Because of the special dishes the system had yet to unlock, Li Wei wanted to learn cooking as well.
He had proficiency points anyway. All he had to do was grind.
Pokémon Breeders and chefs both had ranks, and passing the relevant exams earned them League certification.
From lowest to highest, the ranks were beginner, intermediate, advanced, top-tier, Master Tier, and grandmaster.
For chefs ranked Master Tier or above, Pokémon food made from certain ingredients
could strengthen Pokémon just like precious resources and rare Berries, making it a form of training.
Siebold, Kalos's Water-type Elite Four member, was a Master Tier chef.
Grandpa's cooking was at Master Tier, while his breeding skills were top-tier.
When Li Wei said he wanted to learn from him, Grandpa's expression turned stern, and the air around them suddenly grew tense.
Arcanine, who had been happily slurping beef noodles, began eating cautiously. In the end, Arcanine grabbed the bowl and fled without looking back.
(╬￣皿￣)
You're abandoning me just like that? You sure ran fast!
Li Wei had expected this.
Grandpa had always been serious when it came to breeding and cooking.
That was how he took responsibility for the Pokémon in his care.
A side quest appeared on the quest panel.
[Lian's Wish]: Lian is troubled that his eldest son neglected the family trade to become a Pokémon stylist, and that his second son, granddaughter, and grandson have failed to inherit his skills. Before the Pokémon Day Care opens, make a serving of Pokémon food that satisfies Lian. Quest reward: Random Specialty Cuisine ×1
Li Wei hadn't realized Grandpa had such a dream, though it made sense when he thought about it.
His Elder Uncle, Li Wen, had little interest in breeding and had become a designer and tailor.
His cousin Vera had gone even further afield, heading straight into researching ancient history and fossils.
Although his father, Leon, had become both a Pokémon Breeder and a chef, Grandpa's assessment of him was:
"Better than the worst, but nowhere near the best."
Breeding and cooking both required talent.
Someone like Li Wei, who gained proficiency whenever Pokémon ate his food, was practically cheating.
Although Li Wei made food for his own Pokémon, he had never considered becoming a Pokémon Breeder.
His original plan had been to raise only his own Pokémon.
With his parents opening a new Pokémon Day Care, Li Wei made up his mind.
His parents had even borrowed money from his Elder Uncle. He couldn't let himself become the heir to a mountain of debt.
Even without a system quest, he had to do this.
Lian looked at Li Wei and asked sternly, "You're not joking?"
Leon shook his head. "No. Mom and Dad are opening a new Pokémon Day Care. I want to help them, and I want to try following this path myself."
Li Wei's philosophy was that if he was going to do something, he would do it to the best of his ability.
Grandpa nodded slightly. "That's a decent reason. You do have talent, and you can stick with it, unlike your cousin, who cried at the drop of a hat."
Grandpa's words reminded Li Wei of his childhood.
He had either been memorizing Pokémon breeding manuals or busy making Pokémon food.
Edible or not, everything he made went into Gengar's fourth-dimensional stomach. It wasn't as though it could upset Gengar's stomach anyway.
His cousin had bailed early on.
Li Wei had kept learning, but stopped once he got Riolu and set out on his journey.
Li Wei accepted the side quest [Lian's Wish].
Grandpa considered it for a moment. "Breeding is a little more complicated, so we'll start with cooking and see how your knife skills are. You'll also need to get a breeder's license."
Breeding and cooking had things in common, but breeding was indeed more complicated.
Pokémon Breeders had to understand different Pokémon species, study each individual Pokémon, and tailor their care accordingly, right down to managing their fur.
Although Li Wei's breeding skill was intermediate, he held no rank with the League.
"Yes, sir."
Grandpa snapped, "What are you standing there saying yes for? Go wash and chop the vegetables. You expect me to wash them for you?"
"On it!"
While Li Wei washed the vegetables, Grandpa called over Farfetch'd, who was growing leeks in the backyard.
"Far!" (What can I do for you?)
Farfetch'd's eyes gleamed with wisdom.
"Supervise him. If he gets anything wrong, show him how to fix it."
Farfetch'd confidently patted his chest.
"Far!" ദ്ദി˶•̀֊＜)✧
Let me, Sirfetch’d, show him how it's done!
Grandpa only had two Pokémon: Farfetch'd, who learned Cooking, and Gengar, who handled the eating.
Under Grandpa's tutelage, Farfetch'd had become an even better cook than Li Wei...
Yes, he couldn't even measure up to Duckling.
Grandpa also called in Lucario from outside. "You translate what Farfetch'd says for him."
" Luca."
(Understood.)
With his instructions delivered, Grandpa left.
Li Wei looked at Farfetch'd adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses on his left,
then at Lucario standing with arms folded on his right,
and listened to the television playing in the front yard...
Was this all part of your plan too, Grandpa?!
Li Wei seriously suspected that Grandpa had given him a Riolu egg just for this day.
"Far~"
(Start by julienning 'em~)
"Don't copy the accent too!"
And so, under Farfetch'd's constant instruction, Li Wei began his culinary education.
Picking up a strand of julienned potato, Farfetch'd nodded in satisfaction. "Far!"
(Not bad. Now slice 'em~)
"Far!"
(Next, roll-cut 'em into chunks~)
Farfetch'd held his leek, poking it at anything Li Wei did that wasn't up to standard.
"Far, far!"
(All three faces of a roll-cut chunk should be the same. Watch me.)
Lucario dutifully translated.
Quacks filled the kitchen.
There was a reason Li Wei's knife skills were better than his heat control and seasoning: knife skills were what he had learned first.
Then he had run off...
Under Sirfetch’d's constant instruction, Li Wei relived his childhood, with potatoes and cucumbers for company.
But Li Wei was undoubtedly happy.
Over the next two hours, under Sirfetch’d's guidance, his Cooking proficiency kept rising by +1, +2...
As for Grandpa's assessment of Li Wei's knife skills...
"Barely passable. Keep chopping. Give it another ten days or half a month before we talk."
"Grandpa, I have something to do tomorrow."
Grandpa glanced at him.
"Giving up already?"
"No. A Pokémon's been stealing Berries from Xiao Meng's orchard. I want to help her find it."
Grandpa frowned at that. "That girl. I only saw her a couple of days ago. Why didn't she say anything?"
Li Wei shrugged. "Hasn't Xiao Meng always been like that? She doesn't like troubling people."
"All right. Come straight back once you've found it."
"Okay."
"Watch from the side. Today I'm making Garlic Oil Crab and oil-braised prawns for you."
The next day, Li Wei found time to head straight over with Lucario, Arcanine, and Metang.
Knock, knock-
Hearing the knock, Xiao Meng opened the door.
"Xiao Wei, Lucario, come in."
Xiao Meng's home was fairly small, with one bedroom and a living room. Li Wei didn't see Farfetch'd in the living room.
"Where's Farfetch'd?"
"Guarding the Berry orchard for me."
"Did something happen?"
Only after Li Wei and Lucario pressed her did Xiao Meng tell them about the Pokémon stealing from her Berry orchard.
"We'll help you find it."
"Luca."
(Leave it to us.)
Before you continue