As the most basic of dishes, clear noodle soup was incredibly simple to make.
Bring the water to a boil in a pot, and once it's rolling, toss in the instant noodles.
If he had enough ingredients, Leo would have added chopped green onions and lard, letting the noodles soak up the rich broth. When served, the green onions would float on the surface, adding a vibrant touch of green that instantly whetted the appetite.
Finally, a drop of sesame oil and a pre-prepared soft-boiled egg would complete it. One poke with a chopstick, and the golden yolk would flow out, melding perfectly with the soup.
Just thinking about it made Leo salivate.
But reality was harsh. Before him sat only the most basic seasonings.
Sighing silently, Leo learned from yesterday's mistake and added just the right amount of salt and chicken bouillon to the pot.
Soon, a simple noodle soup was ready.
Leo ladled out two bowls. As he picked them up and looked down, information about the dish floated into his mind.
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Cooking Effect: Cold Resistance Lv.1. Grants resistance to severe cold. After consumption, the body becomes warm. Duration: 30 minutes.
Evaluation: Though the ingredient quality is low, skilled cooking has added a unique flavor. When the player becomes wealthy and cooks Master-rank dishes in the future, they may look back fondly on these days.]
Leo: "..."
Beside him, Cyclizar sniffed the air.
"Gaa-ow?"
Leo looked at it, placed the two bowls on the table, and beckoned. "Come try it."
"Gaa-ow..."
Cyclizar frowned uneasily. To be honest, as a Cyclizar, it wasn't particularly fond of this smell.
And looking at the bowl, there was nothing but plain white noodles. Visually, it didn't look appetizing at all.
Seeing its reaction, Leo immediately understood. He sighed helplessly but didn't push it. Instead, he comforted it, "Forget it, if you don't want to eat, you don't have to."
Then, his face lit up with imagined future glory. "Just wait until I make money and buy better ingredients. I'll make you food you actually like!"
Leo was full of anticipation for his future ranch life.
Hearing this, Cyclizar felt a pang of guilt.
This was food its new master had specially prepared. Wouldn't it be rude not to even taste it?
With that thought, Cyclizar looked down at the soup and hesitated. "Gaa-ow!"
I'll eat it!
Cyclizar reached out with two chubby claws, picked up the bowl, and gulped the noodles down in one go.
The terrible taste it expected didn't materialize. Although the flavor was simple, the moment the soup hit its stomach, Cyclizar felt its body turn toasty warm, as if it had returned to its mother's embrace.
"Gaa-ow..."
Leo was startled by Cyclizar's sudden action but quickly relaxed.
Watching the Pokémon, and remembering the soup's effect, he asked with a smile, "How does it feel?"
Hearing Leo's voice, Cyclizar snapped out of its daze. "Gaa-ow!"
It looked down at its body in confusion.
There was no human riding on its back, so why had it suddenly become so warm?
Seeing its reaction, Leo confirmed his theory.
So the cooking really does give buffs to Pokémon, he thought. He continued, "Do you feel your body getting warmer? Not as cold as before?"
Although it was spring, the temperature hadn't fully recovered, and the mornings were still chilly.
Cyclizar looked up, astonished. Its expression seemed to say: How did you know?
"Gaa-ow?"
Leo smiled. "That is the power of food."
"Gaa-ow..."
Cyclizar looked puzzled. This concept was way too advanced for it.
After all, it was just a Cyclizar.
Leo didn't explain further. Living together, Cyclizar would understand eventually.
With the effect of his cooking confirmed, Leo was in high spirits. He quickly finished his own breakfast, washed the dishes, and stepped out of the cabin.
The abandoned ranch was overgrown with lush vegetation. Occasionally, a bird Pokémon flew overhead in search of food.
Breathing in the fresh air, Leo took a deep breath and decided to look around.
He needed to familiarize himself with the place.
Walking through the ranch with Cyclizar, Leo discovered it was larger than he had imagined.
The perimeter was fenced with wood. The central area was vast. To the east lay a vibrant valley; standing in the ranch, he could hear the cries of wild Pokémon from that direction.
Farmland took up a third of the property. In the southwest corner lay a lake, bordered by a winding river. A wooden bridge connected the ranch to the opposite bank.
Standing on the bridge, looking at the rotting, broken fences on the bank, Leo realized he had a lot of work to do.
Clearing weeds and rocks, chopping down excess trees, and re-tilling the land for planting.
As for the Pokémon barn for the Miltank, Leo didn't plan to repair it yet.
First, he didn't have enough wood. Second, he had no money.
Rebuilding the barn and buying Miltank would require significant capital.
Standing by the lake near the fields, Leo crouched down to check its depth. "Raising fish here would be a great choice," he mused.
According to Naoki's memories, this world had ordinary animals alongside Pokémon.
But rather than ordinary fish, Leo wanted to raise Water-type Pokémon.
Like Magikarp, Goldeen, Feebas, Mudkip, and so on.
Or, if he were bolder, Gyarados, Milotic, Vaporeon, and Primarina.
Even if he couldn't eat them, the collector in him would be satisfied just watching them swim in his lake.
Leo mentally listed his tasks and realized the road ahead was long.
It wasn't something he could finish in a short time.
Memories of ranching games he used to play surfaced, leaving him speechless.
He had just escaped the 9-to-5 grind only to sign up for a 24/7 one?