Kai nodded slightly and said, "Whether it's the vegetable aspic, with its rich texture and layered flavors, or the wakame bass soup, bursting with umami, there's no need to compare them as if one must be superior to the other… Or rather, their flavors complement each other in a way that's surprisingly harmonious."
"The depth of the vegetable aspic's taste enhances the already exquisite umami of the wakame bass soup, elevating the dining experience even further."
"Likewise, after savoring the complexity of the aspic, the wakame bass soup helps to cleanse the palate, balancing out the richness."
"That's why I don't think it's necessary to determine a winner. Both dishes are the culmination of your dedication and skill. Instead of forcing a competition, they belong on the same menu, complementing each other."
After delivering his conclusion, Kai turned his gaze to Kofu and Siebold, who seemed momentarily taken aback, waiting for their response.
"…You're right," Siebold was the first to speak, his expression turning contemplative, as if recalling something from the past.
To Siebold, both cuisine and Pokémon battles shared a fleeting beauty.
But before that one brilliant moment, countless hours of effort—deliberation, research, learning, and practice—were poured in. Only through this unwavering dedication could such moments of brilliance be achieved.
To take the culmination of one's efforts and pit it against another's just to decide a winner… It didn't sit right with him.
After all, Siebold had always had a single goal—to bring joy to others, whether through food or battles.
Kofu folded his arms in thought. Kai's words had struck a chord with him. There was no need to determine superiority between different kinds of cuisine. Instead, pairing them together to create the best possible combination was the ideal choice.
The two chefs exchanged glances before a relieved smile spread across their faces.
"Well, this whole thing wrapped up a bit anticlimactically, but hey, at least we got to enjoy some great food!" Afeng rubbed his stomach in satisfaction, already brimming with inspiration for new desserts. "Master, Kai, Mr. Siebold—this is where I take my leave~"
"Safe travels."
Kofu clasped his hands behind his back, watching his talented apprentice disappear into the distance before turning to Siebold. "By the way, what exactly did you use to make that sauce? I don't recall ever tasting anything quite like it."
Siebold smiled mysteriously. "Something I discovered during my travels. I caught an Octillery and, at some point, realized its ink had potential as a seasoning."
Kofu's eyes widened. "You mean…?!"
Kai, holding his Poliwag and a small wooden box, stiffened slightly. Wait… Octillery's ink is edible?!
Kofu murmured to himself, deep in thought. "Traveling really does broaden one's horizons… Maybe I should take a leave of absence and go on a journey myself."
Kai, who had heard every word, immediately pictured the potential reaction of Chairwoman Geeta from the Paldea Pokémon League—the notorious taskmaster known for overworking her subordinates.
Yeah… good luck getting that leave approved.
Checking the time on his phone, Kai saw it was already 2 PM. He figured he should head back early and prepare for his first class at Academy tomorrow.
"Well, it's getting late. I should—"
"Please wait a moment."
Siebold suddenly cut him off, his gaze sharp and serious. "Even while on my journey as a chef, I have never forgotten my duty as one of the Kalos Elite Four—to be stronger than anyone else."
"My original plan was to challenge Gym Leader Kofu to a battle between fellow Water-type specialists. But after meeting you… I've changed my mind."
Kai: "???"
Wait, hold on. Why does this sound so ominous? I'm getting nervous here.
"Kai, you carry the same presence as Kalos Champion Diantha—the presence of a true powerhouse. I formally request a battle with you."
With that, Siebold bowed slightly, as if offering an apology.
"Haha, I don't mind at all." Kofu chuckled, a hint of anticipation in his expression. "As expected of an Elite Four member—you saw right away that Kai is the strongest Trainer here."
"As a newly crowned Champion-tier Trainer, he's not yet widely recognized. Your sharp eye is impressive."
"You flatter me." Siebold smiled, then turned back to Kai. "So, what do you say?"
[Battle him! Please!]
Recalling his promise to the system, Kai let out a quiet sigh. Battling a high-level opponent was the best way to keep his Pokémon in top form.
A promise was a promise.
"As a Trainer, if you lock eyes with someone, you should accept their challenge." Kai gently set down his Poliwag and handed the small wooden box to it for safekeeping. "I accept."
Since this wasn't an ordinary match, Kofu led them to a private battle arena.
Standing on the left side, Siebold adjusted his sleeves. After a few seconds, he took out a Poké Ball. "Since I'm the one who issued the challenge, allow me to reveal my first Pokémon."
"Taste the depths of an unrelenting battle… Blastoise!"
With a graceful toss, the Poké Ball spun through the air before bursting open. A massive turtle Pokémon, its shell fortified with heavy armor, landed with a resounding thud, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The Kanto starter—Blastoise!
While the twin water cannons on its back were already striking, what drew Kai's attention even more was the glass-like stone affixed to its forehead, as if part of its armor.
"…As expected."
Kai lowered his gaze slightly. He knew exactly what that stone was.
One of the first special mechanics introduced to the Pokémon world—on par with Terastallization—one of the four great battle-enhancing phenomena. The key to Mega Evolution: the Mega Stone!
Judging by Kofu's blank expression, it was clear he had no knowledge of Mega Evolution in Kalos.
Well, considering how Terastallization in Paldea was also a rare privilege, it made sense that Mega Evolution was kept under wraps as well.
With that in mind, Kai considered his next move.
He only had two Pokémon with him—Dragonite and Ceruledge. On paper, Dragonite had the clear type advantage. However… if Siebold was using Mega Evolution, then Kai had the perfect opportunity to counter with Terastallization.
That meant this was the ideal moment for Ceruledge to take the stage. It had been a while since it had a truly exhilarating battle.
"I'll leave this to you, Ceruledge!"
The Poké Ball opened, and a cold, shadowy swordsman appeared on the battlefield. Blastoise's gaze locked onto it, and Ceruledge stared right back, unflinching.
Siebold raised an eyebrow at the sight of the Fire/Ghost Pokémon. "Pardon my curiosity, but why choose a Fire-type Pokémon after I've already revealed my Blastoise?"
Kai's lips curled into a slight smirk. "Type matchups aren't everything."
"…I see."
Siebold couldn't tell if Kai was bluffing or truly confident.
But one thing was certain—this battle was about to get serious.
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