Lumiose City, Snorlax Restaurant.
This restaurant was opened by the Kalos region's Gym Leader Siebold, who specializes in Water-type Pokemon.
The Elite and Champion of the Kalos region seem to be quite unconventional.
Compared to his role as a Water-type Gym Leader, Siebold is more widely known for being a chef.
It's like the famous actress Diantha; everyone is clearly more familiar with her status as a Best Actress.
The moment Li Wei stepped into the Snorlax Restaurant,
A familiar tremor came from under his feet...
Because this is a Battle Restaurant.
Of the two battling parties, one was unfamiliar, and the other, Li Wei, recognized: Gym Leader Siebold.
Li Wei hadn't expected to be so lucky.
Today, he happened to encounter Siebold here, engaged in a Pokemon battle with a restaurant customer.
This is a unique feature of the Battle Restaurant.
As long as you can defeat the head chef or a specified person, such as the owner's son...
You can win a free meal,
Or unlock a special menu.
Although it's often said that the Kalos region's Elite and Champion are slightly inferior to those in other regions.
And that is indeed the case.
But when facing ordinary Trainers, they still deliver a crushing blow; Siebold easily defeated his opponent with Barbaracle while chatting and laughing.
After accepting his opponent's challenge, Siebold had originally planned to return to the kitchen, but his gaze involuntarily drifted towards the young man who had just walked in.
Like Siebold, the customers who were watching the battle also unconsciously looked towards the entrance.
"Is that Li Wei?"
"He has a Lucario, so it should be."
Siebold, with his golden curly hair and attire that looked like a chef's uniform even as casual wear, walked towards Li Wei.
Siebold had a gentle smile on his face, "I am Siebold. May I ask, you must be Li Wei, correct?"
Li Wei extended his hand towards Siebold,
"That's right. Nice to meet you, Mr. Siebold. These are my partners, Lucario, Shaymin, and Rotom Dex."
Siebold is much older than Li Wei.
He is already over 30 this year, which can be seen from the stubble left on both sides of his cheeks after shaving.
"It really is Li Wei!"
A customer took a picture of Li Wei with their phone.
Although Li Wei's account followers haven't exceeded 500,000, he still has 400,000.
His fame significantly grew mainly due to winning the Youth Breeder Competition.
The Pokemon Summer Camp, which concluded a few days ago,
The food festival and bonfire party on the last day also made Li Wei popular again.
Now, Li Wei can definitely be considered a celebrity.
Siebold also extended his hand and shook Li Wei's,
"Nice to meet you. I've wanted to meet you for a long time. You are an excellent Breeder and chef."
"Nice to meet you, Lucario, Shaymin, and Rotom Dex."
"Kalos region's Water-type Gym Leader Siebold…"
"Got the photo, Rotom!"
Even though Li Wei didn't tell Rotom to take a picture, it took a self-initiated photo of Li Wei and Siebold shaking hands.
Though Rotom Dex is rare, Siebold had seen it before and wasn't surprised.
Li Wei quickly said, "No, your cooking is much better than mine."
Siebold is a Master Class chef certified by the League; although Li Wei couldn't see his cooking level, it must be quite high.
Siebold laughed, "No need to be modest. When I was your age, I was nowhere near as good as you; I should say, far from it."
What Siebold didn't say was that he was only temporarily better than Li Wei in cooking, but in breeding, he couldn't compare to Li Wei.
Only temporarily.
Li Wei's cooking progress, in Siebold's opinion, was very fast, and he would surpass him one day.
"Come, let's go inside and sit down to talk."
Siebold looked around, with an apologetic expression on his face,
"My apologies, everyone, due to the arrival of a distinguished guest, the upcoming battles cannot proceed...
As compensation, all customers present will receive an 80% discount... I hope everyone can understand."
"No problem, no problem…"
In reality, with Siebold coming out to battle, it was too difficult for ordinary people to unlock special menus or get free meals.
They were more interested in having a battle with Siebold.
Siebold led Li Wei to his private booth, which was very spacious, large enough to accommodate Li Wei's Pokemon.
"Can I release my Pokemon first?"
"Of course! This is a Pokemon Restaurant; why would you need to ask such a question?"
"Everyone, come on out."
"What a beautiful Milotic, you have bred her very well."
As a Water-type Gym Leader, Siebold's attention immediately focused on Milotic.
Milotic's strength is rather average, currently only Professional Intermediate, but her distinguishing feature is beauty.
If she were to participate in a Contest, Milotic's mere appearance would be enough to earn a very high score.
Li Wei didn't bring Arcanine this time but left him at home to guard the Breeding Center.
After preparing red tea for Li Wei, Siebold curiously asked, "Why did you suddenly come to the Kalos region? Haven't you been managing a Breeding Center all this time?"
Li Wei did not hide anything, "I want to challenge the Battle Chateau here to obtain a Lucarioite."
Siebold laughed, "So that's it. I happen to be a Duke of the Battle Chateau. Would you like me to take you there?"
Li Wei had never challenged the Battle Chateau before; generally, you need to start from scratch.
Although he is a Water-type Gym Leader, Siebold is quite free...
Otherwise, he wouldn't be idly staying in the restaurant and constantly having time to practice his cooking skills.
But his presence in the Battle Restaurant, guiding new Trainers or other Trainers, is actually a form of engagement.
One cannot say that Siebold is neglecting his duties.
"To be honest, I have already received an invitation to the Battle Chateau from Diantha."
Since they were group members and Li Wei was familiar with Cynthia, even though Diantha was older than Li Wei...
Diantha still allowed Li Wei to call her by her first name.
As for how much older? Cannot say.
Seeing this Battle Chateau invitation, a hint of surprise flashed in Siebold's eyes.
This is the highest-tier invitation for the Battle Chateau; with this invitation, one can start the challenge from the rank of Count.
Few people can issue one, and Diantha happens to be one of them.
Thinking of the Eevee Net video he saw a few days ago, Siebold was no longer so surprised.
Siebold asked, "Then why are you here today?"
Li Wei laughed, "This is a restaurant, so of course, I'm here to eat, especially since I just came from the airport."
Siebold realized, "I was rude. I will prepare it for you immediately; you must savor it later."
Li Wei felt it was a bit rude to have Siebold cook personally, "Won't it be too much trouble…."
Siebold shook his head, "No, no, no, it is a chef's duty to let customers eat the best food. Please wait a moment."
Before long, Li Wei received Siebold's dishes.
Red wine braised beef, and a particularly characteristic veal and chanterelle mushroom soup by Siebold.
It looked like dark cuisine, but it was surprisingly delicious.