"Soma Yukihira."
"Failed the exam, expelled!"
"Ryo Kurokiba."
"Failed the exam, expelled!"
"Takumi."
"Failed the exam, expelled!"
"Megumi."
"Failed the exam, expelled!"
"Yuuki."
"Failed the exam, expelled!"
"Ryoko."
"Failed the exam, expelled!"
"Isami."
"Failed the exam, expelled!"
…
As expected, with the involvement of many Elite Ten members, the rebellious freshmen who participated in the advancement exam were all defeated.
Although this year's new students at Totsuki were very strong, with super talented "supernovas" like Erina, Alice, Soma, and Akira, it was undeniable that their overall strength still couldn't match the Elite Ten.
Meanwhile, Azami, who had returned from the tavern, was now in a spacious conference room. His eyes were still sharp and intimidating as he glanced around the room at the members of the Central Gourmet Organization. Though these people had different identities and abilities, they were all the subordinates he valued the most!
"Everyone, how did the third exam go?" Azami asked softly after taking his gaze off them.
"Reporting to the Director, with the Elite Ten's involvement, almost all the rebels were defeated. Except for your daughter Erina, Alice, and Hisako, most of the students have been expelled," a member responsible for the exam's operation quickly reported.
"Very good!"
"It seems Eishi and the others did not disappoint me."
"With this, those rebels have no way out, right?" Azami listened to the detailed report, a smile of satisfaction appearing on his face, clearly pleased with the outcome.
"Then, we can proceed with the next plan." After a brief pause, Azami stood up and addressed the members, "Understood, Director!" everyone responded in unison.
…
In the kitchen.
At the center was a large wooden countertop, neat and orderly. Bottles of spices were arranged in a row, with a faint aroma, and a ceramic pot in one corner held some vibrant herbs. On the knife rack, knives of various sizes and types were neatly arranged, gleaming coldly.
Erina was holding a knife, quickly chopping meat. Upon closer inspection, her curved left hand's knuckles were pressing against the knife's side, and her fingertips were touching the meat, cutting rapidly. Her knife skills were astonishingly fast.
Before long, a bowl of steaming fried rice was finished. The golden egg coated the shiny rice grains, with ham, shrimp, green peas, carrots, corn, and chopped green onions adding color. The aroma of the rice was mouth-watering, and a gentle stir with chopsticks revealed the unusual quality of this common dish.
…
"Wow! Is this really fried rice made by you, Miss?" Hisako, nearby, looked at the dish with wide eyes. She couldn't help but ask eagerly, "Miss, can I really taste this fried rice?"
"Hisako, I made this fried rice for you to taste," Erina replied with a nod.
With her permission, Hisako quickly took a bite of the fried rice. Her mouth was full of rice, and she seemed to remember something, asking, "Miss, do you think the three of us can compete against the Central Gourmet Organization led by Director Azami?"
"Very difficult! Almost impossible!" Erina answered reluctantly.
"Is there really no hope?" Hisako's head lowered, eyes dimming.
"As far as I know, the third exam caused all the students from the Polar Star Dormitory to be stopped and even forcibly expelled by the Central Gourmet Organization because of the involvement of the Elite Ten."
"So the situation will only get more challenging."
"Over the next few days, Alice, you, Hisako, and I must improve our cooking skills to a level that surpasses Rindo and Eishi!"
Erina said, trying to motivate the disheartened Hisako.
…
At Totsuki Academy, the elite, survival-of-the-fittest education model often led to conflicts among students. To resolve these disputes, the Shokugeki rules were established!
However, aside from individual Shokugeki, there's also Team Shokugeki. Team Shokugeki is a group-based Shokugeki used to settle disputes that can't be resolved through individual duels. It means that instead of individual battles, students with conflicts will form teams and compete against each other.
It's undeniable that in the upcoming advancement exams, the Central Gourmet Organization will likely use Team Shokugeki to defeat all the rebels!
While Erina could potentially challenge all of Totsuki on her own, it would be best if Alice and Hisako's cooking skills also reached the level of the Elite Ten. Only then would there be a slight hope of turning the tables!
…
On a cold night, the moonlight was faint, but it still cast a glow. The snow on the ground was still visible in the darkness.
A black car slowly stopped, and as the door opened, two young men stepped out.
"This is the place?" Kuga asked, hands behind his head.
"Seems like it," Satoshi shrugged and replied.
"Soma, we've been waiting for you," Satoshi greeted Soma, who had been expelled, with a complex expression.
"Soma, we're sorry we're late!" Satoshi said, his eyes dim with apology.
"No, it's our fault for not being good enough," Soma shook his head.
"Let's skip the formalities. We're here to challenge the Central Gourmet Organization in this advancement exam. We wanted to train you to be strong enough to compete with them, but since you've already lost, we have to rely on our strength," Kuga looked Soma over.
…
To be honest, Kuga had a deep impression of Soma, who had challenged him during the Moon Festival, and he highly recognized Soma's potential!
"Soma, it's all up to you now!" Soma knew the current situation. It was hard for the first-year students to change anything, so they had to rely on their seniors, the "Old Elite Ten"!
…
Early morning, the cool breeze blew gently.
As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the fog, a refreshing morning arrived, the air crisp, the chill biting!
A bus arrived, and people got off. Leading the group was a handsome young man with short white hair, looking timid, but his eyes were sharp and terrifying. Following him were several Elite Ten members and key members of the Central Gourmet Organization.
They entered a luxurious building, heading straight to the conference room without rest.
…
"Let's cut to the chase. I have an urgent matter to announce. Regarding Satoshi and Kuga voluntarily offering to drop out as a bet in a Team Shokugeki, does anyone have any objections?" Eishi presented the Team Shokugeki application form from Satoshi and Kuga.
"These two must be upset about seeing the rebels expelled," Nene said thoughtfully.
"These two are really troublesome. I think we should accept their challenge and use this Team Shokugeki to eliminate the rebels!" Eizan angrily slammed the table.
"Avoiding conflict is best. I initially supported Director Azami's reform plan. The goal was to create a new education system where students could happily learn and grow, not just compete for profit. But since the reforms began, the conflict has only intensified!" Eishi was clearly frustrated, not understanding why Satoshi, Kuga, Erina, Rindo, Momo, Jun, and Chapelle opposed Azami's reform plan. Especially as Rindo and Momo, both members of the Elite Ten, had chosen not to attend this meeting.
This left him feeling even more disappointed.
…
In the end, with most present agreeing, Satoshi and Kuga's Team Shokugeki proposal was approved by the Central Gourmet Organization. This meant that from now on, Satoshi and Kuga, along with Erina, Alice, and Hisako, would form a team to compete against the Elite Ten of the Central Gourmet Organization!
On a winter morning, the sun was weak but still cast a glow over the land. The snowy landscape stretched out, and the trees along the road swayed with the cold northwest wind, producing a sharp, piercing sound!
At exactly nine in the morning, the venue for the advancement exam was spacious.
"Erina, this fourth exam is a Team Shokugeki between your group and the Central Gourmet Organization members. However, due to certain changes, Satoshi and Kuga have requested a Team Shokugeki, so we agreed. You'll be a team of five!" Eishi explained.
"Understood. Even without them, I would have changed everything on my own!" Erina responded coldly.
"Good, it seems you have great resolve." Eishi was surprised and then praised her.
Despite the unfavorable situation, Erina had not given up or felt despair!
…
In Team Shokugeki, the forces are divided into two camps. Any two participants can face off, and the winner continues to fight, repeating until the last person standing wins. The battles continue until all members of one team are down.
In other words, if Alice, Hisako, Satoshi, and Kuga lose, and Erina keeps winning, it will still count as a win for their side!
Similarly, as long as one member of the Central Gourmet Organization's team, led by Azami, remains standing, they won't lose.
"Eizan, you go first!" Eishi patted Eizan's shoulder.
"Alright, no problem!" Eizan adjusted his glasses and smiled, "Who will be my opponent?"
"I will," Alice stood up without hesitation.
Thus, the first match of the Team Shokugeki, between Alice and Eizan, officially began.
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