"Honestly, among us Polar Star Dormitory residents, the most hopeful people to reach the quarterfinals are only you and Sōma."
Sakaki Ryoko echoed.
"Top 8?"
"Don't... don't think so highly of me. It's already great that I can participate in the Autumn Elections."
Tadokoro Megumi was so praised by the two that she couldn't help but scratch the back of her head, feeling a little embarrassed herself.
...
"I'm in the same block as Mito?"
"Good, this is fate deliberately giving me a chance for revenge."
Yukihira Soma, with his light red short hair, clenched his fists and narrowed his eyes upon seeing the list on the whiteboard.
Clearly, he still couldn't let go of the previous Gaijin-fan Research Association incident.
At the same time, in the vast crowd, the extremely low-profile Hayama Akira was gently sniffing a bay leaf in his hand.
Then, with a look of intoxication, he murmured, "Unlike the rich and intense star anise, and not like the fresh and elegant basil, the scent of bay leaf is like the breath of nature, allowing one to feel its vitality and vibrant life."
"Not bad. If it can be used to prepare some curry dishes, mixed with chicken drumsticks, beef shank, and so on, it will make the taste even more unique."
With that, he slowly opened his eyes and quickly scanned the whiteboard list a few times.
"Hmph!"
"All are extremely mediocre participants."
"Except for that Miss Alice, who can create many strange and bizarre dishes, the others are really not worth mentioning."
"And she's in B Block, so it seems I have hope of breaking into the quarterfinals, no, the semifinals!"
He withdrew his gaze, feeling confident of victory, and quietly left the scene.
...
"Young Lady."
"You're in B Block, I've been looking for you for ages."
Ryō Kurokiba, with a pair of 'panda' eyes, listlessly pointed to the name 'Alice Nakiri' in a relatively obscure position on the list, saying weakly.
"Ryō, do you think I'd be eliminated?"
"I admit I've lost to you before, but things are different now."
"Moreover, during the Practical Training activity, I performed very well, and I am definitely qualified to participate in this Autumn Elections."
"It's you, as my trusted aide, as my follower, who is in the same block as that lackey by Nakiri Erina's side."
"You'd better perform well then, don't be a follower of a Nakiri Young Lady and end up losing."
Alice Nakiri crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze fixed on the A Block list.
"Don't worry, I'll give it my all."
Hearing this, Ryō Kurokiba nodded.
"It's a pity that Erina, as the Elite Ten's Tenth Seat, has to be responsible for various affairs of the Autumn Elections during this period."
"If she could also be on this list of 60, then I would have a chance to compete with her!"
Alice's eyes became very disappointed at this moment, and she finally sighed helplessly.
If this Autumn Elections were a 100-meter race, then there would be 60 athletes participating.
Then judges like her mother Leonora, and her grandfather Senzaemon, as well as the Elite Ten members responsible for affairs, would all be referees.
Therefore, even though Erina is a first-year high school student, she cannot participate in the Autumn Elections.
It must be said.
In Alice's eyes, this was a regret!
...
Perhaps it's nearing early autumn.
Therefore, the current weather is not as oppressive as the scorching summer before.
At this moment, Nakiri Erina, wearing a Totsuki uniform, already knew the lists for A and B Blocks of the Autumn Elections in advance.
"Hisako, your luck is truly unfortunate."
"According to the current list, the competition in A Block is definitely far more intense than in B Block."
"In B Block, the only one who can threaten you is probably Alice Nakiri, but in A Block, there's Mito Ikumi, my subordinate. You two are destined to fight it out first!"
"Although after the Gaijin-fan Research Association incident, her, Mito's, strength has greatly improved, I believe she should still not be your opponent."
"Compared to her, I'm more worried about Hayama Akira and Ryō Kurokiba."
"Oh!"
"And that transfer student."
Looking deeply at Hisako opposite her, Erina finally reached out and patted her shoulder, "Work hard, break into the quarterfinals first, then the semifinals."
"Young Lady, I will break into the top 4."
"And I also promise you that I can bring back an Autumn Elections championship."
"After all, as your personal assistant and Secretary, I need to clear all obstacles for you."
"And I also need to prove to everyone in Totsuki Culinary Academy that you, Young Lady, are the protagonist who will stand at the highest point in the future, and everyone else is just cannon fodder, as the General said."
Hisako was flattered and quickly gathered her courage to grasp the jade hand resting on her shoulder, her eyes filled with determination.
"Idiot."
"On the path forward, I'm enough by myself. I... I don't need you!"
Nakiri Erina's eyes welled up with tears, and she said, moved.
...
It is well known that every year's third-year high school students will all leave Totsuki Culinary Academy during the graduation season of the following year.
This means that next year, Eishi Tsukasa, Kobayashi Rindo, Fuyumi Nikaido, Akanegakubo Momo, and Saito Soumei, these five Elite Ten members, will all depart.
In this way, it means that most of the Elite Ten seats will become vacant.
So.
From among the juniors.
It is very necessary to re-select talented individuals.
To serve as new Elite Ten members, to fill the Elite Ten vacancies.
And the criteria for measuring whether one is qualified to take over an Elite Ten seat usually depend on their performance in the Autumn Selection.
Furthermore, unless there are specific conditions, participants in the Autumn Elections usually do not face the risk of expulsion.
Therefore, to some extent, the Autumn Elections' prestige is far higher than the previous Practical Training activity.
All new students dream of becoming one of these 60 participants because if they truly lose the competition, at most they will just exit gracefully and will not have to bear any consequences.
However, if by chance they break into the quarterfinals, semifinals, or finals... then it would be:
Limitless prospects!
...
Ultimately, the so-called Autumn Selection.
It is merely a grand event for identifying outstanding new students and selecting them as participants based on this standard, entering the competition.
Don't be fooled by the seemingly small number of 60 participants; precisely these 60 participants are elites who have been screened layer by layer by the Elite Ten.
Take Hayama Akira in the original work, for example; he successively defeated Yukihira Soma, Ryō Kurokiba, and others in this Autumn Elections, successfully winning first place in the finals, thus making his name known throughout Totsuki Culinary Academy!
In fact, after that, his popularity even surpassed Nakiri Erina's for a time.
Especially after the Nakiri Azami coup incident, he chose to 'defect' and directly became the Elite Ten's Ninth Seat!
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