Kael Varen's heart pounded so loudly he could hear it, drowning out the soft rustle of the wind among the rice stalks. His eyes remained fixed on the thin root trailing behind the damp rock. The subtle glow emanating from within was an undeniable confirmation.
Dew Root,* he thought, nearly shouting with joy.
In his previous life, he had only read about this legendary spiritual plant in a tattered ancient scroll. Dew Root, a treasure of nature, possessed one primary function that defied the heavens: permanently purifying and enhancing a person's martial talent. This plant was so rare that even an emperor would go to war to obtain it. And now, it was growing wild in his family's rice field.
With hands that trembled slightly, Kael began to carefully dig into the earth around the root, gathering as much as he could. By chance, in that damp area, the Dew Root grew quite abundantly, forming a small, hidden colony.
"Kael, what are you doing?"
The voice of his father, Darius, snapped him back to reality. The man walked closer with a furrowed brow, seeing the pile of strange roots in his son's hands. "Why are you taking those weeds? Is it for livestock feed?"
Kael offered a mysterious smile. He could not possibly explain the truth. "These aren't ordinary weeds, Father," he answered, tucking the roots into a simple cloth pouch. "They have a specific use. You'll see for yourself later."
Darius could only shake his head at his son's odd behavior, but he did not press further. He trusted his child.
Kael knew exactly why this precious plant flourished here. Dew Root was an extremely finicky plant. It required stable, high humidity levels and exposure to the soft, gentle morning sun. These conditions were coincidentally found only on land that was constantly irrigated but not fully submerged, exactly like the natural irrigation system of this field. The mineral content from the sediment in the field water had also unconsciously accelerated its growth. Most importantly, the morning dew that routinely coated its surface acted as a catalyst, strengthening the natural energy compounds within. Because its thin shape and dim light were often mistaken for rotting roots, the plant was always overlooked. A treasure hiding in plain sight.
A short while later, a warm atmosphere enveloped the small Varen family home. The aroma of Selena's delicious cooking filled the room. For the first time in hundreds of years, Kael sat once more at the same dinner table with his father, mother, and sister. They ate together, sharing stories and laughter. Darius spoke of his grievances regarding the harvest, Selena scolded Kael for looking thinner, and Elara cheerfully talked about her new friends. To Kael, this simple moment felt more precious than all the treasures in the world. He enjoyed every second, recording it deep within his heart.
After eating and conversing, Kael did not immediately return to the academy. He asked his mother's permission to use the kitchen for a moment. He had to process the Dew Root while it was still fresh.
In their modest kitchen, Kael began to work with a dexterity unbefitting of his age. First, he cleaned every strand of Dew Root from the remaining soil using clear well water. Then, he placed them into an old clay pot, filled it with just enough water, and set it over the stove on a low flame. He had to boil it slowly for three full hours to extract all its essence without damaging it. After three hours, the water in the pot had reduced and turned a clear, jade-green color, emitting a soothing fragrance. Finally, Kael took a bottle of forest honey and added a single small drop into the mixture to add sweetness and mask its characteristic bitterness.
Selena and Darius watched from a distance with confused looks. "Kael, what exactly are you boiling? It smells wonderful," his mother asked.
"True, son. Isn't that the root you took from the field earlier?" his father added.
Kael had already prepared his answer. "I often read books in the academy library, Mother, Father," he said with the most innocent face possible. "I accidentally found a note about this plant. It said that if boiled correctly, the water is very beneficial for maintaining body health and making energy circulation smoother."
This was the most logical excuse he could provide. Using the academy's prestigious name as a shield was the best way. Sure enough, his parents only nodded in belief. They were proud that their son was studious at such a renowned institution.
While waiting for the potion to cool, Kael thought deeply. His parents were currently ordinary humans without a martial foundation. His father had a slight base, but it had long been abandoned. His mother had none at all. Giving them this potion could open a path for them, clearing the blockages in their bodies and giving them hope to start the martial path, at least for self-protection. And his sister, Elara, was only six years old. This was the golden age. If her talent was enhanced early, by the time she began training at age nine, her achievements would far exceed her imagination.
His mind was made up. He would leave part of this potion for them. He would prepare enough for seven days, a dosage which, according to his calculations, was sufficient to create a qualitative change in the talent of someone who had never trained. "Drink once every morning on an empty stomach. Just one milliliter per serving," he would instruct later.
Once the potion cooled, Kael meticulously poured it into small bottles he found in the cupboard. He managed to make thirteen full bottles, each enough for a seven-day supply. Three bottles for his father, mother, and sister. Four bottles for himself and his three best friends. The remaining five bottles he kept as spares. Perhaps... he could give one to Eira Velyn, but he didn't know how yet. Giving such an expensive gift out of the blue would only cause trouble.
It was already afternoon when Kael finally prepared to return to the academy. After giving clear instructions to his parents on how to consume the potion—which they received with a bit of confusion but remained obedient—he hugged them one by one. This parting hug felt different. It was no longer a departure filled with despair, but one filled with hope.
With feelings of emotion and happiness, Kael waved and walked away from his home. A short while later, the grand gates of Akademi Bintang Selatan were in sight. He went straight inside and headed to a place he knew by heart. He didn't find his friends in the dormitory or on the training field. Of course not. Kael smiled. He could already guess where they were.
Sure enough, under the shade of the ancient tree behind the academy, the three figures were lounging about, enjoying the gentle breeze. Seeing this sight, Kael felt nostalgic. This was their favorite activity in his previous life—an activity that made them comfortable but also caused their strength to stagnate.
"Woi, Kael! You're back!" Eron exclaimed as he saw him approach. "Get over here! Let's continue relaxing and enjoy the rest of this holiday!" Zein and Nero also smiled, welcoming him.
They all laughed for a moment, realizing how routine this "lounging" had become for them. Kael sat among them. After a while, he looked at them one by one with a serious expression.
"Do you trust me?" he asked again, repeating the same question from that morning.
The three of them were a bit confused by the sudden change in atmosphere, but they slowly nodded. "Yes, we trust you," Nero answered, representing them all.
Kael pulled four bottles of the potion from his pouch. "This is a talent-enhancing potion," he stated clearly. "Drink it once a day every morning, just one milliliter. This is for seven days."
Zein immediately placed the back of his hand on Kael's forehead. "You don't have a fever, do you? A talent-enhancing potion? Where did you get something like that?"
Kael brushed Zein's hand away with a smile. "I'm serious. You trust me, right?" he repeated. He then gave the same explanation he had given his parents. "I found it in an old book in the library. This is an ancient recipe to smooth the flow of energy in the body and purify the meridians, which will essentially enhance our talent."
They still looked skeptical. When did Kael have time to go to the library? They felt they were always together. But seeing the seriousness in Kael's eyes, their doubts slowly faded. They had promised to trust him. Without asking further, they each took a bottle.
"Alright," Kael said after they had stored the bottles. "Our plan to go to the forest will be postponed for seven days. Finish this potion first. After that, our true adventure begins."
They all agreed. The announcement of the test in two months and the ridicule from other students were enough of a whip for them. They realized they were among the students with the lowest talent. If there was even the slightest hope for change, they would take it. The resolve to become strong and no longer be lazy began to grow in their hearts.
Time passed. Seven days felt very fast. Every morning, Kael and his three best friends drank the Dew Root potion. On the first and second days, there were no significant changes. However, entering the third day, they began to feel something extraordinary. The energy they absorbed during meditation felt as if it flowed much more smoothly. It felt like a waterway that had been clogged with silt for years was suddenly cleared until it glistened. Every day, that feeling grew stronger. They became increasingly eager to train.
During those seven days, Kael did not only drink the potion. Inside his room, he spent hours every night writing. He poured all his knowledge onto paper, drafting training plans, lists of other spiritual plants to find, techniques suitable for his friends, and strategies to face the test in two months.
On the seventh day, after Miss Velina's class ended, the four of them gathered again under the ancient tree behind the academy. But this time, there was no aura of laziness at all. Instead, there was a burning spirit.
"I feel incredible!" Eron shouted while stretching his body. "I'm sure I could punch a bull unconscious right now!"
"Your potion really works, Kael," Nero said with a tone of admiration he rarely showed.
Kael smiled with satisfaction. "This is only the beginning. Now, it's time for us to go to the Hutan Senyap."
They all nodded in agreement. But there was one problem. "How do we get in? Junior students are strictly forbidden from going there without permission," Zein said.
"Leave that to me," Kael answered. "But before that, we have to go to the city market. There are some items we need to buy."
"What items?" Eron asked curiously.
Kael only gave a mysterious smile. "You'll find out soon enough."