After glancing at the still-sleeping Munchlax, Lucas got up and gently draped his blanket over it.
"Munch~ Munchlax~"
Munchlax smacked its lips a couple of times, apparently dreaming of something pleasant, and actually grabbed the blanket, chewing on it briefly. Lucas shook his head with fond exasperation.
It must be dreaming of something delicious again.
He bent down to pick up the water grass and was about to head inside when Diancie came downstairs after airing out the blankets.
Seeing the water grass in Lucas's hand, she asked curiously, "What's this? Where did it come from?"
Diancie had originated from the royal palace. Although she had often cared for Lucas when he was ill, her knowledge was somewhat limited. She was essentially someone who couldn't distinguish between different types of grain. Naturally, she wouldn't recognize this particular variety of water grass.
Lucas shook his head. "I don't know what it is either. The Marill brought it. It's edible, though."
"Are you sure it's safe to eat?" Diancie asked worriedly, concerned about potential toxicity.
"Absolutely," Lucas affirmed confidently, trusting the Marill's judgment.
"Victreee~ Victreebel~"
At that moment, a series of distinctive cries approached. Lucas and Diancie turned simultaneously to see a Victreebel hopping toward them, holding a large leaf with its vine whip.
"Victreebel? What brings you here?" Lucas asked, surprised. Victreebel rarely visited his home.
"Victreee~ Victreebel~"
The Grass-type Pokémon carefully placed the leaf it was carrying onto the ground, revealing several fresh, tender greens neatly arranged on top.
Seeing these, Lucas's eyes brightened immediately.
It's garland chrysanthemum!
He was amazed to discover that garland chrysanthemum grew wild on Nebel Plateau during this season.
"Are these for me?" Lucas asked, delighted.
"Bel~"
Victreebel nodded affirmatively.
Since Bellsprout had been bringing its older siblings to Lucas's home for meals every day, the couple found themselves with more free time in caring for their young. They had discussed giving Lucas these wild vegetables they had gathered that morning.
Lucas crouched down, selected a garland chrysanthemum leaf, and inhaled its aroma. A rich, distinctive fragrance filled his nostrils, much more intense than the cultivated varieties he had eaten in his previous life.
The scent of garland chrysanthemum is quite pungent to those unaccustomed to it, but Lucas adored it.
"Thank you, Victreebel. I gratefully accept these garland chrysanthemums," Lucas said, expressing his appreciation sincerely.
In truth, Victreebel itself didn't know the proper name for these plants it had collected. It only knew they were edible. Seeing that Lucas immediately recognized them, it couldn't help but admire his extensive botanical knowledge.
The flavor of garland chrysanthemum is distinctive, and not all Pokémon appreciate it. Victreebel had offered it to other Pokémon previously, but they had all declined with expressions of distaste.
Seeing that Lucas seemed pleased, Victreebel felt as though it had discovered a kindred spirit.
"Victreee~ Victreebel~" I'm glad you like them.
After delivering its gift, Victreebel was preparing to depart when it suddenly noticed the water grass in Lucas's hand.
"Victreee~ Victreebel~" Oh? That's Salveyo weed! Did Poliwag and the others provide that?
Diancie translated Victreebel's words for Lucas.
"This is called Salveyo weed?" Lucas asked, his understanding suddenly broadened.
"Victreee~ Victreebel~"
Victreebel explained that Salveyo weed was a medicinal herb effective for treating paralysis. It was quite rare and typically grew only in exceptionally pure waters where Poliwag, Poliwhirl, or Poliwrath resided. If any of these conditions weren't met, Salveyo weed simply couldn't thrive.
Lucas's expression revealed his surprise as he examined the Salveyo weed in his hand with renewed interest.
He hadn't expected that this ordinary-looking aquatic plant was actually a medicinal material with paralysis-healing properties. (Note: Salveyo weed appears in the anime as a remedy for paralysis, particularly in the episode where Ash and friends try to cure their Pokemon of Vileplume's Stun Spore.)
"Thank you, Victreebel. Without you, I wouldn't have known what this was called," Lucas expressed his gratitude.
"Victreee~ Victreebel~"
Victreebel nodded acknowledgment before hopping away.
Lucas held the garland chrysanthemum in one hand and Salveyo weed in the other, announcing happily to Diancie, "Everyone's in for a special treat tonight."
Diancie picked up a garland chrysanthemum leaf and sniffed it cautiously, her face immediately contorting in displeasure. "This...can this possibly taste good? The smell is overwhelmingly strong!"
Lucas promptly retorted, "Of course it's delicious! You simply lack sophisticated taste." With that declaration, he strode purposefully toward the kitchen.
Diancie pursed her lips. "You're the one with questionable taste."
After entering the kitchen, Lucas carefully sorted through the garland chrysanthemum, removing older portions and retaining only the fresh tips. He washed them thoroughly and placed them in the refrigerator.
Next, he began cleaning the Salveyo weed.
Since Salveyo weed grew in aquatic environments, it required considerably more effort to clean than the garland chrysanthemum. Lucas worked diligently to remove all traces of mud and debris.
Each strand of Salveyo weed measured at least half a meter in length. After thoroughly cleaning them, Lucas cut them into finger-length sections, then soaked them in fresh water with a sprinkle of salt added.
Processed this way, they would be ready for cooking that evening.
Munchlax slept until the sun was nearly setting before finally stirring. It rose from the chair groggily and wandered toward the kitchen.
When it spotted the Salveyo weed soaking in the basin on the stove, its eyes brightened with interest. Reaching out, it grabbed a section and popped it into its mouth, its expression immediately lighting up.
Delicious!
Just then, Lucas entered the kitchen. Noticing Munchlax, he smiled warmly. "You're awake! Perfect timing. Go pick some tomatoes from the vegetable garden, would you? We'll prepare dinner together. We have something special tonight!"
"Munch~ Munchlax~" Right away!
Munchlax scampered happily to the vegetable garden, returning shortly with an impressive collection of tomatoes.
Lucas regularly took Munchlax to the vegetable garden to help it identify various plants. By now, Munchlax was thoroughly familiar with everything growing there.
"Did you really need to gather so many?" Lucas asked, surprised by the abundant harvest Munchlax carried.
"Munch~ Munchlax~ Munchlax~" I want to eat lots! Lots and lots!
Munchlax explained with exaggerated gestures.
Though Lucas couldn't understand its exact words, he comprehended the sentiment from its expression. "Very well," he said indulgently, "you can eat as much as you'd like."
"Munch~"
Munchlax was overjoyed. It carefully retrieved a basin from the stove, transferred all the tomatoes from its arms, and submerged them in water for cleaning.
"Munchlax, you'll prepare the rice while I handle the main dishes. We'll skip the steamed buns tonight," Lucas instructed.
After several consecutive days of eating various bread products, Lucas wanted to try something different. Fortunately, they still had some rice stored at home.
"Munch~ Munchlax~"
Munchlax nodded enthusiastically and set to work. Whether rice or steamed buns, it enjoyed them equally.
Lucas retrieved the garland chrysanthemum from the refrigerator and placed it on the counter. He then prepared scallions by cutting them into thin shreds, minced several cloves of garlic and some ginger, and sliced red peppers into sections, arranging everything for easy access.
Next, he brought water to a boil, adding salt and cooking oil before blanching the garland chrysanthemum.
Adding salt provided the greens with a foundation of flavor, while the oil helped maintain their vibrant green color.
The blanching time needed to be brief; otherwise, the characteristic crispness of the garland chrysanthemum would be lost.
After blanching, he drained the greens thoroughly and set them aside to cool.
Noticing that Munchlax had already started the rice cooker and was now watching him expectantly, Lucas began preparing the main dish while carefully explaining each step to his attentive apprentice.
Munchlax observed with rapt attention.
As Lucas heated the wok, added oil, and stir-fried the aromatic mixture of scallions, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers, a rich fragrance quickly permeated the kitchen.
"Munch~ Munchlax~"
Munchlax twitched its nose continuously, inhaling the enticing aromas with an expression of pure enjoyment. Even before tasting anything, just experiencing these scents seemed to satisfy its cravings.
Once the aromatics had released their full flavors, Lucas added the garland chrysanthemum, followed by light soy sauce, oyster sauce, spicy fresh sauce, and other seasonings, along with salt and chicken essence. He carefully explained to Munchlax how to control the quantities of each ingredient.
Munchlax listened attentively, nodding at appropriate intervals.
Though Munchlax was often playful and sometimes seemingly absentminded in daily life, it showed remarkable focus during cooking lessons. Lucas needed to explain something only once for Munchlax to retain the information reliably.
Soon, Lucas drizzled sesame oil over the stir-fried garland chrysanthemum and transferred it to a serving plate. The vibrant dish was now complete.
"Here, try this, Munchlax."
Using chopsticks, he selected a small portion and offered it to Munchlax, who quickly swallowed it in one eager gulp.
"What do you think?" Lucas inquired.
"Munch~ Munchlax~" Delicious! Absolutely amazing!
Seeing Munchlax's eyes narrow in delight, Lucas immediately understood its verdict. "I knew you'd appreciate it."
Next, Lucas contemplated the Salveyo weed with some uncertainty. This ingredient was entirely new to him. How should he prepare it?
After considerable thought, he decided that since its texture resembled jellyfish, he would follow a recipe for jellyfish salad, preserving the distinctive texture of the Salveyo weed.
Without further delay, he began implementation.
Lucas retrieved cucumbers and carrots from his stores and shredded them for garnish. Both vegetables had been grown in his own garden and were exceptionally fresh.
Since these were merely accompaniments, he needed only modest quantities. Lucas fed the excess to Munchlax, who accepted gratefully.
Then, he brought a pot of water to a boil and briefly blanched the Salveyo weed he had prepared earlier. A quick immersion was sufficient; Lucas believed the natural texture of Salveyo weed was already excellent. The blanching would simply help it absorb flavors more effectively.
He drained the blanched Salveyo weed and sprinkled it lightly with rice vinegar before setting it aside.
Next came sauce preparation. Salt, chicken powder, chili oil, olive oil, rice vinegar, light soy sauce, white pepper powder, and minced garlic were combined harmoniously. Within moments, a flavorful dressing was ready.
Finally, he arranged the previously shredded cucumber and carrots in a large bowl, added the Salveyo weed, and poured the dressing over everything, combining the ingredients thoroughly.
Thus, a refreshing Salveyo weed salad was completed.
Knowing that his household of four all enjoyed cilantro, Lucas garnished the dish with freshly chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
As this was his first attempt with this ingredient, Lucas eagerly sampled the dish immediately upon completion.
Delicious! Once again, Lucas was impressed by the exceptional quality of Salveyo weed.
"Munch~ Munchlax~"
Munchlax stood on tiptoes, reaching toward the counter with obvious anticipation. Lucas selected another portion with his chopsticks and offered it to his apprentice.
"Do you like this one too?" Lucas asked.
"Munch~ Munchlax~ Munchlax~" Yes! Yes! I love it—it's incredible!
Munchlax responded enthusiastically, smacking its lips in appreciation.
"I'm glad you enjoy it," Lucas said, affectionately patting its head.
"Munch~ Munchlax~ Munchlax~" I want to become as amazing as Master someday!
Munchlax clenched its small paw determinedly, gazing at Lucas with unmistakable admiration.
Unfortunately, Lucas couldn't comprehend its exact words and continued preparing the next dish independently.
Following the garland chrysanthemum and Salveyo weed creations, Lucas prepared a cold tomato salad and a stir-fried lotus root dish.
He still had some lotus root remaining from what the Barboach and Whiscash had provided. Lucas had been conserving it, as the lotus root he had planted himself hadn't yet reached harvest stage.
Today, with Victreebel and Marill's generous contributions of fresh ingredients, Lucas felt particularly inspired and decided to use the last portion in a stir-fry.
By the time Lucas and Munchlax completed dinner preparations, darkness had fallen completely. The household of four gathered around the table to enjoy their evening meal together.
"Everyone, please try the garland chrysanthemum and Salveyo weed," Lucas encouraged Diancie and Komala.
Diancie cautiously added a small portion of garland chrysanthemum to her plate, but after tasting it, her delicate features immediately contorted in distaste.
"This is dreadful!" Forcing herself to swallow, she continued, "Lucas, how can you possibly find this appetizing?" She quickly reached for her water glass and took a substantial gulp.
Komala's reaction mirrored Diancie's. Unlike her, however, it didn't force itself to swallow but discreetly expelled the offending morsel.
Lucas frowned slightly. "You two simply don't appreciate sophisticated flavors." He demonstrated by selecting a portion and consuming it with evident enjoyment.
Munchlax's expression matched Lucas's enthusiasm perfectly.
O (≧▽≦) O So incredibly delicious!
Lucas affectionately pinched Munchlax's cheek, clearly delighted to have found a kindred spirit. "At least Munchlax understands my palate! This is precisely why you're my apprentice!"
"Munch~ Munchlax~ Munch~" That's right! Master and I share the same excellent taste.
Munchlax nodded repeatedly, visibly proud to have culinary preferences aligned with its mentor.
(_|||) "Munchlax," Diancie responded with evident skepticism, "is there actually anything you don't enjoy eating? Your opinion hardly seems objective."
Munchlax immediately appeared affronted by this accusation. It thumped the table indignantly.
"Munch~ Munchlax~ Munch~" You're insulting a chef's dignity!
Diancie challenged, "Then tell me: what food do you dislike?"
Munchlax appeared momentarily stunned by the direct question.
"Munch... Munch..." Well... um...
After stammering hesitantly for several moments without producing a concrete example, it turned to Lucas with a distinctly aggrieved expression.
Master, help me...
Lucas comforted Munchlax reassuringly. "Don't listen to Diancie's teasing. They simply lack culinary sophistication." As he spoke, he added another portion of garland chrysanthemum to Munchlax's bowl. "Let's enjoy our meal and ignore their commentary."
"Munch~ Munchlax~"
Munchlax's mood immediately brightened, and it resumed eating with renewed enthusiasm.
Diancie sampled the Salveyo weed salad. "Now this is excellent—I definitely enjoy this dish."
Not only did Diancie appreciate the Salveyo weed, but Komala seemed equally fond of it.
Of course, they also consumed generous portions of the stir-fried lotus root slices and cold tomato salad.
"If you like it that much, I'll ask the Marill if they can provide more when I next see them. Perhaps we can arrange an exchange," Lucas offered.
Diancie nodded appreciatively.
While eating, Lucas turned to Komala. "Komala, would you like some wine this evening? I could purchase a bottle for you." Komala had accompanied him to the market stall today and had worked diligently, certainly deserving a reward.
Komala paused its eating momentarily, then gently nodded in affirmation.
Lucas appeared somewhat surprised by this response. It was the first time he had observed Komala reacting so definitively to one of his suggestions.
It seems Komala genuinely enjoys wine!
Without further deliberation, Lucas immediately spent 1,000 Happiness Points in the system store to acquire a bottle of quality wine.
"I'll join you for a drink today."
Lucas hadn't enjoyed wine for quite some time and suddenly felt a desire for it.
Previously, his health had been fragile, preventing him from drinking alcohol. Reflecting on it now, he realized the last time he had consumed wine was in his former life.