The early morning sun peeked over rolling fields as Kael and Gethran stepped beyond the outskirts of Greenwood Orchard. Behind them, the orchard's fences—scorched and patched by frantic repairs—slowly receded into the hazy distance. Days ago, that battered land had been Kael's entire world. Now, with a modest travel pack on his shoulders and renewed determination in his heart, he was leaving Greenwood behind.

  He cast one last glance at the orchard's gate, where he'd shared emotional farewells with his parents, Joren and Meria, and with Rowan, Brynn, and the other orchard staff who had become like family. Only Gethran accompanied him now—just two figures walking a winding dirt road heading west, toward distant townships and eventually the capital. Kael inhaled a lungful of crisp air, half-nodding to himself. The orchard was safe, guarded by a small garrison. The orchard no longer needed his constant vigilance. And so, he took his first true step into the vast unknown.

  A QUIET, UNEASY ROAD

  For the first hour, Kael and Gethran walked in comfortable silence, boots crunching on the road's dusty surface. The scholar had donned a plain traveler's cloak, within which he hid small bundles of notes and runic references. Kael noticed Gethran's watchful gaze lingering on him from time to time, as though measuring how a nine-year-old fared on such a journey.

  Eventually, Gethran broke the silence. "We'll pass two or three hamlets before we reach the next sizable town. There might be a place to restock forging materials or find lodging, but nothing grand."

  Kael nodded, adjusting the strap of his pack. He had grown used to wearing forging aprons and carrying runic tools in the orchard, but now he was traveling light, with only bare essentials. The orchard had gifted him a small supply of ore scraps and basic runic chalk in case he needed to craft or repair items along the way. "I'd like to see any local forging stands," he said quietly. "I can't claim to be advanced, but orchard forging is all I know. The city is going to be on a different level."

  A hint of a smile curved Gethran's lips. "Then keep your eyes open. Even a modest roadside forge might offer new perspectives. Remember that the forging knowledge you do have is quite impressive for your age—just…understate your progress. We don't want undue attention."

  Kael exhaled softly, reminded once more of the need to hide certain truths. In the orchard, folks believed he had awakened right after his birthday with three elements: Earth, Fire, and Light. Even they did not fully realize that he could handle more. In truth, Kael possessed all five common elements plus two newly-stirred rare ones, but that secret was safer locked away.

  AN AWKWARD ENCOUNTER

  Before midday, they crossed paths with a pair of traveling merchants leading a small donkey cart. The merchants halted upon seeing Gethran's scholarly attire and Kael's youthful face.

  "Morning, travelers," said one merchant, tipping his hat. "Strange times lately—any troubles on the road from Greenwood?"

  Gethran shook his head. "All quiet behind us. We're headed west. You?"

  "Headed east, hoping to peddle wares. Heard Greenwood orchard was nearly destroyed by monstrous wolves." The merchant glanced at Kael. "Rumor says a nine-year-old awakened multiple elements to drive them back?"

  Kael's heart skipped, but he forced a composed nod. "I—I was there, yes. The orchard was battered, but it stands. The garrison's presence keeps it safe."

  The merchant let out a low whistle. "Stories abound that a young forger from Greenwood performed runic feats beyond normal kids." His eyes flicked curiously over Kael, but Gethran interjected with a friendly smile.

  "Tall tales tend to get bigger with each retelling," the scholar said, guiding Kael away. "Safe travels, my friend."

  They parted ways quickly. Kael felt a flush in his cheeks, uneasy at how swiftly rumors spread. If random merchants already chattered about a 'miracle orchard child,' the capital might have an even bigger appetite for such news. He risked a glance at Gethran, who gave him a gentle shrug.

  "You see why we remain low-key," the scholar murmured. "No need to stoke the flames."

  Kael simply nodded. The orchard crisis left him no choice but to reveal part of his ability—he couldn't regret saving lives. But an uneasy feeling lingered. If forced awakenings were part of a conspiracy, some unknown faction might take interest in a boy rumored to handle multiple elements so soon after turning nine.

  A SHORT REST AND REFLECTION

  By noon, they stopped in a small clearing under a lone oak tree. Gethran doled out simple rations: bread, a few strips of dried meat, and water from a flask. Kael wolfed down the meal, hunger stirred by hours of walking. As he ate, he rolled his shoulders, working out knots in his muscles. A dull ache told him how physically unaccustomed he was to a long trek. The orchard had tested him in forging and elemental manipulation—but it had rarely required him to walk so far at once.

  After the meal, Kael politely excused himself, stepping behind the tree to do some quick stretches and squats. Physical conditioning had become part of his daily habit—a vow to push every aspect of his strength. He sank into a half-dozen push-ups, mind drifting to the orchard's final battle. If not for illusions and runic forging—no, he corrected himself: illusions were overshadowed now. He had advanced in forging, in elemental manipulation. That was the path forward. Strength of body and mind, tempered by runic craft.

  By the time he completed his sets, sweat dampened his brow, but a certain satisfaction welled in his chest.

  System NotificationThrough sustained physical training, you have gained +1 Constitution.

  A gentle warmth coursed through him. His Constitution edged higher, fortifying his stamina. Standing, Kael smiled faintly to himself. Even small progress counted.

  FIRST GLIMPSE OF A MUTATED BEAST

  They resumed their journey, the dirt road curving through lightly wooded terrain. Dusk approached earlier than Kael expected as dark clouds gathered. Gethran suggested they find shelter, possibly a roadside inn, but the next hamlet remained another two hours away. They pushed on.

  An hour into twilight, Kael's senses prickled. Something moved amid the underbrush, a shape distinctly larger than a fox or normal forest creature. He tugged at Gethran's sleeve, tilting his head toward the thick brambles. Soft snarling rose, low and menacing.

  "I'll check," Kael whispered. He set down his pack gently, stepping forward with practiced caution. The orchard battles had taught him to remain calm. With a wave of his hand, he gathered Earth mana around his feet, ready to cast a familiar technique if needed.

  A flash of glowing eyes parted the bushes, revealing a lithe, vulpine figure—mottled fur spiked unnaturally, faint runic lines scarring its hide. Kael's pulse leaped. It reeked of forced-awakening traces, the same phenomenon that plagued Greenwood's direwolves. The fox-like beast barred sharp teeth, letting out a rasping snarl as it lunged.

  Kael reacted instantly, channeling Earth to snare the beast. "Earthen Snare!" he called, slamming his palm to the ground. A swirl of hardened soil erupted around the vulpine's paws.

  System NotificationEarthen Snare has advanced to Intermediate, Lv.4.

  Earthen tendrils seized the creature's limbs. The mutated fox hissed, writhing. Kael decided to end it swiftly—he flooded Fire mana into his palm, forming a blazing projectile. "Ember Bolt!"

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  A small gout of flame streaked forward, striking the fox's exposed flank. With a yelp, it collapsed, thrashing only momentarily before lying still. Kael exhaled, letting the Earth manipulation recede.

  System NotificationEmber Bolt has advanced to Intermediate, Lv.3.

  He approached carefully, verifying the beast was indeed dead. It bore half-burned runic scarring across its neck—horrible proof that someone had tampered with its body. Gethran joined him, frowning at the symbols.

  "You see these forced lines? An ugly brand that's consistent with rumors we found near Greenwood," Gethran said grimly. "At least we prevented it from harming travelers."

  Kael nodded, unsettled. The orchard's forced-awakening crisis wasn't an isolated event. If mutated beasts prowled even small roads far from Greenwood, the problem was broader than expected.

  A faint swirl of violet residue clung to the corpse before fading. Gethran, ever the scholar, scribbled notes on parchment. Meanwhile, Kael felt an ephemeral surge in his being as though the system recognized the beast's defeat.

  System Notification+150 EXP gained for defeating mutated vulpine beast.(Total EXP: 350/3500)

  He said nothing about the system message, simply retrieving a short knife to cut away a small patch of fur. "I'll study the symbols if that's all right," he murmured. Gethran nodded. The two shared a solemn glance: more evidence forced awakenings plagued the land.

  A NEW SPELL: EARTHEN FLAME PATCH

  Night settled fully by the time Kael and Gethran decided to camp off-road. They found a small clearing behind a ring of boulders, partially shielding them from wind. Gethran pitched a simple canvas shelter. Kael rummaged through his pack, retrieving a battered forging plate. An idea burned in his mind—to combine Earth and Fire in a new, ground-based technique. He'd tried pairing them casually in orchard fights, but not in a carefully structured form. The orchard battles had taught him synergy between Earth and Fire could yield potent traps.

  He began by channeling Earth mana, shaping it into a low, flat ring on the ground. Next, he wove Fire mana inside the ring, letting it smolder like hidden coals. Carefully, he tested the effect, stepping back as the patch radiated faint heat from below.

  When he triggered it, a sudden burst of flame erupted from the circle, scorching the grass in a short radius. The ring died down quickly, leaving a circular scorch mark.

  Gethran peered over with curiosity. "Experimenting with Earth-Fire combos?"

  Kael nodded, excitement dancing in his eyes. "I call it… 'Earthen Flame Patch.' A basic trap that ignites from the ground up."

  He knelt, refining the shape. The second attempt soared more smoothly, forming a stable ring of hot ash that flared on command. Sweat beaded on his forehead, a testament to the mental effort of melding two elements precisely. But the result felt like a brand-new spell—a simple, hidden hazard that could snare or repel unsuspecting foes.

  System NotificationNew Spell Acquired: "Earthen Flame Patch" (Basic, Lv.1).

  Kael smiled to himself. Another stepping stone to mastery.

  NIGHTTIME FORGING

  Dinner was sparse—dried rations and a small hot brew Gethran concocted. But Kael wasn't quite ready to sleep. He lit a small portable brazier near the boulders, rummaging through the scrap ore he'd brought from the orchard. Memory flickered of forging plates back home, runic wards hammered into orchard fences. Perhaps tonight he could attempt something modest: a HeatRune Plate that provided mild warmth, suitable for travelers.

  He measured lumps of iron, placed them in a small iron pot near the brazier, and invoked Fire to heat them. Gethran looked on, scribbling notes by lantern light. Once the metal softened, Kael used a traveling hammer to flatten it out on a stone, carefully scratching runic lines with a sharpened chisel. He etched a combination of Earth grounding runes and Fire warming runes, chanting softly under his breath.

  For half an hour, he labored, occasionally wincing as sparks danced around the plate. At one point, the runic lines threatened to crack, forcing him to realign the Earth runes. He remained calm, drawing on orchard forging knowledge. Slowly, the forging stabilized, and an almost gentle radiance glowed from the plate's surface. When he lifted it, the plate emanated steady heat—enough to warm a small tent without direct flame.

  Breathing heavily, Kael grinned at the finished item. "It's crude, but it works. A traveler's warm plate."

  Gethran nodded, impressed. "You pick up forging intricacies fast. That orchard forging background served you well."

  System NotificationSuccessfully Forged Item: "HeatRune Plate." +100 EXP.(Total EXP: 450/3500)

  Kael felt a faint surge of accomplishment. He'd begun truly melding the orchard's forging knowledge with what he gleaned about layering runes. The forging hammered home the reality that illusions were behind him—real forgingwas how he would progress in this world.

  A MIDNIGHT ENCOUNTER

  The night was calm until midnight, when a rustling in the nearby brush roused Kael from near-slumber. Gethran stirred too, but Kael gestured that he would handle it. Slipping out of the makeshift tent, he discovered a second mutated fox prowling, drawn perhaps by the smell of the first beast's remains.

  This time, the fight was quicker. Kael employed Earthen Snare to root the beast, followed by a carefully placed Earthen Flame Patch that ignited beneath its paws. It howled, flailing in vain.

  "Ember Bolt!" Kael finished it with a direct sear to its muzzle. The mutated fox collapsed, sizzling in the after-flames.

  System Notification+150 EXP gained for defeating mutated vulpine beast.(Total EXP: 600/3500)

  Another small victory, yet the presence of not one but two forcibly awakened foxes in the same region was troubling. Kael bowed his head in thought. The orchard was far behind them, yet the phenomenon persisted. If the city's forging circles or mage councils cared to investigate, perhaps Gethran's notes would be of help.

  DAWN BREAKS

  Kael barely slept for a few hours. At sunrise, he emerged from his half-doze feeling sore but alert. Gethran found him by the smoldering remains of the campfire, neatly packing up forging tools and the leftover HeatRune Plate.

  "We'll reach a small hamlet by midday," the scholar said, "maybe buy more rations. Then a few days' travel after that, we'll be at a minor township—one step closer to the capital."

  Kael nodded, slipping the newly forged plate into his pack. "Yes. Let's keep moving."

  Though physically drained, a quiet satisfaction warmed Kael's chest. In the last day, he had tested his forging in real conditions, discovered a new Earth-Fire spell, and subdued two mutated beasts. He felt an edge of sorrow thinking about the orchard—illusions truly belonged to his past now. The orchard's illusions had served him well, but forging and elemental manipulation were his future.

  At Gethran's urging, Kael grabbed a morsel of bread for breakfast and did a final set of push-ups to loosen stiff muscles. A fresh wave of ache flared through his arms. He gritted his teeth, counting each repetition carefully. No system notification this time—it was far too soon for another constitution boost. Nonetheless, he believed in consistent effort.

  A GLIMPSE OF THINGS TO COME

  They set off again, the morning light painting the road in pale gold. Gethran occasionally pointed out local plants, apparently enthralled by every new bit of flora that might hold runic potential. Kael listened with half an ear—his mind drifted to the capital. According to Gethran, Kael's prospective mentor was well-connected, known for advanced forging methods. Kael was both eager and nervous: forging in Greenwood was child's play compared to city-level forging labs. Could he keep pace? Could he keep his hidden elements under wraps?

  A gentle breeze rustled his hair. The orchard might have battered him with direwolf battles, forced illusions, and frantic forging wards. But it also forged an unshakable resolve in him. He would push onward, body and mind, forging new items, leveling his elemental spells, investigating forced awakenings, and always—always—concealing how truly far his talents reached.

  The capital lay many days off, but Kael's heart raced at the thought. Meeting a recognized mentor, stepping onto a bigger stage… all while quietly nurturing the Omni Physique that had reawakened within him.

  Quietly, Kael curled a hand, feeling a static tingle from the hidden Lightning element. He suppressed it instantly—Gethran must not see. Fire, Earth, Light would suffice for public demonstration. He'd keep the rest locked behind determined secrecy.

  Yes, illusions had once saved Greenwood. But illusions had been overshadowed now. Kael's path lay with true forgingand elemental mastery—the runic forging that would guide him to power and eventually let him stand against the conspiracies lurking behind forced awakenings. Step by step, he walked into that unknown future with unwavering resolve.

  STATUS SCREEN

  Name: Kael AshborneAge: 9 (plus a couple of weeks)Talent: SSS (Hidden)Core Grade: Red (Peak) — nearing OrangeLevel: 13EXP: 600 / 3500Free Attribute Points: 0

  Attributes:

  Strength: 30Agility: 10Constitution: 30 (+1 from rigorous training)Intelligence: 36Spirit: 53

  Trait:

  Sage's Insight (Advanced comprehension of runic forging & elemental theory)

  Elemental Manipulation:

  Earth (Intermediate, Lv.4 → unchanged rank, but used extensively)Fire (Intermediate, Lv.3 → now stable at this level)Water (Intermediate, Lv.1) (concealed usage)Air (Intermediate, Lv.1) (concealed usage)Light (Intermediate, Lv.1) Lightning (Basic, Lv.1) (secret, no public display)Metal (Basic, Lv.1) (secret, no public display)

  Notable Spells & Skills:

  Earthen Snare (Intermediate, Lv.3 → Lv.4)Ember Bolt (Intermediate, Lv.2 → Lv.3)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) Earthen Flame Patch (Basic, Lv.1, newly created)