[You mastered the ultimate freshness technique in Yaoxiang City, successfully capturing Master Fu's palate]
[You received the introduction letter from Master Fu]
The chef left Coumarine Gym.
In his hand was an introduction letter to a Two-Star Restaurant, given to him by Master Fu.
Baimu blinked, learning all the details through the narration.
This thing has a long story.
After the Gym Leader Violet of the White Sand Gym became fascinated by his cooking, she tried to use her sister San Sejin's journalist connections to find his restaurant, only to be surprised that the chef was an expelled student from a Western culinary school without even a chef's license.
Thus.
She conveyed this information to the Yaoxiang Gym Leader, Chaglo, who was a friend of Four Heavenly Kings Siebold. Upon learning the chef was a fan of the latter, Chaglo recommended the chef as a return favor for a dessert.
Siebold was intrigued by the chef's innovative culinary skills, even though he couldn't criticize the school's actions. He specifically used his connections to find a Two-Star Restaurant known for its creativity and sent a recommendation.
After multiple contingencies, this introduction letter finally made its way into Master Fu's hands.
It was then passed on to the chef by him.
With this letter, the chef could associate himself with that restaurant—not necessarily to work there but at least to obtain a chef's license under the Two-Star Restaurant's name.
This is what is meant by a change of fortune.
[Holding the introduction letter, you were both excited and conflicted, tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep]
In the scene, a person and a Psyduck lay on the bed, synchronously sticking their butts up, staring at the introduction letter in front of them, with '...' constantly appearing over their heads.
Can't fall asleep now.
Baimu fully understood the chef's emotions at that moment; not only did his idol know of his existence but was also interested in his innovative culinary skills, even gaining recognition.
No devoted fan could sleep soundly after hearing such news.
"There's only one choice left to succeed."
The path the chef took was truly unconventional.
Generally, people graduate from culinary school, open a small restaurant, or start as assistants in larger restaurants.
Few chefs choose to travel to enhance their culinary skills, let alone capture the top echelon of the Carlos Trainer Realm by cooking for Gym Leaders directly.
Honestly, if he hadn't shown extraordinary Trainer skills, the Gym Leaders wouldn't have accepted his cooking so readily.
It seems that the professions of Trainer and Chef complement each other.
"So, what will you choose?"
Baimu watched as the chef returned to Lumiose City, curious about the choice he would make.
Would he temporarily give up challenging Gyms to start as an assistant at the Two-Star Restaurant, or would he reject this kind gesture and continue his journey, challenging the Alliance Tournament?
If it were the former, Baimu might find it hard to see the latter part of the chef's story.
The simulation tells only one Alliance's story.
——
Unquestionably.
The chef chose the latter.
When he realized his cooking held value, delighting others, he immediately understood that traveling to hone his culinary skills was the right decision.
If it's correct, it must be maintained.
The tenacious chef gave up the readily available opportunity, even knowing that being an assistant at the Two-Star Restaurant could also provide a lot of experience.
Ultimately, his dream is to become like Siebold—
A strong presence where both Trainer and Chef thrive.
Of course, he still obtained a chef's license through that restaurant and, after properly expressing his gratitude, headed to the Lumiose Gym.
[You arrived beneath the Prism Tower, challenging Lumiose Gym Leader Hitron]
In the scene.
The opponent of the chef was none other than Hitron, with his sister Youx Lijia nowhere in sight.
If she appeared, she would surely grab onto the chubby Psyduck tightly.
Unlike the past emotional outbursts, the chef was in a state of enlightenment, intending to integrate innovative cuisine into his life, both he and his Pokémon gained extraordinary strength.
Attribute Compatibility could no longer stop him, at least the Electric Attribute Gym with a Water Attribute Psyduck at the Fifth Badge level couldn't.
[You defeated Lumiose Gym Leader Hitron and obtained the Voltage Badge]
[You extended a lunch invitation to Hitron, and his sister suddenly appeared and eagerly accepted]
From out of nowhere, Youx Lijia appeared, as Baimu imagined, holding the chubby Psyduck in her arms, expressing her affection with exclamation marks while wiggling left and right.
Psyduck: 'Quack?'
After that.
The chef embarked on his journey once more, arriving at Aromatherapy City.
The process remained the same: first tasting the local cuisine. The city is famous for its mushrooms and spices, greatly enhancing the chef's skills in spice usage.
But unlike before, he no longer recklessly barged into kitchens to challenge the chefs there.
After all, he had received unanimous recognition from the Gym Leaders and no longer needed to prove himself through self-destructive means.
Simultaneously.
Besides continuing to hone his cooking skills, he finally began specialized training for his Pokémon.
Baimu was deeply moved.
The talented chef, who could easily conquer eight Gyms and shine in the tournament, actually began training his Pokémon.
After defeating the Gym in Aromatherapy City, the chef arrived at Dendemille Town, a place with a cold climate but with unique wheat-based food.
And there he met his sixth Pokémon—
Torkoal.
[You captured Torkoal, a fervently desired Fierce Fire Stove— another travel companion was added]
Fierce Fire Stove...
Indeed, all the chef lacked to bridge the gap to Chinese cuisine was a fiercely ablaze blue flame stove.
Besides the Camerupt with two stoves, only a Torkoal, whose back could hold a pot, could satisfy this condition; it was truly a destiny encounter.
Baimu was at a loss for words.
But since Torkoal joined, the chef's culinary skills indeed advanced once more, perhaps mastering a special technique called "Pot Qi."
On the other hand.
Psyduck still hadn't evolved, yet the seventh Gym— the Psychic Attribute Hundred Moments Gym was smoothly conquered.
What's the missing element?
While Baimu pondered, the Gym Leader of the Hundred Moments Gym, Miss Olympia, who possesses the ability to foresee, narrated the reason.
[You learned from Olympia that the Psyduck shares a kinship with you; it hasn't evolved because you still have unresolved obsessions]
Psyduck: 'Quack?'
The plump yellow duck fiddled its head in puzzlement.
Unresolved obsessions?
Baimu paused, wondering what could still be affecting Psyduck's obsessions after the chef had clarified his goals and direction.
Seeing the chef in the scene also paused for a long time, he realized things may not be simple.
——
Olympia's words indeed impacted the chef to some extent.
So much so that when he challenged the eighth Gym— the Yingxue Gym, his combat strength was not fully exerted.
Truth be told.
Baimu felt a bit anxious.
Because besides the Sola Gym, the Yingxue Gym is the second place where the Gym Leader can use Super Evolution, and it's where Greninja transformed after taking a big hit.
Unfortunately, Psyduck did not transform here, making the battle somewhat arduous, but since the Hall Master, De Fu, didn't let his Abomasnow undergo Super Evolution, the badge was ultimately secured.
The chef successfully qualified to participate in the tournament.