A beautiful girl who transmigrates into a Herrscher of the Void is treated like an elf and conquered

He doesn't use measuring tools to make sauces and ingredients; he relies on his intuition.

Freshly squeezed mandarin orange juice, soy sauce, mirin, and a small amount of rice vinegar were mixed in his bowl.

He tasted it, thought for a moment, and then scooped a spoonful of homemade syrup with a citrus peel flavor from a small jar, making the sourness more rounded and mellow, and full of a sunny sweetness.

He put the white sesame seeds into a dry small pot and patiently roasted them over low heat until golden brown. Then he gently crushed them with a mortar and pestle, and the rich nutty aroma instantly filled the air with warmth.

Audience member: "It smells so good! It smells like roasted sesame seeds!"

"It tastes like home!"

"He seems to have some secret recipe?"

Comments from judge Xiaozhu:

"Shido is really good at using ingredients! Homemade syrup and freshly roasted sesame powder are little secrets to making dishes full of 'heart'! Fantastic!"

He sliced ​​tender ginger shoots into extremely thin slices and soaked them in ice water so that they would naturally curl into cute little rolls, which he used as a garnish and to cleanse the palate.

His work surface was clearly more homely; occasionally a few drops of sauce or a few sesame seeds would spill out, but he always managed to clean it up easily.

The air was filled with the aroma of roasted sesame seeds and the sweet scent of mandarin oranges, a stark contrast to the cool, refreshing fragrance from Chika's side.

Judge's Comments (Origami Tobiichi): "Shido Itsuka's approach is closer to efficient practices in a home kitchen. The aroma management is excellent and effectively stimulates the appetite of the whole group. Practicality rating: A."

The two contestants, with their contrasting styles of ice and fire, have completed all the preparations. The final plating showdown is about to begin.

Chapter 41 The Ultimate Presentation of Both Sides of the Balance

The numbers on the timer kept decreasing, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Chinatsu and Shido began the final and most important step almost simultaneously—plating.

On Chika's side, her movements remained calm and precise, as if she were conducting a rigorous scientific study.

She took a large, deep, pure white plate—the perfect canvas to showcase the colors of the ingredients themselves.

First, arrange that ball of pure white, fluffy shredded radish like a snow-capped mountain.

A perfect hemispherical base was constructed in the center of the plate, with its height and curvature calculated visually.

Then, with chopsticks—moving as gently as if handling fragile jewels—she sliced ​​the paper-thin sea bream sashimi one by one, overlapping them slightly.

Elegantly laid atop the "snow-capped peaks" of shredded radish. The natural curve of the cascading fish slices and the area they cover present a delicate geometric aesthetic.

Bright green cucumber strips and water celery seedlings were carefully arranged around the perimeter, like tenacious green plants growing on a snowfield, instantly enlivening the overall color scheme.

The orange-red salmon roe, like scattered gems, is precisely placed in several key locations, attracting attention with its rich color and texture.

Finally, instead of pouring the sauce directly onto the plate, she used an extremely fine brush to dip into the lemon, olive oil, and wasabi sauce and draw several elegant and freehand curves on the blank space of the plate, like an abstract painting.

Finally, sprinkle the vanilla powder and yogurt foam, like a fairy scattering flowers, with exquisite precision, along the sauce lines and on specific points of the ingredients.

Finally, her creation, "Data-Perfect" Sea Bream Sashimi with Thinly Sliced ​​Salad and Herb Lemon Foam, was completed.

It is cold, exquisite, and meticulous, like an installation artwork just taken out of the exhibition hall of a modern art museum, not to be desecrated in the slightest, exuding a cold beauty and a sense of technology that keeps people at a distance.

After a brief, almost suffocating silence in the audience...

"Is this...is this a dish?"

"It's so beautiful...so beautiful that I'm afraid to even touch it..."

"It feels like even taking one bite is a sin..."

Ye Ying Mai's voice was filled with amazement:

"It's finished! Phoenix Academy's work! This is no longer a dish; it's a food sculpture that seamlessly blends 'precision,' 'calculation,' and 'aesthetics'! Every detail has been meticulously calculated!"

Shido's plating is full of life and the warmth of handmade craftsmanship.

The plate he chose had a light beige texture, which made it feel more welcoming.

He first cleverly rolled the cucumber into a circle and placed it on a plate as a natural "wall" and base, adding a sense of three-dimensionality and fun.

The dish is filled with alternating layers of firm shredded radish and perfectly sliced ​​sea bream sashimi, arranged in a generous and satisfying manner, giving the impression of abundant ingredients and making one eager to taste it.

Then, small flowers made of tender ginger sprouts and golden roasted sesame seeds are casually but beautifully sprinkled on top, bringing a warm color contrast and an enticing aroma.

Finally, he placed the special mandarin orange and ginger sauce, which exuded a warm citrus aroma, in a small sauce dish, and instead of pouring it directly over the ingredients, he gently placed it on the side of the plate.

This thoughtful touch preserves the enjoyment of diners dipping the fish themselves while ensuring the best texture of the sashimi. His "Heartfelt" sea bream sashimi with crisp salad and mandarin ginger sauce is now complete.

It looks full, warm, and welcoming, with rich and harmonious colors, exuding a mouthwatering wok aroma (even though it's a cold dish) and a smoky flavor, like a home-cooked feast carefully prepared by an old friend, full of sincere invitation.

Wow! It looks delicious!

"I feel even hungrier now!"

"That sauce looks so special, I want to try it!"

"It's so comforting, like an upgraded version that mom would make!"

Ai Yamabuki exclaimed energetically, "Itsuka-sensei finished it too! Wow! It looks incredibly delicious! It's full of the warmth and sincerity of handmade craftsmanship! It makes you want to pick up your chopsticks right away!"

"Time's up! Please stop!" Fujihakama Mii's voice came through the microphone as the timer reached zero.

The two of them took a step back almost simultaneously, examined their work, and then gently picked up the final piece.

Chika's movements remained elegant and steady; the plate was as solid as a rock in her hands, and the "artwork" on it did not wobble at all.

With steady steps, she placed the artwork in the center of the judges' panel, as if presenting a state gift.

Shido, with a hint of relaxation and anticipation after completing a major task, smiled even more brightly as he carefully placed his heartfelt work next to Chinatsu's.

Ice and fire, cutting-edge technology and heartwarming craftsmanship—two dishes, each a masterpiece in its own right, were presented side by side to the judges.

The strong visual contrast creates a powerful impact.

"Completely different styles!"

"I want to eat them all so badly, what am I going to do?!"

"How can you even evaluate this? They're practically two different things!"

The trio of commentators announced in unison: "So far! In the first round of the 'Knife Skill vs. Refreshment' duel, both sides have given their all, presenting their finest masterpieces! The final winner will be decided by the judges' palates! Will it be Phoenix Inu Chinatsu who triumphs with absolute technique, or Itsuka Shido who faces the challenge with heartfelt sincerity? Please look forward to the tasting segment!"

All eyes were on the judges. Ms. Kozuki looked at the two dishes, her face filled with the blissful indecision; Origami Tobiichi's gaze moved between the two dishes like a scanner; Reine Murasame seemed more interested in the composition of the sauce; Hiroto Tonomachi stared intently at Chinatsu's dish; and the trio had already picked up their chopsticks impatiently.

The climax of the first round is about to arrive.

Chapter 42 The Ice Blue Witch's First Victory

Five delicate small plates were distributed to the five judges, each containing an equal portion of Chika's and Shido's dishes.

When the judges simultaneously lifted the lids from the small dishes—

There was no real golden light, but it seemed as if an invisible aura exploded out!

Chika's dish, with its extreme color contrast, meticulous composition, and subtle, cool aroma, was like a visual shockwave, instantly taking the judges' breath away.

Shido's dishes, with their plump shapes, warm colors, and the irresistible aroma of roasted sesame and mandarin oranges, are like a warm torrent, directly washing away everyone's primal appetite.

"It's open, it's open!"

"Just looking at it..."

"What will it taste like?!"

Without hesitation, the five judges almost simultaneously picked up their specially made pointed chopsticks and, without prior agreement, reached for Phoenix Inu Chinatsu's portion.

The moment the food enters the mouth—

Teacher Xiaozhu's eyes widened suddenly, as if she had seen an unbelievable sight!

The melt-in-your-mouth coolness of the sea bream sashimi, the ultimate refreshing shredded radish, the salty and fresh waves brought by the burst of salmon roe, and the finishing touch of light and refreshing lemon foam and the faint hint of vanilla powder... all the flavors explode in your mouth like a meticulously calculated symphony!

"Ah...this, this is...the taste is so clear! So clean! It's like putting the entire clear bay and the morning vegetable garden into my mouth!" She covered her face, a blush of happiness spreading across her cheeks, as if she had been purified.

The origami master paused slightly in his chewing motion, and his pupils contracted for a moment.

The unparalleled precision in seasoning and taste control made her brain feel as if it were receiving a series of flawless data streams.

“…The taste sensor is overloaded. The peak flavor parameter exceeds the normal threshold.” She muttered to herself, but her face remained expressionless, only her fingers holding the chopsticks tightened slightly.

Murasame Reine savored the moment, then nodded slightly, her dark circles seeming to have faded a little.

"...maximizing the stimulation efficiency of taste receptors. Every flavor molecule is perceived within a pre-defined sequence...perfect logic." Her tone carried a hint of admiration for a researcher who had discovered a perfect sample.

And our poor trio of Ma Ji washing pantyhose had to share one portion.

Ai Yamabuki: "Ahhh! It's so delicious I can't even speak! My tongue is pregnant!"

As Ye Ying Mai ate, she tried to analyze: "The balance of flavors is extremely high! The complexity of the texture is beyond our comprehension!"

Fujihaka Mii: "Majikku! My sense of taste is ruined!" The three of them hugged each other, as if they had experienced a tsunami of taste.

Immediately afterward, still reeling from the stunning performance of Chika's cooking, the judges turned their chopsticks to Itsuka Shido's dish.

When that heartfelt food enters your mouth, a completely different storm sweeps over your taste buds!

After eating, Teacher Xiaozhu looked happy. The warm, sweet and sour tangerine sauce instantly enveloped her tongue, and the rich aroma of roasted sesame seeds filled her nostrils.

Thick, springy fish slices and crisp cucumber provide a rich chewy texture... All of this blends together, no longer just precise musical notes, but a warm and comforting folk song.

"Ugh...this taste...so warm...so blissful...like coming home after a long day of work and eating a carefully prepared dinner from my family..." Tears welled up in her eyes, a comfort that reached right to her heart.

As Origami Tobiichi savored Shido's cooking, a very subtle change appeared on her usually icy face! Her ears turned slightly red.

(Thoughts: This is... Shido made it... It tastes like Shido... It's full of Shido's heart...)

The warm taste seemed to strike a chord not through her taste buds, but directly at some core part of her being. An indescribable sense of satisfaction and… a possessive sense of certainty (about Shido) welled up within her.

She even unconsciously brought her legs together. (This warmth... I want more...)

After tasting it, Murasame Reine calmly commented: "...the flavors are very well integrated, creating a synergistic effect where 1+1 is greater than 2. The emotional comfort index...cannot be quantified, but it certainly exists."

Compared to Chinatsu's absolute rationality, Shido's cooking brought a kind of "comfort" that was difficult for her database to analyze, but which she could intuitively feel.

And our trio...

Ai Yamabuki: "Wow! It's as delicious as ever, Shido-kun! I feel so relieved and satisfied!"

Mai Ye: "The flavor is familiar, and the emotional resonance is strong. But the level of innovation is lower than that of the Phoenix Academy contestant."

Fujihakama Mii: "A taste of peace of mind!" They showed satisfaction with a familiar and delicious flavor, but the impact seemed less than the novelty and shock brought by Chinatsu.

After the tasting, the exciting voting process began.

Origami Tobiichi cast her vote for Shido Itsuka without hesitation almost as soon as Reine announced the start of the voting.

Her gaze was resolute, as if she were defending something important. (Shido's cooking is the best. It contains his feelings... a desire to possess it all.)

Teacher Xiaozhu wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, a warm smile on her face:

"Both dishes were excellent! But... Itsuka's dish gave me a special feeling of warmth and happiness... so I voted for Itsuka." She chose the homely flavor that touched her heart.

Murasame Reine calmly cast her vote for Phoenix Inu Chika.

"...From the perspective of technical perfection and the precision of flavor control, Chinatsu Hououin's cuisine represents a higher level of perfection."

After a brief (and noisy) discussion, the trio (who shared one vote) decided to vote for Phoenix Inu Chika, even though Shido's cooking was delicious, because the unprecedented shock and novel experience brought by Chika's cooking made them vote for her.

"We vote for the Phoenix Academy students! This tastes like something from the future!"

The score is now 2-2. All eyes are on the last judge – Hiroto Tonomachi.

Hiroto Tonomachi looked at the two dishes in front of him, then at Shido, who was looking expectant, and Chinatsu, who remained aloof, and his face showed an extremely conflicted expression.

He took a bite of Shido's cooking and nodded vigorously: "Shido! You're amazing! This tastes incredible! It's the cooking of my best buddy, the one I know best!"

Then, he took a deep breath, with an expression as if he were about to be executed, and ate a bite of Chika's dish.

In an instant, his expression froze, as if he had seen the door to a new world. He closed his eyes, seemingly savoring that ultimate taste.

Finally, he opened his eyes, his face filled with guilt but unwavering determination, and pointed sharply at Qianxia:

"I'm sorry, Shido! Although your cooking is amazing! But—"

"Chinatsu's cooking! It's a miracle! It tastes like the stars! It's a deliciousness that surpasses my limited imagination! I... I vote for Hououin Chinatsu!"

Round 1, the battle of "swordsmanship and freshness"—Winner: Phoenix Inu Chinatsu! The score (Shido: Chinatsu) is now 0:1!

The entire arena erupted in murmurs! Shido, though somewhat disappointed, still gave Chinatsu a smile of admiration. Chinatsu nodded slightly, thinking to herself: (Plan worked. We won the first round, demonstrating our strength while also leaving enough openings.)

But the real competition has only just begun. The second round, themed "Cooking Time and Flavor," will be even more intense!