"Phew-"
After salvaging a failed batch of desserts, Tong Hua let out a long breath.
This was the first time he had ended up in such a mess in the kitchen since acquiring the Cook profession.
"This won't do. No matter how much energy I have, there are only twenty-four hours in a day.
I can leave the work at the Dessert Shop to the Pokémon, but making the products is something only I can do-
Between the goods sold at the Dessert Shop every day and the deliveries to Windring Town Base, Beautiful Life Construction Company, and all the other channels, I have to spend most of every day making desserts nonstop...
I have to find some way to free up time to study Alchemy."
Tong Hua scratched his head. After turning it over in his mind, he thought of the skill [Tricks of the Trade].
It could instantly produce D-grade dishes, but awarded no experience, and their quality was capped at D-grade.
"Hmm... Using that skill would save a lot of time, but the drop in quality might affect the shop's reputation, wouldn't it?"
"Stee?"
Just as Tong Hua was fretting over this, Steenee suddenly poked her head through the kitchen doorway.
It turned out that dusk had already fallen, and the little members of the Fairy Tale Exploration Team had all returned, tired from playing outside.
"Welcome home," Tong Hua said to Steenee and the others with a smile.
"Dolli~"
Dolliv came in as well and flung herself into Tong Hua's arms.
Tong Hua caught Dolliv. There was still a little dirt on the olive leaves atop the little one's head; it looked like she had played hard.
"Oh no, how did it get so late? You must all be hungry. I'll make dinner right away."
A