Gustav departed at sunrise, his aura-sensitive boots gripping the uneven path as he ventured into the Ironwood Forest's Heart—a dense, ancient section of woodland he'd marked on his map after Torvin mentioned aura-nut pods, rare seeds that grew only on the oldest ironwood trees. The forest was quieter than the marsh or plains, with tall ironwood trunks rising like dark spires toward the canopy, their bark so hard it could deflect blades. The aura compass pulsed with a warm golden light, guiding him toward a grove of trees said to be over a thousand years old, where the pods were at their most potent.
The air carried the scent of dry wood, pine resin, and a faint, nutty aroma that grew stronger as he deepened his path. Torvin's ingredient lore book described aura-nut pods as large, woody capsules that hung from ironwood branches, their shells infused with the tree's earthy aura and their nuts inside glowing with golden energy. Harvesting them required precision—prying open the pods without cracking the nuts would preserve their full flavor and aura, while rough handling would leave them bitter and lifeless. Gustav pulled out his aura-harvesting tongs, reinforced with a thin layer of starfall grass to improve grip on the hard shells, and began climbing the nearest ancient tree.
As he reached the first cluster of pods, a low snort echoed from the forest floor—a massive ironwood stag, its antlers twisted like iron branches, emerged from behind a tree. The creature was a guardian of the ancient grove, known to only allow those with pure intent to harvest the pods. Gustav paused, channeling his Gastronomic Aura to project calm and respect, then crushed a small piece of marshroot tuber and offered it to the stag. The beast approached slowly, sniffing the offering before nudging his hand gently, signaling that he could proceed.
Gustav worked carefully, using his tongs to pry open each pod and extract the golden nuts, placing them into his portable aura cooler to keep their energy stable. He harvested nearly two dozen pods before noticing a line of fresh tracks on the forest floor—boot prints that belonged to more than a handful of people. Suddenly, Rook emerged from the undergrowth with twelve Black Spoon members, this time accompanied by a man in a dark robe who carried a aura-siphoning orb—a device designed to drain energy from ingredients and store it for later use.
"Your luck runs out today," Rook snarled, gesturing for the robed man to activate the orb. Gustav felt the aura in the air grow thin, the golden glow of the remaining pods dimming slightly. "We'll take the nuts and use their energy to power our operations—soon, every rare ingredient in this region will belong to the Black Spoon Syndicate."
Gustav stood his ground, his mind racing. He tossed a handful of aura-nut fragments into the air; their earthy energy reacted with the ironwood trees, creating a wave of golden light that temporarily disrupted the siphoning orb. Just as the syndicate members stumbled back, Kael and Lena emerged from opposite sides of the grove—Lena carried a bundle of ironpetal herbs that released a scent to confuse the group, while Kael tossed a rope net that tangled around the robed man's orb, yanking it from his grasp.
"Looks like you brought backup this time," Kael grinned, as he knocked aside a member's blade. Lena added, "We've been tracking their movements—they're planning to hit every major ingredient site in the region to corner the market." Together, the three pushed the syndicate toward the grove's edge, where the ironwood stag charged forward, snorting loudly until Rook and his men fled into the deeper forest. Before disappearing, Rook shouted, "You can't protect everything—we'll find a way to take what's ours!"
After ensuring the grove was safe, Lena said, "The aura-nuts aren't just good for cooking—they can be ground into a paste that strengthens aura barriers. I know a healer in the city who'd trade anything for them." Kael added, "I heard rumors of tidepool pearls growing on the southern coast—they pair with aura-nuts to create dishes that boost long-term stamina. I'll mark the location on your map before we head back."
Gustav thanked them, harvesting a few more pods before the trio made their way out of the forest. They parted ways at the edge of town—Lena heading to the healer's clinic, Kael to the Rusty Spoon tavern to gather more info, and Gustav to the Outer Market as the afternoon sun began to set.
Mara was arranging a display of swampglow berries and aura-fanged fish when he arrived, her face lighting up as he laid the aura-nut pods on the stall. "Aura-nuts! These haven't been seen in the market in decades," she exclaimed. "The healer you're meeting with—her name's Elara, and she treats hunters who've been injured by aura-draining creatures. She'll trade you a aura-boosting amulet that helps stabilize your energy during long hunts." She handed him a small, carved stone amulet that glowed faintly, and Gustav tucked it into his shirt.
Next, he went to Elara's clinic, a small wooden building tucked away in the city's quieter district. Elara examined the aura-nuts with wide eyes, saying, "These will help so many of my patients—their energy is exactly what we need to repair damaged aura pathways. In return, take this book of healing cuisine—it details how to use ingredients to treat injuries and boost vitality." Gustav thanked her, adding the book to his growing collection of references.
He then made his way to Torvin's workshop, where a group of chefs and healers had gathered for a joint class. "Today, we'll make aura-nut risotto with ironpetal seasoning and swampglow berry compote," Gustav announced, laying out his ingredients. He explained that the nuts' earthy aura would strengthen stamina, while the compote added balancing sweetness and the ironpetal herbs boosted focus. He demonstrated how to channel his Gastronomic Aura into the risotto as it simmered, weaving the tree's ancient energy with the other ingredients to create a dish that glowed with soft golden light.
As the attendees tasted it, healers noted that the dish's aura helped soothe tired muscles, while chefs praised its rich, nutty flavor. A hunter named Brann said, "I'd eat this before every long hunt—it'd keep me going for days without wearing down." Gustav spent the rest of the evening guiding them through each step, from roasting the nuts to infusing the compote with aura, answering questions about how to adapt the recipe for different needs.
By the time the workshop ended, Torvin presented him with a map of the southern coast, marking locations of tidepool pearls, coastal herbs, and rare shellfish. "The pearls are at their peak during high tide next week," he said, clapping Gustav on the shoulder. "This is the perfect time to go."
Back at his shelter, Gustav spread out the coastal map and updated his training log: "Today: explored the Ironwood Forest's Heart, harvested aura-nut pods, gained the trust of an ironwood stag, fended off Black Spoon's aura-siphoning ambush with Kael and Lena's help, traded with Mara for an aura-boosting amulet and with Elara for a healing cuisine book, and taught stamina-enhancing cooking to chefs and healers. Aura projection and multi-person coordination skills have advanced significantly. Two and a half years until the Hunter Exam—planning to head to the southern coast next to harvest tidepool pearls and explore coastal ingredients."
He held the aura-boosting amulet in his hand, feeling its warm energy against his skin, then glanced at the compass, which glowed brightly toward the south. He imagined the crashing waves, glowing pearls, and new challenges that awaited, already packing his waterproof gear and preparing to time his journey with the high tide.