A faint metallic dawn glow seeped through the workshop's tall windows, illuminating a row of anvils and cooling troughs. Kael Ashborne rubbed at his bleary eyes and took a moment to steady his breathing. Barely a week had passed since he'd arrived at Arden's Atelier, yet it already felt like an entirely different world from Greenwood Orchard. Gone were the rustic fences and improvised forging plates; here, steel benches, carefully arranged runic diagrams, and advanced layering manuals confronted him at every turn.

  Arden, the seasoned tri-element forger who had agreed to mentor Kael, stood at the workshop's center with arms folded over his chest. "Don't forget your posture," he reminded, voice firm but calm. "You can't maintain runic lines if you're stooped or letting your arms tremble. Every angle of the hammer strike matters."

  Kael nodded, swallowing a lump of nerves. Today's lesson focused on advanced layering—the art of stacking multiple sets of runes for amplified effects. Even though he'd gleaned orchard-level forging experience, city-level forging demanded an entirely different precision. With Sage's Insight nudging his comprehension forward, Kael tried to piece together the new theories.

  He stood at the anvil, a small heated iron ingot glimmering red. With careful chalk lines, he inscribed two runic sequences: the first set would anchor Earth energies for stability, the second channel Fire for controlled heat. Sweat trickled down his temple as he gently hammered each line to the correct depth. Over the past days, he'd realized even a hair's breadth misalignment could destabilize the entire piece.

  "Steady," Arden coaxed. "Hold your breath a moment—now strike. Good. Next line."

  Kael's muscles tensed from the concentration, but he persevered. Step by step, the lines took shape. A faint hum of mana flickered around the metal. When he finished, he exhaled shakily and allowed the forging to cool. Arden reached over to brush aside some stray chalk dust, scrutinizing the layered pattern.

  "Hm. Better. The Earth runes are well-aligned—just watch the Fire lines near the edges. A slight overlap might cause micro-cracking if overheated." The older man set the ingot on a rack. "Still, for a beginner, you're learning fast."

  A flash of pride warmed Kael. He'd been forging small items daily under Arden's eye—mostly incomplete prototypes or practice scraps. But even so, each attempt crystallized new knowledge about layering runes.

  GLIMPSES OF CITY FORGING STANDARDS

  Morning lessons bled into midday. While Kael cooled off from one forging attempt, Cedric—an older apprentice in his teens—entered the workshop, carrying a tray of newly refined alloys. Cedric gave Kael a measured stare. Though not openly hostile, he certainly seemed less than thrilled about a nine-year-old "S-level" forging prodigy stepping into the atelier.

  "Master Arden wants these alloys tested for triple-layer compatibility," Cedric said, setting them down with a dull clang. His gaze flicked briefly over Kael's half-finished ingot. "That's your piece? Not too shabby, for a start."

  Kael mustered a polite smile. "Thank you." He sensed Cedric's skepticism. Perhaps it was normal that a child forging at a near-professional standard raised eyebrows. Kael just had to prove himself by sheer results.

  Arden cleared his throat. "Cedric, you'll be forging the base plates for a new bracer commission. Kael, you'll observe how Cedric handles runic layering, then refine your own approach. Understood?"

  "Yes, Master Arden," both apprentices replied, albeit Cedric's tone was clipped. Kael recognized that city-level forging workshops often had hierarchical dynamics. He resolved not to let any tension derail his training.

  ACCELERATED LEARNING

  Once Kael and Cedric began forging side by side, Kael's Sage's Insight flared, allowing him to pick up subtle techniques. Cedric's motions were fluid, each hammer strike accompanied by a mild surge of Earth or Fire mana that fused into the metal. Kael mentally compared these to orchard forging, realizing city forgers continuously channeled elemental energy with each blow, not merely in the final stage. It kept the metal pliable and the runic lines stable.

  Kael tried to mimic that synergy with the next ingot. He let the barest trickle of Earth flow through his palm, timing each hammer strike precisely. The forging lines glowed faintly in response, merging better than before. Of course, controlling two elements—Earth for stability, Fire for shaping—demanded intense focus. Still, the results were promising.

  Arden periodically checked Kael's progress, nodding when he saw improvement. "Good. You're adjusting quickly. Over time, layering will become second nature."

  Cedric paused, raising an eyebrow at Kael's newly hammered lines. "Huh. That's not half-bad." A grudging note of respect slipped into his voice.

  NIGHT TRAINING – ELEMENTAL FOCUS

  Even after workshop hours, Kael's day was far from done. Arden allowed him free rein at a smaller side-forge in the evening if Kael wanted extra practice. Kael eagerly took advantage—both to refine forging methods and to push his elemental manipulation further.

  He set down a dull practice sword on the side forge's anvil, focusing on Metal manipulation. Though he had publicly hinted at possessing Metal, he rarely used it in front of others to avoid suspicion. Tonight, alone in the workshop corner, he dared let a sliver of metal energy flow along the blade's edge, attempting to coat it with a thin film of metallic mana.

  System NotificationMetal (Basic, Lv.1) → Basic, Lv.2.

  A faint swirl of silver light shimmered over the blade. Kael suppressed a grin—progress. He repeated the process, infusing the weapon's edge in short bursts. Soon, sweat trickled down his brow from the exertion. For all his mania, controlling newly awakened rare elements still strained him.

  Next, he turned to Lightning. Another hush-hush element he'd claimed but seldom displayed. He closed his eyes, feeling for the crackle of electricity in his mana channels. Sparks jumped between his fingertips. With a soft inhalation, he guided it into the practice sword's spine, careful not to scorch the runes. The blade sizzled faintly.

  System NotificationLightning (Basic, Lv.1) → Basic, Lv.2.

  He exhaled, letting the sparks dissipate before anyone noticed. Just from these short sessions, he felt the rare elements creeping toward stability. The Void Veil Seal kept Water and Air locked away, ensuring no trace of them emerged here in the city. For now, Lightning and Metal were enough to justify his penta-element identity.

  EVOLVING EARTHEN FLAME PATCH

  To further push his repertoire, Kael decided to refine Earthen Flame Patch. He'd gotten it to Basic, Lv.2 after repeated orchard usage and the demonstration for Arden. Now he wanted to push it further, possibly forming a bigger ring or more concentrated flame—an upgrade he mentally dubbed "Earthen Flame Trap."

  He stepped outside to a secluded courtyard behind the workshop. The moonlight offered enough visibility. Carefully, he traced a runic circle on the ground, weaving Earth around the perimeter and Fire in the middle. This time, he'd create a hidden mechanism that allowed the ring to lie dormant until triggered.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  He channeled Earth to shape a shallow depression, then added Fire runes that lay below the surface. With a subtle mental switch, he could ignite them at will. Testing it, he stepped back and poured mana in.

  A sudden burst of flame erupted from the ring, bigger and more focused than before. The ground scorched in a distinct pattern, sustaining the fire for a moment before dying out. Impressed, Kael repeated the process, each iteration smoothing the runic lines.

  At last, the runic circle flared with controlled intensity, forming a dangerously hot perimeter trap. Satisfied, Kael let the flames subside.

  System NotificationEarthen Flame Patch (Basic, Lv.2) → (Basic, Lv.3)."Earthen Flame Trap" variant unlocked.

  Kael pressed a hand to the sooty ground, feeling pride. This new iteration had more utility in real combat—he could form an instant ring of flame around opponents. LATE-NIGHT FORGING EXPERIMENT

  Energized by these improvements, Kael decided to attempt forging a small dagger with layered Earth+Metal runes. If illusions were once his secret weapon, he wanted forging to be his new shining skill. He retrieved a chunk of raw steel from Arden's leftover bin—nothing fancy, but suitable for practice.

  He melted it down in the side forge, channeling Fire for heat. Then, carefully, he hammered out a short blade shape. While the metal was still glowing, he etched a base set of Earth runes for structural integrity, layering them with basic Metal lines near the edge. The idea was to sharpen the dagger's cutting potential by subtly reinforcing the blade's properties.

  He sweated over the lines, mindful that too much Metal mana would destabilize it. Sparks flickered as he carefully integrated the runic chalk. Then, a final quench in a trough of water. The dagger cooled, faint silver lines etched along its surface.

  Kael lifted the finished item. "It's rough, but let's see…" He tested the edge against a strip of leather. It cut more smoothly than he expected.

  System NotificationYou've gained +100 EXP for forging a layered Earth+Metal dagger.Current EXP: 1000 / 3500.

  He smiled, satisfied with the small progress.

  A MORNING SURPRISE

  By the next dawn, Kael found himself wincing at an unexpected headache. The dual manipulations of Lightning and Metal the previous night, plus forging attempts, had taxed him more than he realized. So even I have limits…

  Still, he forced himself up for a quick regimen of squats and push-ups. He sought incremental improvements in his physical form too, though he recognized that each attribute gain would come harder now that his body was growing stronger.

  No new attribute notification came, but the exercise eased some soreness. After a quick wash, he joined Arden for the morning briefing.

  Arden eyed him. "You look tired. Were you forging late?"

  Kael bowed his head apologetically. "Yes, Master. I tried layering Earth and Metal in a dagger." He offered up the dagger. "It's not perfect, but—"

  Arden examined the short blade, running a finger along the runes. "Hmm. Metal lines are slightly shallow, but functional. You did all this in one night?"

  Kael nodded quietly. The older man's gaze flickered with reluctant admiration. "Well, it's a fair attempt. Next time, consult me first on alloy composition—some steels handle multiple runes better than others. But your dedication is commendable."

  Kael's heart lifted. "I will, sir. Thank you."

  CLASSIC RUNIC LAYERING LESSONS

  Late that morning, Gethran stopped by the atelier. The scholar peered around, fascinated by Arden's forging diagrams pinned to the walls. Gethran then pulled Kael aside. "No new leads on forced awakening yet, but I keep hearing rumors of mutated creatures near the city's outskirts. Be careful if you go out at night."

  Kael nodded, quietly recalling how he'd already practiced outside in the courtyard. "I'll watch my back."

  "Do. And… keep building your forging skill." Gethran's eyes gleamed. "It's a rare blessing to learn from Arden. The orchard and I look forward to your achievements."

  After Gethran departed, Kael joined Arden and Cedric for a session on triple-layer runic forging. Arden demonstrated how to add a third layer—often a supportive element like Light or specialized Earth lines—that could stabilize or amplify the main effect.

  Kael found his mind ablaze with possibilities. Fire+Metal+Earth or Earth+Light+Fire… The forging potential soared. His hands itched to attempt them all, but Arden insisted on practice with incremental double-layer combos first. Kael subdued his excitement, knowing caution was wise.

  EVENING HUNTS: SEEKING EXP

  At dusk, Kael left the atelier discreetly, hoping to see if the forced-awakening beasts roamed the city perimeter. A small hunt might net me more forging practice or EXP, he reasoned. The capital's outskirts weren't as wild as the orchard roads, but rumors suggested mutated animals had been spotted near abandoned lots or half-rural strips.

  He clung to shadows, wearing a dark cloak to mask his age and presence. After half an hour trudging through quiet lanes, he sensed it: a low growl from behind crumbling stone ruins. Kael tensed, channeling Earth.

  A shape emerged—a gaunt, canine-like beast with runic scarring along its flank. Its eyes glowed with feral aggression. Another forced awakening?

  The creature snarled and lunged. Kael responded fluidly:

  "Earthen Snare!"

  Ribbons of earth clamped the beast's hind legs. It howled. Kael darted forward, channeling Fire to his fingertips:

  "Ember Bolt!"

  A concentrated blast seared the creature's side. It collapsed, twitching. Wary of any last thrash, Kael extended his forging dagger to finish it swiftly. The mutated beast expired with a final rasp.

  System Notification+150 EXP for defeating forced-awakening canine.Current EXP: 1150 / 3500.

  He grimaced at the foul stench. Another brand of suspicious runes marred its fur. If Gethran needed proof, this was it. Kael shuddered, rummaging a small cloth from his pouch to wrap a scrap of the beast's scarred hide as evidence.

  Footsteps approached—some local watch, perhaps. Not wanting to explain a dead mutated animal, Kael fled back to the atelier, heart pounding.

  SMALL SIGNS OF PROGRESS

  Late at night in his cramped side room, Kael inspected the day's yields:

  Metal & Lightning had nudged up to Basic Lv.2 each from short infusions.Earthen Flame Patch advanced to Basic Lv.3, reworked as "Earthen Flame Trap."A modest forging attempt garnered +100 EXP, plus another +150 from the forced-awakening kill, bringing him to 1150 / 3500 total EXP. He was still Level 13, but creeping closer to the next threshold.No immediate attribute gains, but he felt his mind sharper from layering runes with multiple elements. Possibly an Intelligence +1 lurking if he kept pushing advanced forging tomorrow.

  He lay back on the small cot, exhaustion weighing on his limbs. In the quiet, the memory of illusions tickled his thoughts—how once he'd used them to defend Greenwood. Yet illusions felt almost foreign now. Runic forging and multi-element spells had taken center stage. And he was determined to push them further, day by day, forging a path strong enough to confront any threat—whether forced awakenings or conspirators behind them.

  With that resolve warming his chest, Kael closed his eyes, letting the day's fatigue pull him into restless slumber. Tomorrow would bring new forging challenges from Arden, new skill refinements, and who knew what nighttime hunts might yield. He would greet them all with unwavering determination.

  STATUS SCREEN

  Name: Kael Ashborne

  Age: 9

  Talent: SSS (Hidden)

  Core Grade: Red (Peak) — nearing Orange

  Level: 13

  EXP: 1150 / 3500

  Free Attribute Points: 0

  Attributes:

  Strength: 30Agility: 10Constitution: 30Intelligence: 36Spirit: 53

  Trait:

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

  Elemental Manipulation (Public):

  Fire (Intermediate, Lv.3)Earth (Intermediate, Lv.4)Light (Intermediate, Lv.1)Lightning (Basic, Lv.2)Metal (Basic, Lv.2)

  Elemental Manipulation (Secret):

  Water (Intermediate, Lv.1)Air (Intermediate, Lv.1)(Both concealed with Void Veil Seal.)

  Skills & Spells:

  Earthen Snare (Intermediate, Lv.4)Ember Bolt (Intermediate, Lv.3)Stone Shield (Intermediate, Lv.1)Windflare Alarm (Intermediate, Lv.1)Warmth Ward (Basic, Lv.5)Phantom Veil (Basic, Lv.5, overshadowed)Static Lash(Basic, Lv.2)Earthen Flame Patch → Earthen Flame Trap (Basic, Lv.3)

  Forging Skill:

  Beginner forging (Lv.1 → ~Lv.2 in layering practice).Gains +100 EXP from forging Earth+Metal dagger.Studying advanced layering under Arden's strict guidance.

  Recent Notable Gains:

  +150 EXP from defeating a forced-awakening canine.Lightning from Basic Lv.1 → Lv.2.Metal from Basic Lv.1 → Lv.2.Earthen Flame Patch (Basic Lv.2 → Lv.3), reworked as "Earthen Flame Trap."