Everyday Life Starting with Food Wars

"Alright, that's enough for today." Hayama Ryo also gave them the hint to leave. "Jun needs to rest. Come back tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, bye-bye." Chen Yuxing and the other three waved goodbye and left the research institute.

……

For the next two weeks, the entire Polaris Dormitory turned into a 'spice hell'.

Because the theme of the fall selection competition was set as curry, everyone started experimenting with different curries.

Chen Yuxing also brews different curries and curry pastes every day. Following Shio Mijun's advice, he began to try adding some impactful spices in addition to the curry paste.

During this time, he was enveloped in the aroma of spices.

One morning, when everyone gathered in the cafeteria for breakfast.

Isshiki Satoshi carried a bowl of miso soup to Chen Yuxing's side and took a deep sniff.

“Hey, Xing…” Isshiki Satoshi looked at him with a sigh, “You’re so thoroughly seasoned, you’re practically a spice marinade. If you ran into Hannibal Lecter, he could just throw you in the pot without bothering with the seasoning.”

"It's not just me, Isshiki-senpai. Didn't you smell the curry on Soma? He made some weird curry again last night and had Daigo and Shoji taste it for him. They still haven't come out of the bathroom yet."

Chen Yuxing quickly finished his breakfast, took a big gulp of milk, and said, "Okay, I'm going back to try out the new spice ratio. I'll head back now."

Watching Chen Yuxing's hurried departure, Isshiki Satoshi shook her head with a smile as she tidied up the table: "Sigh, it seems like everyone in our Polar Star Dormitory is like this. Once they get into cooking, they get completely absorbed. Being young is such a good thing."

During this time, Megumi Tadokoro and Miyoko Hojo would also bring their own curry to Chen Yuxing for him to try.

At Chen Yuxing's suggestion, Xiaohui gradually let go and began to try using monkfish broth with garlic, ginger and other strong-flavored spices to make a unique curry that retains the seafood flavor while having a gentle aroma.

After discussing with Chen Yuxing, Hojo Miyoko also decided to combine the ideas of Sichuan Mala Xiangguo (a type of spicy hot pot) with curry to create a highly disruptive, strong-flavored curry.

Chapter 63 Preliminary Round

Time flies, and during this time, everyone in Polaris Dormitory has been thoroughly infused with the aroma of spices. But now it's finally coming to an end.

The opening day of the autumn selection competition preliminary round has arrived.

Early in the morning, Yoshino Yuuki knocked on each door in the corridor.

"Get up! What time is it! Today is the preliminary round of the fall selection, you're doomed if you're late!"

Chen Yuxing yawned and pushed open the door. He had been staying up late a lot lately to adjust the final version of the curry paste.

"Oh, Yuuki, there's no need to rush so early in the morning."

Soma Yukihira also came out with messy hair, holding a white headscarf and wrapping it around his wrist.

"What do you know! This is the fall election!"

Yoshino Yuuki put her hands on her hips and said, "Hurry up and wash up. Even Daigo and Shoji are already up and waiting for you downstairs. Megumi and Ryoko are also ready."

Half an hour later, everyone in Polaris Dormitory was ready and headed towards the competition venue together.

……

The Totsuki Academy was much livelier than usual today. Walking on the street, you could see students of all ages, as well as many reporters in suits carrying cameras and microphones.

"This is unbelievable, so many media reporters have come."

Marui Zenji was clutching a spice notebook tightly in his hand.

"After all, it's the most important competition for first-year students at Totsuki Academy, and catering companies and conglomerates outside are also watching this competition."

Ryoko Sakaki responded.

Soon, a huge hemispherical building appeared before everyone's eyes, with a banner hanging on it: The 43rd Autumn Culinary Selection Competition.

"I never noticed how big the space between the moon and the sky was before."

Daigo Aoki looked up at the moonlit sky before him.

"The Moonlit Realm is the most important food battle arena in the Far Moon," Marui Zenji said, rolling his eyes at him.

"Alright, let's not worry about that anymore, let's go in and take a look!"

Soma Yukihira's eyes lit up, and he went inside ahead of the others.

Once inside, the view suddenly opened up, with the dome of the ceiling half-open, allowing sunlight to stream directly into the center of the venue.

Moreover, the area above the stands is decorated with exquisite photographs.

"Oh! That's a photo of Dojima-senpai! I didn't even notice it when I came last time, there's actually a photo of Dojima-senpai hanging here!" Soma Yukihira exclaimed, pointing to a photo in which Dojima Gin looked much younger than he does now.

"Isn't that the red-haired chef, Shinomiya?" Tadokoro Megumi whispered, pointing to the photo on the other side.

"Yes."

Marui Zenji pushed up his glasses and explained, "This venue was originally only used for events like the previous one involving the Elite Ten or some other important food battles, such as the one between Hoshino and Kuga-senpai. In order to pay tribute to the chefs who have won the first seat of the Elite Ten in previous years, their portraits are hung on the wall, and the members of the Elite Ten in previous years are also selected from the winners of this selection tournament."

As everyone looked up at the photos and listened to Marui Zenji's explanation, a sound of footsteps suddenly came from the side.

"Hey, Yukihira, and Chen Yuxing too! Long time no see, you guys are here pretty early too."

A familiar voice approached, and the group turned to see Takumi striding over. He was wearing a crisp white chef's uniform, and his face was full of confidence.

"I will definitely get the highest score in the preliminaries today! I'll show you the strength of the Aldini family!" Takumi shouted, pointing at Chen Yuxing and Yukihira Soma.

"Oh, it's Takumi. Good morning." Soma Yukihira greeted him lazily, then his gaze fell on the man behind him. "Who's that handsome guy behind you?"

Behind Takumi was a tall, slender, and very handsome young man who was waving at them.

"Hello, Chuangzhen-kun and Chen-tongxue."

The boy greeted the two of them.

Soma Yukihira's jaw dropped to the ground, his finger trembling as he pointed at the person: "You...you're not Isami, are you?! Are you kidding me! Where did that chubby Isami go? You're someone else impersonating him!"

“Because when it gets hot, Isami’s body becomes very tired and his appetite decreases, so he loses weight every summer and returns to his original size in winter,” Takmi explained naturally.

"This isn't just about losing weight! It's like he's become a completely different person!" Daigo Aoki exclaimed wildly from the side.

"Oh my, isn't this Chen Yuxing?"

Another clear female voice rang out, and Alice Nakiri walked over with a thermos in her hand, her steps light and quick. Ryo Kurokiba followed behind her, looking like he hadn't woken up yet.

Alice leaned closer to Chen Yuxing and looked him up and down: "Chen, it's only been a short time since I last saw you, but you smell quite different now. And I also heard that you actually gave up your spot in the Top Ten. That's really surprising."

"Alice doesn't seem to have changed much," Chen Yuxing chuckled. "Did you bring all your equipment into the venue?"

“Of course, my molecular gastronomy is the most perfect.” Alice said haughtily before leaving with Kurokiba Ryo.

"Excuse me, could you please move aside?"

A figure carrying a strong aroma of spices walked past the group.

Hayama Akira stopped and turned to look at Yukihira Soma: "Looks like you haven't been slacking off lately..."

“Of course, I can’t wait to let you taste my incredibly delicious curry dishes.” Soma Yukihira met his gaze without flinching.

Ye Shanliang snorted coldly and gave Chen Yuxing a provocative look.

"In the world of spices, only I will reach the top. You all just watch from below as I climb to the top."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the contestants' preparation area without looking back.

"This guy, still as arrogant as ever." Soma Yukihira laughed, tearing the strip of cloth off his wrist. "But that's what makes it interesting!"

Just as the members of Polaris Dormitory were walking inside and taking their seats, all the lights above the venue suddenly went out, plunging the entire venue into darkness.

"What's going on? Is there a power outage?" someone shouted in the darkness.

Immediately afterwards, with a 'bang', four huge spotlights lit up simultaneously, shining directly onto the center of the stage.

At the same time, Kawashima Rei's familiar voice came from the surrounding speakers.

"Welcome to our venue, everyone! We've kept you waiting! In this season of harvest, the Totsuki Academy's annual competition—the Autumn Selection Tournament—is about to begin!"

"Next, please look at the stage in the center of the venue. Please welcome the headmaster of our academy to give the opening remarks for this competition!"

Under the spotlight, a robust elderly man in a loose kimono walked up to the microphone.

Senzaemon Nakiri!

As soon as this old man, known as the "Food Demon King," appeared, the previously noisy venue instantly fell silent, and everyone consciously lowered their breathing.

Senzaemon Nakiri closed his eyes, placed his hands on the edge of the table, and took a deep breath.

"Cough! Cough-cough-cough!"

Perhaps he had inhaled too deeply, for the old man suddenly started coughing violently, his face turning red from the coughing.

This completely dispelled the originally somber atmosphere.

"That opening line was quite unique," Chen Yuxing smirked in the darkness.

Senzaemon quickly recovered and straightened the microphone without changing his expression: "Although I choked a little just now, after taking a big breath of the air in the venue, I feel full of energy."

"Gentlemen."

Senzaemon's deep voice echoed throughout the hall.

"Although I have never spoken to any of you individually, I am very familiar with each and every one of you."

"You are the outstanding students who have survived various harsh tests since the beginning of this semester."

"But in Far Moon, excellence is just the passing grade. You must distinguish the true superiority from the inferiority among yourselves."

He spread his arms and looked down at the crowd.

"That's why there's a food war, and that's why there's this autumn selection tournament!"

"Today is your first opportunity to showcase yourselves in front of so many professionals outside of school."

"At the same time, it is also an opportunity for you to recognize your future opponents. The people standing next to you may be your opponents in the competition for a place among the top ten next year!"

The entire venue was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Senzaemon Nakiri pointed to the wall above the meeting room.

That's where the portraits of the first seats of the Totsuki Culinary Masters of all time hang, along with those of Gin Dojima, Kojiro Shinomiya, and many others who have left their mark on the culinary world, all overlooking the attendees.

"This venue, named 'Between the Moon and Sky,' has witnessed countless classic duels, given birth to countless miracles, and produced many dishes that have changed the culinary world! And this autumn selection competition will also be held here!"

Senzaemon suddenly opened his eyes wide.

"If your dishes can win the judges' approval, you will leave your own history here! Show me how dazzling your raw gems can shine!"

"Looking forward to your performance! Chefs of the 92nd generation of Totsuki Culinary Academy!"

"Oh oh oh oh oh!"

As the commander-in-chief finished speaking, the participating students in the venue and the audience in the stands were completely ignited, and they let out a deafening cheer.

Even Chen Yuxing felt a surge of excitement in such a vibrant atmosphere.

Amid cheers, Rei Kawashima, dressed in her uniform, strode onto the stage.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting! Now I will explain the rules for the preliminary round!"

Kawashima Rei made a cute gesture towards the camera and then explained.

"Just like the announcement you all received, the theme of this preliminary round is—curry dishes!"

"The venue has prepared enough ingredients and spices for everyone. Of course, if the contestants bring their own ingredients, they can also use the materials they bring."

"The match will last for 3 hours."

"A total of 60 contestants will participate in the preliminary round, which will be divided into two areas, A and B, with 30 contestants in each area."

"Only eight people made it to the finals at the same time."

"Therefore, only the top four players in their respective regions are eligible to enter the main tournament!"

Once the rules were announced, the students, who had been so excited just moments before, all became serious.

The elimination rate is as high as 86%, and everyone except yourself is an enemy.

"Now, please proceed to the corresponding area A or area B venue according to the number you received."

"The competition will start promptly at 11:00 AM!"

Chen Yuxing took the number plate that was handed to him and looked at it.

"I'm from Group A."

“I’m also in Group A,” Soma Yukihira said, leaning closer.