Gustav followed the coordinates from Torvin's note, cutting through dense forest until he reached a sun-dappled clearing—the starfall grove. Golden starfall grain swayed in the breeze, its aura humming with warm, celestial energy. As he wandered deeper, the aura compass pulsed intensely toward a cluster of twisted trees, where he spotted skyroot tubers—bulbous roots that grew underground, infused with the grove's starlight energy and tasting of honeyed earth.
Digging carefully, he channeled his Gastronomic Aura to loosen the soil without damaging the tubers. Just as he pulled one free, a starfall fox—a sleek creature with fur like glowing embers—emerged from the undergrowth, growling protectively. Gustav held up his hands, sending a calm, food-focused aura toward the fox. He crushed a piece of starfall grain and offered it; the fox sniffed, then nibbled from his palm, relaxing its stance.
As he harvested more skyroot tubers, he spotted a Black Spoon scout lurking behind a tree, watching him. Gustav tossed a handful of starfall grain into the air—its glow temporarily blinded the scout, allowing him to slip away with his harvest. He made his way to the city's central market, where Torvin was setting up for a gourmet workshop. "I found the skyroot," Gustav said, laying a tuber on the table.
Torvin's eyes widened. "Skyroot! Perfect for the workshop's signature dish. Join us—teach the chefs how to infuse aura into the cooking." Gustav agreed, spending the afternoon guiding them through channeling energy to enhance the skyroot's flavor. The dish—a starfall grain porridge with skyroot and ironpetal herb—glowed faintly, earning praise from all in attendance.
After the workshop, he updated his log: "Today: explored starfall grove, harvested skyroot tubers, calmed a starfall fox, evaded a Black Spoon scout, and taught aura-infused cooking at Torvin's workshop. Aura communication with creatures is improving. Two and a half years until the Hunter Exam—aim to map the grove's full ingredient ecosystem."
He tucked the compass into his pouch, already planning to return to the grove to search for starblossom petals, said to grow only where starfall grain meets skyroot beds.