Sobble sprang off Munchlax's belly when it heard Ange's question. It climbed onto Ange's lap in a flash.
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~" Call him! Call him!
Ange smiled and patted it. "Do not rush." He then called Siebold.
Siebold was still staying temporarily at the Azoth Royal Capital. He had not left yet.
Ange made a video call, and Siebold's projection quickly appeared on the phone.
"Good evening, Prince Ange! Good evening, Sobble."
"Good evening, Elite Four Siebold." Ange also greeted Siebold with a smile.
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~."
Sobble happily leaned toward the phone. It put its eye close to the camera, startling Siebold with the big eyeball.
Seeing Sobble lively, Siebold said with relief, "It seems you are adjusting well at Prince Ange's place. That puts my mind at ease."
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~" Sobble gave its signature big thumbs-up. It meant that it liked Ange's home very much.
"Then I have an answer for my grandfather when I return home," Siebold said.
***
After Sobble finished chatting with Siebold, Ange rose from the sofa. "Alright, it is time for special training!"
Munchlax and Diancie put down what they were holding and got up from the sofa. Diancie did not forget to pick up Komala.
Sobble looked at everyone in confusion.
Special training? What special training? Do we still need special training this late?
Then, under its bewildered gaze, Ange carried it to the Cooking Training Room. He introduced it to the Cooking Training Room's features.
Sobble was simply stunned after hearing the explanation. Ten times faster than the outside world?
Ange then said, "Today we unlocked a new Recipe. Let us try training on this one."
"Okay!" Diancie took out its black-rimmed glasses. It quickly put them on. A pointer also appeared in its hand without notice.
The pointer cracked as it swung.
It came! The devil coach came!
Diancie pointed the pointer at the big screen behind it. A video immediately appeared on the big screen. It demonstrated the method for cooking Red Bean Congee.
Although Red Bean Congee seemed simple, the Recipe given by the System was unique. It contained all sorts of unusual methods that could make simple ingredients achieve the utmost deliciousness.
Immediately afterward, a pile of ingredients appeared in front of Ange, Munchlax, and Sobble.
"Begin."
Diancie snapped the pointer on the podium. Munchlax flinched in response. In the past, when Diancie snapped the podium, it was usually scolding Munchlax.
***
Cooking congee required starting with washing the rice. The one human and two Pokémon began to work. Sobble was taking part in this special training for the first time. It felt like everything was new, and it took the task seriously.
Furthermore, congee was also a kind of food that it had never encountered.
However, it seemed to have an unusual talent for cooking congee. Because of its keen perception of water, it could easily grasp the ratio of rice to water. It also knew when the texture of the rice and red beans would be best. So, it ended up being the first of the three to become proficient.
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~~"
Sobble truly loved cooking. It even sang while practicing. It was not angry even when Diancie sternly corrected it for making a mistake. It occasionally gave Ange and Munchlax a thumbs-up.
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~" Am I good? Am I good?
Ange did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Good! Very good!"
Sobble became even more motivated when it heard this.
***
Soon, an hour passed. Ange and the others came out of the Training Room.
As soon as they left the Training Room, Diancie exited its devil coach mode. Its gaze toward everyone was full of gentleness and patience.
Munchlax was wilted like a small bok choy that had been scolded. Sobble, however, looked refreshed.
"Munch, Munch~~" Why are you still so happy after being scolded?
Munchlax hugged Sobble and asked with a confused expression.
Sobble suddenly clenched its fists with a fighting spirit. "Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~" Because this will make me better!
After saying that, it suddenly gave Munchlax a brilliant thumbs-up. "Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~" Was I good just now? Was I good?
"Munch~" Very good!
Munchlax was bewildered and could not keep up with Sobble's switching expressions. It replied blankly.
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~"
Sobble happily jumped from Munchlax's arms to Ange's arms. It even did a somersault in Ange's arms.
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~" I am the best! I am the best!
This narcissistic fellow! Ange thought.
Diancie appreciated Sobble's attitude. It walked over, stroked its head, and said, "Very good!"
***
After the training ended, everyone returned to their rooms to wash up and sleep.
Diancie prepared a room for Sobble. However, Sobble did not like sleeping alone. It insisted on sleeping with Munchlax, and Munchlax happily agreed.
The next day, Ange got up to work as usual. He put a small chef's outfit on Sobble, including a small chef's hat on its head.
"Alright, today you will officially start working! Go for it!"
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~" Am I handsome?
Sobble admired itself in the mirror. It turned and turned. When it was done admiring itself, it turned around. It gave a thumbs-up and struck a handsome and charming pose as it asked Ange.
Ange gave it a thumbs-up generously.
"You look great!"
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~"
Sobble was immediately satisfied.
"Let us go." Ange picked it up.
When they arrived at the Munchlax Home, Ange put Komala on the counter. He and Sobble went to the kitchen to get busy.
Meowstic, as usual, planned to clean the store first. But after circling the store, it could not help but look confused.
Why did the store feel so clean it was almost glowing?
"Meow, Meow, Meow~"
It walked into the kitchen and expressed its confusion to Ange. But Ange could not understand.
"Meowstic, what is wrong?" Ange asked.
Meowstic thought about it before deciding to let it go. Maybe it was just its illusion.
Seeing Meowstic turn and return to the main hall, Ange did not think much of it. He continued to busy himself with the work in his hands.
"Sobble, can I leave the task of cooking congee to you today?" Ange asked Sobble.
"Sobb~" No problem!
Sobble confidently gave Ange an okay gesture.
***
Soon, several large pots appeared in the kitchen. Sobble started to get busy. It used a column of water to raise itself to the same height as the stove. It also controlled the water flow to wash the rice, wash the beans, and chop the vegetables. Its movements were clean and swift.
Ange felt relieved and began to steam Mantou and make buns. Today, he planned to add a new flavor of bun: pork and scallion bun!
The three kinds of bun in the store were all vegetarian. The flavor was too monotonous. How could people not eat meat?
However, the one human and one Pokémon did not know that a pair of eyes was staring at them in the corner of the kitchen.
Not long after, Romeo and Slurpuff also arrived.
Romeo was a bit distracted while working today. Ange quickly noticed his oddness. He asked, "What is wrong, Romeo?"
Romeo hesitated to speak.
"Are you still sad about Jarvis?" Ange asked with a smile.
Romeo shook his head. He stammered, "No, I... I... I might not be able to help you tomorrow, Your Highness."
Jarvis was captured, so a new teacher was assigned to Romeo. Compared to before, he had more things to study.
Ange suddenly realized the situation. He smiled brightly. "So that is all it was about! If you cannot come, you cannot come. Just say so! Are you embarrassed?"
Romeo nodded.
"You are lacking in experience." Ange said with a smile, "You are the Prince of Azoth. You have your own responsibilities and mission. Of course, you cannot always be a waiter in my store.
Look, with Meowstic here, we can manage the store. You do not have to worry." At worst, he would just hire another waiter. It was no big deal.
"Mhm." Romeo nodded vigorously. "I understand."
Because it was their last day working at the Munchlax Home, Romeo and Slurpuff worked extra hard today.
Soon, the opening time arrived. Customers entered the door one after another, and they immediately noticed the changes in the menu hanging on the wall.
"Oh, Meowstic, a new menu item has been added today!"
"What kind of delicacy is this congee? And this newly added pork and scallion bun must be delicious, right?!"
Some people could not help but drool. Just then, a stronger aroma than usual drifted out of the kitchen.
The scallions in the pork and scallion bun were grown in Ange's own vegetable garden. The steamed bun was incredibly fragrant. It was even more savory to eat.
It could make your tongue fall off from the savory flavor.
As for the congee... there were two types of congee on the menu at the Munchlax Home today: Red Bean Congee and Vegetable and Meat Congee.
The Red Bean Congee could be customized with or without sugar according to personal preference. It was a vegetarian congee and could also be a sweet congee. Vegetable and Meat Congee was simply a savory congee and meat congee.
Below the menu, there was an introduction to both types of congee. Meowstic pointed out for the customers to look.
"Okay, then I will have a serving of Red Bean Congee and two pork and scallion buns."
"Give me a serving of Vegetable and Meat Congee and two pork and scallion buns."
...
"Meow, Meow~"
Meowstic responded. It quickly served the congee and pork, and scallion bun to the customers.
As expected, hot congee with a hot bun in the cold winter made the customers exhale steam.
It was so comfortable.
If only he could unlock Spicy Soup someday. That was a must-have for a breakfast shop! Ange thought.
In the middle, Ange specifically peeked into the main hall. Sure enough, he saw Siebold dining in the corner. He had come again today.
Siebold also noticed him. He waved and said hello.
Siebold left after finishing breakfast. He did not specifically come to look for Ange and Sobble.
***
10:00 arrived quickly. Ange closed the door as usual. He watched Romeo and Slurpuff get picked up by the guards.
Then he asked Sobble, "I have to go out. Will you go back with Meowstic and Komala, or will you come with me?"
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~" Sobble quickly climbed onto Ange's shoulder. It used its action to prove its choice.
"Alright, then let us go together." Ange scratched Sobble's chin. He then said to Meowstic, "Meowstic, could I trouble you to take Komala back to the Nebel Plateau?"
"Meow~"
Meowstic nodded. It used its psychic power to carry Komala to the third floor.
Ange then locked the door and left the Munchlax Home with Sobble.
When the Munchlax Home became completely quiet, a shadow suddenly appeared on the ceiling. Then a Haunter drilled out of it.
It first looked around the main hall. Then, blue light was emitted from its eyes. The slightly messy tables and chairs were immediately arranged neatly.
This Haunter also had a bit of OCD. All the tables and chairs had to be placed symmetrically. Otherwise, it felt uncomfortable.
After tidying up the tables and chairs, it floated into the kitchen.
Looking at the messy kitchen that had not been tidied up yet, Haunter looked disgusted. Blue light flashed in its eyes again. Immediately, the pots, bowls, and ladles began to wash themselves. The messy seasonings and ingredients returned to their respective places.
In a moment, the entire kitchen became sparkling new.
Haunter nodded in satisfaction after completing all this.
It floated in the air for a while. Then it drifted toward the kitchen waste bin. It used its psychic power to rummage through it.
"Haunt, Haunt~~"
Suddenly, it found half of a vegetable bun in the trash can. A delighted smile appeared on its face.
"Haunt, Haunt~~"
It treasured the half-bun in its hands. It tasted it in small bites and a satisfied smile appeared on its face.
It tasted so good!
After finishing the bun, it became melancholic again. It slowly faded into the nearby wall and disappeared.
***
Ange, with Sobble, went to the supermarket. He wanted to pre-order rice. Otherwise, he might not be able to buy it later due to a shortage.
As Ange and Sobble came out of the supermarket, he suddenly received a call from Lila.
"Your Highness, my father agreed to your proposal." Lila's voice came from the other end of the phone. She was referring to Ange's proposal to place the Sky Fortress on the Nebel Plateau.
"Father said if you truly have a way to take the Sky Fortress away quietly, then proceed with your proposal. If not, it would be better not to move it, to avoid attracting the attention of those with ill intentions."
"Okay, I understand. Tell Edward not to worry. No one will notice." Ange said.
After hanging up the phone, Ange returned to the Munchlax Home with Sobble.
As soon as he entered the door, he felt something was wrong.
Ange asked, "Sobble, do you feel like something is wrong?"
"Sobb~" Is there?
Sobble looked left and right. Where did you feel something was wrong?
"Maybe it's just me," Ange said after thinking for a moment. "Let us go back to the Nebel Plateau. We will tidy up the kitchen this afternoon."
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~"
Sobble nodded.
However, when Ange returned that afternoon and saw the spotless kitchen, he thought: Meowstic is so diligent. It has already finished the work!