[223] Purgatory-like Assessment

Chapter 223: Purgatory-like Assessment

The noisy ones were always those without strength. Hearing the commotion in the classroom, Hachiman furrowed his brow, and an oppressive aura emanated from him once again.

"Now there's half an hour left until the evaluation ends. If you have confidence, you can continue; if you want to rest, just pass the assessment."

"Besides, you're here for training, not a vacation. If you can't handle it, you can apply for withdrawal. No one will stop you."

Hearing his words, many students fell silent, but some still wore expressions of discontent.

In their minds, Hachiman was around their age; why should he be the instructor?

Seeing these expressions, Hachiman spoke again, "I know some of you are dissatisfied with my evaluation. It's okay; you can appeal to Dojima-senpai. If he considers you qualified, my assessment will be nullified."

Ignoring them, he sat in a chair, closed his eyes, and focused.

Time ticked away. In the last half-hour, almost all students submitted their dishes. Unfortunately, the number of successful candidates remained scarce.

At 4:00 PM, the evaluation concluded. The remaining students in the classroom mostly wore dejected expressions because they hadn't passed the assessment.

This assessment had the highest elimination rate of the day. Out of around fifty students, fewer than twenty passed.

However, Hachiman didn't relax the evaluation standards despite the low pass rate. Seeing the despondent students, he spoke expressionlessly.

"Alright, the evaluation is over. Unfortunately, none of you passed."

"Of course, as I mentioned, if any of you are dissatisfied, you can appeal to Dojima-senpai. If he deems you worthy, my evaluation will be invalidated."

"That's it. Goodbye, everyone."

With that, he waved his hand and left the classroom.

At this moment, in the central control room, many graduates who had completed their evaluations gathered.

Watching the video feed of the dejected students in Hachiman's classroom, the graduates exchanged glances. The high elimination rate was indeed unusual.

"Dojima-senpai, isn't the number of eliminations too high?" a female graduate asked cautiously.

However, Dojima shook his head, arms crossed. "No, although Hikigaya-kun is young, his culinary skills are recognized by everyone. Since he's in charge of this class, we should adhere to his evaluation standards. If you didn't pass, you didn't pass."

Totsuki followed the philosophy of elite education, pursuing "raw gems," as evidenced by the graduation rate.

This residential training was only the first trial, and more severe tests awaited them. In comparison, the lodging training was relatively simple.

If they couldn't pass even this basic trial, how could they stand out and become geniuses among their peers?

"Alright, it's almost five o'clock. Those responsible for tonight's dinner assessment can start preparing."

Checking the time, Dojima spoke calmly.

Hearing his words, several graduates nodded and left the room.

In the auditorium, the students who passed gathered after receiving the notification.

All eight members of the Polar Star Dorm, through mutual text messages, confirmed their well-being.

They were thrilled that all of them had passed, and the lively Yuki couldn't help but smile, "Haha, today is finally over. We can relax now. Thinking about the luxurious feast at the Totsuki Resort is exhilarating."

However, Ryoko spoke up, "Yuki, don't relax too much. My instructor, Hikigaya, said there will be another assessment at 5:00 PM today."

Hearing this, everyone in the Polar Star Dorm was shocked because their instructor hadn't mentioned anything like this. They anxiously asked her about the details of the assessment.

However, Ryoko shook her head. "I'm not sure about the specific details of the assessment. Hikigaya, the instructor, explicitly told me there would be another assessment today."

At that moment, the auditorium doors suddenly swung open, revealing a group of muscular men entering the hall. Simultaneously, Hitoshi Sekimori walked in as well.

"These are members of the Brawny University Bodybuilding Club, training nearby. Later, members of the rugby and wrestling teams will also join. You'll be responsible for preparing dinner for them. Tonight's dinner project is steak rice. Now, each of you is to prepare fifty servings of dinner."

As Hitoshi finished speaking, complaints arose from the students.

"Huh? Fifty servings per person? Are you kidding me?"

"I'm already exhausted today; my arms can't lift anymore."

"Then, Sekimori-senpai, what about our dinner?" Yuki asked, voicing what everyone was thinking.

"After you've finished preparing fifty servings of steak rice, then you can start preparing your own dinner," Hitoshi said.

"We have to prepare it ourselves?!" Yuki still clung to a glimmer of hope.

"What about our luxurious dinner?"

"We don't have such a thing."

Hitoshi, expressionless, shattered Yuki's hopes.

"By the way, during the training period, you'll have to prepare your own breakfast and dinner."

Hearing this, Yuki let out a despairing cry, appearing as if she had turned to stone.

Ignoring the girl's antics, Hitoshi continued with an expressionless face.

"Anyone who doesn't complete fifty servings within an hour will be expelled on the spot!"

"Now, the countdown begins!"

With Hitoshi Sekimori's words echoing in the auditorium, the students hurriedly sprung into action, not wanting to face expulsion.

Some were grilling steaks, some were scooping rice; chaos ensued in the kitchen. Outside this chaotic kitchen, hungry and robust figures loomed, seemingly capable of devouring anything—a scene reminiscent of a hellish ordeal.

As the students desperately engaged in the evening assessment, Hachiman, holding a change of clothes, prepared to take a bath before dinner.

Entering the spacious bathhouse and finding it empty, he whistled to himself.

Tonight, I've got the place to myself!

After rinsing off under the shower, he stepped into the large bath, leisurely sitting by the edge with a neatly folded towel atop his head.

The water temperature was just right, and the warmth made him involuntarily squint his eyes.

However, just as Hachiman was enjoying this leisurely bath time, the bathhouse door swung open once again. Accompanying the creaking door was a deep, masculine voice.

"Oh? I didn't expect someone to be here already!"