Once the oil was hot, he added the beef tallow to melt it down.
Next, he tossed in the prepared ginger, garlic cloves, green onion knots, bean paste, and chili seasoning to sauté them until fragrant.
Having finished this, Ange instructed the crybaby Charcadet: "Charcadet, use a low flame."
"Chaka~"
The crybaby Charcadet nodded, and the flames on its body gradually diminished.
Since the base needed to simmer over a low heat for more than an hour, Ange shifted his attention to preparing the tomato clear broth base.
He took out tomatoes grown in his own garden, washed them, peeled them, and cut them into small pieces for later use.
Ange instructed the well-behaved Charcadet to heat another wok. After adding Dolliv's oil and letting it get hot, he tossed in green onions, ginger, and garlic to fry until fragrant.
Afterward, he added the chopped tomatoes, stir-frying them until they softened and released their juices, before finally adding fresh water.
"Charcadet, switch to a low flame."
"Chaka~" Understood.
Following Ange's command, the surging flames on the well-behaved Charcadet began to recede, transitioning from a large fire to a low flame.
Gurgle, gurgle~
Inside the two pots, the red and clear broth bases bubbled continuously, releasing an increasingly rich aroma that filled the air.
Arven, who was sleeping, instinctively twitched his nose and slowly opened his eyes.
"It smells so good!" he said. However, just after speaking, the spice made him sneeze. There was no helping it; the chili seasoning made from Scovillain was simply too potent.
Seeing Ange busy at work, Arven said with a pleasant surprise: "Brother Ange, you're back!"
Ange turned around. "Yeah, I'm making something delicious for you all."
Arven quickly scrambled up from the grass and jogged over to Ange's side. "What delicious food are we having tonight?"
"Hot pot, a delicacy you've never had before," Ange replied. "Stay back a bit, though. There are hot pots and hot oil here; be careful not to get burned."
Arven nodded and obediently backed away, his eyes fixed on Ange's movements without blinking.
Soon, the beef tallow base was almost finished simmering. Ange began to stir-fry the aromatics: star anise, sand ginger, cinnamon bark, cumin, black cardamom, gromwell, and bay leaves. The fragrance permeating the air became increasingly dominant.
On the other side, following Ange's instructions, Munchlax had finished slicing the celtuce, green vegetables, tofu, potato slices, and lotus root slices. It had also prepared ham, fish balls, pork rolls, and fresh shrimp. Plate after plate of fresh ingredients filled the entire large table.
When the two professors and the researchers came out, they saw a round table with a bubbling, steaming pot in the center. The pot was divided into two halves; one side was bright red, while the other had a pale reddish tint. Fragrance drifted from the pot along with the steam.
The area around the hot pot was covered with various raw ingredients.
Ange had prepared two tables in total: one for the professors and researchers, and one for the Pokémon. The portion for the Pokémon table was several times larger than the one for the humans, and the pot was also several times bigger.
It couldn't be helped; among the Pokémon, there was not only the big eater Munchlax but also the gluttonous Pawmi!
The Pokémon's meal was spread out on a tablecloth directly on the grass. This was much more convenient for them; after all, asking someone like Metagross to sit at a table to eat would be far too difficult for it.
Seeing the professors come out, Ange quickly called out: "Everyone, come and sit. It's time to eat."
The two professors and the researchers walked to the table, looking at the crowded spread with curiosity.
"What kind of way to eat is this?" Professor Sada asked. "Aren't these all raw?"
Ange then introduced the hot pot method of eating to the professors.
"I didn't expect such a novel way to eat," Turo remarked as he sat down.
Meanwhile, the Pokémon side had already started eating.
The crybaby Charcadet placed several pieces of green vegetables into both broth bases. Once the vegetables were cooked, it tried the one from the clear broth first.
Tasty! The crybaby Charcadet's eyes lit up.
Next, it impatiently ate the vegetable from the red broth. The moment the vegetable entered its mouth, the spiciness completely ignited its taste buds. It felt as if a heat wave had hit it head-on, and even the fire-type energy within its body became active.
"Chaka!!!" This is too delicious!
The crybaby Charcadet couldn't help but tilt its head back and spray a mouthful of Ember into the sky.
Its friend, the well-behaved Charcadet, had the same reaction. As Fire-type Pokémon, they had a special fondness for 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 liked both flavors.
Pawmi scooped a piece of tofu out of the red broth and impatiently shoved it into its mouth. The scalding tofu and pungent flavor stimulated it so much that it bolted across the grass to the side, shouting as it ran.
"Paw, paw, paw~" So hot! So spicy!
After running around, its lips were bright red, but it still impatiently scooped out another piece of tofu and stuffed it into its mouth.
Hiss, ha, hiss, ha~
Munchlax was also so spicy that its tongue was hanging out. It kept huffing and puffing, and its lips were already red and swollen, yet it continued to shove various foods into its mouth at high speed.
When the spice became truly unbearable, it would take a few bites from the clear broth to ease the sensation.
As a new addition to the team, Metagross watched everyone eat with great curiosity.
So this is what it's like to have a Trainer.
Seeing this, the nearby Espathra quickly nudged it with a wing.
"Espa, espa~" Eat quickly, or there won't be anything left soon.
Metagross then used its psychic powers to control the food and bring it to its mouth. With just one bite, it was stunned.
Is this human food? It's way too delicious!
It wasn't until much later that Metagross learned that not all humans could cook such delicacies like Ange.
The Pokémon were eating with gusto, and the professors, caught up in the atmosphere, quickly sat down to eat as well.
Ange held Komala in his arms. Two pairs of chopsticks were specifically set out in front of him; while he ate, he didn't forget to feed Komala.
Additionally, Ange had prepared several cans of beer for Komala. While Komala needed Ange to feed it food, it didn't need help with the drinks. It held the can and took a large gulp from time to time.
Eating hot pot while drinking beer—it was sheer bliss!
"Ange, your Komala is truly interesting," Professor Sada said with a laugh. "It actually likes to drink!"
"Everyone has their little hobbies," Ange replied.
"True enough," Professor Sada agreed.
Professor Turo, huffing from the spice, said: "Ange, I didn't expect you to actually succeed in catching Metagross. It seems you are a very powerful Trainer!"
Ange waved his hands repeatedly. "I'm no Trainer; I'm just an ordinary chef. It's the Pokémon themselves who are amazing."
"You're far too modest," Professor Sada laughed. "Metagross is one of the top-tier Pokémon in terms of strength in Area Zero. Not just anyone can handle it."
I'm really not being modest, Ange thought.
After dinner, Professor Sada said to Ange: "Ange, leave Metagross with us tonight. Turo and I will stay up late to help you modify Robert 1."
"Thank you for your hard work, Professors," Ange said gratefully.
Professor Turo waved it off. "It's a small matter. After eating so much of your food, it would feel wrong not to give something back."
"That's right!" Professor Sada added. "Besides, we've also troubled you with taking care of Arven these past few days."
"In any case, thank you, Professors."
If the professors hadn't given him the pass to move freely in Area Zero, he wouldn't have been able to catch so many partners like Veluza, Dolliv, Nacli, Garganacl, Capsakid, Scovillain, Charcadet, Pawmi, Espathra, and Metagross.
After resting for a while, the professors and researchers returned to the lab, taking the Poké Ball containing Metagross with them.
Ange, Arven, Romeo, and the Pokémon tidied up the tables and dishes. They sent Diancie and the others back home before heading to their respective rooms to sleep.
Before bed, Ange said to Pawmi, Espathra, and the two Oinkologne: "Come here, let me give you all a good petting too."
Since the System wanted him to sense the Aura within Pokémon, his own Pokémon should count as well.
"Paw~" I'm first!
Pawmi responded and jumped directly into Ange's arms.
Holding Pawmi's furry, soft, and chubby body, Ange carefully sensed the Aura it emitted.
The Aura within Pawmi was exceptionally active, like jumping musical notes, full of vitality but also very weak.
Releasing Pawmi, Ange sensed the Auras of the Oinkologne and Espathra one by one. Each was different. The more Auras he touched, the more miraculous he found it.
Finally, it was Komala's turn.
Previously, Ange couldn't truly comprehend just how powerful Komala was, but after sensing its Aura, he finally understood completely.
If the Aura emitted by Pawmi was a small puddle, then the Aura emitted by Komala was a vast river!
It was hard to imagine that such a small body could contain such terrifying power!
Pokémon were truly wondrous.
Moreover, Ange felt it was somewhat unbelievable that such a powerful Pokémon was willing to follow him and had been helping and protecting him all this time.
"Thank you, Komala," Ange whispered to it.
Whether Komala heard him or not was unknown, but a small snot bubble suddenly popped.
After sensing the Auras of his Pokémon, Ange opened the System. The mission list showed several tasks.
[Daily Mission 1] Train in the Cooking Training Room for 1 hour—To be completed.
[Daily Mission 2] Serve 10 Pokémon—Completed, rewards to be claimed.
[Aura Training Mission] Touch 1,000 Pokémon and sense the Aura within them (34/1000)—To be completed.
[Temporary Mission] Request Professor Sada and Professor Turo to modify Robert 1—To be completed.
After claiming the reward for [Daily Mission 2], Ange said to the Pokémon: "Let's go to sleep, everyone. Good night."
Espathra: "Espa~" Good night, Ange.
Male Oinkologne: "Honk honk~" Good night.
Female Oinkologne: "Honk honk~" Sleep, sleep.
Pawmi: "Paw~" Time for bed.
Seeing that the Pokémon were all asleep, Ange hugged Komala and crawled under the covers, falling into a dreamland shortly after.
Once Ange turned off the light, Pawmi—who had been closing its eyes—suddenly opened them again. It quietly lifted its small blanket, picked up its little pillow, and climbed out of bed. It made its way to Ange's bedside in the dark. After climbing up the bedpost, it lifted the corner of Ange's blanket and crawled inside.
The next morning, the sleeping Ange felt a very heavy weight on his chest, pressing down so hard he could barely breathe. He snapped his eyes open.
"What's going on?"
Despite being awake, the heavy weight on his chest did not disappear. He lifted the blanket and saw that Pawmi had crawled into his covers at some point. It was currently lying on his chest, sleeping soundly, with drool wetting his shirt.
"Pawmi!" Ange called out.
"Paw, paw~~"
Pawmi smacked its lips twice and rolled over, changing from lying on its stomach to its back, and continued to sleep soundly.
"Honestly!"
Ange helplessly picked it up and set it aside. After tucking it back in, he got up to wash his face.
A new day had begun.
During breakfast, Ange asked the two professors about the modification progress of Robert 1. Professor Sada smiled and said: "You'll be able to see the results when you come back at noon."
Thus, after breakfast, Ange went out with Arven in an expectant mood.
Since the task of catching Pokémon was complete, all Ange had to do now was the Aura training mission.
He took Arven along as they wandered around various parts of the upper level all morning, using delicious food to lure various Pokémon into letting him pet them... no, into letting him sense their Aura.
On the grasslands, Ange became friends with Raichu and Jumpluff. By the water, he met Vaporeon, Psyduck, and Buizel. In the rocky areas, he came into contact with Gogoat and Cufant. While exploring a cave, he gained the approval of a Salazzle.
Near noon, Ange returned to the observation station with Arven and the Pokémon. From a distance, he saw Metagross floating in the air over the grass by the entrance. Below Metagross stood a robot; it was Robert 1.
The modification is finished? Ange felt a surge of joy.
"Metagross!" Ange waved to greet it.
"Meta~"
Seeing him, Metagross flew toward Ange, while Robert 1 below also moved toward him.
"Master!"
Robert 1 actually spoke. Its speech was very fluent, though its tone carried a heavy mechanical quality.
Compared to before the modification, its appearance hadn't changed much, but its eyes were now different.
Of course, while the exterior was similar, the interior was already vastly different.
"Robert 1, you..."
"Master, I am Metagross!" Robert 1 spoke again.
"Metagross?" Ange shouted in surprise, looking at Metagross simultaneously.
Metagross nodded to him, while Robert 1 said: "That's right, it's me!"
Ange vaguely understood something. He asked Metagross: "Did the professors link your consciousness with Robert 1?"
Controlling Robert 1, Metagross replied: "Yes!"
Next, Metagross explained the principle behind the professors' modification of Robert 1 to Ange.
The two professors had installed a computer capable of connecting to the network inside Robert 1. Simultaneously, using a set of sensing technology, they linked Metagross's brain to the computer.
This meant that the computer now had an artificial intelligence capable of thinking and acting independently. Furthermore, Metagross could use the network to learn knowledge, thereby helping Ange complete various tasks.
As it spoke, Metagross even showed Ange the sensing devices the professors had installed on its body.
They were two circular buttons about the size of a fingernail, pressed tightly against the sides of Metagross's forehead. If one didn't look closely, they would be impossible to notice.
Ange was very satisfied with the professors' work.
After hearing Metagross's explanation, Ange said to it: "Metagross, you can just call me Ange. You don't need to call me 'Master.' We are partners."
Metagross was stunned for a moment, then controlled Robert 1 to say: "Alright, Ange."
Ange added: "Since Robert 1 has been modified, let's call it Robert 2 from now on!"