She turned her gaze to the pot of Four Substance Lamb Soup on the table and immediately understood.
But she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she began to hug Hisako tightly.
To her surprise, Hisako's entire body felt as hot as lava, even hotter than lava.
"Are you okay?"
Erina asked, her voice full of worry.
"I'm fine!"
Hisako replied, pushing Erina away with trembling hands, her face flushed as if with shyness or nervousness.
But with her current strength, how could she push Erina away?
She sighed softly, allowing her body to relax and her mind to clear. Finally, she freed herself from Erina's embrace.
...
"Hisako, you scared me so much I thought my heart would stop," Erina said, overjoyed that Hisako was okay.
"Sorry to worry you."
Tears welled up in Hisako's eyes.
Her body had been hot just now, but her heart now felt a bit cold, yet warm at the same time.
She sat down at the table, leaning in to closely examine the pot of Four Substance Lamb Soup, as if to better understand its taste.
After a moment, Erina seemed to grasp something. She took a spoonful of the soup, looked at it carefully, and suddenly understood: "Did you cook the four herbs with turmeric, fennel, and anise?"
"Yes, but I might have misjudged the amount of some herbs," Hisako replied, nodding vigorously.
"It's not just the herbs. Turmeric, fennel, and anise are all used in curry."
"Are you planning to use this medicinal dish for next month's autumn selection?"
With that, Erina carefully blew on the hot soup.
Ignoring Hisako's surprise, she gently sipped the soup to taste its flavor.
...
The soup's temperature was just right, neither too hot nor too cold.
It felt like a gentle breeze on a warm summer day, bringing immense comfort.
As the soup cooled, Erina's tasting slowed, her tongue savoring each flavor.
"No, it's not the four herbs."
"From a traditional medicine perspective, lamb is warm and helps to dispel cold. Turmeric, which is also warm, can cause the body to overheat if consumed in excess."
"Additionally, fennel is flavorful and aromatic but also warm."
After swallowing, Erina's eyes brightened.
With her God Tongue, she easily identified the dish's flaws.
"Turmeric? Fennel?"
"These spices are causing my body to overheat?"
Hisako slapped her forehead, finally realizing her mistake.
"The amount of the three spices is fine, but combining them with lamb increases their warming effect, causing short-term overheating."
"I think adding a cooling ingredient will balance it out."
Erina thought for a moment.
"A cooling ingredient?"
Hisako pondered and then thought of something: "Mung beans."
"That would work. Mung beans can reduce the lamb's gamey taste and its warming effect. But I think there's an even better ingredient."
"What is it?"
"Bitter melon."
Erina replied calmly.
"Whether it's mung beans or bitter melon, both can balance out the lamb's warming nature."
"But bitter melon contains dietary fiber that promotes digestion and absorption, which is beneficial."
"Promote the digestion of lamb?"
Hisako murmured.
She then realized Erina was using her God Tongue to guide her.
...
"Don't be too hasty."
"Although there are strong competitors in the A block, you can definitely make it to the top eight."
Hearing Erina's words, Hisako shook her head firmly: "No, Erina-sama, I've changed my mind. I want to take first place in the A block!"
"What?"
"That's not necessary, right?"
"As long as you make it to the top four in the A block, that's enough."
Erina was taken aback.
"True, making the top four avoids elimination."
"But this is Totsuki Academy, where only the strong survive. If I'm going to compete, I want to be the strongest in this autumn selection."
"Only then will I truly represent you well as your assistant, Erina-sama!"
Hisako declared with determination.
"Alright, I'm glad to see you so determined."
"Back at the evaluation meeting, I had a disagreement with Satoshi-senpai. If you win first place in the preliminaries, it will show that my recommendation was justified."
Erina patted her shoulder, her face full of joy.
"Don't worry, Erina-sama."
"I will not disappoint you."
Feeling encouraged, Hisako continued working on the Four Substance Lamb Soup.
Watching her slender figure busily working, Erina quietly left the kitchen, not wanting to disturb her.
...
The best pairing for a tavern:
Grilled skewers.
Sake.
From various beef skewers, whether sauce-grilled or salt-grilled, there are many flavors to choose from.
For those who can't decide, you can ask the owner for a mixed platter of skewers to enjoy all the flavors.
Other dishes like Mapo Tofu, Kung Pao Chicken, scallion pancakes, smoked beef, and even desserts like soufflé and macarons are all delicious.
In short, you can order anything here and won't be disappointed!
The only downside is that this tavern operates for a short time.
"Ding! The host has successfully signed in."
"Ding! Congratulations, host, for acquiring the knife technique Fierce Bull Azure Dragon Slash, and receiving 10kg of tenderloin and 10kg of shank meat."
The Fierce Bull Azure Dragon Slash, a legendary technique from "Cooking Master Boy," was an ultimate skill passed down in the dark culinary world.
Using this technique, one can instantly dismember a large bull without spilling a single drop of blood!
This skill is quite impressive to Zane.
After all, an entire cow consists of various parts like brisket, tenderloin, chuck, rump, and more.
Understanding the structure of the cow helps quickly identify its muscle structure, making cutting effortless.
But dismembering an entire cow is no easy task.
Thus, this knife technique indicates a chef's knife skills have reached the pinnacle!
...
Time slipped by like sand through fingers.
A month later, golden sunlight bathed Totsuki Academy, adding brightness and hope to the start of the autumn selection.
At 9 o'clock, 60 contestants began to gather at Totsuki's most sacred place:
The Moon Palace!
This hall holds countless memories, dreams, and honors.
In fact, the Moon Palace is the most important building in Totsuki Academy.
It stands at the center of the academy, resembling a grand palace that captures the gaze of every passing student.
Upon entering, one's eyes are immediately drawn to the central stage covered in a luxurious red carpet.
Rows of lacquered wooden seats are arranged in tiers, creating a layered visual effect. The high arched ceiling, intricate stained glass windows, and spacious interior that can hold thousands...
Every contestant who steps in is amazed.
...
Soon, all 60 contestants had arrived.
The colorful stage lights suddenly went out.
Then, several bright white spotlights turned on, focusing on the stage where the hostess, Rei Kawashima, had just appeared.
She walked confidently to the center of the stage, smiling as she surveyed the surroundings, then took a deep breath.
This cute girl, with her bangs clipped back and dressed in an idol-like performance outfit, caused quite a stir.
"Hey!"
"Good morning to all the contestants who have come to the Moon Palace!"
Rei Kawashima, holding the microphone, spoke in a cute and sweet voice.
As soon as she finished, more than half of the male contestants cheered, making the Moon Palace lively and noisy.
"Wow, everyone is so enthusiastic!"
Rei blinked playfully, her face beaming with happiness.
At the same time, her mischievous personality took over, secretly mocking the enthusiastic boys.
After the crowd settled down, she cleared her throat and continued in a louder voice: "Welcome to the opening ceremony of the autumn selection. This is a competition of wisdom and talent, a clash of passion and dreams."
"Let's all look forward to seeing who will stand out and become the brightest star today!"
As the hostess, Rei Kawashima was undoubtedly very competent.
Although her voice was a bit childish, it was full of passion and encouragement.
Her words filled every contestant with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming autumn selection.
"Ahem."
"Before we begin."
"Let's welcome the current director to give the opening speech!"
With that, Rei bowed to the audience and stepped off the stage.
An elderly man in a light brown kimono with white hair then took the stage.
His appearance caused another uproar in the Moon Palace.
...
The director first surveyed the contestants.
He intended to remember the faces of these 60 representatives of Totsuki's "future hope."
Satisfied with this new batch of talents, he spoke into the microphone: "As you can see, this year's autumn selection opening ceremony is held at Totsuki's most important place."
"The Moon Palace is usually reserved only for battles between the Elite Ten."
"To honor the former top ten, their portraits are displayed on the walls."
"This place carries the memories and achievements of many geniuses, but it also holds their glorious deeds."
"I believe this autumn selection will be no different. While many will fail, it will also produce culinary battles worthy of Totsuki's history and create amazing dishes."
"In short, contestants, all you need to do is cook to your heart's content in this autumn selection."
"This is your stage to showcase your talents and write a new chapter in history!"
"Yeah!"
"Yeah!"
"Yeah!"
The director's words were very inspiring.
The contestants couldn't help
but cheer excitedly.
After his motivating speech, the director announced the start of the autumn selection, bowed deeply to the contestants, and left the stage.
Hostess Rei Kawashima returned to announce the rules of the preliminary competition according to the opening ceremony schedule.
"Everyone."
"Let me explain the preliminary competition rules."
"A month ago, everyone received an official letter, right?"
"As stated in that letter, the preliminary competition's theme is curry, with a time limit of two hours."
"There are 60 contestants divided into A and B blocks, with 30 in each block. The top four from each block will advance to the top eight."
"Those are the rules."
"Please head to your respective blocks. The preliminary competition starts at 10:00 sharp."
After hearing Rei's announcement, the contestants moved to their respective blocks.
...
At 10:00, the highly anticipated 92nd Autumn Selection officially began!
In the B block, judges Natsume and Chihiro Sendawara, also known as the Curry Queens from HUB Curry ads, entered the competition hall, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
"Wow!"
"Am I seeing things?"
"Aren't those the Curry Queens from the HUB Curry commercials?"
"Who would've thought they'd be judges for this autumn selection."
"So the contestants in the B block must impress them with their curry dishes to advance?"
"Oh man, who can compete with them in curry?"
When the Sendawara sisters sat on the judges' panel, the whole B block erupted with chatter.
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