In the kitchen.
Li Wei was about to embark on a big task.
He also had a side quest: to gain his grandfather's approval through Pokémon food.
Because Energy Cubes were made better, Li Wei usually chose to make Energy Cubes in the past.
This time, Li Wei planned to make Poffins.
Lucario and Arcanine both preferred spicy flavors, and while Metang's tolerance for spice was average, he was still willing to eat it.
He wouldn't use the only two remaining dragon fruits, but Cheri Berries instead.
After all, the system's evaluation of his Poffin-making craftsmanship was: Schrödinger's Poffin.
Li Wei's principle was to practice more if he was bad at something.
He also wanted to see the experience gain from Poffins.
Following his grandfather (crossed out), Instructor Cong's guidance in regaining his knife skills for half a month significantly improved Li Wei's focus.
Although his cooking skills were still at a beginner level, they had improved compared to before.
After all, he had been observing the old man cook for over half a month.
After the Berries were crushed, they were put into cold water, stirred continuously while heating until they became a batter, then poured into molds and put into the oven.
This was the difficult part of Poffins; it heavily depended on the heat control and stirring technique.
This was also the commonality between cooking and Pokémon food: heat control.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned; Li Wei failed three times in a row, with the failed products laid out beside him.
The Identification Eye came into effect at this moment.
After taking a bite, Li Wei silently poured it into the trash can.
This was simply not fit for human consumption!
Lucario looked at the failed products in the trash can with a hint of helplessness.
Lucario clearly remembered that Li Wei had previously sworn never to make Poffins again after making a burnt Poffin.
Watching Li Wei's serious expression...
Lucario decided that even if it didn't taste good, he would eat it elegantly.
Wasting food was a shameful act, not for an elegant Pokémon!
Li Wei murmured, "It's all about the wrong heat..."
The old man, who had just arrived in the back kitchen, happened to see Li Wei engrossed in making Poffins.
"Then I can only concentrate."
Li Wei patted his cheeks and focused entirely on making Poffins, meticulously analyzing where the heat control was going wrong, completely oblivious to the old man's arrival.
While stirring the Berry paste and staring at the flames, Li Wei was as devout as if he were burning incense...
Seeing Li Wei's expression, the old man nodded with satisfaction.
It was the final stage; Li Wei stirred clockwise with a spoon, and a fragrance filled the air.
Li Wei quickly poured the Berry paste into the molds and then placed them in the oven.
"Ding."
As soon as the oven was opened, Lucario smelled the aroma of the Poffins.
(He actually succeeded!)
Lucario was slightly surprised.
Arcanine, on the other hand, sniffed, and tears of unruliness flowed from his mouth.
It looked like pink cookies; this was a Poffin.
Depending on the color of the Berries, Poffins would also have different colors.
Li Wei's Identification Eye quickly displayed information.
"A spicy Poffin that was stirred too little and slightly overcooked."
It was a success, but not as good as the Energy Cubes he usually made.
At this level, it would probably be difficult to get his grandfather's approval, right?
Li Wei was not discouraged; he just needed to take his time.
"It's a success, try it."
Lucario clasped his hands together in prayer.
(Well then, I'll dig in.)
Lucario picked up a piece, and the moment he bit into it, his tall ears suddenly twitched.
(Delicious!)
"Ding, gained 13 Poffin proficiency points."
"Ding, gained 12 Poffin proficiency points."
Watching Lucario eat heartily, Li Wei stroked his chin in thought.
Based on quality, Energy Cubes 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 feeling of readiness to die, but it turned out the Poffin tasted better than he had imagined.
Li Wei had some ideas: "Will the Pokémon's satisfaction affect the proficiency gained?"
Li Wei nodded slightly: "I can make more Poffins in the future."
He then waved at Arcanine and the others.
"Arcanine, Metang, come and try some."
Instructor Cong didn't eat spicy food, so Li Wei didn't call him over.
Arcanine was the one who ate the most enthusiastically, mainly caring about being able to eat, otherwise he wouldn't have grown so plump.
"Bika."
Metang stared at the Cheri Berry Poffin with resolute eyes for a long time...
His gaze was so firm it was as if he was about to join the party.
In reality, he was analyzing whether eating this thing would kill him.
Li Wei couldn't help but cover his face, "Why don't you eat it?"
Metang had never eaten a Cheri Berry before, and most importantly, he was skeptical of Li Wei's Poffin-making skills.
After all, he already knew about Li Wei's 'glorious years'.
Considering his Trainer's feelings, Metang, after much hesitation, picked up a piece of Poffin and chewed a small bite as if sacrificing himself heroically.
In less than a second, Metang's eyes lit up.
(It's really good!)
"Ding, gained 8 Poffin proficiency points."
"How does it taste?"
"Bika!"
Lucario translated for Li Wei in a timely manner.
(He said it's a bit spicy, but delicious.)
Li Wei's lips curved into a slight smile, and he nodded confidently.
"I still have some talent, don't I?"
The old man behind him snorted coldly.
"You didn't control the heat well, the Berry Juice was boiled too thick, and you didn't stir it properly. If you want to make Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff, your heat control is still far off."
Li Wei quickly turned his head: "Grandpa?"
Only then did Li Wei notice the old man behind him.
He was even more surprised by the old man's evaluation.
It was almost identical to the Identification Eye's!
The old man just glanced at it, without even tasting it, and accurately pointed out the flaws in the Poffin he made.
Is this the charm of Master Class cooking skills?
The old man then asked another question:
"What insights did you gain from making Poffins this time?"
Li Wei's eyes lit up.
This was definitely an opportunity to complete the quest!
Li Wei organized his words.
"Cooking and Pokémon food preparation share many commonalities. Heat control, seasoning, and even knife skills have an impact."
The old man nodded with satisfaction.
"Not bad, half a month of practice wasn't in vain."
At the same time, the mechanical female voice sounded again.
"Ding, side quest (Lien's Wish) completed. Obtained random special dish — Smoked Round Citrus Juice."
Li Wei blinked, "Grandpa, are you satisfied with this Poffin?"
The old man, with his hands behind his back, snorted coldly, "Even Gengar wouldn't eat it. It's just that everything has a learning process. Being willing to learn is the most important thing."
Li Wei nodded understandingly.
The old man was not satisfied with the Poffin he made, but with his dedication and spirit of learning.
The old man showed a slight smile, "What do you want to eat tonight? I'll make it for you."
...
Training in the morning, practicing cooking in the afternoon, and learning breeding in the evening.
The day was fulfilling yet monotonous.
Li Wei returned to his room at ten in the evening and looked at the personal panel that only he could see.
"Special Dish Illustration":
"1. Smoked Round Citrus Juice, C-rank:
Made by smoking citrus for 3-5 days, supplemented with sweet honey, rock sugar, osmanthus, roses, etc., boiled for two hours, then chilled."