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

Instead of backing down, he straightened his back even more, looking back with a determined gaze, as if to say, "Bring it on! I won't lose this time either!"

Seeing his "highly motivated" appearance, Qianxia became even more furious, so she simply snorted coldly and turned her head away.

Just then, the trio finally finished distributing (or rather, having the food stolen) from the food truck and began cleaning up the stage.

Ai Yamabuki, microphone in hand, energetically dispersed the students who were still reluctant to leave the food truck:

"Alright, alright! Food time is temporarily over! The stage for the ultimate showdown needs to be cleared! Everyone, please return to your seats, the grand finale is about to begin!"

Mai Ye and Mii Fujihakama deftly pushed the empty food cart off the stage and quickly tidied up the table.

The stage was once again clean and the lights were refocused. Ai Yamabuki walked to the center, with Mai Hazakura and Mii Fujihakama standing on either side, and the large background screen lit up again.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting—!!" Yamabuki Ai's voice echoed throughout the venue through the microphone, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

"After two rounds of intense competition, the score is 1-1! A draw! The final outcome will be revealed on this final stage!"

Mai Ye stepped forward, adjusted her non-existent glasses, and a stunning display of artistic lettering appeared on the large screen:

Round Three: Sincerity and Creativity!

"The theme of the final round is—'Heartfelt Wishes and Creativity'!" Mai Ye explained in a very fast voice.

"This is not just a contest of skills, but a collision of souls! It is the ultimate challenge to infuse the chef's emotions, stories, and imagination into the ingredients to create a unique and soul-stirring masterpiece!"

Fujihakama Mii's camera panned across the final round's ingredient area, where ingredients completely different from before were now laid out: "Majikku! Final ingredients, release!"

The large screen displayed the core ingredients for this round: [A dessert stage of "infinite possibilities"—create freely using "eggs," "milk," "flour," and "sugar" as a foundation!]

It also showcases a wide variety of creative ingredients, making it even more diverse and appealing than the previous two rounds:

• Core flavor: a variety of high-quality chocolates (dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate), various fresh fruits (strawberry, mango, raspberry, lemon, etc.), nuts (almond, hazelnut, pistachio), spices (vanilla pod, cinnamon, cardamom), tea powder (matcha, black tea), and alcoholic beverages (rum, liqueur).

• Secret to its texture: Gelatin, heavy cream, cream cheese, mascarpone, various starches, and fermented butter.

• Finishing touches: edible gold leaf, silver sugar beads, edible flowers, and molds of various shapes.

"No restrictions! No constraints!" Yamabuki Ai exclaimed, opening her arms wide.

"Whether it's exquisite wagashi, a gorgeous Western-style cake, or an original fusion dessert, the two contestants will have 90 minutes to use their ingenuity and passion to create a dreamlike masterpiece that best represents their 'heart' and 'creativity'!"

She pointed sharply at the giant timer that had started its 90-minute countdown again, and shouted with all her might:

"This is the embodiment of the soul! The ultimate art of deliciousness! Round Three, 'Heart and Creativity'—Timer... Begin!"

"Whoa whoa whoa—!!!" The atmosphere in the entire venue instantly reached a climax!

The countdown began. The final battle was about to begin!

Shido and Chinatsu exchanged a glance, and it was as if lightning flashed through the air.

Shido's eyes held an unwavering determination, while Chinatsu's eyes held a hint of annoyance at being "disturbed" and an even colder fighting spirit (at least on the surface).

The two turned simultaneously and strode towards the dessert ingredient section, brimming with endless possibilities. The final showdown was about to unfold on this sweet battlefield.

Chapter 52 The Fierce Atmosphere in the Ingredient Section

With the command "Start!", Shido and Chinatsu walked towards the food area almost simultaneously.

However, unlike the previous rounds, Chika's steps clearly carried a suppressed anger.

(They're all such blockheads! And his sister who's just watching the show!)

Chika gritted her teeth inwardly.

(He made me stand like a pillar on stage, barely getting any cold air, but I still broke out in a sweat! He has to take the blame for this!)

The two met again in front of a shelf displaying high-end chocolates.

The coldness or feigned vulnerability in Qianxia's icy blue eyes was gone, replaced by undisguised annoyance. She spoke first, her voice sharper than usual:

"Itsuka-kun, it seems the victory in the last round has boosted your confidence a lot? You can't even bear to waste your rest time, and you have to 'closely monitor' your opponent's every move?"

She deliberately emphasized "closely monitoring," which was quite ironic.

Shido was taken aback by the sudden accusation, and then a look of guilt appeared on his face.

Clearly, he misunderstood the source of Chika's anger, thinking she was still upset about the crushing defeat.

"I'm very sorry, Phoenix Institute!" Shido apologized sincerely, but his eyes remained firm.

“I was indeed a bit rude just now. But I didn’t mean any disrespect. It’s just…” He paused, his voice becoming more serious.

"This match is also very important to me, so I must go all out, and observing my opponent is part of that. In the final round, I still won't hold back; I will give it my all to win!"

His apology was sincere, but what he said next only added fuel to the fire for Chika.

(Can't you let the water out? Giving it your all? Who asked you to let the water out! I'm angry because you're so inconsiderate and you're ruining my chance to cool off, you idiot!)

Chika was practically roaring inside, but on the surface she could only maintain a cool and aloof anger, letting out a cold snort:

"Hmph, just what I wanted. I'm also looking forward to seeing if your so-called 'heartfelt intentions' will be as lucky as last time in the dessert field, which requires precise calculations and creativity."

The two stopped talking and began quickly selecting ingredients, but the tension in the air did not dissipate; instead, it turned into a verbal sparring match.

Upon entering the food section, Shido's hand first reached for a piece of high-concentration dark chocolate. Almost simultaneously, Chinatsu reached for a more complex tempered chocolate next to it, and said calmly:

"Oh? Choosing basic dark chocolate? It seems you're planning to use other ingredients to create a complex flavor? Good idea, but unfortunately, the depth of the basic flavor might be lacking, and the final product may end up being... mediocre." Her words carried a technically critical tone.

Shido did not back down. He steadily picked up the dark chocolate he had chosen and replied, "I believe that pure flavor can better convey 'heartfelt intentions'."

"Furthermore, Phoenix Institute, the tempered chocolate you chose, while having a complex flavor, can actually interfere with other strong-flavored ingredients if not paired properly, causing the flavors to lose their focus," he pointed out the potential risk.

Chinatsu precisely chose the mascarpone cheese and heavy cream. Shido, on the other hand, opted for cream cheese and a thick serving of Greek yogurt.

Chika glanced at it, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Creamy cheese and yogurt? Are you trying to reduce costs, or are you aiming for a unique sourness? However, the fat and water content of these two ingredients are different from standard mousse ingredients. Be careful that the final texture doesn't become too heavy and sticky, ruining the lightness of the dessert."

As Shido placed the yogurt into the basket, he calmly replied, "Thanks for the reminder. However, it is precisely this difference that might bring unexpected fusion effects. Just like you, Phoenix, are obsessed with 'standards' and 'perfection,' but sometimes, a little 'accident' might be the source of creativity." He skillfully steered the conversation back to the debate over ideologies.

When Shido picked up the jar of special citrus honey syrup again, Chinatsu's eyes immediately locked onto it. "This again?"

She frowned slightly. "So this is what you call your 'secret weapon.' The hygroscopic nature of honey and the instability of citrus essential oils are variables that need to be precisely controlled in dessert making."

“Relying too much on the ‘secret recipe’ could lead to a loss of control and disrupt the balance of the entire work.” She was trying to undermine Shido’s confidence from a technical standpoint.

Shido gripped the syrup jar tightly and shook his head: "This isn't some secret weapon, it's just... a part of me. Its uncertainty represents the 'heart' that can't be fully quantified. I believe it can blend perfectly with my cooking."

At the same time, Chinatsu picked up a small packet of edible bamboo charcoal powder, seemingly wanting to try creating a black-and-white contrast effect. Shido noticed this and couldn't help but speak up:

"Bamboo charcoal powder... While it has a strong visual effect, it has a slight adsorption property, which may affect the presentation of other subtle flavors. While pursuing 'creativity,' we also hope that students from Phoenix College will not overlook the purity of the flavor itself."

Chika paused for a moment, holding the bamboo charcoal powder, then casually put it back into the basket, retorting:

"No need to worry. I have a good grasp of flavor. But you, Itsuki, don't let your so-called 'heartfelt intentions' become an excuse to cover up your lack of skill."

While selecting ingredients at the food section, the two engaged in a lively debate, and eventually both obtained the ingredients they needed.

The basket contained not only the ingredients for the upcoming dishes, but also the clash of the two people's completely different culinary philosophies.

They speculated about each other's intentions and tried to distract each other with words, setting the stage for a tense final showdown.

Both sides returned to the cooking station, each carrying their own ingredients and brimming with (or perhaps furious) fighting spirit. The final creative dessert showdown was about to begin.

Chapter 53: A Kitchen Symphony of Ice and Fire

Back at their respective cooking stations, Shido and Chinatsu immediately immersed themselves in their intense creative work.

The air was filled with the sweet aromas of chocolate, cream, coffee, and fruit, but even stronger was the silent rivalry between the two.

Shido Itsuka stood in front of the kitchen counter, his expression one of complete focus and immersion.

His movements were devoid of any fancy flourishes, yet possessed a steady, flowing rhythm, as if each step had become part of his instincts.

He first placed the high-quality dark chocolate on a cutting board and precisely cut it into evenly sized pieces with a chef's knife.

The knife blade made a regular, light "thump-thump" sound as it touched the cutting board, like the prelude to a concerto. Then, he set up a double boiler, controlling the water temperature just right—not letting the bottom of the bowl touch the boiling water and overheat the chocolate, while providing enough heat evenly.

He held the whisk and slowly stirred it in circles in the melted chocolate, his eyes fixed on the changes in the chocolate's luster and fluidity, until it became as smooth as silk and exuded a rich and pure aroma.

He performed this fundamental and crucial step meticulously, laying the foundation for the quality of the desserts.

On the other side, bright red raspberries were split in two in his hands.

He patiently poured some of it into a small pot, added a little sugar, and simmered it slowly over low heat. He stirred it gently, watching the fruit gradually soften, releasing its vibrant color and refreshing fruit acidity, turning into a thick jam.

The other portion of whole raspberries was carefully set aside as decoration. Then, he took out the key jar of special citrus honey syrup.

When he opened the lid, a sweet aroma, distinct from industrial saccharin, carrying the scent of sunshine and a refreshing citrus fragrance, quietly wafted out, creating a wonderful chemical reaction with the rich aroma of chocolate.

He used a measuring spoon to measure precisely, and the moment the amber-colored viscous liquid fell into the mousse, it seemed to breathe life into the entire dish.

He stirred the mixture with steady, gentle strokes, ensuring the syrup, chocolate, and cream were fully and evenly combined. At that moment, a tender expression unconsciously appeared on his face, the kind of expression one would only have when carefully preparing food for their family.

When mixing the whipped cream to soft peaks with the chocolate paste, he was more careful, using a folding motion to maximize the airiness of the cream and ensure the mousse had a light, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Finally, he poured the mixed mousse mixture into an exquisite mold, gently tapped it on the counter a few times to eliminate large air bubbles, his movements skillful and steady.

The entire process was like a silent ritual, filled with respect for the food and care for the tasters. It flowed smoothly, radiating the warmth and comfort of home.

The students watched intently, occasionally whispering to each other, their voices filled with admiration and anticipation.

"Wuhe's movements are so skillful, every step is clear and distinct, which makes people feel at ease and reliable."

"Look! He added that homemade syrup! Can you smell it? It smells like the fresh scent of oranges and the sweetness of honey, all mixed with the aroma of chocolate. It's amazing!"

"I don't know why, but watching him cook, I feel he's incredibly focused, incredibly... um... charming? Like he's glowing!"

Teacher Xiaozhu pressed her hands together against her cheeks, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter, completely infected by the warm atmosphere.

"Oh my gosh~ That's amazing! Itsuka-kun did every step so seriously and with such dedication. It feels like not only the ingredients, but also his heart was poured into it! I really can't wait to taste the final flavor. It's sure to be a dessert that makes me feel happy!"

Origami Tobiichi's gaze was like a scanner, calmly recording every technical detail, but when Shido added the syrup, her eyes lingered for a noticeable longer moment.

"The syrup was added at a critical point in the emulsification process, the viscosity and temperature were well matched, and no oil separation or clumping was observed. This variable was introduced very stably." Her evaluation remained objective, but she pointed out the precision of the operation.

Murasame Reine leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table, her hands clasped under her chin, as if trying to discern the scents in the air more carefully, whispering in a voice only she could hear:

"...Citrus terpenes are volatilizing, creating a synergistic effect with pyrazine aroma molecules in chocolate, enhancing the complexity and freshness of the flavor...The ratio of fructose to glucose in honey also affects the perceived sweetness curve, making it more rounded than pure sucrose...The theoretical flavor optimization has been validated in practice..."

Just as Shido's mousse was being placed in the refrigerator to set, a completely different atmosphere was unfolding on the other side of the stage.

In stark contrast to the warm atmosphere flowing around Shido's side, Phoenix Inu's cooking area resembled a highly efficient and sophisticated laboratory.

Every movement she makes is like a mechanical arm that has been rigorously programmed—precise, efficient, and without any redundancy.

When processing mascarpone cheese, she first uses a thermometer to confirm that it has returned to the optimal operating temperature, and then uses a silicone spatula to beat it with a constant and gentle force until smooth, avoiding over-mixing throughout the process to prevent the oil from separating out.

When separating egg whites and yolks, she used an egg separator with clean and efficient movements, leaving no trace of yolk in the egg whites and the yolks intact.

When she whipped the egg whites, the angle and movement of the electric mixer seemed to be calculated to ensure that air was evenly incorporated, resulting in a smooth and glossy meringue that formed a stable and upright peak when lifted.

She mixed the espresso and masala chowder in precise proportions, then used a thermometer to measure again to ensure the liquid was at the textbook-recommended temperature that best brings out the flavor without affecting the cookie's structure.

She picks up each ladyfingers with tweezers and soaks them in the coffee liqueur for a time that seems to be precisely timed with a stopwatch, ensuring that the amount of liquid absorbed is absolutely equal.

The assembly process takes this precision to the extreme. She uses a piping bag to pour in the mascarpone cheese mixture, and the thickness of each layer is almost indistinguishable to the naked eye.

When smoothing the surface with a spatula, the movement of the arm is as smooth as a mechanical guide rail.

When sifting the cocoa powder for the last time, she held the fine sieve and gently shook her wrist at a constant frequency and amplitude. The brown powder, like the first snow of winter, evenly and lightly covered the surface, forming a flawless velvet.

Even before putting the finished product into the refrigerator, she noticed a tiny wisp of water vapor condensing on the glass due to the temperature difference.

She immediately took a brand new, soft kitchen paper towel and carefully and gently wiped along the inside of the glass until the entire glass was restored to its crystal-clear and flawless state.

This seemingly insignificant detail perfectly embodies her obsession with "perfection".

The students watched intently, occasionally letting out hushed gasps and whispers:

"My God, did you see that? She even uses the same angle to pick up the cookie with tweezers! That level of control is terrifying!"

"It felt like watching a top-notch robot at work; every movement was precise down to the millimeter and the second. It was absolutely breathtaking!"

"She's undeniably amazing; the finished product looks like something out of a magazine... But, I don't know if it's just my imagination, but watching her cook, I always feel... a bit cold? It lacks that... warmth and human touch that Itsuka-kun has?"

This subtle feeling arose in the hearts of some viewers, even though they were still amazed by the ultimate skill.

Origami Tobiichi's eyes, sharp as a hawk's, captured every technical detail, quickly noting them down on her mental score sheet:

"The standardized operating procedures ensure that the error rate for controlling the time, intensity, and temperature parameters at each step is less than 0.1%. Based on existing data models, the finished product will have an exceptionally stable structure, distinct layers, and an extremely high level of uniformity in taste." Her evaluation is purely based on quantifiable technical indicators.

Murasame Reine nodded slightly, seemingly approving of this smooth "standard procedure," and whispered in her signature, research-sounding tone:

"...The extraction conditions for caffeine and alcohol remained stable, ensuring the consistency of the flavor base. The penetration rate of sugar in the biscuits was highly uniform, avoiding localized areas that were too sweet or too bland. From a technical execution perspective, the level of completion is extremely high, almost reaching the theoretical optimal value."