Early the next morning, Hikaru woke up bright and early. Though he had done a lot of work yesterday, his body actually felt stronger, and his mind was exceptionally clear.
Perhaps this was the result of the knowledge improving his body. People with spiritual power or Psychic abilities often differ from ordinary folk in both body and mind.
July 5th, cloudy weather. Hikaru followed his routine and gave Turtwig some water. Then he received a message from Steven, who estimated he would arrive in the afternoon.
While making breakfast, Hikaru suddenly recalled something. He took Plump Beans, Dazzling Honey, Smoke Tubers, and Cake-Lure Base, boiled them in a pot, poured the mixture into a mold, then placed an Ice Stone on top. The chilly Ice-type energy cooled the mixture. Afterward, he took it out to slice.
[Obtained "Old Gateau!"]
[Description: A hidden specialty of Eterna, it can cure all status conditions of a single Pokémon.]
[You have created an extra dish and gained a crafting reward!]
[Cooking (C+): You can now prepare various hot meals. Thanks to your cooking, dishes can possess special effects that grant Pokémon boosts and improvements.]
[Unique Benefit: Stamina LV1—consuming this dish slightly increases stamina and reduces fatigue.]
"Turns out making just one unique snack can unlock the hot foods craft. Though Old Gateau is made by simmering, it's actually eaten cold."
Hikaru eyed the Old Gateau he had made and tasted a bit himself. His energy really did feel higher—very noticeable!
If a Pokémon were to consume it, the effect should be even better!
Afterward, Hikaru opened his Pokégear to look up the recipe for Pokéblocks.
He had completely mastered how to make Cake-Lure foods, and now with cooking at C+ rank, it's already quite advanced. Meanwhile, Pokéblocks are famously associated with Hoenn. Perhaps the Pokéblock craft might be B-rank.
In the Hoenn region, Pokéblocks are very popular. That's largely thanks to Hoenn's fertile soil, which can grow many rare Berries that other regions cannot. Typically, 2–4 Berries are mixed to form Pokéblocks, either using a Berry Blender, a Pokéblock Kit, or a Berry Processor. Hikaru doesn't have a Berry Blender, so he can only try making them by hand.
Pokéblocks provide essential nutrients for Pokémon. A Berry's smoothness rating affects the Pokéblock's texture, which then influences a Pokémon's luster. A well-made block also enhances a Pokémon's "Coolness, Beauty, Cuteness, Toughness, and Cleverness"—a fifth type of trait beyond base stats, EVs, IVs, and physical stamina.
There are many videos online from Contest Coordinators. Soon, Hikaru found a highly upvoted tutorial by someone wearing a blue outfit, displaying elegant manners, with a white, silk-scarf-like hairstyle, a small handlebar mustache, and a square jaw.
"That's Juan, Wallace's mentor!"
Juan was once the Gym Leader of Sootopolis City, also known as the 'second Champion' of Hoenn, teacher to the Coordinator Master Wallace. When Steven sneaks off to dig for stones, Wallace often takes over as Champion, at which time Juan resumes his role as Sootopolis Gym Leader. He specializes in Water-type Pokémon and is a well-known Coordinator as well.
Hikaru followed Juan's account.
Juan's video was extremely detailed:
"…The flavor and color of Pokéblocks depend on the kinds and numbers of Berries used. The resulting number of Pokéblocks equals the number of Berries. For hand-made blocks, grind the Berries into powder, then add Moomoo Milk and sugar…"
"If you have the equipment, you can use a Berry Processor or a Pokéblock machine. During machine processing, Berries are densely compressed and blended, with a certain chance of producing 'high-level Pokéblocks.' When eaten, these give higher boosts to the relevant Contest stat…"
"You can still produce high-level Pokéblocks by hand, but the rarer the Berry, the better the potential for top-quality blocks. Feel free to try. Different block colors also correspond to different flavors."
As Juan explained in the video, he also demonstrated a hand-made approach, while Hikaru carefully watched.
"Got it. Hand-making them is basically like making chocolate squares. Anyone who can make chocolate can do this. And the process is similar to Rare Candy."
"However, hand-made blocks are generally inferior to those made with specialized machines. Still, the regular-quality Pokéblocks are fine for home use and not expensive. For instance, Orange Berry Pokéblocks are very cheap."
Following the video, Hikaru began his own attempts.
But apparently, you can't just pick up all of Juan's tips directly from a video. Perhaps because the footage was edited and not complete?
In any case, the grinding and simmering steps need no further explanation. As for cooling, he frequently used the Ice Stone. That stone turned out to be extremely convenient—no fridge needed. The Ice Stone he bought from Volo is highly effective, probably chipped from some naturally occurring block of ice or an Eternal Ice deposit.
"Sorry for calling you a swindler, Volo. At least the Ice Stone is incredible!"
With Lum Berries now harvested, Hikaru naturally decided to include them in his next batch of Pokéblocks!
[Obtained: Lum Berry Pokéblock (High-Level Pokéblock)!]
[Description: A Pokéblock made by mixing Lum Berries and various Berry powders. It contains multiple flavors, but is predominantly bitter.]
[Effect: Increases a Pokémon's Toughness and Cleverness, adds luster, boosts growth, restores some HP, and is rich in nutrients and energy for a Pokémon's development.]
[Note: Eating too many may cause bloating.]
[You have created an extra dish and gained a crafting reward!]
[High-Level Pokéblock Craft (B+): You can craft high-quality Pokéblocks. You fully grasp the Berry mixing ratio, enabling your Pokéblocks to have fairly advanced effects.]
Normally, a yellow-green color block should be mostly sour in taste, but if you add Lum Berries, it becomes bitter.
"Huh?" Right then, Turtwig came over. It had been peeking in from the flowerpot for a while, so Hikaru handed the new Lum Berry Pokéblock to Turtwig. "Want to try?"
Turtwig tilted its head, recalling the lure cakes and mushrooms it had eaten before. Its eyes sparkled.
Another yummy treat!
If it were in the wild, it would be much more cautious about random foods. But now that it has been captured, that worry is gone. Turtwig chomped down on the Pokéblock, chewing carefully. With its careful nature, it likes bitter flavors and dislikes astringent ones. Turtwig really enjoyed this taste, happily munching away!
A strange sound came from its shell and the leaves on its head. Hikaru noticed the strong herbs on its back and the bud-like leaf on its head all expanding, looking even glossier and smoother!
"Increasing luster, huh? It's working on its head leaf and those herbs on its back? Maybe that's because it's part of the 'plant' group?"
Hikaru chuckled, observing Turtwig's leaves and the plants on its shell. After scarfing down a few more Pokéblocks, Turtwig was too full to eat regular food. Its cheeks bulged, and its belly puffed out as it exhaled heavily!
"Tuur—hic—twig!"
"Oops, that's enough! You can't overeat!"
Turtwig's eyes squeezed shut contentedly as it sprawled on the kitchen floor.
Doublade drifted in and saw Hikaru secretly slicing Berries without involving it—and got mad. Wasn't it the official "kitchen knife" around here?
Then it glanced at Turtwig collapsed on the floor, looking plump and round...
Which family's grass pig got in here?
Doublade wrapped Turtwig gently in its ribbons and lifted it high.
"Yoo-woo~"
Child, when you're this full, the entire kitchen calls your name.
"Ah, Doublade, mind absorbing a bit of Turtwig's excess nutrition? Seems like it overate!"
Hikaru remembered Doublade's "lore" about draining life force from living things. Maybe it could help digestion?
This sword is so multi-purpose...the "Digestive Aid Sword"?
"Yoo-woo~"
Doublade blinked both eyes, a sudden idea sparking in its mind. It muttered softly—though it's a knightly sword, perhaps the workshop could add a 'weight-loss service,' sure to attract many customers?
It seems it has so many functions after all!
Doublade turned its eyes around in deep thought, holding Turtwig as it floated out. Turtwig was still hiccupping all the while.
"I've learned two new food-prep techniques. That should expand the customer base again—breeders can buy food items from me. But the limitation is the raw materials..."
The Lum Berries in Hikaru's orchard alone clearly won't be enough. He'll need to cultivate Lum Berry and other Berries in the Relic Berry Forest as well. Berries grown by Hikaru's hand are higher quality. But until then, buying ordinary Berries from other regions is also an option.
However, Hikaru recalled that to legally sell Pokéblocks, you need a Breeder's or Caretaker's license. A quick online search confirmed it's true—you have to pass an exam. He doesn't have that certification…
"Making them at home is fine, but to sell them, you need a license. It's to prevent criminals from selling substandard or counterfeit Pokéblocks."
Since his Lum Berries were now harvested, Hikaru packed some up and delivered them to the village.
"These really are Lum Berries... Didn't expect you to actually find them. In terms of Berries, these are pretty rare. Thanks to you, I can now formulate more medicines in the herbal shop."
The old herbalist was grateful for the Lum Berries Hikaru brought. While the village does have some network access, the villagers don't have Pokégears. Typically, they barter with traveling ruin explorers. Otherwise, they live an isolated, traditional lifestyle.
The herbalist began mixing a new remedy, crushing Lum Berries together with some Vital Sprouts, while Hikaru watched closely. As he observed the herbalist's proportions, he saw new details pop into his mind:
[You have actively studied a craft!]
[Acquired: High-Potency Herbal Craft (B)!]
[Potions you mix now have +50% effect. By combining certain Berries and herbs, you can create unique, high-potency herbal medicines!]
[Recipes unlocked: Full Restore, Revive, Max Revive, Potent Herbal Tonic.]
Hikaru was happy to see that he'd unlocked the method for making the "Revive" series, as well as Full Restore. The herbalist finished preparing the medicine and handed a portion to Hikaru.
"Think of this as my thanks—this is a special secret medicine of Shinto. If you take it, it'll boost your stamina and cure illnesses. Long ago, an epidemic struck our Berries here, wiping out much of my stock."
A fruit tree infection? Hikaru didn't expect to hear that in the Pokémon world, but thinking back, the Kalos region did have an event where orchard trees got sick.
Hikaru accepted the medicine—crushed Lum Berries and dried herbs kneaded into small pill-shaped forms.
[Crafted Item: Shinto Secret Medicine]
[Description: A secret remedy passed down in ancient Shinto, it strengthens the body and dispels disease. If given to a Pokémon, all of its physical stats increase slightly, letting it surpass its usual limits!]
[By using High-Potency Herbal Craft, Shinto Secret Medicine can be made.]
"Physical stats!" Once again, he'd encountered an item that boosts physical stats across the board—meaning Speed, Strength, Skill, Stamina, and Jumping all get a boost, though it doesn't enhance elemental powers.
This and Rare Candy both rely on Lum Berries as a core component, so it looks like Hikaru definitely needs a dedicated Lum Berry orchard.
In Johto, potions that improve physical stats include "Apricorn Juice" and the special concoction brewed by an old Shuckle caretaker. But Apricorn Juice only grants a temporary boost and can't exceed a Pokémon's maximum potential stats.
Bidding the herbalist farewell, Hikaru returned to his workshop. Overhead, Charizard roars echoed across the sky—somewhere in the distance, a large group of Charizard was gathered like a legion of dragons!
And…a gigantic hot-air balloon?!
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]