Food Wars!: Delicious Food of the Heavens

Although Lin Yu didn't care about the discussions, the large group of people from Polar Star Dormitory in the audience were furious when they heard the unpleasant words spoken by the students watching around them.

"Hey! You guys, all you dare to do is gossip behind people's backs?"

Daigo Aoki and Shoji Sato were the first to speak, their voices booming as they pointed at several students with angry expressions.

"You! And you too, right!"

"You little scoundrel who only dares to gossip when no one can hear you, dare you say it out loud to my face!"

The members of Polaris Dormitory also echoed and voiced their support.

"Exactly! They haven't even tasted Lin Yu's cooking, so what gives them the right to spout such nonsense!"

Hearing this, the surrounding students looked angrily in the direction of the Polar Star Dormitory. Although they were intimidated by the delinquent-like aura of Aoki Daigo and Sato Shoji and toned down their words, they still clearly had some resentment on their faces.

"Can't we even have a casual discussion? That's so domineering!"

"Does anyone really think that guy can win? After all, his opponent is Mito Ikumi, a follower of the 'God Tongue'."

"Even if he is! A transfer student who joined late in his studies, who only got into Totsuki Academy by luck, what makes him think he can win?"

The students who were whispering just moments before grew bolder with each word they spoke, and even started arguing with the members of the Polaris Dormitory.

For a moment, the Polar Star Dormitory members who spoke up for Lin Yu were overwhelmed by the voices coming from all directions.

"That's enough!"

A roar erupted, and the surroundings fell silent instantly.

Isshiki Satoshi, who had been watching the stands without making a sound, finally lost his temper when the noise around him grew louder and louder, even starting to disrupt the order of the audience. With a roar, he silenced all the people arguing.

Isshiki Satoshi looked around, his eyes showing some irritation.

"Everyone, stop arguing!"

"Who are you? What gives you the right to...?"

Before the student who was subconsciously talking back could finish speaking, the person next to him rushed up in a panic and covered his mouth.

"Are you crazy! That's Isshiki, a second-year student!"

The student who had been talking back was indignant and broke free from his companion's grasp. "No? So what if he's a second-year student? This guy is clearly in cahoots with that transfer student!"

His companion immediately panicked, "Are you crazy? He's still..."

"That's enough!"

Isshiki Satoshi shouted angrily, his voice filled with suppressed rage.

He looked at the student with a face full of resentment, snorted coldly, and the coldness in his eyes was like the cold wind of deep winter, so cold that the student who met his gaze couldn't help but shiver.

The student was clearly still somewhat unconvinced. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but feeling the powerful pressure emanating from Isshiki Satoshi, the words stuck in his throat and he couldn't utter them for a long time.

But his eyes still held a defiant look.

But Isshiki Satoshi didn't care whether the other party was convinced or not. At this moment, he was in a particularly unpleasant mood, and his aura was very different from his usual gentle demeanor.

"I am Isshiki Satoshi, the seventh seat of the Elite Ten."

When the words "Ten Elite of Totsuki" came out of Isshiki Satoshi's mouth, the person opposite him immediately changed his expression, and his face turned ashen in an instant.

"This is a food battle arena, not a vegetable market."

Isshiki's cold voice continued.

"Humility is a virtue that a chef should possess."

"Don't spout nonsense about people you don't understand. Show me the most basic respect for food battle competitions and food battle contestants!"

"Now, sit down immediately, remain quiet, and watch the game quietly."

"If you dare to speak disrespectfully to a Food Wars contestant again, I will use the authority of the Elite Ten to expel you from this arena!"

"Don't doubt it, I have this right."

"Don't take any chances. I'll be keeping an extra watch on you from now on."

"Hmph! Now, let's watch the game!"

Isshiki Satoshi snorted coldly, turned around, and ignored him.

The male student, who had been so arrogant just moments before, was now trembling uncontrollably.

He certainly knew what being one of the Elite Ten meant at Totsuki Academy.

Let alone kicking him out of the meeting, it's possible that even if the Elite Ten Conference were convened and a vote were held to expel him from Totsuki Academy.

At least he didn't think the other ten outstanding students would be willing to vote against him specifically for the sake of an ordinary student like him.

Knowing the weight of the title "Ten Heroes," even though Isshiki Satoshi had turned away and was no longer in sight, his heart was still pounding, his face was pale, and he was having trouble breathing.

He also noticed that the students around him were looking at him with some hostility.

Finally, the male student couldn't bear the atmosphere any longer, so he quickly got up and left the venue without looking back.

"Isshiki-senpai, you were so cool just now!"

"Yeah, this is the first time I've seen Isshiki-senpai look so imposing, he's so cool!"

Faced with the praise and admiration of his juniors, Isshiki Satoshi simply smiled calmly and then put his finger to his lips.

"Shh-"

Isshiki Satoshi pointed towards the arena, "Be serious, Lin Yu-jun's food battle is about to begin."

On the stage, the emcee's voice continued.

"Alright, the three judges are in place. Now let's do the final confirmation."

"According to the Food Wars document, the theme of this Food War between Lin Yu and Mito Ikumi is [Meat Dishes], and the main ingredient is [Beef]."

"If Lin Yu wins, he will enjoy the highest tier of member discount prices when purchasing meat from [Mito Meat Products]. This promise will remain valid throughout Lin Yu's studies at Totsuki Culinary Academy!"

"Oh?!"

In the audience, Isshiki Satoshi's brow twitched upon hearing the terms of the bet, a look of interest on his face. "The highest level of price discount for Mito meat products, and it seems to be for all varieties? Even if it's only for three years, this bet... is quite generous!"

"If Mito Ikumi wins, then Lin Yu will have to come up with two recipes that will satisfy Mito."

The emcee looked at the two on the stage, "Are the food battle contestants confirmed?"

Lin Yu nodded. "Confirmed, no problem."

Mito Ikumi crossed her arms and nodded slightly. "Yes, confirmed."

"Alright, now... Food War! Let's begin!"

At the emcee's command, Lin Yu and Mito Yuki both stood still without immediately starting to cook.

Mito Ikumi looked at Lin Yu, her eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit, "Lin Yu, we've finally stepped onto the food war stage."

Lin Yu spread his hands, revealing a helpless wry smile, "I can't help it. After all, if I don't agree, Mito-san, you'll just keep pestering me, right?"

Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, Mito Ikumi actually pondered for a moment.

"Yes, it should."

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You really want to defeat me?"

"certainly!"

Mito Ikumi's emotions suddenly surged, and her voice rose sharply.

"After that classroom competition last time, I kept telling myself that I had lost and I should accept it wholeheartedly."

"But even though I say that, knowing myself, I still can't let go of this matter in my heart. I'm not truly convinced."

"There was always a voice in my head telling me that I wasn't not strong enough, I was just unlucky and didn't get the ingredients I was best at, which is why I lost."

"This voice keeps lingering in my mind, and I can't get rid of it. If I let it continue, I'm afraid it will become a demon in my heart."

Mito Ikumi became more and more agitated as she spoke, and when she said this sentence, her voice became clenched through her teeth.

"If it really comes to that, then my culinary career will be over!"

"So, I'm going to win! I'm going to use my best ingredients, give it my all, and compete with you one more time!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Mito Ikumi pulled open the refrigerated display case behind her, and in the wafting cold air, a piece of beef with stunningly beautiful snowflake marbling was revealed to everyone.

"Wow! That's beef! It looks so beautiful!"

"The snowflake pattern is so even, it makes my mouth water just looking at it."

In the stands, in the area where the Polar Star Dormitory members were gathered, everyone looked somewhat worried as they saw Mito Ikumi take out such a perfect piece of meat.

"Isshiki-senpai, that piece of meat wouldn't happen to be...?" Marui Zenji, the most knowledgeable among them, seemed to recognize the piece of beef, his tone full of disbelief.

"Yes, it's the highest grade; its condition is perfect."

Isshiki Satoshi frowned slightly. "Although I don't know what ingredients Lin Yu-kun prepared, one thing is certain: he's in trouble..."

On the stage, Mito Ikumi placed the piece of beef in front of her, stretched out her hands, and gently and slowly stroked the surface of the beef with an indescribable... tenderness.

"A5 Wagyu beef with marbled glaze!"

Mito Ikumi's tone was filled with a sense of ecstasy.

"Look at these gem-like beautiful textures, and smell this fat that makes your nose itch."

Mito Ikumi looked at Lin Yu, "Lin Yu, I will show you how a perfect piece of meat, combined with my culinary skills, can create an unparalleled delicacy!"

"I will defeat you, for my own beliefs, and also..."

Mito Ikumi looked towards the very back of the stands, at the highest point of the venue, where the VIP viewing boxes were reserved for the Elite Ten of Totsuki.

Through the huge floor-to-ceiling window of the private room, a tall figure with long golden hair could be seen standing there, her casual posture revealing an indescribable arrogance.

Mito Ikumi's expression showed some emotion.

"Erina-sama has come to watch my food battle!"

"Erina-sama is watching me, I must win!"

"Ah~ Lady Erina's figure is still so captivating!"

"Speaking of which, why do I feel like... Erina is looking in my direction?"

Just as Mito Ikumi was gazing absently at Nakiri Erina's figure high above, a voice suddenly rang out, startling her from her reverie.

"Shut up!"

Mito Ikumi was instantly enraged, glaring at Lin Yu with extreme anger.

"You still have that annoying way of saying things!"

"How dare you say such a thing? Are you deliberately provoking me?"

Lin Yu spread his hands, looking innocent. "But I really felt that Erina was looking in my direction. I was just stating a fact..."

"You bastard! Don't you dare call Lady Erina by her first name!"

Lin Yu was convinced. "If you don't believe me, I'll prove it to you."

As he spoke, Lin Yu looked up at the private room above, raised his arm, and waved it repeatedly.

Inside the private room, Erina Nakiri also saw Lin Yu's gaze and his waving gesture. Before her mind could react, her body instinctively took a few steps back and hid where Lin Yu couldn't see her.

When Erina Nakiri realized what she was doing, she was suddenly filled with inexplicable embarrassment and anger.

"What's this guy doing? Why is he suddenly greeting me!"

"And why do I instinctively want to look away whenever that guy's gaze falls on me? Why should I hide?"

"I'm one of the Ten Heroes, why would I feel embarrassed?"

The more Erina Nakiri thought about it, the more agitated she became; her thoughts were a jumbled mess.

"Ugh! So annoying!"

"That damned guy!"

"Erina-sama?" Hisako Shinoto noticed Erina Nakiri's actions and was immediately puzzled.

"What's wrong?"

"No...it's nothing! Let's continue watching the game."

Despite her discomfort, Erina Nakiri walked back to the floor-to-ceiling glass, turning her slightly flushed face away and deliberately avoiding looking towards the arena.

"See, I told you I was right?"

Lin Yu looked at Mito Ikumi with an expression that seemed to say, "See, I told you so."

"Damn it! You were just deliberately picking a fight, weren't you..."

Although Lin Yu's demeanor was always lazy and languid, and Mito Ikumi had seen it more than once, she had never thought that this lazy attitude would be so infuriating.