Improve the quality of milk?
Exclusive to Cow Pokémon?
Leo raised an eyebrow, surprised.
He knew his cooking could directly boost a Pokémon's strength, speed, and provide buffs like cold resistance.
But he hadn't realized it could also provide auxiliary enhancements like this.
This would be a massive help for ranch work!
If that was the case, would other dishes produce similar effects?
The world of cuisine was vast. Even fifty years might not be enough to cook every dish in existence.
Regardless, Leo now felt a keen interest in the unknown effects of different foods.
"I have plenty of time. I can test them slowly."
Thinking this, Leo turned and placed the two glasses of Berry Milk in front of Koraidon and Cyclizar.
Neither Koraidon nor Cyclizar were milk-producing Pokémon, but it was perfectly fine for them to drink it as a regular beverage.
Before being summoned by the time machine, Koraidon had just finished a battle with another, very annoying Koraidon.
It had been injured in that fight. After being summoned and realizing it had returned to this timeline, it hadn't stopped to rest, immediately rushing toward "home" without a pause.
Now, having eaten Leo's food, tasting that familiar flavor, and feeling its injuries slowly heal, Koraidon felt completely relaxed.
It couldn't help but trot over to Leo, happily licking his face to express its affection and longing.
Of course, Leo had no idea what Koraidon was thinking.
At first, he was terrified. But remembering how Koraidon rubbed against the player and Penny in the game, he relaxed.
Feeling the slobber on his face, Leo speechlessly pushed Koraidon's head away.
Koraidon didn't get angry. It just sat there, grinning foolishly, its thick tail wagging behind it as it watched Leo wash his face.
Once Cyclizar finished eating, Leo cleaned up the dishes and stretched.
After a busy day, it was time for a good sleep!
The ranch didn't have a bathroom yet, so Leo went outside to rinse off at the tap. Then, he lazily flopped onto the bed, yawning as he flipped through The Rancher's Encyclopedia to read about spring crop planting.
He had a lot to do tomorrow.
Chop down excess trees, break the rocks in the field, till the land, and plant the seeds and fruit trees.
He also needed to try fishing to see if he could catch some big fish to sell to Zac in the evening for extra income.
With no mature crops and the Pokémon barn still broken, fishing was his only source of income for now.
As he mentally arranged tomorrow's schedule, Leo looked up from his bed.
Cyclizar yawned, dozing off on the wooden floor.
Koraidon had also found a spot to close its eyes and rest.
Leo's scent, the familiar environment, the lingering aroma of food—everything made it feel incredibly safe.
Although the ranch was far from town, out in the wilderness, Leo didn't feel afraid with Cyclizar around.
Not to mention the sudden addition of Koraidon.
A smile touched Leo's face as he lay back down.
Lights out, sleep time!
The next morning, driven by the instinct of a former corporate slave, Leo woke up at the crack of dawn.
He glanced at the wall clock. 6:15 AM.
He wanted to sleep a bit longer, but thinking of the mountain of work waiting for him, his drowsiness vanished.
Rubbing his eyes, he got up to prepare breakfast.
Hearing the rustling from the bed, Koraidon opened one eye. Seeing it was Leo, it went back to sleep.
Cyclizar, however, sat up.
Seeing this, Leo walked over and patted its head, whispering with a smile, "Go back to sleep. I'll make breakfast and call you when it's ready."
"Gaa-ow~"
Cyclizar closed its eyes and lay back down on the floor.
For breakfast, Leo prepared sandwiches for Cyclizar.
Using toast from the Porto Marinada Market, his own pan-seared pork chops, fresh tomato slices, and lettuce, all topped with a thick layer of cheese sauce, a fresh sandwich was complete.
Leo looked down, and the sandwich's info appeared.
`
Cooking Effect: Energy Boost (Small). Makes Pokémon more energetic and less prone to drowsiness.
Evaluation: A basic fast-food sandwich. A very decent breakfast choice.]
"Just a small energy boost?" Leo was slightly disappointed, but considering the only ingredient he had cooked himself was the pork chop, it was good enough.
After prepping breakfast, Leo woke the two Pokémon. He had intended to make a sandwich for himself too, but seeing the packet of instant noodles left in the cupboard, he decided not to waste it and cooked it for himself.
However, as he served the noodles, sharp-eyed Koraidon noticed.
It looked at the sandwich in front of it, then at the bowl of hot noodle soup. Suddenly, it shifted into its bipedal form, swapped the food, and guzzled the hot noodle soup in one go.
Leo: "..."
He was surprised. Looking at the empty bowl, he asked, "You really like that?"
For Koraidon, this was the first meal Leo had ever made for it (in its memory), so it held special significance!
In the near future, as the ranch became wealthier, Leo would almost never make hot noodle soup again.
Seeing it now, Koraidon felt a wave of nostalgia.
Koraidon: "Agias~"
Leo couldn't understand, but judging by Koraidon's expression, it seemed to really enjoy it.
It was the complete opposite of Cyclizar in that regard.
Leo didn't dwell on it. After washing the dishes, he shouldered his hoe and went outside.
A new day of work was beginning!
After yesterday morning's practice, Leo and Cyclizar worked together seamlessly.
Cyclizar used its tail to smash rocks and clear the debris, while Leo followed behind, tilling the land with his hoe.
Occasionally, they encountered large trees. Lacking the strength to fell them himself, Leo would hand the axe to Cyclizar, who would chop them down.
Koraidon stood nearby, watching this scene.
Suddenly, it let out a series of roars. It turned, ran to a large tree, wrapped its arms around the trunk, and with a mighty heave, uprooted the entire tree, tossing it aside.
Hearing the noise, Leo and Cyclizar turned around, question marks practically floating above their heads.
???
Koraidon didn't stop. It continued into the field, helping to fell trees and move rocks.
Leo stared, eyes wide. "What incredible strength! Is it repaying the favor?"
He had to admit, having a powerhouse like Koraidon help really lightened the load.
Seeing Koraidon continue, Leo and Cyclizar got back to work.
With Koraidon's help, their efficiency skyrocketed.
In just one morning, they cleared more than half of the farmland.
Sweating profusely, Leo carried a watering can to water the tilled earth, softening it for planting.
"If only I had a Water-type Pokémon right now," Leo couldn't help but think.
The watered soil needed time to settle before planting.
Leo wasn't in a rush to clear the entire field at once.
First, he didn't have enough seeds. Second, they were short-handed.
This half-field alone would keep them busy for a long time.