Wayne had also wanted to learn cooking because of the special dishes that the system had not yet unlocked.
After all, with proficiency, all he needed to do was practice consistently.
Breeders and chefs are graded according to their skill level, and passing assessments earns them official Alliance certification.
From lowest to highest, the ranks are: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Elite, Master Level, and Grandmaster.
For chefs who reach Master Level or above, Pokémon food made from specific ingredients—such as precious resources and rare berries—can actually enhance a Pokémon's strength, similar to the effects of training.
Kalos's Gym Leader Siebold is a Master Level chef.
The old man's culinary skills were at Master Level, while his breeding expertise was at Elite rank.
After Wayne expressed his desire to learn from him, the old man's face became serious, and the air around them seemed to grow heavy.
Arcanine, who had been happily slurping beef noodles, suddenly became cautious with its eating, and finally—clutching its food bowl—ran off without looking back.
(╬￣dish￣)
You sold me out just like that? You ran away so fast!
Wayne had expected this reaction.
When it came to breeding and cooking, Grandpa was always very serious.
Because being responsible to Pokémon meant taking these skills seriously.
A side quest appeared on his quest panel.
[Lionel's Wish]: Lionel is troubled that his eldest son became a Pokémon Stylist instead of pursuing a proper career, and that his second son, granddaughter, and grandson all failed to inherit his skills.
Please make a Pokémon food that satisfies Lionel before the Breeding House opens.
Quest Reward: Random Specialty Dish × 1
Wayne hadn't expected his grandfather to have such a dream, but thinking about it, it made sense.
His uncle had little interest in breeding and had instead become a designer and tailor.
Wayne's cousin, Vera, was even more adventurous—she had gone off to research ancient history and fossils.
Although his father, Leon, had embarked on the path of a Breeder and chef, the old man's evaluation had been: "Not as good as the best, but better than the worst."
Both breeding and cooking require natural talent.
For someone like Wayne, whose Pokémon gained proficiency just by eating his food, it was almost like cheating.
Although Wayne had always made food for his Pokémon himself, he had never seriously considered becoming a Breeder.
He had originally thought it was enough to simply train his own Pokémon well.
However, taking advantage of his parents opening a new Breeding House, Wayne made a decision.
His parents had borrowed money from his uncle for this venture. He couldn't let himself become a burden as the "negative second generation."
Even without a system quest, he knew he had to do this.
Lionel looked at Wayne seriously and asked, "You're not joking?"
Wayne shook his head. "No, Grandpa. Mom and Dad are opening a new Breeding House, and I want to help them. I also want to try walking this path myself."
Wayne's motto had always been: if you're going to do something, do it to the best of your ability.
The old man nodded slightly. "That's a legitimate reason. Actually, you do have talent, and you can persevere—unlike your sister who would cry at the slightest difficulty."
Hearing the old man speak, Wayne recalled his childhood.
He had spent it either memorizing Pokémon breeding manuals or on his way to make Pokémon food.
Regardless of whether the things he made were actually edible, they all went into Gengar's four-dimensional stomach. After all, they wouldn't spoil it anyway.
His cousin had run off very early to pursue her own interests.
Wayne, however, had continued learning until he received his Riolu and went on his journey.
Wayne accepted the side quest [Lionel's Wish].
The old man pondered for a moment. "Breeding is more complex. Let's start with cooking first. I'll check your knife skills. You also need to get a breeding license."
Breeding and cooking had many commonalities, but breeding was indeed more complex.
Breeders needed to understand different Pokémon species, study individual Pokémon in depth, customize training plans specifically for them, and even manage their grooming needs.
Although Wayne's breeding skill was at Intermediate level, he had no official rank with the Alliance.
"Yes, Grandpa."
The old man snapped, "'Yes' what? Go wash and cut vegetables! Am I supposed to do it for you?"
"Right away!"
While Wayne was washing vegetables, the old man called for Farfetch'd, who was planting green onions in the backyard.
"Quack!" (What do you want?)
Farfetch'd's eyes sparkled with intelligence.
"You supervise him. Point out any mistakes he makes."
Farfetch'd confidently patted its chest with one wing.
"Quack!" (Let me, Onion Instructor, guide him!)
The old man only had two Pokémon: Farfetch'd for learning to cook, and Gengar for taste-testing everything.
Under the old man's tutelage, Farfetch'd's cooking skills were even better than Wayne's current level. Yes, a human was inferior to a duck Pokémon.
The old man then called for Lucario, who was outside. "You explain to him what Farfetch'd says."
"Lucario." (I understand.)
Having given his instructions, the old man left first.
Looking at Farfetch'd, who pushed up its gold-rimmed glasses on the left, and Lucario, who stood with its arms crossed on the right, then hearing the sound of the television from the front yard... Was this also part of your plan, Grandpa?
Wayne seriously suspected that Grandpa had given him a Riolu egg specifically for this very day.
"Quack~" (First, julienne the vegetables~)
"Don't copy Grandpa's accent, hey!"
Next, under Farfetch'd's guidance, Wayne began his cooking journey.
Picking up a finely cut potato strip, Farfetch'd nodded in satisfaction. "Quack!" (Good, now slice them~)
"Quack!" (Next, dice with a roll cut~)
Farfetch'd held its green onion like a teacher's pointer, and whenever Wayne's technique wasn't up to standard, it would poke him with the onion.
"Quack quack!" (The three sides of a roll cut must be uniform. Watch me demonstrate.)
Lucario translated dutifully on the side.
The kitchen was filled with constant quacking sounds.
There was a reason Wayne's knife skills were better than his heat control and seasoning—he had learned knife skills first during his childhood.
Then he had run off to start his journey. Now, under the guidance of Onion Instructor, Wayne was revisiting his childhood, accompanied by potatoes and cucumbers.
But Wayne was undoubtedly happy about it.
Over the next two hours, under the guidance of Onion Instructor, his cooking proficiency continuously increased by +1, +2...
And the old man's evaluation of Wayne's knife skills was: "Barely acceptable. Keep cutting. Practice for ten days to half a month first, then we'll talk about the next steps."
"Grandpa, I have something to do tomorrow."
The old man glanced at him. "You don't want to learn anymore?"
"No, it's not that. Sister Eden's Berry fields have Pokémon stealing berries, and I want to help her find them."
Hearing this, the old man frowned. "That child... I just saw her two days ago. Why didn't she say anything?"
Wayne shrugged. "Isn't Sister Eden always like this? She doesn't like to trouble others."
"Alright, come back quickly after you've found the culprits."
"Okay."
"Watch from the side. Today I'll make you garlic butter crab and braised prawns."
The next day, Wayne took Lucario, Arcanine, and Metang directly to Sister Eden's house.
Knock knock—
Hearing the knock on the door, Eden opened it.
"Wayne, Lucario, come in quickly."
Eden lived in a relatively small house—one bedroom and one living room. Wayne didn't see Farfetch'd in the living room.
"Where's Farfetch'd?"
"It's helping me guard the Berry fields."
"Did something happen?"
Under the questioning of Wayne and Lucario, Eden finally told them about the Pokémon that had been stealing berries from her Berry fields.
"We'll help you find them."
"Lucario." (Leave it to us.)