The delicacies of the heavens begin with obtaining gem meat.

Senzaemon Nakiri glanced at the students and then spoke.

"Study it well!"

After saying that, he turned around and strode off the stage.

Meanwhile, the trainees in the square remained immersed in that passionate and excited mood, each one standing tall with their eyes shining.

"Finally, let's give a warm round of applause to welcome our two new transfer students!"

The host's voice rang out at the right moment, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Jiang Yan gestured with his chin toward Yukihira Soma beside him.

"Let's go, it's our turn."

Soma Yukihira immediately perked up, rubbed his hands together, and looked eager to try.

The two then walked out of the waiting room one after the other, and stepped onto the platform, facing hundreds of curious, scrutinizing, or disdainful gazes from the square.

Jiang Yan was the first to walk to the microphone.

Before coming, he had already discussed it with Soma Yukihira, and he would speak first.

There was nothing he could do; he knew exactly what Soma Yukihira was about to say.

If you speak after Soma Yukihira, you might get implicated and cause a lot of trouble for no reason.

Although he wasn't afraid of trouble, his main purpose in coming to Totsuki Academy was to learn cooking.

My name is Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan's voice, transmitted clearly through the microphone, resonated throughout the entire square.

"I enjoy food and my cooking skills are pretty good."

"I am very happy to be able to study at Totsuki Academy."

"Let's work together from now on."

He paused, then added a sentence.

"Also, I hope to see you all again in three years."

"Even though the chances are slim, don't give up."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Yan decisively handed the microphone to Yukihira Soma, who was eager to try, and then turned and walked off the stage.

The square was silent for a full three seconds.

Immediately afterwards, countless astonished gazes were cast upon Jiang Yan, who had already stepped off the stage.

What does it mean to say, "I hope to see you all again in three years. Although the chances are slim, don't give up!"?

Isn't this blatantly assuming that he will definitely graduate smoothly, while the rest of them will most likely not last three years?

Arrogant! Utterly arrogant!

Many students' faces darkened instantly, and their eyes, fixed on Jiang Yan's retreating figure, were filled with anger.

Only Jiang Yan himself knew that he had been quite subtle in his words.

At least, he was much more reserved than Soma Yukihira, who was about to speak.

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

Jiang Yan entered the rest area on the platform and immediately saw Erina Nakiri sitting in a chair.

Hearing the door open, Erina Nakiri looked up and her gaze fell on Jiang Yan.

"It's been a long time, Ms. Erina."

Jiang Yan nodded slightly to her in greeting.

"Um."

Erina Nakiri simply nodded indifferently.

She just looked at Jiang Yan, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but she swallowed it back.

Ever since the last assessment, she has been thinking about Jiang Yan's orange-flavored flaky pastry egg tart with a molten center.

However, no matter how she tried to recall the taste of that dish, she could never figure out how the refreshing orange aroma in the tart crust was infused into it.

This made her increasingly curious.

Upon seeing Jiang Yan, she almost instinctively wanted to ask him a question.

But I hesitated.

Jiang Yan, however, did not notice Erina Nakiri's expression.

At this moment, he was looking at the podium with great interest, a smile of anticipation playing on his lips.

Next comes Soma Yukihira's "highlight" moment.

Jiang Yan's actions naturally caught the attention of Erina Nakiri.

Following Jiang Yan's gaze, they saw Yukihira Soma standing in the center of the stage, holding a microphone in one hand and scratching his hair with the other.

"Ah, well... I'll just say a few words briefly too."

"My name is Soma Yukihira."

"To be honest, this school is just a stepping stone for me."

"I didn't expect to be here, but I won't lose to a bunch of guys who've never even faced a customer before!"

"As for what I want to say, in short, now that I'm here, I'm going to be above everyone else!"

Soma Yukihira looked at the students calmly and said.

Finally, he bowed respectfully to the students below the stage and added.

"Please take good care of me for the next three years."

After finishing his speech, Soma Yukihira, seemingly oblivious to the nearly chaotic atmosphere in the audience, put down the microphone and strode towards the backstage area.

As for the students' angry denunciations, they went in one ear and out the other, not taking them to heart at all.

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

"Phew—finally done!"

Soma Yukihira walked into the rest area, let out a long sigh, patted his chest, and looked relieved.

"Honestly, Jiang Yan, you didn't even say you'd wait for me! I was so nervous!"

"From childhood to adulthood, I have never had the opportunity to receive awards or give speeches."

As she spoke, she moved closer to Jiang Yan and asked with a worried expression.

"By the way, how did I do? Was there anything strange? I think I did pretty well!"

Are you nervous?

Jiang Yan looked at Yukihira Soma and couldn't help but smile.

"I think what you said is quite good, very impressive."

Just then, Soma Yukihira suddenly saw Erina Nakiri standing to the side.

He was taken aback at first, then awkwardly raised his hand and scratched the back of his head.

He said it with some uncertainty.

"Ah, you're that... Nakiri-kun, right?"

Seeing that Yukihira Soma didn't seem to remember her name, Nakiri Erina felt secretly annoyed.

Then he looked at Soma Yukihira and mocked him.

"You say you want to be above everyone else? That's so ridiculous it makes me want to laugh."

"Those who can be promoted here from the elementary school through internal examinations have all received top-tier elite education."

You don't even deserve to look up to them.

"Someone like you, an amateur, has no chance of beating anyone."

Faced with Erina Nakiri's taunts, Soma Yukihira's smile vanished.

His previously somewhat nonchalant gaze suddenly sharpened.

"Three years of junior high school..."

"I first held a kitchen knife when I was three years old."

"For the next twelve years, I spent all my time in the kitchen."

For twelve years, I have faced all kinds of customers every day – picky office workers, students with a sweet tooth, and elderly people with discerning palates.

How could he possibly be inferior to a group of students?

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed across Erina Nakiri's eyes, and the mockery on her face faded somewhat.

But it was only a little bit.

In her view, Soma Yukihira's practical experience, limited to a small restaurant, was ultimately too narrow.

The stage of Totsuki Academy is far broader than Soma Yukihira imagined.

Just as Erina Nakiri was about to speak up and refute something...

A voice, brimming with resentment, suddenly broke in.

Wow—you guys are all amazing!

Jiang Yan scratched his head, his face displaying just the right amount of 'helplessness'.

"I've only been formally learning to cook for two months, I'm nowhere near as good as you guys!"