Chapter 12: Partner Rewards, Probability of Obtaining Gourmet Cells

Under Zed's patient persuasion, Erina and Hisako finally settled on two modest Melk Cleavers—Capture Level 5, their blades sleek and unadorned compared to the jagged, ornamental knives dominating the shop's display. These were crafted by Melk the Second, whose designs tempered her father's flamboyance with practicality. Though she dismissed her work as inferior imitations, Zed knew their precision rivaled even Toriko's custom blades.

"Second-gen Melk knives," Zed explained, running a finger along a blade's spine. "Less theatrics, more efficiency. Perfect for beginners."

He charged the purchase to Yosaku's account—a sum so negligible to the legendary Saiseiya that it barely registered.

Midnight: System Rewards

That night, Zed waited until Erina and Hisako retired to their rooms before activating the Partner System. Golden text scrolled across his vision:

[Rewards Granted:]

System Space – A dimensional pocket (1km³) expandable with Cell Level growth. Non-living items preserved indefinitely.

Food Honor (Shokugi) Initiation – Foundational mastery of caloric efficiency.

Zed focused on the first reward. A mental tug revealed a void-like expanse, its edges shimmering with iridescent energy. He tossed a Rainbow Fruit inside; it hovered, dew glistening eternally on its skin.

"Too small for a Legal Lv Mammoth now," he mused, "but enough for essentials. And no spoilage… perfect."

The second reward hit like a lightning strike. Knowledge flooded his synapses—Shokugi, the art of energy optimization. Where once he'd squandered calories with every movement, he now visualized pathways to channel power flawlessly. A test flick of his wrist conjured a Black Tornado—smaller, denser, deadlier.

"With this," Zed whispered, "that Millipede Worm would've been dust in seconds."

Partner Rewards: Gourmet Cells

The system's true marvel lay in Erina and Hisako's boon: a million-fold increase in acquiring Gourmet Cells through ingestion. Zed reviewed the three known methods:

Congenital Carriers – Born with Cells (e.g., Toriko, Midora).

Forced Transplants – Blue Nitro's grotesque experiments (99.9% fatality rate, demonic mutations).

Natural Ingestion – Accidental awakening via gourmet exposure (e.g., Komatsu's near-fatal ordeal with Air).

The system bypassed all risks. Every bite the girls took of Gourmet World ingredients now carried a near-certain chance of granting them Cells—minus the deadly awakening process or Gourmet Demon corruption.

Dawn's Calculations

Zed paced his regeneration center, moonlight slicing through the Mother Tree's branches.

If Erina eats Dragon Tail Pepper… Hisako samples Jewel Meat… Their Cells could awaken within weeks.

He paused, recalling Komatsu's heart failure during his forced awakening. But the system erases those dangers. No cardiac collapse. No demons whispering in their veins.

A grin spread. They'll need training, but this changes everything.

The Gourmet Cell Gamble

At sunrise, Zed gathered Erina and Hisako in the Mother Tree's communal kitchen. He placed two ingredients on the counter: Crystal Lettuce (Capture Level 1) and Mellow Cola (Capture Level 2).

"Eat. Slowly."

Erina nibbled a lettuce leaf. Crisp, sweet, with a lingering herbal tang. Hisako sipped the cola, its bubbles bursting like liquid fireworks.

[Gourmet Cell Integration: 0.0001%]

Zed's system interface flickered. *A million-fold boost means 100% probability after 10,000 bites. Manageable.*

"Well?" Erina asked, eyeing the lettuce skeptically. "Did it work?"

"Patience," Zed said, hiding a smirk. "Gourmet Cells aren't instant noodles."

But he knew—soon, they'd transcend their Shokugeki limits.

The Risks of Power

Later, Zed explained the stakes in his regeneration center.

"Gourmet Cells are this world's foundation. Without them, you're bystanders. With them…" He gestured to a holoscreen showing Toriko wrestling a Galala Crocodile. "You survive."

Erina frowned. "But Komatsu nearly died awakening his."

"The system nullifies that." Zed tapped his temple. "No demons. No backlash. Just… evolution."

Hisako stared at her cleaver. "And if we… change?"

"You'll adapt," Zed said firmly. "Or I'll adapt you."