Angie Gets Drunk

By noon, Angie and his group finally made it home and each of them letting out a sigh of relief.

No one could have imagined that a simple outing to enjoy the spring greenery would turn into such a perilous adventure.

But there was good news awaiting them—shortly after arriving home, Angie received a call from Bruno.

Over the phone, Bruno formally expressed his desire to visit Angie, and Angie was delighted when he heard the news. He immediately began preparing for Bruno's arrival.

The next day, Bruno arrived at the Nebel Plateau aboard Jeremy's aircraft.

From the aircraft, Bruno observed Altaria, Talonflame, and Staraptor flying alongside them. Below, on the verdant grasslands, he noticed Gogoat and Skiddo leisurely grazing. He couldn't help but exclaim,

"What a beautiful place."

Having lived in the fast-paced environment of the city for so long, Bruno found himself unexpectedly soothed by the serenity and harmony of the Pokémon in the plateau.

Jeremy smiled and said, "The Nebel Plateau was once a barren and desolate place. It was only after His Highness came here that it gradually became so abundant and lively."

"So that's how it is," Bruno replied.

Jeremy added, "I'm sure you will find this visit worthwhile. His Highness's cooking is absolutely top-notch!"

Bruno nodded. "Indeed." He still remembered the breakfast he'd had at the Munchlax House, which had left a deep impression on him.

The aircraft soon landed on the grasslands, where Angie was already waiting outside the estate walls with Diancie and Magearna.

Seeing Jeremy and Bruno disembark, Angie smiled and said, "Finally, you're here! I was starting to think something had delayed you."

Jeremy waved it off and said, "Everything went smoothly. It seems like His Highness has been eagerly awaiting for Mr. Bruno's arrival."

"Of course!" Angie replied. "Mr. Bruno is my honored guest."

Bruno said humbly, "You're too kind, Your Highness."

"Come this way!" Angie said, motioning for them to follow him toward the house.

As they walked, Angie noticed Bruno staring intently at Diancie and Magearna. Curious, he asked, "Mr. Bruno, is something wrong?"

Bruno replied, "Two Pokémon I've never seen before."

Unlike someone like Professor Friede, who specializes in researching Pokémon, Bruno wasn't someone who regularly encountered rare or unique Pokémon. However, he had an excellent memory for any Pokémon he had come across in historical records or sparse accounts.

While Bruno's primary interest lay in battling and growing stronger, the sight of Diancie and Magearna—two Pokémon that far exceeded the understanding of the average person—left him momentarily at a loss.

Angie smiled and said to Bruno, "I almost forgot to introduce them. This is Diancie and Magearna—they're both my companion and part of our family."

"Hello, Mr. Bruno," Diancie greeted him politely in a very ladylike manner.

"Magearna~"

Greetings, Your Excellency.

Magearna followed suit with an equally refined salutation.

"Hello," Bruno replied while nodding to both of them.

Jeremy then began chattering away, explaining the origins of Diancie and Magearna to Bruno.

When Bruno learned that both Diancie and Magearna were Mythical Pokémon, he was visibly surprised.

By the time the three of them reached the door, a rich aroma wafted out from inside the house.

Bruno took a deep breath and said, "It smells amazing!"

Angie replied with a smile, "The lunch has been ready for a while. We've been waiting for you to arrive!"

"Your Highness, you're being far too kind," Bruno said.

Angie waved dismissively and said, "Not at all. Also, Mr. Bruno, stop calling me 'Your Highness.' Just call me Angie!"

Bruno nodded and said, "Alright then… Your Highness… no, Angie. You can just call me Bruno too."

"Deal!" Angie agreed cheerfully. "Then I won't stand on ceremony, Bruno."

Although there was a notable age difference between them, friendship didn't require such formalities.

Then Angie turned to Jeremy and said, "Jeremy, stay for lunch too. We've already made a portion for you."

"Yay!" Jeremy cheered excitedly. "I was just wracking my brain, trying to think of an excuse to stay!"

Angie shook his head with a resigned smile. "You're unbelievable..."

When Bruno and Jeremy stepped into the house, they were greeted by a table laden with dishes. Munchlax and Inteleon were busy setting out bowls and chopsticks.

"Munchlax~"

Seeing his mentor bringing guests, Munchlax immediately waved its hand excitedly.

After introducing Bruno to his family members, Angie had Inteleon lead the guests to wash their hands.

By the time they returned, Volcanion and Xerneas had also returned home.

Bruno froze for a moment. "More Pokémon I've never seen before."

Jeremy, however, widened his eyes in disbelief. He pointing at Xerneas as he stammered, "T-this… this is Xerneas?"

Xerneas was far more renowned than Diancie and Magearna. Both Xerneas and Yveltal were featured in various legends and storybooks passed down in the Kalos region.

Many children grew up listening to tales of Xerneas and Yveltal.

In all those stories, Yveltal was invariably portrayed as the villain, while Xerneas was always the heroic savior who defeated the dark overlord.

Who would have thought that in reality, the two of them actually got along quite well?

Under Jeremy's stunned gaze, Xerneas calmly walked to its designated spot, lay down, and waited quietly for the meal to start.

Volcanion, Xerneas, and Metagross—Pokémon that weren't suited to sitting at the dining table—each had custom furniture designed by Robert No. 2.

For example, Xerneas had a special long bench that allowed it to lie down comfortably, paired with a low table positioned at the perfect height for eating.

Angie nodded to confirm Jeremy's question. "Yes, that's Xerneas."

It had been a while since Jeremy last visited the Nebel Plateau, so he wasn't aware that both Xerneas and Yveltal had settled here.

"Why is Xerneas here, Your Highness?" Jeremy asked, unable to believe he was seeing a Pokémon he had only read about in picture books and heard of in legends.

"For some special reasons," Angie replied with a mysterious air.

Seeing Angie avoid giving a direct answer, Jeremy tactfully refrained from asking further.

Angie winked at him and said, "Keep Xerneas's presence a secret, okay?"

"Yes, Your Highness! I promise not to reveal a word!" Jeremy replied, his expression turning serious as he made the promise.

Angie patted Jeremy's shoulder. "I knew I could count on you."

"Hehe…" Jeremy scratched his head bashfully.

Meanwhile, Bruno asked curiously, "Who is Xerneas?"

Jeremy eagerly took the opportunity to explain to Bruno the stories and legends about Xerneas and Yveltal.

After listening, Bruno turned to Angie in astonishment. "I never expected you to be a Legendary Trainer, Angie!"

In the Pokémon world, "Legendary Trainers" are a unique group. They were trainers that was capable of commanding Legendary Pokémon.

Angie chuckled and shook his head. "I'm not really a Trainer. Everyone here just shares a life together."

He then ushered everyone toward the table. "Let's sit down and eat before the food gets cold."

Under Angie's guidance, Bruno and Jeremy took their seats, and the Pokémon followed suit.

With a sweeping gesture, Angie declared, "Let's dig in!"

Since they had guests today, the Pokémon ate in a refined and polite manner, far from their usual ravenous habits.

Angie quietly gave everyone a wink and a thumbs-up.

Munchlax grinned widely at Angie.

Inteleon made an OK sign with its hand and winked back.

Gengar, on the other hand, looked shy and quietly lowered its head.

Seeing Bruno already immersed in the delicious food, Angie allowed a proud smile to creep across his face.

He had put in extra effort today.

Angie had asked Poliwrath to fetch the largest prawn it could find from the lake and used it to make braised prawns.

He had also caught a large cod for red-braised fish and made fish balls using the delicate meat of the Veluza.

With Buneary's help, Angie had grabbed a young spring chicken from the coop, using it to prepare dishes like Kung Pao Chicken and Spicy Chicken. The meat of spring chickens was at its most tender this time of year.

Infernape had assisted in grinding fresh tofu from Plump Beans, which Angie used to make two dishes: Deluxe Tofu and Eight-Treasure Tofu.

Even the tender bamboo shoots Angie dug up from Pangoro's garden the day before came in handy, used in dishes like Bamboo Shoot Soup with Salted Pork and Shredded Chicken with Spring Bamboo Shoots.

The feast also included Steamed Beef with Rice Flour, Husband and Wife Lung Slices, Drunken Pork Ribs, Lion's Head Meatballs, Stuffed Bitter Gourd, Radish Fritters, Stir-fried Bell Peppers with Chansey Eggs, Cumin Potato Slices, and Sweet-and-Sour Cabbage.

In his previous life, Angie's cooking skills weren't as refined as they are now; otherwise, his restaurant might not have gone out of business.

He had studied his grandfather's recipes extensively, but he had knowledge without execution.

Still, Angie's lack of skill wasn't due to a lack of talent. His culinary potential wasn't top-tier, but it was certainly above average.

The reason his family restaurant went out of business was primarily due to the sudden passing of his grandfather, leaving him no time to truly refine his culinary skills.

After arriving in the Pokémon world, Angie had access to top-quality ingredients that he could grow or raise himself, as well as the ability to enhance ingredients using his Aura.

With daily practice of recipes provided by his system, he gradually grasped the essence of cooking. Once he mastered one aspect, it became easier to master others.

This initial breakthrough often proves to be a major obstacle for many aspiring chefs.

Angie also never slacked off in his daily practice in the culinary training room.

With all these factors combined, the cooking skills that had been a mere 7 out of 10 before now reached a solid 9 out of 10 in execution.

Most of Angie's dishes included a special bean paste with unique effects, which Bruno noticed the moment he tasted the food.

As expected, Angie's dishes significantly enhanced his strength!

Coming to the Nebel Plateau had been the right choice!

Angie asked Bruno, "Bruno, how about some wine?"

Bruno hesitated. He wasn't particularly interested in alcohol, but since Angie brought it up, he didn't want to seem rude, so he nodded.

Seeing this, Angie smiled and turned to Passimian. "Passimian, bring out your finest wine."

"Passimian~"

Passimian excitedly jumped off its chair and dashed out the door.

It not only loved brewing wine but also enjoyed seeing humans and Pokémon drink it, as it felt like a recognition and respect for its hard work!

Before long, Passimian returned from its secret stash, carrying a large box.

It carefully unpacked the contents, revealing several bottles of fruit juice and one bottle of clear, colorless liquor.

Angie patted Passimian's shoulder and said, "You're always so thoughtful."

After all, while they were having wine, the other Pokémon deserved to enjoy some fruit juice too. It was something Angie hadn't thought of earlier, but luckily, Passimian had.

"Passimian~"

Passimian grinned at Angie and, after handing him the bottle of liquor, went around pouring juice for all the Pokémon present.

"Here, let me join you for a drink," Angie said as he placed a wineglass in front of Bruno.

Bruno glanced down at the glass. The pure white porcelain was decorated with blue plum blossoms, giving it an elegant and unique charm.

Angie's own glass was adorned with orchids.

As Angie poured the clear liquor into their glasses, it looked like a heavenly spring cascading to the mortal world. The rich aroma of the wine immediately filled the room.

"What a unique scent," Bruno couldn't help but comment. He had never encountered such an unusual fragrance in a drink before.

Jeremy also exclaimed, "It smells amazing!"

Angie wagged his finger at Jeremy and said, "You still need to operate your flying vehicle later. Stick to juice today. I'll send you a bottle later for you to enjoy at home."

Jeremy's face fell with regret. "Alright, fine!"

Taking a sip of the juice in front of him, Jeremy's face lit up with delight as he exclaimed, "This juice is amazing!"

Angie smiled and teased, "Drinking juice isn't a bad deal, right?"

Jeremy nodded vigorously. "As expected, nothing from your place ever disappoints, Your Highness."

Angie grinned with pride. "The wine and juice are both masterpieces made by my Passimian!"

"Passimian~"

Hearing this, Passimian instinctively straightened its posture and puffed out its chest.

"Incredible!" Jeremy gave Passimian a thumbs-up in admiration.

Passimian bashfully scratched the back of its head, then picked up its glass of juice and took a large gulp to hide the pride on its face.

Raising his wineglass, Angie turned to Bruno and said, "Bruno, let's toast."

Bruno nodded and raised his glass as well.

With a gentle clink, the two of them took small sips simultaneously.

The moment the strong liquor touched his throat, Bruno's eyes lit up. "Excellent wine!"

This was unlike any wine he had tasted before—rich, intense, with a lingering fragrance that left a lasting impression.

Without a doubt, Passimian's wine struck a chord deep within Bruno's heart.

And so, Angie and Bruno began drinking glass after glass.

Before long, the bottle was empty, and Angie's cheeks were flushed with two rosy patches.

In contrast, Bruno remained composed, his face unchanged, as if the alcohol had no effect on him. His tolerance was astounding.

"Passimian, bring another bottle!" Angie shouted, clearly already tipsy.

"Passimian~"

Passimian hesitated, a conflicted expression on its face.

Suddenly, it noticed Diancie watching and instantly understood—it didn't need to follow Angie's orders this time.

"Passimian, why aren't you fetching the wine?" Angie asked, displeased.

Diancie interjected, "Angie, you've had too much to drink!"

Angie frowned and protested, "Too much? Nonsense. How could I possibly have had too much?"

Diancie's expression turned stern. "I said you've had too much, and that's final!"

Seeing Diancie's serious demeanor, Angie immediately became docile, sitting upright and nodding. "Alright, I've had too much!"

Diancie sighed and served Angie a bowl of rice. "Here, eat some food like a good boy."

"Oh~" Angie responded obediently and picked up the bowl.

Everyone watching couldn't help but chuckle.

So this was what Angie was like when he was drunk.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Diancie turned to Bruno and said, "I'm sorry, Angie's had too much. If you're not satisfied, Mr. Bruno, I can have Passimian fetch another bottle for you."

Bruno waved his hand. "No need. I'm fully satisfied. Thank you for the hospitality."

Although Bruno enjoyed Angie's wine immensely, he knew his limits. Overindulgence wasn't good.

"Well then, let's eat. Drinking without food isn't a good idea," Diancie said with a smile, exuding the grace of a hostess.

Before long, every dish on the table was polished off. Robert 2.0 came over to clear the dishes, while a tipsy Angie was escorted to the third floor by Munchlax and Inteleon to rest.

Diancie turned to Bruno and asked, "Mr. Bruno, would you like to take a tour of the Nebel Plateau?"

She knew Angie had invited Bruno for a specific purpose, so she wasn't about to let him leave just yet.

"Sure! That would be great," Bruno replied with a nod. In truth, he hadn't planned to leave right away.

After completing his official business in the Azoth Kingdom, Bruno found himself with some free time. He figured it was a good opportunity to find a place for special training.

The Nebel Plateau seemed like an excellent choice.

Hearing this, Diancie smiled and called out loudly into the distance, "Volcanion, come here for a moment!"

"What now?" Volcanion descended from the sky, visibly annoyed.

Diancie said, "Take Mr. Bruno on a tour."

Among all the Pokémon in the household, besides herself, only Volcanion could communicate effectively with Bruno.

"I've got other things to do!" Volcanion grumbled, but it still turned to Bruno and said dutifully, "Let's go."

Bruno nodded and followed Volcanion out past the estate's walls.

Before they knew it, evening had arrived.

The soft glow of the setting sun streamed through the windows and into the room. Angie suddenly sat up in bed, rubbing his aching head and wincing.

"Ugh~~ I can't drink this much again," he muttered. His tolerance for alcohol was, admittedly, not great.

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something. "Wait a second, wasn't I hosting Bruno? Where is he?"

Angie glanced at the clock by his bedside. It was already close to five in the afternoon.

Scrambling out of bed, he hurriedly muttered to himself, "Drinking messes everything up! Drinking messes everything up!"

As he fumbled to put on his shoes, Diancie opened the door and entered the room.

"You're awake?" she said with a smile.

Angie quickly asked, "Where's Bruno? He hasn't already left, has he?"

Diancie shot him a glare. "Don't worry; he hasn't left! I told you not to drink so much at lunch. Now you know how it messes things up, don't you?"

Hearing this, Angie let out a sigh of relief.

"Hehe~~" He gave Diancie a sheepish grin and said, "Got it, Bossy Lady. Don't be mad."

Diancie smacked him lightly, clearly exasperated. "Who are you calling a Bossy Lady?" She placed a glass of water on the table beside him.

Angie, parched as could be, grabbed the glass and gulped down the water in one go, not leaving a single drop behind.

When he finally came downstairs and walked to the front door, he saw, from a distance beyond the estate walls, Bruno sparring with a Machamp in an intense exchange of punches.

Angie couldn't determine the Machamp's level, which meant it was undoubtedly at least level 70 or higher.

Yet Bruno was evenly matched with it, exchanging blows without any sign of falling behind.

It was clear that the title of a humanoid Pokémon fit him perfectly.