Time flew by, and five days passed in the blink of an eye.
As usual, Pokémon came to the restaurant to eat. Most brought small gifts—sometimes flowers, sometimes berries, or even parts of their own bodies. No matter how modest or valuable the gift, Diancie accepted each one graciously.
Following Munchlax's fur, Lucas later received Espurr's claws, Dedenne's whiskers, Bellsprout's roots, and Sudowoodo's bark fragments.
According to his Observation Eye's evaluation, all these items could be used to create Technical Machines.
Unfortunately, the TM-making device remained far too expensive, and Lucas couldn't afford it yet.
Listening to the cheerful laughter of the Pokémon outside, Lucas hummed a little tune while steaming buns.
Suddenly, a chorus of excited exclamations erupted from the dining area. Lucas's heart skipped a beat. Had something happened? He hurriedly peeked around the doorframe to see a group of Pokémon gathered in a tight circle, heads lowered, making animated sounds as they observed something.
What was going on? Lucas was intensely curious, but the crowd was packed too densely for him to see anything. Even Diancie had joined the spectators.
Judging from her reaction, however, it couldn't be anything negative.
Hmm?
Gradually, Lucas noticed wisps of blue and white light leaking from the circle of Pokémon.
That is...
Lucas's eyes widened.
"Spi~ Spi~"
Suddenly, a cry rose above the commotion. Diancie emerged from the crowd with a transformed Pokémon. It was a Spewpa!
It turned out that the Scatterbug that frequently visited Lucas's restaurant had evolved!
The food Lucas prepared had effects comparable to professional Pokémon food. These past days, Scatterbug had eaten its fill at Lucas's establishment daily. With sufficient energy accumulated, it had naturally evolved.
Through his Observation Eye, Lucas examined the Spewpa in Diancie's arms from a distance, and its data automatically appeared in his field of vision:
Spewpa
[Type] Bug
[Ability] Shed Skin
[Gender] Female
[Level] 9
[Moves] Protect, Harden, Poison Powder, Bug Bite
[Individual Values]
HP: 5
Attack: 6
Defense: 9
Special Attack: 12
Special Defense: 17
Speed: 8
It had indeed reached the level for evolution, though its stats were rather modest.
After Scatterbug evolved into Spewpa, everyone was delighted, and the atmosphere in the restaurant grew even more jubilant.
To celebrate Spewpa's evolution, several Pokémon even offered to share their food with it. Unfortunately, Spewpa, as the transitional form between Scatterbug and Vivillon, would no longer eat solid food—only drinking dew until it completed its final evolution.
The Pokémon of the Nebel Plateau demonstrated remarkable unity. They celebrated others' joys and commiserated with others' sorrows. Whenever any Pokémon faced difficulties, others readily offered assistance.
Lucas deeply appreciated the Nebel Plateau and the way Pokémon interacted there. He felt fortunate that the system had placed his residence in such a location.
Shifting his gaze from Spewpa, Lucas opened his system interface and saw the taskbar showing:
Serve 50 Pokémon, deadline 10 days. (50/50) — Completed, reward pending collection.
As of today, his second mission had been accomplished—taking one day longer than he'd expected, but still five days ahead of the system's deadline.
Lucas claimed the reward without hesitation, and a notification window appeared in the taskbar interface:
Congratulations to the master for obtaining the reward: Constitution+1!
Instantly, Lucas felt energy surge through his body. He felt as though he could knock out a Tauros with a single punch!
Hahaha~ Perhaps a slight exaggeration.
He checked his personal information again:
Lucas
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 16 (+500)
Constitution: 3
Intelligence: 2
Cooking Evaluation: A novice who can make edible food.
His Physique had indeed increased by one point. However, there was no achievement bonus this time, so Intelligence remained unchanged.
Although Lucas hadn't figured out the exact benefits of increased Intelligence, the advantages of higher Physique were obvious—Intelligence points couldn't be worthless.
He would explore their effects gradually.
Checking his Happiness Points: 7,900.
Not quite 10,000 yet—Lucas felt a slight disappointment.
The morning passed quickly. Diancie saw off the Pokémon who had finished breakfast one by one, calling to Litwick and the others: "Litwick, remember to bring Pancham and everyone else to help this afternoon!"
"Lit-wick~" Got it!
Litwick responded enthusiastically.
Diancie was referring to their plan to have Litwick and the others assist with planting vegetables. Although they had formulated this plan several days ago, Lucas needed time to select which vegetables to plant and which seeds to purchase, so implementation had been delayed.
After several days of interaction, Diancie had become completely comfortable with Litwick and the others. Unfortunately, they still appeared restrained, nervous, and even fearful when facing Lucas directly.
After bidding farewell to the Pokémon, Diancie began cleaning.
Lucas had previously discussed with Diancie that they would operate the restaurant only during mornings from now on. Half a day of work would suffice. The remaining hours could be devoted to other projects—or simply to relaxation and leisure.
He had no desire to live a challenging life.
While Diancie cleaned the dining area, Lucas tidied the kitchen.
Just as he prepared to place unused dough into the refrigerator's preservation drawer, he turned around and found a Pokémon standing nearby, staring directly at him.
Lucas startled, nearly dropping the dough.
Caught in the act!
"Munchlax, what are you doing here?"
To Lucas's surprise, Munchlax showed no fear of him, unlike other Pokémon. It merely tilted its head curiously and asked:
"Munch~ Munch-lax~" Are you a human?
Unfortunately, Lucas couldn't understand Pokémon language.
"Lucas? Munchlax? What's happening?"
Diancie happened to enter the kitchen carrying empty bowls.
Lucas explained: "Munchlax somehow wandered into the kitchen."
Diancie tapped her head. "I thought something was missing when I was seeing everyone off. It was you!"
"Munch~ Munch~"
Munchlax grinned, then repeated its earlier question. This time, with Diancie translating, Lucas understood.
"Yes, yes, I am," he replied somewhat apprehensively, worried about frightening Munchlax away.
"Munch~ Munch~ Munch~" But everyone says humans are bad and will hurt us.
Munchlax remarked, appearing confused.
"Munch~ Munch~ Munch~" But you smell so good. You don't seem like a bad person at all.
As it spoke, it leaned closer to Lucas and sniffed.
"Munch~" Smells so good.
Lucas had just finished steaming buns, and the aroma still clung faintly to him. Though the scent had diminished since he'd finished cooking, Munchlax could easily detect it.
Lucas was somewhat surprised—Munchlax's sense of smell was remarkably sensitive!
At this moment, Diancie explained to Munchlax, "The steamed buns you eat every day are made by Lucas. Do you still think he's a bad person?"
Hearing Diancie's words, Munchlax's eyes immediately widened, sparkling brighter than light bulbs.
"Munch... Munch..." Really? Really?
Lucas felt as though he could see stars shining in Munchlax's eyes.
"Yes... yes," Lucas nodded, then couldn't help asking, "Aren't you afraid of me?"
"Munch... Munch..." Makes delicious food, not a bad person.
Munchlax replied with absolute certainty.
"Munch... Munch..." You're amazing! So amazing!
Lucas thought: Is this the philosophy of a foodie?
He believed he detected genuine admiration in Munchlax's gaze.
Just then, Diancie suddenly exclaimed, "Lucas, there's a temporary mission!"
A temporary mission?
This was the first time he'd heard of such a thing!
"What is it? Let me see," Lucas quickly said.
Diancie moved to Lucas's side and showed him the mission acceptance pop-up:
Capture a Pokémon with chef qualifications and make it the owner's sous chef! Accept?
Yes
No
A Pokémon with chef qualifications?
Lucas instinctively looked at Munchlax, who was curiously observing him.
Could the mission be referring to Munchlax?
It had to be. This temporary mission had appeared at such a convenient moment—it must be prompting him to recruit Munchlax.
Thinking about it, there would certainly be more Pokémon visiting the restaurant in the future. Without assistance, wouldn't he be overwhelmed if he remained the sole cook?
The system seemed quite considerate.
Accept!
Lucas made his decision.
Meanwhile, Munchlax was thoroughly puzzled. It couldn't see the system interface and observed only Lucas and Diancie gesturing at empty air—almost concluding that the human and Pokémon had lost their minds.
After accepting the mission, Lucas turned to Munchlax and asked, "Munchlax, would you be willing to stay and learn cooking from me?"
"Munch..." Learn cooking?
Munchlax looked bewildered.
"That's right!" Lucas nodded enthusiastically. "After learning to cook with me, you could make your own delicious food and eat it whenever you want."
The more Lucas explained, the brighter Munchlax's eyes grew. Saliva began to glisten at the corners of its mouth, and its expression became one of pure longing—as if it could already envision itself proudly displaying its culinary skills before feasting heartily.
"What do you think? Would you like to join me? You can eat your fill here every day, and you'll never go hungry again," Lucas continued enticing Munchlax.
"MUNCH!!!" I want to learn cooking!
Munchlax suddenly clenched its paw into a fist, its expression determined.
Lucas's face brightened upon hearing the enthusiastic response. "Once you decide, there's no turning back."
"Munch... Munch..." Won't go back!
Munchlax nodded vigorously.
"Then it's settled. I look forward to working with you," Lucas said, extending his right hand toward Munchlax.
"Munch..."
Munchlax solemnly shook Lucas's hand.
The moment human and Pokémon clasped hands, the system mission interface updated:
Capture a Pokémon with chef qualifications and make it the owner's sous chef! — Completed, reward pending collection.
Naturally, Lucas claimed it without delay.
The system immediately displayed a notification:
Congratulations, Master, for obtaining the temporary mission reward: Constitution +1, Individual Value +1, Cooking Training Room activated.
Lucas was momentarily stunned by the reward. He understood Constitution +1, but what was Individual Value +1? And what was the Cooking Training Room?
Just then, his eye caught a change in his personal information interface. In addition to the Happiness Points and Shop boxes, an "Individual Value" box had appeared, displaying a solitary number "1".
Lucas instinctively clicked on the Individual Value box, and a window immediately opened with three options:
Diancie Komala Munchlax
The Diancie and Komala options were grayed out—only Munchlax was highlighted.
He tried selecting Diancie and Komala, but as expected, there was no response. However, after clicking on Munchlax, another window appeared displaying six options:
HP: 29
Attack: 16
Defense: 20
Special Attack: 6
Special Defense: 10
Speed: 31
Evidently, Lucas's hypothesis was correct. This Individual Value feature applied to Pokémon. The reason Diancie and Komala weren't eligible might be because Diancie's IVs were already maxed out, while he couldn't check Komala's stats with his Observation Eye.
"Diancie, come look at this."
To verify his theory, Lucas confirmed it with Diancie, and indeed, his understanding was correct.
Since Diancie and Komala couldn't receive the IV boost, the point naturally went to Munchlax—especially fitting since the Individual Value bonus was obtained because of Munchlax's recruitment.
With this in mind, Lucas selected the Attack option. Instantly, the number in the Individual Value box cleared, and in Munchlax's Attack value, the number changed from 16 to 17.
Under the Observation Eye, Munchlax's updated data appeared:
Munchlax
[Type] Normal
[Ability] Thick Fat
[Gender] Male
[Level] 18
[Moves] Tackle, Lick, Defense Curl, Recycle, Covet, Bite, Body Slam, Play Rough, Seed Bomb, Brick Break, Counter
[Individual Values]
HP: 29
Attack: 17
Defense: 20
Special Attack: 6
Special Defense: 10
Speed: 31
Unaware of the interface, Munchlax seemed to sense the change within its body. It instinctively flexed its paw, but not understanding what had happened, it simply dismissed the sensation.
Not only had Munchlax's stats changed, but Lucas's personal data had also updated:
Lucas
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 16 (+500)
Constituion: 4
Intelligence: 2
Cooking Evaluation: A novice who can make edible dishes.
Looking at the bright "4" in the Constitution column, Lucas rejoiced inwardly.
"Hahaha~ I'm getting even stronger!"
Oh, right—there was also another reward: the Training Room activation!
Lucas quickly consulted his guide spirit, Diancie.
"Diancie, what's the Cooking Training Room?"
However, Diancie decided to tease him.
"Clean the kitchen first, and then I'll tell you!"
Left with no choice, Lucas resumed tidying the kitchen.
Munchlax, feeling it was already part of the family, quickly stepped forward to help, but having never performed such tasks before, it didn't know where to begin.
Seeing its confusion, Lucas gently patted the top of its head and said, "Munchlax, watch me first and learn carefully. Once you understand, you can try it yourself, okay?"