Chapter 98: Please, Don’t Look at Me Like That!

After thoroughly mixing the pork, Andrew spread it out on the table with a rolling pin until it was about 2 millimeters thick.

Next, the meat mixture needed to be frozen in a refrigerator, but Andrew was facing a problem.

There was no refrigerator in Area Zero!

Noticing Andrew's distress, Arven asked, "What's the matter, Big brother Andrew?"

"We need a refrigerator, but there isn't one here!" Andrew said with a sigh.

Although he could ask Diancie to take it to a refrigerator at home to freeze, it would be inconvenient. Plus, repeatedly moving the rolled meat could cause it to fall apart.

Arven didn't have a solution either and joined Andrew in his frustration.

"Pawmi~~!" I've got an idea! I've got an idea!

Suddenly, Pawmi had a bright idea.

Andrew didn't understand Pawmi's gestures and asked, "Pawmi, what's up?"

"Paw~Paw~"

Pawmi hopped around, trying to explain, but Andrew couldn't grasp it.

Then, Andrew felt the Aura within him stir. He felt he was beginning to understand Pawmi, but before he could fully make sense of it, Pawmi darted off.

"Where's he going?" Andrew wondered, confused.

"Not sure," Arven replied, shaking his head.

"Oh, wait!" Andrew called out to Espathra, saying, "Espathra, come over and chat with me."

Chat? Espathra approached Andrew, puzzled. 'What could I talk to you about?'

"Espath~" What should we talk about?

"Just tell me what you like to eat."

"Espath~ Espath~" I enjoy eating whatever you make!

"Really?"

Espathra was taken aback by this response.

"Espath~ Espath~" Andrew, you can understand me now?

Andrew nodded excitedly, "Yes!"

Earlier, when Pawmi was trying to communicate, Andrew felt like he was starting to understand. But before he could clarify, Pawmi had run off.

Espathra confirmed his suspicion—after awakening his Aura, Andrew could indeed understand Pokémon.

Arven, seeing Andrew and Espathra conversing, asked, "Big brother Andrew, what are you doing?"

Andrew explained without hesitation, "Arven, I've awakened the power of Aura. I can now communicate with Pokémon!"

Arven's eyes widened in astonishment. "The power of Aura?"

Andrew nodded and explained what Aura was.

After listening, Arven was amazed. "Wow, that's incredible!"

While they were talking, Pawmi came running back.

"Paw~Paw~" I'm back!

Andrew looked toward Pawmi and saw it riding on the back of a Pokémon, which was slowly making its way over, followed by two identical Pokémon.

It was Avalugg!

Andrew's face brightened with excitement.

Avalugg, an Ice-type Pokémon, is known as the Iceberg Pokémon, with a smooth, flat back almost like a mirror.

If they placed the meat mixture on Avalugg's back to freeze, it would be perfect!

Avalugg moved very slowly, and it took some time before it reached Andrew and the others.

Pawmi nimbly jumped off the leading Avalugg's back and looked at Andrew with pride.

"Paw~Paw~" How do you like my helpers?

Andrew cheerfully picked up Pawmi and rubbed his face against it.

"Pawmi, you've done a fantastic job. Once the food is ready, I'll let you have a bit more."

Pawmi, thrilled, rubbed its face more against Andrew's and accidentally activated its electric cheeks.

Zzzzzsstt~

Andrew's hair started smoking from the electric shock.

"Pawmiii~!"

"Big brother Andrew!"

"Espath~!"

"Oink~oink~!"

Arven and the Pokémon exclaimed in shock.

Andrew rubbed his head and reassured the guilty Pawmi, "I'm fine."

With his body's constitution already above 40 points, Pawmi's electric shock didn't harm him at all.

Seeing Andrew was okay, everyone relaxed.

Andrew set Pawmi down and turned to the Avaluggs. "Thank you for helping out."

"Avaa~" The Avaluggs shook their heads.

"Well then, I'll leave it to you."

Andrew cut the large slab of meat mixture into squares, placed them in large iron trays, and set them on Avalugg's backs.

"Avaa~~"

The three Avalugg took a deep breath, and a wave of freezing air spread out from them.

Andrew quickly instructed, "Avalugg, don't release too much cold air—just the right amount."

The Avaluggs promptly adjusted their emission of cold air as directed.

About two hours later, Andrew called in the Charcadets from home, set up a rack with an iron pan, and created a makeshift oven. He placed the frozen meat mixture inside.

"Charcadet, I'm counting on you."

"Charca~" Understood.

"Charca~" No problem.

The two Charcadet then took their positions under the rack, their bodies glowing with intense red flames.

As time went on, the oven began to emit a rich aroma. The combination of meat and spices was so enticing that the Pokémon couldn't help but swallow their saliva, with Pawmi even letting drool dribble from its mouth.

Andrew turned the jerky periodically to ensure even cooking and occasionally brushed it with honey.

As the aroma intensified, Pawmi grew more impatient and paced around the oven.

"Paw~ Paw~" Is it done yet? Is it done yet?

Andrew chuckled at Pawmi's impatience. "Why the hurry?"

When the jerky was finally ready, Andrew took it out and placed it on the table to cool.

With more jerky still to cook, Andrew started on the next batch. Meanwhile, Pawmi sneaked onto the table, put its head close to the fresh jerky, and took a deep sniff.

So fragrant! It smells amazing!

Seeing that Andrew was focused on the oven, Pawmi couldn't resist and tried to steal a piece.

"Espathra~~"

But the Espathra appeared behind it suddenly, grabbing Pawmi by the neck and lifting it into the air before it could make a move.

"Paw~ Paw~ Paw~" Who's there? Why are you ruining my fun?!

Pawmi flailed around helplessly in midair.

The Espathra set Pawmi down and, as Pawmi turned around to protest, it was met with the Espathra's intimidating gaze. Pawmi nervously said, "Paw~ Paw~" Please be a bit gentler next time.

The Espathra raised its head arrogantly, and Pawmi scurried away, clinging to Andrew's leg.

Once all the jerky was cooked and cooled, Andrew cut it into small, bite-sized pieces.

"Here you go, Pawmi, give it a try."

Andrew handed a piece of jerky to the eagerly waiting Pawmi.

"Paw~~"

Excitedly, Pawmi sniffed the jerky, its eyes lighting up.

So fragrant!

It licked the jerky with its tiny pink tongue, then carefully put it in its mouth, chewing slowly to savor the smoky meat flavor and the sweet honey, which mingled delightfully in its mouth.

So delicious!

Crunch, crunch!

After finishing a piece, Pawmi reached out for more.

"I can't say no to you," Andrew said with a smile.

He took out a small cloth bag, filled it with jerky, and hung it around Pawmi's waist.

"This is your reward for calling the Avalugg."

Pawmi curiously patted the cloth bag, pulled out another piece of jerky, and excitedly ran around.

It proudly showed the bag to the Espathra.

"Paw~ Paw~" Look, Andrew gave this to me! It's full of tasty treats.

The Espathra looked away dismissively.

Not deterred, Pawmi ran over to show Arven, who was much more appreciative.

"How cute, it suits you perfectly!"

Pawmi was thrilled by the compliment and danced around happily. It swaggered off to flaunt its prize to the Oinkologne.

Soon enough, Pawmi had shown off to every Pokémon there.

After slicing all the jerky, Andrew stored most of it in his system backpack, keeping just one plate aside.

"Everyone, come and have a taste!"

Andrew summoned Arven, the two Charcadet, the Oinkologne couple, Espathra, the three Avalugg, and Maschiff.

Everyone began to eat together.

"It smells amazing, it's so delicious!" Arven commented as he ate.

"Oink~"

"Oink~"

The two Oinkologne nodded vigorously, thoroughly enjoying the food!

At that moment, Pawmi squeezed between the two Charcadets and grabbed a piece of meat from the plate, stuffing it into his mouth.

Andrew didn't stop him and simply asked with a smile, "Didn't I already give you some? Why are you coming back for more?"

Pawmi immediately covered his small pouch with a cautious expression.

"Pawmi~ Pawmi~" This is a reward, it doesn't count.

Andrew laughed at Pawmi's response, "You're quite the clever one."

Pawmi chewed the meat while mumbling, "Pawmi~ Pawmi~" It's not about being clever!

Andrew reminded everyone, "Just have a taste; we still need to have lunch!"

Everyone nodded, except for Pawmi, who ignored the reminder.

Following Andrew's instructions, everyone stopped eating after a small portion, and Andrew gave the remaining food to the three Avalugg.

Andrew watched as the Avalugg enjoyed their meal and asked, "Avalugg, can I touch you?"

The Avalugg looked at Andrew with puzzled expressions. What kind of interest is this? They're covered in ice—what's there to touch?

They understood enthusiasts of fur or human-shaped objects, but ice enthusiasts?

Andrew felt a bit awkward under their gaze.

"Avalugg~"

"Avalugg~"

"Avalugg~"

Seeing that Andrew had provided them with good food, the Avalugg nodded.

So, under the Avalugg's curious gazes, Andrew placed his hand on them.

He closed his eyes, stroking them and carefully sensing the Aura within the Avalugg, though it wasn't easy to feel at first.

He furrowed his brow, moving from their smooth backs to their pointed heads, then from their heads to their thick legs… As time passed, the Avalugg's looks became increasingly strange.

Is this person really a pervert?

Suddenly, Andrew seemed to sense something. Success! It was the Avalugg's Aura, which had a cold, heavy feeling, completely different from his own Aura!

Excited, Andrew opened his eyes, only to meet the Avalugg's scrutinizing gaze, as if asking: Are you a pervert?

Andrew tensed up and desperately thought: Hey, I'm really not a pervert!

"Hahaha~~ Don't get the wrong idea, I just wanted to experience your Aura," Andrew said awkwardly.

Aura? The Avalugg had no idea what that was.

With the meat finished, the Avalugg left with a sense of bewilderment.

After sending off the Avalugg, Andrew checked the time and decided it was time to start lunch preparations. He said to Arven and the others, "Let's start getting lunch ready!"

Arven nodded, and everyone got busy again.

During lunch, Andrew asked the two professors, "Professors, do you have any research on robots?"

Professor Sada asked, "Robots?"

"Yes," Andrew replied.

Professor Turo said, "We do have extensive research on artificial intelligence."

Andrew's eyes lit up. "That's exactly what I need!" He continued, "Professors, I have a robot at home. Could you help me install artificial intelligence in it?"

Robert No. 1 is efficient but a bit clumsy. If it had artificial intelligence, its performance might greatly improve. This should fit with the system's modification, right?

Raleigh, who was eating, looked up and asked, "Your Highness, are you referring to Robert No. 1?"

Andrew nodded, "Yes, that's the one!"

Professor Sada asked curiously, "Robert No. 1?"

Andrew explained with a smile, "Robert No. 1 is a robot that Raleigh made for me. It's been very helpful."

Professor Sada understood, "I see. Raleigh, you're impressive to have built a robot!"

Raleigh scratched his head shyly. "My skills aren't quite advanced yet. The robots I make can only perform basic tasks. It's the professors' artificial intelligence that is truly impressive!"

The laboratory at Research Station No. 1 had the artificial intelligence developed by the professors, which was crucial for their work. Raleigh was well aware of how advanced the professors' AI was!

Professor Turo smiled and said, "Being able to do this at your age is quite impressive!"

"Hehe~~~ Thank you, professors. I'll keep working hard!" Raleigh felt a bit proud from the professors' praise.

Professor Turo then addressed Andrew, "Developing high-quality artificial intelligence requires a lot of time and effort. Our workload is heavy at the moment, so we might not have the time…"

"Oh…" Andrew felt a bit disheartened.

It seemed this task might not be feasible.

At that moment, Professor Sada suddenly spoke up, "Actually, it's not impossible. We can take a shortcut."

"A shortcut?" Andrew asked excitedly, "What kind of shortcut?"

Professor Sada replied, "Using the power of Pokémon!"

Professor Turo seemed to recall something. "Yes, why didn't I think of that? With the help of Pokémon, we can easily complete the robot modification."

(End of Chapter)