Chapter 100: A Steadfast Path

【You have mastered the Ultimate Freshness technique from Yoka City, successfully winning over Grandpa Fu's stomach】

【You obtained a letter of introduction from Grandpa Fu】

The Chef left the Coumarine Gym.

In his hand was a letter of introduction to a two-star restaurant, handed to him by Grandpa Fu.

Baimu blinked, learning the full story through the narration.

This is a long story.

After the Whitewood Gym Leader Violet became obsessed with his cooking, she tried to use her sister Pansy's journalist connections to find his restaurant, only to be shocked to discover the Chef was a student expelled from the Western Cuisine Training School, without even a chef's license.

So.

She passed this information to the Coumarine Gym Leader Ramos, who was good friends with Elite Four member Siebold. Upon learning the Chef was a fan of the latter, Ramos — to repay a favor involving desserts — specially recommended the Chef to him.

Siebold learned of the Chef's plight. Though he couldn't criticize the school's decision, he was very interested in his innovative cooking and specially used his connections to find a two-star restaurant known for its creativity and put in a word.

After several twists and turns, this letter of introduction finally reached Grandpa Fu's hands.

And through him, it was passed to the Chef.

With this letter of introduction, the Chef could attach himself to that restaurant. Even if he didn't stay on as staff, at the very least he could obtain a chef's license through the two-star restaurant's name.

So this is what they call a turn of fortune.

【You clutch the letter of introduction, thrilled yet conflicted, tossing and turning unable to sleep】

In the frame, a person and a duck lie on the bed, in perfect sync sticking out their rear ends, staring at the letter of introduction before them, with "……" constantly floating above their heads.

Can't fall asleep.

Baimu completely understood the Chef's feelings at this moment — not only did his idol learn of his existence, but was also interested in his innovative cooking, and even gave him recognition.

Any devoted fan hearing such news could never sleep peacefully.

"There's only one choice left before success."

The Chef's path could truly be called an unorthodox one.

Most people graduate from culinary school, open their own little restaurant, or go work as a prep cook at a big restaurant.

Very few chefs choose to travel while improving their cooking skills, let alone winning over the very top of the Kalos Trainer world by cooking for Gym Leaders.

Honestly, if he hadn't displayed extraordinary Trainer strength, the Gym Leaders wouldn't have accepted his cooking so easily either.

From this perspective, the Trainer and Chef professions seem to complement each other.

"So, what will you choose?"

Baimu watched the Chef return to Lumiose City, very curious what choice he would make.

Would he temporarily give up challenging Gyms and start as a prep cook at the two-star restaurant; or refuse this kindness and continue traveling to challenge the League Conference?

If it were the former, he might find it hard to see the Chef's later story.

A simulation with only one League Conference.

——

Without a doubt.

The Chef chose the latter.

When he discovered his cooking had value — that it could make others feel delicious — he immediately understood that traveling to hone his culinary skills was the right thing to do.

If it's right, then he must persevere.

The stubborn Chef gave up the easy opportunity, even knowing that being a prep cook at a two-star restaurant could also accumulate a wealth of experience for him.

After all, his dream was to become someone like Siebold —

A powerhouse who excels as both Trainer and Chef.

Of course, he still used that restaurant to obtain his chef's license, thanked them solemnly, and headed for the Lumiose Gym.

【You arrived beneath Prism Tower and challenged Lumiose Gym Leader Clemont】

In the frame.

The one facing the Chef was unmistakably Clemont; his sister Bonnie was nowhere to be seen.

If she had appeared, she would have fiercely hugged the plump Psyduck.

Unlike the previous emotional-outburst mode, the Chef was now in awakened mode. He, who intended to carry innovative cooking throughout his life, along with his Pokémon, had gained extraordinary power.

Type matchups could no longer stop him — at least an Electric-type Gym of the fifth Badge's strength had no way to deal with a Water-type Psyduck.

*Sword of Coming*

【You defeated Lumiose Gym Leader Clemont and obtained the Voltage Badge】

【You invited Clemont to lunch together; his sister suddenly appeared and answered on his behalf first】

Out of nowhere, Bonnie appeared just as Baimu had imagined, hugging the chubby Psyduck into her arms, exclaiming love-struck exclamations while wiggling left and right.

Psyduck: Quack?

Afterwards.

The Chef set out on his journey once more, arriving at Laverre City.

The routine was still to sample the local cuisine first. Laverre City's mushrooms and spices were very famous, allowing the Chef's skill in using spices to grow by leaps and bounds.

But unlike before, he no longer recklessly barged into the back kitchen to challenge the chefs there.

After all, having received unanimous recognition from the Gym Leaders, he no longer needed to prove himself through self-destruction.

At the same time.

Besides continuing to hone his culinary skills, he finally began special training for his Pokémon.

Baimu was nearly moved to tears.

The supremely talented Chef actually had a day of training his Pokémon — it almost made one think he needed to do nothing at all, yet could easily defeat eight Gyms and dominate the Conference.

After winning the Laverre City Gym, the Chef arrived at the cold-climate town of Snowbelle, known for its uniquely flavored wheat-based foods.

And here he encountered his sixth Pokémon—

Coal Turtle.

【You have caught Coal Turtle, the long-awaited Fiery Stove — your traveling companion has increased】

Fiery Stove…

Indeed, the Chef was only one blue-flame Fiery Stove away from being a mid-tier chef.

And under heaven, aside from the two-stove Humpback Camel, only the Coal Turtle—with a wok on its back—met this condition; it was truly a meeting of fate.

Baimu didn't know what to say.

But ever since Coal Turtle joined, the Chef's cooking skills did improve once more—perhaps he'd mastered a special technique called "wok breath."

On the other hand.

Psyduck still hadn't evolved, but the seventh Gym—the Psychic-type Hundred刻 Gym—was passed smoothly.

Where exactly was the problem?

As Baimu guessed, the Hundred刻 Gym Leader, the Young Lady with precognition, Gejihua, answered the reason through narration.

【You learned from Gejihua that Psyduck shares one heart with you; its迟迟 failure to evolve is because you still have an unresolved obsession】

Psyduck: Quack?

The plump yellow duck scratched its head in confusion.

An unresolved obsession?

Baimu was stunned. After the Chef had clarified his own goal and the direction to move forward, what could still be affecting Psyduck's obsession?

Seeing the Chef in the picture also stunned for a long while, he realized the matter was probably not simple.

——

Gejihua's words did affect the Chef to a certain extent.

Causing him to fail to fully bring out his combat power when challenging the eighth Gym—the Reflecting Snow Gym.

To be honest.

Baimu was a little nervous.

Because the Reflecting Snow Gym was, apart from the Suola Gym, the second Gym whose Leader would use Mega Evolution, and also the place where智蛙 took a big setback and then transformed.

Unfortunately Psyduck did not transform here; the battle was somewhat grueling, but since the Leader Defu did not let his Blizzard King evolve, the final Badge was also obtained.

The Chef successfully obtained the qualification to participate in the tournament.