Chapter 222: Qualified Candidates
While Hachiman is currently just a high school student, he has almost reached the pinnacle in several fields.
Take kendo, for example. Originally a martial art, with the near-maxed-out "Kendo" module, his aura is something an ordinary high school student can hardly withstand.
Feeling the overwhelming pressure emanating from Hachiman, the male student took a step back. When he recalled Hachiman's previous words, his face turned pale.
He realized he had entered a misconception.
After hearing the theme of "noodles, not noodles," he focused all his energy on "noodles," forgetting the crucial broth and side dishes.
In the Japan culinary culture, noodles are never the main focus. The emphasis lies in the broth and the toppings on the noodles.
In some traditional ramen shops, adding extra noodles is often free, but if you want more broth, you'll have to pay.
Not only this male student but also other students attempting the challenge had similarly misplaced their focus on the noodles.
"Go back and redo it. You still have time. As long as you can create a dish that satisfies me within the remaining time, you can still pass," Hachiman said, retracting his imposing aura and waving his hand dismissively.
The male student, feeling granted a reprieve, hastily took his dish back to the cooking station.
After about ten minutes, someone finally submitted their dish again. Hachiman perked up because this time it was Erina.
The girl approached with a covered dish in hand.
"Hmph, go ahead and taste my dish." Erina huffed as she stood before him.
Hachiman, accustomed to the girl's attitude, lifted the dish cover, revealing a steaming bowl of noodle soup. Light yellow noodles floated in the broth, accompanied by meat rolls as toppings.
Raising an eyebrow, Hachiman glanced at Erina's confident smile. He picked up a strand of "noodles" with chopsticks and slurped it into his mouth.
As his teeth bit down, the chewy noodles snapped, and the deliciousness of fish meat burst in his mouth.
"Oh, interesting. Blend bream and shrimp into a paste, then mix with high-gluten flour and a bit of egg white to form the noodles. The addition of high-gluten flour and shrimp enhances the texture, making it comparable to noodles made from wheat flour in terms of firmness and hardness!"
After commenting on the noodles, Hachiman took a bite of the meat roll. The freshness of sea bream instantly unfolded in his mouth.
"These meat rolls involve tying sea bream with a thread, coloring with light soy sauce, and simmering with a bit of white wine."
"As for the broth, it's made by simmering sea bream heads and bones. I guess I got it all right."
Looking up, he met Erina's slightly surprised gaze. Hachiman smiled.
"Don't tell me you also have..." Erina began uncertainly.
But as if knowing what the girl was about to say, Hachiman interjected.
"I don't have the same 'God Tongue' as you. My taste buds are just a bit more sensitive than the average person's."
"Oh, I see." The girl breathed a sigh of relief.
Knowing that Hachiman's culinary skills far surpassed hers, Erina's only advantage was the "God Tongue." If Hachiman had it too, she wasn't sure how to face him.
Having confirmed her advantage once again, Erina restored her usual proud expression.
"How is it? Did my dish pass?"
"Of course, the noodles, broth, and toppings are all fine."
Hachiman nodded and announced the assessment results.
"Erina Nakiri, qualified!"
Upon hearing the first qualifier, many students in the classroom showed envy, but at the same time, they felt it was only natural. After all, Erina was not only the granddaughter of the school director but also the only member of the Elite Ten in the first year, boasting much stronger culinary skills than them.
However, they quickly pushed aside their mixed emotions and focused on their own cooking. After all, Erina passing was Erina passing, and their own fate was still uncertain.
"You've passed this challenge. You're free to move around until 5 PM," Hachiman informed the girl after the assessment.
Erina was aware of the evening challenge involving fifty portions of steak rice, and considering the current time was just past 3 PM, she had almost two hours until 5 PM. She decided to go back to her room and rest for a bit.
However, as she turned to leave, Hachiman called her again.
"By the way, Erina, would you like to have dinner together?"
"Dinner together?"
Hearing this, the girl was somewhat intrigued, but her tsundere personality didn't allow her to immediately agree.
"Hmph, let's talk about it tonight. I'm going back to rest."
After saying this, she left the classroom.
Watching Erina's departing figure, Hachiman shrugged. Knowing her well, if she didn't refuse on the spot, it meant she had agreed. He just needed to call her in the evening.
Shortly after Erina left, more students started presenting their dishes, but unfortunately, only a few managed to pass.
After about another half an hour, another person Hachiman had an eye on, Ryoko Sakaki, also started presenting her dish.
Opening the lid of the dish revealed a subtle fragrance of alcohol.
The dish she made resembled something like rice noodles, where soaked rice was ground into powder, mixed with a little water in proportion, and finally pressed using a small noodle press.
The broth was a mushroom-based broth, and during the noodle cooking process, the girl added her homemade high-concentration grain alcohol. This way, during the boiling process, the characteristic rich aroma of grains could emerge, enhancing the flavor of the "noodles."
As for the final topping, Ryoko Sakaki added her carefully aged natto.
Although it looked somewhat viscous, the taste was quite delicious.
"Ryoko Sakaki, qualified!"
With no issues in the noodles, broth, and toppings, Hachiman naturally declared her qualified.
Upon hearing that she passed, Ryoko breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well done. Since there's still some time before 5 PM, you can go back to your room to rest and prepare for the next round of assessment," Hachiman reminded the person he had high expectations for.
This statement sparked discussions among the students.
"What? There's still another assessment?"
"It's already 4 o'clock at the end of this assessment. Can't we even have dinner?"
"No, seriously? One assessment after another, lasting for several days. Who can handle this?"