[Dragon Scale Jelly (B): A special dish made using the scales of Dragon-type Pokémon. Springy, smooth, and refreshing in texture, it is deeply loved by Dragon-type Pokémon.
Dish Effect: Tempered Transformation (Dragon-type Pokémon only). After consumption, Dragon-type Pokémon will reach their maximum limit due to the massive Dragon-type energy, transforming into a far more powerful state.]
(TN: I'm not familiar with this but I think this is same as Tempered state of monsters in Monster Hunter.)
"Huh?"
Silas blinked in confusion, suspecting that he might have misread it.
He rubbed his eyes hard, but the text in front of him did not disappear.
Alright then—cheat powers really are amazing.
"Noi!"
The three little Noibat gathered around him, their faces filled with longing as they stared at the gelatin-like delicacy.
They stretched out their tiny claws, scratching at Silas's arm, his head, and even his back—clearly, they could no longer hold themselves back.
"Easy, easy." Smiling as he soothed them, Silas walked into the kitchen.
He cut the entire block of Dragon Scale Jelly into bite-sized pieces perfectly suited for the Noibat, added some flower nectar collected by the Flabébé, tossed it lightly for a simple cold dish, and then served it in front of them.
The Noibat no longer restrained themselves. The three little ones each took a position around the bowl and reached in with their claws.
The smooth and delicious Dragon Scale Jelly melted the moment it entered their mouths, and the Noibat let out deeply satisfied murmurs.
They could feel it—the small amount of dragon-type energy within their bodies was steadily increasing.
Under the influence of the dish's effects, subtle yet profound changes began to take place.
Their bodies grew sturdier, and a metallic sheen appeared on their surface, giving them a denser, more solid texture.
On their foreheads, a purple flame ignited, sign of entering tempered state.
Of course, to fully unleash the power of tempered state, eating alone would never be enough. Rigorous training would still be required.
Only through such harsh training could the full potential of tempered state truly be brought out.
Silas firmly believed that the Noibat, who longed for strength, would never refuse. After all, they had already been secretly training every night without needing him to urge them on.
After polishing off the entire bowl of Dragon Scale Jelly, the Noibat affectionately hugged Silas, burying their little heads into his chest.
Smiling, he rubbed their oversized ears and even curiously tapped them with his fingers, producing metallic "dong-dong" sounds.
One Noibat landed in front of him and proudly held out its tiny claws.
"Noi! Bat!"
("Silas, Silas, look! I've mastered a new move!")
Dragon Claw, a close-combat Dragon-type move.
The Noibat looked around left and right, locking onto a target.
Its claws, coated in dragon-type energy, slashed downward with force. Three sharp claw arcs tore through the air, accompanied by the crisp sound of ceramic shattering.
The large bowl shattered on the spot, splitting into pieces.
"My bowl…"
Silas stared resentfully at the little Noibat, then flicked its forehead. "You little troublemaker."
"Noi?"
The Noibat looked aggrieved—did Silas think the move wasn't impressive enough?
We still have more!
Before Silas could react, powerful dragon-type energy wrapped around the bodies of all three Noibat. They transformed into three vivid, lifelike young dragons, their auras locking firmly onto the coffee table.
"Stop! Stop right now! You're already amazing!"
Seeing this, cold sweat instantly appeared on Silas's forehead.
This was a Dragon-type move: Dragon Rush.
If the Noibat charged forward, the expensive sofa, TV, and refrigerator he had bought would all be done for.
Without hesitation, he hurriedly ushered the still-dazed Noibat out of the house and into an undeveloped area nearby.
He picked up a branch and casually drew a circle on the ground.
With a serious tone, he warned them, "From now on, if you want to test your moves, you can only do it within this circle. Got it?"
The three little Noibat replied in unison, "Noi~!"
("We know, Silas! We won't cause you trouble.")
Standing outside the circle, Silas watched for a while as the Noibat unleashed their moves to vent their excess energy, seemingly tireless.
Only after confirming that nothing else went wrong did he finally leave.
Walking past the first cultivated field, Silas rolled up his pants and stepped inside.
After the previous harvest, he had replanted coffee beans here.
Under the careful care of the Mudsdale brothers and the others, the coffee plantation had begun to take shape.
The branches were filled with green, yellow, and a few bright red fruits.
Green indicated unripe beans, yellow were half-ripe, and only the red ones were ready for harvesting.
After walking around the plantation once, Silas picked a handful of ripe coffee beans.
Selling such a small amount wouldn't be worth the trip—but he could grind them himself and brew a cup to taste.
Once the thought occurred, he acted immediately. Silas washed the beans clean and put them into the oven to roast and develop their aroma.
After taking out the roasted beans, a faint bitterness spread through the air—it smelled quite nice.
Next, he ground the roasted beans into a fine powder.
Pinching a bit between two fingers and tasting it, a mild bitterness bloomed in his mouth.
Silas chose the simplest brewing method: hand pour-over.
He placed a filter paper, lifted a kettle of hot water, and poured slowly from top to bottom.
Bubbles gurgled up, and the entire house filled with the rich fragrance of coffee.
At that moment, the door was pushed open from outside—Kangaskhan and Cyclizar had returned.
The two of them noticed Silas in the kitchen immediately. He must be making something tasty again!
They exchanged glances and ran over together.
Silas took a sip of the freshly brewed coffee, only to see Kangaskhan and Cyclizar standing at the kitchen entrance, staring curiously at the cup in his hand.
"Do you want some too?" he asked.
"Kang~"
"Cyc!"
Three minutes later, Silas brought out two cups of hand-brewed coffee and reminded them, "Careful, it's still hot."
"Kang~" Kangaskhan happily took the cup, nodded, and sipped a little.
Cyclizar stood upright, sniffed it carefully first. Finding no strange odors, it gulped it down in one go.
As for the heat?
Cyclizar didn't care at all.
But the very next moment, its face scrunched up.
It spat out all the coffee and kept pawing at its tongue.
"Cyc! Cyc!"
("So bitter! So bitter!")
"Hahaha!" Silas burst into laughter and handed over a cup of sweet water mixed with flower nectar.
"I told you, don't rush it. You're supposed to savor it slowly."
"Kang~"
Kangaskhan nodded noncommittally, put the coffee cup down, turned around, and left.
Too bitter, too bitter. Silas was experimenting with strange dishes again—better make a quick escape.
"Don't play for too long, dinner will be ready soon," Silas called after them. "When you come back, remember to call the Noibat too."
"Kang~"
Hearing Kangaskhan's response from afar, Silas looked at Cyclizar beside him and raised his cup slightly. "Want to try again?"
"Cyc…"
Cyclizar shook its head like a rattle drum, turned around, and chased after Kangaskhan.
Not paying much attention to the two who ran off, Silas finished his coffee, washed the cup, and then began preparing dinner.
When it was time to eat, Silas didn't forget to wake Serena and Minccino, making sure they ate at least a little so they wouldn't get hungry in the middle of the night.
After dinner, with Kangaskhan helping to keep watch, Silas walked around the ranch once more.
Only after confirming that all the Pokémon were obediently staying in their houses and getting ready to sleep did he yawn and head back inside, collapsing straight onto the bed.
Spending the day accompanying two little girls had really worn him out.
The moment he touched the bed, waves of drowsiness washed over him, and within just a few breaths, Silas was already making soft, steady snores.
(End of Chapter)