The delicacies of the heavens begin with obtaining gem meat.

Erina Nakiri appeared at the entrance to the podium.

He wore a well-tailored school uniform, stood tall and straight, and his eyes revealed arrogance.

As he stepped onto the stage, he instantly attracted the attention of everyone in the audience.

A teacher from the academy came up with an exquisite academic badge and solemnly pinned it to Erina Nakiri's chest.

This academic year badge is a recognition from Totsuki Academy of its most outstanding students.

Only students who consistently rank at the top of their class in elementary school and whose culinary skills far surpass those of their peers are eligible to receive this honor.

The students in the square looked at Erina Nakiri on the podium with admiration and respect in their eyes.

They spent three years in elementary school with Erina Nakiri, witnessing firsthand her unparalleled culinary talent.

No one objected to her receiving the academic badge.

The ceremony for awarding the academic year badges ended quickly. Erina Nakiri nodded slightly to the audience, then turned and calmly walked off the stage.

The host's voice rang out again, this time with a hint of reverence in his tone.

"Next, please welcome the Supreme Commander of Totsuki Academy—Mr. Senzaemon Nakiri—to the stage to give a speech!"

"Whoosh—"

Almost the instant the name Senzaemon Nakiri was uttered, all the students in the square straightened their backs, their expressions instantly became serious, and they even subconsciously softened their breathing.

Senzaemon Nakiri, known as the "Demon King of Food," has a tremendous influence in the culinary world.

Furthermore, Senzaemon Nakiri adhered to the educational philosophy of "competition".

This made the students of Totsuki Academy somewhat afraid of Senzaemon Nakiri.

..............................

Soon, the tall and imposing Senzaemon Nakiri slowly walked onto the platform.

He was dressed in a black coat, with a dignified face and sharp eyes.

Just by standing there, he exuded an aura of authority that made the entire square solemn.

Senzaemon Nakiri's gaze slowly swept over the students below the stage, observing the undisguised tension and excitement on the faces of the young men and women, his expression solemn.

He sees this expression every year at this time.

He cleared his throat, and his deep, powerful voice traveled through the microphone to every corner of the square.

"Congratulations everyone, you have successfully been admitted to the Totsuki Advanced Division."

"Over the past three years, you have laid a solid foundation in the elementary school."

"You have learned the basic cooking skills and become familiar with the characteristics of various ingredients. Your accumulation of experience in cooking goes without saying."

"At the same time, you have also learned a sufficiently comprehensive range of theoretical knowledge."

"Cooking theory, nutrition, public health, introduction to cultivation, business management..."

"That is why you are qualified to stand at the entrance of the Totsuki Academy today."

Jiang Yan stood at the door of the waiting room, his gaze sweeping over the students in the square with their various expressions.

It must be said that Totsuki Academy does an impeccable job in basic education.

The three-year elementary program breaks down and teaches each student the fundamental skills required to become a top chef, from knife skills and cooking techniques to the characteristics of ingredients, from nutritional balance to business philosophy.

Even if someone doesn't survive the rigorous selection process of the advanced department, the foundation they've built over those three years will allow them to secure a decent job in the culinary world after graduation.

If one can successfully graduate from Totsuki Academy, they will be sought after by major stores, giving them a very high starting point.

..............................

"But the trials you will face from now on."

Senzaemon Nakiri's voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"It's not about skills and knowledge, but about the will to survive as a chef!"

"Ninety-nine percent of you are pawns created to hone the skills of the other one percent!"

These words were like a boulder, crashing into the hearts of all the trainees in the square.

Outside the waiting room, some of the first-year students in the advanced department, who had been trying to maintain their composure, turned pale instantly. Many of them clenched their fists unconsciously, and the light in their eyes gradually dimmed.

They all entered Totsuki Culinary Academy with the dream of becoming top chefs, and none of them wanted to become the so-called "discarded pawns".

But everyone knows perfectly well that Totsuki Academy has always been a place where survival of the fittest is almost cruel.

Last year, out of 812 first-year students, only 76 successfully advanced to the second year!

Senzaemon Nakiri's voice continued to echo in the square.

"The incompetent and the ordinary will be ruthlessly discarded!"

"Of the thousand first-graders, only a hundred will remain by the time they advance to the next grade!"

"As for how many people will make it to graduation? You could count them on one hand!"

These numbers made the atmosphere in the square so oppressive that it was almost suffocating.

Just then, Senzaemon Nakiri suddenly raised his hand, his aged yet powerful fingers pointing sharply at the students below the stage.

"But you, you, and you—you could all become one of the last few chefs!"

..............................

The deathly silence was instantly shattered.

Those students who were originally dejected suddenly brightened up as if they had been given a shot of adrenaline. The gloom on their faces was swept away and replaced by a burning fighting spirit.

Yes, they all have the potential to become one in ten thousand!

In an instant, all the students clenched their fists, their chests surging with passion, and their eyes were filled with longing as they looked at Senzaemon Nakiri.

At this moment, these students secretly made up their minds that no matter how cruel the test in the advanced department was, they must grit their teeth and persevere, and they must stay in Totsuki!

Standing at the door of the waiting room, Jiang Yan took in the whole scene. A faint smile appeared on his lips, but his eyes remained calm.

At this moment, these trainees were full of fighting spirit.

However, having only fighting spirit without talent is ultimately just a flash in the pan.

Before long, the incompetent will have their sharp edges worn down little by little by the cruelty of Totsuki Academy.

They thought that as long as they worked hard enough, they could make up for all the gaps.

Little did they know that some gaps can never be bridged by effort alone.

Totsuki Academy has never sought to retain those who only know how to work hard, but rather the elite of the elite who possess both talent and hard work.

Take him for example.

In less than two months, thanks to his talent and hard work, his culinary skills improved by leaps and bounds, surpassing most of the first-year students in the advanced department.

However, Jiang Yan also vaguely sensed that the rate at which his cooking skills had improved had slowed down considerably recently.

Jiang Yan was looking forward to seeing what kind of improvement he could achieve at the Far Moon Academy.