The sun had barely risen when the first students began occupying their stations. Everyone was tense. The assessment was clear: prepare 350 dishes in three hours. The pressure was immense, and many bet on complex and flashy dishes to attract more attention.
But Damian, as serene as ever, walked to his workstation with an almost unsettling calm. In his hands were simple ingredients: whole milk, stale bread, vanilla, cornmeal, unflavored gelatin, sugar, butter, and parmesan cheese. No premium cuts of meat. No seafood. No eye-catching ingredients.
"What's he cooking? Porridge?" muttered a student nearby, watching Damian gently heat milk over low heat.
He didn't reply.
He grabbed a frying pan and toasted slices of bread in butter until golden and crisp. Then, he carefully dipped them into hot milk seasoned with salt, black pepper, and a hint of nutmeg. Finally, he sprinkled grated parmesan cheese on top. Thus was born Zuppa di Latte — a comforting, nostalgic milk soup, like the embrace of a cold morning.
Meanwhile, in a room with a large screen, the alumni watched closely.
"Hm. He started with milk soup?" Chappelle commented, intrigued.
"Way too simple."
"Simple, but meticulously executed," Dojima corrected, arms crossed.
"Look at his movements. Millimetric precision."
While the other students juggled meats, sauces, and elaborate sides, Damian was already heating a second pan. This time, he mixed milk with sugar and cornstarch, stirring patiently until it thickened into a glossy cream. Before turning off the heat, he split open a vanilla pod and scraped the seeds into the mixture. After cooling, he covered it with plastic wrap and placed it into small white bowls.
Crema di Latte. Simple, delicate, aromatic.
"The main ingredient in this challenge is milk, right?" Chappelle asked.
"Exactly," Dojima said, now smiling.
At that moment, Damian began his third creation. In a wide pot, he heated milk with butter. Gradually, he added cornmeal, stirring vigorously to avoid lumps. The creamy polenta took shape, gaining body and aroma. He finished with a spoonful of grated parmesan, fine nutmeg zest, and a light drizzle of honey.
Polenta di Latte.
Just minutes before the start, Damian was preparing his final dish. In a small saucepan, he heated milk until it was nearly boiling. He removed it from the heat and gently dissolved the unflavored gelatin. Then, he added sugar and vanilla, mixing thoroughly. Poured into simple molds, the Panna Cotta al Latte now rested in the refrigerator, ready to set.
Four dishes. No extravagant ingredients. No flashy techniques.
And yet… everyone in the room felt something special had been created there.
Damian continued calmly preparing his dishes, unaffected by the chaos that overtook the rest of the kitchen. While the other students raced against time, he had already presented a complete narrative — simple, but powerful.
Chappelle took a deep breath and crossed his arms.
"He's not just cooking with skill," he said.
"Now I understand why they call him The Artisan." He chuckled.
---
In Erina's room…
The soft morning light barely touched the horizon as Erina stood in front of the mirror. The young heiress of the Nakiri family had already bathed and was now fixing her hair, but her mind was elsewhere. Her thoughts drifted to the night before, to the brief moment she had spent with Damian.
Her reflection looked softer, more introspective than usual. Absentmindedly, her fingers brushed her forehead. Damian's smile still lingered, rooted in her memory. Her face flushed because of it.
"Damian-senpai's food..." she whispered to herself, almost without realizing.
Knock knock!
The knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She looked at the clock — the time was near.
"Erina-sama! It's time to get ready! The challenge starts at six!"
Erina quickly straightened up, returning to reality. With a swift motion, she opened the door, revealing her assistant Hisako, who wore a concerned expression.
"Erina-sama, your face is so red! Are you feeling unwell?" Hisako asked, studying her carefully.
"N-no!" Erina answered quickly, a little flustered.
"I just... the air conditioner was a bit too warm. That's all."
Hisako still looked slightly suspicious but didn't press further. She simply smiled gently.
"I see… But Erina-sama, it's already five fifty. The challenge starts in ten minutes! Are you ready?"
Erina looked at the clock again and thought for a moment.
"Well, it's still early. I think we can wait a little. No one's allowed into the evaluation room until it starts, so... let's wait a bit."
"As you wish."
Erina gestured for Hisako to come in.
"Come in, Hisako. Let's talk a little while we wait."
Hisako stepped inside, closing the door gently behind her, and the two sat in a corner of the room where the dawn's light was beginning to brighten the space. The atmosphere was calm, but inside Erina, anticipation was building.
"Hisako..." Erina began, her gaze thoughtful.
"Do you remember what Damian-senpai said yesterday? I thought it was bold, but now I'm starting to understand his hints..."
Hisako smiled at the mention, her faith in Damian's talent clear.
"Yes, I also thought he might be a little too bold, but… now that you mention it, I think you really could achieve something surprising if you follow his advice."
Erina nodded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"I want to try, but first, I want to see him cook and compare it with my own style. Maybe that'll help me improve even more."
Hisako gave her a knowing smile.
"Yes, maybe that's one of the reasons the director asked you to come."
Erina smiled but soon found herself thinking once again about Damian. There was something about him that made her want to taste his food — something beyond simple culinary rivalry.
"Do you think he'll prepare something French?" Erina asked, trying to picture Damian's approach.
Hisako pondered for a moment, eyes on the ceiling.
"Maybe. Or he might surprise us and create something entirely new."
Erina leaned forward slightly, still thoughtful.
"It's possible. Damian-senpai doesn't seem to follow traditional rules, does he?"
"That's true," Hisako reflected for a moment.
"He seems like someone who wants more than just recognition. Maybe..." She paused, looking at Erina with a gentle smile.
"Maybe he's searching for something more — something no one else understands."
Erina looked at Hisako, clearly intrigued by the idea.
"Something more… what do you mean?"
Hisako leaned back slightly, lost in thought.
"Well, he might not care about rank or fame. Maybe he wants to surpass himself. Maybe he's chasing something beyond Tōtsuki. Something more... personal."
Erina didn't reply immediately. She reflected deeply on Hisako's words, her eyes lost in thought.
"Yes... That sounds possible. He doesn't seem like someone who's concerned with others' expectations. But even so, I need to taste his dishes to see what he's truly capable of."
Hisako smiled gently, her eyes glowing with the unwavering confidence she always had in her mistress.
"Well, Erina-sama, it's almost time! The challenge is about to begin!"
"Ah!" Erina exclaimed, startled by the time.
"Let's go!"
The two hurried out, their footsteps echoing down the corridor as the breakfast challenge was about to begin — with milk-based dishes taking center stage. What would Damian prepare? And how would Erina respond? Those questions lingered in the air, awaiting their answers.
---
Back in the main hall…
"Dojima, it's time," said Chappelle.
"Let's begin."
Dojima nodded, casting one last look at Damian — the only one among them all still preparing his dishes with calm.
---
(End of Chapter)
Give me some power stones there you go~😉