"99% of you are merely stepping stones for the other 1%. Out of 812 new students last year, only 76 were able to advance to the second year.
The incompetent and the ordinary will be mercilessly discarded. Out of 1000 new students, only 100 make it to the second year, and the number of those who graduate can probably be counted on one hand.
And to become one of those few chefs who enter this extremely small group, that is you..."
"That is you!"
The next day, as the morning sun rose, in a green sports field, over a thousand students in school uniforms stood below, looking with youthful vigor at Nakitiri Senzaemon, who was delivering a passionate speech.
"Refine yourselves."
On the other side.
"Ah, but speaking of which, Snake Eater, your dish yesterday was truly amazing!"
At the waiting area for transfer students, Hoshino Sora, Yukihira Soma, and Yumeko Jabami were chatting. At this moment, Yukihira Soma was still immersed in yesterday's dish, his eyes gleaming with intense excitement.
This was the first time he had seen someone so formidable among his peers, and they were right next to him! If he had remained in that secluded small restaurant, he probably would never have seen such a vast sky!
"Indeed, just by looking at its appearance, one could never imagine it was such a delicious dish!"
"Even so, Hoshino-kun was still the first to accept that dish. How gentle."
"I just thought that the dish you served wouldn't be ordinary, so I tasted it first. Facts prove my judgment was quite good."
Hoshino Sora said with a smile. It was mainly because the Gourmet Cell's reaction was too strong, which led him to conclude it was a premium delicacy, so he was the first to taste it.
"Now, let's invite our three transfer students to the stage for their speeches."
Mid-conversation, a clear female voice suddenly came from the front. Then, Hoshino Sora, Yumeko Jabami, and Yukihira Soma exchanged glances, all deferring to each other.
Finally, after another urging voice from the front, Yumeko Jabami, as the representative of the transfer students, was the first to walk up.
"Hello everyone, nice to meet you. My name is Yumeko Jabami. Please forgive my lack of etiquette, but it is my honor to be in the same school as all of you."
A very brief self-introduction, coupled with a highly courteous bow, instantly won the favor of everyone present, who began to discuss animatedly below.
"So cute."
"She looks really good!"
"Her chest is so big, I really want to date her!"
"You just said you wanted to date Erina-sama, are you falling for someone else so quickly?"
"It's good to know your limits."
Such remarks constantly appeared among the boys. Looking at Yumeko Jabami's devilish figure, the boys' eyes were fixated. Now they had another source for their dreams.
"Ah, is the microphone okay? Uh..."
In a daze, a handsome young man with red hair and a scar between his eyebrows stepped onto the podium. He first tested the microphone, then looked down at the crowd below.
Trigger Task: King's Declaration
Task Description: The host, inspired by Yukihira Soma's bold declaration, decides to make an even more impressive declaration in front of everyone, to motivate himself to move forward.
Task Requirements: In front of the entire school faculty and students, make a "King's Declaration" that is even more contemptuous than Yukihira Soma's. The more hatred attracted, the richer the reward. You can choose whether to accept.
Task Reward: Bronze-Gold Tier
Goodness, this system knows how to stir up hatred.
However, with Yukihira Soma's 'good' start, it should be very easy for him to attract hatred next. It was just that the increasingly fierce-looking people below made him a little nervous.
"Whew..."
He patted his chest to catch his breath, quickly searching his mind for arrogant and boastful words. Although he knew that once these words were spoken, he would become Far Moon's number one public enemy for the next three years.
But in other words, danger and opportunity coexist. The more crises around him, the greater the chance of getting tasks, and the faster his strength would improve. So this was a positive upward challenge.
Furthermore, a plain Far Moon Academy would be boring. His purpose in coming here was to reach the top, to become one of those very few people.
Before that, he feared no one's challenge, embracing it with a sincere heart!
"To be honest, I'm still a little nervous. After hearing Xingping-jun's incredibly passionate speech, I'll just add two more sentences to it.
Everyone here, except for a few, doesn't even qualify to be my stepping stones.
There's no special reason; it's just that I simply don't remember any of your generic faces. If you feel uncomfortable with my statement, you can challenge me to a Shokugeki at any time. I accept all your challenges, in your areas of expertise.
In short, I will not only surpass everyone present but also reign over Neon, and even the entire world. This place, to me, is nothing more than a beginner's village in a game. The so-called Elite Ten are just slightly stronger BOSSes, and I will conquer them one by one, sooner or later!"
A bit of cold sweat broke out on his back, but Hoshino Sora still gritted his teeth and continued speaking. The more he spoke, the more excited he became, and he no longer had his previous awkwardness. Perhaps this was his truest thought, only expressed in front of everyone through the system task.
With youthful ambition, Hoshino Sora, having lived two lives, also had aspirations. Although his talent was average, he had the system by his side. Since he chose the path of a chef, he naturally hoped to achieve the strongest!
"That's pretty much it. My name is Hoshino Sora, and I look forward to your guidance for the next three years."
As he spoke, Hoshino Sora gave a theatrical bow, then walked off the stage amidst the curses of the crowd. Even Kawashima Rei, who was hosting for him, had black lines on her forehead and a speechless expression on her face.
"Go to hell!"
"Damn it, how can guys with such attitudes transfer in! First one, now another. Besides the first young lady, are there no normal people among this batch of transfer students?"
"Trash, useless, who are you looking down on?!"
Listening to the curses coming from behind him and the objects constantly thrown at him but missing, Hoshino Sora dared not look back, only kept his head held high and quickly entered the curtain behind him.
At this moment, Erina Nakiri, Yumeko Jabami, and Yukihira Soma were all inside. Seeing him enter, they all turned their gazes to him, their eyes containing more or less complexity.
Especially Erina Nakiri, who was completely shocked after hearing Hoshino Sora's words. Her gaze towards him became like she was looking at an idiot. She really couldn't understand why this guy had such a big mouth.
Clearly, only one person could reach the top of Far Moon, and that was her, Erina Nakiri!
"Hoshino-kun's speech was truly domineering. Most people don't even qualify as stepping stones. To incite hatred and fighting spirit in this way, and then gain a large number of Shokugeki challenges, is truly a brilliant method!"
Compared to Erina Nakiri's disdain, Yumeko Jabami greatly admired Hoshino Sora's approach, and at the same time, felt a little annoyed at her own performance on stage just now.
If she had been the one to say those words earlier, countless Shokugeki would probably come knocking on her door after today! Then she could enjoy the battles to her heart's content.
Just thinking about it made her incredibly excited!
"The things you said were truly amazing, to reach the top of the world. Even I wouldn't dare to have such a thought. It seems my perspective is still too small. But before that, defeat me first!"
"There will be a chance. Sooner or later, we can meet on the competition stage!"
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who was the last to enter, Yukihira Soma spoke with a face full of fighting spirit. He was truly excited to find so many amazing chefs among his peers!
"Hoshino-kun, do you know how ridiculous what you just said was? The internal transfer students who have risen from Far Moon Academy's elementary division have all studied the most advanced culinary arts.
I admit your dish tastes good, but to want to beat them... the elites among them, that is absolutely impossible!"
Far Moon Academy had always been Erina Nakiri's pride. Thinking about how Hoshino Sora and the others on stage had belittled the internal transfer students below, she felt a surge of anger!
"Three years in the elementary division? To be honest, I've only studied cooking for one year so far, and only three months of that was serious. Even so, I still met Far Moon Academy's admission standards.
And I will only become stronger and stronger from now on, until I surpass all of you. Just wait! Sooner or later, I'll make you say 'delicious' with your own mouth! With all my culinary skill!"
Stepping closer to Erina Nakiri, finally cornering her against the wall, Hoshino Sora's voice was firm, his gaze fixed on her pale purple eyes, the distance between them extremely close.
Looking at the serious, earnest face before her, which showed no hint of joking, Erina Nakiri's heart rate accelerated slightly. She opened her mouth several times but couldn't say anything.
Task Completed: King's Declaration
Task Description: The host, inspired by Yukihira Soma's bold declaration, decides to make an even more impressive declaration in front of everyone, to motivate himself to move forward.
Task Rating: Silver Tier
Task Reward: Expert Knife Skills
[Expert Knife Skills]: Can easily cut dishes of the Wensi Tofu level. The tofu threads cut will be distinct in water and can pass through a needle without breaking.
——————
"Ah, Tadokoro-kun, right! My name is Hoshino Sora, you can call me Akio or Sora, whatever you like. Please take care of me."
Looking at Tadokoro Megumi, who was forced to be in the same group as him and was now huddled in a corner like a startled deer, Hoshino Sora enthusiastically raised his hand and greeted her.
"Please take... care of me."
(The... the gazes around me are so piercing, doesn't he even notice them...)
Standing up from the ground, feeling the piercing gazes from around her, Tadokoro Megumi's expression and demeanor were very awkward. Her head was slightly bowed, and her face was full of fear.
Hoshino Sora naturally felt this, but he couldn't help it. That was Expert Knife Skills, after all! He could easily cut Wensi Tofu. The moment the task was completed, he felt like he was floating!
"Hi, students, look this way~"
Just as Hoshino Sora was about to say something, a sweet voice came from the classroom doorway. Then, a small teacher with short pink hair walked in from the door.
Almost instantly, the gazes that had been focused on Hoshino Sora all turned to the pink-haired teacher in front of them. Everyone's eyes held respect and affection.
"Good morning, students~ Today we're making a dessert! Hehe, this is a new dish the teacher just researched, Flame Ice Cream. It tastes amazing!"
"Oh, by the way, is there a transfer student today? Could you please raise your hand so I can see you? Oh, you don't know my name yet, do you? I'm Yuzuki Komoe."
She made an exaggeratedly cute gesture, raising her hand to her forehead as if peering into the distance, but saw no new faces. Hoshino Sora, seeing this, quietly raised his hand, though his heart was greatly shaken.
Good heavens, it's getting more and more ridiculous, although it seems somewhat reasonable...
What happened to Chef Chapelle? Why was he replaced by this loli?! It's not that Komoe-sensei is bad; the main thing is that he had practiced "Burgundy Beef Stew" extensively at home to get an A grade, but now it seems it won't be of any use.
"I am Hoshino Sora. Please take care of me."
"Alright, alright, what a handsome young man. Let's get started then. There are ingredients prepared on the cooking station. I'll demonstrate it once for you, and if you have any questions later, be sure to ask right away~"
Watching Yuzuki Komoe on the stage, Tadokoro Megumi's expression subtly changed. Her hopeful look turned somewhat despairing. This was because, although this teacher was very gentle and cute, her grading of students was extremely low.
The main reason was that it was hard to do badly with hands-on teaching, but when everyone did similarly well, it was hard to distinguish good from bad. In such situations, Yuzuki Komoe would usually give C or D grades.
If any mistakes occurred, leading to a poorer taste in the dish, Yuzuki Komoe would not hesitate to give an E grade, which typically accounted for three to five students in a class.
Only improved dishes would receive high-grade evaluations; otherwise, no matter how well a dish was replicated, it would only be a C grade. This was Yuzuki Komoe's strict style!
(I'm doomed! At this rate, I'll definitely win the 'Discarded Pawn First Prize'!)
"No! I can't let everyone down! I must get a D grade!"
Once again, she hunched over, her face gloomy. Tadokoro Megumi nervously stammered again, her face full of despair. However, she quickly cheered up; with effort, getting a D should be no problem!
As long as she wasn't expelled, there was still hope!
"There's no need to be that nervous. Just focus on making each dish well."
"Hoshino-kun..."
"Let's just see what she's going to make first."
As he spoke, Hoshino Sora leaned against the wall nearby, his eyes fixed on Yuzuki Komoe, who was working at the podium. He saw her first bring over a stool, which she used to reach the cooking station after propping herself up.
The table was covered with various ingredients. It was clear that this Flaming Ice Cream dish would be somewhat complex to prepare, but Hoshino Sora was confident he could do it well!
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/TripleCrown07
If you guys wanna check it out.