After the oil was heated, Angie added beef fat to melt it.
Then, he tossed in prepared ginger, garlic cloves, knotted green onions, broad bean paste, chili seasoning, and other aromatics to stir-fry until fragrant.
After these preparations, Angie instructed the crybaby Charcadet, "Charcadet, turn it to low heat."
"Charcadet~~"
The crybaby Charcadet nodded, and the flames on its body gradually shrank.
Since it required over an hour of simmering on low heat, Angie turned his attention to preparing the tomato clear soup base.
He took fresh tomatoes grown in his garden, washed them, peeled them, and chopped them into small pieces for later use.
Angie then instructed the goodboy Charcadet to heat another wok. Once it was hot, he added olive oil, heated it, and stir-fried green onions, ginger, and garlic until aromatic.
Afterward, he added the chopped tomatoes, stir-frying them until they released their juices and softened, and finally added water.
"Charcadet, lower the heat."
"Charcadet~"
Got it.
Following Angie's command, the flames on the obedient Charcadet began to subside, switching from high heat to low heat.
Bubble, bubble~~
In the two pots, one red and one clear, the broths boiled continuously, and their increasingly rich aromas filled the air.
Still asleep, Arven twitched his nose unconsciously, then slowly opened his eyes.
"It smells so good!" he exclaimed, but as soon as he spoke, he sneezed from the sharp chili spices that were overwhelming.
Seeing Angie busy at work, Arven was surprised and delighted. "Angie, you're back!"
Angie turned his head. "Yes, I'm making something delicious for you all."
Arven quickly scrambled up from the grass and ran to Angie's side. "What are we having tonight?"
"Hot pot, a dish you've never tried before," Angie replied. "Stay back a bit—there's hot oil and pans everywhere. Be careful not to burn yourself."
Arven nodded obediently and stepped aside, watching Angie work without blinking.
Soon, the beef fat broth was almost ready. Angie started stir-frying spices: star anise, san-na, cinnamon, fennel seeds, black cardamom, purple grass, and bay leaves. The increasingly domineering aroma filled the air.
Following Angie's instructions, Munchlax sliced ingredients like lettuce, baby bok choy, tofu, potato slices, lotus root slices, and more. He also prepared ham, fish balls, pork rolls, fresh shrimp… one plate after another of fresh ingredients until they filled the entire table.
When the two professors and researchers came out, they were greeted by a round table with a steaming hot pot in the center. The pot was split into two halves—one was a vibrant red, and the other a lighter shade of red. Fragrance and steam wafted up from the pot.
Surrounding the hot pot were all kinds of raw ingredients.
Angie had prepared two tables in total—one for the professors and researchers, and one for the Pokémon. The Pokémon table had servings several times larger than the human table, and their pot was also much bigger.
There was no helping it—with Munchlax as a big eater and Pawmi as a glutton among the Pokémon, the food demand was enormous!
The Pokémon's table was set up on the grass, covered with a tablecloth. This arrangement made it more convenient for the Pokémon to eat—after all, how could something like Metagross comfortably sit at a table?
Seeing the professors coming out, Angie called out quickly, "Everyone, come over and take a seat. Dinner is ready!"
The two professors and the researchers approached the table, their faces full of curiosity as they took in the sight of the fully loaded spread.
Professor Sada asked, "How do we eat this? Isn't it all raw?"
Angie explained the concept of hot pot to the professors.
"This is such a novel way of eating," Professor Turo exclaimed as he sat down. Meanwhile, the Pokémon had already started digging in.
The crybaby Charcadet carefully placed a few pieces of baby bok choy into both the clear broth and the spicy red broth. The greens cooked quickly, and it tasted the clear broth first.
Delicious!
The crybaby Charcadet's eyes lit up.
Next, it couldn't resist trying the red broth's greens. The moment the vegetable entered its mouth, the spicy flavor ignited its taste buds. It felt as if a wave of heat swept over it, even activating the Fire-type energy within its body.
"Charcadet!!!"
So good!
Unable to contain itself, the crybaby Charcadet tilted its head back and released a spray of sparks into the air.
Its friend, the goodboy Charcadet, reacted similarly. As fellow Fire-types, they were both enamored with the spicy red broth hot pot.
In contrast, Diancie, Drizzile, Metagross, and Espathra preferred the clear broth hot pot.
Munchlax, Pawmi, and the two Oinkologne enjoyed both flavors equally.
Pawmi fished out a piece of tofu from the red broth and hurriedly stuffed it into its mouth. The steaming tofu and fiery flavor were so intense that it darted to the nearby grass, running and yelling as it went.
"Pawmi~ Pawmi~ Pawmi~~"
So hot! So spicy!
After running it off, its lips now red and swollen, it couldn't resist going back for another piece of tofu.
"Huff~ Huff~"
Munchlax was also panting, sticking out its tongue as the spice overwhelmed it. Its lips were red and puffy, but it continued shoveling food into its mouth at lightning speed. When it couldn't handle the spice anymore, it would turn to the clear broth for relief.
Metagross, being new to the group, found everyone's eating antics fascinating.
So this is what it's like to have a Trainer.
Noticing Metagross's hesitation, Espathra nudged it with its wing.
"Espathra~ Espathra~"
Quick, eat now, or it'll all be gone later.
Prompted by Espathra, Metagross used its psychic power to levitate food into its mouth. One bite was enough to amaze it.
This is human food? It's incredible!
It wasn't until much later that Metagross realized not all humans could cook like Angie.
While the Pokémon ate with gusto, the professors couldn't resist joining in, inspired by the lively atmosphere.
Angie had Komala nestled in his arms. In front of it, he had set up two pairs of chopsticks. As Angie ate, he didn't forget to feed the little koala.
Angie had even prepared a few cans of beer for Komala. While it needed Angie to feed it food, it could drink on its own, hugging a beer can and chugging it now and then.
Eating hot pot while sipping beer—it was pure bliss!
Professor Sada chuckled. "Angie, your Komala is so funny—it actually likes beer!"
Angie smiled. "Everyone has their little hobbies."
Professor Sada nodded. "That's true."
Professor Turo, sweating and panting from the spice, said, "Angie, I can't believe you actually managed to capture Metagross. You must be a powerful Trainer!"
Angie waved his hands modestly. "I'm no Trainer, just an ordinary chef. The Pokémon are the real powerhouses."
Professor Sada laughed. "You're too humble. Metagross is one of the strongest Pokémon in Area Zero—not just anyone can handle it."
Angie: I'm really not being modest.
After dinner, Professor Sada said to Angie, "Angie, leave Metagross with us tonight. Professor Turo and I will stay up to modify Robert No. 1 for you."
Angie gratefully replied, "Thank you so much, doctors."
Professor Turo waved his hand dismissively. "It's no big deal. After eating so much of your cooking, it would feel wrong not to do something in return."
Professor Sada added, "Exactly! Besides, you've been helping us take care of Arven these past few days."
"Regardless, thank you both," Angie said sincerely.
Without the pass the Professor had given him to move freely within Area Zero, Angie wouldn't have been able to capture so many partners, including Veluza, Dolliv, Nacli, Garganacl, Charcadet, Scovillain, Pawmi, Espathra, and Metagross.
After a brief rest, the professor and researchers returned to the lab, taking Metagross's Poké Ball with them. Angie, Arven, Raleigh, and the Pokémon worked together to clean up the tables, chairs, and dishes. Once everything was tidy, Angie teleported Diancie and the others back home and headed to his room to sleep.
Before going to bed, Angie called over Espathra, Pawmi, and the two Oinkologne, saying, "Come here, let me feel your aura as well."
The system had instructed Angie to sense the aura within Pokémon, and his own Pokémon definitely counted.
"Pawmi~!"
I'm first!
Pawmi eagerly leapt into Angie's arms.
Holding Pawmi's fluffy, soft, and plump body, Angie carefully tuned in to the aura it emitted. Pawmi's aura was vibrant and full of vitality, like lively musical notes. However, it was also very fragile.
After releasing Pawmi, Angie proceeded to sense the auras of Oinkologne and Espathra one by one. Each aura was unique, and the more Angie experienced, the more fascinating he found them.
Finally, it was Komala's turn.
Previously, Angie hadn't fully understood how powerful Komala truly was, but after sensing its aura, he was completely awestruck.
If Pawmi's aura was like a small puddle, Komala's was a vast river!
It was hard to imagine such terrifying power residing in Komala's small body. Pokémon truly were incredible creatures.
And yet, such a powerful Pokémon was willing to follow him, protect him, and help him. Angie found it almost unbelievable.
"Thank you, Komala," Angie said softly.
Komala, perhaps hearing him or perhaps not, popped a small bubble of snot with a faint "plop."
After sensing the aura of his Pokémon, Angie opened the system menu, which displayed several tasks.
...
[ (Daily Task 1) Train in the culinary room for 1 hour – Pending. ]
[ (Daily Task 2) Host 10 Pokémon – Completed. Reward awaiting collection. ]
[ (Aura Training Task) Connect with the aura of 1,000 Pokémon (34/1,000) – Pending. ]
[ (Temporary Task) Request modification of Robert No. 1 from Professor Sada and Professor Turo – Pending. ]
...
Angie casually claimed the reward for [Daily Task 2] and said to his Pokémon, "Time to sleep, everyone. Goodnight."
"Pawmi~"
Goodnight, Angie.
"Oinkologne~"
Goodnight.
"Oinkologne~"
Sleep time, sleep time.
"Espathra~"
Time to sleep.
Seeing that the Pokémon were all asleep, Angie hugged Komala and burrowed into his quilt. Before long, he drifted into a peaceful slumber.
After Angie turned off the lights, Pawmi, who had been pretending to sleep, suddenly opened its eyes. Quietly, it lifted its small blanket, grabbed its tiny pillow, and climbed out of bed. Feeling its way in the dark, it reached Angie's bedside, climbed up using the bedpost, and slipped under Angie's quilt.
The next morning, Angie, still in his dreams, felt an unbearable weight on his chest, making it hard for him to breathe. He jolted awake.
"What's going on?"
Even after waking up, the heavy pressure on his chest didn't disappear. Lifting the blanket, he found Pawmi nestled inside, sprawled on his chest, sound asleep, with drool soaking his shirt.
"Pawmi!" Angie shouted.
"Pawmi~ Pawmi~"
Pawmi smacked its lips a couple of times, rolled over, and continued its blissful nap, now lying on its back.
"You're unbelievable!"
With a resigned sigh, Angie picked it up and placed it to the side, carefully tucking it back under its own blanket before getting up to freshen up.
A new day had begun.
At breakfast, Angie asked the two doctors about the progress on Robert No. 1's modification. Professor Sada smiled and said, "You'll see the results when you come back at noon."
After breakfast, Angie, full of anticipation, set off with Arven.
Having already completed his Pokémon capture task, his current focus was on his Aura Training mission.
He spent the entire morning wandering around the upper levels of Area Zero with Arven, using delicious treats to entice various Pokémon—no, to sense their aura.
On the grasslands, Angie befriended Raichu and Jumpluff. By the water, he met Vaporeon, Psyduck, and Buizel. In the rocky terrain, he connected with Gogoat and Cufant. While exploring caves, he even earned the recognition of Salazzle.
As noon approached, Angie returned to the Research Station with Arven and his Pokémon. From afar, he saw Metagross hovering over the grassy field near the entrance, with a robot standing beneath it. It was none other than Robert No. 1.
The modifications were complete!
Angie's heart leapt with excitement.
"Metagross!" Angie waved at the hovering Pokémon.
"Metagross~"
Metagross flew towards him, while Robert No. 1 also began moving in his direction.
"Master!"
To Angie's surprise, Robert No. 1 spoke in a smooth but mechanically tinged voice.
Compared to its pre-modification form, its appearance hadn't changed much, except for its eyes, which now looked noticeably different. While the outward design remained largely the same, its internal components were entirely revamped.
"Robert No. 1, you…" Angie began, only for the robot to interrupt, saying, "Master, I am Metagross!"
"Metagross?" Angie exclaimed, turning to look at the Pokémon.
Metagross nodded in affirmation, while Robert No. 1 said, "That's right, it's me!"
Angie began to understand and asked Metagross, "Did the professor link your mind with Robert No. 1?"
Controlling Robert No. 1, Metagross responded, "Yes!"
Metagross then explained the principles behind the modification.
The two professor had installed a network-enabled computer inside Robert No. 1 and used advanced sensing technology to link Metagross's brain to the computer.
This setup endowed the robot with artificial intelligence capable of independent thought and action, while allowing Metagross to access the internet to acquire knowledge and assist Angie with various tasks.
As it spoke, Metagross demonstrated the sensing devices installed on it by the doctors.
They were two small, round, button-like devices about the size of fingernails, discreetly affixed to either side of Metagross's forehead. Without close inspection, they were nearly invisible.
Angie was extremely pleased with the modifications.
After listening to Metagross's explanation, Angie said, "Metagross, you can call me Angie. You don't need to call me Master—we're partners."
Metagross paused, then controlled Robert No. 1 to say, "Alright, Angie."
Angie added, "Since Robert No. 1 has been upgraded, let's call it Robert No. 2 from now on!"