Mana's Obsession

WGO, Japan Branch.

A shadow quietly appeared in Mana's room. She adjusted her clothes and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

A stern voice from Mana came from inside.

Following the command, Anne, the executive officer, entered. She said nothing, placing a DNA test report in front of Mana.

Mana glanced at it briefly, her expression changing. "What are the results?" she asked.

"99.99%," Anne replied. "They are indeed father and son."

"Father and son!" Mana trembled, collapsing into her chair like a deflated balloon. Even though she was mentally prepared, knowing that Asahi Saiba was Mana's illegitimate son felt like a hand was gripping her heart, the pain overwhelming her.

After a long sigh, she gathered herself.

Is my heart dead?

Maybe she had felt sorry for him when she married him into the Nakiri family? Or maybe when she left home, hoping he would treat Erina well, he instead subjected her to "extreme" education? And now learning he had an illegitimate child after being expelled from Totsuki?

Regardless, her heart...

Was indeed dead.

...

Feeling stifled, Mana stood but suddenly felt dizzy. Her body lost balance, her legs buckled, and she collapsed to the floor.

"Lady Mana!"

"Are you... Oh no, is it malnutrition again?"

Seeing Mana faint, Anne panicked. It had been a while since Mana had such an episode, and it took Anne a moment to react.

Then, regaining her senses, Anne was about to fetch a nutrient vial when Mana's weak voice stopped her: "Don't... don't go."

"Huh?"

"Lady Mana."

Anne, hearing Mana still conscious, quickly helped her up, full of concern. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Let me rest. I've been too busy lately," Mana said weakly, unable to hide her pale face and exhaustion.

Seeing her worn-out look, Anne remembered how the night chef incidents had kept Mana from resting properly. Guilt surged within her.

...

"Lady Mana, why do this to yourself?"

Anne sighed deeply, not understanding why Mana, who had found a dish that conquered the God's Tongue, would provoke the night chefs, causing panic in the culinary world.

Northern Europe.

Southeast Asia.

North America.

Germany.

Spain.

France.

Who would have thought that within a month, all these regions' famous restaurants had been invaded by night chefs!

"You know, the God's Tongue can taste any dish's flaws and details, but it can also capture the chef's heart."

Mana's face, slightly improved after a short rest, said softly.

"I... I know."

"But Lady Mana, how is this related to the night chef incidents you initiated?"

Anne asked, puzzled.

"There is a connection," Mana's eyes gleamed with depth.

"In Zane's cooking, I sensed unprecedented passion!"

"The difference between ordinary and top chefs lies in the creativity born from talent, experience, and immense passion."

"Cooking, at its core, is a job, like a waiter or cleaner, completing tasks for a reward."

"But top chefs are like inventors."

"Even they might not realize they possess a powerful ability."

"This ability is more terrifying than Asahi Saiba's 'Crossed Knives'."

"That's why I believe Zane will one day stand at the pinnacle of the culinary world, deeply influencing its future."

"Anne, do you know?"

"If I could, I'd want to live in that tavern forever!"

For a woman with anorexia, if a dish conquers her, she might develop a deep attachment to the chef. Mana was no exception. Not visiting the tavern for several days left her feeling soulless, constantly thinking of Zane, every hour, every minute, every second.

"Huh?"

Anne was stunned by the desire in Mana's eyes. She wondered if Zane's cooking had some magical effect, deeply stirring Mana's strongest feelings.

...

"Superpower" is another way to describe it.

But from Anne's perspective, "skilled technique" was more accurate.

Like Asahi Saiba's "Crossed Knives" ability, he could directly integrate others' experiences, like absorbing experience points from defeated monsters.

Terrifying, right?

This ability allowed him to dominate the night chef world at 16. Anne naively thought Mana's support for night chefs was to let Asahi rapidly level up, creating dishes that could conquer the God's Tongue.

But she was wrong, very wrong.

"So, the night chefs are just a stepping stone for someone else."

Realizing Mana's intention, Anne murmured. She couldn't believe there was an ability scarier than "Crossed Knives."

What kind of ability was it?

Thinking about it was exciting!

...

All along.

Whether a complex or street shop, dining brands changed constantly.

But the restaurants controlled by the ninth seat of the Elite Ten, Etsuya Eizan, stood strong. "Mozuya" fried chicken, for example, was famous throughout Japan's culinary world.

"Huh?"

"I calculated three times, no mistake."

"The five restaurants on that food street had declining sales this month."

In Totsuki Academy, Eizan, tallying his restaurant accounts, grew gloomy.

A commercial genius, Eizan trusted his judgment and skills.

He had researched that food street thoroughly, concluding it had good location and foot traffic. Only Shunkatei, owned by a former Totsuki graduate, posed a threat, but its owner was gentle and unassuming.

That's why he dared to run five restaurants on that street!

"Wait!"

"These five restaurants have been losing money since the month before last."

"Could it be that tavern?"

Finally finding the cause of his losses, Eizan's eyes flickered.

He couldn't believe a tavern operating only from 7 PM to midnight could impact nearby businesses so significantly.

"Interesting. If true, that tavern owner is a business genius!"

Eizan clenched his fists, as if making a firm decision.

...

Evening is the most poetic time of day. After a busy day, the sun set, painting the sky gold, not fully disappearing yet.

The announcement of the Fall Selection's 60 participants sparked much discussion.

But soon, the preliminary cooking theme was officially sent to each contestant.

Though a month remained before the Fall Selection, announcing the theme early was necessary. The event required much preparation, and this allowed the Elite Ten time to plan and the participants time to refine their curry dishes.

...

At Polar Star Dormitory.

With Soma, Megumi, Ryoko, Yuuki, Zenji, and Shun selected, the atmosphere was joyful and harmonious.

"Here it is."

"Everyone, the preliminary theme has been announced."

Yuuki rushed in with a letter.

Under everyone's gaze, she opened it, revealing the theme:

Curry!

Curry is defined as a seasoning mix of pepper, turmeric, and fennel, which is accurate for Japan and China's curry, made with these spices. But in its homeland, India, there aren't many dishes called curry.

In Indian cuisine, what we call curry is more a cooking method using multiple Asian spices, creating a rich, thick, and flavorful dish.

So, curry is a broad, vague collection.

Let's define it as a seasoning mix influenced by India or its colonizers, making rich, flavorful dishes.

This definition captures it more accurately.

Historically, Indian traders influenced Caucasus and East African cuisines.

Regardless of definitions, one undeniable fact is:

In the culinary world, curry is crucial!

...

"Oh my!"

"I imagined many themes."

"Ramen, burgers, sushi, steak, but the theme is curry!"

Seeing the theme, Yuuki was incredulous.

"I'm doomed. I specialize in mild, local cuisine, not strong-smelling curry," Megumi said, almost feeling the sky collapse.

"Curry?"

"Does it specify seasoning or dishes?"

Ryoko mused, realizing the key to the theme.

"No."

"It just says curry."

Yuuki flipped the paper, shaking her head.

"It seems the theme isn't limited to seasoning. Curry dishes are allowed too."

Ryoko's eyes flashed as she spoke.

"Is it possible?"

"It's not limited to seasoning or dishes."

"If we use curry spices like turmeric, pepper, star anise, bay leaves in our cooking, it counts?"

Soma thought the theme might be broader.

"Huh?"

"Not seasoning or dishes, but curry spices?"

Ryoko and Yuuki exchanged glances.

...

"Ryoko, I think Soma is right."

"The Fall Selection is a grand event. If the theme is limited to seasoning or dishes, how can 60 contestants compete fairly?"

"Take Megumi, who excels in mild dishes. This curry theme would be unfair to her!"

"Moreover, the judges are culinary experts. Ordinary curry dishes wouldn't impress them."

Yuuki shared her thoughts.

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