50: Far Moon

Tōtsuki Culinary Academy—this name resounds throughout the culinary world. Abbreviated as Tōtsuki Culinary Academy, it is the top institution yearned for by countless young men and women who dream of becoming chefs.

I remember in a certain interview, the owner of five popular restaurants in Ginza once spoke a harsh truth: 'I'd rather hire a Tōtsuki graduate than a chef who has been on the Michelin two-star list for ten years.' This statement alone shows the weight of the Tōtsuki brand in the industry.

However, to successfully graduate from here? That's truly a 'Hell difficulty' survival game. The academy spans seven entire mountains, so large that getting lost is a daily occurrence. Its facilities are as Advanced as a futuristic city, and it even has its own Tōtsuki Resort—sounds wonderful, right? But the graduation rate here cruelly remains below 10% year after year.

The Supreme Commander's famous quote, '99% of people are pawns to hone the 1%,' is no joke. Just look at last year's data: out of 812 new students enrolled, only 76 successfully Advanced to the second year. And those who could endure three years and graduate successfully were as rare as a Phoenix feather.

Completely different from ordinary cooking schools where 'attending classes on time guarantees graduation,' at Tōtsuki, once you're deemed 'second-rate,' you're immediately eliminated. But conversely, any graduate who perseveres to the end is almost destined to stand at the pinnacle of the culinary world for life, enjoying the glory and popularity of a star chef.

It can be said that Tōtsuki is the undisputed top-tier culinary academy, probably equivalent to the legendary status of our Dragon Country's New Oriental in people's minds!

The grand entrance of Tōtsuki Culinary Academy was exceptionally lively today. Students in various outfits could not hide their nervousness, having come for the transfer student assessment. Amidst the crowd, one figure seemed out of place.

Lin Luo watched the endless stream of luxury cars and couldn't help but click his tongue: 'As expected of a top-tier academy, this spectacle... even the famous private schools I've seen didn't have so many luxury cars clustered together.' He scratched his head, looking at the young masters and Young Misses getting out of the cars, and muttered, 'They're all born with silver spoons, yet they're still willing to come here to suffer? This Tōtsuki place is indeed not simple.'

Thinking of this, he suddenly chuckled, an absurd thought popping into his head: 'If New Oriental also adopted this enrollment strategy, wouldn't it have long since dominated the world?'

'Brother Luo? Why are you here too?' A familiar voice came from not far away. A red-haired boy with a white headband quickly walked over, his face full of surprise.

Lin Luo calmly put away his phone; the Special Affairs Department's mission brief had just disappeared from the screen: [Tōtsuki Culinary Academy - Senzaemon Nakiri poisoned and unconscious - suspected supernatural toxin involvement]. His purpose for this trip was clear: first, to remove the toxin, and second, to investigate the poisoner. If it truly involved a supernatural being, they must be apprehended and brought to justice.

Lin Luo raised an eyebrow at the red-haired boy, teasing, 'Sōma, shouldn't you be busy at the shop right now? What are you doing here, going to school?'

Sōma sighed helplessly: 'Brother, Dad plans to close the diner and go help out at a friend's Advanced restaurant. He told me to come here to study. I thought he was joking last time, but yesterday he notified all the neighbors and left the country today!'

Lin Luo couldn't help but chuckle, seeing Yukihira Sōma's gloomy expression, as if he'd been 'scammed by his dad.' He knew Yukihira Jōichirō's style too well. Throwing his son into the Purgatory of Tōtsuki and then going off to enjoy himself, this move was indeed very 'Yukihira-esque.'

'Alright, stop complaining.' Lin Luo patted Sōma's shoulder, 'Since you're here, make the best of it. With your skills, you should be in your element here.' He had witnessed the wild cooking duels between this father and son in their small diner; Sōma's talent and resilience were extraordinary.

'In my element? I just find it troublesome.' Sōma scratched his distinctive red hair, then curiously looked at Lin Luo: 'What about you, Brother Luo? What are you here for?'

'Me?' Lin Luo's lips curled into a meaningful arc, 'To 'treat illnesses and save lives.''

'Huh?' Sōma looked bewildered.

Lin Luo didn't explain in detail, merely gesturing: 'Let's go, the transfer student assessment is about to begin.' He thought to himself that using Sōma's participation in the assessment as an opportunity would allow him to legitimately enter the academy and facilitate his investigation.

After all, the news of Supreme Commander Nakiri's poisoning was still strictly confidential. Showing up directly and claiming to treat the Supreme Commander would likely get him kicked out by security as a madman.

The transfer student assessment venue was a spacious and bright cooking hall, the atmosphere as tense as a battlefield. Dozens of examinees stood ready, and several stern-faced instructors sat on the judging panel. The assessment task was the classic 'egg dish,' seemingly simple, yet it most tested a chef's fundamental skills and creativity.

Although Sōma grumbled about the trouble, the moment he stood before the cooking station, his eyes instantly sharpened. The white headband on his wrist seemed like his battle flag, and his entire aura was fully unleashed. The dish he chose was simple and unpretentious—[Transforming Egg Rice Bowl].

While other examinees pursued complex techniques and elaborate plating, Sōma used the simplest ingredients with divine skill. He instantly extracted an exquisitely delicious broth from roasted bonito flakes and kelp, infused it into the rice, then perfectly Fusioned raw egg liquid with hot rice, and finally added a few drops of special soy sauce... Simple steps, yet it exuded an irresistible aroma.

Even the experienced judges showed expressions of astonishment after tasting it. That ultimate harmony and impact perfectly interpreted the 'Profound Truth of cuisine.'

'Pass!' the head judge announced without hesitation.

Sōma let out a sigh of relief and smugly gave Lin Luo a gesture.

Lin Luo smiled and nodded. With Sōma's skill, passing the assessment was a given, as long as no one deliberately made things difficult for him.

Having successfully passed the assessment, Sōma officially became a transfer student at Tōtsuki Culinary Academy. And Lin Luo, as his accompanying elder brother, obtained permission for limited activities within the academy.

'Sōma, I still want to look around the academy.'

'Brother, you go do your thing. I need to apply for accommodation; I'll be boarding here from now on.' Sōma was sensible enough not to ask further; he knew Lin Luo must have important matters to attend to.

After they parted ways, Lin Luo unfolded the map in his hand. The villa area on the mountainside was marked as a private zone, which was where the Nakiri family residence was located, and Senzaemon Nakiri should be there.

'This place is really big!' Lin Luo couldn't help but complain after finally reaching the foot of the mountain.

Lin Luo arrived at the guardhouse and was immediately stopped by the guards. 'This is a private area, no trespassing. No visitors are scheduled for today, may I ask your business?'

Lin Luo explained his purpose, but the other party clearly didn't believe him. Left with no choice, he requested them to notify the main family, letting them decide whether to grant passage. The guard hesitated for a moment, but eventually informed the head attendant of the Nakiri Villa.

Soon, a composed young woman hurried over. 'Are you the gentleman from the Special Affairs Department?'

Led by the young woman, Hisako Arato, Lin Luo passed through the heavily guarded Japanese garden and arrived at the Supreme Commander's bedroom.

The room was filled with a strong smell of medicine. An old man with silver hair lay quietly on the tatami, his face ashen, his breathing weak—it was none other than Senzaemon Nakiri, known as the 'demon king of cuisine'.

By the bed, a girl with dazzling blonde hair and violet eyes frowned deeply. She had an arrogant demeanor and was Nakiri Erina, who possessed the 'Gods Tongue'. Her gaze towards Lin Luo was filled with distrust.

'Can you cure Grandpa?' Erina's voice was cold, 'Even the best doctors and detox specialists are helpless, what can someone from the Special Affairs Department do?'

Lin Luo ignored her attitude, his attention fully focused on the old man on the sickbed. He stepped forward, without using any instruments, simply lightly touching Senzaemon's forehead with his finger, closing his eyes in concentration.

A faint energy fluctuation, carrying a chilling and corrosive aura, like a lurking venomous snake, coiled near the Supreme Commander's heart pulse.

Lin Luo opened his eyes, his expression grave: 'As expected, a supernatural being intervened. In addition to ordinary toxins, a curse was also placed, and it's right near the heart.'

'Supernatural being? A curse?' Erina and Hisako were both stunned; these terms were beyond their comprehension.

'No time for detailed explanations.' Lin Luo's tone was serious, 'This toxin is devouring the Supreme Commander's vitality; it must be removed immediately.'

He no longer hesitated, swiftly forming hand seals and chanting incantations. Spiritual Qi transformed into a gentle, vibrant emerald green energy that surged from his palm, slowly injecting into Senzaemon's body.

'Buzz—'

The moment the spiritual Qi touched the toxin, it was like cold water dripping into hot oil, emitting faint sizzling sounds. Senzaemon's body trembled violently, a look of pain appeared on his face, and a wisp of black Qi slowly escaped from his mouth and nose, twisting and deforming in the air, seemingly accompanied by a silent shriek.

Erina and Hisako watched with bated breath, their hearts pounding.

The process lasted about fifteen minutes, and fine beads of sweat appeared on Lin Luo's forehead. When the last wisp of black Qi was forced out and purified, Senzaemon's ashen complexion visibly returned to a healthy ruddy color, and his breathing became steady and strong.

'Alright, the toxin has been cleared. The Supreme Commander needs a period of rest to recover.' Lin Luo withdrew his hand, letting out a long sigh, then his expression suddenly sharpened: 'Hmm?'

Erina looked at her grandfather's visibly improved complexion in disbelief, and when she looked at Lin Luo again, the frost in her eyes melted slightly, replaced by shock and gratitude: '...Thank you.'

Lin Luo didn't respond, instead quickly walking towards the window—a figure dressed as a servant was hastily fleeing. 'I'll be back later.'

Before his words finished, he had already opened the window and leaped out.

Hisako gasped in alarm: 'This is the third floor...'

Lin Luo's figure was like a swallow, gracefully leaping from the window, landing with a barely audible sound. His gaze was sharp, and he instantly locked onto the back of the 'servant' who was frantically fleeing through the garden corridor.

'Trying to run?'

Lin Luo pushed off the ground, his body shooting forward like an arrow from a bow. The person was clearly very familiar with the paths of the Nakiri family residence, constantly changing direction using rockeries, trees, and complex Japanese corridors in an attempt to shake off the pursuit.

However, Lin Luo's speed was faster, and his Qi was more enduring. The distance between the two rapidly closed.

The person ahead seemed to realize that they couldn't simply outrun him. They glanced back at the relentless Lin Luo, a hint of cunning flashing in their eyes. Their direction suddenly changed; instead of heading towards secluded spots, they rushed towards the boundary between the academy's teaching area and public area, a direction with heavy foot traffic.

'Trouble!' Lin Luo frowned.