Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

And clearly, she is the winner of today's match.

"What are you talking about that makes you so happy?"

Just then, footsteps came from the doorway, and Bai Yuan appeared in the kitchen. He put down the fan in his hand and sat down naturally at the dining table.

"Anecdotes about how you educated Alice in your early years."

Upon seeing the familiar figure, Erina Nakiri's eyes lit up. Then, seeing Alice Nakiri fidgeting with her clothes and looking somewhat uneasy, she spoke with ill intent.

"Anecdotes about educating Alice in her early years? Did such a thing really happen...?"

However, after hearing Erina Nakiri's words, Bai Yuan was somewhat bewildered. He then looked at Alice Nakiri and found that the girl's face was very red and her gaze was darting around, not daring to meet his eyes. Clearly, she had something on her mind.

"I see. It seems you don't understand why I had you practice your knife skills, which is why Alice told stories."

Looking at the remaining vegetables on the cutting board and at Erina Nakiri's words, Shirabuchi could roughly guess what had happened and couldn't help but chuckle.

"I didn't quite understand the beginning, but after listening to Alice's story, I understood it. Next, we will work hard to master the basics until it is fully evolved."

Faced with Bai Yuan's words and recalling the story that Nakiri Alice had just told, the girls exchanged glances and all indicated that they understood.

"The foundation is the cornerstone that determines everything. Even at my level, I still set aside a few days every now and then to hone my basic skills."

Only with a solid foundation in the basics can one prepare a dish to its most perfect form.

As they spoke, Bai Yuan had already arrived at the cutting board. Nakiri Alice handed him the kitchen knife. At this moment, there was only one potato left on the cutting board.

“The training of basic skills is not limited to chopping vegetables, but you are not good enough, so we made you practice chopping vegetables.”

A more advanced level is carving, using a kitchen knife to carve ingredients into any shape. Reaching this stage gives you the foundation to create truly luminous dishes.

Bai Yuan put down the kitchen knife and picked up a small carving knife. He waved his hand, and a flash of silver light passed by, but the potato in front of him did not change at all.

However, the women present did not think that the potatoes were completely unharmed, since it was Bai Yuan who handled the potatoes.

"Eh..."

Seeing that no one around her was making a move, Alice Nakiri curiously walked over and reached out to pick up the potato to see what had happened.

However, the moment her finger touched the surface of the potato, it suddenly broke open, and an elegant little yellow fish appeared before everyone.

The fish body is carved using an arc-shaped openwork technique, with a smooth, raised back line and a slightly concave curve carved on the abdomen. The symmetrical fins on both sides are as thin as cicada wings.

The translucent texture is visible through the kitchen window, and the fin-like patterns are carved with a knife tip to create radial lines, making it look exceptionally delicate.

However, none of these are what amazed them the most; what truly impressed them was the layered tail fin.

Each fin maintains a uniform thickness of about 0.5 millimeters, naturally unfolding like a blooming ginkgo leaf. It's hard to imagine that this is something a carving knife can do in an instant, but the facts are undeniable.

"As expected, we still have a long way to go to reach Teacher Baiyuan's level."

Seeing the exquisitely carved potato fish made with just a small knife, all the girls in the kitchen gathered around, their faces filled with utter astonishment.

"Such a skillful thing, done in an instant, is simply unbelievable!"

Shocking words rang in her ears. Yoshino Yuuki reached out to pick up the potato fish in front of her, but was afraid of damaging its integrity, so she ultimately did not touch it.

However, I had already made up my mind.

This is a top-level swordsmanship that they can never surpass in their lifetime!

Although it's a bit shameful to start giving up on yourself now, it's the truth, a fact that can't be changed with words.

For a moment, the scene fell into an eerie silence.

"Da~"

"Da da da~"

Just then, the sound of a knife cutting into a cutting board came from the other side, bringing everyone back to their senses. They turned around and saw that it was Leah wielding a knife to cut vegetables.

"What kind of hero is Boss Bai? Although we have some talent, compared to Boss Bai we are nothing but fireflies and the bright moon, completely incomparable."

If that's the case, then why compare yourself to Boss Bai? Just focus on improving your own cooking skills and beating those around you.

Feeling the gazes of those around her focused on her, and seeing their puzzled yet thoughtful expressions, Leah calmly shared her thoughts.

Comparing them to Boss Bai? Are they even worthy? Honestly, Leah felt she wasn't qualified.

Not only her, but no one present had the right to compare them. To even put them together for comparison was an insult to Boss Bai.

It's like comparing a piece of jade to a stone; the obvious differences don't even need to be discussed.

"What you say makes sense. How could we possibly compare ourselves to Master Bai Yuan? Being able to defeat our peers is already quite an achievement..."

Upon hearing Lia's words, the girls around her, who had been feeling down, all agreed.

Bai Yuan is a top-tier seven-star chef, and his strength even reaches the top-tier eight-star level. How could they possibly compare to him?!

Just having this thought is outrageous!

"It's not that bad. I've just worked hard and practiced a lot to get to where I am today. You can do the same if you put in the same effort."

Hearing Lia's exaggerated remarks and the agreement of those around her, Bai Yuan was immediately filled with black lines. He couldn't have this mentality of giving up just because he couldn't compete!

"That's right, that's my goal, and I'm working hard towards it. Although I don't know how long it will take, I believe that one day I will surpass Brother Bai Yuan!"

Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, Nakiri Alice also spoke up at this moment, her eyes filled with determination.

If you want to stand by Bai Yuan's side forever, the first thing you need to do is walk alongside him, not fall behind him.

Although she knew she was far inferior to Bai Yuan, she couldn't let her spirits waver; if they did, everything would be over.

"That's what I think too. Although Teacher Baiyuan is like a mountain that is insurmountable, I still want to try to climb it."

Even if you get hurt and bruised, it doesn't matter, as long as you've tried your best, you won't regret it!

At the same time, Erina Nakiri also stepped forward.

Although Bai Yuan is very powerful, so powerful that it seems impossible to defeat him.

However, she was unwilling to give up.

Like Alice Nakiri, she also felt that if the anger in her heart dissipated, everything would be useless, and she would lose the game that she could have won.

To grow into a strong person, the first thing you need is to have a fearless heart, no matter who your opponent is!

"But the gap in strength is so obvious that there is no end to catching up, even if we want to."

Mito Ikumi's voice carried a hint of melancholy. If the difference between the two was only between a Special Grade Chef and a First Grade Chef, she could still harbor thoughts of surpassing him.

But now the two are separated by a vast distance, and even if she tries her best, she can't catch up. There's no possibility of surpassing her, so why would she even think about surpassing her?

As a chef, the worst thing you can do is take too big a step, or you'll easily end up hurting yourself.

Although they didn't.

"What you said makes sense. With your current level, it would be difficult for you to muster the fighting spirit if you took me as your target, let alone have a chance to surpass me."

"Since that's the case, then take the people around you as your role models. After this school exchange competition, I will rank you according to your performance."

Upon hearing Mito Ikumi's words, Hakugen immediately understood the problem: he had been being somewhat idealistic.

A target that is too far behind is indeed difficult to catch up with; this is an objective fact that cannot be changed by his will.

Forcing Mito Ikumi and the others to chase after him would backfire.

Different people require different teaching methods, and teaching according to aptitude is what a teacher should study most.

"Rankings?"

The word "ranking" caused a moment of stunned silence among the crowd as they pondered Bai Yuan's intentions—why would he suddenly create a ranking among them?

Wouldn't the person at the end of the line feel awkward?

"Is it similar to a ranking of the Ten Outstanding Individuals?"

Miyoko Hojo muttered to herself, a look of excitement on her face.

"Pretty much, but your ranking changes every month."

A special competition will be held, and those who rank higher will receive special rewards, while those who lose will be punished.

Rewards without punishments are unlikely to motivate everyone, and the content of the rewards and punishments is key to determining the level of enthusiasm.

"Anyone who gets promoted in the rankings can have me tutor them for a whole day. I can answer any questions you may have during that day."

Even dates are fine, I'll spend the whole day with you, and even provide three meals a day.

After thinking about it, I realized that for these girls, the best reward would be him. Whether it's for cooking or for affection, he's the perfect reward!

"really?"

"They can spend a whole day on a date, or a whole day learning to cook. It feels like they're really sincere!"

"I'm so excited! I want to eat the food that Teacher Baiyuan makes!"

Sure enough, shortly after he finished speaking, a tremendous cheer erupted from the crowd, and the girls' faces showed expressions of surprise and delight.

"Of course, there are rewards and punishments, and I think you all know that."

My punishment was simple: I had to choreograph an incredibly humiliating dance and perform it at the villa for everyone to enjoy for a week after the competition ended.

At this point, a wicked smile appeared on Bai Yuan's lips. This plan had actually been brewing in his mind for quite some time, and now he could finally say it out loud!

As long as a healthy competitive relationship is formed among everyone.

The increase in strength is definitely several times that of usual!

These guys are living too comfortably, which is why they're so lazy. They even complain when asked to practice basic skills. In the end, Alice had to tell them a story to calm them down. This kind of learning method is just too tiring!

The driving force.

Driven by their deepest desires, they become the driving force for progress.

Only with sufficient driving force can they truly evolve and grow into master chefs, or even surpass them.

"Rehearsing a shameful dance for everyone to see... what kind of hellish punishment is this!?"

Thinking back to how she danced and took off her clothes in the villa, Erina Nakiri couldn't help but shudder, her expression towards Shirahara filled with anger.

"As long as you don't fall behind in the rankings, you won't be punished like this. Don't you have confidence in yourselves? Do you think you're the one who will be punished?"

If I'm assuming I'll definitely be punished, then this punishment is indeed too harsh. Shouldn't it be lessened a little...?

Bai Yuan's voice was teasing, and as he spoke, he pinched his chin, revealing a thoughtful expression. It seemed ordinary, but he was actually using reverse psychology.

"How could that be? My talent may not be very strong, but it's not so great that someone could overtake me by taking a shortcut!"