[Steamed Giant Claw (C): A simple preparation that is full of the flavor of the sea, be careful not to get pinched by the claw.
Dish Effect: After shrimp- and crab-type Pokémon consume it, their claws receive all-around enhancement. Other Pokémon that consume it gain a slight increase in hand dexterity.]
Shaking his head, Silas felt that this dish failed to meet his expectations.
Its enhancement effects were clearly more tailored toward shrimp- and crab-type Pokémon that possessed a pair of large claws, such as Krabby, Crawdaunt, and Corphish.
One had to know that for this kind of Pokémon, their claws were their most important weapons—tools not only for combat, but also for hunting, and even for escaping danger.
An all-around enhancement like that… Silas hardly dared to imagine just how delicious it would be.
Just thinking about it made him embarrassingly start to drool.
If he remembered correctly, Clauncher lived along the Kalos coastline. When the opportunity arose, he could catch a few and raise them in the creek.
Their large claws were not nearly as tough and unpalatable as Corphish's; instead, they were extremely delicious.
He shifted his gaze and looked toward the next dish.
[Seaweed Egg Drop Soup (C): A soup made from seaweed grown on the seabed paired with egg ribbons. Fresh and flavorful.
Dish Effect: Stamina Recovery (Small)]
It seemed he could only place his hopes on the final dish now—this seaweed soup was a complete and utter failure.
Its effect was nothing more than a simple stamina recovery, barely better than nothing at all.
Scooping up a spoonful and tasting it carefully, it really did lack any distinctive flavor. Compared to the other two dishes, the seaweed soup felt utterly ordinary; no wonder the panel had given it such an evaluation.
Now he could only pin his hopes on the next dish—the seafood platter made with Slowpoke Tail.
Slowpoke's tail naturally carried a gentle sweetness, and blanching it in plain water was the best possible way to cook it.
It was said that Galarian Slowpoke had spicy-flavored tails, though whether that was true or not was anyone's guess.
The tail was placed at the center, surrounded by cold mixed seafood such as baby octopus, jellyfish, and conch meat. Just looking at the variety alone made one's mouth water—a lavish seafood platter indeed.
Information about the dish unfolded before Silas's eyes at the same time.
[Seafood Platter (B−): Originally an ordinary seafood platter, but made extraordinary by the addition of premium olive oil and Slowpoke Tail. Exceptionally delicious in flavor.
Dish Effect: Rain Dance. After Water-type Pokémon consume it, the activity of Water-type energy within their bodies is slightly increased. Rain Dance move proficiency +1. (Duration: 120 minutes.)]
Silas blinked, clearly taken aback.
The bonus effect was unexpectedly powerful.
Thinking about it more carefully, it actually made sense. Pokémon like Slowpoke did indeed possess unique abilities when it came to Rain Dance.
In some places, in order to ensure favorable weather and timely rainfall, people would actively offer tributes to Slowpoke, even constructing special Slowpoke Wells dedicated to their habitation.
There were also legends claiming that when a Slowpoke yawned, rain would fall—though whether that was true or not was anyone's guess.
Shaking the stray thoughts from his mind, Silas picked up the dish and walked out of the kitchen.
The moment he appeared, both Popplio and Phione, two Water-type Pokémon turned their heads in unison, their gazes locking onto the seafood platter.
"Looks like you really want to eat it!" Silas waved at them. "Then come over and have some."
"Phio~"
"Lioo!"
Popplio and Phione ran over one after the other, and the two little ones polished off the entire platter by themselves.
When they reached the Slowpoke Tail, both of them blissfully squinted their eyes—so delicious!!!
Who would have thought that Slowpoke Tail, after such a simple preparation, could taste this amazing?
As for the other two dishes, the little ones lost interest after just a single glance.
Silas called the rest of the little guys over, inviting them to eat a bit as well to tide themselves over.
After a simple lunch, Silas hid away in the air-conditioned room for several hours. Only when the sun outside was no longer so scorching did he call Popplio and Phione out to test the dish's effects.
Standing on the ridge between the fields, hop seeds had just begun to poke out of the soil, adding a touch of green to the farmland.
The newly sprouted hop shoots stretched upward, curling and clinging to the trellises.
"Let me see just how much the two of you have improved."
Stepping back, he cleared space for Popplio.
Popplio patted its belly and excitedly stood at the front of the field.
Then it took a deep breath. Its round body swelled slightly, and a low "Lioo-lioo" hum rumbled from its throat.
The next moment, several wisps of thin cloud abruptly drifted across the once-clear blue sky. Moist water vapor mixed into the breeze, dispersing the heat in the air and bringing a refreshing sense of comfort.
As the thin clouds gradually darkened, a light drizzle, fine as ox hair—began to fall, enveloping the farmland before them. Raindrops struck the tender hop shoots, producing a soft rustling sound.
Nourished by the rain, the hops appeared even more vibrant and tender, their greenery growing richer by several degrees.
After Rain Dance lasted for about ten minutes, the clouds above dissipated entirely due to a lack of follow-through.
"Lioo~?"
Popplio looked a little tired. It shook the rainwater from its body and cast a hopeful gaze toward Silas, eager for praise.
Understanding the little one's thoughts, Silas naturally wouldn't refuse.
He opened his arms to welcome Popplio, pulling it into a hug, rubbing its head, pinching its little belly, and showering it with nonstop praise.
"Popplio, you're amazing!"
"You actually managed to control such a large patch of rain clouds."
"From now on, all the ranch's watering work will be assigned to you!"
"Lioo…"
A little embarrassed by the praise, Popplio shyly burrowed into Silas's arms, feeling unexpectedly satisfied. This way, it could help Silas too!
At the side, little Phione couldn't stand the sight of this. Its cheeks puffed up as it grabbed at Silas, insisting on showing off the Rain Dance move it had mastered—it was far more impressive than Popplio.
Laughing, Silas set Popplio down and rubbed Phione's head. "Alright, alright, now it's our little Phione's turn to show off."
"Phio~"
"Let's switch plots. This one was just watered, any more and the roots will soak and rot."
He stopped Phione first and led the little one to another field planted with hops.
Phione gracefully walked to the center of the field, its long ribbon-like feelers swaying back and forth as a faint blue glow spread across its body.
Unlike Popplio, it didn't summon rain clouds little by little. Instead, it tilted its head slightly and let out a clear, youthful cry.
The instant the sound fell, a mass of thick, heavy dark clouds drifted over from the direction of the coastline, gathering overhead at a speed that surpassed Popplio's by who knew how many times.
This was the difference between ordinary Pokémon and Legendary or Mythical Pokémon—the latter were naturally closer to their own typing, starting from a much higher baseline.
In the blink of an eye, the dark clouds covered nearly half the ranch.
"This range…" Even as Silas stared in astonishment, he didn't forget to scoop up Popplio and find a place to take shelter from the rain.
Popplio, meanwhile, looked at Phione with a face full of admiration. It was so amazing—it couldn't afford to fall behind either.
Its competitive spirit ignited, Popplio resolved to surpass Phione.
It wanted to surpass Phione and become Silas's most trusted little helper, living up to the meticulous care and attention Silas had always given it.
(End of Chapter)