Initial Battle

[Pokémon: Torchic]

[Ability: Speed Boost (A Pokémon with this Ability continuously increases its Speed over time while in battle, until it reaches its limit)]

[Type: Fire]

[Gender: Male]

[Level: 6 (Novice)]

[Moves: Growl, Scratch, Ember, Flame Charge (Inherited), Bulk Up (Inherited)]

Training plan: Focus on strengthening Torchic's leg muscles and practicing its current moves until it could use them proficiently...

Hmm, this would do for now. He could think about the details tonight.

Xinhai checked the time and realized it was already lunchtime. He called his parents to let them know he would be heading home for lunch soon.

Looking at Torchic sitting on the floor, he said, "Torchic, come to the kitchen with me."

Torchic was horrified when it heard that. It sprang to its feet and tried to run outside.

"Chamo! Chamo Σ( ° △ °|||)︴"

Xinhai was a little bewildered by Torchic's expression. He was not going to eat it, so why was it running?

But when he saw Torchic darting outside, he rushed forward and scooped it up.

"Did you misunderstand something? I just asked you to come to the kitchen and cook with me. I'm not going to eat you."

Torchic visibly relaxed at those words, looking a little embarrassed. "Chamo~ (o゜▽゜)o"

Xinhai mused to himself that the little guy probably thought he was dissatisfied with its performance and was afraid of being turned into an ingredient!

Looking at Torchic's adorable expression, Xinhai smiled and shook his head, carrying it toward the kitchen.

As soon as they entered the kitchen, Xinhai set Torchic on the cutting board. The moment Torchic spotted the kitchen knife beside it, it leaped up in fright and bolted out the door. Xinhai could not help but smile at the sight.

He opened the refrigerator and looked over the dazzling array of ingredients inside. What should I make today? Beef curry rice? Or cumin grilled meat? After searching for a while, a large slab of pork belly caught his eye.

"Got it, Dongpo pork over rice. Let's see, scallions, ginger, garlic... Oh, right, and most importantly, rice."

"Okay, everything's ready."

With practiced movements, Xinhai cut the premium pork belly into evenly sized chunks.

"Put some Fountain of Life in there." Muttering to himself, he blanched the pork belly in a pot, then added the three essentials for removing gaminess.

After taking it out, he chilled the pork belly in ice water. Then he placed it in a pan of oil and fried it until both sides were golden brown.

He caramelized some sugar, added Fountain of Life, put the pork belly in, then added Sichuan peppercorns, ginger slices, scallion segments, and other seasonings.

Before long, a rich fragrance filled the air and rushed straight into his nostrils. Once the pork belly had become tender and melt-in-your-mouth soft, he fished out the chunks...

He reduced the sauce over high heat, and the entire house was soon filled with the irresistible aroma.

Xinhai glanced toward the doorway and saw that Torchic was already drooling all over the floor.

"Chamo (¯﹃¯)"

The corners of Xinhai's mouth lifted slightly. Looking at the bright red Dongpo pork in the pan, he first served the rice, then piled the golden, tender pork over it, and finally ladled on a spoonful of rich sauce.

Just then, the front door opened.

Hearing the sound, Xinhai poked his head out and saw that his mother, Nami, had returned. He quickly called out, "Mom, Dad, come help carry the food."

"Coming," Nami answered.

"Son, did you make Dongpo pork? It smells so good," Yantai Bai Mu asked as he set down the things in his hands.

"You can already smell it, so why ask?" Nami said, carrying bowls over and shooting Yantai Bai Mu a glance.

After hearing that, Yantai did not dare say anything else and hurriedly put everything away.

Seeing his mother about to carry more bowls, Xinhai quickly said, "Mom, you and Dad go eat first. I'll pour some for Zigzagoon and the others."

Nami looked at her thoughtful son, her face blooming with a smile. "It's fine. Two people will be faster."

As she spoke, she poured a bowl of Dongpo pork over rice into Zigzagoon and the others' food bowls, then added Pokémon food as well.

After all, for Pokémon, human food could only be considered seasoning. To replenish energy, they still had to rely on Pokémon food or Pokéblocks.

However, Pokéblocks were far more expensive than Pokémon food, so most Trainers primarily fed their Pokémon Pokémon food.

Pokéblocks also came in different grades. Basic Energy Cubes were the most common. Even the most ordinary Universal Energy Cube cost twenty League Coins each, while better ones cost over a hundred. They were quite expensive.

Intermediate Energy Cubes cost even more. Even the cheapest kind generally cost more than the best Basic Energy Cubes, while top-tier Intermediate Energy Cubes cost over a thousand each.

As for Advanced Energy Cubes, they were even more special. Energy Cubes of that grade could no longer be bought on the market and could only be exchanged using League Points in the League Mission Hall. Every one of them was astonishingly valuable.

It was said that there were even higher-grade Energy Cubes, though he had never seen them. Perhaps only the Pokémon of great family heirs, Elite Four members, and Champions could eat them.

Their family was better off than most, but they still did not feed their Pokémon Energy Cubes every time. Pokémon food was the staple, while Energy Cubes were supplementary.

When he arrived in the yard, Xinhai smiled and said, "Zigzagoon, Rapidash, Quagsire, time to eat."

"Zig!" Zigzagoon charged straight toward Xinhai and happily wagged its tail beside him.

"Neigh!" "Quag!"

Rapidash and Quagsire also gathered around. One affectionately rubbed against Xinhai and Nami, while the other hugged Xinhai's leg.

"Quagsire, don't hug my pants. Let go already."

"Quag~ (๑´ㅂ`๑)"

Nami placed Zigzagoon and the others' bowls in front of them one by one. "All right, all right, eat up. It won't taste good once it gets cold."

Only then did they calm down and lower their heads to eat.

Seeing this, Xinhai called Nami back inside to eat. As soon as he entered, he saw Torchic with its head buried in its bowl and Yantai Bai Mu waiting for everyone to arrive. Smiling, he returned to his seat and began eating as well.

"Torchic, don't sneak food by yourself."

Torchic said nothing and simply kept eating.

After taking a bite, Nami looked at her son and smiled. "Xiao Hai's cooking is getting better and better. It could probably rival those top chefs."

Yantai Bai Mu looked utterly proud. "Of course. Just look whose son he is."

Nami shot Yantai a sidelong glance. "Eat your food. No one will think you're mute if you don't talk."

Watching his father lower his head and eat, Xinhai thought, Our family really is harmonious!

After finishing the last bite in his bowl, he got another serving. Looking at Yantai, who was nearly done eating, he asked, "Dad, want more rice?"

"Of course I do. Xiao Hai, your cooking is so delicious that I can't get enough." As he spoke, he handed over his bowl.

As Xinhai filled the bowl, he said to Yantai, "Dad, after lunch, I'm going to hang out with Yingnan. I'll be back tonight."

Yantai smiled when he heard that. "Sure, go ahead. Just don't lose!"

Xinhai handed the refilled bowl to his father and said confidently, "Don't worry. Torchic and I can take down Yingnan easily. Right, Torchic?" He looked toward Torchic, which was lounging lazily.

Torchic: (′▽`〃)!

Torchic opened its mouth to respond, but let out a burp instead, making the three of them burst into laughter and adding even more joy to the harmonious atmosphere.

After lunch, Xinhai took Torchic to the Pokémon Center.

Looking at Torchic's round little belly, Xinhai asked with concern, "Torchic, are you all right?"

Torchic patted its chest and answered confidently, "Chamo! Chamo!"

"Good. Then we'll run there. That guy Yingnan must already be waiting for us."

"Chamo~"

They soon arrived at the Pokémon Center.

Xinhai pushed open the doors and politely greeted Nurse Joy at the front desk.

"Hello, Nurse Joy!"

"Hello, little brother Xinhai! Oh, no, I should call you Trainer Xinhai now." Nurse Joy responded with a smile.

"Nurse Joy, you must be very busy today!" Xinhai looked at the bustling crowd in the lobby, most of whom were Novice Trainers who had just received their Pokémon that day.

Nurse Joy rolled her eyes helplessly and looked at the people in the hall. "These next few days won't be easy. All right, someone's waiting for you at the training field, isn't he? Go on."

"Okay."

After saying goodbye to Nurse Joy, Xinhai headed toward the battle field in the Pokémon Center's backyard.

Sure enough, as soon as he arrived at the battle field, he heard a familiar voice. "Xinhai, over here!"

Xinhai followed the voice and saw Yingnan waving enthusiastically at him. Beside him stood a Pokémon with tall fin-like antennae on its head, prominent orange cheek fins on both sides of its face, and a huge tail fin.

It was Mudkip, one of the Starter Pokémon of the Hoenn Region.

"Sure enough, you get the most excited whenever there's a battle!" Xinhai teased Yingnan with a smile.

"As a Trainer, how can I not be enthusiastic about Pokémon battles?" Yingnan replied seriously.

Then Yingnan spoke those classic words.

"Let's have a Pokémon battle!"

Xinhai looked at Yingnan and agreed without hesitation.

"Sure, let's do it."

That was exactly what he had been waiting to hear!