"Then how about I trade this Breeding House for your Research Institute?"
Lucas asked with a smile upon hearing Professor Oak's words.
"You rascal, you certainly have a nice imagination. How big is your Breeding House?"
"About a thousand acres."
"My Research Institute is tens of thousands of acres. You really dare to imagine anything, don't you?"
Professor Oak watched Lucas with a twitching mouth, marveling at the thickness of Lucas's skin.
"I thought that since you're getting on in years, you might accidentally agree to it, but you're still not agreeing?"
"I am old, but I'm not senile."
Professor Oak glared at Lucas. "Shameless."
"Gen gengar!"
That's right, shameless!
Gengar made a face at Lucas, causing everyone present to burst into laughter.
Lucas led Professor Oak and the others to the garden to sit down. Gothitelle floated over carrying several pots of tea: the hot tea Lucas often drank, milk tea, honey water, and the newly developed gracidea flower tea.
Lucas really hadn't expected that the gracidea flower could be brewed into tea. It had a faint, sweet taste and was quite refreshing.
One has to say, in Gothitelle's hands, the value of the gracidea flower was being squeezed to the limit. Incense, flower tea... what would be next? Soap?
"What would you like to drink? There's hot tea, milk tea, honey water made with sweet honey, and the recently developed gracidea flower tea."
"gracidea flower tea."
Cynthia didn't hesitate at all; whenever the Breeding House came up with something new, she always wanted to try it.
"Your Breeding House can grow gracidea flowers? I recall that the gracidea flower is the Flower of Gratitude, right?"
Professor Oak pondered for a moment before speaking.
"That's right. Perhaps it's because our Breeding House is well-loved by Celebi. It bestowed its blessing upon us, which is why the gracidea flowers can bloom here."
"Celebi, huh—"
Professor Oak sighed, recalling that fantastical adventure from his childhood, Ash and Pikachu—
"gracidea flowers can be brewed into tea?"
Professor Rowan asked, looking curiously at the gracidea flower tea Gothitelle was pouring for Cynthia.
"Gothitelle developed it. As you know, Professor, Gothitelle is very interested in researching these kinds of things. The gracidea flower tea it created has a refreshing effect, making it very suitable for when you're tired from work," Lucas explained.
Hearing this, Professor Rowan looked at the Gothitelle floating nearby. "I suppose only your Gothitelle could master such excellent herbal knowledge."
"Gothitelle." Thank you for the compliment.
Hearing Professor Rowan praising it, Gothitelle politely thanked him.
"I've had the hot tea before; you gave me some back then, and I quite liked it. But I haven't had the milk tea, honey water, or the gracidea flower tea. I heard Professor Rowan say that the Breeding House's sweet honey has a unique flavor, but I'm also very curious about the taste of the gracidea flower—"
Professor Oak fell into a dilemma.
"Then—why not try them all?"
"Is that alright?"
"Of course. Gothitelle, please."
Gothitelle nodded, used its psychic power to arrange the cups in front of itself, poured the different teas into the respective cups, and then placed them in front of Professor Oak.
"Gothitelle." Please enjoy.
"Thank you very much."
"Then I'll try the gracidea flower tea as well. Please, Gothitelle," Professor Rowan said.
Gothitelle nodded again and poured a cup of flower tea for Professor Rowan.
Professor Oak first tried the milk tea. After drinking it, his eyes lit up. "Is the milk tea made with Moomoo Milk?"
Lucas nodded. "That's right, along with fresh goat milk from Gogoat. I used the proper ratio of these two milks to create the perfect Breeding House milk tea. This milk tea is a hot item in Twinleaf Town and Sandgem Town."
Lucas explained. "Also, it's worth noting that whether it's Moomoo Milk or fresh goat milk, it's all produced by the Miltank and Gogoat raised at our Breeding House, so the daily supply is limited."
Currently, the Breeding House's delivery business is expanding toward Sandgem Town, but there isn't enough manpower, so the delivery speed in Sandgem Town is much slower. After all, Sandgem Town is much larger than Twinleaf Town. Once we hire a few more Pokémon later, this problem will be solved.
"Not bad."
Professor Oak nodded, then picked up the honey water and took a sip. A sweetness instantly flooded his heart.
Professor Oak's eyes widened again. "This sweet honey—it has greatly alleviated the fatigue from my trip from the Unova region—"
"This is sweet honey brewed by the Breeding House's Vespiquen. Based on the sweetness and some different special effects, I've categorized the sweet honey it brews into different quality grades. The higher the grade, the rarer it is, and the better the flavor."
Hearing Lucas's introduction, Professor Oak was very curious. "Can I see the different qualities of sweet honey?"
Lucas nodded, then turned back and took a deep breath toward the Forest Area: "Vespiquen!"
After a while, a yellow figure flapped its wings and flew over.
"Bee?" What do you need me for?
"This is Professor Oak from Pallet Town, a senior I highly respect. He would like to taste your various qualities of sweet honey. Would that be okay?"
Vespiquen glanced at Professor Oak and nodded. "Bee." Wait. Then it turned and flew back toward the hive.
"This Vespiquen is raised very well."
Professor Rowan was seeing a Vespiquen for the first time, and after it left, he exclaimed, "It carries a sense of beauty and noble temperament in its every movement. I really don't know where you learned your breeding techniques; how does it feel like you've raised so many Pokémon so well?"
Lucas grinned. What breeding techniques? It's nothing more than a good environment and giving them your own love.
"Some people show extremely high talent in battling, like the Champions of various regions. Others show extremely high talent in breeding Pokémon and become world-famous at a young age. We collectively call such people geniuses."
Professor Oak finished the honey water and said, "Clearly, Lucas also belongs to this category."
"I support that. Gothitelle, could I have another cup of flower tea? It's quite delicious."
No sooner had Professor Rowan finished speaking than the cup in his hand was filled with flower tea.
"Gothitelle." Gothitelle said something to Professor Rowan.
"Does Gothitelle want to tell me something?" Professor Rowan looked puzzled.
"Gothitelle says that if you like it, Professor, it can pack some flower tea for you to take back to the Research Institute, so you can brew some yourself when you want to drink it," Lucas translated.
"Is that allowed?" Professor Rowan was flattered.
"Of course. Gothitelle happened to prepare a bit too much flower tea."
"Then I will accept your kind offer."
"I'll have Gothitelle pack some for you when you leave."
Professor Rowan nodded. At this moment, Professor Oak also picked up the flower tea and took a sip, then smacked his lips. "The taste is quite good. It has a floral fragrance and a faint, refreshing sweetness. After drinking it, I feel a bit more energetic."
After saying this, Professor Oak finished the flower tea in one gulp and said, "But for my taste, I might prefer the honey water made with sweet honey. I have a bit of a sweet tooth."
"Then when Vespiquen comes over in a moment, how about I have it pack some sweet honey for you to take back to the Research Institute?"
"Hahaha, then I won't stand on ceremony."
While waiting for Vespiquen, Professor Oak pulled Gothitelle aside to discuss knowledge about herbal medicine, while Lucas took this opportunity to whisper to Gothitelle, who was sitting next to him.
"Have you had breakfast yet?"
"No. This morning, I rushed back from the Alola region to Professor Rowan's Research Institute and happened to see Professor Rowan and Professor Oak finishing breakfast and discussing some knowledge about Pokémon research. I went over to ask for some advice regarding Pokémon mythological history. After that, on Professor Oak's suggestion, we came to the Breeding House together."
Cynthia leaned closer to Lucas and explained in a low voice.
Feeling the fresh fragrance surrounding his nose that was different from the gracidea flower scent, and the hot breath hitting his face, Lucas was stunned for a moment. Staring at the near-perfect face in front of him, he couldn't help himself and planted a kiss on Cynthia's cheek.
Cynthia's cheeks turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Professor Oak, from the side: "Whoa—"
Professor Rowan: "Ahem, Yukinari, aren't we disturbing them by being here?"
Gothitelle: Well done!
Lilligant in the distance: Lucas, you're the best!
Staraptor in the tree: It's like a festival!
Garchomp, from the side: He dares to kiss my dear cabbage right in front of me while I'm here? If I weren't here, wouldn't he be even more excessive? I'll slash you to death!
Gengar grabbed Garchomp's arm, its little face turning red as it kept retreating. "Gen gengar!" It's not that serious, Big Sister Garchomp, really, it's not that serious. It's not a capital offense—No! Don't! Please let him go!
"You're asking for death!"
Cynthia tried to maintain her composure and glared at Lucas.
Lucas: ———— It's over ————
"I—I—it's all because you're too beautiful, I couldn't help myself." Lucas retorted.
Cynthia: ???
"Since you won't kiss me, then I'll just kiss you instead." Lucas lowered his voice.
Cynthia: "Can't you wait until there's no one around to kiss me?"
Lucas: ! Does that mean I can kiss you again?
"Next time for sure?"
"You certainly have a nice imagination."
"Ahem, Professor Rowan, I feel like we should leave first."
After Professor Oak said this, just as he was about to stand up, he saw Vespiquen flying over, carrying sweet honey with the Combee.
Vespiquen had the Combee place the sweet honey on the table and looked at everyone curiously. Why does it feel like the atmosphere here suddenly changed in the short time I was gone?
"Professor Oak, come try it?"
Lucas's face was incredibly thick. At this moment, not only was he not the least bit shy, but on the contrary, he was more happy and excited. My dear cabbage said that next time I can kiss her again.
"There's this much?" Professor Oak was stunned by the sweet honey in front of him. He had originally thought that the different qualities Lucas mentioned were only two or three types; he hadn't expected there to be so many.
"Our Vespiquen is quite hardworking and very capable, which is why it can brew so much delicious sweet honey," Lucas said, subtly praising Vespiquen.
Vespiquen narrowed its eyes in satisfaction. Vespiquen had a bad habit: it loved being praised by Lucas, but not by others. This also led to its sweet honey often being swindled by Lucas in this manner.
"Oh, that's right, Vespiquen, Professor Oak really likes your sweet honey. Could you give him some?"
Professor Oak looked at Vespiquen, and without a moment of hesitation, Vespiquen waved her claw.
"Vespi."
These were meant for him anyway. If it's not enough, there's more in the hive, and the bearded human next to him can have some too.
Bearded human?
"That's Professor Rowan."
Lucas whispered, then looked at Professor Oak. "Professor Oak, Vespiquen says these are all for you, and Professor Rowan gets a share too."
"Oh my, how embarrassing. Thank you, Vespiquen! At this moment, I can't help but compose a poem for Vespiquen—"
"Yukinari, that won't be necessary."
Professor Rowan reached out and covered Professor Oak's mouth directly. "Let's eat the honey first, let's eat the honey first."
While Professor Oak and Professor Rowan were tasting the honey, Lucas turned his head to look at Cynthia beside him. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "There's bread made by Alcremie in the kitchen, and some small cakes. Go eat a little to fill your stomach first. At noon, I'll have Gengar go into the forest to dig up some bamboo shoots to make something delicious for you."
Cynthia's eyes lit up, but she asked Lucas in a low voice, "That doesn't seem right; Professor Oak and Professor Rowan are both here."
"It's fine, leave this to me. Go to the kitchen, eat, and then come back, or you can go to the lounge and chat with Diantha."
Cynthia hesitated for a moment, but finally stood up, bid farewell to Professor Oak and Professor Rowan, and headed toward the kitchen with Garchomp.
"Indeed, different qualities have different flavors. As expected of Vespiquen, you are the best Vespiquen at brewing sweet honey I have ever seen."
After tasting all the sweet honey, Professor Oak sat contentedly in his chair and gave Vespiquen a thumbs up.
Vespiquen lowered her head gracefully to express her gratitude.
"This must be the food therapy you mentioned last time, right? Processing ingredients from your Breeding House and turning them into healing delicacies."
Professor Oak looked at Lucas and asked.
He could feel the magical power contained in the various delicacies Lucas had given him to eat—some had an invigorating effect, some restored stamina, and some simply made you feel happy.
"Because I have always believed that food is the key to opening everyone's heart."
Lucas briefly explained to Professor Oak and Professor Rowan the effects of the food made at his Breeding House, which combined herbal medicine, sweet honey, Moomoo Milk, and fresh goat milk, as well as some cases of healing Pokémon who had suffered emotional trauma.
"That is truly amazing. By the way, don't you also have herbal medicine and herbal tea at your Breeding House? May I try some?"
Hearing Professor Oak's words, Lucas was very puzzled. He wants to drink it too?
However, he still nodded and asked Gothitelle to prepare some herbal tea and herbal medicine.
In a short while, Gothitelle placed some common herbal teas and herbal medicines on the table, and Lucas began to introduce the basic effects of these to Professor Oak and Professor Rowan.
Professor Oak picked up a cup of herbal tea, brought it to his lips, and took a big sip. "It's a bit bitter, but it has a lingering sweetness afterwards."
"That's because I added sweet honey."
"I see."
After introducing the herbal tea, they all sat back in their chairs, and Professor Oak began to ask Lucas about the delivery service of the Breeding House.
"Actually, I didn't plan to start this service at first. But last winter, there was heavy snow in Twinleaf Town, making travel very inconvenient. Many uncles, aunts, and grandparents in the town needed herbal tea or herbal medicine to soothe or treat their old ailments, and although the distance from Twinleaf Town to our Breeding House isn't that far..."
Lucas paused for a moment before continuing, "...it was still very dangerous on the snow-covered roads. So, I thought I would have the Pokémon from the Breeding House help with deliveries if they could, and that's how this delivery service started."
"However, the results of this delivery service have been quite good. Our Breeding House earned money, and the lives of the residents of Twinleaf Town became more convenient. Most importantly, the acceptance of the Pokémon from the Breeding House by the people of Twinleaf Town has greatly increased. Now in Twinleaf Town, even if it's not a Pokémon on delivery duty that goes there, but just some wild Pokémon from the Breeding House, or even non-wild Pokémon, as long as they don't maliciously destroy things or cause trouble, the people of Twinleaf Town will let them live in the city. There are even children who boldly go to play with them—"
"And these wild Pokémon will also help the residents of Twinleaf Town in certain situations, such as picking up packages, delivering mail, and some even help Officer Jenny patrol and combat Pokémon that like to cause destruction."
"I know about this. For example, the Seviper and Zangoose clans reached a cooperation with the Officer Jennys in both Twinleaf Town and Sandgem Town with Lucas's help. Currently, crime in Twinleaf Town and Sandgem Town has dropped significantly."
Professor Rowan interjected.
Professor Oak listened quietly and asked, "Seviper and Zangoose can cooperate? I remember them being mortal enemies, aren't they?"
Lucas quickly explained, "I separated them, placing them in Sandgem Town and Twinleaf Town respectively. As for the fighting issue, I set a one-year agreement for them. Every year, on a specific day, I set up a tournament arena for them, and let them fight on stage until a winner is decided."
"I just had to tell them that insulting the other side is more satisfying than killing them. Once both sides knew they could belittle each other every year, they agreed."
"And what if the losing side refuses to accept it?"
Lucas grinned upon hearing this. "Refuses to accept it? Aside from the fact that there are so many people and Pokémon acting as spectators, and putting aside whether they care about their reputation, the fact remains that the Pokémon at our Breeding House don't exactly have the best tempers."
Just one of our Pokémon, Lika, can beat up the Seviper leader and carry it on her shoulder with ease.
Not to mention being able to break the rebellious Dash in three punches.
"I tend to forget that you also have Champion-level strength."
Professor Oak laughed and then looked at Lucas. "Do you know why I developed the Pokédex in the first place?"
Lucas didn't answer. Professor Oak continued, "First, because I wanted to study more Pokémon and present them to everyone. Second, I wanted to promote humans and Pokémon living together in harmony."
"So you have done very well. Whether it's resolving the crisis between Zangoose and Seviper, having Pokémon deliver food to help the elderly, or promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and Pokémon, you have done well."
Professor Oak nodded repeatedly. "When you first mentioned using food therapy to treat Pokémon, I knew you were no ordinary guy. As expected, you are not only an excellent Breeder and a Champion Trainer, but also a one-of-a-kind Pokémon food therapist."
"Pokémon... food therapist?"
What's that? I don't think I've heard of it?
"Oh, don't mind the name, I just made it up. Anyway, it's a nickname I give to people I approve of. It can be seen as a top-tier status for a Pokémon doctor. Later, I will write a paper based on the knowledge you introduced to me about how to use food to make delicacies to assist in treating Pokémon, and then send it to various Leagues to let them try it out. If it works, I should be able to apply for a Pokémon Professor Assistant status for you. Then, after a few years, once your method becomes widespread, you might be able to officially become a Pokémon Professor."
Professor Oak explained.
Pokémon Professor?! Me?!
Lucas knew what the status of a Professor in the Pokémon world represented. They were all leaders in their respective fields. No matter which League they went to, they would receive enough respect, and they could also apply to the League for funding to support their research. As for the amount of funding... well, that varies from person to person.
Most importantly, the status of Professor is very difficult to obtain. Even the youngest, Professor Birch, only obtained it when he was nearly thirty. (I hope I remember that correctly?)
Can I, a cook, also become a Professor?
"This... isn't that inappropriate? I'm just a cook—"
Professor Oak shook his head. "You still don't quite understand the importance of your method. In fact, people have tried using food to assist in treating Pokémon before, but they didn't have a unified standard to reference. Actually, the hardest part of treating Pokémon isn't healing their physical wounds, but healing their internal trauma. Why is it that every town has a bunch of stray Pokémon that like to cause destruction? It's because they were once abandoned and left with emotional trauma. To solve this phenomenon, one must first heal the trauma in their hearts, which is why the profession of Pokémon Heart Doctor exists."
"But being a Heart Doctor is a very difficult profession, and there are so many stray Pokémon. Plus, Heart Doctors aren't one hundred percent successful. However, the food therapy you mentioned is different. You chose to add some herbal medicine into the food to achieve the best results."
"Think about it carefully. After stray Pokémon eat food with added herbal medicine, it's easy for them to open up their locked hearts. The hardest part of treating these types of Pokémon isn't the follow-up process, but the very first step."
"So Lucas, the importance of this is self-evident. You might have important things to do next, so let me write this paper for you. Also, if you have time, could you organize the types of food mixed with herbal medicine that you have tested through experiments, as well as the mixing ratios? I might need them when writing the paper."
"No problem. I will hurry to organize it during this time and then hand it over to you. But won't this be too much trouble for you?"
"It's fine, I can handle this much. You haven't written a paper before, have you? Do you know how to write one?"
"...No."
"Then there you go. You just need to organize the results and send them to me."
"Then thank you very much. By the way, Professor Oak said that I might be very busy next; is there something you need my help with?"
"Oh, if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten. Lucas, Professor Rowan and I, along with other Professors, discussed something and would like to ask for your help. I don't know if it's possible."
"What is it?"
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