Chapter 101: Robert No. 2

After the oil heated up, Andrew added butter to melt.

Next, he tossed in prepared ginger, garlic cloves, scallion knots, bean paste, chili, and other seasonings to stir-fry until fragrant.

Once done, Andrew instructed Crybaby Charcadet, "Charcadet, switch to low heat."

"Charca ~"

Crybaby Charcadet nodded, and the flames on its body slowly diminished.

Since the broth needed to simmer for over an hour, Andrew started preparing the tomato clear broth base.

He took some tomatoes from his garden, washed them, peeled them, and chopped them into small pieces.

Andrew asked Goodboy Charcadet to heat another pan. Once the olive oil was hot, he added scallions, ginger, and garlic to sauté until fragrant.

Then he added the chopped tomatoes, cooking them until they released their juices and softened, before finally adding water.

"Charcadet, switch to low heat."

"Charca~ Got it."

With Andrew's orders, Goodboy Charcadet toned down its blazing flames, turning them into a gentle simmer.

Both broths, one red and one clear, bubbled away in their respective pots, their fragrant aromas filling the air.

Arven, who had been napping, wrinkled its nose in response to the smell and slowly opened its eyes.

"That smells so good!" it exclaimed. But the strong chili seasoning immediately made it sneeze, as the spiciness was overwhelming.

Seeing Andrew busy at work, Arven lit up with excitement, "Andrew, you're back!"

Andrew turned around. "Yeah, I'm cooking something special for everyone."

Arven quickly got up from the grass and rushed to Andrew's side, "What are you making tonight?"

"Hot pot, a type of food you've never tried before," Andrew replied. "But stay back; it's all hot oil and pots over here. Don't want you to get burned."

Arven nodded and obediently backed off, watching Andrew's cooking process intently.

Before long, the butter broth was almost ready. Andrew began frying spices—star anise, cinnamon, fennel, bay leaves, and more. The air was filled with increasingly intense aromas.

Meanwhile, Munchlax had followed Andrew's instructions and sliced celery, prepped greens, tofu, potato slices, lotus root slices, and laid out a spread of ham, fish balls, pork slices, fresh shrimp—plate after plate of fresh ingredients covered the table.

When Professor Sada and Turo, along with their research assistants, emerged, they saw a round table filled with food. In the center of the table was a pot with two sections—one side bubbling red, and the other a light, gentle pink, with steam and delicious scents rising from both sides.

Surrounding the pot were plates upon plates of raw ingredients.

Andrew had prepared two tables, one for the professors and assistants and another for the Pokémons, with the Pokémon's table being several times larger to accommodate their appetites.

He had no choice; the Pokémon table had to cater to not only Munchlax's bottomless stomach but also the insatiable Pawmi!

For the Pokémons, the table was set directly on the grass, covered in a tablecloth. This arrangement made it easier for them to enjoy, especially for large Pokémon like Metagross, who couldn't possibly sit at a traditional table.

Seeing the professors arrive, Andrew called out, "Everyone, come sit! Dinner's ready."

Professors Sada and Turo, along with the research assistants, approached the table, looking curiously at the spread.

Professor Sada asked, "What's this style of eating? Everything's raw?"

Andrew explained the concept of hot pot to the professors.

"I never knew such an interesting way to eat existed," Professor Turo marveled as he took a seat.

On the Pokémon side, the meal had already begun.

Crybaby Charcadet had placed a few pieces of green vegetables in both the red and clear broths. Once the veggies were cooked, it first tried the ones from the clear broth.

Delicious! Crybaby Charcadet's eyes lit up.

Then, it eagerly grabbed some vegetables from the red broth. The moment the spicy flavor hit its taste buds, it felt a wave of heat surge through its body, even causing its fire-type energy to stir with excitement.

"Charca!!!" Too good!

Crybaby Charcadet couldn't contain itself and shot a burst of flame into the sky.

Goodboy Charcadet had the same reaction. As fellow fire-types, both were in love with the spicy red broth.

In contrast, Diancie, Drizzile, Metagross, and Espathra preferred the clear broth.

Munchlax, Pawmi, and both Oinkologne enjoyed both flavors.

Pawmi pulled out a piece of tofu from the red broth, eagerly popping it into its mouth. The scalding heat and spiciness sent it sprinting across the grass, screaming as it ran.

"Paw~mi~mi~" So hot! So spicy!

But as soon as it cooled down, Pawmi rushed back to grab another piece of tofu, stuffing it into its mouth with enthusiasm.

"Ssshhh... haaa..."

Munchlax, similarly overwhelmed by the spiciness, stuck its tongue out, panting heavily with swollen lips. Yet it continued to shove food into its mouth, unable to resist the deliciousness.

When the spiciness became too much, it would switch to a few bites of the clear broth for relief.

Metagross, as the newest addition to the group, watched in wonder at everyone's eating habits.

So this is what it's like having a Trainer.

Espathra noticed its hesitation and quickly nudged it with a wing.

"Espa~Espa~" Hurry up, or there won't be any left!

Professor Turo gasped as the spiciness overwhelmed him, saying, "Andrew, I didn't expect you to really succeed in capturing Metagross. It seems you're a very powerful trainer!"

Andrew waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "I'm no trainer, just an ordinary chef. It's the Pokémon that's strong."

Professor Sada smiled and said, "You're too modest. Metagross is one of the strongest Pokémon in Area Zero. Not just anyone can handle it."

Andrew: I'm really not being modest.

After dinner, Professor Sada said to Andrew, "Andrew, why don't you leave Metagross here tonight? Turo and I will stay up late to help modify Robert No. 1 for you."

Andrew gratefully said, "Thank you both for your hard work."

Professor Turo waved it off, saying, "It's nothing. After eating so much of your food, I'd feel guilty if we didn't return the favor."

Professor Sada added, "Exactly! Besides, you've been helping us take care of Arven these past few days."

"Anyway, thank you both."

Without the pass the Professors gave him, allowing him to move freely in Area Zero, Andrew wouldn't have been able to capture so many companions like Oinkologne, Dolliv, Nacli, Garganacl, Capsakid, Scovillain, Charcadet, Pawmi, Espathra, and Metagross.

After resting for a while, the Professors and researchers returned to the lab, taking the Pokéball containing Metagross with them.

Andrew, Arven, Raleigh, and the Pokémons tidied up the table and chairs, washed the dishes, sent Diancie and the others back home via teleportation, and then went to their rooms to sleep.

Before sleeping, Andrew said to Pawmi, Espathra, and the two Oinkolognes: "Come here, let me give you a good pat."

The system had tasked him with feeling the aura inside the Pokémon, so his own Pokémon should count, right?

"Pawmi!" I'm first! Pawmi chirped as it jumped into Andrew's arms.

Andrew held Pawmi's fluffy, soft, and chubby body, carefully sensing the aura it emitted.

Pawmi's aura was lively, like dancing musical notes, full of vitality, but at the same time, it was very weak.

After letting go of Pawmi, Andrew then sensed the auras of the Oinkolognes and Espathra. Each one had a different aura, and the more he interacted with them, the more Andrew found it fascinating.

Finally, it was Komala's turn.

Andrew hadn't fully understood just how powerful Komala was before, but after sensing its aura, he finally grasped it.

If Pawmi's aura was like a small puddle, Komala's was a great river!

It was hard to imagine that such terrifying power could reside in Komala's small body.

Pokémon really are incredible.

And the fact that such a powerful Pokémon was willing to follow him, constantly helping and protecting him, left Andrew feeling a bit incredulous.

"Thank you, Komala," Andrew softly said to Komala.

Whether Komala heard or not, it was unclear. A small bubble of snot popped from its nose.

After feeling the auras of several Pokémon, Andrew opened the system, where several tasks were displayed.

[Daily Task 1] Train in the culinary training room for 1 hour — Uncompleted.

[Daily Task 2] Entertain 10 Pokémon — Completed, reward pending.

[Aura Training Task] Contact 1,000 Pokémon and feel their aura (34/1,000) — Uncompleted.

[Temporary Task] Request Professor Sada and Professor Turo to modify Robert No. 1 — Uncompleted.

After casually claiming the reward for [Daily Task 2], Andrew said to his Pokémons, "Time for bed, everyone. Goodnight."

Espathra: "Espath~" Goodnight, Andrew.

Male Oinkologne: "Oink oink~" Goodnight.

Female Oinkologne: "Oink oink~" Sleepy, sleepy.

Pawmi: "Pawmi~" Time to sleep.

Once all the Pokémons were asleep, Andrew cuddled up with Komala under the covers and soon drifted into a deep sleep.

After Andrew turned off the lights, Pawmi, who had initially closed its eyes, suddenly opened them again. It quietly lifted its small blanket, hugged its pillow, climbed out of bed, and in the dark, sneaked to Andrew's bedside. After climbing up the bedpost, it slipped under Andrew's blanket.

The next morning, while still dreaming, Andrew suddenly felt a heavy pressure on his chest, making it hard to breathe. He abruptly opened his eyes.

"What's going on?"

Even though he was already awake, the heaviness on his chest hadn't gone away. He lifted the blanket and saw that, at some point, Pawmi had crawled into his bed. It was now sprawled across his chest, sound asleep, with drool soaking through his shirt.

"Pawmi!" Andrew shouted.

"Paw~ Paw~~"

Pawmi smacked its lips a couple of times, rolled over from its belly to its back, and continued snoring softly.

"Really now!"

Andrew sighed, picking it up and gently placing it aside before tucking it back in with the blanket. He then got up to start his morning routine.

A new day had begun.

During breakfast, Andrew asked the two professors about the progress on Robert No. 1's modifications. Professor Sada smiled and said, "You'll see the results by lunchtime."

So, after breakfast, Andrew, excited for what was to come, headed out with Arven.

With the task of capturing Pokémon complete, Andrew's focus was now on his Aura training.

He spent the whole morning wandering around the upper levels with Arven, tempting various Pokémon with tasty treats—not just to pet them, but to feel their Aura.

On the plains, Andrew made friends with Raichu and Cottonee; near the water, he met Vaporeon, Psyduck, and Buizel; in the rocky areas, he encountered Skiddo and Copperajah; and while exploring caves, he earned the trust of a Salazzle.

As noon approached, Andrew returned to the observatory with Arven and the Pokémon. From a distance, he noticed Metagross hovering above the grass near the entrance, and standing beneath it was none other than Robert No. 1.

Is the modification done? Andrew's heart leaped with excitement.

"Metagross!" Andrew waved to greet it.

"Meta~"

Seeing him, Metagross flew over, and Robert No. 1 moved toward Andrew as well.

"Master!"

Robert No. 1 spoke! Its voice was smooth and fluent, though it had a distinct mechanical tone.

Compared to before, its appearance hadn't changed much, except for its eyes, which were now different.

Of course, while the exterior remained similar, its internals were completely overhauled.

"Robert No. 1, you…"

"Master, I am Metagross!" Robert No. 1 said again.

"Metagross?" Andrew exclaimed, looking between it and Metagross.

Metagross nodded, and Robert No. 1 continued, "That's right, it's me!"

Andrew was beginning to understand. He turned to Metagross and asked, "The professor linked your mind to Robert No. 1?"

Metagross, controlling Robert No. 1, responded, "Exactly!"

Metagross then explained the details of the modification. The professors had installed a computer inside Robert No. 1 that could connect to the internet, and using special sensing technology, they had linked Metagross's brain to the computer.

This meant that the computer now had its own artificial intelligence capable of independent thought and action. Meanwhile, Metagross could access the internet to learn and assist Andrew with various tasks.

As it spoke, Metagross showed Andrew the sensors the professors had installed on it.

The sensors were two small, round buttons about the size of fingernails, attached to either side of Metagross's forehead. They were so discreet they could easily be overlooked.

Andrew was very impressed with the professors' modifications.

After hearing Metagross's explanation, Andrew said, "Metagross, you can call me Andrew. There's no need to call me master—we're partners."

Metagross paused for a moment, then had Robert No. 1 say, "Understood, Andrew."

Andrew added, "Since Robert No. 1 has been upgraded, let's rename him Robert No. 2!"

(End of Chapter)