The Icy Land of Hokkaido

The tofu was tender and pale yellow. Picking up a piece, its crispy, elastic crust gave way to the soft, silky tofu inside. As soon as the outer crust was bitten, the smooth tofu slipped into the mouth along with the sauce, filling it with a rich, slightly spicy, and sweet sauce flavor. The dish was truly a blend of the finest elements, making the tofu the perfect vehicle for these flavors. It's fair to call this a luxurious dish.

...

Indeed, in this dish, Zane's meticulousness was evident. He carefully balanced the flavors of sweet, savory, and umami in the sauce. The tofu was fried to a golden crisp before being simmered with other ingredients in a rich broth, ensuring every step was executed with precision. The highlight of this dish was the harmonious blend of diverse ingredients:

- The freshness of the dried scallops.

- The aroma of mushrooms.

- The sweetness of bamboo shoots.

- The tenderness of the tofu.

All these elements combined to create a perfectly balanced and unforgettable culinary experience. The tofu itself, elegant and smooth, brought all these distinct flavors together, creating a unified and harmonious taste sensation. The presentation of Supreme Tofu was also carefully thought out. The golden-brown tofu pieces were arranged on a delicate porcelain plate, surrounded by vibrant vegetables like green broccoli and bright carrot strips, adding visual appeal and texture, showcasing the exquisite aesthetics of Chinese cuisine.

Thus, Supreme Tofu not only stood out for its outstanding taste but also for transforming simple ingredients into a remarkable culinary experience. Zane proved that any ordinary ingredient could tell an extraordinary story in his hands.

...

"Megumi," Zane began, "in the recent upheaval at Totsuki Academy, no one is spared, including your Polar Star Dormitory members and those in the cooking research societies. Among all the Totsuki students I know, you seem the most timid but are actually the strongest."

"In this tide of change, your small strength may not change much. But what you must do is continue to work hard, just like during the dropout crisis, the residential training camp, and the Autumn Elections. Face everything with a sincere heart."

Zane gently patted Megumi's shoulder, encouraging her. As she enjoyed the Supreme Tofu, Megumi felt heartened by his support and nodded eagerly.

...

Every dish, no matter how enticing its aroma, appearance, or flavor, inevitably has its flaws. These imperfections might stem from ingredient selection, cooking techniques, or the chef's personal style. It is precisely because no dish is perfect that culinary diversity and charm exist!

Firstly, the choice of ingredients significantly influences a dish's potential flaws. Even the finest ingredients that Erina endorses have unavoidable limitations. Fresh vegetables might carry traces of earthiness, while fatty fish might have a subtle fishy smell. These natural flavors can be masked or transformed through cooking techniques but cannot be entirely eliminated, serving as a reminder of the ingredient's origin.

Different chefs naturally have different cooking methods and styles, leaving unique marks on their dishes. One chef may excel in controlling the heat, achieving perfect texture, while another might focus more on seasoning, creating rich, layered flavors. However, no matter how skilled, subtle changes in cooking, like slight differences in heat or seasoning adjustments, can impact the final taste and texture.

People also have their imperfections. For example, Erina, though born into a noble family with extraordinary talent, lacks the aura of a queen. To Zane, she seems merely like a skilled young lady who can cook. While she possesses the strength to be proud, her personality often hides her feelings, appearing strong yet being fragile.

Then there's Alice. Whenever something happens, she runs to the tavern seeking comfort from Zane. As for Megumi, while she too relies on Zane, she is much stronger compared to Erina and Alice. For instance, she could openly accept her loss during the Autumn Elections, acknowledging her shortcomings.

In Zane's eyes, Megumi, though not as naturally talented, is the fastest to improve.

...

Holding the wine glass by its stem with her index and middle fingers, Erina swirled the glass elegantly. This not only appeared more refined but also helped the wine release its aroma. As she tasted a sip of wine, Azami slowly closed his eyes, reminiscing about the rich bouquet. Then, he opened his eyes, recalling the scenes he had experienced at the tavern.

Even now, he found Zane an enigma. To Azami, Zane was undoubtedly a chef who lived and breathed cooking. His culinary skills were exceptional, not only in his precise control over ingredients and mastery of cooking techniques but also in his love and respect for food. Zane, perhaps not widely known in the culinary world, had impressed Azami deeply. Every dish he prepared was a dance with ingredients, every stir a quest for flavor. Any ingredient in his hands could reach its fullest potential, emitting the most enticing aroma, a fragrance that could captivate the soul.

"Interesting. Who would've thought there'd be a chef more charming than Joichiro?" Azami murmured, a glint of light in his eyes.

What changes would occur in the future? What paths would unfold? Even he wasn't sure, but his resolve to completely transform Totsuki Academy and the entire culinary world remained steadfast.

...

Autumn had not yet departed, but the cold winter arrived eagerly. In a few days, the long-awaited promotion exams would begin, a mixed blessing for many students.

"Alice, are you ready yet?" A gentle voice, like a wind chime, sounded from the tavern on a food street. Erina, dressed in a light blue outfit with a white shawl, exposing her graceful neckline and collarbones, entered. Despite her simple attire, her beauty shone through.

"Yes, all set."

"Let's go, Erina," Alice said, emerging from her room after getting ready.

"Alice, Erina, I made some snacks for you," Zane said, handing them a box of delicacies. "Good luck with the promotion exams. I hope you both pass smoothly!"

"Thank you, Zane. We'll do our best," Erina said, blushing slightly as she accepted the snacks.

"Uh... Zane, why don't you come with us? Even though the promotion exams are for us first-year students and don't concern you, having you with us on the way would make it less boring," Erina, her face flushed, nervously invited him.

Her sweet voice made Zane pause and smile, "Are you scared without me?"

"No... I wouldn't be scared. It's just a simple promotion exam; it won't be too difficult," Erina said, her heart racing, knowing he had hit the mark. She took a step back, feeling slightly guilty.

"To be honest, this exam is bound to be challenging for you. But as a mere tavern chef, I have no authority or right to interfere in the exams. So, Erina, you have to rely on yourself."

"Besides, with your God's Tongue ability and the time you've spent learning from me, you know how to adapt. I believe you can surpass your father!"

Zane winked at Erina, flashing a bright smile.

"I understand!" Erina nodded firmly.

"Erina, I agree with Zane. You must rely on yourself. If you can't fight for what's yours, you'll never be able to shoulder the responsibility of becoming the head of the academy," Alice added.

Erina said nothing more, understanding the weight of her responsibilities. After some final preparations, she and Alice left the tavern, boarded a plane, and headed to the exam site.

...

The snow fell more densely, covering the sky. The snow-covered landscape was vast and spectacular, with the earth and sky blending into a single sheet of silver, as if the entire world were adorned with silver.

This snowy place was Hokkaido in Japan! By now, all the first-year students of Totsuki Academy's high school division had arrived in Hokkaido, signaling the start of this year's promotion exams.

Near noon, a plane swiftly glided towards the runway, like a seagull skimming over the sea, soaring into the blue sky. The white wings glistened in the sunlight, like the wings of a dragonfly.

Soon, the plane landed. Yuuki, dressed in winter long sleeves, a large hat, a long coat, and a white scarf, shivered as she stepped off the plane. The cold wind blew, and the air felt like it could freeze, cutting her face like a knife. She shivered, feeling the chill.

...

"It's so cold!" Yuuki rubbed her hands together, blowing warm air into them, but still feeling cold. She muttered to herself and then glanced at Megumi, surprised to see she didn't seem cold. "Megumi, aren't you cold?"

"Not really, it's not too cold!" Megumi replied, looking a bit dazed. "Maybe it's because I'm from the northeast, where it often snows in winter. So I'm somewhat used to this weather."

Yuuki shivered and sneezed. "But still, you shouldn't look so calm. Ah...choo..."

Even though she wore a thick coat, she still felt the cold.

...

At the same time, another plane arrived.

"Erina, we finally made it," Alice said as they got off the plane, also dressed warmly.

"Yes! Let's go," Erina nodded, heading straight for the exam site.

...

During this promotion exam, any students who failed would be immediately sent back to Totsuki Academy on a bus, just like in the residential training camp. They would have to drop out.

The first-year students had arrived at the exam venue. This year's promotion exam wasn't just a single test nor limited to one location. The first exam was a team battle, with students grouped into teams of five to cook a dish together.

In other words, if they failed this exam, all five members of the team would be expelled from Totsuki Academy.

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