"Stop her!"
Shouts erupted, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.
"Hiss..."
A wave of pain washed over her. The small, sharp stones caused Ikumi Mito's feet to throb, making her involuntarily suck in a sharp breath, her expression changing slightly.
However, she didn't stop. Mere pain was nothing compared to the dish she had completed with such painstaking effort!
A distance of over ten meters wasn't long, but running barefoot while carrying a scalding hot clay pot along a pebble-strewn riverbank was inherently not an easy task.
Moreover, Ikumi Mito was in a jogging state.
However, thanks to the speed and stamina developed from long hours of helping with deliveries for her family's business, Ikumi Mito could still barely manage.
Fueled by the conviction in her heart, maintaining a slight, weak advantage over her pursuers, she ran all the way to Dylan.
"Teacher, this is my dish!"
The girl's eyes were resolute, as if nothing in the world could break her spirit. At this moment, she stared intently at Dylan's face, a victorious smile spreading across hers.
"Good. Your dish, I have indeed received it."
From a dozen meters away, Dylan watched Ikumi Mito run towards him.
Only when she was before him and had handed the dish into his hands did he speak seriously.
This was his impartial treatment of all contestants.
"Although I won't sympathize with those whose dishes were destroyed."
"That doesn't mean you can act wantonly in my class!"
Placing Ikumi Mito's dish on a nearby suitcase, Dylan stood up, his gaze sweeping over the few who had participated in the earlier disturbance.
"Teacher Dylan, it's about Longben Zhengxiong's expulsion notice."
At the same time, Erina Nakiri hurried over from not far away, holding a document. Dylan took the expulsion notice from her hand.
"Everything has a price. This is the order of the world, and this is the price he pays for what he did."
Dylan tossed the expulsion notice onto the man who had initially destroyed others' dishes. His voice was cold, as if suppressing something.
The few who had previously wanted to use the destruction of more people's dishes to make Dylan compromise now showed ugly expressions upon seeing the five large characters of the expulsion notice.
"And my allowing you to continue cooking is not being unreasonable."
"Don't you find it strange? Even accounting for the time to obtain ingredients, a whole day for this assessment is too long."
"By now, 80% of the students have completed their dishes. If the goal was selection through assessment, half a day should have been optimal."
Looking at the students' bewildered expressions, Dylan continued:
"I'm telling you now, the reason this assessment lasts for a full day is to account for all possible accidents."
"Dishes tasting bad and wanting to remake them, 'encountering extreme weather like rain causing problems with the dish,' 'suffering malicious destruction of the dish by others,' 'wanting to create the best possible dish, thus needing more time,' 'weaker ability to gather ingredients, unable to start cooking in a short time'..."
"As chefs, during the cooking process, you will encounter all sorts of accidents, some natural disasters, some man-made."
"If you are easily discouraged by one or two malicious acts from the outside world and lose the courage to continue cooking, then even if you pass this assessment, you are destined not to go far."
"Therefore, this assessment, besides testing your culinary skills, is also testing your courage to face unknown setbacks!"
Dylan spoke slowly, revealing the true purpose of this assessment.
People's hearts are fickle; no one can prevent sudden changes, and a destroyed dish cannot be restored to its original state.
Granting scores based on such incidents would only cause chaos in the assessment. Whether lenient or harsh, neither would be appropriate.
The only solution was to recook and have the dish re-evaluated. Those who destroyed others' dishes would be directly expelled, thereby deterring other students from engaging in such acts contrary to a chef's ethics.
Therefore, from the very beginning, Dylan had made this part of the assessment, just not expecting it to escalate more drastically than he had anticipated.
If that was the case, then everything would be overturned, and they would start anew!
For those who had completed their dishes, he would ignore superficial factors and make the final evaluation based solely on the taste of the dish.
"There are still four hours until the end of the cooking. With the river as a natural ingredient larder, and the remaining ingredients from students who have completed their dishes, there are at least a hundred types of dishes that can be cooked within this time."
"Now, all personnel involved in the riot are expelled. For the rest, the assessment continues!"
"Hahaha, you're just like me! Looks like we really are good friends!"
"The courage to face setbacks..."
Looking at the gloating Longben Zhengxiong, the few involved in the riot slumped to the ground as if drained of all strength, muttering Dylan's words to themselves.
Had they been wrong from the moment they were instigated by the hook-nosed man and tried to solve the problem with force?
This was a cooking assessment. A chef should wield a kitchen knife, not fists like a brute.
"Tohtsuki Academy's motto is competition. If you are dissatisfied with your score, you can engage in a Shokugeki against someone with a higher score to plunder their points."
"These are all allowed by the assessment, even encouraged. Not using such despicable means that violate a chef's ethics to achieve your goal of advancing and staying! You bastard!"
As Dylan spoke, he walked towards the hook-nosed student who had previously suggested destroying others' dishes and punched him in the stomach, causing him to collapse limply to the ground.
"Clear out the irrelevant personnel!"
Looking at the sun in the sky, which was shining brightly at this moment, Dylan spoke to the security personnel who had arrived on the scene at some unknown point.
"Yes, sir."
A total of four people were involved in the riot. The number of people whose dishes were destroyed was six, with only Ikumi Mito luckily managing to protect her dish.
Looking at her stewed fish, which was at the perfect temperature, an expression of relief appeared on her face.
"The others will recook. All remaining ingredients from those who have completed their dishes can be used. They will be inspected in four hours."
"This time, there will be no time bonus. You will be scored solely on the taste of your dishes. I hope you can demonstrate your true abilities."
Looking at the remaining students before him, Dylan announced the new assessment rules.
Four hours, using the ingredients from students who had already passed the assessment and this river, for a timed cooking challenge.
"Phew, I understand, Teacher Dylan."
Letting out a long breath, the girl who had previously asked if she could make another sashimi dish, having recovered from the anger of her dish being destroyed, spoke up. She looked at the four expelled students being dragged away by security.
She had pondered why this assessment was so long. Although the conditions were harsh, it gave students ample choice and freedom to perform.
"I remember you. You told me your name, An Tianxing."
Looking at the girl speaking before him, Dylan said slowly.
He had some impression of her. Her cooking skills weren't very strong, even considered weak. She had asked many questions so basic they were like a novice's.
Just now, she was also the first one whose dish was overturned.
Not much talent, not strong abilities, but hardworking and diligent, with extraordinary endurance.
Such a student, logically, shouldn't be a straggler. After all, even with poor talent, diligence should be able to make up for it.
"Four hours. I will not disappoint your expectations."
Hearing Dylan remember her name, a smile appeared on An Tianxing's face. She then looked behind her at the cooking site that had become a mess.
"Go for it, Xiao Xing."
An Tianxing clenched her fists. Although she knew her cooking skills were poor and that even if she made a dish, she definitely wouldn't get a passing score.
But, she had to do it!
This teacher before her was a good teacher. No matter how basic her questions were, he would never get impatient but would explain and analyze them for her in detail.
When he got passionate about it, he would even demonstrate personally.
Due to family troubles, she hadn't touched cooking for two years. This time, returning to Tohtsuki Academy, she hadn't planned to stay on.
But before leaving, she still wanted to give it her all, to complete her "retirement battle," to at least feel like she had chased her dream.
With this thought, An Tianxing took a firm step forward.
"Four hours, but the conditions are much better. If I have to do it again, I'll do it again. I'll only do better next time."
A boy, who also had a low skill level and had been constantly asking Dylan basic cooking questions along with An Tianxing earlier, thus delaying himself and only starting to cook not long ago, silently thought to himself.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have obsessed over how well I was doing, fussing over those so-called details, which only made my cooking worse."
"This dish will be my last for this assessment!"
A youth who hadn't gotten up after being tripped lay on the ground, pondering whether his constant redoing of dishes to get a high score, which led to them getting worse, was the right thing to do.
"Starting over, from scratch. What a cruel reality."
"However, I accept this challenge!"
Just as Dylan had said, those who had delayed until now without completing their dishes all had various reasons that were difficult for others to understand.
And this extra time was prepared for such students.
For a moment, the site, which had become lifeless due to the destroyed dishes, erupted with new vitality.
"Mito, bring your dish up."
After a brief glance at the situation on site, Dylan looked towards Ikumi Mito not far away. She was currently standing in front of her dish. Hearing his words, a joyful expression immediately appeared on her face.
"Okay! Hiss..."
As she spoke, Ikumi Mito opened the clay pot in front of her and came to his side, letting out an almost inaudible gasp of pain, which Dylan heard.
Immediately, he glanced at Alice Nakiri standing beside him. She nodded, indicating she had received his message, and jogged off.
"Is it Roasted and Stewed Fish? Using these wild ingredients you found, Roasted and Stewed Fish is indeed a good choice."
As the lid was opened, a rich aroma accompanied by steam wafted out, causing Dylan's tightly furrowed brows to relax somewhat.
"That's right. I wanted to use all the ingredients I found, otherwise it would be too wasteful, so I slow-cooked this Roasted and Stewed Fish."
Ikumi Mito nodded and then introduced her dish: "This Roasted and Stewed Fish uses wild chrysanthemum greens and elm oyster mushrooms, cooked with ingredients like salt, ginger slices, and green onions..."
"I can see you've done your best."
Hearing Ikumi Mito's introduction and looking at the dish before him, Dylan nodded.
Given Ikumi Mito's skill level as shown in Shokugeki no Soma, this dish should have reached her current limit.
"This is the best dish I can produce at the moment. But, I will definitely be able to produce even better dishes in the future!"
Hearing Dylan's words, Ikumi Mito nodded, her breathing quickening, her eyes full of anticipation, and also a hint of fatigue.
This was from the focused effort and strenuous running just now. And after surviving the ordeal, this feeling of fatigue was magnified to its fullest.
"The cooking of Roasted and Stewed Fish focuses on stewing, allowing the fish meat to fully absorb the essence of the soup. Plus, you spent a lot of time on it, so the texture is very delicate."
"However, the choice of ingredients must also be considered."
"You obtained fresh crucian carp from the river and harvested wild chrysanthemum greens, elm oyster mushrooms, and Akebia fruit by the riverside."
"Ingredients that grow in the same environment have connections with each other and can naturally blend together better, making the flavors harmonious."
Dylan picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and closed his eyes to savor it.
The fish meat was tender, the flavor robust.
The first taste was salty and umami, a flavor brought by the salt, the elm oyster mushrooms, and the fish itself.
Next came a sweet and sour note, a flavor profile derived entirely from the Akebia fruit.
Although only a small piece was used, it gave the soup a subtle but perceptible sweet and sour aftertaste, along with a faint fruity aroma of Akebia.
Finally, there was a rich soy sauce fragrance, which was the soul of the Roasted and Stewed Fish, making the entire dish intensely savory.
Salty-umami, sweet-sour, and savory depth.
These three flavors blended perfectly together. The fish meat was saturated with these three tastes. One bite was like fireworks exploding, exceptionally brilliant and colorful!
"Thump, thump."
Ikumi Mito watched Dylan nervously, anticipating his answer yet somewhat afraid. Her already pale face became even more colorless.
What kind of evaluation will the dish I made with all my effort receive from him?
This thought lingered in Ikumi Mito's mind for a long time.
"First, I must acknowledge your creativity. The dish utilized all the suitable ingredients found by the riverside and blended them perfectly."
"Such a dish has undoubtedly achieved the objective of the assessment."
"Let me think... although it took a considerable amount of time, such deliciousness has already reached the passing line in my mind. 60 points."
Closing his eyes in thought for a moment, Dylan finally gave Ikumi Mito a solid 60 points.
Although it was only half a day of cooking, she could clearly feel her skill level improving. If she stayed in this state for a month, it was hard to imagine how much progress she could make!
"Alright, the dish judging is over. Now, sit on that chair over there, lift your foot, and I'll help you treat the wound a bit."
Seeing Alice Nakiri jogging over with a first-aid kit, Dylan returned to his chair and began to fulfill his duties as a teacher.
A student was injured during the cooking assessment; naturally, he had to treat her wound.
He didn't have the necessary tools at hand earlier, so he evaluated the dish first.
Now that Alice Nakiri had returned with the tools, he naturally had to disinfect Ikumi Mito's wound and treat it properly.
A wound infection from the riverside, if not handled well, would certainly have serious consequences.
"There's no need, really. I'll take care of it myself when I get back. No need to trouble you."
Hearing Dylan's words, Ikumi Mito's face flushed. Though she had been somewhat tired, she instantly perked up.
Let... let Dylan treat her wound.
Although it was an extremely ordinary little thing, because of the admiration she held for Dylan in her heart, she inexplicably felt very shy.
Especially when she thought about Dylan being... a man...
This sense of shame rushed straight to her head, making her hesitate and reluctant to lift her foot.
"Don't worry about anything, and don't feel pressured. For me, it's just fulfilling my duty. All you need to do is let me treat the wound."
Seemingly sensing Ikumi Mito's hesitation, Dylan spoke softly.
"O...okay."
Hearing Dylan's words and looking at his gaze, which held no impurities, Ikumi Mito finally relented, sat on the chair, and slowly lifted her foot.
"It's actually white. That's a bit unexpected."
The moment she lifted her foot, Dylan couldn't help but remark inwardly. He then reached out and held Ikumi Mito's tanned foot.
Due to her running, her big toe and the front of her foot had been cut by a sharp stone and were currently seeping fresh red blood.
And being suddenly held, even though the movement was very gentle, made Ikumi Mito involuntarily wince and tightly grip her clothes.
"You've worked hard."
His gaze didn't linger. Dylan took the tweezers, alcohol, and disinfectant from Alice Nakiri beside him and began to clean the wound deftly.
"Hiss..."
As saline solution was poured onto the wound, Ikumi Mito's face instantly contorted.
But she didn't cry out, merely looking at Dylan and clutching her clothes tightly, as if that could alleviate the pain.
Dylan knew well that a short, sharp pain was better than a prolonged one. After cleaning it once with saline solution, he used a cotton ball soaked in alcohol, tweezers to pick out the tiny stone fragments embedded in the sole of her foot, applied disinfectant, and finally, an ointment to prevent infection, before wrapping it with gauze.
"The other foot is in good condition. You can wear shoes now."
After treating this foot, Dylan carefully examined the other one. Apart from some mud, there were no additional injuries.
"Okay, thank you, Teacher... Dylan."
Ikumi Mito thanked him, her face flushed red. Her heart was beating incredibly fast at this moment, even faster than when her dish was being evaluated earlier.
Thus, the wound received simple treatment.
_____
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