During their conversation, the lights in the venue suddenly dimmed. Then, everyone's gaze turned to the only light source in the venue, which was the dazzling golden stage in front of them.
"Thank you for waiting, esteemed guests. Please look towards the stage in front of you."
"Next, the academy's general director, Nakitiri Senzaemon, will deliver the opening address."
Holding a microphone, Kawashima Rei continued her role as host.
As her voice fell, Nakitiri Senzaemon, who had been hidden backstage, slowly walked onto the stage. His gaze, illuminated by the stage lights, scrutinized the students below, his powerful aura filling the space.
"Nakitiri Senzaemon..."
"The rumored Gourmet Demon King."
Seeing Nakitiri Senzaemon appear, hushed discussions broke out around them. Some people looked fearful, some looked admiring, and some were full of longing.
Looking at the students in front of him, Nakitiri Senzaemon took a deep breath of the air in the venue.
"Inhaling the air here makes one feel a surge of power within.
This venue is called 'Tsukiten Space'. It was originally a place only for the Elite Ten's food battles. To show respect for the past first-seat winners, we have a tradition of hanging their portraits here."
His gaze swept around: "There he is, my old man is among them too." Looking at the portrait of Hoshino Tani Ren on the wall, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but sigh, his old man had once stood at the pinnacle of Far Moon Academy.
"Countless famous duels have taken place here, and countless famous dishes have been born. Because of this, what floats in the air here is the accumulation of memories from years of battles!
Next, the Autumn Elections main competition will be held here. You will create new history. Let us meet again here! Chefs of Totsuki Academy's 92nd generation!"
As Nakitiri Senzaemon's words fell, a fierce cheer erupted instantly in the venue. The calm atmosphere was ignited, and all the young people became hot-blooded.
Triggered Stage Quest: Autumn Elections
Stage Quest ①: Achieve a top three finish in the Autumn Elections preliminary round.
Quest Description: Having been at Far Moon for a long time, you finally have your first stage to showcase your strength. Please do your best and fully display your talents.
Quest Requirement: Achieve a top three finish in the preliminary round.
Quest Rewards: First place, 3000 reputation points. Second place, 2000 reputation points. Third place, 1000 reputation points.
"Top three, huh..."
Hearing the system prompt in his mind, Hoshino Sora murmured softly, his eyes filled with fighting spirit. He had come fully prepared!
As Nakitiri Senzaemon finished his speech and stepped down, Kawashima Rei, holding the microphone, jogged onto the stage and stood before everyone.
"Next, let's move on to the rules explanation for this preliminary round. As stated in the prospectus, the theme for this round is 'Aquatic Cuisine', with a time limit of three hours.
Out of 60 participants in the preliminary round, a total of 12 will advance to the knockout stage, which means 6 people will be selected from each of the two large groups."
Making a 'six' gesture with her hand, Kawashima Rei's face showed seriousness and solemnity.
"Why are there so few people..."
"Are they being squeezed to this extent all at once?"
"But why 12 people? Can 12 be divided evenly?"
"Oh, you're right, I didn't even notice."
Hearing Kawashima Rei's words, the surrounding students immediately started discussing, and Hoshino Sora was also a little surprised. Selecting 12 people, did that mean some people directly passed the preliminary round?
Erina Nakiri was one, but she wasn't participating in the Autumn Elections, so who was it? Were there students in Far Moon who performed so outstandingly that they could skip the preliminary rounds directly?
"All participants, please proceed to your respective Group A and B areas as soon as possible. The preliminary round will officially begin at eleven o'clock."
"Let's go."
"Let's finish this in one go!"
Similar cheering sounds were constant, and Hoshino Sora was also moved by it. He walked leisurely, watching the crowds running around him. It wasn't that he was putting on an act; it was just that the exit was currently packed with people.
"I'm in Venue B. See you in the finals."
"Okay, bye."
Looking at Alice Nakiri, who was greeting him not far away, Hoshino Sora said with a smile, and then saw Shiina Mahiru and Yumeko Jabami walking towards him.
"We're all in Venue A. Let's go together."
Yumeko Jabami said to him with a smile.
"Sounds good, let's go."
— — — — — — — — — —
"Start cooking!"
As all the students were in place, the giant clock hanging high above reached 11 o'clock, and Nakitiri Senzaemon's face suddenly appeared on the large screen above everyone's heads, shouting to the people below with an impassioned voice.
It was also at this moment that all the students on site began to move. Everyone focused their attention on their cutting boards, seriously delving into the dishes they had prepared during the autumn break.
"Hmph..."
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who was waving at him below, Erina Nakiri, who was in the high stands behind a layer of glass, let out a light hum, then raised her hand and reluctantly waved a few times.
Her cheeks flushed slightly because someone below had cast their gaze over, and she put her hand down after only a few waves.
On the other side, the sound of high heels was crisp.
Akame, dressed in a proper outfit, slowly walked in from the VIP entrance of Venue A, followed by two female bodyguards in women's suits, guarding her on either side.
"Look over there, that's Akame, the newly promoted Third-Class Executive Officer of the World Gourmet Organization WGO! I heard she made a splash in the WGO with her excellent taste and appetite!"
"Welcome, but I remember our agreed time was eleven o'clock, and the students also started cooking at eleven o'clock."
Eizan Etsuya asked with a fake smile.
"I saw a good restaurant on the way and was delayed a bit."
Hearing Eizan Etsuya's question, Akame's voice was gentle. In fact, she did have the right to put on airs.
"Then please come this way."
Hearing the reason, Eizan, though somewhat displeased, did not flare up.
"To be able to invite this most talked-about executive officer, Senior Ruisan is truly amazing! Then the one in Venue B must be Akame's twin sister..."
"Please have a seat here."
In Venue B, Kuroka sat in the center, hosted by Isshiki Satoshi, looking at the people cooking in front of her with a somewhat naturally naive look, appearing easy to talk to.
After serving as judges in Hoshino Sora and Mimasaka Subaru's previous match, both of them successively received invitations from the WGO and were then invited by WGO personnel to the World Gourmet Organization for assessment.
The result was predictable: after tasting a large number of top-tier dishes, the two naturally became Third-Class Executive Officers of the WGO. Due to their youth and eloquence, they were highly regarded by many.
However, the surrounding students showed puzzled expressions when they saw this young girl, though a small portion of knowledgeable individuals knew Kuroka's identity.
One of the most highly anticipated twin stars of the WGO.
The WGO, World Gourmet Organization, publishes a monthly journal that meticulously records every WGO Executive Officer. The first page features introductions of newly appointed executive officers, and also includes announcements of dismissed executive officers.
This is also to prevent some dismissed executive officers from causing trouble. There was a past incident where a dismissed WGO executive officer went to various restaurants to eat and drink for free, also using their former authority to intimidate others.
After this incident, the WGO added this content to its monthly journal. It doesn't matter if others read it or not; at least it can be used as a disclaimer. Other pages detail the excellent and poor restaurants reviewed by the executive officers that month.
"It's starting to get a little exciting."
Listening to the sounds of knives, pounding, stir-frying, and stirring from all around, Hoshino Sora felt intensely fired up.
He let out a long breath, his gaze fixed on Akame, who was seated in the middle, a few hints of deep meaning in his eyes. Two months unseen, what had happened to her to be invited by Far Moon to be the main judge?
From the looks of it, they seemed to respect her quite a bit.
On the other side.
After taking her seat, Akame began to observe the situation on the field. Her gaze swept over the diligent students in the arena, and soon, she noticed Hoshino Sora in the corner, a hint of surprise appearing in her eyes.
"What a coincidence, that student entered Far Moon three months ago, and you personally served as the judge in his last Food Battle outside."
Pushing up his glasses, Eizan Etsuya couldn't help but speak, looking at Akame's nostalgic expression. Who could have imagined that the ordinary judge girl from that day would now transform into the most talented executive officer of the WGO, an existence even he needed to curry favor with?
Indeed, life is full of uncertainties.
"I remember this. I'm really looking forward to his cooking."
Nodding, Akame said seriously.
She would not forget that bowl of fragrant Chunyang Noodle. Although she had eaten many top-tier delicacies in the WGO, the most impressive to her was still that bowl of noodles. It had no ingredients inside, yet it was so delicious.
It was simply a miracle of food!
"I'm also looking forward to it, that guy's strength."
Gazing at Hoshino Sora, who was leisurely processing live shrimp while sitting on a chair, Eizan Etsuya curled his lips. In his opinion, the dish that guy served two months ago had already reached the Elite Ten level.
Now? He must have become even stronger...
However, what Eizan Etsuya didn't know was that Hoshino Sora's dish last time was entirely a case of 'golden on the outside, rotten on the inside.' Except for the aroma, which was Elite Ten level, everything else was only Silver (Lower Class).
However, after three months of training, Hoshino Sora had indeed reached the Elite Ten level, especially in the past month, he had gained an epic enhancement!
"Will three hours be a bit too much..."
He muttered softly to himself. His dish, from preparation to completion, would take at most an hour. How was he going to stretch out the time...
Looking at the students around him who were starting to prepare broth, Hoshino Sora's expression was quite helpless. Why did everyone uniformly choose to cook soup dishes?
Out of thirty people on site, at least ten chose soup dishes. It's normal when you think about it, as seafood soup is the best way to highlight the freshness of seafood.
In fact, it wouldn't be impossible for Hoshino Sora to present a fish-and-lamb fresh soup for the competition.
But that would be too uninteresting.
"Um, I'd like to ask if I can submit my dish early."
Looking at Kawashima Rei passing by, Hoshino Sora asked his question. Chinese cuisine is known for its efficiency and deliciousness. Taking three hours to prepare a dish, customers would probably starve to death.
This is also the reason for the birth of pre-made dishes.
"Is he crazy? Everyone else is afraid they don't have enough time, and he wants to submit his dish early."
"What does he think this is? A game?"
"Who does he think he is? So arrogant!"
"Exactly! Why can someone like him participate in the Autumn Elections?"
As Hoshino Sora raised his question, the audience in the stands immediately started to disparage him.
"Well... I need to ask the judges for their opinion."
Clearly, Kawashima Rei was stumped, a awkward smile on her face. She then scurried off to consult the judges.
"Of course, cooking is inherently free. The length of cooking time does not determine whether a dish is delicious."
Hearing Kawashima Rei's question, the chubby uncle sitting on the far left said with a smile, "However, if the dish you submit early is not up to par, I will consider it a provocation."
He is Hoshino Umihira, the owner of Hoshino Marine Products, whose seafood business spans across Neon, and he is also a gourmet with extremely strict demands for food.
"I can too, but even we have to wait here for three hours. Does this student have something urgent?"
Twirling his mustache, the thin, artistic middle-aged man sitting next to the chubby uncle spoke. He is Ohno Toshiaki, the founder of the Tokyo High-End Gourmet Club.
The other two judges also said more or less the same thing, but Akame nodded seriously: "As long as the student below finishes their dish, they can serve it immediately."
"Then I'll make a fool of myself."
Not taking the judges' sarcastic remarks to heart, Hoshino Sora began to act after receiving a definite answer.
First, he battered the processed shrimp, then coated it with a mixture of cornstarch and flour. This makes the shrimp crispier and is a small trick.
"Shrimp. Looking at how he's preparing the sauce, could he be making Kung Pao Shrimp?"
"What a common dish. Making such a low-level, fast-paced dish, no wonder he needs to submit it early."
Hoshino Umihira and Ohno Toshiaki immediately guessed the dish Hoshino Sora was making by observing his cooking method, and they immediately started to mock him.
"The judges all said he's no good."
"I'm dying of laughter. Just go home early! Far Moon isn't the place for you."
"Don't embarrass Far Moon here!"
Hearing Hoshino Umihira and Ohno Toshiaki's comments, the people in the stands then started to jeer even more fiercely. Hoshino Sora's actions had certainly earned him a lot of dislike.
"Um... um..."
Looking at the situation, Kawashima Rei extended her hand, unsure of what to say, and finally put down the microphone helplessly, giving Hoshino Sora a look that said, "You're on your own."
However, Hoshino Sora didn't look at her.
At this moment, he was focused on his cooking, his concentration at its peak.
"Are you trying to cause chaos? Anyone who speaks again to disturb the contestants will immediately be expelled and processed for withdrawal."
Looking at the noisy stands, Eizan Etsuya's expression was also somewhat surprised, but considering the order of the venue, he immediately darkened his face, holding the microphone and shouting with a powerful voice.
Instantly, the previously noisy stands became silent.
Only the sounds of the chefs cooking remained on site.
"Hmph."
Looking at the quiet scene, Eizan Etsuya snorted. He was an executive committee member of the Autumn Elections, and under his management, such a chaotic situation as before could not occur! Otherwise, the other Elite Ten members would think he was incompetent.
"Why is that guy putting so many tomatoes at the bottom of the pot?"
"Isn't he making Kung Pao Shrimp?"
Watching Hoshino Sora start another pot and put a large amount of tomatoes into it, the judges, who were paying special attention to him, became curious.
However, they quickly dismissed this doubt.
Because a rich aroma wafted through the space.
"This aroma, mixed with thick coconut milk, a stimulating fresh scent!"
"That refreshing sensation makes one's appetite greatly increase!"
Some audience members with sensitive noses immediately spoke, closing their eyes and eagerly inhaling the aroma in the air, their faces showing intoxicated expressions.
"In this fragrant venue, the aroma emanating from his pot can be immediately distinguished."
"This is proof that he has exquisitely combined and prepared the spices!"
"Hmm? There's a special smell over there... smoke?"
"I see, smoking is also an effective cooking method to bring out aroma. The atmosphere of the venue changed again."
The diverse aromas around them drew everyone's attention away from Hoshino Sora, which made Hoshino Sora's heart grow calmer.
His gaze was fixed on his dish. After ten days of improvement, he had developed a uniquely flavored Kung Pao Shrimp, with a cooking time of about an hour.
Of course, the main thing was this tomato sauce.
If prepared in advance, serving the dish in fifteen minutes would be incredibly easy.
"Grandpa, is this it?"
"Yes."
"Hoshino-kun is over there, competing."
Outside Venue A, an old man and a young girl entered the competition hall. This place was open to the public, so the audience on site included not only Far Moon students but also many figures from the gourmet world.
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who was cooking in the restaurant, Xiang Ling's expression was joyful: "If it's that dish, it will definitely conquer everyone's taste buds!"
"There are also a few interesting youngsters here on site."
Stepping slowly down from the entrance, Mao Jinyu arrived at a suitable observation spot and couldn't help but exclaim as he watched the thirty people cooking.
"Indeed, this aroma is truly amazing," Xiang Ling said, taking a deep breath, her expression showing some approval.
Below the stage.
"Finished, Hoshino Style: Kung Pao Shrimp."
Looking at the clock on the wall, it was exactly twelve o'clock. Hoshino Sora carried the Kung Pao Shrimp, glistening with a bright sauce, to the judges' table.
The audience, too, turned their gazes towards him at this moment, wanting to see if this kid who 'submitted early' truly had skill, or if he was simply trying to gain attention.
Hoshino Sora's steps were slow, yet full of power.
Every step resonated with the hearts of the live audience.