Chapter 87: Delicious Fish Balls

Upon returning to Research Station No. 1, Andrew and Arven found the two professors and researchers still engrossed in their work, truly neglecting their meals and sleep.

"Let's cook," Andrew proposed to Arven.

"Sure, I'll help," Arven agreed with a nod.

"Hold on a moment," Andrew said suddenly, then summoned Munchlax, Diancie, and Drizzile from home.

Arven was astonished by the sight.

Andrew explained, "This is a special ability of mine. I can summon my Pokémon to my side."

Arven managed to regain his composure and nodded. Although such abilities were uncommon, he had heard of them before.

"Munch~ Munch~" Master, you're so slow. I've been waiting for you forever.

Munchlax leaped into Andrew's arms the moment it saw him, expressing its longing.

"Munchlax!"

Arven also approached with a smile.

"Munch~"

Munchlax released Andrew and warmly embraced Arven. Arven, a bit taken aback by Munchlax's enthusiasm, released his Maschiff to manage his own feelings.

Andrew watched Munchlax with a smile. He really appreciated how this Pokémon expressed its emotions.

So adorable.

"Let's start cooking. We have some excellent ingredients today, so everyone will have a treat." Andrew said as he took out cooking utensils, a dining table, and seasonings from his system bag.

Munchlax and Drizzile looked excited at the mention of food.

Since the Research Station is a research facility, Andrew and his team moved to the lawn outside to cook.

The weather in Area Zero was sunny and ideal for an outdoor meal.

Andrew addressed Drizzile, "Drizzile, could you prepare a pot of vegetable soup?" He handed over the vegetables to Drizzile.

"Drizzile~~"

Drizzile gave a thumbs-up and immediately got to work.

Andrew then asked the two Charcadet, "Charcadets, could you start the fire?"

"Cadet~"

"Chaarca~"

The two Charcadet eagerly agreed.

The Crybaby Charcadet squatted under the metal rack of the soup pot, its body emitting red flames, causing the water in the pot to quickly start boiling.

"Drizz~ Drizzile~" Lower the flame, lower the flame.

The Crybaby Charcadet promptly adjusted the flames.

"Drizz~" Good job!

Drizzile gave a thumbs-up in response.

"Char~~"

The Crybaby Charcadet smiled shyly.

Andrew instructed, "Munchlax, start cooking the rice first and then come help me."

"Munch ~"

Munchlax nodded and began working.

Diancie and Arven couldn't help with the cooking but assisted with fetching water and washing vegetables.

Goodboy Charcadet sat under the rice pot, surrounded by flames, and soon the aroma of cooking rice filled the air.

Once the rice was set aside to simmer, Munchlax joined Andrew to help.

With both Charcadet occupied, Andrew decided to start making the fish balls.

The meat pieces of Veluza were quite large. Andrew placed them on the cutting board, and the white fish meat quivered, appearing fresh and tender.

"Munchlax, let's get started."

"Munchlax~"

Munchlax cheerfully joined Andrew, and they both picked up a piece of fish and a knife.

The first step was to prepare the fish. They used the knife to cut the fish into small chunks, then finely minced the meat.

The discarded meat of Veluzas don't have bones. Since bones are part of a fish's skeleton, Veluzas naturally wouldn't shed their own skeleton.

Chopping the fish could be done with a machine, but since Andrew didn't bring one with him, he had to do it manually. This was no problem for Andrew and his apprentice, though.

The next step was to marinate the fish.

"Munchlax, follow my lead," Andrew said.

"Munch~~"

Munchlax nodded enthusiastically.

Drizzile and Arven came over at this point. Seeing this, Andrew said, "You two should join in as well."

"Drizz~~"

Drizzile eagerly jumped in to help.

Arven hesitated and asked, "Can I really join?"

Andrew smiled and said, "Why not? Cooking is just cooking. Even if it doesn't turn out perfect, it's no big deal."

"Okay!" Arven smiled and nodded vigorously, then began working with Andrew.

Diancie was assigned to manage the fire.

Although it couldn't cook, it was familiar with the process enough to handle the fire.

Since it was Arven's first time cooking, Andrew explained the process in detail.

"First, add an appropriate amount of salt to the chopped fish. You know what 'appropriate' means, right?"

"Munch~"

"Drizzile~"

Munchlax and Drizzile both nodded in agreement.

Arven looked a bit puzzled.

Andrew continued, "Next, add some cooking wine, pepper, ginger, and so on."

They then used disposable plastic gloves to mix the fish thoroughly with the seasonings, making sure the minced fish was well combined with the spices.

"We can also add some starch and egg white. Starch makes the fish balls stickier, and egg white makes them smoother."

Arven nodded, contemplating this.

After a while, the Charcadets finished their tasks and were instructed to help by keeping a pot of water at a simmer over low heat.

"Remember, use low heat," Andrew reminded them.

"Char~"

"Charca~"

The Charcadets nodded.

The final step was forming the fish balls.

"Alright, everyone, follow my lead," Andrew said to Munchlax, Drizzile, and Arven.

The three looked at Andrew attentively.

Andrew demonstrated, "We do it like this… and this… and then this…"

He took a handful of marinated fish, squeezed it in his hand, then used a small spoon to scoop out the portion, shaping it into a fish ball.

Place the fish balls in the hot water and cook until they float.

"When the fish balls float, they're done."

Munchlax, Drizzile, and Arven nodded and began making their own fish balls.

Splash~~

Munchlax squeezed too hard and sent a chunk of fish meat flying.

"Drizzile~ Dri~~" Haha, Munchlax, you're so clumsy!

Drizzile laughed loudly at Munchlax.

"Munch~ Munch~" Are you better than me?

Munchlax looked unconvinced.

"Drizzile~ Drizz~" Of course! I'm both cool and skilled!

Drizzile said confidently.

Drizzile tried to recall Andrew's actions and learn from Munchlax's experience, but the fish meat in the spoon didn't hold its shape.

"Munch~ Munch~ Munch~" Haha, you're even worse!

Now Munchlax laughed at Drizzile.

After both Pokémon had their turn at mocking each other, they looked to Arven.

"Munch~" It's your turn.

"Drizzile~" Your turn.

Arven, holding the fish meat, felt a bit nervous. But remarkably, he succeeded on his first try.

"I did it!" Arven said with excitement.

"Munch~" Impressive!

"Drizz~" Very cool!

Munchlax and Drizzile praised him.

Andrew said, "Quick, put them in the hot water."

"Okay."

Arven placed the fish balls into the water and watched them float up, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

With their previous experience, Munchlax and Drizzile quickly managed to make their own fish balls.

With the efforts of Andrew, his apprentices, and Arven, the fish balls were soon ready. They then divided up the tasks.

Andrew continued preparing dishes with the fish balls, stir-frying vegetables, while Munchlax used Veluza meat to make other delicacies.

Over time, Andrew prepared spicy fish balls, crispy fish balls, and tomato sauce fish balls; Munchlax made braised fish, steamed fish, and boiled fish; and Drizzile prepared sour and spicy shredded potatoes, three-cup vegetables, and stir-fried mushrooms from the mushrooms gathered that day.

Inside the research station, Professor Sada and Professor Turo were still working, with Raleigh observing and learning from them.

Suddenly, Raleigh twitched his nose, sensing a delicious aroma.

"Professor Sada, Professor Turo, do you smell that?" he asked.

"What smell?" The two professors looked surprised.

"It smells familiar...."

Raleigh sniffed again and confirmed, "Yes!"

He then remembered something and exclaimed, "It must be His Highness cooking!"

"Cooking?" Professor Sada and Professor Turo exchanged glances, noting the time. Oh, it was already that late!

Their stomachs grumbled at the mention, setting off a chain reaction that had the other researchers' stomachs growling as well.

Everyone laughed at the situation.

Professor Sada said, "It's mealtime. Has the food arrived?"

One researcher shook his head. "It should be a while longer."

Raleigh then dragged Professor Sada and Professor Turo outside. "His Highness must have prepared a meal for us."

The professors, unable to resist Raleigh's enthusiasm, followed him. As they neared the door, the aroma became more pronounced.

Thanks to the research station's airtight design, the strong aroma of Andrew's cooking hadn't penetrated inside. Only Raleigh's keen sense of smell and familiarity with Andrew's cooking allowed him to detect it.

Once outside, Raleigh and the professors were immediately enveloped in a wave of enticing scents.

"Dad, Mom!"

Arven ran over excitedly as he saw the professors emerge.

The professors were astonished by the sight of tables set up on the grass, laden with delicious food, while Raleigh eagerly approached Andrew.

He excitedly circled Andrew like a hungry puppy.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, so much delicious food!"

Andrew patted his head and said, "Go call everyone from the research station to come and eat."

"Yay!" Raleigh cheered and rushed back into the research station.

Professor Sada and Professor Turo, holding Arven, walked over to Andrew.

Professor Sada asked in disbelief, "Andrew, did you make all this?"

Andrew smiled and replied, "Not just me; Arven helped too."

"Really?" Professor Sada and Professor Turo looked at their son with amazement.

"I only helped a bit," Arven said shyly.

Professor Sada hugged his son and said, "You did a great job, son!"

Professor Turo ruffled Arven's hair. "Our Arven has grown up."

Andrew added, "Arven has real cooking talent!"

Arven blushed even more at the praise.

Soon, the other researchers, called out by Raleigh, came outside and were greeted with the same astonished expressions as the professors.

"Let's eat!" Andrew announced.

Everyone eagerly gathered around the table and began to dig in. Andrew's cooking quickly won everyone over.

Professor Sada exclaimed, "Now I understand why Nasir always wants to invest in you!"

Andrew was also impressed by the Veluza meat, which was as delicious as rumored.

The boiled fish was tender and juicy, melting in the mouth; the fish balls were chewy and smooth; the steamed fish was fragrant and not greasy… Every preparation of Veluza meat was exceptional!

Unsurprisingly, by the end of the meal, everyone was stuffed.

Professor Turo slumped on the grass, rubbing his stomach. "That was incredibly satisfying!"

Professor Sada agreed, "Yes, I haven't eaten this well in a long time!"

Seeing everyone relaxed, Andrew and Diancie began cleaning up.

Just then, a person in uniform descended from the sky on a Corviknight, carrying a large box of food.

The delivery person, seeing the satisfied professors and researchers, looked puzzled and asked, "You've already eaten?"

This person was usually responsible for delivering meals to the professors.

Professor Sada apologized, "Sorry, Gabe, we've already eaten. You made a trip for nothing."

Gabe looked troubled. "What should I do with all this food?"

Andrew suggested, "Why not leave it with me?"

The Veluzas hadn't eaten yet.

Gabe, not knowing Andrew, glanced at the professors for confirmation. Seeing them nod, he agreed. "Alright then."

He left the large box of food and departed on his Corviknight.

Andrew told Diancie, "Diancie, you handle the cleanup. Munchlax, Drizzile, and I will feed the Veluzas."

"Okay, don't worry," Diancie nodded.

The professors and researchers immediately helped Diancie with the cleanup.

Meanwhile, Andrew and Munchlax carried the large box to the pond, with Drizzile following, holding the food Andrew had prepared for the Veluza.

At the pond's edge, Andrew clapped his hands and called out, "Everyone, come and eat!"

As his voice echoed, Veluza began emerging from the water, swimming eagerly towards the edge.

Andrew quickly shouted, "Line up, or there will be no food."

"Velu~~"

The Veluza leader called out, and the once chaotic Veluza quickly formed an orderly line.

Andrew was pleased and praised the Veluza leader, "Good job showing leadership!"

"Velu~"

The Veluza leader narrowed its crescent-shaped eyes and opened its large mouth, waiting for Andrew to feed it.

Andrew said, "Alright, here it comes!"

He poured a large bowl of rice and vegetables into the Veluza leader's mouth.

"Mmm~ Mmm~"

The Veluza leader chewed quickly.

"Is it good?" Andrew asked.

"Velu~ Velu~"

The Veluza leader happily spun in the water, splashing Andrew with water.

"You're something else…"

Andrew continued feeding it.

With the Veluza being large and having a big appetite, Andrew spent a lot of effort just feeding the leader.

Munchlax and Drizzile helped with the other Veluza.

After nearly an hour, the trio finished feeding all the Veluza.

Satiated, the Veluza swam contentedly in the water.

Soon, Diancie and Arven arrived at the pond.

Andrew asked, "Is everything cleaned up?"

Diancie nodded.

Andrew then asked Arven, "Did the professors return to work?"

Arven replied, "Yes~"

Andrew remarked, "That was quite a job!"

They then sat by the pond and chatted.

Arven's Maschiff rested on his lap, half-asleep.

Andrew was dozing off next to the well-fed Oinkologne, with Munchlax lounging against him.

Diancie played with two Charcadet, while Drizzile jumped into the water, riding on the Veluzas's leader's back and playing with the Veluzas.

(End of Chapter)