Chapter 12: Revealed

It had been an hour since Andrew and the others emerged from the training room. For the outside world, this meant an hour had passed, but inside, it felt like ten hours.

By the time they came out, Andrew was utterly exhausted.

Who could withstand kneading dough for ten hours straight? If it weren't for his improved physical condition, he'd have been completely drained.

In contrast, Munchlax's fatigue was more psychological. It had been thoroughly reprimanded by Diancie in the training room and was too intimidated to make a sound. Even now, it flinched when Diancie looked its way.

However, thanks to Diancie's strict training, Munchlax had managed to get the steamed buns to a decent standard after ten hours of intense practice.

Of course, a big factor was Munchlax's natural talent for cooking.

Cooking is one of those skills where a person with innate talent might grasp the nuances easily and become proficient quickly, while someone without talent might end up producing terrible food no matter how many times they are taught.

Dragging his exhausted body, Andrew said to his three Pokémon, "Let's quickly get cleaned up and go to bed. It's getting late."

"Good night," Diancie said to Andrew and Munchlax.

"Munchlax~~"

Despite Diancie's gentle tone, Munchlax still shuddered, clearly affected by PTSD.

Due to last night's exertion, Andrew slept unusually deeply and woke up much later than usual the next morning.

Understanding Andrew's fatigue from the previous night, Diancie intentionally came later to wake him up and showed the same consideration to Munchlax.

Realizing it was getting late and the store wouldn't open if they delayed further, Diancie gently knocked on Andrew's door.

"Coming! Coming!"

Andrew, in his pajamas, rubbed his sleepy eyes, got out of bed, and went to the balcony. Stretching out in the morning sun, he felt its warmth and let out a big yawn.

Hmm? How come, despite last night's exhaustion, I feel so much lighter today?

Not thinking much of it, Andrew turned to head to the bathroom.

As Diancie retrieved Andrew's clothes for the day from the wardrobe and placed them on the bed, she asked, "Andrew, there's a new task. Do you want to take it?"

"I'm coming now. Sure, I'll take it!" Andrew's voice called from the bathroom.

Diancie explained, "This is your final task as a newbie. After completing it, your newbie period will be over."

"Seriously??? So soon?" Andrew's head popped out from the bathroom with toothpaste still on his mouth.

Diancie shrugged and said, "It's not my decision."

Andrew pulled his head back into the bathroom, "Looks like the good times are ending."

After finishing his wash, Andrew came out of the bathroom and accepted the last newbie task. Instantly, a new line appeared in his task list:

**Serve 100 Pokémon within 30 days. (0/100)**

The system's deadline was quite generous. Based on the previous task, serving 100 Pokémon in 30 days posed almost no challenge.

"Let's go. Time to start working!"

Andrew now considers preparing breakfast for the Pokémon every morning as part of his job.

He woke Munchlax as well and, with his apprentice in tow, they headed to the kitchen.

It was Munchlax's first day at work, and it appeared very excited.

Andrew adjusted Munchlax's chef uniform and straightened its chef hat, patting its shoulder as he said, "Let's do our best together."

"Munchlax!"

Munchlax clenched its fists with a serious expression, as if heading into battle.

"Haha~~ Relax, relax." Andrew patted its chubby cheek and said.

Since Andrew usually wakes up late, the Pokémon had gotten used to waiting at the store entrance. Bored, they gathered on the grass to play or quietly observed the newly sprouted flower seedlings near the flower bed.

The green seedlings, although the type was unclear, radiated vibrant life.

Diancie called from the door, "Everyone, come in. We'll be serving food soon."

The Pokémon cheered and lined up orderly to enter the store.

As usual, the Pokémon brought Diancie gifts, which she accepted graciously.

With Munchlax's help, Andrew's efficiency in the kitchen improved significantly. Although Munchlax couldn't work independently yet, assisting Andrew was no problem. Soon, the aroma of delicious food filled the kitchen.

The rich aroma lingered in the air, filling the Pokémon with anticipation.

Having a delicious breakfast here every morning had become the highlight of their day.

When Diancie brought out the food and served it, the Pokémon eagerly began to eat.

In the dining area, the Pokémon ate happily, while in the kitchen, Munchlax was indulging in the food, stuffing one steamed bun after another into its mouth as the bowl's contents decreased rapidly.

Andrew watched with a smile and asked, "How does it feel to eat the food you made yourself?"

"Munchlax~~ Delicious~ I love it~" Munchlax's eyes squinted with joy.

"Slow down. If you run out, I'll make more. Eat as much as you want." Seeing Munchlax devouring its food, Andrew gently patted its back and said, "Even the best food doesn't taste good if eaten too quickly."

Munchlax obeyed and slowed down, savoring each bite of the steamed bun.

"Munchlax~~~"

As Munchlax chewed slowly, the bun's aroma swirled in its mouth. The soft texture felt like gentle hands massaging its mouth. Munchlax couldn't help but close its eyes and savor the experience.

"Isn't it? Tastes even better, right?" Andrew smiled. He enjoyed watching Munchlax enjoy the food, seeing it as a sign of its love for life.

"Munchlax~ Munch~"

Munchlax looked at Andrew with admiration, thinking how much its Teacher understands.

"Yalo~"

Just then, a sharp cry from outside startled both Andrew and Munchlax, interrupting their meal.

"What's happening?"

Andrew was unable to go outside, so Diancie quickly stepped out to investigate. She saw that a Talonflame, a Victreebel, and an Altaria had gathered in front of Andrew's house. Their serious stares and imposing presence created an intimidating atmosphere.

Inside the house, the Pokémon eating their meal rushed outside upon hearing the commotion. A Fletchling, a Bellsprout, and a Swablu were particularly startled by the sight of the three Pokémon.

These three were, in fact, their parents.

"Talonflame~~"

"Ah~ah~ah~"

"Altaria~Alta~"

At their parents' calls, the still-hungry Fletchling, Bellsprout, and Swablu reluctantly returned to their sides.

These Pokémon had been coming to Andrew's place daily for meals, and their parents noticed their rapid growth. While this was beneficial, the parents also saw that their children had been visiting a human's home and were concerned about the potential dangers.

Worried about their children's safety, the parents decided to confront the situation directly.

It was expected that Pokémon on the Nebel Plateau would discover Andrew's presence eventually, as Andrew had never tried to completely hide himself.

"Yalu~~ Yalu~~"

Talonflame was the first to challenge Diancie, demanding to know what she and the humans were up to.

Diancie stepped forward, trying to reassure them. "Talonflame, Victreebel, Altaria, your children come here just for meals. We haven't done anything harmful to them."

The Fletchling, Bellsprout, and Swablu chimed in, explaining to their parents.

"Altaria~~ Altaria~~~" This place is filled with humans. Aren't you worried about coming here every day?

Altaria questioned its children.

Humans?

The Swablu, Bellsprout, and Fletchling were taken aback and looked at Diancie for confirmation.

Diancie sighed, "Altaria is correct. The owner here is a human named Andrew. The food you've been enjoying was prepared by him."

On hearing this, the Pokémon panicked. Some were frightened, some confused, and some just didn't know how to react… They all quickly fled from Andrew's house, with Fletchling, Bellsprout, and Swablu hiding behind their parents.

The only Pokémon remaining with Diancie were the Litwick, Gulpin, Litleo, Pancham, Skitty, Scraggy, Stunky, Spritzee, Munchlax, Helioptile, Zigzagoon, two Diglett, and the floating Castform.

Fletchling had been introduced to this place by Spritzee. Seeing that its friends were still with Diancie, it urgently urged Spritzee to leave quickly.

"Spritzee~ Spritzee~~"

But Spritzee shook its head, feeling instinctively that leaving wasn't right.

Not just Spritzee, but also Litwick and Gulpin felt the same.

Having spent time with Andrew, they had seen sides of humans that differed from their expectations. Seeing others hastily distance themselves just because Andrew was human, Diancie felt it was unfair to Andrew and spoke to Talonflame:

"I understand that many on the Nebel Plateau have a negative view of humans, but not all humans are harmful. Andrew isn't. If Andrew and I intended to harm you, we would have done so by now. We have no reason to."

Diancie then turned to Fletchling and the others, "Fletchling, Bellsprout, Swablu, and the others… don't you feel Andrew's kindness when you eat the food he makes?"

The Pokémon called by Diancie lowered their heads, feeling guilty.

"Spri~ Spritzee~"

"Zigzagoon~ goon~"

Spritzee and Zigzagoon also stepped forward, trying to explain that Andrew was not malevolent.

Andrew, who had been hiding in the kitchen, knew he could no longer stay out of sight. As he emerged with Munchlax, he felt touched by Diancie, Spritzee, and Zigzagoon's support.

Seeing the emotional Spritzee and Zigzagoon, Andrew thought: It was worth feeding them!

When Andrew appeared, the Pokémon who had never seen a human before cried out in surprise, while those with previous negative experiences with humans retreated even further.

"Hello, everyone." Andrew greeted the Pokémon.

"Talonflame~ Talonflame~"

"Ah~ah~"

"Altaria~Altaria~~"

The older Pokémon—Talonflame, Victreebel, and Altaria—shielded the younger ones behind them.

Seeing their tense reaction, Andrew quickly explained, "Diancie is right. I have no intention of harming any of you. I've come to live on the Nebel Plateau and am now part of it. It's okay if you don't trust me yet; I believe you will come to understand me over time."

Talonflame, Victreebel, and Altaria glared at Andrew.

"Talonflame~~"

"Ah~ah~"

"Altaria~aria~"

They questioned why a human was on the Nebel Plateau.

The presence of these powerful Pokémon was intimidating, and Munchlax clung to Andrew out of fear.

Andrew gently patted Munchlax, trying to soothe it while explaining, "I really mean no harm. Please believe me."

But how could they trust a human?

Just then, a Komala with a Log Pillow rolled forward, swaying from side to side in front of Talonflame, Altaria, and Victreebel. The three Pokémon were immediately intrigued.

This Komala…

"Talonflame~~"

After observing the Komala for a while, Talonflame chirped once, flapped its wings, and flew away. Fletchling followed, glancing back at Spritzee and… Andrew before departing.

With Talonflame gone, Altaria and Victreebel took Swablu and Bellsprout and also left. Other Pokémon quickly disappeared, leaving the area quiet.

Andrew walked down the steps, picked up the swaying Komala, brushed off the grass, and turned to Litwick and the others, saying:

"Alright, everyone, continue with your meal."

"Skitty~"

"Litleo~"

Skitty and Litleo ran to Andrew's feet, looking up at him with concern.

Andrew crouched down and petted their heads, saying, "Don't worry, I'm fine. Aren't you all here with me?"

Back inside, the mood was subdued. Pancham and the others stared at their food, unsure how to feel.

"Eat up, everyone. Why are you standing around? Finish your breakfast and go about your day!" Andrew said with a reassuring smile.

"Andrew~~" Diancie walked over, looking worried.

Andrew patted Munchlax and then took Diancie's hand, saying, "I'm truly fine. Do I seem that fragile to you all?" He then looked at Litwick and the others, "Hurry up and eat. It won't taste as good if it gets cold."

Hearing this, the Pokémon lowered their heads and resumed eating, though the atmosphere remained tense.

(End of Chapter)