The faint glow of dawn crept over Greenwood Orchard's battered fences. Smoke still drifted from last night's torches, and the tang of blood lingered in the chilly air. Kael Ashborne braced one hand on the barn wall, forcing his breathing to steady. He could feel every muscle protesting the long nights of near-constant battle.
And, ironically, this was supposed to be the day after his ninth birthday. Of course, no one in the orchard had the energy to celebrate; today might well decide whether Greenwood survived at all.
Quiet Allocation
Despite the orchard's uneasy hush, Kael knew he needed every edge. His Status Window flickered in his mind's eye. Over the last days, he'd held onto several unspent attribute points—five from leveling up to 13 during the fierce wolf battles. Now, with the orchard teetering on collapse, there was no reason to hoard them further.
He closed his eyes, centering his mana flow:
Status Window
Name: Kael Ashborne
Age: 9
Talent: SSS (Hidden)
Core Grade: Red (Peak)
Level: 13
EXP: 200 / 3500
Free Attribute Points: 5
Attributes:
Strength: 29 Agility: 10 Constitution: 26 Intelligence: 36 Spirit: 50
Trait:
Sage's Insight (Passive – advanced synergy & forging comprehension)
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.3)Ember Bolt (Intermediate, Lv.2)Stone Shield (Intermediate, Lv.1)Windflare Alarm (Intermediate, Lv.1)Warmth Ward (Basic, Lv.5)Phantom Veil (Basic, Lv.5)Static Lash (Basic, Lv.2)
Kael inhaled slowly, then allocated his 5 free attribute points. He'd considered spreading them out, but with the orchard in danger, physical resilience and synergy output seemed paramount. A swift mental nudge sent them into Constitutionand Spirit:
+2 to Constitution+3 to Spirit
A refreshing tingle coursed through his body, as though his muscles and mana reserves both thickened slightly. The mental swirl of synergy stabilized. No external sign betrayed this moment, but Kael felt distinctly stronger—fitter, readier to face what lay ahead.
System NotificationThrough attribute point allocation, Constitution increased by +2, Spirit increased by +3.
He clenched his fists experimentally. That might help.
A heartbeat later, Rowan's anxious shout broke the stillness.
Dire News at Dawn
"Kael! Over here!" came Rowan's voice, strained but urgent. Kael hurried toward the orchard fence line, weaving around half-collapsed posts. A cluster of orchard men, plus Gethran the scholar, peered out at the mist-shrouded field.
Brynn, arms still bandaged, let out a soft curse. "They're massing again," he said in a taut whisper.
Indeed, across the orchard's boundary, Kael glimpsed dozens of wolf-like silhouettes weaving among the trees. Their eyes glowed malevolently in the half-light, reflecting the mutated hunger that came from forced awakening. And at their center stood a form far larger than any normal direwolf: the alpha.
A chill settled in Kael's stomach. So they intend one final push. The orchard's illusions had held smaller packs at bay, but the alpha's cunning would see through illusions eventually. More than that, it had tested them all week.
And Kael realized, this day might be our last.
Tensions Boil Over
Rowan turned to address the defenders. "All right, everyone. This is it. That beast has gathered the remainder of its pack. If we don't break them now, we won't last another night."
"I'll stand with you," Joren said hoarsely, stepping forward despite the bandage on his left arm. "We can't let this orchard become a grave."
Baret and Torik tightened their grips on makeshift spears. Brynn adjusted the brace around his ribs. Even Gethran, typically a scholar rather than a frontline fighter, looked resolute with a small arcane ward clutched in one palm.
Kael exhaled quietly, scanning the group's tired faces. "We have to keep them from swarming us on every side. Gethran, can you cast a short-range ward on the orchard's flanks? I'll handle illusions on the weaker fence line."
Gethran nodded. "Yes, though my wards are limited. Let's move quickly."
And so the orchard men dispersed, each assigned to a vantage or barricade. Kael hurried toward the southwestern boundary, where only two half-rotted fence posts still stood. If illusions were going to help for one final time, he'd best lay them swiftly.
A Subtle "Awakening"
As Kael hammered a synergy-laced plate into a precarious post, he felt the orchard's collective tension reach a fever pitch. The mutated wolves were on the move, slipping closer. A tangle of soft growls and shifting shadows. The alpha's silhouette was enormous—even from afar, it seemed to tower over the orchard.
A jolt of adrenaline coursed through Kael. He recalled Gethran's earlier remark that day: "If only your synergy forging matched the illusions, we might stand a chance." Indeed, illusions alone wouldn't suffice. And now that he'd officiallyturned nine yesterday, the orchard staff would not be entirely shocked if he "suddenly awakened" under duress.
I guess I must give them the spectacle they expect…
Furtively, Kael steadied his staff. He would "display" a newly awakened synergy surge. Even if he'd truly awakened at age six in secret, letting the orchard see that "Kael awakened under crisis at age nine" might preserve his deeper secrets while still unleashing advanced power.
The Wolves' Charge
Before he could finalize that thought, a deep snarl thundered across the orchard. The alpha direwolf emerged from the treeline, flanked by at least twenty spined outriders. With shocking speed, they raced toward the orchard's battered barricades. At the same time, a second cluster of smaller wolves darted around the orchard's north fence, jaws snapping. The orchard men cried out, scrambling to hold positions.
"Form up!" Rowan yelled, spear leveled. "Stand your ground!"
Spears braced, orchard workers yelled in unison, but the pack slammed into the fence line like a living battering ram. Wood splintered under the onslaught. Baret staggered as a wolf lunged at him, jaws wide; he managed to stab it with a pitchfork, sending it reeling. Torik took aim with a crossbow, releasing a bolt that dropped another outrider mid-leap.
Yet the alpha advanced unimpeded, its massive paws crushing a ragged fence post. The orchard watchers recoiled, awe and terror mingling in their eyes. No illusions would fool that beast any longer—it had seen too many of Kael's tricks.
Kael's Supposed "New Awakening"
Kael inhaled. Now.
He let the illusions fade. Phantom Veil glimmered faintly, then winked out. Orchard defenders blinked, startled at the abrupt disappearance of the ghostly illusions. The alpha direwolf turned its blazing eyes on Kael, seemingly aware he was the key to these runic wards.
In that instant, Kael deliberately uncloaked a portion of his synergy aura. Fiery arcs danced around his staff, and a swirl of earthen motes rose around his feet. To onlookers, it looked like a sudden, new blossoming of magical power—the hallmark of an actual Awakening.
"His mana core—?" Joren gasped, stumbling back in shock.
Rowan's eyes widened. "That boy… he's only nine! We thought… my gods, he's awakening now?!"
Some orchard men froze, stunned. Even Gethran appeared momentarily speechless, runic wards half-forgotten in his grasp.
Kael feigned breathlessness, staff shaking in his grip. "I—I can feel it…" he murmured loudly enough for those nearby to hear. "The synergy… father, I… awakened…!"
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A hush fell, but only for a heartbeat. Then the alpha direwolf roared, bounding forward.
A Surging Display of Power
Kael steadied himself, channeling Earth synergy in a direct, open manner—something he'd carefully hidden before. Now, lumps of dirt erupted from the ground, forming a partial earthen barrier. The alpha slammed into it, scattering clods of soil in all directions, but it slowed the beast's advance.
At the same time, Kael conjured a swirl of Fire synergy around his staff: Ember Bolt crackled in a visible arc of flame. Orchard folk gawked at the boy openly wielding two elements at once.
He aimed at a mutated outrider lunging at Baret from the flank. Thump— a blazing bolt streaked through the air, striking the wolf square in the chest. The creature howled, collapsing in a swirl of cinders.
"Sweet heavens, Kael!" Baret exclaimed, half-breathless.
Another outrider tried to leap over the earthen barrier to strike Rowan. Kael pivoted, channeling Earth synergy again. Earthen Snare whipped up from the soft soil, clamping the wolf's hind legs. Rowan seized the opening, driving a spear through its neck.
The orchard men, hearts pounding, began to rally around Kael's newly revealed synergy. Cheers mingled with shocked exclamations.
Battling the Colossal Alpha
Meanwhile, the alpha direwolf was far from idle. It tore through the remains of the earthen barrier, scattering orchard defenders. Its blazing amber eyes locked on Kael, as if recognizing him as the orchard's core defender.
"Watch out!" Brynn yelled, wincing from the pain in his ribs as he tried to intercept.
With a savage roar, the alpha lunged. Kael's spine tingled under that oppressive aura. He poured synergy into his staff, forging a quick Stone Shield to block the beast's snapping jaws. The shield formed a thick slab of compressed earth. The alpha collided with it, cracks spiderwebbing across the shield's surface.
The impact nearly knocked Kael off balance, but he grit his teeth and shoved. The shield shattered a moment later, but its presence had diverted the alpha's lethal strike. Snarling, the beast reared up, swiping a massive paw. Kael ducked aside, feeling the rush of air as claws raked empty space.
The Orchard's Fierce Counter
Rowan, Joren, and several orchard men capitalized on that moment. They thrust spears at the alpha's flank. Though its hide was unnaturally tough, a few jabs managed to draw dark blood. The alpha roared and turned on them.
Kael seized the opening. For a fleeting moment, he considered illusions—but no, illusions wouldn't fool a beast this cunning, and he was "officially awakened" now. Better to channel synergy forging at maximum.
He hammered the butt of his staff into the ground, letting Earth synergy surge outward in a broad Earthen Snare. The earth rippled under the alpha's hind legs, tangling them in thick roots of compressed soil. The direwolf snarled, struggling mightily as orchard men hammered spearpoints into its sides.
Yet the alpha would not go down easily. With a ferocious roar, it tore free of the snare, its eyes blazing. A single swipe of its paw flung two defenders backward. Joren and Rowan stumbled away, nearly losing their weapons.
Breakthrough in Crisis
Kael's heart pounded. We have to end this—or we'll lose too many. He saw orchard men battered, some lying motionless. Gethran was crouched near a half-felled tree, preparing to toss a minor ward. Brynn forced himself forward again, ignoring the pain in his ribs.
"Keep pressure on it!" Kael shouted.
Summoning every ounce of synergy, he conjured a double-element strike. Fire coursed along his staff, forming another Ember Bolt, while Earth synergy gathered underfoot to steady his stance. Then, something new flickered across his core—a deeper resonance, as if the synergy forging that he'd been practicing all year was about to crest.
He felt an almost electric surge. Is this the threshold to Orange? Not yet, but— he forced it under control, remembering his vow to remain subtle. Instead, he unleashed a robust Ember Bolt, letting it sizzle across the alpha's shoulder. The fur seared, and a pained roar tore from the direwolf's throat.
At that moment, orchard men saw Kael's synergy swirling around him in a swirl of dust and flame, an awe-inspiring sight for a newly "awakened" nine-year-old. Gasps sounded. Even Gethran's eyes widened in astonishment.
Driving Off the Beast
With the alpha partially burned and bleeding from multiple spear wounds, the orchard defenders rallied. Brynn limped close enough to land a hatchet blow on the wolf's right flank. Joren and Rowan coordinated spear thrusts at its hindquarters. Baret fired a crossbow bolt that sank into its side.
Snarling in rage, the alpha realized it was dangerously outnumbered in its weakened state. It whirled, massive jaws snapping, scattering men who tried to corner it. Then, with a guttural roar that reverberated across the orchard, it bolted—leaping clear of the fence line in two bounds and crashing away into the gloom.
For several tense seconds, orchard men stood panting, weapons raised, half-expecting the beast to wheel back. But the alpha did not return. Through the drifting morning mist, the monstrous wolf shape vanished into the forest.
In the hush that followed, a ragged cheer erupted from those defenders still on their feet. They had survived. The alpha direwolf and its savage pack—what remained of them—were gone, at least for now. Greenwood Orchard, battered and bleeding, yet lived.
Aftershocks of Awe
Kael slowly lowered his staff. His synergy aura dimmed, but orchard eyes were locked on him. Joren set down his spear, staggering to Kael's side. "Son, you—" He clutched Kael's arm, voice thick with a mix of pride and disbelief. "Y-you awakened… truly awakened."
Breathing hard, Kael nodded, carefully wearing an expression of shocked wonder. "I—I felt it last night… but it only fully manifested now, Father."
Rowan, still trembling from the alpha's last charge, gazed at Kael. "Gods, boy. Nine-year-olds… even prodigies typically need a few months after nine for an Awakening. You—"
Another orchard worker chimed in, "He saved us. Did you see him handle that synergy?! That's—like a trained mage."
Gethran limped over, runic parchment half-rolled. "This is a phenomenon indeed…" he murmured, eyes flicking between Kael and the bloodstained ground where the alpha stood moments before. "I've read about early awakenings at nine, but so swiftly, so strongly… You're living proof, Kael."
Kael bowed his head slightly, feigning exhaustion and humility. "I—I just did what I could to protect everyone."
Under normal circumstances, orchard folk might have hounded him with endless questions. But they were too drained and too relieved that the monstrous alpha was gone. Instead, a wave of raw gratitude swept through them. Some orchard men patted Kael's shoulder, others dabbed tears or collapsed where they stood, letting out ragged breaths of relief.
The Orchard's Final Victory
In the aftermath, Kael joined the orchard men in checking on the wounded. Brynn, moaning about his ribs, tried to wave Kael off but accepted help in bandaging a fresh scratch. Joren and Rowan found Baret unconscious from a blow to the head but alive. They propped him against a fence post, ensuring he'd recover with some rest.
Gethran carefully inspected the orchard perimeter. "They're truly gone… no sign of stragglers," he reported, voice still laced with caution. "Likely the alpha retreated to nurse its wounds. It won't be back soon."
A hush of cautious hope settled over Greenwood Orchard. For days, they had teetered on the brink; now, at last, the monstrous threat receded. No one dared call it a permanent victory—wolves might return, or the alpha might find new minions. But for now, the orchard breathed free.
A Reason for Awe
As orchard workers gathered near the barn, Gethran cleared his throat. He turned to Kael, expression solemn. "Young man, I doubt many realize the significance of what transpired here. To awaken synergy so soon after turning nine… that's no small footnote."
Rowan and a few others nodded vigorously. Indeed, the orchard had heard rumors of city scions awakening at age nine or ten, but rarely with such immediate mastery. Brynn scratched his chin in wonder. "We saw illusions from you before, but this… this synergy forging in open combat was beyond illusions, lad."
Kael offered a small, sheepish smile, as though overwhelmed by his own prowess. Inside, he carefully regulated his breathing to hide any sign that he'd truly awakened years before.
Joren's voice was thick with emotion. "If you have awakened, truly awakened, then… the orchard can't hold you forever. We're only a small village. You—" He paused, swallowing. "You might be destined for bigger things, son."
Kael glimpsed the mixture of pride and sadness in his father's gaze. He was reminded of the vow he'd once made to protect these people. Even if it meant stepping onto a larger stage eventually, this orchard would always be where his second life's roots lay.
Aftermath & Relief
Rowan, seating himself on a broken barrel, motioned for quiet. "Let's tend to our wounded and fortify what's left of the barn. The alpha might be gone for now, but we can't leave ourselves unguarded."
The orchard men nodded. Gethran mopped sweat from his brow, speaking more softly to Kael. "I'll see that a more official mage or city guard is summoned. After witnessing your synergy… well, the orchard mustn't rely on you alone forever."
Kael nodded gratefully. He cast a final glance at the orchard's perimeter. The battered fences, the churned earth, and the scattered carcasses of lesser wolves told the story of a siege that had nearly broken them. Yet they had emerged alive—due in large part to illusions and forging synergy, culminating in Kael's public "awakening."
A Private Resolution
Later, as the orchard men dispersed to do triage and repairs, Kael found himself alone beside the old watchtower rubble. The distant sun had risen fully, painting the orchard in soft gold. Though the orchard was ravaged, the morning warmth carried a surprising hopefulness.
He closed his eyes, feeling the synergy swirling beneath his core. So they believe I awakened just now. He recalled the orchard staff's stunned faces, their cheers as he repelled the alpha with open synergy. That had been the final big push illusions could provide; from here on, forging synergy would take precedence in his growth. But illusions had served well, saving lives when the orchard needed them.
He also sensed a subtle thickening in his Red core, as though it verged on truly tipping into Orange. But not quite—he had to remain discreet, or else curiosity about an Orange-grade synergy user at age nine might draw too many prying eyes. This was enough for now.
We've survived, Kael thought with relief. He might have lost a real childhood birthday, overshadowed by blood and fur, but he'd gained something else: the orchard was safe, and the watchers believed in his newly awakened power. It was the perfect cover story to explain future feats.
A New Dawn
At midday, the orchard's battered defenders convened for a meager shared meal in the barn's courtyard. Though many were still wounded, spirits had lifted. Men exchanged relieved handshakes, some slumping in exhaustion. Brynn managed to grin around the pain, calling it "the orchard's luck" that the alpha fled. Rowan corrected him: "No, it's Kael's synergy that did it."
Joren, standing beside Kael with bandaged arm, addressed them. "A day ago, we were certain we'd be overrun. Now, that monstrous pack is in retreat. Let's not forget the cost, but let's also be thankful." His voice choked slightly. "And this lad… my son… awakened to synergy just in time to shield us. Let's never forget that."
Applause broke out from the weary orchard staff. Kael blushed, bowing his head as if modestly. Inside, he steeled himself. This public "awakened" identity was a new page in Greenwood's history. People would whisper about a nine-year-old who conjured advanced synergy. Gethran's messenger would likely spread word to the city. Everything was changing.
But for now, Kael took comfort in the orchard's survival. The alpha direwolf might lurk beyond the treeline, licking its wounds, but it wouldn't be returning soon. The orchard had staved off the unthinkable, rallying behind Kael's synergy forging. No illusions would overshadow that truth anymore.
Name: Kael Ashborne
Age: 9
Talent: SSS (Hidden)
Core Grade: Red (Peak) — near Orange
Level: 13
EXP: 200 / 3500
Free Attribute Points: 0 (allocated)
Attributes:
Strength: 29 Agility: 10 Constitution: 28 (+2 from allocation) Intelligence: 36 Spirit: 53 (+3 from allocation)
Trait: Sage's Insight (Advanced synergy & forging comprehension)
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.3)Ember Bolt (Intermediate, Lv.2)Stone Shield (Intermediate, Lv.1)Windflare Alarm (Intermediate, Lv.1)Warmth Ward (Basic, Lv.5)Phantom Veil (Basic, Lv.5)Static Lash (Basic, Lv.2)
No new level-up occurred this battle, though Kael's synergy illusions and forging acts proved decisive. The orchard folk now believe he awakened just after his ninth birthday, never suspecting the full truth of a far earlier—and far more profound—awakening.
