Saturday.
The Elite Ten ranking competition had passed many days ago, and the final Elite Ten list was posted on the notice board downstairs in the teaching building, attracting a large number of students to gather around.
The new Elite Ten list is as follows:
First Seat, Hoshino Sora
Second Seat, Eishi Tsukasa
Third Seat, Kobayashi Rindo
Fourth Seat, Isshiki Satoshi
Fifth Seat, Nukishima Tsubusu
Sixth Seat, Yumeko Jabami
Seventh Seat, Yukihira Soma
Eighth Seat, Tadokoro Megumi
Ninth Seat, Vacant
Tenth Seat, Vacant
"It's out, it's out, the announcement is finally posted! But why are two seats empty?!"
Looking at the notice board downstairs in the teaching building, students passing by were discussing animatedly.
"You wouldn't know this, but the Far Moon Elite Ten Second Seat, Miss Nakiri, has been promoted to Academy Director, and another person named Lixin is said to have returned to China, which is why two positions are vacant."
Hearing the confused question, a knowledgeable student said with a proud expression, then went on and on, wanting to show off his superior insight.
"Can't these two seats be filled by promotion based on the results and performance of the previous competitions?"
"How can they be promoted? Those geniuses don't submit to anyone, how could they accept such a result? According to unofficial sources, they seem to be preparing to hold another private competition to determine the remaining two seats."
"Is that so? But thinking about it, it seems quite reasonable. I just wonder who the last two Elite Ten Seats are?"
"I think the former Elite Ten Fourth Seat Akikubo and the former Elite Ten Fifth Seat Saito Somei have a higher chance."
"I agree with that point too."
The notice board immediately became noisy. Looking at the newly released Elite Ten list, everyone's discussion focused on the unconfirmed Ninth and Tenth Elite Ten Seats.
Meanwhile, at Yōbi Dormitory, Hoshino Sora was leisurely chopping vegetables and cooking with his cutting knife, humming an unknown tune.
Because they couldn't find the legendary cooking utensils in Neon, and there was news of new cooking utensils emerging in Huaxia, members of the Dark Cuisine World and Chinese Cuisine World had all returned three days ago.
Before leaving, people from the Dark Cuisine World and Chinese Cuisine World had privately approached Hoshino.
The general meaning was simple: they wanted him to join their organization, saying that if he joined, he would enjoy endless wealth and honor, and could also improve his cooking skills. But Hoshino politely declined them all.
What a joke. He had already reached a position of being second only to one and above tens of thousands in Far Moon. Wouldn't it be a huge loss to go back to Huaxia and start over? So Hoshino made a bold decision.
That was to build a massive Gourmet Manor centered around Far Moon! This empire would also become his reputation generator, continuously providing him with a large amount of reputation points.
However, one unfortunate thing was that Eri Nai Erina and Hisako Arato had moved out of Yōbi Dormitory due to busy work, making it difficult to see them normally.
Conversely, Kobayashi Rindo and Akikubo Momo moved back in, preparing to spend their last year of high school in Yōbi Dormitory.
"Delicious! As expected of the Ten Elite First Seat, his skill is truly excellent! But where did you get these ingredients? They're fresh, juicy, and uniquely flavorful. The taste is absolutely amazing!"
In the Yōbi Dormitory kitchen, Kobayashi Rindo, who had just come in from outside, stood beside Hoshino with a blissful expression, holding a dish he had just cooked and secretly eating it.
"It's a secret, but if Kobayashi needs them, I can specially provide them to you."
He brought the freshly cooked dish to the dining table outside. Because Kobayashi Rindo usually took good care of him, Hoshino didn't play coy and spoke directly.
"Really? What ingredients do you have?!"
Hearing Hoshino's words, Kobayashi Rindo's eyes sparkled, and she couldn't help but grab the young man's arm in front of her, her voice filled with excitement.
If she could obtain the high-grade ingredients Hoshino used, her cooking would undoubtedly improve by leaps and bounds. The better the ingredients, the more delicious the dish, and the higher the potential. This is easy to understand!
"I have quite a lot of ingredients I can provide here. As long as they are relatively common in Neon, even uncommon ones can be cultivated, but it takes a bit longer."
Facing the inquiry, Hoshino answered truthfully.
As long as there is a demand, he can fulfill it. After his patient cultivation during this period, the Gourmet Manor has already become a completely independent small world, capable of self-sufficiency.
Not only that, some animals and plants that are difficult to cultivate in the outside world and have extremely low survival rates can grow very well in the Gourmet Manor. As long as they are put in, there is no risk of premature death.
"Then I need... Hmm, just these for now. I'll pay you then."
Kobayashi Rindo didn't hold back at all, saying whatever came to mind, rattling off nearly a hundred types of ingredients in one breath, which made Hoshino's scalp tingle.
"Alright, alright, I understand. You can organize the list and send it to me later, and I'll prepare them for you. If it's quick, I can give you a portion tomorrow."
"Got it, you're so efficient! As expected of the Ten Elite First Seat!"
"I feel like you're being sarcastic."
"How could I be? No such thing~"
Looking at Kobayashi Rindo, who was talking endlessly and getting more and more excited, Hoshino shook his head, then turned his back and started arranging the dishes on the table.
The ingredients she needed were all rare ingredients that were uncommon in the market and difficult to obtain through ordinary means. Fortunately, he had the reputation value market, where he could buy seeds and saplings for cultivation, and have a harvest in two or three months.
Because in the Gourmet Manor, the growth rate of organisms is several times that of the outside world.
"It smells so good! I want to sit next to you."
"Alright, alright, no one's fighting you for it."
Smelling the aroma of the food in the air, Alice Nakiri lightly stepped to Hoshino's side and sat down, while also putting on a spoiled expression.
At this moment, she was wearing Psyduck slippers and a lace nightgown, looking languid. Her hair still carried a slight fragrance, evidently having just finished showering.
"Me too."
On the other side, Shiina Mashiro, who had just come downstairs, walked directly in front of Hoshino, then naturally pulled his hand away and sat on his lap.
"This might not be 'next to,' you're on my lap."
"I think this position is the most comfortable, isn't it? Am I causing you trouble?"
"I don't mind, go ahead and sit."
As she spoke, Mashiro also wiggled her bottom, pushing her small body into Hoshino's arms, and even placed his hand on her waist. Her practiced movements seemed like they had been rehearsed hundreds of times.
And the people around, seeing Mashiro's behavior, also looked accustomed to it. They ate, drank, chatted, and played as usual, appearing harmonious.
Regarding this joyful scene, Kobayashi Rindo was surprised when she first returned, but within a few days, she accepted these settings. She even often teased Hoshino about it.
She would ask if he could handle so many wives, or if his body could keep up, or she would curiously ask how he managed to make so many girls live harmoniously.
However, she could also understand their choice. Facing Hoshino, a man perfect in both looks and cooking skills, it would be hard for any girl not to be moved if he made even a slight move.
Even she would feel her heart race when alone with Hoshino, but she could still control herself. After all, in her eyes, he was like a younger brother.
But compared to her, another third-year student in Yōbi Dormitory was not so reserved. Looking at Akikubo Momo, who brought a plate of dessert and sat next to Hoshino.
Kobayashi Rindo's eyes held a somewhat meaningful look.
She didn't know when it started.
After a simple observation of the situation, Kobayashi Rindo naturally sat next to Hiratsuka Shizuka. With Akikubo Momo's arrival, everyone collectively picked up their chopsticks.
"I'm starting."
After a silent prayer with hands clasped, Hoshino was the first to pick up his chopsticks. The others followed suit, and in an instant, the dining table was filled with praises for the dishes.
"This Steamed Pork with Preserved Vegetables is so delicious."
"I love this Brown Sugar Glutinous Rice Cake. Akikubo's skills have improved again, the taste is amazing!"
"The Kung Pao Chicken is also quite good."
It was another round of mutual praise, but everyone's compliments were sincere, and this was a very common occurrence in Yōbi Dormitory. Everyone was very grateful to the person who cooked for them.
"It's almost winter break now."
At the dinner table, Kobayashi Rindo suddenly spoke with some emotion. There wasn't much time left until the winter break, and then in another half a year, she would graduate.
"Yes, time really flies."
Does time fly? It does, almost in the blink of an eye, winter break arrived.
It also feels slow, with so many things happening before winter break arrived.
"What are you planning to do during winter break?"
Hearing Hoshino agree with her, Kobayashi Rindo inquired, a strange glint in her eyes.
"If nothing unexpected happens, I should go back and open a shop. I once promised the residents near Sanhe Street that I would continue to open a shop there and cook delicious food for them after I returned from my studies."
Thinking of his promise to the residents of Sanhe Street when he came to Far Moon, Hoshino said with a smile.
Through cooperation with the two major enterprises, Shuihu Beef and Small JZ Chicken, he was no longer short of money. The balance in his bank account had already exceeded ten digits, making him a true wealthy person.
Simply put, he could live freely and unrestrained for the rest of his life, no longer bound by external things like money.
"Is that so? I was hoping you'd come with me to intern at a WGO three-star rated restaurant."
Hearing Hoshino's words, Kobayashi Rindo couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
"No need. I want to enjoy my vacation and cook the dishes I want to make. I've been competing all this time, constantly thinking about themed dishes, and honestly, it's quite tiring."
Excessive training can easily backfire. Although he had made rapid progress under the high pressure of Far Moon during this period, it also caused considerable stress.
Therefore, he planned to relax well during the winter break, a so-called balance of work and rest.
"That's true. From enrollment until now, you've been progressing at an astonishing speed every day, and the pressure you've endured must be considerable. You really should take a break."
Although she was a bit disappointed, she didn't say much more. Everyone has their own choices. Hoshino chose to rest, and she could only respect and understand that, especially since he had the capital to rest.
Achieving the Ten Elite First Seat at sixteen years old was an astonishing feat even in Far Moon's history. Regardless of talent or strength, Hoshino had already far surpassed her.
Although she didn't want to admit it.
"I've eaten enough. I'll go back to my room first."
Finishing the meal in front of him, Hoshino patted Mashiro's shoulder, then went upstairs on his own.
Returning to his room, he locked the door and closed his eyes. Hoshino's figure disappeared from the room, and when he opened his eyes again, he had appeared in a manor.
"Master, you've arrived~"
"Master, look at this tomato, how red and beautiful it is!"
"Master, freshly squeezed milk, come and have a taste."
No sooner had Hoshino's front foot touched the ground than a group of beautiful, green-haired, charming women appeared.
They had slightly pointed ears, delicate white skin, and wore neat short dresses, with bare small feet, looking very spirited.
At this moment, they gathered in a circle, firmly surrounding Hoshino, holding various edible ingredients in their hands, with bright smiles on their faces, clearly trying to show off their achievements.
"All of you, step back! Can't you see you're making Master uncomfortable?"
A slightly stern voice came from not far away, rescuing the trapped Hoshino.
Hearing the voice, Hoshino cast a grateful look at her. She was a very beautiful Forest Elf, with an explosively full figure and dignified posture, the leader of these Forest Elf maidens.
"I apologize, these girls haven't seen you in too long, which is why they acted so out of line."
She bowed deeply to Hoshino in apology, bending her body ninety degrees. The undulations in her chest were visibly trembling, which made the young man's gaze straighten a bit.
"It's alright, I'm also very happy to be surrounded by so many beautiful girls."
Shaking his head, Hoshino said softly. In fact, it was precisely his indulgence that made these Forest Elves so 'unrestrained'. One should know that these Forest Elves were very afraid of him when they first arrived.
His mind recalled the first few days when the Forest Elves arrived at the Gourmet Manor. At that time, he had just finished the Elite Ten ranking competition, and the first thing he did upon returning to Yōbi Dormitory was to enter the Gourmet Manor.
Then he saw a group of scantily clad, emaciated Forest Elves, which matched the reward given by the system: slaves, a very representative slave attire.
Their only reaction upon seeing him was fear. Although there were no particularly extreme reactions, that expression still left a deep impression on Hoshino.
Of course, there were also those with a dignified demeanor and clean appearance, which was Miss Windsor in front of him, his manor housekeeper. From the moment he saw her, she had always maintained a gentle and refined demeanor.
She possessed the temperament of a young lady from a prominent family.
And in the days that followed, Hoshino not only bought new clothes for the slaves but also allowed them to eat whatever they wanted in the manor. He even personally cooked delicious food for them.
This back and forth, the Forest Elf girls became much more plump, and because of Hoshino's care, they gradually revealed their most authentic and lively personalities.
Every time Hoshino arrived, they would gather around him and show off their achievements during that period, such as how well their crops were growing, or how their responsible products had mutated.
And Hoshino never found their chatter annoying. He always listened patiently, which they all noticed.
"Hmph, I knew Master likes us to be lively."
"Exactly, Master said last time he liked to see us playing around the most."
"Master also said my legs look good."
"What are you talking about? Master clearly said mine!"
Hearing Hoshino's words, the Forest Elf girls immediately stirred, chattering one after another, looking quite lively.
"Alright, alright, everyone stop arguing. I heard that some animals and plants in the manor have mutated again. Take me to see them."
He gestured downwards with his hand to quiet everyone. Because he didn't want men in his manor, Hoshino chose only female slaves.
The reason for this was simple: beautiful women are pleasing to the eye.
Furthermore, his manor didn't require too much upkeep, and the elves' physical fitness wasn't low. Ten people managing this one-thousand-square-meter area was more than enough.
"Master, please follow me. I found a mutated curry leaf here, and its fragrance is ten times that of an ordinary curry leaf!"
"Hmm?"
Following the Forest Elf's guidance, Hoshino arrived at a dense field and then discovered the curry leaf emitting an astonishing fragrance.
Without hesitation, Hoshino placed his hand on it and began to investigate.
Item Name: Curry Leaf
Quality: Silver
A very simple description, with no special effects, but the quality change below made Hoshino ecstatic, because it meant that the ingredient level of the Gourmet Manor had taken another big step forward!
"This curry leaf will be cultivated as an excellent seedling. Besides this, has anything else mutated?"
Hoshino Sora understood that the curry leaf in front of him was not a mutation; it was an evolution, an evolution produced through selective breeding.
"I still have…"
After some investigation, the Forest Elves identified twenty-six perceived mutations. Of these, twenty-two were ingredient evolutions, and only four were true mutations of ingredients.
The first type of mutation was aged beef, which was aged in the way the public understood it. After this type of cow was slaughtered, its meat was already perfectly aged, which was quite rare.
The second type was apple rabbit; simply put, the rabbit meat contained a faint fragrance of apple. Hoshino Sora guessed that these clumsy rabbits must frequently visit the orchard he planted on his back mountain.
The third type was single-kernel peanuts, meaning, as the name suggests, that the peanuts only had one kernel. The entire plant was like this, but the volume was clearly twice as large as ordinary peanuts, and they were incredibly crispy.
The fourth type was durian pineapple. It was unclear whether the durian had cheated or the pineapple had climbed over the wall; from the outside, it clearly looked like a pineapple, but when eaten, it had the flavor of durian.
It wasn't bad, actually, and the ingredient level had reached silver, barely counting as a benign mutation.
And these were all the mutations that had occurred in the Gourmet Manor over the past week. Despite having a vast land of one thousand square meters, only these few mutations had occurred. It had to be said, the probability was truly low.
But Hoshino Sora was not discouraged in the slightest; instead, he was filled with enthusiasm, because his Gourmet Manor was flourishing in a good direction, and his prestige value had also broken through fifty thousand due to his active participation in food battles and competitions during this period.
Current Prestige Value: 53100
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