TN: I'm changing sables to Biscuits as there is actually like that in Pokémon.
[Ordinary Biscuit (C): The most basic version of Biscuit. Perhaps adding certain special ingredients could improve its quality.
Dish Effect: After a Pokémon eats it, their friendship points will increase. Once those points reach MAX, the Pokémon will willingly become your partner.]
This effect?
If he remembered correctly, it came from a Pokémon game he had played in his previous life.
In that game, you couldn't catch Pokémon with Poké Balls at all. The only way was to feed them Biscuit to raise their friendship points—only then would they become companions.
Which meant that from now on, when he went out into the wild, there was no need to carry Poké Balls anymore.
All he needed was Biscuit.
By using a different method to win over Pokémon, he could bring them back to the ranch.
And besides ordinary Biscuit, there were also other, higher-quality versions.
Would adding some white truffle improve its quality?
Silas took out the last remaining white truffle he had. When making the next Biscuit, he sprinkled a layer of it over the surface, then put it into the oven and adjusted the baking time.
During this period, Silas waved toward the Pokémon playing around at the doorway and handed each of them a piece of Biscuit.
The eagerly waiting Minccino was the first to taste it. After taking a small bite, its eyes immediately narrowed.
Delicious!
Kangaskhan tossed the Biscuit straight into its mouth. Before it could even savor the flavor, it had already swallowed it, blinking at Silas in a dazed manner.
Cyclizar took a bite of half of it first, then finished the remaining half in just a few quick chomps.
Its small eyes then locked onto the three Noibat, and it reached out a claw.
The claw was swatted away midair by Silas, who sternly warned Cyclizar not to steal its companions' food.
"Ding—ding~"
"It's ready!" The biscuit he had just made was done. Silas called out to Kangaskhan and the others, then quickly went into the kitchen.
When he took the Biscuit out of the oven, a unique, rich aroma drifted through the air.
The description in his vision also changed from [Ordinary Biscuit] to [Advanced Biscuit].
[Advanced Biscuit (A+): Biscuit made with the addition of top-tier ingredient white truffle. Its quality has been improved, but it still lacks certain ingredients and cannot reach the [Master Biscuit] standard.
Cooking Effect: After a Pokémon eats it, while greatly increasing friendship points, it can also restore all abnormal statuses and stamina.]
Upon seeing the description, Silas's heart began to pound violently.
Just one step away—only one step—and the first S-rank ingredient dish could be born.
His choice to add white truffle hadn't been wrong; what he lacked was another ingredient.
For a moment, Silas felt somewhat constrained and helpless.
Shaking his head in resignation, he could only wait until he found a suitable top-tier ingredient in the future before trying again.
The remaining less-than-one-third of the white truffle would be enough for at most two more attempts. He couldn't afford to squander it recklessly.
…
After night fell, a bonfire was lit inside the ranch.
As Silas brought out all kinds of dishes, the Pokémon gathered around him all at once.
Silas celebrated together with them, celebrating the great harvest from the Beach Festival and the ranch steadily getting better and better.
It wasn't until late into the night, when Minccino and the others were unbearably sleepy, that the feast finally came to an end.
As usual, he left Smoliv in the flowerpot and placed the half-asleep Minccino onto the bed.
Silas himself was also exhausted. Before long, he hugged Minccino and fell into deep sleep, and the ranch quickly grew quiet.
At this moment, Cyclizar sneakily slipped out of the house and came to a patch of grass some distance away from the ranch, so as not to disturb Silas later.
After glancing up at the stars overhead, Cyclizar tried to stimulate the electric current it had released during the day, attempting again and again—yet its body showed no change at all.
Not far away, the three Noibat watched curiously.
They didn't understand what Cyclizar was doing so late at night instead of sleeping.
Training?
Then they wanted to join too.
Ever since coming to the ranch, they hadn't been able to help Silas much.
If they were stronger, they could go to the back mountain to pick berries and bring them back for Silas.
And so, the four Dragon-type Pokémon made a pact: every night, they would secretly train together for one hour.
The next day, when Silas got up, he saw a Cyclizar that looked utterly exhausted.
It stood there swaying unsteadily, nearly falling asleep even while eating.
Gently placing a hand on Cyclizar's head, Silas asked in confusion, "Cyclizar, did you go steal dogs last night or something? Why are you this tired?"
"Cyc~"
Cyclizar shook its head vigorously, trying its best to wake itself up.
It indicated that it had simply not slept well.
After gulping down the breakfast in its bowl, it placed its front claws on Silas's chest and rubbed against him affectionately.
Just as Silas was about to push it away, he heard the sound of its snoring.
Moving carefully and gently, he laid Cyclizar down, then picked up a blanket and covered it.
After instructing Smoliv, who was sunbathing on the windowsill, to help keep an eye on Cyclizar, Silas left the cabin with the other Pokémon, letting Cyclizar have a good, proper sleep.
When they arrived near the Mudbray shed, the three Mudbray had already finished an entire large basin of pumpkin porridge and was brimming with energy.
They ran over to Silas and enjoyed his gentle petting, and only then did the three Mudbray head off to work.
Picking up the Minccino that was following at his heels, Silas waved back and, together with Kangaskhan and the others, came to the cave behind the cabin.
Perhaps because it hadn't seen sunlight for a long time, the temperature inside the cave was noticeably several degrees lower. Even standing at the entrance, a cool breeze blew out, dispersing the heat from their bodies.
Looking toward the cave interior, the plate that had held food was empty, while the water container still had some left.
Logically speaking, Noibat would go out on their own to search for berries to eat, and they might even have the spare strength to bring some back for Silas.
But his three Noibat were still young and not very strong. It would be difficult for them to win in competition against wild Pokémon.
Letting them go out like that would be irresponsible of him as a trainer.
Besides, it wasn't as if he couldn't afford to feed three Noibat. There was no need to make them risk their safety competing with wild Pokémon for food.
It would be better to wait until the orchard matured and have them help with harvesting then. For now, they would be responsible for nighttime security on the ranch.
Noibat's habits were exactly like those of bats—every time he saw them, they were hanging from the cave ceiling, fast asleep, and this time was no exception.
Seeing Silas arrive, the Noibat opened their drowsy eyes and greeted him in a muddled, sleepy manner.
He reached out and gently petted them one by one, then held them up in his hands to examine them carefully.
Only after confirming that the Noibat had no injuries did Silas leave the cave.
When it was time to sleep at night, he would remind them again.
The Pokémon were all growing up healthily, and Silas felt deeply gratified.
He put Minccino down and let the little one go off to play.
Silas then came alone to the strawberry field.
The plowing moves performed daily by the Mudbray had shortened the crops' growth cycle.
Strawberries that had been half-ripe just yesterday now already carried a hint of sweetness when placed in the mouth.
If one didn't mind, they were already edible.
Silas wasn't in a hurry—letting them grow for another two days wouldn't hurt.
Calling over a Mudbray by the roadside, he headed to the area where mung beans and tomatoes were planted.
It had been some time since the last harvest, and many fruits had ripened again, entering another picking cycle.
Wearing a straw hat and leading the Mudbray, Silas moved through the vegetable fields.
He picked one ripe fruit after another. If he brought them out to sell before evening, it would mean another sum of money coming in, helping to pad his perpetually tight wallet.
And just as Silas was hard at work in the fields, a visitor arrived at the ranch gate.
(End of Chapter)