Stored Power Unleashed

"Huh? Is this ingredient really that delicious?"

Seeing Mana's mesmerized expression, Sonoka found it hard to believe.

"Just try it and see," Zane said, handing the Milk Bananas to Sonoka and Taki.

"It's so sweet."

"The rich milk unfolds on the tongue like velvet."

"And the banana's sweetness... it's like a flower blooming slowly, releasing a rich fruit aroma."

"This sweetness is intense, like a gentle summer breeze brushing the tongue, leaving a lingering sweetness."

Soon, Sonoka and Taki both shivered, completely captivated by the taste.

"Is it really that amazing?" Zane was astonished by their reactions. He couldn't wait to taste the Milk Banana himself.

...

As the crisp sound of breaking fruit filled the air, the crunchy texture of the Milk Banana, combined with the rich milk and sweet fruit flavors, exploded in Zane's mouth, pulling him into a wonderful culinary trance.

After a while, he slowly opened his eyes, snapping out of the incredible taste of the Milk Banana.

"Wow, this is really unforgettable!"

"This incredible taste will be something I remember for the rest of my life."

Looking at the remaining Milk Bananas, Zane sighed deeply. The flavor was so remarkable that it made him feel as if life would be incomplete without this fantasy ingredient.

...

After regaining some composure, Zane's eyes cleared. He quickly brought out a juicer and a kitchen knife. Carefully, he began cutting the remaining Milk Bananas into pieces, exposing the soft flesh inside. The milk on the surface started to steam like water vapor.

As Mana, Sonoka, and Taki watched, they saw white light emanating from the cut Milk Bananas, illuminating the entire tavern. Zane then placed the pieces into the juicer.

The rich aroma filled the entire kitchen, the tavern, and even the whole street. When the juicer stopped, he poured the juice into several glasses.

"Come over and help finish this!"

Zane called out, signaling for Mana and the others to come drink the freshly made Milk Banana juice.

"Okay!"

"We won't be shy then," they said, eagerly approaching. After experiencing the power of the fantasy ingredient, they were equally excited to try the juice. They each took a sip.

...

As the fresh juice entered their mouths, they immediately noticed the pure and distinct taste. Even a single drop of juice could explode on the tongue, spreading the flavors of fruit and milk throughout the body. It was like they were becoming Milk Bananas themselves!

"This feeling... it's so amazing!"

Sonoka and Taki blushed and wriggled in delight, while Mana, with her God's Tongue ability, widened her eyes in astonishment. She tried to analyze the taste, but quickly realized it was impossible to fully grasp the essence of the juice.

"This is strange!"

"How can the juice be so sweet and pure? How does such a magical ingredient exist in this world?"

Mana exclaimed, then continued to drink, no longer sipping elegantly but gulping it down.

Watching them, Zane felt immense joy. Even Mana was captivated by the Milk Banana, so he was confident that this ingredient would cause a sensation if introduced to the market. However, rare things are valuable. Although Zane had Milk Bananas and could cultivate more using the system's farming space, he planned not to release them widely in the market immediately. Instead, he wanted to introduce them to influential organizations like Totsuki Academy, the WGO, and HUB Foods, letting the top-tier appreciate their value first.

In essence, Zane aimed to maximize the value of these fantasy ingredients.

...

Meanwhile, on Rebun Island in Hokkaido, the team Shokugeki between Erina and Rindo was finally beginning. Rindo prepared a dish of tartare, featuring fresh beef topped with red caviar and Oscietra caviar, surrounded by a smoky foam with a fish broth jelly base. The raw beef was garnished with small onion pieces, adding a touch of green among the vibrant colors.

"Father, I didn't expect you to be the judge for this match," Erina remarked, staring at her father, Azami, who was sitting on the judge's panel. Unlike before, she seemed unafraid to face him.

Azami glanced at Erina and then took a bite of the tartare. The cold, refreshing taste, balanced with sweet and sour notes, was free of any raw meat or eggy taste. The fresh egg yolk mixed in highlighted the tender and juicy beef. Despite being raw, the dish left Azami momentarily stunned.

The tender, flavorful beef, coated with the unique flavor of parsley, mixed with the tangy taste of pickles and capers, created a complex taste sensation on the tongue. The more he ate, the more delicious it became.

...

Tartare is not a common dish due to the high quality of beef required and the strict hygiene standards needed to prevent bacterial infection. However, food enthusiasts often prefer tartare over steak for its complex flavor and the skill required to balance and integrate the ingredients. The best tartare dishes offer a rich, layered experience that can be considered the pinnacle of culinary arts.

"Fresh red raw meat, sliding down the throat, the taste becomes eternal," Azami murmured, surprised. "Such fresh beef must be at least A-grade."

"The freshness of the ingredients directly determines the final taste. Choosing the tender and lean tenderloin for this dish is wise."

...

The defining feature of tartare is that the flavor depends heavily on the seasoning used. Mixing ingredients like onions, pickles, olive oil, parsley, and raw egg with the raw beef makes the meat smooth and enhances its flavor, creating an extraordinary taste despite being raw. The texture is soft yet elastic, with cracked black pepper enhancing the beef's flavor and adding a mild saltiness and spice.

Rindo's approach to preparing the tartare was wild, using spices with an intensity akin to a beast's attack. Instead of using lemon juice to create a chemical reaction, she simply cracked a raw egg and mixed it in, serving the dish with a spoon. This method reflected Rindo's straightforward style and gave the dish a strong sense of conquest.

...

After tasting the tartare, it was time to judge Erina's omelet. Her omelet was smooth without any visible browning, perfectly shaped, and without any large folds or cracks. Even Azami, who had never seen such a beautiful omelet, was impressed.

"Erina, is this your French cuisine?" Azami asked, his tone calm but curious.

"Father... even the simplest dishes can have their own beauty," Erina replied confidently.

"Alright, let's see if this so-called common dish can satisfy me," Azami said, knowing that Erina intended to defy him with such a simple dish. He carefully sliced the omelet open from the middle.

...

At that moment, something extraordinary happened. As the outer layer of the omelet split, a burst of aroma filled the air. The glutamic acid in the eggs, released by the hot oil, produced a unique fragrance characteristic of eggs.

The golden, dazzling sight of the omelet left Azami in disbelief. The unexpected aroma spread like a bomb, quickly filling the entire venue.

"This can't be!" Azami exclaimed, unable to believe that such a small omelet could produce such a strong aroma, captivating anyone who smelled it.

Was this Erina's cooking? No, it couldn't be. If Rindo's cooking was wild, like a fierce beast, Erina's dish was the opposite—it was gentle and soothing. Her omelet was like a delicate young girl, stirring the depths of people's appetites with its gentle fragrance.

Before even tasting it, the aroma alone was enough to draw people in. While the tartare showcased strength, the omelet embodied smoothness and delicacy. As soon as Azami took a bite, the semi-liquid egg flowed gently in his mouth, rich and juicy, yet firm and satisfying.

The surprising taste left Azami speechless, feeling like he was drooling, or "baveuse," as the French say.

...

"Huh!" After a long pause, Azami finally exclaimed, "Is this really an omelet?"

Typically, an omelet is filled with various ingredients like mushrooms, bell peppers, ham, and cheese, with the filling often outweighing the eggs. However, Erina's omelet was unexpectedly simple. A good omelet should have an internal temperature of around 60°C for the best texture, with a smooth and unbroken surface.

Clearly, Erina had mastered these aspects. The ingredients and preparation methods of omelets vary by region, with Spanish omelets often including potatoes and onions, while other types can include a wide range of fillings. French omelets, the style Erina had chosen for this Shokugeki, are typically rolled and have a runny center.

...

However, Erina's omelet challenged the conventional idea of what an omelet could be. Who said eggs are only for breakfast? Why can't they be a dish that surpasses all others?

"The control of the cooking time is amazing. The skin of this omelet is so thin that without exceptional culinary skills and pan-handling techniques, it's hard to imagine achieving such a smooth surface," Azami commented with both praise and astonishment.

He stared at the incredibly beautiful omelet, then his face contorted into a strange grin before he burst into laughter.

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