"So you still managed to enter Totsuki Academy after all..." Lexon said to Soma Yukihira beside him.
"Yeah." Soma Yukihira nodded, scratching his head with a cheerful grin. "I don't really know why either... I just suddenly got a phone call telling me I passed, and then they sent me the acceptance letter, telling me to come to the entrance ceremony."
"Ah, that's good then," Lexon replied casually.
He wasn't surprised at all that Soma Yukihira had entered Totsuki Academy despite being marked as 'failed.'
After all, he was the child of destiny in this world. Even if the established trajectory of his life fluctuated slightly, it would eventually be corrected.
A major milestone like entering Totsuki Academy wouldn't just be cut off.
Besides, Soma being sent to Totsuki by his father was originally Senzaemon Nakiri's idea anyway.
Naturally, he wouldn't let Soma Yukihira fail.
But it didn't matter anyway...
In any case, I've already squeezed all the value I can out of Soma...
From now on, our paths will probably diverge a bit...
And if he continues to improve and develop at the academy, I can easily use our current relationship to sign in with him.
I'll just let him grow for now...
...
"Next, a speech by the Academy Director, Lord Senzaemon Nakiri..."
Under the announcer's voice, a tall, dignified old man with long hair and a beard, dressed in dark robes, stepped onto the podium of the entrance ceremony.
"Congratulations to all of you on entering the high school division..."
That's right.
The Totsuki Academy Lexon was currently in was just the high school division.
As for Lexon's actual age... even without adding the time spent in other story worlds, he was already over twenty years old.
He was a far cry from the typical 'high school student.'
Fortunately, entering Six Paths Mode in the Naruto world had enhanced his appearance, making him look exceptionally young, so he didn't seem out of place here.
"During your three years in the junior high division, you have learned the basics of cooking and gained a deeper understanding of ingredients. Actual culinary training goes without saying..."
His deep and steady voice carried on, summarizing the students' past experiences.
"But things are different now! From now on, what will be tested is not your skills or knowledge! It is your resolve to survive as a chef. Ninety-nine percent of you... are merely stepping stones for the remaining one percent!"
"Of the 812 new students last year, only 76 advanced to the second year. The incompetent and the mediocre will be discarded without mercy... Out of 1000 new students, only 100 might reach the second year, and those who actually graduate can probably be counted on one hand..."
"And the chef who manages to enter that tiny elite group... could be you! It could be any one of you!"
"Hone yourselves!"
The final rousing words fell, igniting a fierce fighting spirit in most of the students.
After finishing his speech, Senzaemon Nakiri departed with a dignified air.
"Finally, I would like to introduce two transfer students entering today..."
Two?
Erina Nakiri, who was sitting in the resting area after being honored as the freshman representative for her outstanding grades, couldn't help but feel puzzled upon hearing the announcer's voice...
'I thought only one person passed from my side... Could they be candidates who passed at other testing locations?'
As this thought surfaced, a gentle and handsome figure also appeared in her mind.
Faintly, Erina Nakiri felt as if the taste of that person's cooking from a few days ago was still lingering on her lips.
'My cousin... produced such a dish after only two months...'
'That should be impossible...'
Erina Nakiri shifted from the other students' confusion to the problem that had been bothering her day and night for the past few days.
'I definitely have to ask him later!'
'My cousin must have studied cooking before!'
Erina Nakiri concluded firmly in her heart.
"First transfer student, Soma Yukihira, please come to the stage."
Soma Yukihira?
The one who was with my cousin?
'Didn't I specifically mark him as failed?'
Erina Nakiri was confused once more.
"It's your turn, go on up," Lexon said to Soma Yukihira behind the backstage curtain.
"Why am I first... I thought the protagonist should be the last to appear and give an explosive speech..." Soma Yukihira said with a bit of dejection.
"Since your name was called, there's no way around it," Lexon said with a smile.
"Alright, I'm going," Soma Yukihira said, waving to Lexon.
"Yeah," Lexon replied.
Soma Yukihira slowly walked onto the podium.
He lowered his head slightly and brought his mouth close to the microphone.
"Uh... my name is Soma Yukihira. To be honest, like that gentleman just said, I think this academy is just a stepping stone."
"I didn't expect to get in here... but I have no intention of losing to people who have never even served a customer before... Ah, what was I saying again..."
"In short..."
"Since I'm here, I'm going to reach the top of this academy along with my friend, Lexon!"
His loud voice rang out through the speakers.
As the cherry blossoms fell, under the stunned and bewildered gazes of the numerous students, Soma Yukihira made his explosive declaration.
"I look forward to working with you all for the next three years."
Soma Yukihira bowed his head slightly to the students below and spoke politely.
Then, he walked off the stage.
However, once the crowd of students snapped out of it, they couldn't help but let out a 'warm' chorus of indignant shouts and 'friendly' gestures, throwing things at Soma Yukihira.
"You bastard!!"
"What are you talking about, you transfer student!"
"I'll kill you! You prick!"
"Get down from there, along with your transfer student friend!"
"I'm gonna take both of you out! You jerks!"
"Are you kidding me?!"
The 'harmonious' voices of the students rose and fell one after another.
'My cousin's friend... is quite the arrogant one.'
Erina Nakiri couldn't help but feel angry after hearing such a boastful speech.
"I'm done. Your turn next, Lexon." Walking off the podium, Soma Yukihira waved at Lexon and said with a mischievous grin, "Was that an explosive speech? Hehehe."
"You're something else," Lexon said, feeling a bit helpless at being dragged into this. "Now we're both going to be public enemies to the rest of the freshman class."
"I'm just telling the truth... I'm amazing! And Lexon, you're also amazing for making a dish better than mine in just two months! We're both destined to reach the top of this academy!" Soma Yukihira laughed loudly.
He seemed to think his words were only natural.
"Good grief," Lexon said, shaking his head.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]