[You defeated the Cascarrafa Gym Leader Hai Dai and earned the Cascarrafa Badge]

You successfully obtained the fourth badge.

The dancer didn’t rush to the next city but hoped to taste Hai Dai’s spectacular sea dish once more, as their Larvesta hadn’t yet savored such a delicacy.

Hai Dai, already lively and cheerful, was absolutely delighted by the compliment and could not possibly refuse.

Just so happened the dancer brought back Alola’s Golden Seaweed, so Hai Dai decided to use it as a base to make a seafood dish.

[You almost swallowed your tongue with joy from eating, and your Pokémon’s happy expressions made you genuinely smile]

The meal was over.

The dancer embarked on a new journey.

The next stop was Medali Town, located in West District Three, and the two cities were very close. Even while battling fellow wild students on the streets, the dancer still reached the destination in less than a day.

Having gathered relevant intelligence in advance, the dancer switched Oricorio’s style once again.

[Your Oricorio’s Pom-Pom Style changed to Sensu Style]

The Sensu Style transformed Oricorio from a spirited cheerleader into a beautiful dancer holding a fan, its violet feathers radiating a kind of tranquil charm.

[You arrived in Medali Town; it’s a town with a nostalgic vibe. The intricate roads and the abundance of eateries everywhere bring you joy]

Padia’s culinary culture seems particularly developed; since the dancer arrived in the west, nearly every town offered culinary delights catching her interest.

Interestingly.

When the dancer resisted temptation and went to register at the Gym, the staff informed her that Gym Leader Qing Shan was dining at the Treasure Restaurant.

Because it was break time.

[You thought, given the circumstances, why not you also taste Medali Town’s culinary offerings]

The dancer headed to the Treasure Restaurant with her Pokémon.

She actually had the intention of getting to know the Medali Gym Leader, but despite circling the restaurant several times, she didn’t find anyone looking like a Gym Leader.

Not a white-collar worker or an elderly couple—probably all her fellow students.

[You sat near the bar and inquired information from a weary middle-aged man]

Yet her naturally high charisma seemed ineffective this time.

The dancer didn’t manage to extract much desired Gym information from him, only learned about a secret menu at the Treasure Restaurant and that adding lemon juice to grilled rice balls was an adult taste that children wouldn’t understand.

[You saw the tiredness on his face and his sincere attitude towards food and didn’t disturb his personal time any further]

Baimu looked at the middle-aged man and couldn’t help but comment, "Isn’t this guy the Gym Leader?"

The distinct art around him matched him too well; definitely the Gym Leader.

Pity the dancer didn’t have the "God’s perspective" and merely regarded him as a regular diner, not daring to disturb his peace too much.

Soon.

When the dancer returned to the Gym.

The staff accepted her registration and once again directed her to the Treasure Restaurant because Medali Gym’s trial was to order a secret dish there.

The dancer was utterly puzzled.

"This counts as a trial?" Baimu couldn’t help but comment, it’s fine to help stream or run errands, but ordering a hidden menu in a restaurant takes things too far.

Is this challenge purely based on the Gym Leader’s preferences?

The scene showed the dancer hurriedly returning to the Treasure Restaurant. From the order staff’s mouth, she learned he couldn’t reveal the secret menu and could only give feedback on the secret menu’s status based on her choice of dishes, quantity, heat, and accompanying results.

The order staff kindly reminded her that she could get answers from other Gym challengers in the town.

Thus.

The dancer turned around and prepared to leave.

Yet, midway out, she halted her steps.

[You turned back and asked the order staff if there was a limit on the number of times you could order the secret menu, and on hearing there wasn’t, you grinned]

Without a doubt, faced with a fixed-option trial, the dancer believed she could break through using combinatorial methods.

Evidently, the order staff wasn’t facing such a Gym challenger for the first time; very calm.

The dancer began selecting in sequence.

Due to simulation acceleration of this part, Baimu couldn’t ascertain the number of menu options available at the Treasure Restaurant, only knew the calmness of the order staff quickly dissipated.

Tiny bubbles above his head frequently changed expressions, looking somewhat overwhelmed.

Who knows how long it took.

Accompanied by Quaquaval, the dancer exhibited unprecedented perseverance and shamelessness. Without disturbing other diners, focusing solely on bugging the order staff, she successfully ordered the secret dish.

And the order staff in the simulation looked flushed, as if his brain was overheating, confirmed the secret dish and then left.

[You learned from regular patrons’ mouths that many Gym challengers held thoughts similar to yours, but without exception, either guessed correctly in advance or didn’t stick it out due to thin skin]

In other words, purely achieving the condition through "perseverance," the dancer was the first one.

[You heard his words of admiration, suddenly felt a bit embarrassed, but what inspired you to persist? You couldn’t help but look at Quaquaval]

Traveling with Pokémon truly brings profound changes.

The dancer transformed from originally introverted and withdrawn to confident and cheerful, becoming more daring, not only to wander around but also to proactively explain even after being attacked by the Celestial Star Team.