"What did you say…? You used Tapak Geni to make a medicinal potion?" asked Eyang Pradipa, his tone laced with shock as both eyebrows shot up.
"Yes, why not, Grandpa? Tapak Geni is extremely hot—it's perfect for heating up medicinal ingredients, right?" Baskara replied, slightly confused by his grandfather's reaction.
Eyang Pradipa let out a long sigh and shook his head. "True, Tapak Geni carries the fire element and its heat is extreme… But to use it for potion-making? That's not just difficult, it's nearly impossible… How did you control the temperature? How did you make sure the ingredients didn't just burn to ashes?"
"Then how else should I have done it, Grandpa?" Baskara asked innocently.
"If you don't yet possess True Fire and your spiritual fire element isn't strong enough, you should have used a fire-type spiritual stone. Channel your energy into the stone, and let it gradually heat the cauldron in a stable manner."
"Ohhh… Hehe… I didn't know that, Grandpa. Besides, I forgot to ask…" Baskara replied, scratching his head, feeling a little embarrassed.
Eyang Pradipa chuckled softly. "So, did you manage to make the potion?"
"Of course, Grandpa." Baskara proudly pulled out a small bottle containing a clear greenish liquid and placed it on the table. "This is the potion I made."
The old man gazed at the bottle, then carefully picked it up. He opened the cap, sniffed the aroma, and examined the color and clarity.
"…My boy… you're truly remarkable," murmured Eyang Pradipa, full of awe.
The cauldron he had given wasn't meant to be used immediately. Typically, beginners would observe, read the theory, and ask for guidance. But Baskara had gone straight into practice—and succeeded.
After studying the potion more closely, Eyang Pradipa became even more astonished. The simple energy-recovery potion Baskara had made possessed near-perfect purity. Its aroma, color, and viscosity showed exceptional precision.
"Well then… It seems it's time for you to explore the outside world," said Eyang Pradipa, looking at his grandson's face with a wise smile. "I will assign one of the family elders who is also skilled in alchemy to accompany you. Together, you will search for Spiritual Fire—either from beasts or from spiritual plants."
"Really, Grandpa?" Baskara's eyes lit up, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I'd love that! I want to test the results of my own hard work!"
Eyang Pradipa nodded slowly. "This journey will take you to Mount Loka Geni. It's quite far from Tirta Negara City, and the path is not easy. But the place is known as one of the few remaining natural sources of Spiritual Fire, untouched by most spiritual treasure hunters."
"Understood, Grandpa! So… when will we leave?" Baskara asked eagerly.
"I'll arrange the schedule," Eyang Pradipa replied. "But before that…"
He touched his sleeve, and as if revealing a hidden storage space, he drew out an old book with a black and gold cover. On its surface was an ancient flame symbol, glowing faintly under his touch.
"Here," said Eyang Pradipa, "a book on the Purification of Spiritual Fire. You must study this before venturing into the field. It contains basic to advanced techniques on identifying, stabilizing, and bonding with Spiritual Fire—whether it originates from plants, animals, or certain spirit beings."
Baskara accepted the book with reverence. "Thank you, Grandpa. I'll start studying it right away."
After receiving the book, Baskara bowed respectfully to his grandfather, then returned to his meditation chamber in the ancestral land. The silent temple remained as it always was: tranquil, filled with spiritual energy, with only a blue lantern's glow in the corner as his faithful companion.
He sat cross-legged on a soft straw mat, long molded to his form. He placed the book on the Purification of Spiritual Fire before him, opening the first page slowly, as if touching something alive.
His eyes sparkled.
"Alright… time to study again," he murmured with a smile.
He began reading page by page, eyes carefully scanning each word. He absorbed every paragraph like clear water seeping into the depths of his soul. At times he paused, closed his eyes to visualize the techniques described. Sometimes, he jotted down key points on a small sheet he had prepared.
Chapter I – The Essence of Spiritual Fire
> "Spiritual Fire is a flame born of the soul, not merely heat. It can arise from beings that contain the fire element—plants, animals, even spirit entities. This fire has a will, and therefore, can only be mastered by those who understand their own soul."
"Hoo… so it's not just about heat or strength, but about will," Baskara murmured, nodding.
Chapter II – Recognizing Spiritual Fire
> "Spiritual plants that generate fire usually carry a warm, not scorching, aura. Their fire colors tend to be calm: soft violet, deep blue, or bright green. This differs from fire from fierce beasts, which glows sharply—red, orange, even white—indicating the wild instincts of its source."
> "Spirit beings that produce spiritual fire often leave traces of aura where they reside. These traces may feel like bursts of emotion: anger, calm, or even sorrow."
Baskara took a deep breath. "So… finding the fire's source is like reading its emotions."
Chapter III – Stabilizing Fire
> "Spiritual fire cannot be used directly. It must be 'calmed,' not extinguished. The basic technique is Fire Locking, done through soul mantras and tools such as spiritual stones. A wrong step can be fatal: the body may burn from the inside, or the soul may be thrown out of the body."
> "Never attempt to bond with spiritual fire when your emotions are unstable."
Baskara shivered. He remembered his past experiment with Tapak Geni. Though it succeeded, he could now imagine how dangerous it could've been had he failed.
Chapter IV – Bonding with Fire
> "Once stabilized, the next step is bonding. This can only be done by a meditator who has reached the Soul Birth stage. A bonded fire becomes part of the user, summonable without a medium, and even obeys like an extension of one's hand."
> "To bond, one must 'hear' the fire's voice."
Baskara went silent for a long time after reading that line.
"I have to hear the fire's voice…? Could it be that every fire… has its own words?" he thought.
Appendix – Legendary Flames
> "Some rare flames possess a consciousness nearly equal to living beings. Examples include:
Red Cobra Flame – Born from a three-horned cobra dwelling in humid hot forests. Its fire can melt spiritual metals.
Twin Sky Flame – Formed by the collision of two spirit stars. Appears only briefly every 300 years.
Black Spirit Flame – No complete records exist. Believed to emerge from a vengeful spirit that has burned for hundreds of years."
Baskara slowly closed the book.
"Fascinating… So aside from alchemy, I also have to learn about fire and its nature. It's like… understanding a new kind of living being," he whispered.
He gazed out the window of the room.
"Mount Loka Geni… will I find a fire there that truly resonates with me?"