Kalos Region, Nebel Plateau.
Nebel Plateau was a place of stunning natural beauty. To the northwest stretched endless mountains, to the northeast a dense, shadowy forest, and to the south flowed a roaring river, winding far into the distance.
Following the river with his gaze, one could see a bustling city nestled there. It was a kingdom known for its mysterious science—the Kingdom of Azoth.
Although the world was now governed by the Pokémon League, some regions still retained the kingdoms of old, along with their royal families and nobility. The Azoth Kingdom was one of the few remaining kingdoms from the old era.
Returning the view to Nebel Plateau, the air was fresh, the sky clear, and white clouds drifted across the blue canopy as if within reach. Occasionally, a Spearow or Fearow streaked across the sky, calling crisply and melodiously.
At the center of the plateau stood two towering trees, growing side by side from the flat grasslands like powerful arms holding up the sky. Many species of Pokémon perched among their branches.
In front of the trees was a lake as smooth as a mirror. A gentle breeze rippled its surface, and a Goldeen poked its head out of the water, blowing a curious bubble.
This place should have been deserted, yet between the giant trees and the lake stood a three-story red-roofed cabin, eye-catching against the greenery.
Zooming closer, the cabin's front door was tightly shut, with a small antique bronze bell hanging beside it. Nearby was a wooden platform with a soft carpet, on which a small, adorable Komala hugged a log and slept soundly. A thin blanket covered its round belly.
"Yawn~ Yawn~~"
At that moment, a Pidgey flapped its wings and lightly landed on the cabin's eaves, curiously watching the cabin that had suddenly appeared.
The Pidgey hopped closer to inspect the sleeping Komala when the wooden door creaked open. A handsome boy in a white chef's outfit stepped outside.
He looked sixteen or seventeen, about 1.8 meters tall. His short golden hair shone in the sunlight, and his resolute face seemed like the ancient sun god Apollo incarnate.
This boy was the cabin's owner, and the protagonist of our story, Ange.
Seeing Ange, the Pidgey was startled and quickly flew away.
"Huh? Am I that scary?" Ange instinctively touched his face and said.
Unbeknownst to him, Nebel Plateau was a special place. Many Pokémon there had been abandoned or hurt by humans. Word spread quickly, and over time, the other Pokémon became wary and resentful of people.
Shrugging it off, Ange placed a bowl of steamed buns beside the Komala. "Komala, it's time to eat!"
At the mention of "eating," Komala's big ears twitched. It lifted the blanket, moved the log aside, and rolled to the bowl. Hugging a bun bigger than its head, it munched happily, eyes still closed, but clearly content.
Komala's ability was Comatose, keeping it asleep from birth. It ate, moved, and battled while sleeping. No one had ever seen a fully awake Komala.
The log it hugged was called a "tree pillow," a companion from birth it never let go.
Komala's meeting with Ange had been dramatic.
When Ange first woke from the royal tomb, dazed, he arrived at Nebel Plateau. Komala fell from the sky, landing at his feet.
The Komala was battered and injured. It was too pitiful and cute, and Ange could not help but hug it.
Since then, Komala clung to him and soon moved into the cabin.
Ange later tried asking why Komala was hurt, but it only wanted to sleep and never answered. He gave up.
Watching Komala eat happily, pride filled Ange's heart. His month of intense cooking practice had paid off.
Ruffling Komala's furry head, Ange said, "You eat first." Then he turned and went inside.
The first floor of the cabin was a spacious restaurant. Tables and chairs were neatly arranged and polished, clearly well cared for. The decor was warm, giving a welcoming, homey feeling.
A Diancie was cleaning with a feather duster. This was Ange's starter Pokémon.
At a glance, Ange could see Diancie's data:
Diancie
Type: Rock, Fairy
Ability: Clear Body
Gender: None
Level: 50
Moves: Tackle, Harden, Diamond Storm, Guard Split, Knock Off, Confuse Ray, Hidden Power, Rock Polish, Light Screen, Rock Slide
Individual Values
HP: 31
Attack: 31
Defense: 31
Special Attack: 31
Special Defense: 31
Speed: 31
Ange could see Pokémon data thanks to one of his starter gifts from the system. Diancie's perfect IVs and the cabin itself were also part of this gift.
Originally, Ange's starter had been a Carbink, which, over 500 years of sleep, mutated into a rare Diancie. Ange guessed the mutation was related to the system.
Thinking back, Ange recalled five hundred years ago. He had been reborn as the sole prince of the Azoth Kingdom, with a twin sister.
Unlike his healthy sister, he was weak and frail. He could not carry, lift, or even walk easily.
Doctors predicted he would not live to adulthood. His parents, the king and queen, doted on him, fulfilling his every wish.
Thanks to their care, he lived to sixteen. But soon after his birthday, his illness worsened, and he fell into a coma.
The doctors declared him dead, and he was entombed in the royal crypt.
Carbink, unwilling to leave him, fell asleep alongside him in the tomb.
In fact, Ange had not died. His system, the Master Chef System, activated, granting him a starter Pokémon with perfect IVs, life-sharing with his starter, a base to summon, and the Eye of Observation.
Thanks to the life-sharing, Ange regained a healthy body. Carbink began to evolve as both fell asleep, a slumber lasting five hundred years.
Upon waking, Ange and Diancie wandered out of the royal tomb to Nebel Plateau and met the injured Komala.
He then studied his delayed system, which was not a super trainer assistant, but a Pokémon feeding system.
Ange did not care to be a trainer. He just wanted to pamper Pokémon every day.
Among the system gifts, he had a base to summon. He chose to summon it, and the system guided him, Diancie, and Komala to the current cabin.
He was satisfied with the cabin, though its location was remote. One person alone, secluded… but after emerging from the tomb, a safe place was enough.
Returning to the present, Ange smiled at Diancie. "Diancie, stop cleaning. The house is clean enough. Let's have breakfast!"
Diancie stopped and pressed its small stomach. "Okay, I'm starving!" It dropped the duster and quickly went to the kitchen.
Diancie could communicate telepathically with Ange.
It returned with a metal basin full of round, white steamed buns, made by Ange early that morning.
Since his system was called Master Chef, everything, even the cabin's first floor, centered on cooking.
He had been training for a month, making buns. Though it seemed monotonous, his skills improved rapidly.
Touching a bun, Ange felt its soft fluff like clouds, smooth and pleasing. Each bun was identical, though handmade.
Diancie eagerly bit a bun. Its mouth filled with the pure wheat aroma, like an autumn harvest.
Eyes closed, Diancie felt its spirit soaring among the clouds, free and blissful.
After a while, it opened its eyes, satisfied. "No matter how many times I eat, Ange's buns are always so delicious."
Proud, Ange said, "If you like them, eat more."
"Mm~~" Diancie nodded and ate slowly, savoring each bite.
Seeing Diancie so happy made Ange's appetite rise. Soon, the buns were gone, mostly eaten by Diancie.
After breakfast, Diancie elegantly wiped its mouth and said, "Ange, the system issued the first task."
How did Diancie know about the system? Life-sharing made it the guide for Ange's system missions.
Ange was surprised but curious. "What's the task?"
"To serve ten Pokémon in the restaurant and earn their approval," Diancie replied.
Ange thought: the system's nickname, Pokémon Feeding System, was apt. Customers were Pokémon, not humans. No wonder the base was on Nebel Plateau.
"How will I know if Pokémon approve?" he asked.
"The system judges automatically."
"Any time limit?"
"Yes, three days. Failure occurs after that."
"Any punishment for failure?"
"None. You just won't receive rewards," Diancie reassured.
"Good," Ange relaxed and asked eagerly, "What's the reward?"
"I don't know. Only when you complete it will I know," Diancie answered.
"Okay," Ange shrugged. "Three days to serve ten Pokémon seems doable."
Many Pokémon lived on Nebel Plateau. He had often seen them nearby, but they ran at the sight of him. They were shy.
At the time, Ange didn't realize they avoided him not just because of shyness.
"Let's do our best!" Diancie encouraged, clenching a fist.
"Let's go!" Ange bumped fists with Diancie.