A biting wind swept through the capital's forging district in late autumn, rattling the metal shop signs along the narrow lanes. At dawn, the chime of distant church bells echoed, signaling the start of another hectic day. But within Arden's Atelier, Kael Ashborne had already been awake for hours, sweat glistening on his brow as he hammered away at a half-finished runic dagger. Over three months had elapsed since Kael first arrived here—three months of tireless forging drills, late-night hunts, and sleepless experimentation with new spells. Each dawn found him at the anvil, every dusk found him creeping beyond the city walls in pursuit of more training.

  He took a measured breath, forcing steady Fire mana into the glowing metal under his hammer. Tiny sparks danced as he layered Fire runes with the underlying Earth pattern. Thanks to Sage's Insight, Kael had rapidly absorbed Arden's advanced lessons in runic layering. The once-intimidating notion of forging multi-layered artifacts had become his daily routine.

  Arden watched from a short distance, arms folded. "Secure that top layer more tightly," he instructed in his gruff but encouraging tone. "If you allow Fire runes to spread too wide, you'll sacrifice structural integrity."

  "Yes, Master," Kael replied, adjusting his hammer strikes. The blazing ingot hissed with each blow. Finally, Kael quenched it in an oil bath, the steel releasing a sharp sizzle. Though short of perfect, the result looked more refined than anything he'd have imagined forging just a few weeks back.

  Arden stepped forward to inspect the glowing dagger. A faint, interlocking pattern of Earth and Fire runes gleamed along its blade. "Hm," the older man muttered, nodding once. "Better than last week's attempts. Keep polishing your layering approach, and soon you'll be ready for triple-layer forging."

  A rush of pride coursed through Kael, though he masked it with a respectful bow.

  THREE MONTHS OF RIGOR

  Time in the workshop slipped by in a blur of forging practice, elemental manipulation drills, and daily tasks. Kael aided Arden's older apprentice Cedric in finishing commissions—anything from small runic plates to half-finished swords. Each assignment demanded Kael apply new layering techniques gleaned from the atelier's charts. Some days, Gethran visited to share leads about forced awakening conspiracies, but the city remained tight-lipped. Kael's hunts, however, occasionally exposed mutated beasts lurking in the city outskirts.

  Night after night, Kael pushed his body and mind to the brink:

  ? Forging advanced artifacts or refining previous items.

  ? Elemental manipulation practice with his rare elements Lightning and Metal—publicly rumored, though rarely displayed in front of others.

  ? Secret usage of Water and Air—concealed behind the Void Veil Seal so that no watchful eye could sense them.

  ? Physical training regimen: squats, push-ups, footwork drills. He refused to slack, determined to grow every aspect of his strength.

  At first, the sheer workload had him gasping for breath and nursing bruised arms. Yet he adapted quickly, fueled by unwavering resolve. Each night's forging or hunt left him more skilled, and each dawn saw small improvements become tangible leaps.

  AN EVER-GROWING SPELL ARSENAL

  Kael's mania extended to forging new spells by combining elements in novel ways:

  1. Storm Bind

  ? A synergy of Lightning and Air. He conjured crackling electric ropes that bound enemies, enhanced by swirling gusts. Initially, it fumbled at Basic Lv.1, but after repeated hunts, Kael refined it to Basic Lv.3.

  ? In an abandoned courtyard one night, he tested it on a mutated boar. Thin arcs of lightning pinned the beast in place while Air swirled as a vortex around it. The boar stood helpless, granting Kael an easy victory.

  2. Iron Quake

  ? A blend of Metal plus Earth. He hammered the ground, sending tremors laced with metallic shards. Basic Lv.1 initially, but after consistent usage, Kael pushed it to Basic Lv.3.

  ? Perfect for crippling entire clusters of small forced-awakening beasts. The trembling earth at the point of impact erupted in jagged metal shards—devastating in group battles.

  3. Steel Lash

  ? Evolved from "Metal Edge Reinforcement." a skill he developed during the first month of training; Now a more offensive whip-like spell that flung razor-thin metal strands. Starting at Basic Lv.1, relentless hunts and practice had escalated it to Basic Lv.4.

  ? During a midnight scuffle with mutated foxes near a canal, Kael's new version of Steel Lash tore through their unnatural hides before they could even close in.

  He also refined older spells:

  ? Earthen Flame Patch—already advanced to Basic Lv.3 in Chapter 48—he hammered at it night after night, striving for a lethal perimeter trap. By mid-way through the third month, he elevated it to Basic Lv.4, on the cusp of evolving.

  Every improvement gave him fleeting glimpses of new synergy combos yet to be discovered. That synergy soon turned to raw confidence.

  RARE ELEMENTS ASCENDING

  Kael likewise poured energy into mastering his two publicly "rumored" but rarely showcased rare elements:

  ? Lightning: From Basic Lv.2 in Chapter 48 to Basic Lv.4, nearing the threshold for Intermediate. Tiny crackles of electricity had become arcs that crackled across his hands with lethal force.

  ? Metal: Also soared from Basic Lv.2 → Basic Lv.4. He became adept at layering thin metallic mana along forging items, boosting their cutting edges or durability.

  Under the Void Veil Seal, he quietly cultivated Water and Air from Intermediate ~Lv.2 → ~Lv.4. Tapping them only in private hunts or deep night forging, he discovered advanced synergy forms that no one suspected. He kept them locked away whenever he was in the public workshop, feigning ignorance.

  Spirit often stirred near exhaustion. Maintaining the Void Veil Seal over multiple hidden elements demanded skill. Yet Kael's drive never wavered. I'll become unstoppable in forging, hunts, and multi-element mastery.

  FORGING FRENZY: FROM BEGINNER TO ADVANCED BEGINNER

  Arden assigned Kael a staggering number of small forging tasks: runic buckles, dagger prototypes, short-sword blanks, and more. Although these commissions were often "practice" items never sold to high-end clients, each forging session yielded more forging EXP.

  Kael's forging skill soared from Beginner (Lv.2) to around (Lv.4) in these three months. He no longer stumbled over basic layering. Instead, he seamlessly etched Earth-Fire lines or Earth-Light combos. Cedric, initially skeptical, begrudgingly acknowledged Kael's progress, occasionally lending tips on triple-layer cooling. Under Arden's watchful gaze, Kael hammered, etched runes, quenched glowing metal, repeated. Day after day, scrap after scrap, forging after forging. Each success earned him an internal sense of triumph—and a burst of system EXP.

  NIGHT HUNTS & MUTATED BEASTS: EARNING EXP

  While forging gave him partial EXP, the bigger payouts came from hunts. Word was the forced-awakening phenomenon had grown worse outside the city. Intrigued, Kael quietly slipped out many nights, patrolling back alleys or distant farmland. Sure enough, twisted foxes, boars, and even a monstrous mutated stag roamed. Each confrontation tested Kael's new spells.

  ? A mutated stag battered with twisted antlers forced Kael to unleash Iron Quake (Lv.3) to break its footing. With the stag downed, Steel Lash (Lv.4) made quick work of its hide.

  ? A small pack of forcibly awakened canines ambushed him near a drained canal, but a well-timed Storm Bind (Lv.3) pinned two dogs, while Earthen Flame Trap incinerated the rest.

  ? On multiple occasions, local watch patrols discovered only the charred remains, never catching a glimpse of the mysterious "child forger" who fought them. Kael was content to remain anonymous.

  Each successful hunt netted him significant EXP from the system. He only got the large chunk of attribute points upon leveling if he was the main contributor. Here, alone, he definitely was. Over countless battles, that total soared enough to bridge the gap from ~1,300 EXP to the 3,500 needed to reach the next level threshold.

  System Notification

  +150 EXP … +150 EXP … +200 EXP from multiple hunts…

  Forging Missions +800 total forging EXP.

  New spells created: +250 bonus EXP.

  Gradually, the numbers added up. Kael tracked his progress carefully. He closed in on 3,500, that cusp for leveling up from 13 to 14.

  ONE FINAL BEAST: THE CRISIS THAT SEALED THE LEVEL UP

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Late on the final week of the third month, Kael roamed a marshy area south of the city after rumors of a fierce mutated bear terrorizing local farmland. The night sky hung heavy with clouds, blotting out starlight. Trekking through soggy reeds, Kael felt tension coil in his chest. An unsettling aura crept along the muddy ground, the hallmark stench of forced runes.

  He rounded a bend to see a hulking silhouette rising amid the reeds. The bear's eyes glowed with unearthly red fury. Its fur was patchy, revealing scars branded with forced-awakening lines. Even from twenty paces away, Kael sensed raw aggression radiating off it.

  "Storm Bind!" Kael roared, flinging crackling ropes of lightning. The arcs entangled the bear's forelegs—but the creature's enhanced strength partially snapped them. Snarling, it charged.

  Kael jerked sideways, channeling Earth. "Iron Quake!" Slamming his foot, the ground erupted in a metallic-laced quake. The beast stumbled, feet half-sunken in trembling mud. Yet it let out a guttural roar, wrenching free, unstoppable rage fueling it.

  Heart pounding, Kael leapt back. This one's stronger than usual… He gathered Fire in his left palm, Earth in his right, merging them. "Earthen Flame Trap!" He slammed the ground to form a wide ring. An instant blaze flared up around the bear, scorching fur.

  The beast howled, partially slowed—but not nearly enough. Rushing through flames, it swiped at Kael with monstrous claws. He barely ducked, adrenaline surging. Mustering a final push, Kael poured Lightning along a conjured metal lash.

  "Steel Lash!" Ribbons of metallic mana crackled with electric arcs, lacerating the bear's flank. The giant beast roared, staggering. Blood spattered the muddy reeds. Seizing the opening, Kael ignited one last Ember Bolt. Boom! The flaming projectile struck the bear's chest. With a thunderous groan, it toppled, breath rattling. Moments later, it lay still, dead by Kael's hand.

  Gasping for air, Kael stared at the massive corpse. That… was close. The forced runes scarring its hide glowed faintly, then faded. Wiping sweat from his brow, Kael felt the system's surge of acknowledgment.

  System Notification

  +350 EXP for defeating mutated bear (Main Contributor).

  Total EXP surpasses 3500. Level Up.

  A dizzying wave of euphoria coursed through him. He braced his hands on his knees as a swirl of energy resonated within.

  System Notification

  You have reached Level 14. Distributing +5 free attribute points for being main contributor to the kill.

  A radiant warmth spread through his body, reinvigorating tired muscles. He stifled a whoop of excitement. He had finally reached Level 14. Months of forging, hunts, and new spells had culminated in this.

  DISTRIBUTING GAINS & FEELING THE RUSH

  As the bear's corpse cooled, Kael retreated from the marsh, seeking a discreet spot to catch his breath. Under a lone tree, he sank to one knee, mind racing. The system had already allocated incremental stats from forging and hunts: he'd gained +1 Strength, +2 Constitution, +1 Spirit these past weeks. But now, 5 free attribute points awaited distribution.

  He considered carefully. I'll put 2 points into Strength for forging power and raw muscle, 2 points into Spirit for maintaining more element concealments, and 1 point into Intelligence for runic layering. That alignment felt balanced—he needed raw force for forging, mana stamina for multi-elements, and mental clarity for advanced runic layering.

  System Notification

  +2 Strength, +2 Spirit, +1 Intelligence from Free Attribute Points.

  An electric shiver passed through him. He could practically feel his muscles coil tighter, his mind sharpen. The elemental channels in his body throbbed with renewed potential. Truly addictive, he thought.

  As the surge settled, Kael tapped the Void Veil Seal, ensuring no stray Water or Air power leaked out. One day, I'll reveal it all. But not yet.

  RETURN TO THE ATELIER

  Sometime before dawn, Kael slipped back into Arden's workshop. The forging district was still asleep; only a few night-lamps glowed. He quietly cleaned his boots, removing marsh mud so no one would suspect his midnight escapade. Then he retreated to the side room serving as his sleeping quarters.

  In the dim glow of a single rune-lamp, Kael closed his eyes, reviewing the night's triumph. The bear's monstrous strength had nearly matched his. The forced-awakening phenomenon was accelerating. But that only hardened his resolve to push further. I must keep forging, keep hunting, keep leveling. There's no time for complacency.

  Distantly, the day's forging tasks loomed. Soon enough, the atelier would come alive with clanging hammers and Arden's instructions. Exhaustion tugged at Kael, but a fierce grin curled his lips. Lying down for a brief rest, he drifted off into a doze, lulled by the thought of new spells, new forging breakthroughs, and the unstoppable momentum that carried him from orchard illusions into city forging brilliance.

  A MIDDAY REVEAL

  Around noon, an uproar sounded from the main forging hall. Kael jolted from a half-doze, stumbling out to see Cedricand another apprentice, Marinne, hovered over an official notice from the city watch. Another forced-awakening beast found dead—a hulking mutated bear, massive injuries from multiple elemental strikes. Kael's stomach twisted. They're making it public knowledge?

  Arden approached, scanning the announcement. He turned to Kael with a curious glint. "We keep hearing these stories about savage beasts slain in the outskirts. Some talk about multiple elements used in their kills. Reminds me of your forging style, though I can't be certain."

  Kael's pulse quickened. He feigned a mild shrug. "I—I've heard rumors, yes. Perhaps some adventurer or city mage hunts them?"

  Arden just nodded, returning to the notice with a thoughtful hum. "Hmm. Well, good riddance to the monstrous threat, in any case."

  Kael exhaled. That was close. He had no desire for the city watch or unscrupulous powers to link him to the secret hunts. If forced awakening conspirators realized he was behind these kills, they might target him. I must remain discreet.

  CONFIRMING PROGRESS WITH ARDEN

  Later that same day, Arden called Kael aside to evaluate his forging progress. First, he had Kael forge a triple-layer sample: Earth for structure, Fire for heat, and a small ring of Light runes for mild healing effect. This was beyond anything orchard forging could muster.

  With intense concentration, Kael hammered away. Fire runes to shape the molten iron. Earth runes to stabilize. Then a delicate loop of Light runes near the handle. Heat flared in his arms, but he pressed on.

  Upon quenching, the metal hummed with three distinct runic sets. While not perfect, it held shape. Arden peered at it, eyes betraying a hint of awe. "A triple-layer piece… I rarely let novices attempt that. Impressive for a nine-year-old."

  The older man set the item aside, arms folding. "You remind me of a certain forging prodigy I once met years ago. Keep at this rate, and you'll surpass half the city's forging apprentices in no time."

  A flush of excitement warmed Kael. Another step forward.

  GETHRAN'S PARTING ENCOURAGEMENT

  That evening, Gethran arrived to share a modest supper with Kael in the workshop's side chamber. Over bowls of hearty stew, the scholar produced a battered notebook. "My forced-awakening inquiries lead to hushed rumors about a rogue group. Perhaps they're kidnapping talented youths or forcibly mutating beasts to test runic extremes. No direct evidence yet."

  Kael frowned. "So, it's bigger than random criminals."

  Gethran nodded. "Yes. Possibly includes wealthy sponsors. Tread carefully if you keep hunting. There's risk."

  Kael balled his fist. "Risk or not, these beasts threaten innocent folk. I can't stand by. I'll watch my back."

  A proud smile curved the scholar's lips. "Good. Meanwhile, Arden's pleased with your forging leaps, yes? If you keep this up, you'll be unstoppable."

  Kael stared at his stew, Real forging, multi-element mastery… I won't let anything hamper me."

  Gethran reached over, patting Kael's shoulder. "That's the spirit."

  A NEW SPELL: EARTHEN FLAME PATCH EVOLUTION

  Later that night, Kael decided to push one of his existing spells to the next level. His Earthen Flame Patch had advanced to Basic Lv.4. He wanted it to break through to Basic Lv.5, evolving to an Intermediate form. He retreated to the courtyard behind the atelier, chalk in hand.

  He meticulously drew a wide circle, layering Earth lines with secondary Fire lines. Usually, the circle flared once. Now, he aimed for a stable dual-flame approach that remained active longer. Channeling Earth for an under-layer of rocky protrusions, he overlaid Fire runes to maintain a sustained burn. The final test came when he stepped back, activating the ring with a thrust of mana.

  Flames erupted in a spiraling pattern, hugging the ground. Rocks jutted from beneath, intensifying the scorching effect for a few moments before receding. The synergy was more potent, lasting a few beats longer. Grinning, Kael repeated the cast thrice, each time refining runic lines. At last, the circle stabilized in a fierce ring of scorching earth.

  System Notification

  Earthen Flame Patch advanced from Basic Lv.4 → Basic Lv.5.

  This skill may now evolve to Intermediate rank. Evolve now?

  A surge of excitement. Kael mentally confirmed. Yes, evolve.

  System Notification

  "Earthen Flame Patch" has evolved to "Earthen Flame Surge" (Intermediate, Lv.1).

  He felt a rush of understanding flood in. The intermediate form would produce a more explosive ground flame, catching foes in a swirling inferno rather than a mere ring. Eager to test it in actual combat, Kael clenched his fists, exultant.THE NEXT MORNING – A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE

  Sun rays bathed the atelier's main hall as Kael tidied forging tools. Arden approached, placing a parchment before him. "I've a new commission—some traveling mage wants Earth-Fire gauntlets. Cedric and I are swamped with other orders, so I'm trusting you to handle initial layering. Think you're up for it?"

  "Yes, Master," Kael answered, excitement coiling in his chest. This was a real client piece. Another forging test of his expanded skill.

  "Excellent. Cedric can finalize it later if needed." Arden paused, eyeing Kael. "You're advancing well. Three months have done wonders. Soon, we'll talk about forging your first full-fledged artifact. If you can produce something remarkable, I'll wholeheartedly recommend you for the Academy's forging track."

  A thrill shot through Kael. "Thank you, Master Arden. I won't disappoint."

  Arden patted his shoulder, then moved off to inspect other apprentices. Kael ran his fingers over the parchment specs. A real job… forging elemental layering. Freed from his shackles, forging mastery was his new hallmark.

  A BRIEF MOMENT OF REFLECTION

  After the workshop closed that evening, Kael lingered at his personal anvil. The quiet clang of distant hammers echoed from the neighboring forges. He placed a hand over his chest, sensing the faint hum of a near-Orange core. I'm on the brink. Soon, he'd break through from Red (Peak) to Orange, unlocking new rare . Then his forging might truly flourish .

  He closed his eyes, recalling Greenwood. The orchard had taught him the value of dedication, of pushing every boundary. Here in the city, he was applying that lesson daily, forging an unstoppable path.

  His mind flicked to forced awakenings once more. He wouldn't allow conspirators to roam free, nor let them sabotage his future. If they threatened innocents or tried to forcibly awaken more beasts, he'd meet them head-on with forging and multi-element might.

  An unstoppable grin touched his lips. "I'll surpass any challenge," he murmured, hoisting his forging hammer. " Now forging, hunts, and unstoppable growth define me. Let them come."

  Under the workshop's dim lights, Kael resumed shaping metal for the next commission, each hammer strike resonating with an unwavering vow. Step by step , forging overshadowed even fear. He was forging not just steel, but his own destiny.

  STATUS SCREEN

  Name: Kael Ashborne

  Age: 9 (Approx. 9 yrs + 4 months)

  Talent: SSS (Hidden)

  Core Grade: Red (Peak) — edging closer to Orange

  Level: 14 (Just leveled up from hunts)

  EXP: 0 / 3500 (Reset after crossing 3500)

  Free Attribute Points: 0 (Used his +5 from the recent Level Up)

  Attributes (Post-Distribution & Hard Training Gains):

  ? Strength: 33 (+1 from forging & hunts, +2 from level-up free points)

  ? Agility: 10

  ? Constitution: 33 (+2 from forging/hunts, none from free points this time)

  ? Intelligence: 37 (+1 from free points)

  ? Spirit: 56 (+1 from forging/hunts, +2 from free points)

  Trait:

  ? Sage's Insight

  (Enhances runic forging & multi-element theory comprehension.)

  Elemental Manipulation (Publicly Revealed):

  ? Fire (Intermediate, Lv.5) (advanced from 3 to 5 with intense usage)

  ? Earth (Intermediate, Lv.6) (from 4 to 6)

  ? Light (Intermediate, Lv.3) (from 1 to 3 over months)

  ? Lightning (Basic, Lv.4) ( advanced from 2 to 4)

  ? Metal (Basic, Lv.4) (advanced from 2 to 4)

  Elemental Manipulation (Secretly Concealed):

  ? Water (Intermediate, Lv.4) (kept hidden via Void Veil)

  ? Air (Intermediate, Lv.4) (kept hidden via Void Veil)

  (Both advanced from ~Lv.2 → 4 in the last three months.)

  Skills & Spells:

  ? Earthen Snare (Intermediate, Lv.4 → still near 5)

  ? Ember Bolt (Intermediate, Lv.3 → near 4)

  ? Stone Shield (Intermediate, Lv.1)

  ? Windflare Alarm (Intermediate, Lv.1)

  ? Phantom Veil (Basic, Lv.5 )

  ? Static Lash (Basic, Lv.2)

  ? Earthen Flame Trap (formerly Patch) (Basic, Lv.4)

  ? Storm Bind (Basic, Lv.3)

  ? Iron Quake (Basic, Lv.3)

  ? Steel Lash (Basic, Lv.4)

  ? Newly Evolved:

  ? Earthen Flame Surge (Intermediate, Lv.1) (Evolved from Earthen Flame Patch, Basic Lv.5 → Int Lv.1)

  Forging Skill:

  ? Beginner (Lv.4) → pushing advanced layering with triple-runic combos.