Time flew by, and soon it was the day of the League Food Halberd.
Compared to Eishi Tsukasa's team, who looked serious and focused, Hoshino Sora's side seemed much more relaxed. Before going on stage, he was still playing around with his wives, without a trace of seriousness on his face, looking quite at ease.
"Now, announcing the rules of the League Food Halberd! This match will be a 4v4 format. All members will act as both Chef and assistant throughout the competition. Each person will complete one dish to form a 'Biological Feast,' and the final scoring will be based on the team's overall presentation!"
Holding the microphone, Kawashima Rei loudly introduced the rules of the competition to the audience, watching the two teams enter from both sides of the track.
"This seems a bit different from previous League Food Halberds."
"Indeed, past League Food Halberds were always 3v3 duels, where team members could assist each other, but each member still had their own 1v1 match.
Now it's turned into a team battle?! This ties everyone to the same boat! And it's a one-shot decider! How exciting!"
"I heard Tsukasa-senpai trained with the other three in a villa for three days and three nights for this competition. On the other hand, Hoshino Sora looks like a slacker; I wonder if he's prepared."
"Hard to say, really hard to say. I can't quite grasp the situation anymore. Is the new Elite Ten stronger, or are the old Elite Ten still superior? It's impossible to tell at this stage!"
"Place your bets, place your bets! Hoshino Sora VS Eishi Tsukasa, odds 1.5:1.5, don't miss out!"
Upon hearing Kawashima Rei announce the rules, the audience immediately erupted in heated discussions, while some enterprising individuals even set up gambling tables.
People around, eager for excitement, joined in.
"Hoo… hoo…"
Looking at the bustling competition venue, Tadokoro Megumi nervously drew the character for "person" on her hand, swallowing each one she drew. Her breathing became somewhat erratic; it was clear she wasn't used to such a grand occasion.
"Relax, you can do it. You're Elite Ten Eighth Seat, at least stronger than those two. At worst, you're stronger than Eizan-senpai. Look, he's not nervous, so there's no need for you to be either."
Hoshino Sora patted Tadokoro Megumi's back firmly, then pulled her into his arms, comforting her softly.
Through the practical training and the Elite Ten selection competition, Tadokoro Megumi's strength had reached an astonishing level. Although the silly girl herself didn't feel it, Hoshino Sora could genuinely sense this progress from her cooking.
He couldn't vouch for Saito Somei, but as for Eizan Etsuya, based on his previous performance, Hoshino Sora felt that the current Tadokoro Megumi was far superior to him.
Of course, the opponent might not have used his full strength last time, but it didn't matter. This was a team battle, and their side was using top-tier ingredients. He had also brought mutated ginger, spring onions, and garlic.
These were plants previously cultivated with mutated nutrient solution.
Biological Name: Conjoined Ginger (Mutated)
Quality: Silver (Lower Grade)
Mutation Effect: On the surface, there's only a tiny bit, but a large patch is actually connected underground. If harvested in time, a large batch of high-quality ginger can be obtained. If not harvested in time, all the ginger in the soil will begin to compete for nutrients, ultimately cultivating a Ginger King that gathers all the ginger essence.
Biological Name: Ginger King (Mutated)
Quality: Silver (Upper Grade)
Mutation Effect: Gathers the essence of all the ginger in a patch of land. It has an excellent flavor and remarkable effects when consumed.
It was a pity that, apart from the significant mutation in ginger, the spring onions and garlic only had their original flavors amplified several times, with their quality increasing from Bronze to Silver (Lower Grade), and their flavor being five times that of regular spring onions and garlic.
Even so, it was more than enough.
Mutated ingredients pair best with other mutated ingredients!
"In this match, the winning side will seize all the tenth seat of the losing side, reducing them to ordinary passers-by. This will be a battle for honor!"
Her voice was modulated, full of passion. Hearing her words, everyone present focused their gaze on her. Kawashima Rei felt a burning passion behind her, as if she were the true protagonist of this stage!
Unfortunately, she was just a commentator.
"And now, allow me to introduce the judges for this League Food Halberd! First, our former headmaster, Nakitiri Senzaemon!"
"They even invited the former headmaster?!"
"It makes sense, after all, it's a competition involving half of the tenth seat. It's normal for the former headmaster to attend in person. Didn't the current headmaster even participate in the competition herself?"
Pointing to Erina Nakiri, who stood beside Hoshino Sora, many people's eyes revealed expressions of envy and jealousy.
That was their untouchable high-mountain flower of Far Moon! To think she was plucked by Hoshino Sora just like that, it was truly outrageous!
"Indeed, I wonder what charm Hoshino Sora possesses to make so many beautiful girls fall for him."
"Exactly! Jealousy makes people unrecognizable!"
Upon Nakitiri Senzaemon's appearance, the scene immediately erupted in a heated discussion, all revolving around the former headmaster of Far Moon, the Demon King of Cuisine, Nakitiri Senzaemon!
"Next, please welcome, the newly appointed First-Class Executive Officer of the WGO, Miss Akame!"
Kawashima Rei's face showed a satisfied smile as she observed the audience's reaction. After waiting a moment for the sounds below to completely subside, she picked up the microphone again and began to introduce the second judge.
"Holy cow, it's Akame again! I remember she was only a Second-Class Executive Officer last time, wasn't she? How did she get promoted to First-Class after just one summer break?!"
"It's true! Oh my god, this is too shocking. Do promotions happen so fast in the WGO? I can't believe it."
"Might as well graduate and join the WGO. Promotions there are much faster than here."
"Come on, it's obvious she has talent. If you went, whether they'd even accept you is another question."
"Akame, huh…"
Hoshino Sora's expression held a hint of complexity as he watched Akame take her seat beside Nakitiri Senzaemon. Then, his gaze swept left and right, but he didn't see Kurome beside her.
"The third judge, from Yuanyue Resort, Senior Dojima! He was specially invited by the academy's headmaster to rush from Yuanyue Resort to serve as a judge for this competition."
Dojima Gin took off his hat and nodded slightly as he surveyed the massive crowd below. Then, his gaze locked onto Hoshino Sora and Eishi Tsukasa. Both were top-tier young talents of Far Moon; this competition was going to be interesting.
"Good evening, old man, long time no see."
"Indeed, I didn't expect us to judge another competition together. Far Moon has truly been in a tumultuous period recently."
"Isn't that the truth? That kid Hoshino, he's truly surprising. His talent is probably even stronger than Jouichirou's."
"Let's wait and see."
Thinking this, Dojima Gin pulled out a chair and sat down, then began to chat with the old man beside him, his words filled with emotion as he looked at Hoshino Sora's figure.
And when Dojima Gin entered, not many in the audience were surprised anymore. After all, the two people beside him were heavyweights, so his appearance here seemed only natural.
"Now, please welcome the contestants! The theme is 'Biological Feast,' and the competition time is two hours. Contestants, please manage your time and complete your dishes within the allotted period."
Watching the contestants enter one after another, Kawashima Rei formally recited the last line of her script, then handed the stage over to the two teams in the competition arena.
"Tsukasa-senpai, long time no see. I really didn't expect us to face off in a competition again."
"This time, I won't lose again."
Looking at Hoshino Sora's face, Eishi Tsukasa's eyes were very serious. This time, they were fully prepared and confident that they would not be defeated in cuisine again. To be precise, he had intentionally held back last time.
"Then we shall see."
Hoshino Sora chose not to retort to Eishi Tsukasa's words. Facts speak louder than words, and he intended to use facts to prove him wrong.
"Don't think you can be so arrogant just because you luckily beat me once. This time, I'll show you how ridiculous you are, Hoshino-kun."
"Eizan-senpai is still so eloquent, but it's a pity his skills are lacking. He only says pretty words that he can't deliver in the end, which is truly laughable."
Seeing Eizan Etsuya, who suddenly started trash-talking as he passed by, Hoshino Sora naturally didn't show any weakness, retorting sharply. Then, he ignored him and went to his own cooking station.
"You sharp-tongued brat, I hope you can still say those words later!"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Eizan Etsuya was so choked up that he didn't know what to say. In the end, he could only grit his teeth and utter a threat. In his opinion, their victory was already a foregone conclusion.
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