Food Wars, my food not only glows!

　For someone as outstanding as her, the cooking assessment doesn't frighten her; on the contrary, it excites her.

　Because each assessment allows her to improve her skills to a certain extent.

　Moreover, this time Bai Yuan is leading the team. With his knowledge and abilities, she will definitely be able to overtake them all in this month.

　A golden opportunity!

　"It's by the river? Looks like my machines are useless after all. What a pity."

　On the other side, Alice Nakiri showed a regretful expression when she heard that the assessment location was by the river.

　Because all her molecular gastronomy machines require electricity, although she could arrange for someone to set them up, it would be more troublesome by the river, so it's better not to use them.

　"Hmph, let's see how you compete with me without those machines!"

　Seeing Alice Nakiri's slightly regretful expression, Erina Nakiri felt a surge of joy.

　Although she wanted to hold back and wait until she won before making sarcastic remarks, she couldn't help herself and started humming a mocking snort from the side.

　"Huh? You don't actually think I beat you with those machines, do you?"

　Faced with her mockery, Alice Nakiri gave a strange look.

　Her naive younger sister, after being with her for so long, hasn't she realized the gap in their abilities? She's always dreaming of surpassing her.

　It's probably because he's been by Bai Yuan's side for a long time and learned some advanced techniques that he's become arrogant and thinks he's capable again.

　It seems necessary to make her face reality a little during the midterm exam.

　"Hmph, you do have a better chance of winning, but don't get too cocky! In a month, I don't believe you're better than me in every way!"

　Erina Nakiri was well aware of Alice Nakiri's strength, but she couldn't let her strength deter her from challenging her.

　"Sorry, I completely crush you in every aspect. You can't beat me in any one area during these thirty days of assessment."

　Alice Nakiri said proudly, "Having been trained by Bai Yuan for six years, I'm not someone anyone can easily fool, and I'm not someone you can easily surpass!"

　Even in her weakest areas, she possesses the skill of a top-tier chef, thanks to Bai Yuan's comprehensive training!

　"Hmph! We'll only know who's stronger after the competition; it's too early to make judgments now!"

　Upon hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Erina Nakiri gritted her teeth in anger. This was far too disrespectful of her!

　Alice is nothing! She only relies on having a good teacher! If she had been with Teacher Bai Yuan since childhood, she would definitely be even better than her!

　"That's really confident."

　By the way, what should you call me when we meet, as we mentioned before?

　Seeing Erina Nakiri's annoyed expression, Alice Nakiri couldn't help but chuckle, then spoke in a playful tone.

　"Don't go too far!"

　"How can this be considered excessive? You clearly agreed to this condition back then, that if you lost, you would have to call me 'sister' when we meet. Or are you trying to cheat?"

　However, you are my sister after all, and even if you want to cheat, there's nothing I can do. That's the fate of being an older sister—you have to silently endure everything.

　Separated by the White Abyss, Alice Nakiri forced out two tears and spoke in a tone of 'being betrayed'.

　"I understand! I'll call out, okay? Sister Alice..."

　Seeing Alice Nakiri's appearance, Erina Nakiri clenched her fists slightly. After a long while, she suppressed the shame in her heart and called out with a flushed face.

　"Hey, that's more like it."

　A younger sister should act like a younger sister; don't spend all your time thinking about rebelling. Besides, your abilities aren't enough to support such a plan.

　Upon hearing Erina Nakiri's voice, Alice Nakiri nodded with immense satisfaction. This was it! This was exactly what she wanted to hear!

　"Humph!"

　After shouting those words, Erina Nakiri turned her head away and snorted softly. Then she closed her eyes, deciding not to pay any more attention to this woman who loved to bring up the past.

　Wait for her to win!

　We must humiliate them tenfold or a hundredfold in return!

　The bus sped forward, separating from the main group at an intersection, and headed towards the largest river in the area, one of the tributaries of the Arakawa River.

　With the power of money mobilized, the Arakawa tributary was unusually quiet at this moment, with only the students who had come to take the midterm exams present.

　"Weren't you going to take the midterm exam? Why are you in this deserted place?"

　"Shouldn't the cooking assessment at least include a kitchen..."

　"Are you suggesting we cook in a place like this? No way! Without all the basic requirements, it's impossible to test the chef's skills!"

　Stepping off the vehicle and looking at the incredibly wide river before them, the students from the elementary school were stunned. Some even rubbed their eyes and patted their faces, unable to believe what they were seeing.

　"Quiet!"

　Bai Yuan's voice rang out, instantly silencing the noisy scene. Everyone looked at him, waiting for him to explain the rules of this assessment.

　"This assessment will be conducted by the river. The instruction manual should tell you to bring your own cooking utensils. Go and bring them down now."

　"What! It's really in a place like this?"

　"How could this be... How can we possibly cook in a place like this? All the cooking I practice is completely useless..."

　"No wonder they asked us to bring cooking utensils; they were preparing for an outdoor cooking session. But how could we possibly make any delicious food in this kind of environment!"

　"What about the other groups? We can't be the only ones like this, can we? That's so unfair!"

　"The conditions in the other groups aren't much better than yours! If you don't want to take the midterm exam, go back and process your withdrawal now."

　Listen up, those who are willing to participate in the assessment: in this assessment, you can do your utmost, using every method you are capable of.

　To create a dish that satisfies you, you need to think of a way to do it.

　I will score your dishes based on cooking speed and taste, and the scores will be recorded on the overall leaderboard for all candidates to see.

　With a detached look at the arguing examinees, Bai Yuan returned to the bus after saying this, leaving everyone looking at each other in bewilderment.

　"What should we do now?"

　"What else can we do but start!"

　"It's harvest season now, so there should be plenty of food in the river. We were indeed advised to bring cooking utensils and seasonings; not bringing them is entirely their own fault!"

　A tall man spat out a remark, saying that although the current assessment environment was difficult, it was not impossible to do.

　Just as Bai Yuan said, if you can't adapt, just drop out of school.

　Does anyone have a lighter?

　Suddenly, someone in the crowd cried out in alarm, while casting pleading glances at those around them.

　"Even if I brought some, I wouldn't lend it to you! Don't forget we're competitors now! If you really want it, trade it for some fish!"

　The student with the lighter saw an opportunity, immediately raised his lighter, and proposed a deal.

　"You want a fish for a broken lighter? I'll give you a few snails at most, take it or leave it!"

　"Snails are fine! They're better than nothing!"

　"I'll go collect some dry, thick branches from the surrounding area, and you go fish for food. We can exchange them later, which will save a lot of time!"

　"Okay! I have no problem."

　In an instant, the scene became bustling with activity. Some people were working together to find partners, while others were already fishing in the river on their own.

　Although everyone was complaining about the poor environment, once they actually started, not a single person stopped.

　They were very clear that the price of failing the assessment was expulsion. Although the chances of making it into the top fifty were slim, no one was willing to give up!

　Go for it! Go for it! Go for it!

　This is the teaching policy of Totsuki Academy!

　"Looks like that's the only option. Brother Bai Yuan didn't even remind me yesterday to bring my own cooking utensils today, and I didn't bring any seasonings either..."

　Seeing everyone bustling about, standing still for a long time without making a move, Alice Nakiri couldn't help but sigh.

　Because she lived with the examiner, she didn't even look at the contents of the so-called guidebook, thinking that Bai Yuan would remind her.

　But now it seems she was overthinking things.

　Bai Yuan was eager to make her assessment more difficult, so why would he kindly remind her? What a wicked guy!

　Alice Nakiri thought to herself, "Isn't my dear master really afraid that I won't pass the test and will be expelled from Totsuki Academy?"

　Or perhaps she trusts her a lot!

　Yes, it must be because he trusts her a lot; this is a bond that belongs only to them!

　Alice Nakiri thought to herself in a self-hypnotic way.

　"Let's have a contest, Alice! Let's see who gets the higher score on this midterm exam! The loser has to call the other sister 'older sister'!"

　Just as Alice Nakiri was lost in her fantasy, Erina Nakiri's voice rang out beside her.

　The girl was holding pots and pans, while Hisako Shinto was carrying a small barbecue grill and a bag of charcoal. The two of them approached her.

　"The bet you mentioned is of no benefit to me. After all, even if I don't accept it, you still have to call me 'sister' when you see me."

　Although she was still daydreaming, Alice Nakiri was still clear-headed and naturally could not accept a bet that would do her no good.

　"What do you want?"

　Erina Nakiri pouted. She had been thinking of ripping the bet when she saw Alice Nakiri distracted, hoping to get something for nothing.

　It now appears that the plan has fallen through.

　"Let me think about it. If you win, you won't have to call me Sister Alice anymore. If you lose, you'll have to wash my feet."

　"Washing feet..."

　Upon hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Erina Nakiri suddenly fell silent. To expect a young lady like her to wash someone's feet? That was far too humiliating.

　"You're not afraid, are you?"

　Or is it that you never thought you would win from the very beginning, which is why you hesitated?

　Alice Nakiri's voice carried a hint of mockery; she had already figured out Erina Nakiri's tsundere nature during their month-long interaction.

　There's no way around it, this guy is just too easy to understand!

　"Hmph! Fine, I'll wash your feet! But you have to wash them even if you lose, otherwise the bet is too low!"

　"Sure, but I can't possibly lose."

　Although Erina's increased stakes made their bet a little unfair, Alice Nakiri didn't care, since she couldn't possibly lose.

　In other words.

　Whenever the two compete, the one who always pays the price is always Erina Nakiri.

　What does it matter if the stakes are raised even higher in a contest that's destined to be won? It's just empty talk anyway, and she doesn't actually have to put in any effort.

　"You didn't forget your cooking utensils and seasonings, did you? Poor thing, call me Erina-neechan, let me..."

　It's not impossible for me to lend it to you.

　Suddenly, noticing that Alice Nakiri had been standing still for a long time without moving, with no one around her, Erina Nakiri seemed to have thought of something, and handed the pot in her hand forward, speaking with a slightly wicked tone.

　"No need, I have enough."

　Alice Nakiri shook her head, ran back to the bus, slung the Seven Star Sword from her suitcase over her shoulder, and looked at Erina Nakiri with a fighting spirit in her eyes.

　Although she didn't think she would lose, Alice Nakiri would still give it her all. After all, Bai Yuan was the chief examiner for this test, and she didn't want to disappoint her master.

　"I see, you're preparing to make sashimi. Wait, could that set of knives you're carrying be...?"

　Seeing the sword on Alice Nakiri's back, Erina Nakiri was momentarily stunned, her voice filled with disbelief.

　"That's right, this is the same Seven Star Blade as my master's! It was handcrafted by the same blacksmith and took a full six months to complete!"

　As she drew the katana from her back, Alice Nakiri's voice was filled with pride, while Erina Nakiri looked on with envy.

　She had seen Bai Yuan's Seven Star Blades. Each one had its own function and was extremely sharp. When several of them were combined, they could process any ingredient in the world!

　She was incredibly envious at the time, never expecting that Alice Nakiri would have such a set as well.

　Thinking about it, it makes sense, considering they're master and disciple. Still, I'm so envious! After all, this is Master Bai Yuan's personal sword!

　Aside from that factor, the all-around usability and sharpness of this knife set are what makes Nakiri Erina most envious.

　If used skillfully, it can at least double her speed in processing ingredients!