After deciding to enter Totsuki Academy, Ray began to systematically study the culinary arts.
The substantial income from selling Regal Mammoth meat made Ray's studies much easier.
First, he purchased a massive collection of professional culinary literature, ranging from basic ingredient preparation manuals to molecular gastronomy, and classic recipes from various global cuisines.
Not only that, but Ray also hired three private culinary tutors.
Thus, in the following days, the crisp clatter of knives, the sizzle of ingredients hitting the pan, and the bubbling of boiling broth intertwined into a daily symphony.
His body, enhanced by Gourmet Cells, granted Ray a memory far superior to that of an ordinary person.
He only needed to read through complex recipe ratios and strict heat control techniques once to know them by heart.
His practical skills improved at an astonishing pace.
Whether it was the force required to toss a wok or the precision of his knife skills, he could quickly grasp the techniques with just a little guidance from his tutors, often mastering them well enough to apply the concepts to other dishes.
With professional guidance and his natural talent, Ray's culinary skills were rapidly improving every single day.
In just one short month, Ray had already taken on the demeanor of a professional chef.
Outside of his studies, Ray didn't forget to taste gourmet food.
From family-run diners hidden in narrow alleys to high-end restaurants perched atop skyscrapers, Ray visited them all.
Thanks to his Gourmet Cell-enhanced sense of taste, Ray could keenly detect the ingenuity behind every dish.
The specific kelp added to elevate the umami in a simmering broth, the perfect ratio of lemon juice in a meat marinade, or the hidden hint of sea salt in a dessert mousse.
Every bite was a deconstruction and reconstruction of flavor.
Every tasting deepened his understanding of the culinary arts.
Time quietly slipped away amidst this fulfilling routine of studying and tasting.
Finally, the day of the Totsuki Academy transfer student exam arrived.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, Ray took a car to the gates of Totsuki Academy.
Many candidates had already arrived.
These examinees were dressed impeccably, wearing arrogant expressions, and were accompanied by butlers and bodyguards.
This made Ray, who was completely alone, look entirely out of place.
Ray paid it no mind.
He calmly walked toward the main entrance of Totsuki Academy.
At the main gate, Soma Yukihira was staring up with wide eyes, looking completely bewildered at the sight of the academy before him.
He never could have imagined that the school his old man sent him to for a transfer exam would be a luxurious academy that occupied an entire mountain.
The passing candidates were all dressed in fine clothes, clearly coming from wealthy or aristocratic backgrounds.
This made Soma seriously doubt if this was actually a culinary school.
He had even called his dad specifically to ask about it.
And confirmed that this was indeed Totsuki Academy, where he was about to take his transfer exam.
The thought of attending such a school from now on...
...actually made Soma feel an inexplicable sense of anticipation.
Just then, Soma suddenly spotted Ray walking over.
His eyes lit up, and he immediately broke into a smile, waving and calling out to him.
"It's you! The skewer stall owner!"
Seeing a familiar face made Soma feel much more relaxed.
Soma's voice drew the attention of quite a few people.
However, they merely glanced at the two before turning their heads away.
Ray looked helplessly at the waving Soma.
"Hello, Yukihira. We meet again."
"But if you don't mind, please stop calling me the skewer stall owner."
"My name is Ray."
After all, they were going to be classmates from now on.
He didn't want to be called 'the skewer stall owner' the next time they met.
"Ray... that name..."
Soma muttered the name, looking a bit confused.
Seeing Soma's confusion, Ray said calmly, "That's right, I'm from China."
"Ah—I knew it!"
Soma looked as if everything suddenly made sense.
Then, he couldn't help but exclaim, "I didn't expect there to be foreigners taking the Totsuki Academy transfer exam!"
This left Ray momentarily speechless.
He couldn't exactly say that he had been inexplicably 'smuggled' into this world and had no choice but to study at Totsuki.
"I'm going to head in first to get familiar with the campus. Do you want to come along, Yukihira?"
Ray smoothly changed the subject.
"Sure, sure!"
Soma immediately nodded, a smile spreading across his face.
"I was just worrying about where to go!"
So the two walked side by side through the main gates of Totsuki Academy, strolling along the winding stone paths.
The scale of Totsuki Academy was far grander than imagined.
Various cooking classrooms, each with its own unique architectural style, were neatly scattered along the tree-lined avenues.
Soma was dazzled by the sights, marveling at everything he saw.
Ray appeared much calmer, only occasionally stopping to examine the nameplates on the classrooms with a knowing look in his eyes.
Before they knew it, it was time for the transfer exam.
The two followed the crowd into the examination hall.
It was an astonishingly spacious hall. Dozens of cooking stations had already been set up, fully equipped with all necessary kitchenware.
The candidates entered one after another, found their stations, and began to whisper among themselves.
They were clearly all very curious about the upcoming transfer exam.
That was until two figures walked in through the entrance at the back of the hall.
Instantly, the entire hall fell dead silent.
Walking in front was Erina Nakiri, dressed in the Totsuki Academy uniform. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders like silk, and she carried an air of absolute nobility.
Her gaze swept across the room with an almost hypercritical scrutiny, causing every candidate who met her eyes to subconsciously hold their breath.
Following closely behind Erina was a girl with short pinkish-purple hair, clutching a thick stack of documents.
This was Erina Nakiri's secretary, Hisako Arato.
"Lady Erina Nakiri!"
"She's actually the one overseeing the transfer exam?"
"We're doomed. This is going to be a disaster..."
Low gasps of dismay rippled through the candidates, casting a shadow of gloom over their faces.
Ray's expression remained unchanged; he had come prepared.
As for Soma beside him, he just looked completely bewildered.
He scratched his head and quietly asked Ray, "Who's that? She looks like a big deal."
Ray glanced at Soma and replied calmly, "Erina Nakiri. A student at Totsuki Academy, and naturally, the chief examiner for this test."
Soma nodded, only half-understanding.
Having a student act as the chief examiner was something Soma really couldn't quite wrap his head around.
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