Chapter 105: That Man Was Actually Rejected
Coming out of the Cave, a lush green Grassland appeared before Bai Feng. At the end of the Grassland was a Big Tree, and beside the Tree was a Wooden Cabin.
That must be Grandma Maple's residence, right? Bai Feng thought.
"Heliolisk, Brionne, let's go!"
Bai Feng called out, and quickly ran towards the Wooden Cabin with the two Pokémon.
After walking into the Wooden Cabin, Bai Feng found several Flower Gardens in front of the house, each filled with various Flowers, some vibrant, some elegant.
In the middle of the Flower Gardens, a beautiful Lurantis was holding a Watering Can and watering the plants, its movements elegant and serene.
Judging by the aura Lurantis occasionally revealed, Bai Feng could determine this was an extremely powerful Pokémon.
Lurantis also saw Bai Feng and his Pokémon at this moment. Its attitude was very friendly; it even waved at Bai Feng.
"La la~" Hello there, Young Man.
"Hello, I'd like to see Grandma Maple," Bai Feng said.
"La la~" Oh, I see. Please wait a moment.
Lurantis nodded politely, then turned its Head and called out behind it. Under a Big Tree not far away, an old grandmother was leisurely napping on a lounge chair.
Beside her was a slightly smaller lounge chair, on which lay a Mawile. The expressions of the person and the Pokémon were identical.
Hearing Lurantis's call, Grandma Maple slowly opened her eyes. She squinted at Bai Feng, then waved him over.
Bai Feng quickly ran over with the two Pokémon.
"Young Man, it seems you defeated Noivern. Your Strength is quite good," Grandma Maple said with a face full of Smiles.
Noivern and Woobat were intentionally placed there by Grandma Maple. One reason was to block those who overestimated themselves from coming, and the second was to Test the Strength of the visitors.
If their Strength was sufficient and they weren't too old, Grandma Maple would consider whether to take them as an Apprentice and train them to take over her role.
"Grandma Maple, my name is Bai Feng, I came to..." Bai Feng was about to state the purpose of his visit when he was suddenly interrupted by Grandma Maple.
"Bai Feng, is it..." Grandma Maple looked at the sky, then asked, "Coming over the Mountains and through the valleys, you probably haven't had Lunch yet, right? I haven't either, let's eat together."
After speaking, she got up from the lounge chair and nudged the sleeping Mawile.
"Koo koo?"
Mawile sat up from the lounge chair with a blank expression. It was then that Bai Feng noticed a Mega Stone tied to its Hair.
When Bai Feng first saw it, he only thought it was a decorative gem.
"Get up, how long are you going to sleep?" Grandma Maple said, patting Mawile's Head.
"Koo koo... koo..." But you were sleeping with me!
Mawile rubbed its eyes and mumbled.
"Young Man, come along," Grandma Maple said, beckoning to Bai Feng.
Bai Feng could only helplessly follow Grandma Maple through the Door.
Grandma Maple's Home wasn't large, but the interior decoration was very elegant, with a classical beauty that was pleasing to the eye.
To Bai Feng's surprise, Grandma Maple actually cooked the meal herself.
Bai Feng quickly ran over and said, "Let me help too."
"Alright," Grandma Maple said with a kind Smile. "You're a good Young Man."
Bai Feng gave a shy Smile.
He also let out Hatterene to help. Hatterene was much more efficient at working than he was.
Grandma Maple couldn't help but take another look at Hatterene.
Of course, Bai Feng and Hatterene were just assisting Grandma Maple; Grandma Maple herself was the one doing the main cooking.
Although Grandma Maple was getting on in age, her movements were quick, she worked efficiently, and her Cooking Skills were excellent. Before long, an enticing Fragrance drifted from the Kitchen.
Several times, Bai Feng wanted to seize the Opportunity to state the purpose of his visit today, but Grandma Maple just wouldn't engage, as if she was intentionally interrupting him.
At this moment, Bai Feng finally understood why Nurse Joy said Grandma Maple was someone difficult to talk to. Even though she spoke gently, had a kind Smile, and treated people warmly and politely.
Grandma Maple didn't make too many Dishes, but there seemed to be enough. After the Dishes were placed on the table, Bai Feng finished his Lunch in an awkward atmosphere.
While eating, Grandma Maple didn't say a word. She ate very little and just sat there after finishing, quietly watching Bai Feng eat until he finished all the remaining Dishes.
To be fair, Grandma Maple's Cooking Skills were excellent, but Bai Feng ate without much enjoyment.
After Mawile cleared away the dishes, Bai Feng opened his mouth again: "Grandma Maple, I..."
But Grandma Maple interrupted him again.
"Young Man Bai Feng, where are you from?"
Bai Feng replied, "I'm from Couriway Town."
"Couriway Town, ah, that's not far," Grandma Maple nodded.
Having been interrupted so many times, Bai Feng guessed that Grandma Maple might not want to help him, and perhaps didn't even want to know what his Request was. He couldn't help but feel a little frustrated.
Seeing Bai Feng's disappointed expression, Grandma Maple stood up and said, "We just finished Lunch, let's do some Activity."
Bai Feng wondered what kind of Activity it would be. It turned out to be flower arranging.
Bai Feng was led by Grandma Maple to the Flower Room and saw Lurantis bringing in many fresh Flowers and Plants.
"Young Man, let out your Pokémon too. Everyone together."
Bai Feng nodded and released Heliolisk, Brionne, Carbink, Larvitar, Chikorita, Hatterene, and the Meowstic siblings.
As for Talonflame Captain, its size was simply too large and completely unsuitable for the Flower Room, so Bai Feng didn't let it out.
After seeing Bai Feng's Pokémon, Grandma Maple nodded with satisfaction, thinking they all looked good.
"Then let's begin. You can use the Flowers and Grasses here freely. If you need anything else, you can ask Lurantis to get it."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
And so the flower arranging Activity began.
In the blink of an eye, two Hours passed, and everyone gradually stopped what they were doing.
Grandma Maple was a master of flower arranging. Her work was extremely aesthetic, like a piece of art.
Looking at Bai Feng's side, Larvitar and Carbink completely didn't understand flower arranging and had no sense of aesthetics. They just randomly stuck together some brightly colored Flowers, which was simply indescribable.
Probably knowing their work wasn't good, the two hid to the side, giggling foolishly.
Brionne didn't have enough patience. At first, it arranged the Flowers quite nicely, but later it started to mess around, and the final Result was also unbearable to look at.
Only Chikorita and Heliolisk's Situation was better. While their work might not have much ornamental or artistic value, at least it wasn't an eyesore at first glance.
The one with the best aesthetic sense was Hatterene. It completed its work in collaboration with the Meowstic siblings. However, while its work was beautiful, Bai Feng could tell it was actually imitating Grandma Maple, and the work lacked some spirit.
Bai Feng could see it, and Grandma Maple naturally could too. Grandma Maple even shook her Head regretfully.
The Quality of Bai Feng's work was somewhere between Chikorita, Heliolisk, and Hatterene. It wasn't ugly, but it wasn't outstanding either.
"Sigh~"
After the flower arranging finished, Grandma Maple sighed.
"Young Man, you should go back. Although I don't know why you came to find me, I won't help you."
"Grandma Maple..."
Bai Feng still wanted to try and persuade her, but Grandma Maple raised her hand to stop him.
Just then, Bai Feng suddenly remembered Nurse Joy's final Hint.
"Grandma Maple, are you looking for an Apprentice you like?"
Maple looked at Bai Feng in surprise.
"Young Man, how did you know?"
Although the fact that she now lived on Mt. Moonstone wasn't a Secret, not many people knew she wanted to take an Apprentice.
Bai Feng answered honestly, "Nurse Joy told me."
Hearing this, Grandma Maple suddenly understood. Thinking of that old Nurse Joy, everything became clear to her.
"Was the flower arranging you just had us do also part of the Test?" Bai Feng asked, puzzled.
"That's right," Grandma Maple nodded.
"But just based on flower arranging, can you judge my Talent?" Bai Feng asked, unconvinced.
"Naturally not," Grandma Maple replied. "But Talent isn't the most important thing for becoming a Trainer. The process of a person arranging Flowers can reflect many things. Although I don't know what your Trainer Talent is like, I can see that you are not suitable to be my Apprentice!"
Bai Feng was truly stunned. He understood Grandma Maple's meaning. The Apprentice Grandma Maple wanted to take didn't have to have the best Talent, but had to be the most compatible with her.
Missing the Opportunity to become a Champion's Apprentice, Bai Feng couldn't help but feel it was a pity.
After a moment of silence, Bai Feng suddenly looked at Grandma Maple and said, "If I can help you find an Apprentice you like, would you be willing to help me?"
Grandma Maple was taken aback by his words, then said with a face full of Smiles:
"As long as you can help me find an Apprentice, I will agree to any condition, as long as I can do it and it doesn't violate morality and League Law."
Bai Feng said firmly, "Then it's a deal."
"It's a deal." Grandma Maple suddenly felt a little anticipation about whether Bai Feng could bring her a surprise.
"Then I will take my leave today." Bai Feng stood up and bid farewell to Grandma Maple.
Grandma Maple nodded and said, "Alright. Lurantis, see Young Man Bai Feng out."
Escorted by Lurantis, Bai Feng passed through the Cave Smoothly.
On the way back to Shalour City, Hatterene had a look of guilt.
"Rim~ Rim~" I'm sorry, Boss, it's all because of me that you had to go through so much trouble.
Bai Feng patted it and comforted it, "What are you saying? Aren't you my Partner? I will definitely find a way to cure you."
The Meowstic siblings also kept comforting Hatterene, stating that no matter what, they would stay by Hatterene's side.
Hatterene was very touched, looking at Bai Feng and the Meowstic siblings with eyes full of tears.
Returning to Shalour City, Bai Feng found a Hotel to stay in temporarily, and immediately began thinking about what kind of Apprentice he should find for Grandma Maple.
The first person he thought of was Kalos. This person was the future Champion of the Kalos Region. Wasn't Grandma Maple looking for a successor?
Who else could be more suitable than Kalos?
Thinking of this, Bai Feng couldn't help but become Excited. He immediately dialed Kalos's Phone number.
"Hello, oh, it's Bai Feng! You already know? Did Fu La Da Li tell you?"
Kalos's cheerful voice quickly came from the other end of the Phone, but what she said left Bai Feng a little confused.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Bai Feng asked.
"Huh?" Kalos was also stunned. "That... didn't you call me because you knew I was going to Couriway Town?"
Bai Feng was instantly overjoyed upon hearing this. Kalos was coming to Couriway Town? Wasn't this like getting a pillow when you're sleepy?
It turned out that Fu La Da Li's company had recently made an Investment in a Movie and invited Kalos to be the female lead. The Movie's filming location was in Couriway Town, so Kalos thought it would be a good opportunity to visit Bai Feng and give him a surprise.
When Bai Feng called just now, Kalos thought Fu La Da Li had told Bai Feng about it, but it turned out to be just a misunderstanding.
"No, I'm calling you about something else..."
So Bai Feng told Kalos about the Matter of Grandma Maple wanting to take an Apprentice and asked Kalos if she wanted to come and try.
After hearing Bai Feng's words, Kalos let out a series of screams Instantaneously.
"Ahhhh!!! Bai Feng, is what you're saying true? Champion Maple is taking an Apprentice?"
Bai Feng replied, "Of course it's true. I just came back from Grandma Maple's place today. My Test failed."
"I understand! Wait for me in Shalour City, I'll come right away. You must wait for me!" Kalos said Excitedly.
"So you're agreeing?" Bai Feng asked.
"Of course! Why wouldn't I agree to such a rare Opportunity? Do you know? Champion Maple is the person I admire the most. Becoming her Apprentice is something I've always dreamed of!"
The usually steady Kalos actually became talkative.
Seeing Kalos agree, Bai Feng breathed a sigh of relief. Although becoming Grandma Maple's Apprentice was a remarkable Matter, Bai Feng had been a little worried that Kalos wouldn't be interested.
Since Grandma Maple was Kalos's idol, that was even better.
Kalos was originally already close to Couriway Town. After receiving Bai Feng's Phone call, she immediately transferred to an Express Flying Vehicle, so she arrived in Shalour City the next Afternoon and met up with Bai Feng Smoothly.
In order to participate in this Testing, Kalos directly requested leave from the Movie Crew.
Fortunately, the biggest Investor in that Movie was Fu La Da Li, so as long as Fu La Da Li gave a word, the Movie side would obediently release her.
The current Kalos was still just a young girl in her teens, not the famous big star she would be in the future. Although she had some Reputation, it wouldn't have been easy to get the Movie side to release her without Fu La Da Li's word.
Kalos was truly too Excited. As soon as she met up with Bai Feng, she wanted to go directly to take the Test.
Bai Feng himself was naturally anxious too; every day of delay was burning Money. However, he still advised Kalos:
"You're going to meet your idol, after all. You should still freshen up a bit. Don't go looking so travel-worn."
Grandma Maple was a person who paid attention to detail. Bai Feng was really afraid that Kalos would go looking travel-worn and ultimately not be favored.
Sharpening the knife doesn't delay the woodcutting. It's better to get ready properly before going. This is also a form of etiquette.
Fortunately, Kalos listened to his advice. Only after tidying herself up properly at the Hotel where Bai Feng was staying did she set off with Bai Feng.
(End of Chapter)