Food Wars: Taste Reversal

At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, while all the students were busy participating in workshop activities or studying cooking in their dormitories, a piece of heavyweight news suddenly spread.

The eighth seat of the Elite Ten, Kuga Terunori, and the tenth seat of the Elite Ten, Erina Nakiri, are set to have a halberd match tomorrow afternoon. The wager? The ownership of the Sumo Hot Pot Research Society!

At first glance, everyone was surprised by the news, as the ownership of the Sumo Hot Pot Research Society didn't belong to either of the two Elite Ten members. After some inquiries, it became clear: both had set their sights on the research society. However, since the society's activity room wasn't large enough to accommodate both of them, they decided to resolve the matter through a halberd match.

When students heard the news, they speculated that this was likely the end of the Sumo Hot Pot Research Society. Being targeted by two Elite Ten members at the same time was akin to a catastrophe—it seemed there was no way to escape.

Was this the end for the Sumo Hot Pot Research Society? What had they done to provoke not one, but two Elite Ten members simultaneously?

Of course, this rumor originated from students who happened to overhear the scene. Since Shiraki was not well-known among the second-year students, his name was not recognized. As a result, the rumor morphed into a story about Kuga Terunori and Erina Nakiri competing in a halberd match.

Regardless of the rumors circulating outside, the parties involved appeared unconcerned.

"That's the situation. You'll be representing me in the halberd match tomorrow afternoon."

Erina, sitting in her office, was giving instructions over the phone. The person on the other end didn't seem unhappy at all and responded with enthusiasm.

"It's an honor to help Erina-sama! Please rest assured—I'll use my top-grade ingredients to make sure that guy who dares challenge you will surrender!"

"No… Actually…" Erina started to explain that even doubling their efforts wouldn't guarantee a win against Shiraki. However, she stopped herself. There were more important matters to attend to. After offering a few symbolic words of encouragement, she quickly hung up the phone.

"Whew…"

After hanging up, Erina's expression turned a bit vacant. She stood up, carefully examined her surroundings, and, after confirming that no one else was present, retrieved a pack of magazines wrapped in a thick cover from her desk drawer.

This was something she had purchased the previous day while wearing sunglasses, a hat, and a tight outfit to avoid being recognized. The memory of the nerve-wracking scene still made her feel uneasy.

She pulled out a magazine with a pink cover that read: Love Divination—Discover Your Love Horoscope Through Cooking.

Erina glanced around nervously again. After confirming that Hisako had already been sent away, she sat down and began flipping through the magazine with a mix of curiosity and embarrassment.

"I see… So, making desserts in the shape of a four-leaf clover… And this method…"

Her cheeks flushed as she read the advice, flipping through the pages quickly while frequently glancing at the door to ensure it was locked. The notion that she was referencing such a trivial magazine for guidance was laughable. Surely, no one else in the prestigious Totsuki Culinary School would be caught doing the same.

Meanwhile, at the Polar Star Dormitory…

The halberd approval notice had already been issued an hour earlier. Since neither side had set cuisine restrictions, the theme was decided through a random draw conducted by the halberd administration. Coincidentally, the chosen theme was hot pot.

"Shiraki-kun, are you about to compete in a halberd match?" Megumi Tadokoro, who was tending to the vegetable field, asked in surprise as Shiraki walked by with the notice in hand.

"Yes. Tomorrow afternoon, I'll be competing against someone sent by Erina on the theme of 'hot pot.'"

"Eh?! Isn't that a big deal?" Megumi immediately thought of Erina, the cold, composed girl who had impressed everyone at the opening ceremony. However, recalling Shiraki's cooking skills, her initial anxiety eased. "With Shiraki-kun's abilities, I'm sure it'll be fine. Should we start preparing now? If you need ingredients, there's a market near Totsuki. And the hot pot soup base will also need time to prepare…"

"No, I've already taken care of it." Shiraki waved her hand. As soon as he learned about the halberd theme, he had exchanged a particularly unique ingredient from the system mall.

Devil Chili—an ingredient from the world of Toriko. This special cooking ingredient has one remarkable characteristic: precise control over its quantity is critical. An incorrect amount can leave someone overwhelmed by spiciness for an entire year, but when used correctly, it can create an extraordinary spicy dish.

This ingredient was perfect for hot pot. Shiraki was curious to see the reactions this unique chili would provoke.

For comparison, the Habanero Chili—once considered the spiciest chili in this world—has a Scoville index of 100,000 to 350,000. Eating it directly can cause retching, along with neck and head pain, akin to being struck by lightning. However, no chili in this world can leave someone incapacitated for a year like the Devil Chili.

Its dual nature, capable of producing exquisite flavors or becoming a culinary disaster, made it an ideal special ingredient. For instance, when handling the puffer whale, a single millimeter of error during dissection could rupture its poison sac, rendering its meat lethally toxic. Yet, perfectly prepared puffer whale meat transforms into a dazzling golden delicacy.

For Shiraki, the Devil Chili was the perfect choice for tomorrow's halberd match.