Pokemon Paldea [164-166] (Patreon)

Chapter 164: Visiting Patisserie Soapberry

Even though the craving in its stomach was urging Meowstic to taste the dessert before it, it hadn’t forgotten its duties as a waiter.

Meowstic quickly located the cabinet where Lucas had just taken out the tableware. Its eyes glowed with a faint azure light—a sign it was carefully controlling its psychic power.

The cabinet opened automatically, a teacup floated out steadily, and the cutlery on the table began to move on their own, slicing the cake into bite-sized pieces and pouring Lucas a glass of honey lemon water.

Without Lucas needing to lift a finger, Meowstic handled everything neatly.

Lucas glanced at it in surprise, impressed by Meowstic’s professionalism—and a bit envious of how easily it commanded its powers.

Lucas didn’t know if he had the talent to awaken psychic abilities, but psychic power was truly convenient. In this real world, it could accomplish so many seemingly impossible things, such as Mewtwo’s ability to teleport vast distances—just like a miracle.

If he passed the review, Pokémon with psychic powers would definitely rise in his personal ranking when he went to Pokémon Butler Academy. This ability was just too useful.

Watching Meowstic calmly cut the cake and feed itself telekinetically, Lucas couldn’t help but fantasize about a life of luxury—where everything was done for him.

After the delicious dessert, Lucas looked at Meowstic as it wiped its mouth and asked curiously, “From the perspective of a waiter, could you comment on the dessert’s flavor?”

“Meowstic~.”

Meowstic paused, made a brief sound, and fell into thought.

Lucas looked at it expectantly. He wanted feedback on his cooking from both people and Pokémon, fully aware he was nowhere near the level of specialized pastry chefs.

Whether the feedback was good or bad, Lucas would take it all in and learn, just as he did as a trainer.

After pondering, Meowstic’s psychic power wrote words in the air:

[Excellent ingredients, but too much craftsmanship, lacking a bit of inspiration.]

Lucas wasn’t surprised. He knew his own limits: he couldn’t compare to people truly devoted to pastry making. The overly crafted comment was spot-on—he always stuck to precise ratios, never improvising. The taste was stable, but lacked innovation.

Meowstic’s verdict was similar to Kofu’s: Lucas’s ingredients were top-notch.

How could he not know? He and his Pokémon worked hard to grow them. These crops, nourished daily on Grassy Terrain, probably absorbed more nutrients than Lucas himself. Humans couldn’t compare to plants, after all.

Well-fed, Meowstic didn’t let Lucas’s hospitality sway its judgment. It wrote its conclusion on the evaluation paper:

[This home environment is comfortable, relaxed, and features a spacious farm. Together with a variety of Pokémon, it forms a warm and close-knit family. The farm owner, Lucas, treats his Pokémon like family and can provide graduates with the best possible workplace environment. Overall rating: Excellent.]

With that, Meowstic breathed a sigh of relief. This unusual farm had shown it many new things, and it believed its successors would be happy working here.

Meowstic didn’t announce the results on the spot, and Lucas didn’t ask.

After seeing off Meowstic—whose face now wore a smile—Lucas was washing dishes when something soft suddenly landed on his shoulder.

It was Milcery.

Seeing Milcery urging him along, Lucas smiled gently and said, “Don’t worry. Once I finish cleaning up, we’ll go to Cortondo.”

Seeing Milcery get excited, Lucas shook his head helplessly. This child had been looking forward to this day for so long. He wondered which form Milcery would evolve into in the end.

After tidying up, Lucas took Milcery to Thunder Lake, where Dragonite and the Dragonair were busy acting with the Dragonite leader.

They were sitting on the lake’s shore, cooperating with the leader’s imaginary trainer in an invisible roleplay—quite the test of acting skills.

Mewtwo had mentioned that only the Dragonite leader could see the phantom of the trainer it longed for. It wasn't a physical or energetic presence, but rather Mewtwo altering Dragonite’s mind to let it see the person it missed most.

Only this person could pull the Dragonite leader out of its despair. This was now common knowledge among Lucas and his Pokémon. Until a solution was found, they could only keep the leader company.

Lucas briefly called Dragonite away from the group for a quick trip to Cortondo—Dragonite’s mobility was essential.

He also asked Luxray to guard the farm while he was out. Glancing at the other side, he saw Moltres, Politoed, and Swampert still sparring energetically, so he boarded Dragonite and soared skyward.

Cortondo.

…

Entering the town, Lucas felt the leisurely, peaceful atmosphere familiar to every Paldea trainer. It washed away the tension of their hometowns—he felt himself relax.

“Milcery~!”

Milcery curiously observed the surroundings and the people passing by. Everything in Cortondo was new to it.

Walking on the stone-paved roads, Lucas looked at the buildings. They were just as he remembered—almost all made of stone, giving the town a unique charm.

He recalled that just outside Cortondo was the Olive Orchard, famous for the local olive harvest festival. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right season, or he would have brought Smoliv to experience it.

Lucas’s destination was the renowned pastry shop “Patisserie Soapberry,” run by Gym Leader Katy, a well-known spot in town with a constant stream of customers.

“Just follow the crowds and you’ll find Patisserie Soapberry.”

That was local consensus.

On the way, Lucas introduced the shops and environment to Milcery.

Suddenly, as they passed a building Lucas found familiar, he was surprised to see someone squatting by the door, lost in thought.

Chapter 165: Arven, You Should Leave the Group

There, slumped like a stray dog with his brown hair drooping and a gloomy aura, was none other than Arven.

It was spring break. Lucas remembered that Arven, spurred on by Nemona, had set out to challenge gyms.

The spot he was squatting at was the Paldea League’s office in Cortondo, where challengers had to register—looking very much like the building in the game.

Judging by Arven’s dejected posture, had he failed?

Lucas frowned. That shouldn’t have happened.

Katy’s Cortondo Gym was always the first stop for rookie trainers and Naranja Academy students. Katy had been specifically instructed to keep battles fair—challenging, but not discouraging.

Lucas felt Katy and Brassius had the hardest jobs among the Gym Leaders: facing hordes of rookie trainers, choosing the right Pokémon, and giving feedback.

Lucas himself would’ve fled after a day.

After all, the League worked adult staff to the bone to give the younger generation a comfortable environment.

Lucas recalled when he had swept through Katy’s baby Pokémon with Luxio. Katy’s shocked face was still clear in his memory.

He hadn’t expected Arven to fail—even with Katy going easy.

Lucas looked at Arven with disappointment, but didn’t approach. Instead, he tried to slip away quietly.

After all, it was vacation—he didn’t want to play babysitter for this awkward kid!

However, Lucas forgot about Milcery on his shoulder, radiating a sweet scent that drew a lot of attention.

Dejected, Arven’s nose twitched. He smelled something familiar—like fresh cream?

Arven’s stomach instincts were sharper than Lucas’s. In seconds, he identified the scent as coming from a familiar Pokémon.

He looked up and spotted Lucas trying to escape, with Milcery looking puzzled as to why Lucas wasn’t greeting Arven.

Seeing Lucas, Arven’s mood brightened instantly. He waved and called, “Brother Lucas!”

With no escape, Lucas let Arven catch up and asked about the other students.

“So, Nemona and Eri already got their first badge and moved on, while the others are training outside town, aiming to beat Katy?”

Lucas stroked his chin, listening as Arven explained Nemona cleared the gym with just two Pokémon, and Eri won with impressive wrestling skills.

He wasn’t surprised they passed so quickly. With Nemona’s current strength, she might soon face Iono. Eri, being an upperclassman, had likely been training her Pokémon longer.

But Arven losing? That didn’t make sense.

Lucas asked, “Tell me exactly how you lost.”

Arven nodded, explaining that because of Mabosstiff, Katy had treated him as a badge-holder. After Mabosstiff and Katy’s Pokémon knocked each other out, Skwovet, being under-leveled, got steamrolled.

Recalling the details, Arven grew gloomy. “Katy said the power gap between my Pokémon was too big—that I was unqualified as a trainer… But what could I do? Mabosstiff’s been with me since I was little!”

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

Lucas’s expression grew serious, startling even Milcery.

He set his hands on Arven’s shoulders and, using his adult strength, made him sit. Then, sitting beside him, Lucas asked calmly, “You barely train Skwovet, do you?”

Arven flinched—he hadn’t expected Lucas to see through him.

Lucas continued, “Of course I noticed. Skwovet’s always lounging around, just wanting to eat and sleep. It listens to you, but isn’t keen on training, right?”

Arven felt Lucas could read minds and poured out his woes: “Mabosstiff always finishes its training, but Skwovet runs a few steps then acts like I’m starving it—even though it eats more than both of us combined!”

Lucas’s tone remained calm. “Do you regret catching Skwovet?”

Arven hesitated. “I…”

Lucas pressed, “Be honest.”

Arven mumbled, “A little… It’s obedient, just lazy about training. But I don’t plan to release it!”

He emphasized he was only a bit dissatisfied.

“I get it, but this shows you haven’t fulfilled your duty as a trainer to teach according to each Pokémon’s nature.” Lucas shook his head, then patted Arven’s back. “This lesson was meant for next semester, but since you’re facing this now, I’ll give you some special instruction.”

Arven brightened, but before he could cheer, Lucas added, “Not now, though. I have business at Patisserie Soapberry to see Katy. Wait here.”

Arven froze, glanced at Milcery on Lucas’s shoulder, and suddenly realized, “You’re here to get the evolution accessory for Milcery, aren’t you?!”

“Oh?”

Lucas’s eyes glinted with interest—Arven seemed to know something.

Arven nodded. “The Paldea Dessert Association is hosting a dessert contest with Katy’s Patisserie Soapberry. The prizes include the accessory Milcery needs to evolve!”

Chapter 166: Sugar Maple and Maple Syrup

Lucas: “Huh?”

Does the Pokémon world really hold such contests?

Then again, this world has all kinds of competitions: Pokémon battles, fishing, cooking, farming…

A dessert contest meant he’d have to compete with pastry chefs. Sighing inwardly, Lucas asked, “Which prize tier has the accessory?”

Arven thought for a moment. “I think it’s for the top three… Not sure about the details.”

Lucas nodded. Either way, he could check at the store. “I’ll go now. Wait here and I’ll teach you after I’m done.”

Arven nodded obediently and squatted back on the steps, feeling much better.

Walking down the stone-paved road, Lucas soon spotted the busy “Patisserie Soapberry.”

Next to the store stood a towering sugar maple, over twenty meters tall—majestic and elegant.

The sugar maple was the shop’s signature plant, drawing many tourists.

Lucas scrolled his phone, finding many photos of people buying desserts and taking pictures under the maple, especially in autumn.

In autumn, the maple’s leaves turned orange, gold, and red, creating a stunning display—posing with desserts under the tree was a local tradition.

Seeing the photos, Lucas was tempted to plant some sugar maples on his own farm.

A grove of maples in autumn would be a spectacular sight. Plus, the tree’s sap could be made into maple syrup, only slightly less sweet than honey.

Lucas’s eyes fell on a prominent sign beneath the maple, announcing the Paldea Dessert Association’s contest, co-hosted by Patisserie Soapberry.

He saw that the evolution accessory for Milcery was the first prize.

Registration closed at 5pm that afternoon—less than three hours away!

Relieved he’d come today, Lucas avoided the crowd taking photos and headed into the shop.

Inside was a different world: cute decorations, spotless glass display cases filled with exquisite desserts—perfect for afternoon tea.

Most customers were girls with a passion for sweets. Lucas, as a guy, drew some attention, but he didn’t mind.

Glancing around, Lucas spotted Katy introducing products to guests.

She wore her game-accurate pastry chef outfit, her gentle voice soothing customers. Even without baking, she seemed to glow.

As a Gym Leader, Katy used the same gentle tone to guide rookie trainers—perhaps that’s why Geeta chose her as the first official Gym Leader.

Sensing Lucas’s gaze, Katy looked over, and upon recognizing him, smiled in surprise. She called an apprentice to cover for her and hurried over.

“Miss Katy.”

Lucas smiled and waved.

Katy’s elegant features were still tinged with surprise, but she welcomed him warmly: “Welcome to Patisserie Soapberry, Lucas! It’s been nearly a year since your last visit, hasn’t it?”

Lucas nodded. His first journey had started in Cortondo, with only Luxio as a companion. His memories of the town were bittersweet.

“Milcery~~~”

Milcery on his shoulder yawned cutely, as if just waking up. Katy’s gaze immediately shifted to it.

“Milcery!” Katy clasped her hands, delighted. “Is this your new partner?”

“Milcery~?”

Milcery, noticing the attention, showed its sociable side—floating over to nuzzle Katy’s cheek.

Lucas watched their interaction. He could tell Katy liked Milcery, though as a bug-type specialist, she didn’t raise Milcery or Alcremie.

After some affectionate bonding, Lucas introduced Milcery: “I bought it from Ellie Ranch in Mesagoza, planning to train it as a dessert-making assistant on the farm.”

Katy was sharp—she quickly guessed his purpose.

“You’re here for the first-prize accessory in the dessert contest, aren’t you?”

Lucas nodded.

“Then let’s get you signed up quickly! I’ll register you now.”

With Katy’s help, Lucas registered for the contest, three days later. In the back, Katy asked, “The contest theme is Poffins, a dessert from Sinnoh. Do you know how to make them?”

Lucas was surprised—it wasn’t a random draw or freestyle?

He shook his head. “I only know how to make standard desserts, not Poffins.”

Katy frowned thoughtfully, then made up her mind: “If you don’t know how to make Poffins, would you like me to teach you?”

“The Paldea Dessert Association is working with Sinnoh’s association, and a mystery Sinnoh guest will judge the contest. The theme is strictly ‘Poffins.’ If you don’t know how to make them, you’ll be at a disadvantage.”

Lucas hadn’t met Katy many times, so he wasn't sure why she’d offer to teach him personally. But it was a great opportunity—he’d never make a qualifying Poffin in three days on his own.

Without hesitation, Lucas bowed with Milcery. “Thank you very much, Miss Katy!”