"Ah...choo!"
"Oh my gosh, it's snowing outside!"
Yuuki, just coming out of the exam hall, shivered and sneezed as a cold wind hit her. Looking up, she was surprised to see it was snowing. The weather was cold enough already, but now it was even snowier.
"The weather forecast said it would start snowing around noon and continue to get heavier," Megumi said, rubbing her cold hands together. Her cheeks were turning red from the cold as she looked at the snowy landscape, feeling a bit of despair.
...
The world outside was covered in white. Snowflakes floated down from the sky, covering everything in a white blanket. Inside the exam hall, the second round of the promotion exams was in full swing. Because of the heavy snow, the plan for Alice, Megumi, Yuuki, and the others to go to Sapporo to buy ingredients was thwarted.
"Hmph, if that's how it is, we'll make noodles from the limited ingredients we have. Zane once made noodles without noodles, so we can do it too!" Alice said, determined. She turned and headed back to the exam hall.
"Hey, Megumi! Bring your ingredients over here, once you're sure there's no problem," Alice called out. Megumi nodded quickly, but her expression was worried. "We all have limited ingredients and no flour, so making noodles..."
"Don't worry, I've got a plan," Alice reassured, patting Megumi's shoulder.
...
"What's going on with Alice and the Polar Star dorm students?" Hisako wondered, surprised to see Alice collaborating with Megumi and the others.
Erina shook her head. "I don't know, and we shouldn't get involved," she said, focusing on her own noodle dish.
...
No noodles were provided to the rebels, and the snowstorm made it impossible to go out and buy ingredients. It seemed like there was no way out for them. But now, Alice and the others were making noodles from the available ingredients, which puzzled the examiner, Jiro Endo.
"They're really going through the motions, acting like they have everything they need," he muttered, still skeptical. He couldn't believe they could make a tasty noodle dish without proper ingredients.
...
The snow continued, and the second exam was nearing its end. Most students had passed, as the new curriculum prepared them well for the exams. However, Jiro Endo was shocked when Alice and her group presented their noodle dishes.
"How is this possible? How did you make noodles without proper ingredients? Wait, are these made from potatoes?"
Hokkaido is known for its fertile land, rich water sources, and cool climate, perfect for growing high-quality potatoes. The region produces 80% of Japan's potatoes, including many varieties like the renowned "Baron" potatoes.
...
"I see, you used potato flour to make the noodles. But even if you did, they won't have the same texture as wheat noodles," Jiro Endo observed. He hadn't considered potatoes as a viable option, but now it seemed like they had pulled off something remarkable.
"We mixed the potato flour with some wheat flour to create a dough that could be made into noodles," Alice explained confidently, showing a small bag of wheat flour.
...
Jiro Endo was taken aback. He hadn't anticipated this solution. With no choice, he took a bite of Alice's dish.
"The broth is rich and smooth, and the noodles have absorbed the flavors perfectly. The taste is fresh and not overpowering," he marveled, unable to believe how well it turned out.
...
"Right, the potatoes are washed, peeled, and steamed until soft. Then, they're mashed and dried into a flour-like consistency," Alice explained. "We mixed this with boiling water and wheat flour, creating a dough that was then made into noodles."
Jiro Endo was stunned. He had underestimated them and realized that the potato's natural umami flavor added a unique taste to the broth.
...
"Alright, you've passed," Jiro Endo finally conceded, acknowledging the high quality of the dish. This meant that all the rebels, including Alice, had successfully passed the second exam.
...
Far away in the Totsuki Academy director's office, Azami was informed of the news. All students had passed the second exam, which was unprecedented.
...
Azami pondered for a moment. "It seems the next three exams will have to be even more challenging," he said. "We need to bring in the Elite Ten and end this once and for all."
"The Elite Ten have arrived in Hokkaido," Satoshi confirmed. "But so have the rebels like Isshiki and Kuga."
Azami smirked, unconcerned. "They won't change anything. Prepare the Elite Ten for the next exam."
Satoshi nodded, knowing that Azami was serious about crushing the rebellion. With the Elite Ten involved, the exams would become a nightmare for most students.
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The moon had quietly risen. The distant mountains were faintly outlined against the night sky, shrouded in a mysterious and deep darkness. Nearby, trees cast dappled shadows under the clear moonlight, swaying gently with the breeze, breaking the silence of the night and adding a touch of life.
At this moment, in the Hokkaido region of Japan:
"Attention, passengers, the doors are closed, and the Moon Shadow train is about to depart," the loudspeaker announced. Shortly after, the luxurious and elegant train sped off like a lightning bolt too fast to see clearly.
"Lady Erina, the train will pass through many stations, and it seems that students are getting off at each one," Hisako noted, looking out at the rapidly passing scenery from inside the train. "Does that mean the location for the third exam is different for everyone?"
"Yes," Erina confirmed, looking at Hisako. "I remember that the promotion exam's route splits at some point. For example, in this car, it's just you, Alice, and me. There are certainly other students in other cars, but each car will arrive at different stations. From the third exam onwards, our paths will diverge or converge."
...
"Wow, Hokkaido is really cold!" Rindo, the current second seat of the Elite Ten, appeared behind Erina and the others, wearing a heavy down jacket. Her movements were a bit stiff, her body huddled up, and her hands clasped together, rubbing for warmth. Her golden eyes, beautiful like stars, were particularly striking.
"Rindo-senpai?" Erina turned and saw Rindo, surprised.
"Hehe, are you surprised to see me here?" Rindo smiled, her teeth gleaming as she spoke, her face flushed with the cold. "Long story short, you know the Central Gourmet Institute was displeased with the results of the first two exams. And since I haven't lost my second seat yet, Azami ordered the Elite Ten to be the examiners. So, tomorrow morning, at the new exam location, I'll be personally dealing with you."
...
"I see," Erina replied, understanding that her father, Azami, was serious about this. She hadn't expected to confront the Elite Ten, especially those representing the highest culinary skill. She paused, then asked, "So, it's me, Hisako, and Alice against you?"
"That's right," Rindo confirmed. "You three are in the same car, so you're a team. Your opponent is me. And to pass, you have to make a dish that beats mine."
...
Hisako, Erina, and Alice exchanged worried looks. Hisako muttered, "This isn't fair. Competing against the Elite Ten? If we had the skills to beat them, we wouldn't need to take the exam!"
"Come on, Alice, you can't go in with that attitude," Rindo said, winking. "I'll give you a hint: the exam theme is cake."
"Cake?" Alice was puzzled, exchanging glances with Erina. "I never thought we'd be working together, Erina," Alice said.
"Just don't hold me back, Alice," Erina replied, flipping her hair confidently.
...
Night.
The tavern was bustling. The translucent slices of sea bream looked like delicate peach blossoms in spring. Under the light, the fish's texture was clear and delicate, with a slight sheen. Each bite was tender and fresh, offering a burst of ocean flavor, a hint of sweetness, and a smooth, chewy texture that brought Mana immense joy.
"Mana?" a voice full of surprise interrupted her thoughts.
Turning to see Azami, Mana's eyes sharpened. Azami, usually imposing, was visibly taken aback. He never imagined that the most terrifying figure in the culinary world would appear in such a humble tavern. And he was even more shocked that Zane's cooking could captivate Mana's "God's Tongue."
...
"Azami," Mana began, her tone icy. "It's been years since we've seen each other. I thought you would take care of Erina and manage the Nakiri family affairs well, but you've been acting increasingly out of line! Totsuki Academy is our family's legacy, not yours to control. And you had the audacity to conspire with the Elite Ten to dethrone my father. Just because you married into the Nakiri family doesn't mean you can act with impunity. From the moment I left, our relationship was effectively over!"
Mana's voice, full of anger, cut through the air. Azami, usually so confident, looked like a deer caught in headlights, stammering out an excuse. "Mana, there's a reason for all this..."
"I don't want to dwell on the past," Mana interrupted. "But if you harm Erina again, I will make sure you pay. You may think you're in control because of Totsuki, but remember, I can undo everything you've built with a single word!"
Azami, sweating profusely, could only nod. "Yes, I understand."
...
"Zane, hurry up! I'm starving. Can you make me something new?" Mana's tone softened as she turned to Zane, her eyes filled with admiration and a hint of submission.
She took a bite of the fresh sea bream dish before her, savoring the pure, rich flavors that made even her refined palate sing with delight. "If Chinese cuisine is like an opera full of colors and flavors, then Japanese cuisine is like a deep novel, full of unexpected twists. The taste of sea bream is so pure that it doesn't need any extra seasoning or techniques. Just by savoring it, you can taste the sweetness. It's amazing how simple preparation can bring out such depth. Zane's cooking is the only one that can truly captivate me!"
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the tavern, causing a momentary stir.
...
"Is that... the 'Pulse Transmission' skill?" Azami muttered, realizing what had happened. Seeing Mana's reaction to Zane's cooking, he understood that Zane's culinary skills had indeed conquered Mana's "God's Tongue." This revelation hit Azami hard, as it meant all his efforts were futile compared to Zane's natural talent. Zane's culinary prowess was enough to dominate the culinary world.
...
"Azami, do you understand now?" Mana asked. "There is a chef in this world who can break the curse of the 'God's Tongue.' That chef is Zane! From the moment he appeared, both Erina and I were destined to be conquered by him, never able to escape his grasp!"
Azami, stunned, could only accept the truth. "So, the future leader of the new era is not me, nor Erina, but Zane..."
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