The Autumn Election Preliminaries

The summer was over and Autumn came.

Every single participant was taken into a large stadium as the crowds were filled with all the other students.

Soma and Megumi who found each other at first, see that everyone was prepped up for the competition

"Megumi! Yukihira!" the ever so cheerful Yoshino Yuki came like a rocket as she hugs Megumi, "I miss you guys so much!"

"Yuki-chan!" Megumi returned the hug as they see that everyone was back together

"It looks like the Polar Star Dorm is back," Ryoko said as Ibusaki nodded in agreement.

"Had fun in the summer?" Soma asked them as they started chatting a bit

"Looks like you've been busy," Hayama appeared behind Soma as the man was sniffing on a cinnamon bar, "so many spices are mixed into that hands of yours."

"You as well, I assume," Soma said with a smirk as Hayama walked off.

Before long Takumi popped out of nowhere

"YUKIHIRA! It's time to settle the score!" Takumi exclaimed to his rival.

"Oh, Takumi, had a fun holiday?" Soma asked before Takumi started rambling about how he will win against Soma before Megumi asked a question to the blonde half Italian chef

"Um, who is that behind you?" Megumi asked as Takumi looks behind to see someone who looks to be in his age.

"That's Isami," Soma said as Megumi and the others were shocked.

"Eeeh!?" they exclaimed in surprise.

"He's like that in the summer," Soma said as Takumi started explaining the wonders of Isami's body.

"Anyway! I will defeat y- aah!" Takumi was about to declare something when the lights went dark.

A spotlight flashed onto a podium with a microphone as the emcee announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, we apologized for keeping you waiting. Please turn your attention to the stage. The headmaster of the Institute will now make his introductory address." The emcee announced out as Senzaemon walked onto the stage

He stood on the podium and took a deep breath before choking a bit.

"Director!? Are you okay!?" the emcee asked the old man worried.

"It's okay, I just choked a bit," Senzaemon said before continuing, "when I go here and breathes the air within, I can feel my heart beating and my body burning as this auditorium is known as Heaven's Moon Arena. Usually, it is a place reserved solely for Shokugeki between members of the Elite 10."

"As a show of respect to those students who earned the rank of First Seat... It is a tradition to hang their portraits here in a place of honor."

Everyone turns around and sees dozens of picture frames hanged on the wall as Soma saw the picture of Dojima Gin, and Shinomiya Kojiro.

He whistled before Senzaemon continued, "This arena has seen countless battles and witnessed the birth of countless specialties. Here you can feel them in the air. The memories of battle, one after another after another… Floating through the air like a mist. This Heaven's Moon Arena is where the Autumn Election Finals will be held."

"So in other words, those who survived the preliminaries will have the honor of standing on this legendary stage," Marui said while adjusting his glasses.

"Students! We will meet here again on the day of the finals! Which of you will be the ones to carve a new piece of history? Show me! Chefs of Totsuki's 92nd graduating class!" Senzaemon shouted out as the students cheered with excitement at these words.

"Oh yeah, you were saying something, Takumi?" Soma asked the blonde man who shook his head.

"Just forget it," Takumi said with a sigh.

With the Headmaster's speech done, he walked off the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will now explain the rules for the Autumn Election Preliminaries." The announcer spoke out on the speakers as everyone listens to the rules.

"The basic regulations have already been communicated via the template of information mailed to each of you. The theme of the event is Curry Dishes. You will be permitted to use ingredients and utensils available at the stadiums as well as whatever you bring yourself. You will have three hours to complete your dish. Next, in regards to the number of students who will qualify for the finals of the 60 students participating in the preliminary round, only eight will advance to the finals. In other words, only the top four finishers from each block will qualify for the finals, which are to be held in this auditorium."

This made chills ran down the spines of the contestant as 52 of them would be eliminated while only 8 survive.

"Participants, you may now proceed to your respective halls. In approximately one hour, at 11 AM the preliminaries will begin." The announcer continued out as everyone went to their blocks.

"Let's do this, you guys!" Soma exclaimed as he wished everyone good luck.

Erina enters the Block A's Box lounge as she watches the participants enter the field.

"Soma.." Erina looks to the redhead as he enters the arena and went to his station. She placed both of her hands together as she looks at the man intently "…good luck."

"This is rare for Nakiri-kun to pray for someone's luck," Isshiki who was fully clothed appeared as Erina screams in surprise to his sudden entrance.

"Isshiki-senpai! When did you enter in!?" Erina exclaimed as she tried to calm down her frightened heart.

"Oh, just a second ago," Isshiki replied with a smile as he watches his Polar Star Dormmates going to their kitchen station and was prepping up their ingredients, "it's about to start."

Erina looks down at Soma's cooking station as the man was carrying his ingredients out to the counter and takes out his knives as he started sharpening them.

"In this match, who would you think to be able to be at the top four, Nakiri-san?" Isshiki asked.

"It could be anyone's guess." Erina replied to her senior as she can see that there are a lot of strong opponents for Soma, "but I can tell…."

Erina's eyes soften as she watches Soma looking to her lounge while waving with a smile.

"that Yukihira Soma won't disappoint," Erina said smiling while waving back.

Isshiki smiles to the Nakiri Heiress as he looks down to his juniors.

'Everyone…do your best!' he cheered them on as the Arena's judges come in.