Food Wars, my food not only glows!

　Hisagi Terunori raised his head and asked with a hint of resentment.

　He had struggled with this decision for a long time before finally making up his mind, and then he was rejected so ruthlessly!

　"No."

　Bai Yuan shook his head, his expression remaining completely unchanged.

　This guy came to cause trouble because he didn't believe in his cooking skills and wanted him to get out of Totsuki.

　Now that he's lost, he wants to become his apprentice and learn all his skills. There's no such thing as a free lunch.

　If he hadn't spent a pleasant night with Alice Nakiri last night, leaving him with pent-up excitement, he wouldn't have agreed to this battle.

　He is willing to accept challenges from anyone, but if someone is really too weak, he would normally have to think twice and would usually disagree.

　Just like Kurokiba Ryo back then.

　It's a pity that Alice Nakiri wasn't with us, otherwise it would have been the most suitable person to take action, and she could have gained some combat experience.

　A white figure appeared in Bai Yuan's mind; that girl was going to have a match with Kurokiba Ryo.

　However, I never expected that Kurokiba Ryo could come to Totsuki Academy without Alice's help. Did he apply on his own or was he invited?

　Bai Yuan couldn't help but think about it.

　Has the gears of fate begun to turn?

　"I'm sorry, you must have found this amusing. May I call you Teacher Bai Yuan from now on? I'm very interested in your classes, and I might skip class to attend them in the future."

　Hearing Bai Yuan's firm words, Kuga Terunori slowly stood up from the ground. He wasn't particularly discouraged; instead, he looked at Bai Yuan with great enthusiasm.

　"It's up to you. I'll answer whatever you want to ask during class. Also, please don't put pepper in your Mapo Tofu anymore."

　Pepper and chili peppers are two different types of spiciness. When mixed together, they can easily overpower each other's flavors; it's better to omit them altogether.

　Looking at Kuga Terunori's plate of cold Mapo Tofu, Bai Yuan only took one bite before pointing out the problem.

　Of course, there are also issues with the cooking temperature; it's not possible to control it with perfect precision. However, these can be remedied through practice.

　Adding pepper to Mapo Tofu is the most typical mistake.

　"You can't put pepper in it? It will make the flavors of the peppers mix..."

　Bai Yuan's words left Kuga Terunori somewhat lost in thought.

　Then, as if just realizing what was happening, he picked up a spoon, scooped up the Mapo Tofu from his plate, closed his eyes, and began to savor it carefully.

　"The spiciness of pepper powder is more of a bittersweet flavor, which is completely different from the spiciness of making Mapo Tofu."

　That's the gist of what Bai Yuan meant.

　As he savored the flavors on his tongue, Terunori Kuga kept exploring deeper and deeper until he finally discovered a hint of bittersweetness at the heart of the spiciness!

　"I see! That's why I always felt a slight sense of disharmony when I tasted this dish after making it! So that's what it was!"

　Opening his eyes, Terunori Kuga's face was filled with excitement, as if he had solved a world mystery, and indeed he had.

　Given his culinary skills, it would take him at least ten years to discover this slight error, and he might never find it in his lifetime.

　Because of this mistake, many master chefs also make it, and it is passed down from generation to generation, becoming a kind of erroneous inheritance.

　For the average person, even if pepper is added, they won't be able to taste the difference, so the impact is minimal.

　But for a skilled expert, even just one gram of pepper can be enough to conclude that the taste is bad.

　"Alright, it's getting late. I'm going to give individual lessons to the three of them next. You can go back now."

　He glanced at the alarm clock on the wall and realized it was already 1 p.m., the time he had agreed to meet with Erina Nakiri and the others.

　However, the fact that these three people arrived just over ten minutes before the agreed time shows their genuine passion for cooking, which is quite commendable.

　"But I still have a little..."

　Hearing Bai Yuan's words, Kuga Teruki was still somewhat reluctant to leave. Just as he was about to say something, Kobayashi Rindou pulled him away first.

　"Then we'll take our leave now."

　This is my LINE number, teacher. Please add me. If I have any questions about cooking, I can ask you through LINE.

　As he spoke, Kobayashi Rindou slipped a note into Bai Yuan's hand, revealing a bright smile.

　After saying that, he grabbed Kuga Terunori by the back of his collar and left. The whole action was done in one smooth motion, as if he had rehearsed it countless times.

　"Alright, stop worrying about them. I'll only teach you how to make shredded pork with garlic sauce once. How much you learn is up to you."

　He clapped his hands to draw the attention of Erina Nakiri and the others back to him, then took out the prepared ingredients and began the cooking lesson.

　This is a reward for their excellent performance in class.

　·

　·

　Night fell, and darkness gradually descended.

　After the afternoon classes ended, Bai Yuan went home for dinner, and then went back home again under the pretext of going out for a walk.

　The teaching building area.

　At this moment, the teaching building was pitch black. Because it was the weekend, the quiet was somewhat frightening, giving it an eerie and unsettling feel.

　"Snapped."

　The classroom lights came on. Bai Yuan breathed hot air onto his hands, then looked at Hisako Shinto, who had just arrived at the classroom door not far away.

　Not a minute more, not a minute less.

　Welcome to the Dark Training Grounds, Hisako Shinoto. Do you want to become stronger?

　Looking at the exceptionally beautiful girl in front of him, Bai Yuan suddenly had a microphone in his hand. He turned the volume up to the maximum and spoke in a passionate voice.

　"I want to! Please ask Teacher Baiyuan to teach me!"

　Seeing this scene, Hisako Shinoto swallowed hard.

　Subconsciously, she felt that he was somewhat unreliable, but thinking of Bai Yuan's immense strength, she took another step forward and earnestly requested his help.

　"Then I'll teach you the art of Chinese stir-frying. You'll be able to easily master any dish and bring out its best flavor. Are you willing?"

　Bai Yuan put down the microphone and approached Shirato Hisako, saying this.

　"The cooking method produces too much oil and smoke, so students don't want to learn it."

　Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, Shinoto Hisako waved her hands repeatedly to express her unwillingness.

　She didn't want to be around Erina-sama smelling of cooking oil; she would definitely be disgusted by that!

　"Then I'll teach you how to make Western-style sauces. No matter what the ingredients are, as long as you use the right sauce, they can become incredibly delicious."

　When Shirato Hisako refused, Shirato wasn't too surprised. However, stir-frying wasn't really suitable for his little secretary, so he changed to another dish.

　"The sauce is too simple; students won't learn it!"

　Hisako Shinoto continued to shake her head; the preparation of Western-style sauces was not helpful to her and was not something she wanted to learn.

　"You rascal, you don't learn this or that, so what are you doing here?"

　Bai Yuan pretended to be angry, turning his back as he spoke, making it seem like he didn't want to pay attention to her.

　"I wish to learn the art of medicinal cuisine to improve the health of those I respect, and at the same time, to carry on the family tradition. I beg you, teacher, to grant my request!"

　Seeing Bai Yuan's appearance, Shinoto Hisako couldn't help but feel anxious. She ran up to him and said in a pleading tone.

　"If that's the case, are you determined to endure hardship?"

　Lowering his head to meet Hisako Shinoto's gaze at a distance of less than a centimeter, and seeing the slight flicker in her eyes, Shiro asked the question he most wanted to know.

　"Yes! Students are willing to endure hardship. As long as they can become stronger and ensure the health of those they want to protect, they are willing to endure hardship!"

　Although her eyes flickered, Hisako Shinoto's voice was firm, clearly indicating that she had made up her mind when she came here.

　"Very good. I hope you can remember what I just said: no matter how much suffering you endure, don't complain!"

　Upon hearing Hisako Shinto's resolute words, Shiro suddenly clapped his hands and said with a smile.

　"Huh? Eh!"

　Seeing Bai Yuan's appearance, the tense atmosphere instantly dissipated. Hisako Shinto's expression changed, and she suddenly felt like she had been tricked!

　"Alright, now that you've made up your mind, let's start training tonight."

　You have to come here every night at 8 PM from now on. If you're late, don't behave well, or don't meet my expectations, you'll get a spanking.

　"Clap~"

　As he spoke, Bai Yuan produced a ruler from who-knows-where and slapped it against the table beside him, making a crisp sound.

　"Eh...Eh?!"

　Seeing the ruler pulled out from who-knows-where, Hisako Shinoto's expression changed slightly, almost thinking she had been tricked.

　"If you want to surpass others, you must put in efforts that are beyond the reach of ordinary people. If you want to give up, then get out now!"

　Think about the shocked, resentful, and ultimately worshipful expression on that young lady's face after you surpassed Erina. Isn't that more beautiful than you humbling yourself to fawn over her?

　The ruler kept striking the table, and Bai Yuan's voice seemed to have some kind of magic, subconsciously influencing Shinoto Hisako and making her unable to help but believe.

　"To...to make Lady Erina look at me with such admiration?!"

　Hisako Shirato murmured to herself, closing her eyes as a short scene unfolded in her mind.

　"Hisako, Hisako, how do I do this?"

　You're so amazing! It seems like you can do everything. With you...

　Compared to you, I'm far inferior. From now on, let me call you Hisako-sama!

　"Now that you have something to look forward to, let's get started! First, show off everything you're good at and make the dish you're best at!"

　The ruler struck the table again, and Bai Yuan tossed over a bag full of various Chinese medicinal herbs.

　At the same time, various kinds of ingredients were scattered out.

　"I hope you can endure it and successfully transform in the end, Hisako!"

　"Yes!"

　Hisako Shinoto nodded seriously, then looked at the bag of ingredients in front of her and began to hesitate, wondering what she should do to satisfy Shirayuki!

　"Make the first dish that comes to mind, and start now. You'll never become a good chef if you keep putting things off!"

　"Yes!"

　The ruler rose and fell with a crisp sound. Under the lamplight, the boy's face showed a hint of excitement, while the girl suppressed her shame.

　However, as long as I can become stronger.

　Make Erina Nakiri call her Hisako-sama!

　She is willing to undergo trials here!

　At this moment, Hisako Shinoto's eyes had become somewhat crazed.

　Chapter Ninety-Seven: If you want to learn, then learn; if you don't, then get out!

　"Have you heard? A new Chinese cuisine teacher joined the junior high school, and she's incredibly skilled!"

　"Yes, yes, everyone who has taken his class says he makes dishes that glow, and he's very likely a legendary five-star chef!"

　In the corridor, many people who knew each other were chatting outside the classroom. As they talked, they started talking about Bai Yuan and continued the conversation on that topic.

　"I've heard about it for a long time, and that was so long ago! Besides, you can remove the 'maybe,' that person is a five-star chef, I used to take his classes."

　Although he was very capable, he hardly taught anything in class. Each class he would only cook one dish, and then let the students in that class create and improve upon that dish.

　The result of this is that only a few people pass the assessment in each class.

　Some people who have taken Baiyuan's course have come forward to share their experiences.

　"Oh? Is it that strict? What about the rest of the people?"

　"Of course, he gave the lowest possible rating to all of them. In some aspects, he was even stricter than Professor Roland Chapel. If you happen to be assigned to his class, then you'd better pray for good luck."

　However, a large number of people enjoy his classes, and you can have a food battle with them, giving up your class in return—that's also allowed.

　Thinking of Bai Yuan, who had ruthlessly said "unqualified," the male student shrank back.

　Bai Yuan didn't seem to be teaching them, but rather screening them—selecting students with sufficiently good foundations and then training them privately.