"Is someone already using this place?"
In the spacious and bright classroom, Dylan looked at the man sitting cross-legged on a chair with his eyes slightly closed, his expression a little surprised.
"No, I was waiting for you here."
Hearing the voice, the man opened his eyes and looked at him.
"Waiting for me?"
Dylan's voice carried a hint of doubt.
He recognized the person before him: coffee-colored hair with the front dyed a flamboyant gold, and he seemed to be at most 1.6 meters tall, a whole head shorter than him when standing.
His name was Terunori Kuga, the Eighth Seat of the Totsuki Elite Ten, though that was when he was a second-year; he didn't hold the Elite Ten title yet.
"I heard you're the new Chinese cuisine teacher at Totsuki? Let me introduce myself. My name is Terunori Kuga, a first-year student in Totsuki Academy's high school division, and also the strongest student in Chinese cuisine at this school!"
Seeing Dylan's somewhat puzzled look, Terunori Kuga immediately introduced himself.
"The strongest?"
"That's right, the strongest! This year, due to seniority issues, I can't become an Elite Ten member yet. But next year, when those old third-years graduate, I will definitely become a new Elite Ten member!" Hearing Dylan's slightly questioning tone, Terunori Kuga boasted shamelessly, a smug smile on his face.
"Alright, then what are you doing here?"
Looking at the young man before him, Dylan had actually already guessed his purpose for being here, but he still asked. It was better to let him say it.
"Of course, I'm here to challenge you, to see if you're qualified to be the Chinese cuisine teacher for Totsuki's elementary division!"
Terunori Kuga said, raising his hand and pointing at Dylan's nose, his fighting spirit quite high as he shouted.
"Whether I'm qualified to be the elementary division's Chinese cuisine teacher doesn't seem to have anything to do with you, does it?"
Hearing Terunori Kuga's words, Dylan was a bit surprised, then couldn't help but retort, feeling a little puzzled. He had been challenged out of nowhere...
He had thought this guy had come running over to ask for guidance. After all, he was the school's only Chinese cuisine teacher. He didn't expect to be challenged.
This was truly like an old lady crawling into bed, making him chuckle.
"Of course, it does! Totsuki Academy already has a bit of a prejudice against Chinese cuisine. If the new Chinese cuisine teacher is a useless good-for-nothing, it will inevitably lead to Chinese cuisine being even more despised. So, if you can't even beat me, then please leave Totsuki Academy, teacher."
Terunori Kuga spoke righteously. Currently, the status of Chinese cuisine at Totsuki was not high. Besides him, the Chinese Cuisine Research Society had only a few members. If, at a time like this, another incompetent Chinese cuisine teacher appeared, becoming a laughingstock and bringing shame to Chinese cuisine, that would be terrible!
"The excellence of Chinese cuisine needs no proof! Weaklings like you, I usually wouldn't bother with. But since I'm free now, it's fine to let you see what ultimate Chinese cuisine is. Go ahead and show me what you've got, entertain me! Tell me, what do you want to compete on?!" Dylan was about to lecture Terunori Kuga, but he suddenly remembered that he himself had acted similarly yesterday.
Faced with a classroom full of doubt, he had directly used his cooking to prove the excellence of Chinese cuisine.
The effect was remarkable; at least no one in class dared to disobey him anymore!
Looking at it this way, appropriate demonstrations were indeed useful.
Making those students who looked down on Chinese cuisine scramble for food like wild dogs, even fighting amongst themselves just to get a little more, was surprisingly interesting!
No wonder some in the Dark Cuisine Society enjoyed dark performances back then.
To make beautiful women willingly debase themselves for gourmet food, willingly stripping off their clothes, transforming into "woof woof" barking dogs, all for that one mouthful of mouth-watering delicacy.
Of course, as an audience member appreciating the performance, although he felt it was excessive, he still watched with great interest. After all, it was truly amazing, making one's blood boil, and it left a deep impression on him.
If he had the chance, he felt he could also try something like this, in his own private harem, a dark performance for his eyes only!
[The Fallen Performance of the God's Tongue]
[The Selfless Dedication of a Spicy Girl]
[The Waltz of Three Sisters]
Just thinking about it was exciting, such things! No, if this continued, his personality would become twisted!
"Hey! What are you spacing out for?!"
"You talk, I'm listening."
Terunori Kuga's voice sounded in his ear, bringing Dylan's thoughts back.
Despite thinking so many unhealthy thoughts just now, his face showed no change in expression. This was something he had trained in the Dark Cuisine Society.
Joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness were not to be shown on one's face.
"The theme of the competition will be Sichuan cuisine. I wonder if you can accept that?"
Seeing Dylan come back to his senses, Terunori Kuga didn't bother saying anything more and directly set the cooking theme as Sichuan cuisine, which was also his specialty.
He wasn't a fool. Since Dylan could become a Chinese cuisine teacher, he definitely had some skills. If he happened to pick a theme the opponent excelled at, his chances of winning wouldn't be high!
"Alright. If I'm not mistaken, you're planning to make Mapo Tofu, right? In that case, I'll make Mapo Tofu too. That way, we'll be on the same starting line, and whoever loses will have no regrets."
"Could it be that you're a Sichuan cuisine teacher?"
Looking at Dylan's confident demeanor, Terunori Kuga's brow furrowed slightly as he considered this possibility. This time, he had really walked into the line of fire. However, it was just as well. If he won, Dylan would leave Totsuki. If he lost, he could also ask him for guidance.
It's not shameful to ask for guidance from someone more skilled than yourself!
"I don't specifically teach Sichuan cuisine, but I know all Chinese culinary styles. So, you can consider me a Sichuan cuisine teacher if you like."
Dylan shook his head and then continued.
"So, if I lose, I'll leave Totsuki Academy. What will you do if you lose?"
"If I lose..."
"Without an equivalent wager, a Shokugeki cannot be established, you know."
Looking at Terunori Kuga who had suddenly become hesitant, Dylan didn't rush him, just looked at him indifferently, waiting for his decision. Because he had arrived relatively early, the others wouldn't arrive for at least another hour or two. He was truly bored right now. (P.S.: A junior's challenge; as a senior, it's acceptable to respond when bored. He was never one to fear a fight. And fights are divided into sparring and Shokugeki. Since the other party came on aggressively, he naturally wouldn't show a pleasant face. Being able to speak with a smile now was already a sign of his good mood. If he were in a bad mood, he would probably just drive them away directly. A seven-star special grade chef isn't someone a small fry like you can provoke at will?!)
"If I lose, I'll be at your disposal."
After pondering for a long time in his mind, it seemed he had nothing that would interest Dylan. In that case, the challenge couldn't possibly be established. Since that was the case, he would bet everything he had! If he lost, whether Dylan made him drop out of school or something else, he would accept it.
"Is it really worth betting everything on a casual match?"
Hearing Terunori Kuga's words, Dylan looked at him seriously for a couple of moments, his voice laced with surprise.
He had originally thought that if he stated this condition, this guy would back down. After all, losing meant being at someone's disposal, and winning didn't offer much benefit.
No matter how he thought about it, it didn't seem like a good deal.
"Even so, I still don't want an incompetent person teaching at Totsuki! If you can beat me and prove you have real strength, perhaps you can make Chinese cuisine flourish at Totsuki. In that case, even if I have to leave Totsuki in the end, I'll have no regrets!"
The young man's eyes burned with passion, like the protagonist of a shonen anime, fighting for the future of a culinary style.
According to the plot development of a passionate manga, he should now be defeated by Dylan, this mysterious teacher, with an absolute disadvantage, then be taken in as a disciple, and the two would join forces to revive the Chinese cuisine culture at Totsuki Academy.
"My assessment is, a bit self-indulgent."
A slightly magnetic voice came from outside the window, followed by the sound of footsteps. A red-haired young woman walked in from the doorway.
"Hello, you two."
Seeing them both look over, the red-haired young woman with delicate features raised her hand in greeting with a beaming smile, revealing cute little canine teeth.
"Tsk, what are you doing here?"
Looking at the young woman at the door, Terunori Kuga couldn't help but scoff, clearly not expecting her to appear here.
"Hey, hey, hey, that's awfully cold of you. Aren't I worried about you!"
Seeing Terunori Kuga's cold demeanor, the red-haired young woman couldn't help but take two steps forward, balled her hands into fists, placed them on his head, and pressed inwards.
"I don't need your concern, and this hurts!"
Feeling the pain on his head, Terunori Kuga struggled frantically and finally managed to break free from the red-haired beauty's hands, then took two steps back and shouted at her.
"Who asked you to come here and do such an unreliable thing? No benefit if you win, and you're at someone's mercy if you lose. Isn't that a bit too narcissistic!"
Looking at the retreating Terunori Kuga, the red-haired beauty didn't pursue him, but stood her ground with her hands on her hips, speaking in a slightly contemptuous tone.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Rindo Kobayashi, currently the Fourth Seat of the Elite Ten. You can call me Rindo, or Kobayashi, Teacher Dylan~" As she spoke, Rindo Kobayashi had already turned to look at Dylan, extending her hand towards him, her smile even brighter than before.
"Rindo Kobayashi? A pleasure to meet you."
Although Dylan was a little surprised by this newly emerged woman, he wasn't too shocked. Thinking about it carefully, it was quite reasonable. In the original work, her relationship with Terunori Kuga was good, giving off more of a sister-brother vibe. She would definitely come to help in such a situation.
"So, let's just forget about the wager and have a normal sparring match. After all, Teacher, it's impossible for you to lose. You're a super genius who made glowing cuisine before the age of twenty!" Although she wanted to make her voice sound as calm as possible, when Rindo Kobayashi actually said these words, she still couldn't help but tremble. A five-star special grade chef under twenty – not even web novels dared to write something like that, yet now one had truly appeared before her. Only a clueless fool like Terunori Kuga would dare to provoke a new teacher without even finding out their background.
If she hadn't gotten the news from Satoshi Isshiki and rushed over immediately, this guy would probably have really been done for!
Sigh, having such an unreliable guy around really gives one a headache!
"It seems you've found out quite a bit about me, Miss Kobayashi."
Dylan looked at Rindo Kobayashi with a half-smile. This girl was indeed quite good-looking: a delicate little face, red hair, and slightly loose clothes.
It had to be said, there were truly many beautiful girls in this work!
"Where would one need to inquire about such a thing? The fact that Teacher Dylan created glowing cuisine has already spread throughout the school. Only a certain clueless idiot doesn't pay attention to external matters."
As she said this, Rindo Kobayashi couldn't help but glance at Terunori Kuga beside her, her voice filled with exasperation.
Only this idiot who spent all day cooped up in the Chinese Cuisine Research Society would dare to challenge someone without knowing their background!
"Special Grade Five-Star... How is that possible? Why would such an amazing Chinese cuisine chef come to Totsuki? And become an elementary division teacher!"
Rindo Kobayashi's words made Terunori Kuga break out in a cold sweat. He had just challenged a Special Grade Five-Star chef? Was it true?!
No one had told him this before he came!
"Because there are people I want to see, and to cultivate you, this new generation, along the way. Even as stepping stones, if they're not high enough, it would still be quite frustrating."
Rarely, Dylan answered Terunori Kuga's question, giving a passable reason, and this was indeed his purpose for coming here.
"It seems you already know this school's motto: the weak are stepping stones for the strong. To be personally cultivated by you, that person is truly fortunate!"
Rindo Kobayashi said this from the bottom of her heart. To be noticed by a five-star special grade chef was indeed a great fortune.
As long as one's talent wasn't too poor, they would at least become a special grade chef in the future.
To be taught everything by a five-star special grade chef, even if one only learned one percent, it would be enough for an ordinary chef to benefit from for a lifetime!
"No need to be envious. You can also be someone I cultivate. Even as stepping stones, I won't play favorites and not teach you real things."
Hearing Rindo Kobayashi's words, Dylan shook his head. He actually hoped these people would grow, preferably to be as strong as him.
He also wanted to go all out against someone in a cooking competition and improve.
Unfortunately, after traveling for so long, there hadn't been a single person who made him use his full strength.
The only one who slightly piqued his interest was a monk living in seclusion in the deep mountains, who took the heavens and earth as his food. The two of them competed using plants from the mountain forest.
At that time, he had a slight edge.
For no other reason than his super-sensory talent, which allowed him to perceive any cuisine with exquisite detail, was too overpowered. Under the same conditions, it was almost impossible for him to lose.
"That's great! From now on, if I have any questions I don't understand, I'll ask you!"
Hearing Dylan's incredibly direct words, a sly smile suddenly appeared on Rindo Kobayashi's face, as if this was her true objective.
"Kid, do you still want to compete?"
Ignoring Rindo Kobayashi, Dylan turned his gaze to the already stunned Terunori Kuga, his voice tinged with amusement.
"Compete! I want to compete! I want to see if the gap between me and a five-star special grade chef is really as big as the legends say!"
Dylan's voice brought Terunori Kuga back to his senses. Looking at him, the young man's eyes were still blazing, clearly not intimidated by the five-star special grade chef.
If he didn't even have the courage to bare his claws at someone stronger, then on what grounds could he lead the Chinese Cuisine Research Society to its peak!?
"Are you an idiot?"
Hearing Terunori Kuga's words, Rindo Kobayashi couldn't help but slap her forehead and complain.
So all that she had said just now was for nothing, right?
"Very good. I admire your attitude. It's much better than those guys who cowardly flee at the mere mention of my name!"
Looking at the high-spirited Terunori Kuga, Dylan stepped forward and patted his shoulder, his voice surprisingly revealing a hint of approval for him.
"There's no need for the wager. Give it your all and let me see your determination to revitalize Chinese cuisine at Totsuki!"
Looking at the passion burning in the young man's eyes, Dylan suddenly thought of himself as a child.
At that time, he too had pointed his kitchen knife at one strong opponent after another, constantly challenging them, and that was how he climbed to the peak.
For this, he had received quite a few beatings. After all, a weaker person challenging a stronger one was a taboo matter anywhere, as it would make the stronger person feel looked down upon.
"Hey, hey, are you two really going to compete?!"
Looking at the two who had suddenly become fired up, Rindo Kobayashi couldn't help but shout, a look of surprise once again appearing on her face.
It was one thing for Terunori Kuga to fool around, but why was Dylan joining him in this nonsense?! Were five-star special grade chefs all this idle!
"Of course, we have to compete. Miss Kobayashi, your attitude won't do. If you meet someone stronger and immediately admit defeat, you'll never be able to scale the peaks."
"Of course, I know this principle, and I'm not afraid to challenge the strong either, but isn't this gap a bit too big!"
Hearing Dylan's words, Rindo Kobayashi didn't know how to retort for a moment.
If she were to duel with a special grade, she would still have the courage to try her best. But to duel with a five-star special grade, she'd rather pass!
Once the glowing cuisine appeared, the judges could choose the brighter one even with their eyes closed. There wasn't a single shred of a chance to win.
"I know what you're thinking, but I can tell you clearly. Your method is the way to become strong, while mine is the way to become the strongest. There's a clear difference between the two!"
Seeing the change in Rindo Kobayashi's expression, Dylan knew exactly what she was thinking and immediately pointed out the difference between the two.
One was strong, the other was the strongest.
"You've prepared all the ingredients, right?"
After saying this, Dylan turned his gaze back to Terunori Kuga, who was not far away. Beside him were two large white plastic bags.
"I got up early this morning to prepare them. Considering you might also choose Mapo Tofu, I bought three or four portions of ingredients, as well as some other commonly used Sichuan cuisine ingredients."
Because Dylan was a teacher, with his pride as a teacher, he probably wouldn't refuse a Sichuan cuisine theme, so Terunori Kuga bought ingredients used in Sichuan cuisine.
And indeed, that was the case.
It had to be said, this guy seemed careless, but he was actually meticulous, giving himself a huge advantage in the battle.
If it weren't for the huge gap between the two, and if it were an ordinary Chinese cuisine teacher who wasn't very good at Sichuan cuisine, they might have really lost.
However, someone who would lose at this level was indeed not qualified to be a Chinese cuisine teacher at Totsuki Academy, at most a teacher for a small sub-category!
_____
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