spells with minimal risk.
He ended the swirl just as he heard Mother's footsteps returning. The door opened, and she stepped in, placing a full bucket by the hearth.
"Still awake, my bright-eyed boy?" she said with a grin, noticing his alert expression. "I'll heat a bit of water for your evening wash soon."
He gave a soft coo, cherishing this quiet routine. Soon enough, the world would grow bigger and more perilous. For now, these small joys formed the bedrock of his new life.
Evening Whispers
As dusk arrived again, Father returned home with a small coin pouch, apparently paid for the forging job. The family shared a simple meal: hot porridge with bits of diced vegetables. Kael, cradled in Mother's lap, listened to the gentle banter. Father recounted how the orchard folk were still on alert for the wolf but had no new sightings. Then he mentioned:
"I heard talk from the traveling peddler that the next big festival in Ironspur is just a few months away. Might be a good time to see if we can pick up some special forging supplies. Maybe even a runic etcher, if our coin allows it."
Mother nodded, glancing at Kael. "We'll see. We've enough saved, but let's not forget the baby will need clothes for cooler weather soon."
Kael mused on the mention of Ironspur – a city known for advanced forging and the presence of dwarven artisans, if his distant memories served. Even though it was just idle conversation for them, for Kael it hinted at bigger horizons. One day, traveling there might open doors to new knowledge or skill crystals… or it might bring new dangers.
That night, as the family drifted to rest, Kael once again took the brief lull to practice. Safe in the hush of Mother's arms, he let his mind sink inward, cycling mana slowly. The day's gains – leveling Minor Air Channeling to 5, unlocking Minor Fire Channeling – buoyed him. He aimed for a gentle, rhythmic flow, hoping to refine the synergy between both elements even while half-asleep.
[Notification: +1 Spirit Through Diligent Night Practice!]
A faint pulse of warmth stirred in his core. He suppressed any outward reaction, mindful not to wake Mother. The hush of midnight embraced them, the house still save for Father's quiet snores. Kael realized that with each incremental step, his mana circuits grew more accustomed to channeling multiple elements. The hidden advantage of his Omni-Element Physique might not fully awaken yet, but the seeds were sprouting.
Subtle Shifts in the Village
In the week that followed, small changes rippled across Brightwood. The orchard families remained watchful for further beast trouble, though no sightings emerged. Merchants spoke of uneasy roads, pushing many to travel in groups. Father's forging schedule increased slightly as neighbors took precautions, ordering new gate latches or simple weapons.
For Kael, these changes underscored how swiftly small threats could alter daily life. People who once traveled alone now combined errands, forging a sense of communal defense. The talk of mana-infused beasts or mutated wolves grew more frequent, albeit often in hushed tones to avoid panic.
Meanwhile, Kael's personal training soared. Freed from suspicion (since no one believed a baby could manipulate mana), he advanced his micro-channels almost daily:
Minor Air Channeling edged toward a new threshold, letting him stir slight breezes at will.Minor Fire Channelingremained at Lv.1, but his comfort with coaxing a small flame or heat swirl grew steadily.
He considered dabbling in Earth or Water next, but decided to fully stabilize these first. The memory of Skill Dissonance and the advice from his past life reminded him: it was best to weave new elements with care, integrating them step by step. Even if he personally might be immune to meltdown, he didn't wish to risk an internal shock from poorly timed expansions.
A Glimpse of Tomorrow
Late one afternoon, as golden sunlight slanted across the dusty lane, a traveling mage passed through Brightwood. He wore simple robes but carried a small staff inlaid with runic etchings. Kael watched from Mother's arms at the doorway, enthralled by the faint aura swirling around the man. It was a presence he recognized from old memories – the signature of a mid-tier mage who had awakened an Orange or Yellow Core, bridging the gap between novices and advanced.
The mage politely inquired about lodging for the night. Mother directed him to a neighbor who sometimes rented a spare bed. In that brief exchange, Kael's senses brushed the edges of the man's aura, tasting the refined mana swirling in his core. It was the first time Kael had encountered an awakened mage beyond fleeting rumors. The moment filled him with an odd mixture of longing and determination.
One day, that might be him. Or rather, he would far surpass such levels. But for now, he was still a quiet child, forging secret steps toward what he hoped would be a bright future.
When the mage continued on his way, Kael felt a tiny pang of regret – he yearned to ask questions, compare notes, glean the world's state of magic. But that would have to wait. For now, he repeated to himself: steady. Each skill level gained, each synergy tested, would shape the foundation for the journey yet to come.
The Path Forward
On the eighth night after the orchard wolf incident, Kael found himself in a gentle half-sleep, lulled by the lullaby of the forge's dying embers. He drifted between memory and aspiration:
Memory of Aerion, once revered as a grand magus, forging alliances to seal the Abyss.Aspiration of Kael, an infant reborn, quietly harnessing multiple elements so he might protect family and the entire realm.
Amid that dreamy haze, a clarity formed: every small success – swirling air to shift a breeze, conjuring a glimmer of flame the size of a candle flame – was a building block for something grander. The wolf scare had proved how fragile safety could be. If such threats scaled in the future, he must be ready.
He breathed evenly, directing a calm pulse of mana in and out. The synergy between Air and Fire hummed in his center, stable but brimming with potential. With time, he could fold in Earth, Water, and eventually Light or Darkness, if his recollections of Omni-Element Physique held true. The promise of forging new spells – maybe even resurrecting lost arcana from his past life – spurred him on.
For now, though, his eyes drifted shut. Warmth from the hearth, mother's gentle presence, father's unwavering care – these formed a fortress of peace around him. One day he would stand as their shield in return. One day he would surpass even the might of Aerion. But for tonight, he embraced rest, letting the silent hum of mana guide him into the next dawn.
Thus, Chapter 8 drew to a close: Kael's journey of incremental mastery continued, hidden behind the guise of an infant's routine. Threats outside the village hinted at broader strife, while the local forging life anchored him in day-to-day realities. Each swirl of air, each flicker of fire, carried him closer to the destiny that awaited – an Ascendant path, begun in quiet secrecy.