Two months had passed since Gustav returned from the Frostpeak Highlands, and dawn now found him in the Frozen Lake Basin—a training ground Bren had selected for its harsh conditions and access to rare cold-aura ingredients. Dressed in his cold-aura training suit, he moved through knee-deep snow as Bren stood on a nearby ice shelf, his weathered face set in a serious expression. "Today's lesson has two parts," Bren called out, his voice cutting through the wind. "First, you'll learn the basics of Nen perception—how to sense and read aura signatures. Second, you'll harvest glacial pearlweed—a plant that grows only in the lake's deepest crevasses, and whose energy will help you stabilize your own aura as you begin to awaken it."
The lake stretched out before them, its surface a sheet of clear ice that revealed the dark water below. Torvin's updated highlands notes described glacial pearlweed as a thin, string-like plant with small, pearl-shaped buds, its energy infused with both cold and lunar aura—perfect for calming the mind and sharpening aura perception. Harvesting it required diving through a narrow ice hole into near-freezing water, with only aura to protect against hypothermia and guide movement in the dark depths.
Bren demonstrated first, closing his eyes and extending his hand—faint white aura flowed from his fingertips, rippling across the ice like water. "Nen isn't just about power," he explained. "It's about control, intent, and understanding how your energy connects to the world around you. For a Gourmet Hunter like you, your Gastronomic Aura is already a foundation—we just need to refine it into a structured Nen ability." He gestured to a small hole cut into the ice. "The pearlweed grows near the lake bed, where the water is still and the moon's aura collects. Use your sense of taste and smell—your strongest tools—as guides."
Gustav nodded, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes. He focused on the aura compass hanging around his neck, then let his own energy flow outward—slowly at first, then more steadily, like warm honey spreading through cold water. He could feel the lake's aura: thick, cool, and alive with the presence of hidden life. As he knelt at the ice hole, he channeled his Gastronomic Aura into a protective layer around his body, then slid into the water.
The cold was sharp, but his aura shield held firm, warming his skin just enough to keep him comfortable. Below the surface, the water was dark, but his aura let him "see" the shapes of rocks, fish, and—faintly glowing in the distance—clusters of glacial pearlweed, their buds shimmering like tiny stars. He swam toward them, using his hands to navigate around submerged rocks, and reached out with his aura-harvesting tongs to pluck the pearlweed carefully, placing each strand into a waterproof, cold-sealed pouch.
As he filled the pouch, he felt a sudden shift in the water's aura—something dark and aggressive approaching. A glacial eel, its body thick as a log and scales white as ice, emerged from a crevice, its eyes glowing with cold fury. The creature was drawn to the pearlweed's energy, and it lunged toward Gustav with lightning speed. Instead of fighting back, he remembered Bren's lesson: "Use your aura to communicate intent, not just defend." He channeled a stream of Gastronomic Aura mixed with ice crystal fruit energy—calm, clear, and non-threatening—toward the eel. The creature paused, then circled him once before retreating to its crevice, allowing him to finish his harvest.
When he surfaced, Bren was waiting with a towel and a cup of warm blizzard leaf tea. "Well done," Bren said, smiling. "You didn't just harvest the ingredient—you respected the ecosystem that supports it. That's the mark of a true Gourmet Hunter." As Gustav dried off, he noticed tracks in the snow leading away from the lake—large boot prints, and the faint scent of sulfur he recognized from the volcanic coves. "Kaine," he muttered, and Bren's expression hardened. "He's been scouting training grounds across the region, trying to intimidate other candidates. We need to be ready."
Just then, Kael emerged from behind a stand of frost pines, his face grim. "He's not just scouting—he and Black Spoon just sabotaged the Whitewood Training Camp north of here, contaminating their water supply with aura-negating toxin. Lena and Zara are already there helping to clean it up, and Finn's bringing supplies from the coast." Gustav stood quickly, his mind racing. "We can't let him keep doing this—if he targets other candidates, the Exam will be rigged before it even starts."
Bren placed a hand on his shoulder. "Calm down. Rushing in will only play into his hands. Instead, we'll turn this into an opportunity. The regional Pre-Exam Trial is in two weeks—an event where candidates showcase their skills in survival, foraging, and combat. If we can expose Kaine's tactics there, we'll undermine his influence over the other candidates." He handed Gustav a small scroll. "This is the trial's map—you'll need to harvest three rare ingredients across different terrains and prepare a dish that demonstrates your ability to adapt. It's the perfect chance to show what you can do."
Gustav nodded, then headed to Whitewood Camp with Kael to help the alliance. When they arrived, Lena was using blizzard grass to absorb the toxin from the water, while Zara used magma root paste to neutralize any remaining residue. Finn was distributing tidepool pearl-infused rations to the affected candidates, his face set with determination. "We've already identified where Kaine got the toxin," Lena said, handing Gustav a vial of the contaminated water. "It's from a forbidden plant in the volcanic coves—someone's been helping him harvest it illegally."
Zara added, "I'll investigate the coves to find the source, but in the meantime, we need to make sure the candidates are prepared for the trial. Let's use the glacial pearlweed you harvested to make a dish that boosts their aura resistance—they'll need it if Kaine tries to use more toxin there." The group spent the rest of the day cleaning the camp and preparing supplies, with Gustav teaching the affected candidates how to use blizzard leaf and ice crystal fruit to stabilize their aura after exposure to the toxin.
That evening, they gathered at Torvin's workshop, where a group of candidates had assembled to prepare for the trial. "Today, we'll make glacial pearlweed soup with ice crystal broth and magma root dumplings," Gustav announced, laying out his ingredients. He explained that the pearlweed would boost aura perception, the ice crystal broth would clear toxins from the body, and the magma root dumplings would provide warm stability to counteract the cold. He demonstrated how to channel his nascent Nen into the soup as it simmered, weaving cold, fire, and lunar energy into a harmonious blend that glowed with soft white light.
As the candidates tasted it, a young woman named Sora—who'd been among those affected by the toxin—said, "I can feel my aura coming back stronger than before. This will help us all stay focused in the trial." Another candidate, Taro, added, "The way you balanced the energies—this isn't just cooking, it's a form of Nen itself, isn't it?" Gustav nodded, explaining how his Gastronomic Aura was the foundation of his approach, and how he was working with Bren to refine it into a formal Nen ability.
Bren joined them later, bringing a set of Nen training stones—each infused with a different type of aura to help candidates practice perception and control. "Over the next two weeks, we'll focus on three things," he said, addressing the group. "First, sensing and identifying aura signatures. Second, using your unique skills—like Gustav's foraging and cooking—to gain an edge. Third, working together to ensure the trial is fair for everyone." He looked directly at Gustav. "You have a gift for bringing people together—use that to build alliances among the candidates. Kaine thrives on division, but unity will be our strength."
Over the following days, Gustav trained tirelessly with Bren and the alliance. He learned to identify different Nen types by their aura signatures—Enhancement felt solid and steady, Transmutation was fluid and changing, Emission was sharp and explosive. He practiced channeling his Gastronomic Aura into small tasks: infusing ingredients with energy, creating weak barriers, and even using it to enhance his speed and strength during combat drills with Kael. Slowly but surely, he felt a spark of true Nen awaken within him—a warm, focused energy that was uniquely his own.
As the day of the Pre-Exam Trial approached, Gustav updated his training log: "Today marks two months of formal training. Harvested glacial pearlweed from Frozen Lake Basin, calmed a glacial eel using aura communication, helped the alliance neutralize Black Spoon's toxin at Whitewood Camp, taught aura-boosting cuisine to fellow candidates, and began awakening my Nen under Bren's guidance—identified my foundational aura as leaning toward Enhancement and Manipulation, with a focus on culinary application. Two weeks until the regional Pre-Exam Trial, where Kaine and Black Spoon are likely to interfere. Planning to focus on refining Nen perception, foraging speed, and teamwork with other candidates to ensure a fair trial and expose Kaine's tactics."
He packed his gear for the trial—including his aura tools, cold-resistant suit, and a new set of Nen-infused cooking pots Torvin had crafted for him. As he looked at the trial map, his eyes fixed on the three target locations: a forest, a desert, and a coastal cliff. He knew Kaine would be waiting, but he also knew he wasn't alone—Lena, Zara, Finn, Kael, and a growing group of candidates stood with him. The road to the Hunter Exam was long, but he was ready to take his first step in proving he had what it took to be a Gourmet Hunter.