After his initial shock, Ange gradually regained his composure.
At that moment, Xerneas asked, "May I eat now?"
Ange checked the time and realized it was only mid-afternoon, but since Xerneas wanted to eat, he would cook!
"Xerneas, I will prepare it for you now. Could you wait a moment?" Ange asked.
"Of course," Xerneas replied.
"Munchlax, Drizzile, Gen, come and help!" Ange said to his three apprentices.
Munch munch~
Driz driz~
Haunt~
The three Pokémon cheered and followed Ange into the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Ange prepared the ingredients while speaking to his three apprentices. "We have to give it our all today!"
Munch munch~
Driz driz~
Haunt~
Munchlax, Drizzile, and Gen nodded with solemn expressions.
Furthermore, before they started cooking, Gen carefully took off the flower wreath its senior brother had given it and hid it in its system backpack.
This way, it could keep the gift from its senior brother forever!
Outside, Xerneas lay down on the soft grass and spoke to the gathered Pokémon. "Can you tell me about yourselves and the master of this place?"
Hearing this, the Pokémon instinctively gathered around Xerneas, including Diancie, Magearna, and Volcanion.
They told Xerneas Ange's story, describing how their feelings toward him changed from initial hostility to their current affection, and shared every little detail of their time with him.
As time passed, the tension everyone felt upon first meeting Xerneas vanished. Diancie and Magearna talked with it easily, while Pawmi, Ralts, and Espurr even fell asleep leaning against it.
Through the words of the Pokémon, Xerneas caught a glimpse of Ange's character.
At that moment, the two Charcadet finally returned riding their Oinkologne. They had a great harvest today, so they were in high spirits.
Initially, they were confused to see everyone gathered together, especially since it wasn't mealtime yet.
However, once they saw Xerneas surrounded in the center, the four Pokémon ran over excitedly.
Xerneas naturally saw them too.
"You have returned?" Xerneas asked in a kind tone.
Chaka chaka~ My friend, you finally came!
The well-behaved Charcadet said happily. At this point, it still thought Xerneas was the Sawsbuck Ange had mentioned.
"Yes," Xerneas replied with a hint of a smile in its voice, "since I made a promise to you, I had to come!"
Honk honk~
Honk honk~
The two Oinkologne also excitedly crowded around Xerneas. Xerneas did not show any sign of disdain for their dusty appearance.
To the side, Volcanion watched the two Charcadet and two Oinkologne acting so close to Xerneas—almost like siblings—and its jaw nearly hit the ground.
Hey, hey, hey!!! Do you even know who you are talking to? Do you have any sense of awe at all?
Despite this, seeing Xerneas's attitude toward Charcadet and Oinkologne, Volcanion forced itself to swallow its words.
In the kitchen, Ange and his three apprentices were busy working. Ange had brought out his best ingredients, including two Chansey eggs and the Veluza meat he had been saving.
He handed the two Chansey eggs to Drizzile to make steamed eggs and tomato egg drop soup.
Meanwhile, he used the Veluza meat to make steamed fish and pickled cabbage fish.
The pickled cabbage used in the dish was something Ange had pickled himself with Munchlax and the others.
The Chinese cabbage in the den grew too quickly. Even after giving some to Gogoat and Skiddo, there was still too much, so Ange made a lot of pickled cabbage and stored it in the Secret Fortress warehouse.
The aroma of the pickled cabbage fish was truly overpowering, filling the entire kitchen.
Chaka chaka~
Just then, the well-behaved Charcadet poked its head into the kitchen. Because the spicy scent in the air was so strong, it couldn't help but cough.
Noticing Charcadet's arrival, Ange said in surprise, "You're back?"
Chaka~
The well-behaved Charcadet nodded and handed the backpack to Ange.
Ange took the bag and asked, "Are all four of you back? Did you run into any danger today?"
Chaka chaka~ Everyone is back, and we didn't encounter any danger.
The well-behaved Charcadet replied with squinted eyes, looking quite happy.
"Charcadet, you're in a great mood!" Ange asked with a smile.
Chaka chaka~ Mhm~ My friend is here.
Charcadet said.
"Friend? You mean Xerneas?" Ange paused.
Chaka? Xerneas?
This time it was Charcadet's turn to be confused.
Chaka chaka~ My friend is a Sawsbuck!
At that moment, Ange remembered that Charcadet and the others didn't know he had made a mistake. He smiled and said, "I got it wrong last time. I thought you met a Sawsbuck, but your friend's name is actually Xerneas."
Chaka~
The well-behaved Charcadet suddenly realized the truth.
Ange guessed that Charcadet and the others probably didn't know the significance of the name Xerneas, which was why they could say they were friends so calmly.
However, since Charcadet didn't realize it, Ange didn't intend to point it out. If Xerneas itself accepted them as friends, he had no right to intervene.
Having learned Xerneas's name, the well-behaved Charcadet happily left the kitchen.
Ange سپس opened the backpack Charcadet had given him.
When he saw what was inside, his heart leaped with joy. It was bamboo shoots! Fresh, tender bamboo shoots!
Indeed, it was spring, the peak season for bamboo shoots!
With these bamboo shoots, Ange had even more options to work with.
After thinking it over, Ange decided to make stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork. The recipe was simple and delicious.
After quickly peeling the shoots, he gathered the necessary seasonings: pork, rock salt, MSG, su, cooking wine, Ange's special bean paste, Dolliv's oil, green onions, ginger, and lic.
Once Ange prepared the seasonings, Munchlax and Gen, who had just finished the dry-fried green beans and lic stir-fried vegetables, came over.
Munch munch~ Master, what is this?
Munchlax pointed at the bamboo shoots Ange was slicing. There were no bamboo trees on the Nebel Plateau, so Munchlax naturally didn't recognize them.
Gen didn't know either and looked at Ange with curious eyes.
Ange answered, "These are bamboo shoots."
Munch munch? Bamboo shoots?
Munchlax still didn't understand.
Ange thought for a moment and explained, "Bamboo shoots are the young sprouts of bamboo."
What was bamboo? Munchlax shook its head, indicating it still didn't know.
Ange laughed and said, "When I have time, I'll take you to see some bamboo. As for explaining it... I can't really explain it clearly either."
After all, he wasn't a biology major.
Munch munch~
Haunt~
Munchlax and Gen both nodded.
While processing the ingredients, Ange didn't forget to use his Aura Power to refine them.
After slicing the bamboo shoots, Ange took the pork and separated the lean meat from the fat.
He shredded the lean meat and marinated it with su, salt, oil, special bean paste, and starch.
The fatty meat was sliced and then placed into a heated wok to render the lard.
While doing this, Ange said to Munchlax, "Munchlax, can you help me dry-fry the bamboo shoots?"
Munch munch~
Munchlax nodded, heated another wok without oil, added the sliced bamboo shoots and a little rock salt to remove the moisture. This would make the bamboo shoots crispier.
It only needed to be stirred for about a minute.
On Ange's side, once the fatty meat was rendered, he added lic and ginger to the wok to release their fragrance, followed by the marinated lean meat.
Once the lean meat turned white, Ange reached out toward Munchlax and said, "Munchlax, the bamboo shoots."
Munch munch~
Munchlax immediately handed the freshly fried bamboo shoots to Ange.
Ange took them and poured them into the wok. With a loud sizzle, the bamboo shoots and meat mixed together.
He flipped the ingredients quickly while adding rock salt, green onions, green peppers, and a small amount of bean paste for color.
As time passed, the aroma filled the air. Munchlax, Gen, and Drizzile all gathered around Ange.
Once the stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork were ready, Ange set aside a portion specifically for Munchlax, Gen, and Drizzile.
"You haven't tried bamboo shoots before, have you? Here, try some first." Ange handed them the plate.
The three Pokémon cheered, took the plate, and ran to the side to taste it.
Soon, the three Pokémon let out cries of happiness. Whenever their master made a new dish, they felt incredibly lucky because he always let them taste it first.
Munch munch~ Master, I love bamboo shoots!
Once all the dishes were finished, Ange and his three apprentices carried them out together.
Given Xerneas's size, it wasn't suitable for it to eat at a table, so Ange spread a picnic cloth on the grass and placed all the food on it.
There were over a dozen dishes in total. The aroma they emitted made even Xerneas subconciously swallow.
Ange said with a smile, "Xerneas, please try them. These were all made specially for you."
Xerneas nodded. "Then I shall not be polite." With that, it lowered its head and began to eat.
The first dish Xerneas tried was Ange's stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork.
The moment the bamboo shoots entered its mouth, the juices—a perfect blend of meat and vegetable flavors—flowed over its tongue. One bite revealed a crisp, tender texture that was truly stunning.
What surprised Xerneas even more was that this food contained a power that slightly increased its physical stamina limit.
If consumed long-term, Xerneas believed its stamina would grow to an incredibly profound level.
Food that could influence its physical abilities was simply unheard of. This was different from the buns and mantou the Charcadet and Oinkologne had given it before.
Furthermore, the curiously harmonious taste suggested the ingredients had been specially treated!
Swallowing the food, Xerneas looked at Ange. "Your culinary skills seem to have undergone a special change compared to before."
Ange smiled and explained, "Actually, the food you ate before was made by Munchlax."
Munch munch~
Munchlax scratched the back of its head shyly.
"Is that so..." Xerneas was surprised.
"But you're right, my skills have changed a lot since then," Ange added. "I awakened my Aura Power, so I use Aura to process the ingredients while cooking."
Xerneas realized the truth. "I see. A very impressive idea; I have never heard of someone using Aura to cook."
Ange chuckled. If it weren't for the system, how would he have known Aura could be used for cooking?
"Xerneas, how is it? Is the food to your liking?"
Xerneas nodded. "It is excellent."
This was the most unique meal it had ever eaten.
Ange said, "I'm glad you like it. You are welcome to come and eat my cooking anytime."
Xerneas nodded and continued eating.
Soon, Xerneas had finished over a dozen dishes along with rice. Even Ange hadn't expected the legendary Life Pokémon to eat so much.
Seeing Ange and the Pokémon looking at it in surprise, Xerneas didn't feel at all embarrassed. It said calmly to Ange:
"I have eaten quite a bit. I hope you don't mind."
Ange shook his head. "It is my honor that you enjoy my cooking."
While Xerneas was eating, Ange heard a notification from the system. Although he didn't know what it said, it was certainly related to Xerneas.
As Ange talked with Xerneas, Diancie and Magearna cleared away the dishes.
At that moment, Ange noticed a bit of dust on Xerneas's body, so he asked, "Xerneas, you've traveled a long way. Would you like to take a bath at my home?"
Xerneas was taken aback. After hesitating for a moment, it nodded. "Then I shall trouble you."
Ange shook his head with a smile. "It's no trouble. I give my Pokémon baths all the time."
With that, Ange stood up and led Xerneas into the house, bringing it to the bathroom of a guest room.
This was Xerneas's first time in a human home, and its eyes couldn't help but reveal a hint of curiosity.
"Xerneas, come in."
After preparing the bathing supplies, Ange filled a large tub with hot water.
Xerneas nodded slightly and stepped into the bathroom.
Ange said, "Soak in the hot water for a while to relax your body, then we can wash."
Xerneas had only ever bathed in the wild and didn't know how humans did it, so it did exactly what Ange said.
As its entire body was submerged in the tub, enveloped by warmth, Xerneas couldn't help but let out a sigh of contentment.
Ange smiled. "How is it? Does the hot water feel good?"
Xerneas nodded. "It is indeed comfortable."
It wasn't that it had never bathed in a hot spring before, but the chance of finding one during its travels was extremely low.
Once Xerneas finished soaking and its fatigue had lessened, Ange signaled for it to come out. He squeezed out some fluffy Pokémon shampoo and rubbed it onto its body.
Soon, massive bubbles covered Xerneas, emitting a fresh fragrance.
"What is this?" Xerneas asked curiously.
Ange explained, "This is a special Pokémon shampoo. It has a very strong cleaning effect and can nourish fur. My Munchlax and Pawmi use this one too."
Xerneas nodded. "You humans are indeed very wise in these matters."
While Ange used a brush to gently groom Xerneas's fur, he also used his hands to apply light pressure to its body.
This was a massage technique he had specifically learned. He used it often for Munchlax, Pawmi, and Drizzile.
"How does it feel? Is the pressure okay?" Ange asked.
"It is very comfortable. I feel as though all my fatigue has vanished. Thank you, Ange," Xerneas said sincerely.
"You're welcome," Ange replied with a smile as he washed Xerneas. "Am I the first human to ever give you a bath?"
Xerneas nodded. "You are indeed."
It had never imagined a day would come when it would let a human help it bathe or eat food prepared by human hands.
Once Xerneas's body was completely clean, Ange rinsed off the bubbles with fresh water and used a dry towel to wipe away the moisture.
"Let's go out," Ange said to Xerneas after finishing.
Xerneas nodded and followed Ange into the living room.
"Xerneas, wait here a moment." With that, Ange ran into his room.
Xerneas didn't know what Ange was doing, but it stood quietly in the living room and waited.
Soon, Ange returned holding something in his hand.
"What is that?" Xerneas studied the object in Ange's hand with curiosity.
Ange answered, "It's a hair dryer, a tool that can quickly dry fur." He sat down on the sofa and beckoned Xerneas over.
Xerneas obediently walked over and stood by Ange's side.
Ange plugged in the hair dryer, adjusted the setting, and began carefully drying Xerneas's fur.
"See? This way your fur gets dry much faster, right?" Ange asked.
Xerneas nodded. "A miraculous tool."
In the past, after bathing, it would simply stand quietly on a high point and let the mountain wind dry its fur.
The warm wind blowing against its body made Xerneas feel drowsy. Eventually, it lay down on the sofa and comfortably closed its eyes, letting Ange work on its coat.
Once Xerneas's fur was completely dry, Ange turned off the hair dryer and said, "All done!" He stroked Xerneas's back; the fur was as smooth as satin, making it hard to stop touching it.
Xerneas opened its eyes and slowly rose from the sofa. It felt incredibly light, as if it had been reborn.
"My thanks to you, Ange," it said gratefully.
Ange waved it off. "It's nothing. It's a rare treat to have you visit my home."
Xerneas didn't say anything more. It looked out the window at the setting sun and said, "I must go now."
Ange was surprised. "Leaving already?"
Xerneas nodded.
Ange didn't try to make it stay. Instead, he said warmly, "I wish you a safe journey, Xerneas."
"Thank you," Xerneas replied.
Then, the human and the Pokémon went downstairs.
The other Pokémon seemed to have already sensed that Xerneas was leaving, as they were all standing downstairs waiting.