Alcremie wanted to try all sorts of Kalos desserts, especially the chocolate cream cake in a town called Camphrier, famous throughout Kalos.
That town happened to be near Lumiose City, ho to the Pokémon Butler Academy, so they could visit on the way.
Alcremie had found all this info online using Lucas's phone.
To this day, Lucas still didn't know how Alcremie learned to use a phone—but seeing it eager to learn new dessert recipes online, he decided not to ask. This was good enough.
…
On the morning, after handling farm chores and asking Luxray and the others to watch over things, Lucas said goodbye to his Pokémon and set off, riding Dragonite to a corner of the Paldea region—Levincia City.
Levincia City was a hub of advanced technology and had flights to all major regions.
Lucas and Kukui's flight to Alola had departed from Levincia Airport, and the flight to Kalos would be from there as well.
Tonight's flight to Kalos was the only one, so Lucas decided to spend the day exploring Levincia City. Conveniently, two people had invited him to watch a gym challenge.
The invitations ca from Iono, the new gym leader and livestrear at Levincia Gym, and Lucas's prized pupil, future Paldea Champion, Nemona.
Lucas had spent a month or two in Levincia City before, during which he t Iono when she was still a rookie gym leader.
Strolling the streets lined with skyscrapers, Lucas felt nostalgic.
Huge billboards dominated the view; adults in business attire and students with backpacks hurried past the crosswalks. If not for the Poké Balls at his waist, Lucas would have thought he'd traveled back in ti.
Here, the city was always ablaze with light, day or night. Neon signs shone beautifully at night—but it was dayti now, so the effect was muted.
Lucas released Alcremie, letting the curious Pokémon sit on his shoulder. Smiling, he said, "There's a bakery in Levincia City I highly recomnd—their pastries are great. Let's try so and buy a few as gifts for Iono and Nemona."
"Alcremie~"
Alcremie cupped its cheeks in anticipation, and so, perched on Lucas's shoulder, it accompanied him to a bakery called "mory Lane Bread."
The shop was warmly decorated. Through the clear glass, the neatly arranged, freshly baked pastries looked mouthwatering.
As Lucas pushed open the door, a familiar bell chid, and he walked in with a nostalgic smile.
"Welco—feel free to look around."
The greeting wasn't particularly enthusiastic, but not cold either.
At the counter sat a mature man with a ponytail, dressed in a pristine chef's uniform with a red scarf. He had a lollipop in his mouth, unmoving.
Lucas knew he was battling his smoking addiction with candy.
Smiling, Lucas called, "Mr. lancholy, it's been a while."
This guy was his old boss in Levincia. Back then, Lucas had worked here to save money and pick up so baking skills.
lancholy froze mid-phone-scroll, looked up, and broke into a grin. "What brings you to Levincia City!?"
Lucas, already at ease, grabbed a tray and tongs and started picking bread, answering, "Just passing through for a day. I've missed your bread, so I ca to buy so, and to use as gifts."
"You really spent almost two months here, eating staff als as an excuse to save up for training resources—and you never got tired of it!" lancholy teased. Then, noticing the curious Pokémon on Lucas's shoulder, he gasped, "Alcremie!? Did you catch an Alcremie?"
Even after evolving, Alcremie was still lively and cheerful. Instead of being scared by lancholy's shout, it waved happily.
lancholy clutched his chest, letting out a dramatic groan.
Lucas put down the tray and tongs, covering Alcremie's ears. "Co on, Mr. lancholy, tone it down. She's still a kid. I know you want an Alcremie assistant of your own, but please don't drool over mine."
"You're practically salivating."
lancholy reflexively wiped his mouth—only to find it dry. Realizing he'd been tricked, he grumbled, "Whatever, I'll et my destined Alcremie one day. Until then, I don't need anyone else's!"
"So, how's your journey going? How many badges have you earned?"
Lucas dropped a cocoa-orange bread into his tray and winked, "Uh, actually, I've retired."
lancholy's eyes widened. "Huh?"
Lucas didn't hide anything, picking out a lemon-tea bagel for Alcremie, and explained, "But only because I've already earned all eight badges and passed the Champion Exam."
"Co on, say it—call Champion!"
"Get outta here! You're retired—don't get cocky."
lancholy waved him off, but the pride in his eyes betrayed him.
The air stilled for a second, and his voice turned hoarse: "Still, I've got to say it—you really are incredible. Congratulations on becoming Champion."
"I always knew it. Of all the trainers I've t, no one's more talented or hardworking than you. I saw this coming."
"Haha, now I can brag to my neighbors—'The Champion once worked at my little bakery!' How's that?"
"Doesn't that totally beat their distant relatives who cleared so gym or other?"
"Thank you, Mr. lancholy."
Lucas hadn't expected such complete trust, with not a hint of doubt from the man who helped him so much.
After holding it in for a while, all he could offer was a simple, heartfelt thank you.
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