Feeling the surging power within his body, Hoshino Sora's face was filled with excitement. He repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists, a slight smile playing on his lips, and his body couldn't help but boil with energy.
"Hana-hime Senior, what will we learn today?"
He continued to savor the delicious flower pastry. The Gourmet Cell in his body was still boiling, but the reaction was not as strong as it was at lv4, suggesting he had entered another bottleneck period.
"Making flower pastries and understanding the characteristics of flowers. But before that… little girl, let's begin."
"Okay!"
Hana-hime briefly replied to Hoshino Sora, then turned her head to Yumeko Jabami, who was waiting beside her, her voice full of fighting spirit.
Although they were incredibly young, Hana-hime always took challenges from newcomers very seriously, as it was a display of their courage.
— — — — — — — — — —
Meanwhile, in the main kitchen.
"Hurry up and move! The pressure of serving dishes when the banquet starts will be several times greater than what you're facing now. You over there, if you really can't keep up, then just quit. You're already disrupting the efficiency of the entire kitchen."
The voice was slightly loud and filled with sternness. Hoshino Tani Ren looked at Shiina Shinohiru, who was somewhat dragging her feet in the corner of the kitchen, and instead of showing understanding, he frowned and shouted angrily.
Although he was easygoing in daily life, when it came to cooking, he was extremely serious and wouldn't tolerate the slightest mistake! At least, the performance of these people before him did not meet his expectations.
They could do better!
"I'm so sorry!"
Hearing the voice, Shiina Shinohiru didn't stop her movements but apologized loudly. Tadokoro Megumi, seeing this, proactively went over to help her with some of the work.
Because she had once been caught in the rain, she wanted to hold an umbrella for others.
Tadokoro Megumi's thought was simple, and Shiina Shinohiru was also very touched, but she didn't say so directly. Instead, she gritted her teeth and sped up.
Hoshino Tani Ren said nothing to this, merely walking away in silence. In his kitchen, teamwork was fine, as long as it didn't delay one's own work.
"Speed up! The first meal should be served by this time. You over there, you've blanched the vegetables for too long. Take them out about three seconds earlier."
"Yes!" Mito Ikumi responded loudly, scooping the blanched greens out of the pot. As a meat expert, she wasn't very skilled at cooking vegetables.
"You over there, your knife skills still need improvement."
"Understood." Alice responded, then focused even more on cutting vegetables, significantly improving their precision.
"This is not bad, keep it up." Hoshino Tani Ren nodded, a rare satisfied expression on his face as he watched Shiina Mashiro's clean and decisive technique.
"Speed up over there! Don't damage the soft-shelled turtle's shell when dissecting it."
"Yes!" Hisako replied.
Unlike the practical training, Hoshino Tani Ren's vision and demands for them far exceeded those of the instructors in the training. He could also pinpoint problems in cooking with sharp insight.
"Your dish is very exquisite, and its taste is clearly delicious, but your speed is too slow. With your efficiency, it'll be impossible to handle so many guests when the time comes."
"But if quality cannot be guaranteed, then speed, no matter how fast, is useless."
Frowning slightly, Erina Nakiri was noncommittal about the problem Hoshino Tani Ren raised. Under the premise of ensuring quality, she had already pushed her speed to the fastest.
"Both speed and quality are prerequisites for serving a dish. For example, the dish you just made, if you swap the order of the third and fifth steps, you could save about 30 seconds.
And the ingredients processed in the fifth step can also be used for the next dish, thus coordinating speed in the kitchen and saving a lot of time."
Recalling Erina Nakiri's previous steps, Hoshino Tani Ren lightly tapped the stove and spoke with great confidence.
"Okay, I understand."
Closing her eyes, Erina Nakiri recalled the steps Hoshino Tani Ren mentioned and nodded. Although she didn't want to admit it, it was indeed as he said: adjusting a few steps could improve efficiency.
If that's the case, then she would do it!
But it's truly amazing that he could see it at a glance. Is this the experience of a seasoned senior?!
— — — — — — — — — —
"Why, why is it always just a little off?! The cooking method is exactly the same, but why is the taste so different? It makes no sense…"
Looking at the two almost identical plates of food before him, Hoshino Sora leaned on the table, head bowed, deep in thought. He really didn't know where the error had occurred.
No matter how hard he tried, no matter how perfectly he replicated it, the dish before him remained stuck at the silver level, unable to advance. The golden chrysanthemum formed by the aroma was also pitifully small.
"Because you don't understand this dish, or rather, this dish hasn't recognized you. The dish has no 'soul'. If you only rely on replication, you will never reach that level."
Looking at the somewhat frustrated Hoshino Sora, Hana-hime pondered for a moment before slowly speaking. As she spoke, she reached out and picked up the flower pastry he had just cooked. The taste was naturally impeccable, but it lacked the most important 'soul'.
Something that sounded very metaphysical but truly existed.
"Soul?" Hearing such a term, Hoshino Sora was clearly stunned. He had considered many possibilities, but this was the one he hadn't thought of. A dish with a soul? This statement was too irresponsible!
"That's right, it's the so-called 'soul'. Theoretically, a dish can only be perfected by one person. If the person who made that dish dies, the soul will disappear with them.
Unless a chef of the same caliber as its inventor, or a recognized chef, is encountered, it will remain hidden in an alternate dimension until it is reawakened by a skilled chef who cooks that dish.
Similarly, for some niche dishes, after losing their inheritors, the soul of the dish will become lost in an alternate dimension until that dish is once again mastered by someone, allowing it to see the light of day again."
Her voice paused, and Hana-hime turned her gaze to the window, a hint of profoundness in her eyes, then continued:
"Creating dishes is also like this. If it's a modified dish, under the premise that the modification degree reaches 50% and it possesses a certain quality, it will autonomously condense a soul.
Simply put, it draws soul from the 'original dish', supplemented by the soul of the 'ingredients' used, finally forming a new soul. As mentioned before, the soul is the foundation for a chef to perfect a dish.
As for completely original dishes, their soul source is only the soul of the 'ingredients'. Sub-souls are separated from the mother-souls of different ingredients, converge, and eventually condense into a new soul."
"Ah, this… it sounds so complicated. But I generally understand. Simply put, it's about being as original as possible, or if it's a modification, it must be a major one, so that the so-called 'soul' of the dish can be condensed.
A dish with a 'soul' tastes stronger than one without a soul. There's a kind of bonus from an unknown power in this…
Why does it sound so much like a ultimate dish?!"
Hoshino Sora was becoming more and more confused. A small dish actually involved so many things. The reason he couldn't make a Golden Fried Rice-level dish was due to a lack of originality.
Tsk, it feels like a new world is opening up...
But does this mean that high-level cooking competitions in the future will be a battle of 'dish souls'?!
A contest of whose creativity is stronger?
[Ding, detected that the host has a basic understanding of 'the soul of cooking knowledge'. Now granting a hidden quest reward.]
[Hidden Quest Completed: Soul Knowledge? It's actually metaphysical cooking!]
[System Reward: Soul of Golden Fried Rice]
Ah ha!?
Hearing the system's notification, Hoshino Sora was instantly dumbfounded. The Soul of Golden Fried Rice? Isn't that just egg fried rice? He had already known how to make this dish, or rather, rice, for a long time.
But, the other party gave him the so-called 'soul'!
"The Soul of Cooking, this is the first time I've heard of such a concept…"
Compared to Hoshino Sora's sudden realization, Yumeko Jabami beside him was lost in confusion. Facing a term she had never heard before, her wide eyes were filled with questions.
"You'll know in the future. For now, you're far from the level where you need to come into contact with the Soul of Cooking."
Shaking her head, Hana-hime looked towards Hoshino Sora, her eyes revealing a hint of curiosity. This guy's strength was still far from enough, so why could he sense the Soul of Cooking?
"I will work hard! The Soul of Cooking, huh? What a mysterious term."
Hearing Hana-hime's words, Yumeko Jabami stopped dwelling on it. She clenched her fists, her face filled with drive, and her eyes revealed intense excitement, for it was an unknown domain to her.
"This week, I will teach you everything I know. How much you learn will depend on your comprehension.
However, let me state beforehand, the techniques I master have a very small and niche application range, which is why many people are unwilling to learn them. In fact, very few dishes can even use them. Even so, do you still want to learn from me?"
Looking at Hoshino Sora and Yumeko Jabami's faces, Hana-hime spoke softly. She loved flowers very much, so she incorporated flowers into her dishes, earning her the title of Flower Fairy from the world. But she knew this was not a broad path.
Even the scope of application was extremely narrow.
"Yes!" * 2
"Every cooking method has its use. Even if it's rarely used in the future, learning it is always worthwhile. I've already been learning from my old man for over ten years, so seven more days won't make a difference."
Hoshino Sora's tone was serious. Although the other party downplayed her techniques, she was, after all, a senior who could produce Golden Fried Rice-level dishes. Her knowledge and techniques, no matter where they were placed, would be a valuable asset to the culinary world!
Yumeko Jabami had the same thought. She was always someone who knew how to seize opportunities. She had only taken one bite of Hana-hime's dish, and that one bite had shattered all her confidence.
Therefore, she firmly believed that the other party was her benefactor, someone who could help her cooking advance further!
"Then let's begin. First, we'll start by understanding the characteristics of flowers. You must memorize this notebook within three days. I will test you on which flowers are edible, which are not, and how to best combine different flowers."
After handing a handwritten notebook to the two, Hana-hime left the kitchen but didn't go far, merely staying nearby to admire the surrounding flowers.
She truly loved flowers.
— — — — — — — — — —
Time passed day by day.
In the main kitchen, under Hoshino Tani Ren's training, the female chefs from Far Moon had already developed a formidable presence. Now, they could easily handle a hundred guests simultaneously!
Of course, their progress was far more than just this. Under Hoshino Tani Ren's keen observation, everyone's hidden weaknesses were pointed out one by one, and they were urged to correct them.
Although there were no particularly large breakthroughs, small improvements were continuous.
"Ah, pardon me, are you…"
Bumping into someone, Hoshino Sora stood up to apologize and reached out to help the person in front of him, but was given a glare. Looking closely, he saw a beautiful young girl with long black hair draped over her shoulders, bright red eyes, and a seemingly gloomy yet sunny demeanor.
"I apologize, I bumped into you."
A barely perceptible hint of disdain flickered deep in her eyes, but her face still held a gentle smile. Then, she took Hoshino Sora's wrist to stand up, elegantly patting the dust off her bottom.
"Shinomiya Kaguya? Oh! It's you, long time no see."
"Huh? Do you know me?"
Looking at the young man who was at least three years older than her, Shinomiya Kaguya desperately searched her memories for him. His handsome face, magnetic voice—the scene finally settled on her childhood.
She was completely different back then. She remembered one time, Hoshino Sora came to her house with his father to cook, and she instantly took a liking to this handsome older brother, insisting on dragging him to play a super-realistic game of house.
In her memory, that was her only experience playing house, where the other party, at her strong insistence, played the role of the husband, and they even had a daughter together...
Her face visibly reddened. Black history from her childhood surged into her mind the moment she saw Hoshino Sora, gradually becoming uncontrollable. Shinomiya Kaguya could no longer maintain a calm and composed demeanor.
Just kidding!
After such a long period of etiquette training, she had great confidence in her expression management. Although her heart was already stirring, she still appeared unfazed on the surface.
"Of course, when you were little, you called me husband so affectionately, but in the blink of an eye, you've grown so big."
"That was all when I was little! And you don't look much older than me!"
Shinomiya Kaguya clenched her fists and said loudly, "Sure enough! This guy really remembers that! Ah, ah, who could endure having their childhood black history remembered so clearly by someone!"
"Well, so you are the consortium holding the banquet? Speaking of which, today is indeed the seventh day, and calculating the time, you should be here."
Looking at Shinomiya Kaguya, Hoshino Sora suddenly realized, so the consortium Dad said he was hosting was the Shinomiya Consortium! In that case, everything made sense.
"Did you come with your father?"
Hearing this, Shinomiya Kaguya couldn't help but ask curiously, swallowing a mouthful of saliva as she spoke. Chef Hoshino's cooking, once tasted, made one want a second helping.
"That's right, and I'm also one of the chefs for this banquet."
"Eh? Is that so... My apologies."
Taking a deep breath, Shinomiya Kaguya returned to normal. As the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family, she had to maintain composure at all times, and she had always done so.
It's just that today, encountering Hoshino Sora and thinking about childhood memories, slightly disrupted her inner peace.
"Tsk, don't be so serious. We've known each other for so many years. By the way, have you had breakfast? Never mind, whether you have or haven't, just come with me."
Seeing an old acquaintance, a hint of excitement appeared on Hoshino Sora's face. He raised a hand, pointed towards the nearby kitchen, and then stepped forward.
Shinomiya Kaguya felt puzzled by this but didn't refuse, silently following him. As soon as she got close, the colorful flowers around attracted her attention, followed by a very rich aroma.
Her gaze slightly lifted, the source of the aroma was...
Looking at the kitchen in front of her, anticipation appeared in her eyes. Shinomiya Kaguya suddenly understood why Hoshino Sora had called her over, but on the surface, she remained calm and unruffled.
"Quick, try it, it's all freshly baked."
"Okay."
Pushing the Chrysanthemum Cake on the table towards Shinomiya Kaguya, the latter, seeing this, picked up a piece very gracefully, then casually brought it to her mouth.
"Mmm!"
The next moment, all composure vanished. Shinomiya Kaguya began devouring the Chrysanthemum Cake. Although she wasn't very hungry, the sweet taste of the Chrysanthemum Cake still whetted her appetite.
"Enough, save some room for lunch."
Looking at Shinomiya Kaguya, who was trying to grab two more before leaving, Hoshino Sora immediately stopped her. She was the protagonist of today, and eating too much before the banquet started was somewhat inappropriate.
"Mmm, thank you."
Realizing her lapse, Shinomiya Kaguya responded softly, then looked at the Chrysanthemum Cake in her hand, feeling a bit at a loss. Since she had already taken it, putting it back would be somewhat improper.
Seeing this, Hoshino Sora directly went up and took it, finishing the dish she had taken in two or three bites.
"By the way, where were you rushing off to just now?"
"Oh no, I'm leaving first!"
When asked about the crucial matter, Shinomiya Kaguya suddenly remembered her main business. For the first time, panic appeared on her face, then she turned around and left the kitchen in a hurry, running outside.
"Oh, bye-bye."
Looking at the hastily departing Shinomiya Kaguya, Hoshino Sora smiled, seemingly in a good mood. He hadn't expected to meet her in such a place, and judging by her appearance, she seemed to still be in middle school.
Considering her age, it seemed accurate.
"What happened? Why are you smiling so happily?"
Walking into the kitchen, looking at Hoshino Sora, who was grinning widely, Yumeko Jabami couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"Nothing much, is everything settled?"
Shaking his head, Hoshino Sora also looked at Yumeko Jabami.
"It's settled. All the desserts for the banquet will be made by us. This time, a total of one hundred people were invited, which means we need to make at least one hundred servings of dessert."
"No problem, let's start now."
Good!
Hearing the number reported by Yumeko Jabami, Hoshino Sora nodded, then turned and returned to the kitchen.
Yumeko Jabami also followed him in. Because they worked under the same senior, the two formed a wonderful tacit agreement. As soon as Hoshino Sora picked up a bowl, Yumeko poured flour for him.
The two thus began to work in an orderly fashion.
On the other side, in the main kitchen.
Looking at the guest list brought by the newcomer, Hoshino Tani Ren shouted loudly: "Let's begin!"
The kitchen immediately sprang into action.
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