Food Wars!: Delicious Food of the Heavens

Chapter 9 Entrance Ceremony

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom in the plaza of Totsuki Academy.

A gentle breeze blows, the branches sway, and pink and white petals flutter in the wind, like a romantic rain of flowers falling on the crowd.

The square was filled with students in school uniforms; they were all freshmen who had moved up from the junior high school to the senior high school at Totsuki Academy.

Everyone's face showed both anticipation for the new semester and a sense of nervousness, as if walking on thin ice.

Totsuki Culinary Academy, as the best culinary academy in Japan, has a notoriously rigorous teaching style. For most people, studying at Totsuki is like walking a tightrope; one wrong step and they'll fall into the abyss.

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

The moment the name Nakiri Senzaemon appeared in the host's reverent tone, the previously noisy square fell into an eerie silence.

An invisible pressure descended upon everyone. All the students subconsciously straightened their bodies, their expressions solemn, and even their breathing became lighter.

Nakiri Senzaemon.

The headmaster of Totsuki Academy, a leading figure in the Japanese culinary world, and known by the fearsome title of "Demon King of Food".

His personal educational philosophy is based on "ruthless competition," which forms the foundation and core of Totsuki Academy.

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

He was wearing a black overcoat, with a dignified face and sharp eyes. Just by standing there, he exuded an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.

Senzaemon Nakiri's gaze slowly swept across the entire room.

Faced with that oppressive gaze, the students nervously lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

The already somber atmosphere in the square became even more solemn.

"Ahem!"

A clear cough broke the silence.

Then, a deep and powerful voice came through the microphone and loudspeaker, spreading to every corner of the square.

"Congratulations everyone, you have successfully entered the advanced division of Totsuki Academy."

"During your three years of study in the junior high school, you have all laid a solid foundation."

"You not only learned basic cooking skills and became familiar with the characteristics of various ingredients, but also acquired a sufficiently comprehensive 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 Higher Department today."

"However, unlike in the past, the test you will face from now on will no longer be knowledge and skills, but the willpower to survive as a chef!"

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

"Ninety-nine percent of you are merely useless boulders; only one percent will be transformed into beautiful jade through polishing!"

"In other words, 99% of you are merely pawns created to hone the skills of the other 1%!"

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

Many people turned pale, clenched their fists instinctively, and even the light in their eyes dimmed.

Every student present came to Totsuki Culinary Academy with the dream of becoming a top chef; no one was willing to become a so-called "discarded pawn."

But everyone knows perfectly well that Totsuki Academy is a place that values competition and brings the cruel law of "survival of the fittest" to its fullest extent.

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

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

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

"Of the nearly one thousand first-graders, fewer than one hundred remained by the time they were promoted to the next grade. As for how many of them will make it to graduation?"

"I imagine you could count them all on one hand!"

The series of harsh remarks had created an oppressive atmosphere in the square, making it hard to breathe.

"I know these words are disheartening, but the truth is always cruel!"

"Rigorous competition is the defining characteristic of this academy, because only after undergoing the most rigorous polishing can a decaying rock become a dazzling gem!"

Suddenly, Senzaemon Nakiri changed the subject, raised his hand, and pointed his aged, strong fingers sharply at the students below the stage.

"You! You! You! And you! All of you!"

"Who says you'll all become discarded, unyielding stones? Who says you won't survive to the end?"

"The weak shrink back in fear when faced with competition, but the strong laugh heartily!"

"Be prepared, risk your lives, and become one of the last 1% of gems to survive! Shine with your own light!"

The deathly silence was like shattered glass, instantly disappearing without a trace.

The students' despair was lifted back to the sky, their gloom vanished, replaced by fervent excitement, gleaming eyes, and burning fighting spirit!

Senzaemon Nakiri surveyed the entire scene, and seeing everyone's high spirits, he nodded in satisfaction.

"May you all have great success in your military endeavors!"

Having said that, Senzaemon Nakiri turned around and strode down from the platform.

......

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

In the waiting room, Soma Yukihira, who had been waiting so long that he was about to fall asleep, immediately perked up when he heard the host's words.

"Lin Yu, shall we go first?"

Lin Yu glanced at him. "You seem so excited. Do you want to go first?"

"yes."

Soma Yukihira rubbed his hands together, looking eager to try.

Lin Yu waved his hand, "Whatever."

"Hehe, I'll go first then!"

Amidst hundreds of indifferent, curious, scrutinizing, and disdainful gazes from the audience, Soma Yukihira walked onto the stage and stood before the microphone.

"Thank you all for your kindness. I'll just say a few words, just a couple."

"My name is Soma Yukihira."

"To be honest, I think this college is just a stepping stone for me."

"Although it wasn't my own choice to come here in the first place, now that I'm in this academy, I only have one goal."

"That's reaching the pinnacle of this academy!"

"Although I don't know any of you here, I have no intention of losing to a bunch of guys who have never served food to guests before."

"Anyway, please take good care of me for the next three years!"

Soma Yukihira bowed to the audience and then walked off the stage with a grin.

After a moment of stunned silence, all the students below the stage realized what that guy had just said, and a fierce shouting and cursing erupted in the square.

"Arrogant bastard!"

"Red-haired brat, I'm going to kill you!"

"Come down here and fight me one-on-one if you dare!"

"I want to have a food battle with you!"

Amidst a chorus of angry shouts from the audience, Lin Yu walked onto the stage with a sullen expression.

"I knew I shouldn't have let Yukihira go on stage first. What kind of mess is this?"

Lin Yu stood in front of the microphone, ready to speak.

But the angry shouts from the audience were getting on his nerves.

"Quiet!"

Lin Yu roared, his powerful aura stunning all the students.

"Cough cough."

"Lin Yu, Chinese."