"Congratulations to the host for opening the semester gift package, you have received one A-grade ingredient, Beauty Tuna, and one B-grade ingredient, Wine Palm Fruit."
The system's voice then sounded.
"Did I get another A-grade ingredient?"
Satou was very happy, this time he not only got an A-grade ingredient but also another B-grade ingredient.
"The host has currently accumulated ten daily gift packages. Would you like to open them?"
The system asked again.
"Only these few?"
Satou couldn't help but frown and ask.
"Daily gift packages are not obtained during the exam period, and there was a period during school when there were no classes."
The system explained.
"Alright."
Indeed, there were no classes in the last few days, and the condition for obtaining daily gift packages was to receive an A or higher evaluation in more than half of the classes.
This meant there had to be at least one class a day.
"Then open them."
Satou said.
"Host opens daily gift package, cooking level +1.
Host opens daily gift package, receives two Almond Cabbage.
Host opens daily gift package, cooking level +2.
Host opens daily gift package, receives one Cheese Rabbit.
...
Host opens daily gift package, cooking level +1.
Host opens daily gift package, receives one Wine Palm Fruit."
640 "This way, my cooking level has already reached seventy. If I have a Shokugeki with Tsukasa-senpai, I should not lose."
Satou nodded with satisfaction.
"Would you like to see the new ingredient now, Host?" the System asked.
"Of course," Satou replied.
Then, a two-and-a-half-meter-long, exceptionally beautiful tuna appeared before him.
While typical tuna are grayish-white, this one was a magnificent ocean-blue, with pale yellow fins and tail that were remarkably slender, and red lips. Imagining it swimming gracefully in the azure ocean, it truly resembled a mermaid, incredibly beautiful.
Satou checked the ingredient description.
"Mermaid Tuna
Ingredient Level: B-Class
Ingredient Description: A tuna as magnificent as a mermaid. Its exquisite appearance and incredibly tender flesh make it a legendary fish. The meat from its mid-belly section is arguably the most delicious part of the entire fish, possessing the fresh, rich aroma of the sea, blending the sweetness of salmon, sweet shrimp, and tuna meat. It is a supreme delicacy.
Origin: Gourmet Captive."
"With this, we can have sashimi," Satou said happily. For an ingredient like tuna, excessive cooking isn't necessary; eating it raw is best, and this tuna's flesh is definitely superior to ordinary tuna.
However, when Satou looked at its price, he secretly clicked his tongue in amazement—a whopping 200 million Japanese Yen!
The Frozen Wild Buffalo, which was much larger, only cost 40 million Japanese Yen per head.
But Satou thought about it and felt relieved, as tuna itself is very expensive.
Every year, at the beginning of the year, Neon holds tuna auctions, with prices often reaching hundreds of millions of Japanese Yen. The most recent one Satou remembered was auctioned for 330 million Japanese Yen, and that tuna was less than 300 kilograms, far inferior to this 400-kilogram one.
Not to mention this Mermaid Tuna's beautiful appearance and its flesh, which far surpasses even the highest-grade Bluefin Tuna. If it were put up for auction at the beginning of the year, it could easily fetch over 500 million, perhaps even close to a billion.
After examining the tuna, Satou then looked at another ingredient, the Palm Wine Fruit.
This was a purple, head-sized, lantern-shaped fruit. Satou picked it up and found it quite heavy, weighing about ten catties.
He checked the ingredient description.
"Palm Wine Fruit
Ingredient Level: B-Class
Ingredient Description: A type of coconut. During its growth, the sugars within the fruit naturally ferment into alcohol. When a ripe fruit is cut open, one can enjoy the sweet wine inside. This natural wine has the rich, mellow quality of the finest liqueurs, but its alcohol content is very high, so caution is needed.
Origin: Gourmet Captive."
Just then, Erina Nakiri walked in and, upon seeing the Mermaid Tuna on the kitchen counter, was so astonished her mouth hung open.
"What a beautiful fish! Is this a type of tuna?" she walked over, curiously examining it up and down.
Far Moon also had a fishery department, catching a lot of tuna every year, but Erina Nakiri had never seen such a beautiful tuna.
"Yes," Satou smiled and nodded. "How about we have sashimi tonight?"
"Hmm, alright," a gentle smile appeared on Erina Nakiri's face. "But it needs to be processed immediately, otherwise the quality of the meat will deteriorate."
Satou nodded. In his classes at Far Moon, there was specific instruction on how to process tuna.
Subsequently, the two began to process the tuna together.
First, a mat needed to be laid under the fish. This was because the fish was still alive, and if it thrashed about, internal bruising would occur, affecting the taste.
Then, the fish's eyes were covered, and its head was struck forcefully with a hammer to kill it.
Afterward, bleeding began immediately. If blood remained in the body, it would affect the meat quality.
After killing and bleeding, one needed to start cutting from the tail, then sever the blood vessels behind the pectoral fins…
Tuna processing has a complete set of methods. By the time Satou and Erina Nakiri finished, two hours had already passed.
"Finally done."
Although Satou did most of the heavy lifting, Erina Nakiri was still exhausted, her fair forehead covered in glistening sweat, her entire body drenched in fragrant perspiration.
"You should rest first," Satou said. His stamina far exceeded that of ordinary people, so it had little impact on him.
"Okay," Erina Nakiri nodded, but still cautioned, "Remember to freeze the fish immediately."
"I know," Satou smiled and nodded.
After everything was processed, Satou began to make dinner.
The meat from the tuna's belly was the fattiest and most succulent. Satou had no intention of selling this meat; of course, he planned to eat it himself.
Seeing Satou start cooking, Erina Nakiri quickly walked over, smiling as she said, "May I help too?"
"Sure," Satou smiled.
Then, the two became busy in the kitchen.
Red fish meat was cut into pieces, shimmering with exquisite marble-like patterns. Fat-rich beef was roasted until golden and dripping with oil, its aroma filling the air.
Before long, their cozy dinner was ready.
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