The kitchen.
Levi was about to do something big.
He still had a side quest to earn his grandfather’s approval using Pokémon food.
Because he was better at making Pokéblocks, Levi had mostly chosen to make those in the past.
This time, Levi intended to make poffins.
Lucario and Arcanine both preferred spicy flavors, and while Metang’s tolerance for spice was average, it was still willing to eat it.
He wouldn’t use the last two dragon fruits; he would use Cheri Berries instead.
After all, the system’s evaluation of his poffin-making craftsmanship was: Schrödinger’s poffin.
Levi’s principle was: if you’re bad at it, practice more.
He also wanted to see how much experience he could gain from poffins.
Following his grandfather—scratch that, following Master Onion’s guidance to pick up knife skills again for half a month had significantly improved Levi’s focus.
Although his culinary skills were still at the beginner level, they had improved compared to before.
After all, he had been watching the old man cook for over half a month.
He crushed the berries, put them in cold water, stirred continuously while heating, and once it became a batter, he poured it into a mold and put it in the oven.
This was the difficult part of making poffins; it relied heavily on heat control and stirring technique.
This was also the common ground between culinary arts and Pokémon food: heat control.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned, and Levi failed three times in a row, with the failed attempts sitting to the side.
The Appraisal Eye came into effect at this moment.
After tasting one bite, Levi silently dumped it into the trash can.
This wasn’t even fit for human consumption!
Lucario looked at the failed attempts in the trash can with a hint of helplessness.
Lucario clearly remembered that Levi had previously sworn to never make poffins again while looking at a blackened one.
Seeing Levi’s serious expression…
Lucario decided that even if it didn’t taste good, it would eat it elegantly.
Wasting food was a shameful act, not something an elegant Pokémon would do!
Levi murmured softly: “It’s all because the heat control wasn’t right…”
The old man, having arrived in the kitchen, happened to see Levi studying how to make poffins.
“Then I just have to focus.”
Levi patted his cheeks, focused entirely on making the poffin, and analyzed carefully where the heat control went wrong, completely unaware of the old man’s arrival.
When stirring the berry batter and staring at the flame, Levi looked as devout as if he were burning incense…
Seeing Levi’s expression, the old man nodded in satisfaction.
Reaching the final stage, Levi stirred clockwise with a spoon, and the air began to fill with a fragrant aroma.
Levi hurriedly poured the berry batter into the mold and placed it in the oven.
“Ding.”
As soon as the oven was opened, Lucario smelled the aroma of the poffin.
(It actually succeeded!)
Lucario was slightly surprised. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
Arcanine twitched its nose, and unbidden tears flowed from its mouth.
It looked like a pink cookie; this was a poffin.
Depending on the color of the berry, the poffin would also be a different color.
Levi’s Appraisal Eye soon provided information.
[A spicy poffin that was under-stirred and slightly overcooked.]
It was a success, but not as good as the Pokéblocks he usually made.
At this level, it would probably be hard to earn his grandfather’s approval, right?
Levi wasn’t discouraged; he just needed to take it slow.
“It’s a success, let’s try it.”
Lucario pressed its hands together in prayer.
(Well then, I’ll dig in.)
Lucario picked up a piece, and the moment it took a bite, its tall ears suddenly twitched.
(Delicious!)
[Ding, gained 13 points of poffin proficiency.]
[Ding, gained 12 points of poffin proficiency.]
Watching Lucario eat with gusto, Levi stroked his chin in thought.
In terms of quality, Pokéblocks should be higher, but the experience points for poffins were higher.
“Why are you eating so happily?”
(It tastes better than I imagined.)
Lucario had eaten the poffin with a sense of resignation, but it turned out the taste was better than it had imagined.
Levi had an idea: [Does the Pokémon’s level of satisfaction affect the proficiency gained?]
Levi nodded slightly: “I can make more poffins in the future.”
He waved at Arcanine and the others.
“Arcanine, Metang, come try it.”
Master Onion didn’t eat spicy food, so Levi didn’t invite it.
Arcanine ate the most happily, mainly because it would eat anything, otherwise it wouldn’t have grown so plump.
“Bika.”
Metang stared at the Cheri Berry poffin with a determined gaze for a long time…
Its gaze was as determined as if it were joining the Party.
In reality, it was analyzing whether it would die if it ate this.
Levi couldn’t help but cover his face, “Just eat it.”
Metang had never eaten a Cheri Berry, and mostly, it was skeptical of Levi’s poffin-making level.
After all, it already knew about Levi’s ‘glorious history’.
Considering its Trainer’s feelings, Metang hesitated for a long time before picking up a poffin and chewing a small bite as if it were a martyr facing death.
(So good!)
[Ding, gained 8 points of poffin proficiency.]
“How does it taste?”
“Bika!”
Lucario translated for Levi at the right moment, (It says it’s a bit spicy, but delicious.)
Levi’s lips curled up slightly, and he nodded confidently, “I do have some talent after all.”
The old man behind him snorted coldly, “You didn’t control the heat well; the Berry Juice was boiled until it was too thick, and the stirring wasn’t good either.
If you want to make a Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff, you’re still far from it.”
Levi quickly turned his head: “Grandfather?”
It was only then that Levi noticed the old man behind him.
He was even more surprised by the old man’s evaluation, it was almost exactly the same as the Appraisal Eye!
The old man had just glanced at it, without even tasting it, and accurately pointed out the flaws in the poffin he made.
Was this the charm of Master Level culinary skills?
The old man asked another question: “What insights did you gain from making poffins this time?”
Levi’s eyes lit up.
This was definitely the opportunity to complete the quest!
Levi gathered his thoughts: “There are many similarities between culinary arts and making Pokémon food: heat control, seasoning, and even knife skills have an impact.”
The old man nodded in satisfaction: “Not bad, the half month of practice wasn’t in vain.”
At the same time, the mechanical female voice sounded again, [Ding, side quest (Leon’s Wish) has been completed.
Obtained random specialty cuisine—Smoked Round Citrus Juice.]
Levi blinked, “Grandfather, are you satisfied with this poffin?”
The old man with his hands behind his back snorted, “Even Gengar wouldn’t eat it, but everything has a learning process, and the willingness to learn is what’s most important.”
Levi nodded in understanding.
The old man wasn’t satisfied with the poffin he made, but with his spirit of research and learning.
The old man smiled, “What do you want to eat tonight?
I’ll make it for you.”
…
Training in the morning, practicing culinary skills in the afternoon, studying breeding in the evening.
The day was so fulfilling and boring.
It was ten o’clock at night before Levi returned to his room, and he looked at the personal panel that only he could see.
[Special Cuisine pokédex]:
Smoked Round Citrus Juice C-Rank:
Made with Round Citrus that has been smoked for 3-5 days, supplemented with Sweet Honey, rock sugar, osmanthus, and rose flowers, boiled for two hours, then chilled.
(Click to view the video production process.)
Effect: After consumption, it can quickly restore stamina; one cup is better than ten!