The effects of the dish were incredibly powerful, strong enough to influence the outcome of a battle to a certain degree.
Yet when applied to little Kangaskhan, it somehow felt completely natural and unsurprising.
Silas was already eager to let the little one taste this special meal, but since the baby was still asleep, he could only wait a while longer.
Just as he stepped out of the kitchen, Minccino came running toward him, holding up his Xtransceiver watch.
From it came the familiar voice of that silly girl, Serena.
"Big brother, big brother, has baby Kangaskhan hatched yet?" Serena pressed her face close to the screen, looking as though she wished she could crawl straight out of it.
She had asked Minccino earlier, but she could not understand what it was saying.
Cradling Minccino in his arms and sitting down on the sofa, Silas gently kneaded its large fluffy ears with one hand while smiling. "It hatched just a little while ago."
"Really?" Serena's voice shot up in excitement, her whole demeanor becoming lively and energetic, almost showing signs of turning into someone as battle hungry as Korrina or Nemona. "Big brother, hurry and show me."
Silas moved the xtransceiver slightly farther away and patted his ear.
When Serena saw that he was not responding immediately, she began acting spoiled through the screen. She twisted her body back and forth, her voice turning soft and sweet.
"Big brother, I miss you so much. Mua."
Now this was his good little sister. The curve of Silas's lips lifted higher and higher.
"Missing me will not help. The baby Kangaskhan is sleeping right now. We cannot disturb it."
"Oh." Serena dragged out the sound. Then she covered the screen slightly with her hand and whispered, "Big brother, can I come to the ranch during winter break? I promise I will not cause any trouble. Minccino and the others really want to play with me too, big brother."
Lowering his gaze, Silas looked at the Minccino in his arms, which was shaking its head wildly. He reached out and rubbed its tiny belly.
After thinking seriously for a moment, he gave his answer.
"You can come during winter break. I will take you ice fishing at the frozen lake."
"Big brother, you are the best, the very very best." Having achieved her goal, Serena hurriedly handed the watch over to their mother, who was cooking nearby.
Even through the screen, Silas could feel how happy the girl was.
Winter break would not come until winter, and by then the ranch would not be planting crops. He would have plenty of free time. It would not be bad to let Serena come stay for a few days. It would liven up the ranch. Their mother would probably agree as well. Without needing to watch over her daughter at home, she could go out and have fun with her old friends.
The moment their mother took the call, her first sentence was, "Silas, have you not been eating properly?"
"Huh?"
"You look thinner. Your face is not as round as before."
Helplessly rubbing his forehead, Silas pinched Minccino's cheek as it tried to hide its laughter, quickly changing the subject.
"Is the Fletchling that Serena rescued last time still there?"
On the other side of the screen, their mother beckoned with her hand. A small bird Pokémon appeared in view.
"Fletchling wakes Serena up every morning now. It is very capable."
"Chirp chirp."
Embarrassed by the praise, the little bird flapped its wings shyly.
Silas could already picture in his mind the scene of Serena being pecked awake by Fletchling when she tried to sleep in.
After chatting about family matters for a while, Silas brought up what he had just promised Serena.
Their mother shot a sharp look at Serena, who was pretending to be obedient. "If you are busy over there, Silas, you do not need to bother with her. That naughty girl even knows how to beg you."
Serena immediately protested. "No. Big brother already agreed."
"There is not much to do at the ranch in winter. Let her come play," Silas said with a smile, smoothing things over. "You will not have to watch her, and you can go out with Aunt Sonna and the others."
"Exactly." Serena chimed in, her cheeks puffed up like a little pufferfish.
"Fine. I will let her stay with you for a few days. That way she will not argue with me at home."
"Alright, then it is settled. Serena, study hard."
"I know, big brother."
They chatted a bit longer. When their mother began talking about the neighbor's son finding a girlfriend, Silas quickly found an excuse to end the call. If the conversation continued, she would start urging him about similar matters.
Glancing at the time, Silas headed upstairs.
Sure enough, little Kangaskhan was awake. It was making a fuss about wanting to go downstairs to play, tugging at his mother and calling out loudly.
The moment it saw Silas, it rushed over and hugged his leg.
"Are you hungry? I made some food for you."
Bringing Kangaskhan and the little one downstairs, they were instantly surrounded by a crowd of Pokémon.
First, he let the baby finish its special meal. The way it gobbled the food was unbelievably adorable. Its appetite was impressive.
After filling its belly, the little one became lively again, running wildly around the house. Even a whole group of Pokémon including Minccino could not catch it. It was mischievous to the extreme.
At that moment, the front door was suddenly pushed open with a bang. Cyclizar rushed in, carrying a package and handing it to Silas.
"Cyc~" (It had just been delivered by Delibird, though it had been delayed on the way.)
"It should be the gift Steven mentioned," Silas said, letting Cyclizar set it aside. He casually placed the little Kangaskhan onto Cyclizar's back.
"Since you are here, take it around the ranch for a couple of laps. Do not let it run outside, understood?"
Cyclizar nodded seriously, indicating that it could be trusted.
The little Kangaskhan was even more impatient, urging Uncle Cyclizar to set off immediately. Having just slept and eaten, it was bursting with energy, its cheerful laughter ringing constantly in the air.
As Cyclizar dashed out the door, a large crowd of Pokémon followed behind. Kangaskhan was among them. The house instantly grew quiet.
Silas sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and then opened Steven's package.
There were only two items inside. A letter and a palm sized warm yellow scale.
There was no feedback from his system ability, so the scale was likely just an ordinary one.
Setting it aside, Silas unfolded the letter.
The contents were brief, only three or four lines, and he finished reading quickly.
The scale was a token granting access to the mysterious Dragonite Island, and it was the gift Steven had prepared.
With this scale in hand, he could enter Dragonite Island without harm and would have a chance to capture a Dragonite.
He remembered mentioning once during casual conversation that he hoped to have a Dragonite someday. He had not expected Steven to remember and go to the trouble of securing an opportunity to enter Dragonite Island for him.
Dragonite Island lay somewhere in the vast ocean, a paradise belonging to Dragonite.
Many Dragonite lived there, along with Dratini and Dragonair.
"Dragonite Island..." Silas murmured, gently rubbing the warm yellow scale between his fingers. He truly did want to capture a Dragonite.
Steven had given him the opportunity. Whether he could actually succeed would depend on his own ability and a bit of luck.
No matter what, he would remember this favor.
The chance was there. As for capturing a Dragonite, Silas was confident. If all else failed, he could always rely on his cooking as a little advantage.
In the future, when Minccino, Diancie, and the others held a concert, he would be sure to arrange a special VIP seat for their biggest sponsor, Steven.
Just as he was about to put the letter away, the watch on the tea table vibrated again. Someone was requesting a call.
Who could it be? Steven again, or someone else?
(End of Chapter)