A subdued calm settled over Greenwood Orchard in the aftermath of the direwolf crisis. Though sections of fence still bore scorch marks and makeshift braces, the once-constant terror had vanished. A small garrison arrived at dawn, dispatched by a nearby reeve, to patrol the orchard's boundaries. Under their watchful eyes, orchard hands finally dared to rest. In that lull, Kael Ashborne stood on the cusp of a new journey—one he had never imagined.

  THE OMNI PHYSIQUE RESURFACES

  Only days before—on the heels of his ninth birthday and the orchard's desperate final stand—Kael felt his Omni Elemental Physique flare back to life. For years, he had concealed his true abilities, letting orchard folk believe he was merely skilled with illusions and a minor synergy forging technique. But when the direwolf onslaught pushed Greenwood to the brink, Kael's forging synergy surged to the fore, revealing talents beyond illusion wards.

  In the frenzy following the alpha direwolf's defeat, Kael experienced an unsettling internal shift. One evening, alone in the barn loft, he had felt two new elemental sparks blaze to life inside him. His System conjured a sudden text overlay in his mind:

  System NotificationOmni Elemental Physique has reawakened fully!New Elements Unlocked: [Lightning Channeling], [Metal Channeling]

  A rush of crackling energy coursed through his arms, while a metallic resonance hummed in his core. Yet he told no one—not even Gethran, not his parents, not the orchard staff—afraid of revealing how truly extensive his synergy might be. Better they think he only wielded Fire, Earth, and Light, as glimpsed in the final battle.

  PRIVATE NOTIFICATIONS

  Late that same night, Kael lay on a hay-stuffed pallet, his heart hammering. Flickers of bluish sparks danced along his fingertips before fading. Another subtle ping echoed in his mind:

  System NotificationLightning Channeling Unlocked. Basic, Lv.1

  System NotificationMetal Channeling Unlocked. Basic, Lv.1

  Breathing tightly, Kael closed his eyes. No one must know. Not Gethran, who had documented the orchard's ordeal in hopes of finding Kael a mentor. Not his father, Joren, who fretted enough about his "new awakening." The orchard believed Kael's synergy forging included three elements—Fire, Earth, Light—all discovered after turning nine. Let them remain in the dark about lightning and metal. At least until he was certain how to control these new powers.

  A SMALL GARRISON

  Days later, six leather-armored soldiers arrived to secure the orchard's perimeter. They checked battered fence posts, nodded at Rowan's instructions, and set up a simple guard rotation. Their presence brought tangible relief. If any stray direwolf remnants prowled, the orchard needn't rely on Kael alone.

  At the barn entrance, Gethran quietly cornered Kael, brandishing a sealed parchment. "The orchard's safe enough that you can step away," he said. "A certain city mage—one of my trusted contacts—read my report on the orchard's forced-awakening crisis. He's intrigued by a 'child who awakened synergy so strongly right after his ninth birthday.'"

  Kael's pulse quickened. "The orchard is stable now, right? I can't just abandon them…"

  Gethran nodded. "They've endured the worst. The garrison should keep any stray beasts at bay. Meanwhile, a mentor in the capital is prepared to evaluate you. I understand your father's worry, but—"

  "I'll go," Kael said quietly, though his heart twisted. He glanced at his calloused palms, recalling the new lightning sparks and metal pulses he dared not display. If any advanced forging master could teach him to harness these two hidden channels, it might be worth it.

  DECISION TO DEPART

  That morning, in the barn's loft, Gethran, Rowan, Joren, and Brynn gathered to discuss orchard supply lines, fence repairs, and Kael's next steps. Kael stood off to one side, half-listening, mind racing with thoughts of synergy forging beyond illusions.

  Rowan tapped a list. "We're short on nails and posts, but the orchard staff can handle it—especially now that we have guards. Kael's forging synergy helped us get this far, but… he's awakened far beyond simple orchard forging."

  Brynn nodded, massaging the bandaged ribs he'd acquired from the alpha. "You saved us, lad. Time you saw real forging masters, if that's what's offered."

  Joren managed a wry smile. "I'd hoped you'd stay longer, but the orchard can't hold you. We all saw how you awakened just after your birthday. We can't teach advanced synergy on a battered farm."

  Kael exhaled. "I only did what I had to," he murmured, echoing the orchard's belief that he awakened from near-zero synergy to three-element forging. They mustn't guess about the hidden lightning or metal channels waiting beneath the surface.

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  UNSEEN RARE ELEMENTS

  The orchard suspected Fire, Earth, and Light synergy from Kael, as those were the most visible in the siege's final hours. Gethran himself had vaguely hinted that Kael might harbor multiple elements—he'd seen glimmers of synergy well beyond illusions. But no one officially suspected the additional Lightning or Metal. Kael carefully avoided letting stray sparks or metallic resonance slip out in front of orchard folk, attributing any anomalies to forging "accidents." If forced to demonstrate synergy, he stuck to Fire, Earth, or Light.

  Meanwhile, in private moments, Kael tested small pulses of Lightning synergy, feeling the faint crackle in his palms. He also coaxed trickles of Metal synergy when working with iron scraps, marveling at how the ore responded to his forging channel like living clay. But he kept it hidden. No one at Greenwood would learn these secrets yet.

  A MODEST FAREWELL

  Word soon spread that Kael and Gethran would depart for the city. Rowan, eager to mark the occasion, hosted a simple midday gathering in the barn courtyard. Orchard workers brought whatever they could spare: steaming vegetable stew, stale bread softened in broth, and a small bowl of bruised apples. Leaning on a new makeshift cane, Brynn raised a cup.

  "To Kael—the orchard's salvation!"

  Laughter rippled. Even the garrison soldiers joined in. Kael accepted their gratitude shyly, swallowing the knot in his throat. He caught sight of Joren and Meria, standing close together, both proud and somber. Meria pressed a travel cloak into Kael's hands. "For the road," she said, voice low. "Nights can be cold."

  Kael nodded, blinking back emotion. "Thank you, Mother."

  One orchard worker slipped him a small forged pendant, etched with a crude protective rune. Another offered a leather bracer. Each token glowed with heartfelt thanks. Illusions had once protected this orchard—now synergy forging overshadowed them, ensuring Greenwood's future safety.

  FINAL WORDS FROM FAMILY

  After the meal, Kael stepped aside with Joren, who studied his son's face. "Son, you awakened so early—your forging synergy soared beyond orchard means. But be cautious. The city can be… complicated."

  Kael forced a half-smile. "I promise I'll keep my head down." He might have to keep Lightning and Metal synergy hidden until he found a true mentor to guide him in their use.

  Meria wrapped him in a brief hug. "We'll rebuild the orchard. Don't worry about us. Focus on your forging skills and—whatever else you discover."

  Kael's chest tightened. If only they knew about the new channels stirring inside him. But it was better they remain oblivious for now, safe from prying influences who might exploit a multi-element prodigy.

  FINAL PREPARATIONS & DEPARTURE

  By late afternoon, Gethran shouldered his own travel pack. "We'll follow the west road, possibly passing a few villages. The capital's still some distance away, but there's no rush—except for the mentor who's quite eager to see you."

  Kael glanced around, heart heavy. Orchard workers paused from mending fences to wave, or to shout a last encouragement. He caught Rowan's eye, who nodded. Brynn raised a hand in a stiff salute. Joren and Meria stood at the orchard gate, arms around each other.

  "Good luck, Kael," Rowan called. "Return when you can."

  Brynn winked. "Don't let city forging overshadow your orchard roots, lad."

  Joren pressed his lips together. "Be safe. Show them how a Greenwood forger stands tall."

  Kael inclined his head, overwhelmed by the orchard's warmth. Then Gethran tugged lightly on his sleeve, and they crossed beyond the old wooden gate—still bearing scratches from direwolf claws. The orchard staff offered a final cheer, then turned back to work.

  BEYOND THE GATE

  A short distance down the dusty road, Kael halted to glance back at Greenwood. Gethran paused too, letting him take a last look at battered fences and watchtowers. Soldiers strolled the perimeter, orchard folk hammered planks, and the hush of dusk settled over the fields. This orchard had been his entire world, illusions to forging wards, but now…

  "All right," Kael said softly, turning to Gethran. "You mentioned a city mentor who read your forced-awakening report?"

  Gethran nodded. "Yes. He's well-known, though not everyone admires his methods. But he's trustworthy enough—and exceptionally skilled. He was intrigued by your record of forging synergy in multiple elements. Officially, that's Fire, Earth, and Light. Let's keep it that way, hm?"

  Kael swallowed, recalling the tingle of electricity and silent hum of metal synergy he'd practiced alone. "Understood. I won't reveal more. Not yet."

  Satisfied, Gethran started walking. "Then let's be off. Once we arrive, we'll see how advanced forging or synergy masters can refine your potential. A nine-year-old who awakened so strongly? Your future is bright."

  OMNI PHYSIQUE CONFIRMED

  They trekked in companionable silence until twilight. As they passed an abandoned roadside shrine, Kael slowed to retrieve a flask of water from his pack. He cast one last inward glance at the swirling synergy channels in his core, half-expecting a new notification to appear. Though none came, the resonance of Lightning and Metal still pulsed within him, Basic and untested.

  He breathed a quiet thanks for his newly reactivated Omni Physique—the orchard's illusions behind him, synergy forging and multi-element mastery ahead. If illusions had saved Greenwood once, synergy forging would shape his destiny now.

  STATUS SCREEN

  Name: Kael AshborneAge: 9Talent: SSS (Hidden)Core Grade: Red (Peak) — nearing OrangeLevel: 13EXP: 200 / 3500Free Attribute Points: 0

  Attributes:

  Strength: 30 (+1 from sustained forging tasks and discreet physical drills) Agility: 10 Constitution: 29 Intelligence:36 Spirit: 53

  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)

  (Secretly Unrevealed:)

  Lightning Channeling (Basic, Lv.1)Metal Channeling (Basic, 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)

  Author Note: Thus ends Kael's time at Greenwood Orchard, where illusions once kept danger at bay but have been far surpassed by his awakened synergy forging. With the orchard finally stable under a garrison's protection and Kael's Omni Physique granting him two secretly unlocked elements—Lightning and Metal—he embarks for the capital. There, a renowned mentor awaits, unaware of Kael's hidden SSS-level potential. Thank you for journeying with Kael through the orchard's darkest hours—Volume 2 will follow Kael's entry into a broader world new friendships, and the looming revelation of his true abilities!