Chapter 169: Persistence and Effort

Seeing Pipap's somewhat half-understanding expression, Luo Mu patted his shoulder and explained again how to link a Pokémon's enthusiasm with positive feedback, as well as the forbidden PUA techniques of integrating training into daily life through a positive feedback system.

This method seems very rustic, yet it is extremely suitable for food-loving Pokémon like Greedent; there are even cases where trainers of Snorlax successfully used this training method to help them lose weight.

Luo Mu felt he could use this approach to gradually cultivate Greedent's interest in training; at the very least, it needed to become less resistant.

Leaving Pipap alone to ponder over his notebook filled with writing, Luo Mu walked to the tidy counter, recalling the competition rules mentioned by Miss Ah Feng during registration.

First, the competition uses a scoring system with only one round, ranking participants based on their scores from high to low.

Second, ingredients for the competition must be prepared by the contestants themselves; preparing suitable ingredients is also a compulsory lesson for any qualified dessert chef.

Third, the desserts will be made on-site at a temporary venue constructed outside the Montenevera Gym, and pre-made desserts are not allowed in the competition.

Luo Mu felt that just the rule allowing self-prepared materials gave him a significant advantage.

However...

Luo Mu subtly glanced at the Teddiursa sitting in that old man's posture, knowing that no matter how good the ingredients were, he still had to make Pokéblocks that satisfied the Teddiursa.

Although there were channels to obtain the sugar decorations needed for Milcery's evolution, such as at battle cafés, Luo Mu felt that the sugar decorations obtained through his cooperation with Milcery held far more extraordinary significance.

Besides, since a fallback option existed, this competition was merely an opportunity for him to learn the method of making Pokéblocks.

Rolling up his sleeves, and encouraged by Milcery's cheering, Luo Mu began making them!

The learning process is always dull and tedious; issues with heat control, ingredient ratios, or unreasonable baking times would cause the finished Pokéblocks to be completely rejected by the Teddiursa.

The Pokéblocks from his first attempt, using a recipe completely different from Miss Ah Feng's, contained ingredients that cooked faster than her special maple sugar Pokéblocks; Luo Mu messed up the heat control, resulting in several pitch-black lumps that bore no resemblance to their original form.

The Teddiursa merely sniffed them before waving them away with a face full of disgust, looking as if asking whether Luo Mu intended to poison it.

Playing around a bit, Luo Mu wasn't discouraged; under the Teddiursa's terrified gaze, he calmly ate the failed product which, despite its poor appearance and texture, didn't have major issues with taste.

Just kidding; Luo Mu, who cherishes food, stated that when he first transmigrated and struggled just above the starvation line, he had eaten things far worse than this—what was this compared to that?

So-called cooking involves moving forward through constant trial and error; based on the cookbook left by Miss Ah Feng, Luo Mu continuously improved the flavor and heat control, striving to create the kind of Pokéblock he wanted.

To surpass other contestants, he had to create Pokéblocks that were even more original and inventive.

The day quietly passed; that night, before riding Dragonite to leave Cortondo, Luo Mu asked Pipap, "Aren't you going back to the Lighthouse Lab?"

Pipap shook his head: "I'm temporarily staying at the Pokémon Center; I'm still in the midst of my spring break training."

Luo Mu didn't insist, mounting Dragonite and returning to the farm outside Artazon.

The next day, early in the morning, Luo Mu returned to the kitchen in Cortondo with his key to continue his Pokéblock training.

Both the Teddiursa he had dragged along and Pipap looked sleepy-eyed; by the time Pipap, who had been dozing against the wall, finally woke up, it was already time for Miss Ah Feng's visit.

As soon as she entered the kitchen, Ah Feng smelled a fresh aroma; unlike her special maple sugar Pokéblocks, this scent was even more refreshing and invigorating.

Because of this aroma, Ah Feng's eyes sparkled slightly.

She happened to see the Teddiursa, whose face showed disgust yet whose hands eagerly reached out to accept the Pokéblocks from Luo Mu, which surprised Ah Feng slightly.

Teddiursa are exceptionally picky about flavors, and like most Teddiursa, this one preferred sweet tastes; for it to accept this mildly sweet dessert meant Luo Mu had already succeeded in making a qualified Pokéblock.

Moreover, only a day and a half had passed.

Yawning, Pipap said lazily, "Brother Luo Mu hasn't left the kitchen during this period; he's been constantly testing and adjusting."

"Today too; he dragged me out of bed at the Pokémon Center first thing in the morning."

Ah Feng remained silent for quite a while.

Perhaps she now understood how Luo Mu had become a Champion-level trainer that Paldea could be proud of in just one short year.

Persistence and effort are always the unparalleled tools for becoming stronger.

Not to mention that Luo Mu's talent in the path of a trainer had already amazed Ah Feng.

That Luxio, which had consecutively defeated three of her Bug-type Pokémon, was still vivid in Ah Feng's memory.

Noticing Ah Feng's arrival, Luo Mu handed her a green Pokéblock and smiled: "Miss Ah Feng, try this Mint Pokéblock and tell me how it tastes?"

"Mint Pokéblock?" Ah Feng took the Pokéblock, put it in her mouth to taste, and seemed hesitant to speak.

Noticing Ah Feng's unusual reaction, Luo Mu made a gesture inviting her to speak: "Miss Ah Feng, if you have any suggestions, please feel free to offer them."

Ah Feng pondered for a moment before asking, "Are you perhaps trying to increase the judges' impression of your Pokéblocks by using different flavors?"

Luo Mu nodded: "That is one of the plans; if developing new flavors doesn't keep pace, I intend to proceed this way."

"After eating some cloyingly sweet foods, I imagine the judges will need something to cleanse their palates; a refreshing mint flavor is undoubtedly an excellent choice."

Ah Feng shook her head: "Other contestants will likely think the same as you; since the judges this time are gourmets with a persistent pursuit of desserts, if you want to stand out, I personally suggest you still create your own unique characteristics."

"Unique characteristics..."

Luo Mu was rarely silent; both Master Master Haidai and the Meowstic had mentioned that while he possessed ample craftsmanship in cooking, he lacked inspiration.

So, what were his unique characteristics?

Luo Mu thought of everyone at the farm; perhaps...

Seeing Luo Mu lost in deep thought, Ah Feng knew this was the one point where she could not intervene; she could only provide support regarding the Pokéblock's texture and production process.

And so, time flew like a white horse passing a crevice.

After three days of training, the dessert competition jointly hosted by the Paldea Dessert Association and the Sinnoh Dessert Association officially opened.

Located in the area covered by the canopy of sugar maple trees outside Montenevera, temporary simple kitchens had long been prepared, with gas, electricity, and water already connected.

With Milcery perched on his head and carrying his prepared materials, Luo Mu walked toward the competition venue.

I keep accidentally typing Miss Ah Du instead of Miss Ah Feng (T▽T)

(End of Chapter)