Aspiring to become a Pokémon trainer

The kitchen knife in her hand transformed into a streak of silver light, the blade making a light and pleasant tapping sound as it touched the cutting board. The plump night mushrooms were neatly sliced ​​into almost transparent thin slices under the beautiful woman's fingers, each slice of uniform thickness, with smooth edges and not a single broken piece.

"Amazing!" Korne exclaimed sincerely. Although she was not a skilled cook, she could tell that the knife skills were superb.

Honey Leaf smiled slightly and turned her gaze to the girl: "Come on, want to give it a try?"

Nan Yin nodded slightly, her gaze focused intently on the ingredients in her hands.

Yesterday's foraging trip, following known clues, not only yielded a large number of giant mushrooms, but also revealed crops that only grow in specific environments.

It can be said that I have broadened my horizons.

This basket full of fruits and vegetables is the ingredient for making the giant soup.

The blade fell again, chopping the cilantro and garlic cloves into small pieces. The girl's movements seemed gentle and casual, but if you paid attention, you could see that her movements were relaxed and natural. As her fingertips pressed down on the spine of the blade, her wrist rose and fell steadily, dividing each strip of ingredients into even small pieces.

The texture of the Giant Mushroom is extremely unique; it is neither entirely fleshy nor purely fungal, but rather seems to contain subtle flows of energy. Ordinary knife skills would easily damage its structure, causing the precious energy essence to be lost. However, under Nan Yin's fingers, the blade seemed to possess a life of its own, each strike precisely cutting along the gaps in the energy channels, so fast that only a few silver afterimages remained.

Tap, tap, tap...

The fine, rhythmic slicing sounds blended seamlessly, as even as the measuring handle of a ruler. The neatly arranged mushroom strips were arranged on a jade-like porcelain plate, their cuts smooth and clean, the internal veins intact. Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, revealing the wood grain clearly.

Honey Leaf's hands, which were grinding spices, unconsciously stopped. She looked at the plate of mushroom strips, which could be described as a work of art, and a hint of undisguised amazement flashed in her eyes.

This knife skill, this precise grasp of the internal structure of ingredients, has already surpassed what she, as an instructor, possesses.

“Nanyin…” she couldn’t help but say, her tone filled with genuine admiration, “Your skills are truly eye-opening. I have never seen anyone handle a Gigantamax mushroom so perfectly.”

Nan Yin raised her head, her lips curving into an almost imperceptible smile, and a hint of satisfaction and a touch of pride flashed across her clear eyes.

Next comes the preparation of other ingredients: the 'Jade Mushrooms' with their fresh herbal aroma need to be diced to retain their crisp texture and natural flavor; the 'Lava Mushrooms', which are as red as flames, need to be finely chopped so that their fiery energy can be better infused into the soup; and then there are several herbs that serve as a starter, with the roots removed and the leaves picked out, and the proportions handled just right.

While explaining the characteristics and processing points of each ingredient, Miye demonstrated, and Nanyin quietly learned, imitated, and then... surpassed. Whether it was the uniform size of the jade mushroom pieces or the fineness of the lava mushroom paste, she always completed it in a more precise and efficient way.

Her movements possess an almost artistic beauty—simple, efficient, and without a single superfluous element, like a master butcher dissecting an ox, revealing only the most basic state of the ingredients themselves.

Korne was so engrossed in watching that even her bear apprentice at her feet quieted down, sniffing the increasingly rich fragrance in the air with its little nose twitching.

"With the basic processing done, the next step is the soul of the cooking process—the heat and the order of cooking."

Miye led Nanyin to the stove, where a specially made large pot was placed on the stove, filled with clear mountain spring water.

"After the water boils, add the mushroom slices first." Lirenjing watched as fine bubbles began to rise from the bottom of the pot. "At this point, the heat must be kept steady, maintaining a gentle simmer, allowing the essence to slowly seep out, and the soup will gradually change from clear to cloudy."

Nan Yin kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, intently watching the changes in the pot, observing the mushroom slices unfurling and bobbing in the boiling water, releasing their rich colors. Her mental power, like invisible threads, clearly captured every change in temperature and every fusion of energy within the pot.

When the soup reached the delicate, critical point described by the honey leaf, she spoke almost simultaneously with the beautiful woman:

"Pour in the auxiliary materials."

Honey Leaf's smile deepened: "Yes, right now. Fresh fruits and vegetables can make the soup base rich but not dull."

Large and small slices of fruit were placed in the stove, soaked in the broth, and became part of it. Under the young girl's skillful cooking, they quickly blended and brought out a richer aroma.

First, stir-fry over high heat until cooked, then simmer over low heat to infuse flavor and refine the soup. Finally, add the queen bee's beeswax to sweeten the soup and maintain a very slight ripple on the surface.

"It's done."

With a long sigh, and seeing Nan Yin's serene profile, Mi Ye couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions. She finally understood why Ma Shide had said there was nothing more he could teach this girl. Some talents cannot be easily acquired even by years and experience.

There was no jealousy in her eyes; her face only showed undisguised satisfaction and pride. "The heat, the blending, the energy activity of this soup... it's simply perfect. Nanyin, your talent in cooking, especially your grasp of heat and rhythm, is truly amazing. The completion of this soup has surpassed that of me, your 'teacher'."

"Originally, the bear apprentice didn't like the taste of Dynamax mushrooms and therefore resisted Dynamaxing. Now it seems that even the little guy is so tempted that he can't even hide it."

Just as the former joked, the gray bear was tugging at Korni's trouser leg with its little paws, staring longingly at the big pot.

"This was originally made for you, so don't be shy."

Considering her Snorlax's appetite, Nanyin had prepared several extra portions of ingredients during the gathering process, enough to cook another meal and satisfy each child.

Unlike the small animals who stared intently, Maya observed the entire cooking process from the sidelines, preserving the girl's meticulous care in her memory.

Although it joined the team late, it acted as the sensible eldest sister among the Pokémon, voluntarily taking on responsibilities and helping out when the trainers were busy, thus maintaining the warmth of their lives.

Yes, the process of simmering this soup is just like the way trainers and Pokémon get along—understanding, harmonizing, and controlling, ultimately achieving a lasting state of harmonious resonance.

Chapter 256 Neither Too Close Nor Too Distant

The rising steam, carrying an intoxicatingly rich aroma, permeated the martial arts school's kitchen. The fragrance seemed alive, its delicate strands penetrating the nose, carrying the scent of damp moss from deep in the forest and the freshness of earth after rain, brimming with vitality.

"Dinner's ready!" Mi Ye's eyes crinkled into a smile, her voice filled with a satisfied laugh, like a mother calling back a playful child. She picked up a stack of porcelain bowls of varying sizes and simple designs.

The little ones, who couldn't contain themselves any longer, immediately gathered around, craning their necks and staring intently at the pot of soup that was radiating an enticing glow.

"Don't rush, everyone gets a share." Nan Yin's face held a hint of gentleness as she took the long-handled wooden spoon from the beautiful woman, her movements steady and fluid.

The amber-colored broth was scooped up and poured into a bowl. The rising steam blurred her cool and aloof features, but it made her focused expression all the more captivating.

So lovely.

This was an involuntary sigh from Korni.

It flutters its wings and breaks away from the flock, approaching the bowl and bending down to taste it, like a butterfly sipping nectar, light and eager.

Not to be outdone, the little devil puffed out its cheeks, blew on the wine a few times, and then drank it all without any pretense. The rich and delicious taste filled its stomach, causing it to involuntarily squint its eyes, its whole little face relaxing. The phantom images of masks symbolizing different emotions flashed across its head, finally settling on a satisfied look.

Diancie held the bottom of the bowl, taking small sips, her delicate eyes filled with surprise, her princess-like reserve crumbling slightly in the face of the delicious food. "Such warm energy...it feels like sunshine melting into my body."

Eevee, on the other hand, seemed much more lively. It pawed at the rim of the bowl, its pink nose sniffing the hot soup repeatedly, its fluffy ribbons swaying happily. It tentatively licked the soup, instantly captivated by its senses, burying its entire body in the bowl, leaving only its furry little bottom and its wagging tail visible.

Everyone was delighted. The bear apprentice stared at the dark soup in the bowl that it both loved and feared, and then looked at the satisfied looks on the faces of its companions. Finally, it mustered up its courage and, like the little ones, took a small sip.

The expected unpleasant bitterness did not appear; instead, a rich, sweet flavor emerged, its energy flowing gently like a stream, soothingly nourishing its entire being.

It froze for a moment, then let out a small, delighted "Bah!" and buried its head in its mouth to drink. Its grayish-white down quickly settled on the rim of the bowl.

"Looks like it was a great success." Seeing the little bear's reaction, Honey smiled gently and proudly. "Even the pickiest little guy likes it so much."

At the dining table, only the sounds of sips and the soft clinking of bowls and spoons filled the air, along with the warm aroma of food and a sense of tranquil coziness. Even the sea breeze outside the window seemed to have slowed its pace.

However, all the sounds stopped abruptly at a certain moment. A huge, furry shadow loomed over the doorway.

Snorlax woke up.

It wasn't awakened by noise, but by the intensely rich, soul-stirring aroma. Its sleepy eyes weren't fully open yet, but its twitching nose had already propelled it forward, trembling as it followed the scent, leaving the courtyard and approaching the inner room.

Its mountain-like body caused the floor to groan slightly with each step. With a clear goal, it went straight to the soup pot, its massive form almost blocking out all the light coming in from the window. It lowered its head, its round eyes fixed intently on the delicious contents inside, saying nothing.

Seeing its appearance, Nan Yin's smile deepened. She used her telekinesis to pick up the entire large pot and pushed it in front of Snorlax.

Here, yours.

The pale blue beast let out a short, cheerful nasal sound, its fur fluffing up with happiness. It didn't even have the patience to wait for the soup to cool down; it used its two large, thick paws to lift the edge of the pot and buried its head in it.

"Kirby~"

The sound was no longer just about drinking soup; it was more like a storm brewing in one's eyes. The drinker was focused and absorbed, as if the entire world consisted only of the miraculously radiant liquid before them.

With each bite, its enormous body trembles slightly, and the fat beneath its fur seems to be infused with new vitality, gleaming with a softer luster.

Visible to the naked eye, a vibrant aura slowly spread from its body, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, rippling outwards and gently yet undeniably covering its entire abdomen.

Its movements gradually slowed down, not because it was full—the soup bowl was already empty—but because a sense of satisfaction from within enveloped it.

It was a deep nourishment that transcended mere satiety; a comfort and relaxation originating from the very source of life. Holding the empty pot and pan, Snorlax finally let out a satisfied burp.

"Hoo, snoring..." A muffled murmur escaped its throat. Its massive body swayed, like a fluffy hill about to topple in a warm breeze. Almost the instant its bottom touched the ground, a thunderous snore began, heavy and drawn out, so loud that the windowpanes rattled slightly.

Nan Yin and Korni exchanged a smile and neither disturbed it. The elves also softened their movements, with Magiana gently tidying up the bowls and spoons with delicate and gentle motions.

I don't know how much time passed; perhaps the moon was high in the sky, or perhaps dawn was approaching.

As Snorlax slept soundly against the wall, the giant seed inside its body finally absorbed enough nutrients and suddenly sprouted in the silence.

Om-!

With a deep hum, Snorlax's body shape changed, its originally round, furry belly being kneaded and shaped as if by an invisible hand.

Beneath its pale white coat, strong muscles and bones are growing at a visible rate, spreading out a lush green lawn, with a tender green shoot stubbornly peeking out from within.

Then came the second point, the third point... Countless tiny buds, as if propelled by time accelerated a thousand times, broke through their shells at an astonishing speed.

They sprouted branches and unfurled leaves at breakneck speed, their tender green quickly transforming into deep emerald! Thick vines wound their way up the bulging trunks, their verdant branches and leaves unfolding layer upon layer, interspersed with scattered, plump and tempting fruits—pink peaches, orange mangoes, indigo tangerines… The branches were bent low with the weight of the abundant fruit.

In just a few breaths, Snorlax's flat belly transformed into a vibrant, fruit-laden ecosystem.

Gigantamax Regenerate is a unique Gigantamax move that allows the user to regenerate berries eaten in battle and reuse them, perfectly illustrating the cycle of life.

"Kirby?"

Snorlax seemed to be awakened by its own changes. It casually picked a berry from the tree, chewed it, and turned its head to look at Nan Yin with its still round, honest, and slightly bewildered eyes, filled with familiar trust and a hint of inquiry.

Without hesitation, the girl who had been waiting for so long stepped forward, ignoring the oppressive aura emanating from the enormous size of the man, and smiled warmly and proudly.

"That's amazing, Snorlax."

She reached out, her palm gently touching the fur on her belly, and softly brushed against the nearest vine leaf hanging from the edge of the forest, glistening with night dew, collecting the lingering morning dew.

Feeling the warmth and unconditional acceptance from the trainer's fingertips, the bewilderment in the enormous beast's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by immense peace of mind and pure joy.

It even carefully, with its round face, gently rubbed against Nan Yin's head, the movement carrying an awkwardness and tenderness that was disproportionate to its size.

The long, drawn-out wheezing sound emanating from his throat was like the gentle breeze rising in the morning deep in the forest, neither too close nor too far.

Chapter 257 The Dark Night Is Coming (4k)

As dawn broke, the sea breeze, carrying a salty and damp scent, brushed against the eaves of the martial arts school.

Inside the courtyard, the small ecosystem that Snorlax had created last night had quietly disappeared, leaving only the satisfied snores of the blue-white behemoth and the lingering fragrance of grass and trees in the air.

A few wisps of crisp sea breeze drifted through the open paper door, ruffling the girl's flowing silver hair. She stood quietly under the eaves, her gaze sweeping over the familiar figures in the courtyard—Saiboli, lost in thought; Clara, adjusting her butterfly hair clip and peeking over; and Hyde, fiddling with his ears slightly red, testing his new invention in the corner.

"Are you leaving?" Miye's gentle voice sounded from behind her. She was carrying two small food boxes, inside which were neatly arranged rice balls that were still warm and several kinds of fresh vegetables that looked excellent.

"Ah."

It was a soft promise.

Having achieved their goal, they had no reason to linger any longer.

"Then take it with you on the way. The weather on Armor Island can change in an instant."

"Thank you, Sister Honey Leaf."

Nan Yin took the food box, a heavy warmth spreading from her palms. Korni also came out of the room, followed by a spirited Lucario and a small gray-white bear with exceptionally bright eyes and a puffed-out chest.

"Yes!" The bear apprentice nodded vigorously at Honey Leaf, then turned to Nan Yin, its stubbornness now transformed into a more resolute determination. It was no longer the child who had run away in frustration.

Mastedt strolled over, his wooden clogs making a soft clatter on the veranda. He looked at the young women, all dressed and ready to go, his smile beneath his white beard carrying a worldly wisdom and expectation.

"Is everything packed? Skill disk, experience charm, and... this little guy's ambition."

His gaze swept over Xiong's apprentice, who immediately tensed up, like a soldier being inspected.

Upon seeing this, the old man suddenly smiled, unable to suppress his laughter.

"Haha, now that you've made your choice, I won't impose any further restrictions."

“Girl,” Masted’s voice was lower, “I don’t have any grand principles to preach to you, but remember the waters of Armor Isle, remember that battle. Flowing water doesn’t compete for the first place, but for its endless flow. Whether the road ahead is smooth or stormy, never lose this spirit of ‘endless flow’.”

He paused, then looked out over the vast sea: "Go. This land is ultimately your stage, young people."

"Thank you and Master Honey Leaf for your care and guidance these past few days." Nan Yin bowed slightly, her tone sincere. "The method for making the Giant Soup, the essence of the martial arts moves, and..."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the land that bore witness to several days of sweat, "Nanyin will always remember the warmth of this 'home'."

Farewell words were unnecessary. Clara awkwardly handed over a small bottle of carefully blended perfume: "It's a local specialty of the island, it repels insects and refreshes you." Saiboli scratched his head, his smile hearty: "Next time I come, I'll definitely be stronger! We'll spar again then!" Hyde simply pushed up his headphones, muttered "The amulet... don't break it," and then retreated back into his own world.

Finally, everyone's gaze fell on the gray and white teddy bear beside Korne.

The bear apprentice—no, it should now be called Korrina's companion—has decided to leave the Isle of Armor with the girl to begin its own training. Even so, the little fellow still slowly stepped forward and solemnly performed the martial arts school's fist salute towards Mash and the bamboo forest.

"Well then," without trying to stop him, Ma Shide stroked his beard and said in a loud voice, "May we meet again someday!"

Goodbye, everyone.

As the dojo members watched them off with blessings, the two girls turned and stepped onto the path leading to the Isle of Armor station. The sea breeze carried the faint sounds of farewell behind them, along with the eternal roar of the waterfall, as if playing a farewell symphony for their departure.

The train departed, traveling smoothly across the bridge connecting the Isle of Armor to the Galar mainland. The isolated island gradually shrank behind it, eventually becoming a verdant dot on the horizon.

Korrina sat quietly by the window, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the shape of a boxing stance. Little Bear and Lucario were silently practicing their offense and defense in the open space between the carriages, each move bearing the weight of the Isle of Armor. Eevee was curled up on Nan's lap, dozing, while Diancie quietly watched the rapidly receding clouds and seagulls outside the window.

Nan Yin then took out the disk containing the martial arts school's unique techniques, her fingertips brushing across its cool surface. The mental resonance of wide-area combat power, the energy transmission path of the earth's fluctuations... countless intricate diagrams flowed, deconstructed, and reassembled in her mind.

The experience amulet emanated a barely perceptible warmth from her waist, as if recording every detail of this journey.