Chapter 55

Luo Mu nodded slightly and said, “Whether it’s the richly textured and flavorful vegetable jelly or the deeply savory kelp and sea bass soup, there’s no need to rank one above the other... or rather, their flavors complement each other in a surprising way.”

The taste of the vegetable jelly delivers an even richer and more complex culinary experience after the ultimate umami of the kelp and sea bass soup.

“Likewise, after the culinary experience of the vegetable jelly, the kelp and sea bass soup better mellows its flavor impact.”

“So personally, I see no need to declare a winner—they are both dishes forged from your dedication. They belong better together on the same menu than forced into a contest of superiority.”

After stating his conclusion, Luo Mu looked at Haidai and Zhi Mi, who were both momentarily stunned, waiting for their response.

“You... you’re right,” Zhi Mi spoke first, as if recalling something, his gaze drifting far away.

Zhi Mi believed that whether in cooking or Pokémon battles, true beauty lies in a single instant.

But the time spent before that instant is far more than a fleeting moment.

Only through constant worry, research, absorbing knowledge, and practical effort—through these grounded efforts—does that brilliant instant emerge.

To pit the culmination of one’s personal journey against another’s, just to declare a winner, feels wrong.

His only goal, always, had been to bring smiles to diners and spectators through food and battles.

Haidai crossed his arms in thought; Luo Mu’s words had struck a chord deep within him. There was no need to rank different cuisines against each other—instead, combining them into the perfect pairing was the better path.

The two chefs exchanged a glance, and relieved smiles spread across their faces.

“Ah well, even if this ended abruptly, the food was undeniably delicious,” Afeng sighed contentedly, rubbing his belly, already feeling new dessert inspirations stirring inside him. “Master, Master Luo Mu, Mr. Zhi Mi—I’ll take my leave now~”

“Travel safely.”

Haidai watched his prized pupil’s retreating figure with his hands behind his back, then turned to Zhi Mi and asked, “By the way, what exactly went into that sauce? I can’t recall any flavor like it in my memory.”

Zhi Mi smiled mysteriously. “It’s something I learned on my travels—I captured an Octillery, and once discovered its ink had potential as a seasoning.”

Haidai’s eyes widened: “You mean...!”

Luo Mu, holding the Spiritlet and the small wooden box, froze. Could Octillery’s ink actually be eaten!?

Haidai murmured thoughtfully, “Travel really does broaden one’s horizons... Maybe I should ask Chairman Yici for a leave of absence and go train for a while?”

Luo Mu, who had heard every word, imagined how Chairman Yici—the notoriously exploitative boss from the games—would react. The image of the overworked office worker flashed in his mind.

That leave... probably won’t be easy to get.

He checked his phone and saw it was already two in the afternoon. Luo Mu decided to head back early to prepare for tomorrow’s first class at the Orange Academy. “It’s getting late—I’ll just...”

“Wait a moment.”

Zhi Mi suddenly interrupted Luo Mu, his gaze fixed on him, serious. “In my journey as a chef, I have never forgotten my duty as a Kalos Elite Four member—to be stronger than anyone else.”

“Originally, I intended to challenge Master Haidai, a Water-type specialist. But after meeting you, I changed my mind.”

Luo Mu: “????”

Dude, don’t talk like that—I’m getting nervous.

Luo Mu, you carry the same aura as Miss Calyrex, the Kalos Champion—the aura of a true powerhouse. I hereby formally challenge you to a Pokémon battle.

As he spoke, Zhi Mi bowed slightly, as if apologizing, while Haidai grinned broadly.

“Hahaha, I don’t mind at all!” Haidai’s face lit up with anticipation. “No wonder you’re an Elite Four member—you saw right away that Luo Mu here is the strongest beside me.”

“He’s a newly recognized Champion-level Trainer, still unknown to the public. Your eye for talent is sharp indeed.”

“You flatter me,” Zhi Mi smiled, then turned his gaze back to Luo Mu. “What do you say?”

【Fight! Please!】

Remembering his promise to the system, Luo Mu sighed. Fighting alongside peers of equal strength better maintained his Pokémon’s condition.

A promise must be kept.

“As a Trainer, when eyes meet in challenge, you accept the battle invitation,” Luo Mu set down the Spiritlet and handed the small wooden box to it for safekeeping. “I accept your challenge.”

Recognizing this was no ordinary battle, Haidai chose a secluded battle arena.

Zhi Mi stood on the left, adjusting his sleeves. After a few breaths, he pulled out a Poké Ball. “Since I issued the challenge, I’ll reveal my first Pokémon first.”

“Taste this battle—neither sweet nor bitter... Gyarados!”

With a graceful toss, the spinning Poké Ball opened, and a massive turtle-like Pokémon with a thick shell landed heavily, kicking up dust.

The original starter—Gyarados!

Besides the two cannon-like tubes on its shell, what drew even more attention was the mysterious, glass-like stone fixed atop its head like armor...

“So it is...”

Luo Mu lowered his gaze. He knew exactly what that item on Gyarados’s head was.

The original special “system” in the Pokémon world—one of the four systems alongside Terastallization—the Mega Stone, required for Mega Evolution!

From Haidai’s confused expression as he watched, it was clear he had no idea Mega Evolution existed in Kalos.

After all, even Terastallization in Paldea was known to only a few.

It was likely still a closely guarded secret in Kalos.

Thinking of this, Luo Mu considered which Pokémon to send out.

He only had Dragonite and Cinderguard with him. Dragonite had a clear type advantage—but if Zhi Mi used Mega Evolution, he could try Terastallization instead.

Then Cinderguard would be perfect. It had been too long since its last full battle.

“It’s your turn, Cinderguard!”

The Poké Ball flew out. The cold, shadowy swordsman appeared on the battlefield. Gyarados locked eyes with it—and Cinderguard stared back without flinching.

Zhi Mi’s expression flickered with surprise at Cinderguard’s appearance. “Forgive me, but why choose a Fire-type Pokémon after I’ve already sent out Gyarados? The name alone suggests it’s Fire and Ghost-type.”

Luo Mu’s lips curled slightly. “Type advantage isn’t unbreakable.”

“I see...” Zhi Mi couldn’t tell if Luo Mu was bluffing or confident—but one thing was certain.

“Then let me taste your flavor!”