Mr Mars laughed, nodding. "Yes, a knife skills competition. They'll be carving, but today's challenge is a little unusual."
After a brief pause, as if savoring an amusing memory, Mr Mars added, "The material they're working with isn't ordinary——it's Crystalroot."
"Crystalroot? What's that?" Perry asked, puzzled.
Mr Mars' smile deepened, as if anticipating Perry's reaction. "Crystalroot is an exceptionally rare plant that grows deep underground, far from sunlight. It looks like a natural, transparent crystal but feels softer than jelly, so slippery it makes jelly seem firm in comparison. Harvesting it requires extreme patience and skill; apply even a little too much pressure, and it shatters into pieces."
Perry stared in awe. "That sounds difficult enough as it is, and they're using it for a knife skills contest?"
Mr Mars chuckled. "Hold on, it gets better. Crystalroot has a unique property; it can heal itself. If you cut it without absolute precision, the incision closes up in seconds, leaving no trace behind."
"Heal itself?" Perry asked, wide-eyed. "How does that even work?"
"No idea," Mr Mars said with a shrug. "I've heard it has to do with special plant fibers that reconnect rapidly. You'd have to ask a botanist for the details. All I know is that this makes it the ultimate material for knife skills. Think about it, anyone who lacks precision can't even keep it cut, let alone carve anything impressive."
Perry mulled this over, finally remarking, "So this isn't just a knife skills contest, it's a test of mastery."
"Exactly," Mr Mars agreed, his tone admiring. "These young people have ambition. Choosing such a challenging material isn't just about showing off, it's about proving their worth to everyone watching. I'm looking forward to seeing some extraordinary work."
Perry's interest was thoroughly piqued. "Are they really that skilled? If they're using Crystalroot, they must be exceptional."
"Of course." Mr Mars grinned. "While they're not certified chefs yet, their teachers——Woda and Fervo are legends. The teachers personally guaranteed their knife skills, which is why they were allowed to use such a high-difficulty material."
"I see," Perry said, surprised. "So this isn't just a student rivalry, it's an extension of their mentors' feud."
"Exactly," Mr Mars laughed. "But remember, they're not cooking; it's purely a knife skills showdown. They don't need to be chefs, just masters of the blade."
Perry nodded and turned his gaze toward the competition. The lively atmosphere and the crowd's cheers heightened his curiosity. He asked, "Mr. Mars, may I go take a closer look? This knife skills contest sounds fascinating...I might even learn something."
Mr Mars gestured with his chin. "By all means. Opportunities like this are rare. Watch carefully, you might pick up some tips. Crystalroot is tricky, but mastering it is a shortcut to honing your knife skills."
Eagerly, Perry wove his way through the crowd toward the arena. As he got closer, the cheers and chatter grew louder, and snippets of professional jargon reached his ears.
Finally, standing at the edge of the crowd, Perry caught sight of the two contestants. Kane, tall and lean, with streaks of silver in his black hair, exuded an icy intensity. His hands, long and deft, adjusted the knife's angle, the blade gleaming ominously under the lights.
Opposite him stood Leah, her fiery red hair and matching apron radiating energy. Her confident smile and steady hands as she sharpened her blade spoke of boldness and mastery. The tension between them was palpable, promising a spectacular display of skill.
On the long table between the two contestants, several peeled Crystalroot were neatly arranged. These translucent roots emitted a soft glow under the lights, resembling delicate, crystal-clear works of art. Nearby, a tray held unpeeled roots, their jelly-like texture rippling slightly with even the smallest vibration.
"It's starting!" a sharp voice called out from the crowd, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Kane was the first to act. He raised his knife steadily, his movements clean and precise, the blade seeming like an extension of his arm. Under the gaze of the audience, he placed the knife lightly on the surface of the Crystalroot, his wrist flexing in a subtle rotation. As the blade glided through the root, it parted as effortlessly as if sliced by an invisible stream of water. Thin, even slices fell away, each one as smooth as a polished mirror, without the slightest imperfection.
A murmur of admiration rippled through the crowd. "That's incredible! Flawless cutting!"
Leah, watching Kane, raised her chin slightly, a confident smile playing on her lips. She lifted her knife and flipped her wrist, letting the blade's back press gently against the root's surface as though testing its texture. Then, with a swift twist of her wrist, the blade traced an elegant arc. In an instant, the soft root was divided into five hair-thin strands, so uniform they resembled a meticulously crafted work of art.
"That's a Streamline Cut! And she used it on Crystalroot? That's unbelievable!" someone in the audience exclaimed with awe.
Perry held his breath, his eyes fixed on the two contestants. Though he didn't know much about professional knife skills, he could still recognize the extraordinary craftsmanship on display. Kane's technique was meticulous, focusing on precise, flawless cuts, while Leah's movements exuded grace and fluidity, her cutting technique almost like a dance, radiating elegance and finesse.
"Their styles are completely different, yet equally mesmerizing," Perry muttered to himself. His heart raced slightly as he realized that this wasn't just a technical contest, it was a feast for the senses, a display of artistry. He couldn't help but feel even more eager to see what would come next.
The competition intensified as both contestants continued to showcase their unique skills. Perry noticed that every cut was carefully planned, with the force and angle adjusted to near perfection. The soft and delicate texture of the Crystalroot posed an immense challenge, any slight misstep could result in barely perceptible cracks on the surface, or worse, the root could self-heal within seconds, undoing all their efforts.
"This material is practically designed to test the limits of knife skills," Perry thought, his eyes glued to their hands, afraid to miss even the tiniest detail.
"Perry!" Mr Mars' voice suddenly called from behind him, accompanied by a firm pat on his shoulder. Startled, Perry turned to see Mr Mars leaning closer, his voice low as he said, "Pay close attention to their knife techniques. This is far more than ordinary culinary skill. Their cutting involves an advanced mastery of elemental control."
"Elemental control?" Perry blinked in surprise, clearly unprepared for the idea that knife skills and elemental energy could be connected.
"Exactly!" Mr Mars nodded, his tone tinged with excitement. "Look closely at the faint glow on their blades, and you'll sense subtle elemental fluctuations. Kane's technique incorporates fire elements, making his blade sharper and hotter, allowing him to slice through the Crystalroot in an instant. Leah, on the other hand, wields wind elements. Her blade moves like a flowing breeze, soft yet precise, minimizing the root's resistance during cutting."
Wide-eyed, Perry focused even more intently on their movements. Sure enough, he noticed a faint reddish gleam on Kane's blade with every slice, like a hidden flame burning within. Leah's knife, in contrast, seemed to shimmer with an almost invisible gust of wind, leaving no trace of resistance on the root's delicate surface.
"Is that even possible?" Perry murmured to himself, his voice tinged with awe.
"Of course!" Mr Mars' voice carried a tone of unmistakable pride. "Their knife skills have surpassed the level of ordinary chefs. You could even call it an art form. That's precisely why their teacher had the confidence to let them take the stage. This isn't just a contest of culinary skill, it's a duel of technique and creativity."
As Mr Mars explained, the dynamic on stage began to shift subtly. Kane suddenly paused his precise movements. He raised his head, meeting Leah's gaze with a faint, confident smile. Without breaking eye contact, he picked up the final piece of crystal-woven root and began his work. His hands moved with a practiced speed, the knife gliding effortlessly along the root's surface. In no time, the translucent material was transformed into a lifelike bird perched on the plate. Its wings were spread in mid-flight, exuding an ethereal elegance that made the sculpture appear ready to soar. The delicate translucence of the material caught the light perfectly, giving the bird a celestial glow.
"Magnificent!" The crowd erupted in applause and murmurs of awe, many holding their breath as if afraid to disturb the fragile beauty of Kane's creation.
Leah, however, remained unfazed. A slight smirk tugged at the corners of her lips, and her eyes glinted with determination. She lifted her knife with precision, the blade flashing as she moved with breathtaking speed. Her hands danced like a choreographer directing a masterpiece, the blade tracing elegant arcs over the crystal-woven root. Slowly but surely, her creation took shape: a blooming lotus flower, its petals layered intricately and symmetrically. Each petal seemed alive, its curves flowing naturally like those of a freshly opened blossom.
"That… that's a work of art!" someone exclaimed from the audience, their voice brimming with astonishment and admiration.
Perry nodded thoughtfully, his gaze shifting between the bird and the lotus. His understanding of knife skills began to evolve. He realized that cooking wasn't just about sustenance, it was a boundless form of expression, blending science, skill, and artistry.
Kane and Leah simultaneously placed their knives down, their movements so synchronized it seemed rehearsed. Both wore calm, self-assured expressions, clearly satisfied with their work. On the table before them, their masterpieces sparkled under the lights, captivating every onlooker. Kane's bird looked ready to take flight, its wings so delicately carved that every feather seemed tangible. Meanwhile, Leah's lotus radiated an unmatched serenity, its flawless layers evoking a sense of divine beauty.
All eyes turned to the panel of three judges, awaiting their verdict. Perry followed suit, scrutinizing the trio.
The first person that caught his eye was Lionel. His calm temperament made it clear at a glance that he was of extraordinary status. Perry didn't think it was a surprise that Lionel would appear. After all, he was the young master of Lilith Company. Without his nod, the competition between Kane and Leah would not have been possible. He stood in the center of the jury, his eyes calm, as if he had an innate majesty.
The second judge was a stark contrast. A casual-looking man lounged in his seat, dressed in a slightly rumpled suit. A blade of grass dangled lazily from his mouth, adding to his air of nonchalance. The most striking feature about him was his heterochromatic eyes, one a piercing blue, the other a mysterious violet. His laid-back demeanor seemed almost out of place, yet his aura suggested there was more to him than met the eye. He twirled the blade of grass between his fingers, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips, as if the entire competition were an amusing diversion.
The third judge, to Perry's surprise, was Hinnal. He hadn't expected to see him here, let alone as a judge. Hinnal stood with arms crossed, his expression a mixture of annoyance and indifference. Yet, despite his evident impatience, his piercing gaze betrayed an intense focus whenever it fell on the contestants' work. Perry noticed that, even as Hinnal appeared to begrudge his role, he studied the sculptures with a meticulous eye, absorbing every detail.
The evaluation began. The casual-looking man was the first to speak. Plucking the blade of grass from his mouth, he gestured toward Kane's bird with it, his tone casual yet admiring.
"This bird's detail is nothing short of extraordinary. The precision in the featherwork, the clean, smooth cuts——flawless. And the way you've harnessed the translucence of the Crystalroot? It's like you've captured the moment before flight. Truly inspired work."
Lionel then stepped over to Leah's lotus flower, nodded slightly, and said in a low voice, "This lotus flower demonstrates unparalleled knife skills, executed with flawless precision. The arrangement of the petals is perfect, showcasing the flexibility of the crystal root while conveying a sense of natural vitality and depth. Overall, it's truly outstanding."
As the two judges, standing on opposite sides of the table, gave their respective evaluations, their comments stirred waves of murmurs among the audience. Everyone was speculating which creation would emerge as the superior work. However, Hinnal remained silent. He walked over to the two pieces, his hands buried in his pockets, his gaze meticulously scanning every detail. Although he didn't speak, Perry could tell that his observations were extremely thorough, more so than the other two judges.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Perry leaned closer to Mr Mars and asked in a whisper, "Who's that casual-looking guy? He doesn't look like someone who'd have anything to do with cooking."
Mars chuckled softly and replied, "That's Damothis. He's a top-tier gourmand."
"A gourmand?!" Perry's eyes widened in disbelief. His tone was full of surprise; he never imagined that someone with such a carefree demeanor could be a leading figure in the industry.
Mr Mars seemed to read Perry's thoughts and added, "Don't be fooled by his appearance. Damothis may look nonchalant, but his expertise in both gastronomy and art runs exceptionally deep. The fact that he's here to judge this competition is already a huge endorsement for the contestants."
As the judges' comments spread, the audience's discussions grew louder and more fervent. Before long, the crowd divided into two camps, one praising Kane's bird, and the other favoring Leah's lotus. Perry listened to the escalating debates around him, his curiosity about the competition's outcome mounting. He asked Mr Mars softly, "Can they really decide a winner in a situation like this?"
Mr Mars shook his head, his smile carrying a hint of mystery. "Sometimes, the true purpose of a competition isn't about winning or losing. It's about surpassing one's own limits and leaving the audience in awe. Just look at them."
Following Mr Mars's gaze, Perry turned to see Kane and Leah standing together. They appeared calm on the surface, but the tension between them was palpable. Kane raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone laced with meaning as he said, "Not bad, Leah. Your lotus flower this time is definitely better than before. Looks like you've been practicing hard."
Leah's lips curled into a smirk, her expression feigning politeness as she replied, "Likewise, Kane. Your bird is indeed impressive, but it's still just shy of perfection. Next time, I'll surprise you even more."
Their words were filled with veiled barbs, yet remained courteous—a unique form of communication between the two. They both understood that the key to victory lay in Hinnal's final judgment.
Hinnal stood before the creations, finally lifting his head and narrowing his eyes slightly. Perry unconsciously held his breath, waiting for the moment Hinnal would speak.