And now, facing her Grandfather's own words and praise, she knew she had no chance of winning.
"Erina, this is a test for you, but it is also an opportunity to improve your skills," Senzaemon Nakiri said slowly.
"Grandpa, I understand," Erina Nakiri replied.
She knew well that competing with top chefs was a way to learn and grow. Even if she lost, it didn't matter as long as she could recover and learn from it!
However, since she was going to compete with a top chef, she naturally need to prepare some things.
and so...
"Grandpa, please ask her to wait for me. I will return to Totsuki Academy at the beginning of next month," Erina said after a moment's thought.
"Very well. I'll inform her," Senzaemon Nakiri said knowingly. He understood that Erina wanted to refine her skills before the battle.
After ending the call, Hisako Arato looked at Erina Nakiri.
"Hisako, I'll need your assistance," Erina said seriously.
"Yes, Miss Erina," Hisako replied. She was familiar with the seriousness of her young lady. When Erina entered this mode, she set aside everything else to focus solely on her cooking.
Hisako's role was to record the ingredients and manage their transport.
"I'll also speak with Miss Aria Shichijō. I'll also need her help with the ingredients," Erina added, gazing out the window.
"What about Young master Akira?" Hisako asked softly.
Erina paused for a few seconds, then her expression hardened.
"I'll talk to him," she said firmly.
"Miss Erina, although Young Master Akira is not a skilled top chef yet, he may provide insight into defeating a top chef," Hisako reminded her.
"How could he help defeat a top chef?" Erina was momentarily stunned.
Akira is not even as good as Tadokoro Megumi, how could he possibly have a way to defeat a top chef? The reason she could think of is his absurd memory! But that can't help her, can it?
"Miss Erina, I don't think we can judge Young Master Akira by ordinary standards. He has extraordinary talent, and his understanding of cooking is not inferior to mine's. When he tasted Megumi dish before…" Hisako continued.
"...I understand. Thank you for reminding me, Hisako. I'll see Miss Nanajo first," Erina said, feeling a mixture of relief and apprehension.
Even though she knew Hisako recommended him purely for practical reasons, she couldn't help but feel that her closest ally might be drawn closer to him.
.....
After leaving the villa,
Erina Nakiri went to the courtyard of Aria Shichijō.
As soon as she arrived, she saw Miss Shichijō drinking tea with Akira Fujimiya.
"Erina," Aria Shichijō noticed Erina and stood up to greet her.
"Hello, Miss Shichijō," Erina bowed politely. "It's good to see that you are in good health."
"It's thanks to your medicinal food, I recovered enough to come here," Aria Shichijō said with a smile, pulling out a chair for her guest.
"I just helped a little," Erina replied humbly.
"Please sit down. You must have something to ask me for help, right? Maybe you want to try new dishes?" Aria Shichijō sat down, guessing why Erina Nakiri might have came.
"A challenger of mine has come to Totsuki Academy. They seem to have the skills of a top-class chef. I need to prepare properly to stand a chance or at least not lose badly," Erina explained her purpose, after sitting down.
"A top chef? Logically speaking, it seems a little unreasonable for a top chef to challenge you?" Aria Shichijō poured a cup of tea for Erina Nakiri with a hint of doubt in his eyes.
The identity of a top chef surpasses even Erina Nakiri's title of God's Tongue. Taking the initiative to challenge Erina Nakiri is like a senior bullying a junior.
"She is not a top chef, but she has the ability of a top chef. She is about the same age as me," Erina clarified.
"A top chef the same age as you?" Aria Shichijō eyes lit up.
The youngest age for a top-grade chef is around 20 years old.
Being able to become a top chef in your teens means you are a very talented chef with a promising future, capable of challenging the title of Grandmaster chef in the future.
"She's a chef from another place, the granddaughter of a Master chef," Erina introduced Kazami Nana.
"So that explains her strength," Aria Shichijō nodded in understanding.
"Is there any difference between the training here and there?" Akira asked.
"There is a big difference. Erina, you should explain it," Aria Shichijō chuckled.
Erina explained the training systems of both regions.
Master chefs here rarely provide direct guidance, even to relatives—they mostly assign tasks and let students complete them. In contrast, master chefs there typically train one disciple from childhood.
When the disciples grow up, they will be allowed to compete with their peers, and the youngest top chefs are already capable of surpassing many here.
Even after officially becoming top chefs, they continue to learn independently and expand their culinary knowledge.
When they return to their hometowns, they already possess the skill level of a master chef!
After listening, Akira had a strange expression.
It was like leveling up in a game: train, defeat challenges, reach new levels, and gain experience. Even with setbacks, the strongest eventually return home.
"I want to borrow another kitchen with various ingredients, and I may need maid assistance," Erina requested of Nanajo.
"Of course, that's no problem. I'll arrange several maids to assist, and any ingredients or tools you need can be delivered via helicopter within half a day," Aria Shichijō smiled.
"Thank you very much," Erina said, bowing once more.
"Erina, are you leaving now?" Aria Shichijō asked, glancing between her and Akira.
Erina noticed the look but didn't know how to respond.
"The kitchen on the ship is large. You can test your new dishes there. If I have time, I'll will visit and try them myself," Akira said looking at Erina.
"I understand, thank you," Erina replied in a low voice.
After speaking, she turned and left.
Aria Shichijō watched Erina's back.
"Akira-kun, you seem to have a good relationship with Erina and also with Hisako. Which do you like more?"
"Guessed," Akira said lightly.
"You are truly a bad guy, aren't you? Still, I admire your honesty. Do you want my maid to help you? I can provide you with some opportunities." There was a meaningful smile on her face.
"No, I don't need help." Akira picked up his teacup and drank it in one breath, then stood and left.
.....
Totsuki Academy.
Kazami Nana was having lunch, when someone approached her.
"I just received a reply from Miss Erina side. She will return at the beginning of next month,"
The woman in professional attire who was in charge of taking care of her conveyed Erina Nakiri's intention.
"Does she need preparation time?" Kazami asked immediately.
"I'm not sure either," the woman smiled awkwardly.
"I'll give her time. I heard the Ten Elites of Totsuki are powerful. Can I compete with them?" Kazami asked confidently.
"It depends on them. The Ten Elites Students of Totsuki hold a special status in the academy," the woman explained.
"I know. Help me make an appointment. Tell them if they are scared, they can hide and not see me," She said lightly.
"Understood," The woman in professional attire bowed, thinking in her heart how to convey this sentence tactfully.
When—
Ding dong
The doorbell rang.
The woman looked up, and Kazami Nana too turned towards the door.
The woman in professional attire hesitated for a moment, then walked forward and opened the door.
.....
Outside stood Nene Kinokuni, her expression cold.
She was preparing a new dish but had to stop it in the middle because of the task assigned by Akira Fujimiya.
She was clearly not in a good mood because of it.
He also said that if this task is not completed.
She would have to go on a date with him.
Whenever she thought about that kind of thing, she would feel disgusted with Akira and also at herself for not being able to do anything about it.
"Hello, what can I do for you?" the woman asked, surprised.
She naturally knew who Nene Kinokuni was!
"I'm here for Kazami Nana, who lives here. I heard that she's going to challenge Miss Erina," Nene said in her usual cold voice.
"Are you one of the Ten Elites of Totsuki?" Kazami walked over and asked.
"This is Nene Kinokuni, one of the Ten Elites of Totsuki. She specialist in handcrafted soba noodles." The woman in professional attire introduced her.
"Handcrafted soba noodles? Then I'll compete with you in noodle-making,how about it?" Kazami said with a spark in her eyes.
"Alright," Nene nodded, adjusting her glasses.
"Come in," She said. A hint of competitive fire flashed in her eyes.
{T/N: One Hour later}
Inside the kitchen,
Nene had a look of horror in her face. She had underestimated Kazami's strength.
But even then she didn't expect—
A simple clear soup noodle dish would be able to surpassed her handcrafted noodles.
"The strength of Totsuki's Ten is impressive. If you work harder, you could become a soba noodle master," Kazami praised after tasting Nene Kinokuni's dish.
"You are strong," Nene admitted sincerely, looking at the empty bowl in front of her.
"I was originally planning to take the exam to become a top chef. I have been honing my skills in the kitchen since I was five years old. You can't imagine the way my grandfather trained me — I even secretly cried in the kitchen for a long time. But I was able to hold on" Kazami Nana chuckled as she said, while also using Chinese in between because she was not proficient in Japanese.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,680