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

Fujihakama Mii's camera panned across the newly renovated ingredient area: "Majikku! Core ingredients confirmed!"

The main ingredient for this round was listed on the big screen: [Premium Wagyu Beef Brisket]. Close-up pictures of the ingredient were shown next to the text, and the marble-like snowflake texture drew gasps of amazement from the audience.

“That’s right!” Yamabuki Ai chimed in, her voice rising, “The two contestants must make this the main character and, within 60 minutes, use the magic of time and the magic of fire to create a warm feeling that strikes straight to the soul!”

Immediately afterwards, the large screen switched to display a wide variety of ingredients available for selection:

• Flavor base ingredients: kelp, bonito flakes, chicken broth, beef bone broth, various red wines, sake, mirin, various soy sauces (dark, light, white, etc.), rice vinegar, and cooking wine.

• Aromatic blend: Onion, carrot, celery, tomato, garlic, ginger, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, Sichuan pepper, star anise, cinnamon and other spices.

• Finishing touch: Fresh mushrooms, root vegetables, honey, various sugars (white sugar, rock sugar, brown sugar), and fresh herbs or a small amount of fruits and vegetables to balance the richness at the end.

“Contestants are free to choose these ingredients,” Mai Yezakura added.

"Build your own world of flavors, showcasing a profound understanding and creative expression of 'deliciousness'—the fifth sense of taste!"

Yamabuki Ai swung her arm sharply, pointing at the giant timer that had started counting down again, and shouted with all her might:

"Let heat and time weave together the deepest symphony of flavor! Round two, 'Cooking Time and Taste'—timer...start!"

"Whoa whoa whoa—!!" The whole stadium erupted in cheers.

The countdown began to tick, and Shido and Chinatsu exchanged a glance, both able to see the fighting spirit burning in each other's eyes (though for completely different reasons).

Without hesitation, he turned around and strode towards the ingredients area, beginning a new round of choices and challenges.

Chapter 47 Misaligned Clash

The command "Start!" sounded like a starting gun, and Shido and Chinatsu stepped forward at the same time, heading towards the dazzling array of ingredients.

This time, the area divisions were more clearly defined than in the first round, with the core ingredient designated for this round—premium Wagyu beef brisket—placed in the most prominent central position.

Two pieces of beef brisket lay quietly on the ice bed, their marble-like snowflake-like texture distributed extremely evenly, with fat embedded in the bright red muscle fibers as delicate as frost flowers.

Gleaming with an alluring luster under the light, its mere presence seems to silently proclaim its superior quality.

Chika's gaze swept over the beef brisket, and she quickly made a mental calculation:

(This quality is indeed top-notch... However, this time I need to 'go easy' and not choose parts that are too easy to handle and require skill... Hmm, beef brisket itself needs to be stewed for a long time, which is perfect for creating a 'mishap' at the crucial point of heat control. Perfect.)

She watched as Shido walked towards the best piece of beef brisket with a clear and almost unwavering purpose, a hint of (feigned) cunning flashing in her eyes.

Shido caught a glimpse of Chinatsu's condition out of the corner of his eye—her damp temples, her slightly panting breaths, and her somewhat sluggish movements.

Especially the fabric of his shirt, slightly soaked with sweat and clinging to his body... all of this, in his eyes after being "guided" by Kotori, undoubtedly became another kind of signal.

(She...was really tired. Even walking was difficult...and, considering how she looked in the lounge just now...and now...)

Shido's cheeks flushed slightly, then he shook his head vigorously, his eyes becoming even more determined, even carrying a hint of reluctance and resolve.

(No, I can't let myself be distracted! She's going to such lengths... to show this side of herself... just to win the match, to maintain that identity? Just how much pressure is she under...?)

(I'm standing here not to watch her force herself like this! I'm here so she can truly laugh out loud!)

With that thought in mind, Shido hardened his heart, completely ignoring the slightly fragile atmosphere that Chinatsu had deliberately created, quickened his pace, and rushed towards the meat section first.

Unlike her swift and decisive actions in the first round, Chinatsu's pace noticeably slowed down by half a beat.

A few strands of her ice-blue hair were stuck to her smooth forehead and neck with fine beads of sweat, reflecting a faint light under the spotlight.

The originally lightweight summer school uniform (actually a spirit outfit) fabric was slightly damp with sweat from the stuffy rest room, especially on the back and waist, where the slightly darker fabric clung to the skin, outlining a clearer curve.

She raised her hand and gently wiped away a bead of sweat from her chin with the back of her hand. This gesture carried an unintentional sense of fragility, which formed a subtle contrast with her usual aloof image.

(Very good... This look of being "roasted" and slightly weaker should be natural, right?)

She deliberately slowed her movements slightly slower than Shido, her gaze wandering over the ingredients, as if she needed more time to think and choose, a stark contrast to her precise targeting style in the first round.

(Okay, let's interrupt him now, it'll make me seem more... well, 'humane'.)

Just as Shido reached out, about to touch the top-grade beef brisket, Chinatsu happened to walk to the side. Her outstretched hand, seemingly unintentionally, brushed past Shido's hand just centimeters away, her fingertips gracefully tracing the air, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible fragrance.

She didn't actually touch Shido, but the distance and posture were full of subtle hints.

At the same time, she slightly turned her head, her icy blue hair cascading over her shoulder, and spoke softly in a tone slightly softer than usual, with a hint of teasing:

"Itsuka-kun is really decisive... It seems he's determined to get this 'treasure'? But the best ingredients also need the person who knows how to handle them best, right?"

The words carried a slight provocation and a hint of...flirting.

Chika thought her acting was good enough to both distract the other party and maintain her persona as an "arrogant genius who occasionally plays tricks".

However, this action was interpreted in a completely different light by Shido, who had just experienced the "visual shock of the lounge".

(! She... she is...?) Shido's heart skipped a beat, but was instantly overwhelmed by even stronger emotions.

(Would she really resort to this method... to interfere with me and gain the upper hand? Beneath her seemingly composed exterior, is she actually so nervous that she has to resort to such tactics? Is she really going to such lengths, even at the cost of..., to maintain her status as an 'ordinary transfer student'?)

Thinking of this, Shido's protective instincts and determination, born from the misunderstanding, suddenly flared up like a flame doused with oil!

Far from being "provoked," his gaze became even more determined and...clear? He almost subconsciously avoided Chika's seemingly ambiguous gaze.

He swiftly and decisively removed the top-quality beef brisket, as if it were a crucial item that had to be protected. He was now filled with 'determination'!

His movements were neither hesitant nor graceful; instead, they carried a pure sense of mission: "I must obtain it in order to carry out my battle."

He looked at Chika with a serious and sincere gaze, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible pity and encouragement: "Hououin-kun, the ingredients themselves are neither good nor bad; what matters is the cook's intention. I will treat it well in my own way."

After saying that, he didn't linger. He turned around and quickly walked towards the free ingredient area to start selecting side ingredients—onions, carrots, red wine, herbs... His movements were quick but not chaotic, with a clear goal. He completely ignored any possible "interactions" that Chika might have later, and was fully immersed in his own culinary ideas.

Seeing Shido's unexpected reaction, Chinatsu found it amusing and decided to add fuel to the fire.

She strolled slowly to the freezer next to Shido and reached for the Wagyu brisket, which had an equally beautiful marbling but required more precise cooking time. Their arms almost brushed against each other again.

Chika picked up the beef brisket wrapped in plastic wrap, her fingertips slightly red from the cold air in the freezer.

She turned her head and, in a slightly tired yet deliberately lowered and somewhat hoarse voice, softly said to Shido, "Itsuka-kun... you're quick. It seems you're determined to win?"

The words themselves were provocative, but given her current state and slightly moist eyes, they sounded more like a tentative probe tinged with helplessness and a hint of weakness.

Shido stiffened, his grip on the meat tightening, but he didn't turn to look at her. He simply answered in a muffled voice, his tone unusually serious: "...Yes. I must win this match."

“For… an important reason.” After saying that, he immediately turned around and almost ran to get the other seasonings and side dishes—dark soy sauce, mirin, rock sugar, fresh ginger and green onions, his movements were so fast that he seemed to fly.

Qianxia blinked as she watched his retreating figure, which he was practically fleeing in panic, feeling even more confused.

(...This reaction is way too exaggerated. Is my 'weak beauty trap' really that effective? Or is he actually a secretly innocent idiot who falls for this kind of thing?)

His outstretched hand remained frozen in mid-air, and the deliberately teasing expression on his face instantly solidified, turning into a genuine look of astonishment and confusion.

(…Wait a minute? What’s wrong with this guy? Why is he acting like a block of wood? No, this reaction is wrong… It’s not shyness, nor is it anger, it’s more like… he didn’t receive the signal at all? Or rather, he received it but interpreted it as something completely different? What kind of buff did Kotori give him?!)

She watched Shido's departing figure, seemingly bathed in holy light (an illusion), and inwardly felt a wave of helpless frustration. Her carefully planned "interference-letting off the hook" scheme inexplicably failed at the very first step.

(Forget it... let's just go straight to Plan B.) She reluctantly withdrew her hand and walked towards the free ingredients area, but her steps were noticeably more languid than Shido's.

When selecting ingredients, she appears more "casual" and even "picky," deliberately wasting a little time, which contrasts sharply with Shido's efficient and focused demeanor.

Chapter 48 "Off-the-Spot Tactics" and Survival Rules

[Fraxinus bridge view]

Through the high-definition screen, Kotori had witnessed the brief interaction in the food preparation area. She bit the stick of a Chupa Chups fruit, her brow slightly furrowed.

(That Chinatsu... her actions and tone just now, was she trying to seduce Shido? Although the method was clumsy, the intention was obvious.)

"Tsk... this Phoenix Inu Chika..." she muttered to herself, "She actually resorted to this trick? Taking advantage of Shido's sympathy and... (glancing at Shido's slightly flushed profile)

On the screen, Chinatsu's sweat-covered figure, her slightly panting breath, and the deliberate vulnerability she projected when whispering to Shido, were, in Kotori's eyes, undoubtedly a strategy of using any means necessary to achieve victory.

A complex feeling welled up in Kotori's heart. On one hand, she felt a slight displeasure and wariness towards this attempt to influence her brother through underhanded means. But on the other hand…

(...Would she go to such lengths? Just to win a cooking competition? No...For her, this is probably more than just a competition.)

(This is about whether she can continue to hide safely. She is using every means she can think of, including using her appearance, to fight for her chance to survive...)

"Although the methods are a bit... but in order to survive, they are willing to go to such lengths..." A complex look flashed in Kotori's eyes, showing disapproval of the method, but more so, understanding and even a hint of admiration for Chika's situation.

"What a formidable and terrifying opponent... Is he really that invested in his 'role'?"

Thinking of this, the displeasure in Kotori's eyes was gradually replaced by a heavy understanding and even a trace of respect.

(Although the method is questionable... this attitude of fighting for survival at all costs... is respectable in some ways.)

Looking at her brother's unwavering and even more determined expression on the screen, she breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile appeared on her lips.

(But... this time, my silly brother is surprisingly reliable! He wasn't fooled at all! It seems he's really made up his mind... Great! Just go for it, use your cooking and your sincerity to break through all her pretenses and concerns!)

"Everyone, continue to monitor closely! Pay special attention to whether Phoenix Institute Chika has any abnormal energy fluctuations in her selection and processing of ingredients!" Kotori gave the order, her gaze sharpening once again.

On stage, the ingredient selection segment drew to a close amidst this strange atmosphere where one side was sprinting with all its might while the other strolled leisurely.

Shido had already returned to the cooking station with a pile of carefully selected ingredients and began pre-processing them.

Chika watched as Shido had almost finished selecting all the ingredients before leisurely picking up the beef brisket she needed, a bottle of good quality dry red wine, onions, carrots, a few cloves of garlic, and a bunch of fresh thyme.

Her movements still carried a perfectly measured "slowness," as if she were truly running out of energy.

Each carrying their chosen ingredients, the two returned to their respective cooking stations. A duel themed "heat control and flavor," filled with misunderstandings, performances, and genuine determination, officially began its cooking phase.

The air seemed to already hint at the intense sparks that would soon fly from the collision of the rich red wine and the sweet soy sauce.

The real battle of the second round will unfold in front of the stove, a test of fire and time.

Shido Itsuka returned to the counter, took a deep breath, and cleared his mind of all distractions. His gaze was focused and calm. It was as if the entire world consisted only of the ingredients and the stove fire before him. He chose Japanese-style red wine braised beef, emphasizing warmth, richness, and a heart-warming sense of satisfaction.

He first cut the top-quality beef brisket into evenly sized cubes. His movements were slow, but each cut was precise and powerful, ensuring that the meat fibers were not excessively damaged.

Onions and carrots were chopped into chunks, and garlic was crushed. The preparations were carried out in an orderly manner, and the work surface was kept clean at all times.

Heat a little oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Once the oil is hot, add the beef chunks in batches and patiently sear each side until they are a tempting golden brown.

He didn't rush to turn the meat over, but listened carefully to the pleasant sizzling sound when the fat came into contact with the meat, and observed the degree of slight caramelization at the edges of the meat to ensure that the Maillard reaction was fully carried out, locking in the juices while bringing a rich base flavor.

He performed the process meticulously, even sweating profusely on his forehead, but he didn't care, his eyes always fixed on the changes in the pot.

After removing the beef, he used the concentrated oil at the bottom of the pot to add onions, carrots, and garlic, and slowly sautéed them over medium-low heat until they softened and released a sweet aroma.

Next, he poured in a whole bottle of fine red wine and gently scraped the brown fond from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spatula, allowing all the flavors to blend together.

After boiling the beef to allow the alcohol to evaporate for a moment, he put the seared beef back into the pot, added enough beef bone broth to cover the ingredients, and added bay leaves and a small bunch of thyme.

Then turn the heat down to the lowest setting, keeping the pot at a gentle simmer, and cover it with the lid. What follows is a long simmering process.

Shido didn't leave. He would occasionally lift the lid of the pot to skim off any small amount of foam that might form; sometimes he would gently stir the ingredients with a spoon to prevent them from sticking to the bottom; and more often, he would scoop up a little soup, carefully blow on it to cool it down, and then taste it, carefully sensing the changes in flavor and considering whether it needed to be fine-tuned.

His figure appeared exceptionally reliable in front of the stove, his focused expression suggesting he wasn't cooking a dish, but rather meticulously crafting a work of art, gradually infusing his "heartfelt intentions" into the bubbling warmth.

The air was filled with a rich aroma of red wine, beef, and herbs, growing stronger and stronger.

As for Chinatsu Phoenix, she decided to control the "watering down" to the most precise level—making only extremely subtle adjustments to the flavor balance.

In terms of both visual appeal and basic taste, it must be flawlessly perfect. Only then can it be impossible for anyone to tell that you're 'fake' the competition.

Her movements as she handled the beef brisket were still elegant, and her knife skills were impeccable, but her speed was noticeably slower than in the first round. After cutting, she would gently flick her wrist, as if she were a little sore and tired.

When preparing vegetables, she was also more "picky" than Shido, trimming off some seemingly imperfect edges and corners, which unknowingly wasted time.

She heated the pan, added oil, and then placed the beef in. Her control of the heat was impeccable; each piece of beef was seared to a uniform, beautiful golden-brown crust, with a perfectly consistent color and no overcooked spots. It looked even more even and perfect than Shido's.

Sauté the vegetables until fragrant, pour in red wine to reduce the sauce, then add stock and spices. She chose classic bay leaves, thyme, and a small piece of orange peel.

The entire process was smooth and effortless, demonstrating top-notch skill in both timing and technique. She then covered the pot and turned the heat to a simmer.

During this time, she even had the leisure to carve a few small and delicate carrot flowers from the leftover carrot scraps for the final plating decoration, appearing quite unhurried.

Chapter 49 The Defeat of Precise Calculation

During the long stewing process, when the beef had reached the ideal tenderness and entered the crucial stage of final seasoning and reducing the sauce, Chinatsu began her "performance".

Instead of adding a small amount of red wine vinegar or lemon juice to enhance the flavor and balance the greasiness, she deliberately added about a third of a spoonful of red wine vinegar.

This slight increase is not enough to make the dish smell noticeably sour, but when you taste it, it will make the overall acidity slightly higher, breaking the roundness and richness that the red wine braised beef should have, and bringing a sharp aftertaste.

When adding salt, she sprinkled in sea salt with precise technique, but when adjusting the flavor for the last time, she "forgot" the common sense that reducing the sauce would cause it to thicken and become saltier, and did not reduce the amount of salt accordingly.

This makes the finished product seem just right when you first taste it, but as you chew and the sauce spreads in your mouth, the saltiness gradually becomes more prominent and slightly overpowering, masking some of the delicate flavors of the beef and red wine.

She added a small sprig of thyme more than the classic recipe. The long simmering process allows the thyme's flavor to fully develop.

Too much of it will make its unique herbal aroma too prominent, and may even produce a slightly bitter aftertaste that is not easily detected, which will interfere with the harmony of the main flavor.