Each year, elite management personnel, including the Director, select candidates for the Elite Ten, temporarily assigning seats!
Then, these candidates compete in "Shokugeki" battles, and their abilities determine who secures the seats.
In other words.
The Elite Ten are chosen based on skill.
They are not appointed or elected by students.
As for the Director, they are usually elected by the Elite Ten.
So, this creates a strange situation where the Elite Ten have the power to remove the Director, but the Director cannot remove the Elite Ten!
...
In Zane's eyes.
Totsuki's election system is absurd.
No matter how talented and skilled the Elite Ten are, they are still just students, most of whom are about to graduate.
To be blunt, how can a group of soon-to-be graduates be allowed to make decisions about major reforms at Totsuki?
Letting a few students mess around naturally leads to turmoil.
Hmm!
This is unavoidable.
What's even more ridiculous is that after Azami came to power.
Although he quickly abolished research societies and established the Central Gourmet Institute, he cleverly avoided repeating Senzaemon's mistakes by exploiting the conflicts among the Elite Ten.
As a result, three Elite Ten members—Somei, Satoshi, and Kuga—who opposed the Central Gourmet Institute were ousted from their positions.
Generally speaking.
The removal of an Elite Ten member is competitive.
A stronger student must voluntarily challenge the Elite Ten member in a Shokugeki.
Yes!
It cannot be forced!
Any Elite Ten member has the right to refuse a Shokugeki challenge.
Only in the sacred "Between Heaven and Earth" at Totsuki Academy can an Elite Ten member be replaced if they lose a Shokugeki.
But now, the new Director, Azami, used the conflicts among the Elite Ten and policy changes to directly remove three Elite Ten members, causing quite a stir at Totsuki Academy!
...
"Sigh, that's how it is."
"Even though Rindo warned Director Azami that no policy change should come at the cost of removing any Elite Ten member."
"But other Elite Ten members opposed her, especially Tsukasa, Nene, and Eizan, who insisted that anyone who didn't agree with the Central Gourmet Institute was opposing the new policy and the new Director."
"Such people cannot remain in the Elite Ten!"
"So, I was kicked out of the seventh seat."
At the Polaris Dormitory, a frustrated Satoshi spoke to the dorm manager, Mrs. Wenxu.
"How ridiculous."
"You Elite Ten members removed the Director, only to be removed by the new Director."
Mrs. Wenxu felt a mix of emotions, finding the recent events absurd.
"It's not like I wanted to remove him."
"The Elite Ten Council always follows the principle of majority rule."
"Out of the ten members, with Erina absent, five of the remaining nine clearly support Azami."
Satoshi sighed.
"Azami's abilities are as formidable as ever."
"With more than half of the Elite Ten supporting him, he faces less resistance in implementing policies."
"Now, he's eliminated all dissenters."
"Calling him a dictator of Totsuki Academy doesn't seem like an exaggeration."
The situation at Totsuki Academy was volatile, and the conflicting forces were like a powder keg ready to explode.
Based on her memories of Azami, Mrs. Wenxu concluded that he wasn't just aiming to be the Director of Totsuki. When Nakiri Azami was a student at Polaris Dormitory, she sensed his grand, albeit extreme, ambitions.
"So."
"What will you do next?"
Mrs. Wenxu asked after a moment of thought.
"I don't know!"
"I'll take it one step at a time."
Satoshi replied.
...
Abolishing all on-campus research groups and clubs.
Establishing the Central Gourmet Institute with the Director and the Elite Ten at its core.
These two actions.
Undoubtedly, this is a power grab.
While the Elite Ten are at the center of power, the members of the Central Gourmet Institute are selected by the Director.
In other words, this new institution symbolizes:
The Director now stands above the Elite Ten!
Previously, the Elite Ten represented the pinnacle of Totsuki Academy, but the establishment of the Central Gourmet Institute clearly aims to surpass the Elite Ten Council.
Logically, the Elite Ten should not allow or agree to something that places them beneath it.
But, surprisingly, more than half of the Elite Ten supported it!
Hmm!
Are they truly loyal to Azami?
Would they follow his lead wholeheartedly?
The reason lies in Azami's arrival, which changed Totsuki Academy's teaching philosophy.
Setting up the Central Gourmet Institute significantly increased the influence and status of the Elite Ten.
Moreover, Azami's own strength and charisma played a part. Within a month, he expanded Subway's presence in Japan, causing ninth seat Eizan to panic.
His personality might not be likable.
But many Elite Ten members saw him as more capable than Senzaemon, someone who could lead Totsuki to new heights.
Of course, his teaching philosophy also played a crucial role.
Unlike "elite education," he wanted students to mimic the Elite Ten's cooking, which seemed like a "good" thing to the Elite Ten.
This new teaching method meant no more competition or conflicts among students.
It gradually extinguished students' creative thoughts.
Thus, the Elite Ten could maintain their top positions.
In the end, Azami's new policies aligned with the interests of the Elite Ten, leading to their defection and the coup!
...
After Mana.
Hisako also arrived at the tavern.
Dragging a heavy suitcase, she seemed burdened, making her walk laboriously.
Each breath was accompanied by panting, and her cheeks were flushed from exertion!
Click! Click! Click!
The suitcase wheels rolled on the ground.
The sound of her breathing and the suitcase formed a symphony of exhaustion.
Finally, she reached the tavern and eagerly found a seat, wiping the sweat from her brow.
"Hisako?"
"You... you came to the tavern too?"
"Were you expelled by my father, no, were you expelled from school?"
Seeing Hisako with a suitcase, Erina, who was chatting with her mother, was stunned.
Then, she realized something, her heart sinking!
"Miss."
"That... that didn't happen."
"Azami... ahem, the new Director, he seems hesitant to act against me."
"He knew I had the key to your room, and he didn't say anything."
"This time, I came because you left in a hurry and forgot many things!"
"So, I brought your favorite manga, light novels, clothes, cosmetics, kitchen utensils, and other daily items!"
"Here!"
"They're all in this suitcase."
Hisako panted, smiling.
...
"Oh?"
"Is that so?"
Erina felt touched by the situation.
Even though Hisako had been dismissed as her secretary, she didn't have to look after Erina anymore.
Yet, after Erina left Totsuki, Hisako followed and brought her favorite manga and daily items.
So, it was natural for Erina to feel grateful.
Seeing Erina safe and sound.
Hisako took a deep breath, finally able to relax!
"Miss, how have you been here?"
Placing the heavy suitcase aside, Hisako approached Erina and asked softly.
"Very well!"
"Zane is here with me, and Mom visits to eat sometimes."
"My life here is stable."
As she spoke, Erina's white jade-like face blushed slightly.
She gripped the blanket tightly, her embarrassment growing, making Hisako blink in surprise.
Then, realizing something, Hisako smiled and asked, "Miss, when you ran to the tavern, did Zane comfort you? Like holding you and whispering kind words?"
"Huh?"
"No... no... nothing like that!"
Erina hurriedly shook her head.
Realizing her weak display in front of Hisako, she pretended to cough and put on a serious face!
The air grew slightly awkward.
...
"Hisako, besides visiting me, is there another reason you're at the tavern?"
After a brief silence, Erina asked calmly.
"Miss."
"Actually... there's nothing else."
"But knowing I can no longer serve you or stay by your side, I couldn't stop worrying!"
"If you need anything or need help at the tavern, please tell me. I'll do my best to assist."
Hisako replied quickly.
For a long time, Hisako handled many of Erina's affairs.
Now, due to various reasons, Erina was temporarily staying at the tavern, making Hisako even more eager to help her.
But after thinking for a while, Erina couldn't find any issues needing Hisako's assistance.
So, she shook her head and said, "Hisako, you don't have to worry about me. As you can see, I'm well-fed and fine at the tavern!"
"Really?"
"That's great!"
Hisako smiled, relieved.
...
"How is my father?"
Erina asked, her face filled with tension.
"Him?"
"Miss."
"In the past two days, many things have happened at Totsuki Academy."
Hisako quickly recounted all the major events at Totsuki Academy in recent days.
Finally, when she mentioned three Elite Ten members being ousted, Erina's face changed.
"Why?"
"Research societies are platforms for students to hone their cooking skills while following traditions!"
"But as soon as my father took office, he wanted to abolish them all?"
"Clearing out all opposing forces so aggressively, even at the cost of removing Elite Ten members, does he really want to destroy Totsuki Academy?"
Erina muttered to herself.
"Miss, the elite education system at the academy has reached a point where it must change."
"Constantly advocating for strength while abandoning those less skilled, in such a competitive environment, naturally leads to personality differences
and varying growth rates among students."
"This has caused continuous conflicts among students for their interests!"
"But since your father took office, he announced that all cooking skills would be taught by the newly established Central Gourmet Institute."
"Everyone will be treated fairly."
"In other words, all Totsuki students will eventually learn Elite Ten-level techniques, concepts, and recipes."
"I think he aims to create a world without unnecessary competition, dropouts, distinctions, or rivalry!"
"Everyone will be absolutely free in this new orderly world."
...
Hisako's words were many, but Erina understood: "Is he crazy?"
"Isn't this just imprisoning all students in a cage he designed? Isn't the Central Gourmet Institute a form of slavery?"
"Oh? Could he be trying to build a culinary empire solely for himself?"
On the other side, Mana sensed a dangerous message from Erina and Hisako's conversation!
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