Returning to Research Station No. 1, Ange and Arven found that the two professors and the researchers were still working. They truly forgot to eat and sleep.
"Let's cook," Ange said to Arven.
"Mhm, I'll help," Arven replied with a nod.
"Wait a moment," Ange said suddenly. Following that, he summoned Munchlax, Diancie, and Drizzile from home.
Seeing this scene, Arven's jaw dropped in shock.
"This is one of my special abilities; I can summon my own Pokémon to my side," Ange explained to him.
Arven tucked away his shocked expression and nodded slightly. Although people with special abilities were rare, he had heard of them.
"Munch munch~" Master, you're so slow. I've been waiting for you for a long time.
As soon as it saw Ange, Munchlax threw itself into his arms, expressing its longing.
"Munchlax!"
Arven also ran over happily.
"Munch~"
Munchlax let go of Ange and gave Arven a warm hug. Arven felt a bit overwhelmed by Munchlax's enthusiasm, so he released Mabosstiff to hide his emotions.
Ange watched Munchlax with a smile. He liked how Munchlax was so good at expressing its feelings.
It was truly cute.
"Let's start cooking. We got some great ingredients today, so you're all in for a treat," Ange said as he took out cookware, a dining table, seasonings, and other items from the System Backpack.
Upon hearing this, Munchlax and Drizzile were immediately filled with anticipation.
Because the Research Station was a scientific institution, Ange and the others went to the grass outside to cook.
The weather in the upper layer of the Great Crater of Paldea was beautiful today, making it perfect for an outdoor picnic.
Ange said to Drizzile, "Drizzile, could you please boil a pot of vegetable soup?" He then took out the necessary vegetables and handed them to Drizzile.
"Driz driz~"
Drizzile gave Ange a thumbs-up without hesitation and began to get busy.
Ange then spoke to the two Charcadet, "Charcadet, I'll need your help with the fire."
"Chaka~"
"Chaka~"
The two Charcadet readily agreed.
Crybaby Charcadet squatted under the iron rack of the soup pot, and red flames erupted from its body. Before long, the water in the pot began to bubble and boil.
"Driz driz~" Lower the fire, lower the fire.
Hearing this, Crybaby Charcadet quickly adjusted its flames.
"Driz driz~" Good job!
Drizzile gave it a thumbs-up.
"Chaka~~"
Crybaby Charcadet smiled shyly.
Ange said, "Munchlax, start the rice first, then come and help me."
"Munch~"
Munchlax nodded and began its work.
As for Diancie and Arven, they could not help with the actual cooking, so they assisted by carrying water and washing vegetables.
Good Boy Charcadet sat squatted beneath the rice pot, flames enveloping its body. Soon, the aroma of rice wafted from the pot.
Leaving the rice to simmer on the side, Munchlax came over to help Ange.
Since both Charcadet were occupied, Ange planned to make fish balls first.
Each piece of Veluza meat was quite large. Ange took them out and placed them on the cutting board. The snow-white fish meat trembled slightly; it was truly fresh and tender.
"Come on, Munchlax, let's get to work."
"Munch~"
Munchlax cheered and stood side by side with Ange. The master and disciple both picked up a piece of fish meat and a kitchen knife.
The first step was processing the fish meat. The pair first used the knives to cut the meat into small pieces, then minced them finely until the meat became a paste.
Veluza meat has no bones. Fish bones are part of a fish's skeleton, and Veluza naturally would not shed its own skeleton.
The mincing step could have been completed with a machine, but Ange had not brought one on this trip, so they had to do it by hand. Regardless, it was not much trouble for the two of them.
The second step was seasoning the fish meat.
"Munchlax, follow my lead," Ange said.
"Munch~~"
Munchlax nodded repeatedly.
By this time, Drizzile and Arven had also come over. Seeing them, Ange said, "You guys join in too."
"Driz driz~~"
Drizzile cheered and immediately stepped in to help.
Arven asked hesitantly, "Can I?"
Ange said with a smile, "There's no 'can' or 'cannot.' It's just cooking. Even if we fail, so what? It's no big deal."
"Mhm!" Arven smiled and nodded vigorously, then started working alongside Ange.
The task of watching the fire was left to Diancie.
Although it did not know how to cook, after being around it every day, watching a fire was certainly no problem.
Because this was Arven's first time practicing culinary arts, Ange explained everything in great detail.
"Come, let's add an appropriate amount of salt to the minced fish. You know how much an 'appropriate amount' is, right?"
"Munch~"
"Driz driz~"
Munchlax and Drizzile nodded at the same time.
Arven: (•ิ_•ิ)?
Ange continued, "Next, add cooking wine, pepper, ginger, and so on."
Then, using hands clad in disposable plastic gloves, they thoroughly mixed the fish meat, allowing the minced meat to fully blend with the seasonings.
"We can also add an appropriate amount of starch and egg whites. Starch increases the stickiness of the fish balls, while egg whites make the texture smoother."
Arven nodded thoughtfully.
After a while, the two Charcadet finished their tasks. Ange asked them to use a low fire to help boil a pot of water.
"Pay attention, use a low fire," he reminded the two Charcadet.
"Chaka~"
"Chaka~"
The two Charcadet nodded.
The final step was forming the fish balls.
"Come, come, everyone follow me," Ange said to Munchlax, Drizzile, and Arven.
The person and two Pokémon all looked toward Ange.
Ange spoke while demonstrating for them, "We do it like this... like this... and then like this..."
Ange grabbed a handful of seasoned fish meat, squeezed it through the gap between his thumb and forefinger, and then scooped the protruding portion with a small spoon. A fish ball was formed.
He then used the spoon to place the fish ball into the hot water to cook it.
"When the fish balls float up, it means they are done."
Munchlax, Drizzile, and Arven all nodded. They imitated Ange's movements, using their hands to squeeze the fish meat.
Squish~~
Munchlax's strength was too great, and it squeezed a lump of fish meat right into the air.
"Driz driz, driz driz~~" Hahaha~~ Munchlax, you're so clumsy!
Drizzile laughed loudly at Munchlax.
"Munch munch~" Are you better than me?
Munchlax looked indignant.
"Driz driz, driz driz~" Of course! I'm both handsome and capable!
Drizzile said confidently.
Saying that, it recalled Ange's movements and absorbed Munchlax's experience, but in the end, the fish meat it scooped into the spoon did not hold its shape at all.
"Munch munch munch~" Hahaha~~ You're even dumber!
This time it was Munchlax's turn to laugh loudly at Drizzile.
After laughing at each other, the two Pokémon looked at Arven at the same time.
"Munch~" Your turn.
"Driz driz~" Your turn.
Arven gripped the fish meat, feeling a bit nervous. But miraculously, he got it right on the first try.
"I did it!" Arven said in surprise.
"Munch~" So impressive!
"Driz driz~" So cool!
Munchlax and Drizzile praised him repeatedly.
"Quick, put it in the hot water," Ange said.
"Mhm."
Arven placed the fish ball into the water. Watching it slowly float up in the boiling water, a sense of accomplishment welled up in his heart.
With the experience of their first failure, Munchlax and Drizzile learned their lesson and soon successfully produced fish balls.
Through the efforts of the master, the two disciples, and Arven, the fish balls were soon finished.
Next, Ange and his two disciples divided the work.
Ange further prepared dishes using the fish balls, Drizzile stir-fried some vegetables, and Munchlax used the Veluza meat to make other delicacies.
As time passed, Ange made Spicy Drooling Fish Balls, Crispy Fried Fish Balls, and Tomato Sauce Fish Balls. Munchlax made Braised Fish, Steamed Fish, and Boiled Fish. Drizzile used the vegetables to make Hot and Sour Potato Shreds, Di San Xian, and Sauteed Mushrooms. The mushrooms used were the ones the Oinkologne had found earlier today.
Inside the Research Station, Professor Sada and Professor Turo were still busy, with Romeo learning from them.
Suddenly, Romeo's nose twitched as a fragrance lingered around him.
"Professor Sada, Professor Turo, do you smell something fragrant?" he asked.
"Fragrant?"
The two professors paused.
"Is there?"
Romeo sniffed again carefully and then said firmly, "There is!"
Suddenly he remembered something and said excitedly, "I know! It must be the Prince cooking!"
"Cooking?" Professor Sada and Turo looked at each other. They checked the time—whoa, it was already this late!
Now that it was mentioned, the three of them felt their stomachs growl. This sound seemed to trigger a chain reaction, as the other researchers' stomachs began to growl as well.
For a moment, everyone could not help but chuckle.
"It is time to eat. Has today's meal been delivered yet?" Professor Sada asked.
One researcher shook his head, "It should be a while longer."
Romeo then pulled Professor Sada and Professor Turo toward the door, "The Prince must have made something delicious and is waiting for us."
The two professors could not resist Romeo and had to follow him out. As they drew closer to the entrance, the fragrance they smelled became richer and richer.
Because the Research Station was well-sealed, it was difficult for those working inside to smell the aroma, no matter how strong it was. Only Romeo, who had a sharp sense of smell and was familiar with Ange's cooking, had caught a faint scent.
Once outside, the noses of Romeo and the two professors were immediately filled with various aromas.
"Dad, Mom!"
Seeing the two professors come out, Arven ran happily to their side.
Looking at the tables and chairs set up on the grass and the feast laid out on the table, the two professors were astonished, while Romeo ran directly to Ange's side.
He was as excited as a puppy begging for food, circling around Ange.
" " "Prince, Prince, so many delicious things!"
Ange patted his head and said, "Go call everyone inside the Research Station out to eat."
"Yay!" Romeo cheered and sprinted into the Research Station.
Professor Sada and Professor Turo walked to Ange's side, holding Arven's hands.
"Ange, did you make all of this?" Professor Sada asked in disbelief.
Ange replied with a smile, "Not just me. Arven helped too."
"Really?" Professor Sada asked.
Saying that, the two professors looked at their son together, their eyes filled with pleasant surprise.
"I only helped a little bit," Arven said shyly in a low voice.
Professor Sada gave her son a hug and said happily, "Son, you're amazing!"
Professor Turo also rubbed Arven's head, "Our Arven has finally grown up."
Ange added, "Arven has quite a talent for cooking!"
Arven's face turned even redder from the praise.
Shortly after, the other researchers were called out by Romeo. When they saw the table full of delicacies, they showed the same expressions the two professors had earlier.
"Let's eat, everyone!" Ange announced.
Hearing this, everyone sat around the table and began eating eagerly. Ange's cooking once again instantly conquered everyone.
Professor Sada marveled, "I finally understand why Nasir always wants to invest in you!"
Actually, even Ange was a bit stunned by the Veluza meat. It was just as delicious as the legends said.
The Boiled Fish was tender and juicy, melting in the mouth; the fish balls were springy and smooth, firm and snappy; the steamed fish was fragrant and savory, rich but not greasy... No matter how it was prepared, the Veluza meat was delicious to the extreme!
Without any surprise, everyone was stuffed by the end of lunch.
Professor Turo slumped onto the grass, constantly rubbing his stomach, "This is too comfortable!"
Professor Sada also said, "Yes, it's been a long time since I've eaten this much!"
Watching everyone's lazy appearance, Ange smiled and began cleaning up the dishes with Diancie.
At that moment, a person in a uniform descended from the sky riding a Corviknight. The Corviknight was clutching a large crate in its talons.
After landing, the man looked at the professors and researchers who were already full and asked with a look of confusion, "You guys... already ate?"
This person was the one who usually delivered meals to the professors.
Professor Sada said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Ata. We're all full. You've made a trip for nothing."
Ata said hesitantly, "Then what about the food I brought?"
Hearing this, Ange said, "Why not leave it to me!"
It just so happened that the Veluza had not eaten yet.
Ata did not know Ange. He looked at the two professors, and seeing them nod, he agreed, "Alright."
With that, he left the large food crate and flew away on his Corviknight.
Ange said to Diancie, "Diancie, I'll leave the cleaning to you. Munchlax, Drizzile, and I will go feed the Veluza."
"Mhm, leave it to me," Diancie nodded.
The professors and researchers immediately got up to help Diancie.
Afterward, Ange and Munchlax carried the large crate toward the pool, with Drizzile following behind, carrying the food Ange had originally prepared for the Veluza.
Arriving at the poolside, Ange clapped his hands and shouted loudly, "Everyone, come out to eat!"
As Ange's voice fell, one Veluza after another surfaced from the bottom of the water, everyone racing to the edge of the pool.
Ange quickly clapped and shouted, "Line up! If you don't line up, you don't eat."
"Velu~~"
At that moment, the Veluza leader let out a cry. The chaotic Veluza instantly quieted down and obediently swam to the back to form a line.
Seeing this, Ange happily praised the Veluza leader, "Not bad, very leader-like!"
"Velu~"
The Veluza leader squinted its crescent-shaped eyes and opened its massive mouth, waiting for Ange to feed it.
Ange said, "Alright, alright, here it comes!"
Saying that, he poured a large basin of rice mixed with stir-fried vegetables into the Veluza leader's mouth.
Chomp chomp chomp chomp
The Veluza leader immediately began to chew rapidly.
"Is it good?" Ange asked.
"Velu velu~"
The Veluza leader spun around happily in the water, splashing water all over Ange.
"You rascal..."
Ange continued to feed it.
Veluza were large, so their appetites were naturally large as well. Just feeding the leader alone took Ange quite a bit of effort.
Munchlax and Drizzile were also busy feeding the other Veluza.
It took nearly an hour for the master and two disciples to finish feeding all the Veluza.
After eating their fill, the Veluza swam around contentedly in the water.
After a while, Diancie and Arven arrived at the poolside.
"Is everything cleaned up?" Ange asked.
Diancie nodded.
Then Ange asked Arven, "Did the professors go back to work already?"
"Mhm~" Arven replied.
Ange could not help but say, "They really work hard!"
Then Ange and the others sat by the pool chatting.
Mabosstiff lay on Arven's lap with its eyes half-closed.
Ange was flanked by the Oinkologne, who were napping after eating and drinking their fill, and leaned against the soft body of Munchlax.
Diancie teased the two Charcadet, while Drizzile jumped into the pool, riding on the back of the Veluza leader and playing in the water with the other Veluza.