Chapter 54: Culinary Duel!

Luo Mu looked around; the seat he now occupied was that of a judge, beside him were Miss A Feng and Joy from the Haidai Pokémon Center, both invited to sample the new dishes.

It was said that Haidai would be competing in culinary skill against chefs who had traveled to the Paldea region, and many diners chose to stay in the restaurant after their meals, eager to witness the outcome.

Luo Mu’s gaze turned to Zhi Mi, who stood calmly and intently preparing at the cooking station, wiping clean utensils that gleamed effortlessly under the light with a clean cloth.

Compared to the chef, Luo Mu remembered Zhi Mi more as another role—the Kalos region’s Water-type Elite Four member, Zhi Mi.

Zhi Mi’s most memorable achievement, which left the deepest impression on Luo Mu, was commanding a Mega-evolved Squirtle to defeat Aran’s Mega Charizard X before it had developed its “Water Absorb” ability.

Simply put, it was a stunning display... cough, a demonstration of the Elite Four’s strength.

As if ready, under the announcement of one of Haidai’s apprentices, the two chefs began handling ingredients with theatrical flair.

No, rather, their lightning-fast chopping and butchering was their normal pace during cooking.

After a dazzling sequence and surrounding gasps rising in waves, two fragrant aromas gradually spread through the restaurant—the two chefs had completed their dishes.

Luo Mu, feeling as if he were imprisoned, thought he had accidentally wandered onto the set of “Shokugeki no Soma,” utterly out of place amid the fiery atmosphere.

The mosquito coil tadpole on Luo Mu’s leg, however, watched with great delight, even pondering whether its own Ash-Gengar’s barbecue skills surpassed these two chefs.

Next, both chefs, confident in their own creations, presented their dishes one after the other.

To Luo Mu’s left was Zhi Mi’s serving dish, covered with a silver lid, the fleeting aroma from earlier now sealed inside.

To his right was Haidai’s small stew pot, from whose lid gaps an invigorating fragrance continuously seeped, making one anticipate the delicacy within even before eating.

Based on the ingredients each had handled, Luo Mu could roughly guess the nature of their dishes.

Haidai must have made a soup using the ethereal kelp and sea bass, while Zhi Mi had prepared several vegetables, leaving it impossible to tell what he had cooked.

After exchanging glances, Haidai first lifted the lid of his pot, revealing a clear broth with a sweet, savory fish soup.

Haidai smiled: “Fresh kelp and sea bass soup, please enjoy.”

Luo Mu picked up a spoon, scooped a ladle of clear broth, blew away the steam, and swallowed it in one gulp—his gaze momentarily stilled.

Multiple flavors burst on his tongue, wondrously harmonized, finally coalescing into a single character dominating Luo Mu’s mind.

Fresh!

The inherent freshness of the ingredients, and the ultimate freshness achieved by Haidai’s handling and superior technique!

Luo Mu turned to the other two judges; Miss A Feng and Joy both clutched their cheeks, swallowing slightly, as if utterly captivated by this ultimate sweetness.

Zhi Mi also lifted his portion, savored it carefully, then his eyes brightened slightly as he exclaimed: “Bravo!”

Then Zhi Mi removed his silver lid and bowed gracefully: “Nine Treasures Vegetable Terrine with Special Sauce, please enjoy.”

Luo Mu blinked, feeling he had seen this dish somewhere before.

But then again, this was a different flavor dimension entirely.

Nine different vegetables were neatly arranged within the vegetable terrine; Luo Mu recognized cabbage, cucumber, corn, pattypan squash, cauliflower, carrot, okra, asparagus, and more.

It looked exquisitely crafted, plated like a high-end restaurant dish, radiating an air of expense.

Yet the sauce beside the vegetable terrine intrigued Luo Mu—this pure black sauce resembled not sauce at all, but... ink?

Zhi Mi had prepared French dining utensils; as Luo Mu cut a piece of terrine and raised it to his mouth, Zhi Mi suddenly said: “Dip it in the sauce—it will taste even better.”

Luo Mu paused, his finely crafted knife and fork obeying Zhi Mi’s suggestion as he dipped the terrine into the dark-looking sauce before putting it in his mouth.

The first bite delivered the fresh, crisp texture of vegetables, then the mysterious sauce blended with the nine vegetables’ flavors and exploded.

The taste was complex and profound, impossible to describe simply as sweet or spicy, yet one sensation was undeniable—after the first bite, you wanted a second.

As Luo Mu ate, Haidai also took Zhi Mi’s portion and began tasting.

Likewise, he echoed Zhi Mi’s praise: “What a complex and rich flavor profile—how harmoniously it all blends together!”

They exchanged glances, each seeing in the other’s eyes the mutual respect between culinary masters.

“Then, it is time for evaluation.”

Though Zhi Mi and Haidai had already acknowledged each other’s skill, since judges had been invited, a verdict was still necessary.

First, Joy on the far right paused thoughtfully, then declared solemnly: “I swear by the name of the Joy family that what I say contains not a single falsehood.”

What? You’re swearing by your family’s reputation just to judge a meal?

Luo Mu’s facial muscles twitched uncontrollably.

Joy said: “Though the Nine Treasures Vegetable Terrine with its mysterious sauce offers rich flavor, I still believe the pure, fresh taste of the kelp and sea bass soup strikes the soul more profoundly.”

Haidai’s smile widened; Zhi Mi showed no irritation, only a slight bow of gratitude for Joy’s judgment.

Their gazes turned to Miss A Feng.

Miss A Feng looked nervous, glancing guiltily at Haidai before stammering: “I think... the vegetable terrine impressed me more. Though the terrine itself is mild, with the sauce, it feels like a transformation... That’s my judgment.”

Murmurs rose from the audience: “Didn’t Miss A Feng side with her master?”

Hearing this, Miss A Feng grew even more tense.

Haidai chuckled and patted her shoulder: “It’s fine—you simply spoke your honest feelings.”

Zhi Mi bowed gracefully: “I am honored by such high praise, beautiful lady.”

The spotlight soon turned to Luo Mu; he exchanged a glance with the mosquito coil tadpole beside him, then voiced his opinion: “I think... it’s a tie.”

Haidai raised an eyebrow: “Oh?”

“Could you elaborate?” Zhi Mi asked, calm as ever.