The next day, at Tōtsuki Academy.
Rows of buses were parked orderly in the open-air parking lot, creating an incredibly spectacular sight.
"Teacher Dylan, which bus are you taking? We'll go with you."
"Oh, it's Erina. We're taking the first bus. Do you need help with your luggage?"
Looking at Erina Nakiri and Hisako Arato, who were carrying five or six suitcases, Dylan couldn't help but sigh inwardly at the astonishing fighting power of girls.
Alice Nakiri was the same, carrying a full three suitcases.
He didn't know why she had so many clothes.
Wasn't she going to an assessment?!
"No need, there's no need to trouble you with such a small matter. For this midterm assessment, I'll be in your care, Teacher Dylan."
Shaking her head in refusal, Erina Nakiri indicated that the bus was just ahead, a short walk away, so there was no need to trouble Dylan.
After saying this, she left with Hisako.
"Please guide us, Teacher Dylan."
As Hisako Arato passed by Dylan, she nodded at him, her eyes revealing a complex emotion.
"Teacher Dylan! Over here, over here!"
Just as Erina Nakiri left, Yuki Yoshino's voice sounded from behind.
Turning his head, he saw her waving at him with a smile.
Beside her stood Tadokoro Megumi, holding a luggage cart and standing properly.
Seeing him look over, Megumi nodded lightly.
In response, Dylan simply raised his hand and waved, then turned back around after the greeting.
"Let's get on the bus too."
Glancing at the time on his watch, Dylan spoke to Alice Nakiri, who was standing obediently beside him.
"Okay."
Alice Nakiri responded obediently and followed Dylan onto the bus, sitting in the seats Erina Nakiri had reserved for them in advance.
Ten minutes later, the bus slowly started moving.
Looking at the scenery reflected in the window, Erina Nakiri finally couldn't hold back her curiosity and looked at Dylan sitting next to her, asking:
"Teacher Dylan, can you reveal this time's destination?"
There was no helping it; because the secrecy was so well maintained, even Erina Nakiri didn't know their destination at this moment.
"Each bus has a different destination. After the assessment, rest will be arranged uniformly. The first stop for our bus is the riverside."
Since it wasn't a major secret, Dylan didn't hide it when Erina Nakiri asked.
In any case, they would know in half an hour.
"Riverside? It seems our assessment this time is outdoor cooking. Although it's not a common exam question, if it's only this, it shouldn't be difficult to pass. However, to get a high score, I'll need to put some thought into it..."
Hearing Dylan's words, Erina Nakiri nodded and then closed her eyes to think.
For a top student like her, a cooking assessment wouldn't make her afraid; on the contrary, it would excite her.
Because every assessment could improve her skills to a certain extent.
Moreover, this time Dylan was leading the team.
With his knowledge and abilities, this month was definitely a great opportunity for her to overtake others!
"It's actually the riverside? Looks like my machines won't be of any use. What a shame."
On the other side, Alice Nakiri showed a regretful expression upon hearing the assessment location was the riverside.
Her molecular gastronomy machines all required power.
Although she could arrange for it, it would be more troublesome by the river, so it was 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, however, felt a surge of joy in her heart.
Although she wanted to endure it and mock her after winning, she really couldn't hold back, so she hummed lightly and taunted her from the side.
"Huh? You don't think I won against you because of those machines, do you?"
Faced with her taunt, Alice Nakiri had a strange expression.
Her naive little sister, having been with her for so long, had she still not recognized the skill gap between them?
Always fantasizing about surpassing her.
Perhaps after being by Dylan's side for a long time and learning some advanced techniques, she had unknowingly become arrogant, thinking she was capable again.
It seemed necessary to let her face reality a bit during the midterm assessment.
"Hmph, at least my chances of winning have increased. Don't get too cocky! I don't believe you're better than me in every aspect within a month's time!"
Erina Nakiri certainly knew how formidable Alice Nakiri was, but she wouldn't lose the desire to challenge her just because Alice was strong.
"Sorry, but I crush you in every aspect. In these thirty days of assessment, you won't win against me in a single area."
Alice Nakiri said proudly.
Having been trained by Dylan for six years, she wasn't someone just anyone could provoke, nor was she so easily surpassed!
Even her weakest area was at the level of a first-class superior chef.
After all, Dylan's training for her was all-encompassing!
"Hmph! We'll only know who's stronger or weaker after we compete. It's too early to make assertions now!"
Hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Erina Nakiri instantly gritted her teeth.
This was simply looking down on her too much!
Mere Alice! Isn't she just relying on having a good teacher!
If she had been by Teacher Dylan's side since she was young, she would definitely be stronger than her!
"So confident. By the way, as we discussed before, what should you call me when we meet?"
Seeing Erina Nakiri's annoyed expression, Alice Nakiri couldn't help but chuckle softly, then spoke in a teasing tone.
"Don't go too far!"
"How is this going too far? You clearly agreed to this condition back then. If you lost, you'd have to call me 'older sister' when we met. Or are you trying to go back on your word? However, since you are my little sister, even if you want to go back on your word, there's nothing I can do. This is the fate of being an older sister, needing to silently endure everything."
With Dylan sitting between them, Alice Nakiri forced out two tears, speaking in a 'tragically betrayed' tone.
"I know! Can't I just say it? A... Alice-oneechan."
Seeing Alice Nakiri like this, Erina Nakiri clenched her fists slightly.
After a long pause, she finally suppressed the shame in her heart and called out with a flushed face.
"See, that's more like it. A younger sister should act like a younger sister. Don't think about overthrowing your superior all day long. Besides, your strength isn't enough to support you doing that."
Hearing Erina Nakiri's voice, Alice Nakiri nodded with immense satisfaction.
This was it! This was what she wanted to hear!
"Hmph!"
After shouting this, Erina Nakiri turned her head away with a light snort, then closed her eyes, not planning to bother with this woman who loved to dig up old scores.
When she wins! She will definitely humiliate her back tenfold, a hundredfold!
The bus sped forward, separating from the main convoy at a crossroads, heading towards a tributary of the largest nearby river, the Arakawa River.
Thanks to the power of money, this tributary of the Arakawa River was exceptionally quiet at the moment, with only the students who came to participate in the midterm assessment present.
"Aren't we here for the midterm assessment? Why are we in such a deserted place?"
"A cooking assessment should at least provide a kitchen..."
"Don't tell me we have to cook in this place? How is that possible? Without the basic conditions, you can't test a chef's skills at all!"
Getting off the bus and looking at the very wide river in front of them, the junior high students were instantly dumbfounded.
Some even rubbed their eyes and patted their faces, somewhat disbelieving what they were seeing.
"Quiet!"
Dylan's voice echoed through the scene, instantly silencing the noisy crowd.
Everyone was looking at him, waiting for him to explain the rules of this assessment.
"The location for this assessment is the riverside. The instruction manual should have told you to bring your own cooking utensils. Now go and get those utensils."
"What! Really in this kind of place?"
"How could this be... How can we cook in a place like this? What we usually practice is completely useless..."
"No wonder they asked us to bring cooking utensils. It turns out we're going to do outdoor cooking. But in this environment, how can we possibly make delicious food!"
"What about the other groups? It can't be just us like this, right? Isn't this too unfair!"
"The conditions for the other groups won't be any better than yours! If you don't want to participate in the midterm assessment, then go back and handle your withdrawal procedures now. Those willing to participate, listen up. In this assessment, you can do everything in your power, using any method you can think of, to create a dish that satisfies you. I will score your dishes based on cooking speed and taste. The scores will be recorded on the overall ranking board, for all candidates to see."
Looking indifferently at the quarreling candidates, Dylan returned to the bus after saying this, leaving everyone on site staring at each other.
"What do we do now?"
"What else can we do? Let's start! At least it's harvest season now, there should be plenty of ingredients in the river. We were indeed notified to bring cooking utensils and seasonings. Those who didn't bring them have only themselves to blame!"
A tall man grumbled.
The current assessment environment was very difficult, but not impossible.
Just as Dylan said, if you can't adapt, then hurry up and withdraw.
"Does anyone have a lighter?"
Someone in the crowd suddenly exclaimed, simultaneously casting a pleading look at the people around.
"Even if I have one, I won't lend it to you! Don't forget we're competitors now! If you really want it, trade it with a fish!"
A student who had a lighter saw an opportunity, immediately raised the lighter in his hand high, and proposed a trade condition.
"You want a fish for a lousy lighter? At most, I'll give you a few river snails. Take it or leave it!"
"River snails it is! Better than nothing!"
"I'll go around and collect some dry, thick branches. You go catch ingredients. Then we can exchange, saving a lot of time!"
"Okay! I have no problem."
In an instant, the scene became bustling.
People quickly found partners to cooperate with, while those acting alone had already started wading into the river to catch fish.
Although everyone was complaining about the bad environment, when it actually began, no one stopped moving.
They knew very well in their hearts that the price of failing the assessment was expulsion.
Although the possibility of entering the top fifty was slim, no one was willing to give up just like that!
To strive! To fight! To compete!
This was Tōtsuki Academy's educational policy!
"Looks like I can only do that. Brother Dylan actually didn't remind me yesterday that I had to bring my own cooking utensils today. I didn't bring any seasonings either..."
Watching the bustling crowd, Alice Nakiri stood in place for a long time without moving and couldn't help but sigh.
Because she lived with the chief examiner, she hadn't bothered to read the contents of the so-called instruction booklet, thinking Dylan would remind her.
But now it seemed she had thought too much.
Dylan probably wished to add more difficulty to her assessment; how could he be kind enough to remind her?
What a nasty fellow!
Alice Nakiri complained inwardly.
Her dear master, was he really not afraid that she would fail the assessment and be expelled from Tōtsuki?
Or perhaps, he had great trust in her!
Yes, he must have great trust in her.
This was their unique bond!
Alice Nakiri thought, self-hypnotizing.
"Let's have a match, Alice! Let's compete on who gets a higher score in this midterm assessment! The loser has to call the other 'older sister'!"
Just as Alice Nakiri was lost in her fantasy, Erina Nakiri's voice sounded beside her.
At this moment, the girl was holding pots and pans, while Hisako Arato was holding a small barbecue grill and a bag of charcoal.
The two of them came before her.
"The bet you're talking about has no benefit for me. After all, even if I don't accept, you still have to call me 'older sister' when you see me."
Although she was still fantasizing just now, Alice Nakiri's mind was still clear.
Naturally, she wouldn't accept such a bet that was entirely disadvantageous to her.
"Then what do you want?"
Erina Nakiri pursed her lips.
Just now, seeing Alice Nakiri spacing out, she had wanted to rig the bet and get something for nothing.
Now it seemed her plan had failed.
"Let me think. If you win, you won't have to call me Alice-oneechan when you see me anymore. If you lose, then you'll wash your older sister's feet."
"Wash feet..."
Hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Erina Nakiri suddenly fell silent.
For a young lady like her to wash someone's feet?
Isn't this too humiliating?
"You wouldn't be scared, would you? Or perhaps, you never thought you would win from the very beginning, which is why you're hesitating?"
Alice Nakiri's voice carried a hint of teasing.
She had already figured out this tsundere, Erina Nakiri, during their month of interaction.
There was no helping it; this girl was too easy to understand!
"Hmph! Wash feet, then wash feet! But if you lose, you have to wash mine too! Otherwise, the stakes are too light!"
"Alright, but I won't lose."
Although after Erina's addition, their bet was a bit unfair, Alice Nakiri didn't care, as she couldn't possibly lose.
In other words, as long as the two of them competed, the one paying the price would always be Erina Nakiri.
A match she was destined to win, so what if the stakes were raised higher?
It was just empty talk anyway; she wouldn't really have to pay anything.
"You didn't bring any cooking utensils or seasonings, did you? How pitiful. Call me Erina-oneechan, and it's not impossible for me to lend them to you."
Suddenly, noticing Alice Nakiri standing in place for a long time without moving, with nothing beside her, Erina Nakiri seemed to have thought of something.
She offered the pot in her hand forward and spoke with a slightly malicious tone.
"No need. I have these, and they're enough."
Alice Nakiri shook her head, ran back to the bus, and strapped the Seven-Star Knives from her suitcase onto her back.
She looked at Erina Nakiri with fighting spirit in her eyes.
Although she didn't think she would lose, Alice Nakiri would still go all out.
After all, Dylan was the chief examiner for this assessment, and she didn't want her master to be disappointed in her.
"I see. You're planning to make sashimi. Wait, this set of knives on you, could it be..."
Looking at the knives Alice Nakiri was carrying, Erina Nakiri was momentarily dazed, her voice laced with disbelief.
"That's right! These are the same Seven-Star Knives as Master's! Handcrafted by the same swordsmith, it took a full six months!"
Drawing the Pojun Saber (Star-Shattering Saber) from her back, Alice Nakiri's voice was filled with pride, while Erina Nakiri's face was full of envy.
She had seen Dylan's Seven-Star Knives.
Each one had its own purpose and was incredibly sharp.
Combined, they could process any ingredient in the world!
She had been incredibly envious at the time.
She hadn't expected Alice Nakiri to have a set too.
Thinking about it, it was normal, since these two were master and apprentice.
But still, she was so envious!
After all, these were Teacher Dylan's personal knives!
Besides this factor, the all-around usefulness and sharpness of this set of knives were what made Erina Nakiri most envious.
If used proficiently, it could at least double her ingredient processing speed!
"Teacher Dylan."
In her daze, Erina Nakiri suddenly saw Dylan get off the bus, also carrying the Seven-Star Knives on his back, so she greeted him.
"Mm."
Dylan merely nodded in response, then walked to the riverside.
At this moment, several students were in the river trying to catch fish, but no one had succeeded.
Fish were cunning and not easily caught.
So, some people had dug up earthworms and made simple fishing rods from branches, hoping a fish would bite.
Some students simply gave up on fish and instead started feeling for small fish, shrimp, and some snails at the bottom of the river.
These were all excellent ingredients.
"Hah!"
His gaze fixed on the calm yet somewhat turbulent river, watching the fish swimming nimbly in the water, Dylan suddenly drew the knife from his back.
"Seven-Star Instant Severing Blade Dance: Slice!"
With a soft cry, those around him observing only saw a flash of silver light.
Then, a fish leaping out of the water in front of them seemed to momentarily pause in mid-air before falling back into the water.
"What happened?"
"I don't know..."
Seeing Dylan's actions, the people around were somewhat baffled.
After exchanging glances, they saw the confusion in each other's eyes.
But soon... they would know the answer.
"This is the 100-point standard for this assessment. I will score you based on this."
As Dylan spoke, he extended his hand, took out a plate, and immediately a plate of exquisite sashimi fell onto it.
Then, he took out a bottle from his pocket and poured a sauce made from soy sauce, fish sauce, vinegar, cooking wine, white sugar, salt, and various spices.
And the fish that had leaped out of the water, after falling back in, seemed as if nothing had happened and continued to wag its tail in the water.
However, sharp-eyed students noticed that at this moment, there wasn't a single shred of fish meat left in that fish's body, only bones, internal organs, and scales remained!
"This... How is this possible!"
The student who discovered this exclaimed, so frightened that he fell back into the river.
The shock in his eyes could no longer be expressed with words.
_____
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