Jubilife Breeding Center.
Since dinner was relatively easy to handle, Lucario and Metagross did not need to help out in the evenings.
Preparing food for Li Wei's Pokémon was an art. At the very least, it was not as easy as it seemed, because their tastes were rather unusual...
Dawn said excitedly, "Master said I'll be responsible for Lucario's food and the others' from now on."
Dayou enthusiastically explained things to Dawn. "Pokémon are like us. Smaller, more frequent meals are better. Three meals a day is ideal."
Dawn nodded vigorously. "Uh-huh!"
"Pokémon have different tastes. Even individual Pokémon of the same species can have different preferences."
As Dayou spoke, he prepared Pokémon Food for Lucario and the others.
"Remember, Arcanine and Lucario like spicy food-the spicier, the better."
"Arcanine generally like spicy food, but that isn't true of all Lucario."
Dayou explained everything as he worked, without worrying about whether Dawn could remember it all.
"Shaymin only eats Berries and Grass Dumplings, and prefers sour and astringent flavors."
Knowledge about Pokémon was something to pick up little by little through this sort of everyday exposure.
Dawn had not expected someone as tall and burly as Dayou to be so attentive.
The evening business hours flew by.
At half past seven,
Li Wei sat in the cafeteria, eating while on a video call.
On the other end was Cynthia, eating ramen.
They chatted over their meals.
Naturally, Li Wei told Cynthia about taking on apprentices.
Cynthia's chopsticks paused.
"You've taken on two more apprentices?"
Li Wei smiled. "One, to be precise. Shiyin was already practically my apprentice."
Remembering how Shiyin had always followed Li Wei around, working hard to learn, Cynthia could not help smiling. "True."
"I'm going ahead with that Breeding Center plan I told you about. I'm meeting