"You're really calm about this, huh? But seriously—are you sure you're fine taking your Four-Star Chef assessment tomorrow and then your Shokugeki against Kuga-senpai the very next day? Isn't that cutting it a little close?"
Ryoko Sakaki couldn't help voicing her concern.
"Yeah, Kael-kun, you could've scheduled the Shokugeki for next week instead," Megumi Tadokoro added, nodding in agreement.
"What's the problem?" Soma Yukihira asked, tilting his head. "He's already spacing them out by a day, right?"
Everyone turned to look at him like he'd just said something insane.
That was Soma for you—his mindset worked on a completely different wavelength. But maybe that was exactly why he grew so fast.
Most people would avoid back-to-back events like that, afraid that nerves or exhaustion would throw them off. Soma, on the other hand, didn't even understand the concept of fear before a challenge.
Kael wasn't much different. Failure didn't scare him either.
If he lost, he'd just work harder and win the next time. Simple as that. And this time, he was confident—completely confident. Against Eishi Tsukasa, he might hesitate. But against Terunori Kuga? Not a chance.
Kuga's grasp of Sichuan Cuisine had glaring flaws. His dishes looked impressive on the surface, but Kael could see the structural weaknesses clear as day. If he couldn't beat someone like that, he might as well bash his head into a tofu block and call it a day.
"You guys worry too much," Satoshi Isshiki said with an easy grin. "Neither Kael-kun nor Soma-kun are the type to crumble under pressure. Losing doesn't scare them—it drives them."
"That's true," Fumio Daimido agreed. "You all could learn something from those two. That kind of mindset will help you grow far more than fear ever will."
She remembered the dorm's entrance trials vividly. Most of the new students had been nervous wrecks—especially Megumi. But Kael and Soma? Their confidence had practically radiated off them. They weren't cocky; they were simply unafraid.
Hearing both Isshiki and Fumio say that left the others thoughtful. Maybe they were right.
The night passed quickly.
The next morning, Kael packed up and got ready for his assessment. He'd already filed for leave with the academy—something Totsuki fully supported when it came to Star Rating Assessments.
Not that anyone could exploit the system. Sure, you could keep requesting leave for "exams," but if you didn't actually pass those exams, you'd end up paying for it later. The academy and the WGO worked hand in hand—no one got away with bluffing.
When Kael reached the dorm's main hall, though, he found an unexpected sight. Everyone except Daigo Aoki, Shoji Sato, and Isshiki were waiting there.
"Pretty sure today isn't a holiday," Kael said, raising an eyebrow. "Aren't you all supposed to be in class?"
"Hehe, we got permission!" Yuki Yoshino announced proudly. "We're coming to watch your assessment! We all registered for the Four-Star Chef exam too, even though we know we probably won't pass."
Kael blinked. "You what?"
Yuki grinned. "Think of it as a trial run! Better to get the nerves out now than freak out later when it really matters."
It was a surprisingly reasonable explanation. They'd figured, since Kael was taking the exam anyway, they might as well tag along and experience it firsthand.
Isshiki didn't join, of course—he was already a Four-Star Chef. He could've gone for the Five-Star, but that assessment was scheduled at a different time, so he'd decided to skip it for now.
As for Daigo and Shoji, both were still Two-Star Chefs, so they could only apply for the Three-Star Chef test—not the one Kael was taking.
Soon after, the group left the dorm, grabbed a taxi, and headed straight for the WGO branch office.
When they arrived, Kael immediately spotted a familiar figure in the preparation hall.
"Kael-kun, what a surprise—you brought quite the entourage," came a cheerful voice.
Alice Nakiri waved at him, standing confidently with her usual self-satisfied smirk. Behind her, arms crossed and looking thoroughly unimpressed, was Ryo Kurokiba.
He looked like his usual lethargic self, but Kael knew better—once Ryo tied that trademark headscarf, he transformed into a whole different beast.
It was almost frightening how drastically his personality flipped.
Back when they first met, Alice's skills had far outstripped Ryo's. But after she brought him into Nakiri International, his talent exploded under proper resources and training. Before long, Ryo had completely surpassed her.
Alice never fully got over that. She hated it—but she also couldn't deny his genius.
"They're my dormmates from Polar Star Dormitory," Kael explained. "All of them are Three-Star Chefs, but they're here to take a shot at the Four-Star exam."
Alice raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So the whole dorm's aiming high today, huh?"
"Pretty much," Kael said with a shrug. He glanced toward Ryo. "And you two? Here to test, or just spectating?"
Ryo yawned, hands in his pockets. "Same as them. Figured we'd warm up before going for the real deal later."
"Wait, wait—did you just say Nakiri?" Yuki suddenly gasped, eyes going wide as she pointed at Alice. "You mean that Nakiri? As in the heiress of the Nakiri family, Alice Nakiri?!"
Kael blinked. "Huh? Didn't I tell you guys I'm in the same class as her? We're even in the same group."
"You NEVER mentioned that!" the entire group shouted in unison.
Except Soma, who looked a bit lost. "Nakiri... Nakiri... sounds familiar. Wait, isn't that the same last name as that stuck-up blonde girl?"
The others groaned.
Typical Soma—clueless until the very end.