Foody Wars

The large red lacquered door, topped with a black and golden nameplate, stood grand and imposing.

Gray wooden beams and columns framed the entrance, entwined naturally with climbing vines that softened the stately architecture.

The design balanced classic tradition with stylish elegance.

Before the palace-like entrance, majestic stone lions stood as silent guardians, protectors of this solemn domain.

Moonlight bathed the glazed tiles, casting a silvery glow that lent the palace an air of mystery and grandeur.

The door frame was intricately carved with delicate patterns, promising wonders beyond.

Inside, winding corridors and twisting pathways gave the interior a maze-like charm.

Red walls and green tiles complemented each other exquisitely, creating a vivid, lavish atmosphere filled with the scent of fine craftsmanship.

This was the headquarters of Totsuki Academy's Chinese Cuisine Research Society—the domain of the eighth seat of the Elite Ten, Kuga Terunori.

"Heh heh!"

"The Moon Banquet Festival is finally starting."

"Tsukasa-senpai, this time I will challenge you again in a culinary showdown… and I want to win!"

In the kitchen, Kuga set down his knife, eyes fixed on the neatly cut tofu cubes on the board, lost in thought.

His mind drifted back to last year's Autumn Leaves Festival.

Back then, young and arrogant, he had dismissed the Elite Ten as threats unworthy of concern.

He had challenged them at the festival—only Tsukasa Eishi had accepted.

The result?

As expected, the vast gulf in skill showed clearly—Tsukasa defeated Kuga 5-0 with ease.

Yet Kuga felt no discouragement.

Instead, he issued a bold challenge: if he could achieve the highest sales in his area for five consecutive days in his second year, he would demand a rematch with Tsukasa.

For Kuga, this year's festival was a critical test—whether he could truly challenge Tsukasa's position.

The Elite Ten wielded immense control over the academy's resources: ingredients, cooking utensils, equipment—all vital to a chef's performance.

This intense competition demanded careful management and budgeting of these precious assets.

Take Erina Nakiri, for example.

As the lowest-ranked Elite Ten member, her annual budget was staggering—enough to intimidate any student.

Erina was notorious for attempting to seize other research societies' resources, often provoking food wars to do so.

The Elite Ten were both revered and feared throughout Totsuki.

Kuga snapped back to the present.

He heated oil in a pan, stirring in minced meat and Mapo tofu sauce until a shimmering red oil surfaced.

In another pan, he sautéed green onions, ginger, and garlic, then added the browned minced meat with a splash of cooking wine for aroma.

Sichuan pepper and fermented black beans followed, stirred together with two spoons of bean paste until the distinctive red oil reappeared.

He poured in broth, seasoning with salt, soy sauce, and chili powder, then brought the mixture to a rolling boil.

Finally, the tofu cubes were added, simmered for five minutes before being garnished with chopped green onions.

Taking a small taste, Kuga's brow furrowed.

The tofu was firm yet tender, smooth and delicate, with a distinctive aroma and a flavor that lingered deliciously.

"It's strange…" he muttered.

"The ingredients and steps are almost the same… but why does my Mapo tofu always taste so different from the one at the tavern?"

"What am I missing?"

He swallowed, frustration mounting.

Despite both being Chinese cuisine, his dish differed greatly from Zane's.

"Forget it. I'll make another batch."

"My goal for the Moon Banquet Festival is first place."

With renewed focus, Kuga busied himself again.

"Captain, we have a problem!"

A second-year student with a shaved head burst into the kitchen, panic-stricken.

"There's a first-year named Soma Yukihira who set up his stall right across from ours. Looks like he's trying to challenge us directly!"

Kuga paused.

Soma Yukihira… The name brought back unpleasant memories from the Autumn Leaves Festival and the boy's overconfidence.

Though he recalled the name, Kuga dismissed him lightly.

The annual festival transformed Totsuki Academy into a culinary paradise.

Every performance by the Elite Ten was a spectacle, drawing intense attention.

Yukihira's challenge was clearly a bold strategy to gain popularity and prove himself.

To Kuga, it was foolish to provoke the Elite Ten.

"Interesting," he mused.

"A mere first-year with some success in the Autumn Elections is nothing to worry about."

He dismissed the matter, focusing on his own preparations.

Meanwhile, Leonora had dressed elegantly today.

Her smooth hair flowed down her back, tied softly with a silver ribbon.

As she walked, her clothes fluttered with grace, enhancing her charm.

After savoring the Braised Beef with Tomatoes, she sought another recommendation from Zane.

Reluctantly, Zane revealed his trump card:

The Giant Panda Magical Mapo Tofu!

"Taki, don't just stand there. Help me hold the sieve while I filter the soybean milk to make tofu."

Busy at work, Zane glanced at Taki.

"Oh!" Taki snapped out of her daze and hurried over.

Zane poured black soybean milk through the sieve.

"Zane, why is the soybean milk black? Are you making tofu?" Taki asked curiously.

"The Giant Panda Magical Mapo Tofu is a new creation."

"The black tofu is made from black soybeans and brown sugar."

"Giant Panda? Magical? Mapo Tofu?"

Taki's mind filled with questions.

Soon, a wooden mold containing the tofu was opened.

As the bamboo leaves were lifted away, a stunning sight appeared: black and white tofu cubes arranged to resemble a giant panda.

Zane quickly and skillfully revealed neatly cut, evenly sized cubes, then poured the prepared Mapo tofu sauce over them.

The Giant Panda Magical Mapo Tofu was complete.

"What is this?"

"How did you make these black and white tofu cubes?"

Leonora, having watched the entire process, was astonished.

As head of the Nakiri International Research Society, she possessed vast culinary knowledge, yet even she could not fathom the secret behind this creation.

"Watch carefully."

Zane showed the bottom of the mold.

"First, line the bottom with bamboo leaves and spread a layer of lard, then add a layer of black semi-finished tofu. Add another layer of lard, then white semi-finished tofu, repeating this process."

"This layering creates the distinctive black and white tofu cubes."

"Because it resembles a panda, and is topped with Mapo tofu sauce, I named it the Giant Panda Magical Mapo Tofu."

Leonora smiled with understanding.

"This dish is very creative!"

Unable to contain her excitement, she took a small piece and studied it closely.

Curious, she asked, "What kind of beans did you use for the black tofu?"

"Black soybeans and brown sugar," Zane repeated.

"Black soybeans?" Leonora was surprised again.

Finally, she tasted the dish.

Red.

Black.

White.

These were the colors of the Giant Panda Magical Mapo Tofu.

The red sauce was the spicy Mapo tofu topping, the black was the unique tofu made from black soybeans and brown sugar, and the white was the traditional tofu.

The first sensation was not intense spiciness, but a surprisingly mild and balanced flavor.

The chili's heat was tempered perfectly, with just a hint of Sichuan pepper's numbing tingle.

The thickened sauce soaked into the tofu, creating a harmonious blend of spicy, numbing, tender, and smooth sensations—a truly extraordinary experience.

The tofu seemed to melt in the mouth, evoking indescribable delight.

"Mmm~"

"From red to white, then white to black, and back to red again!"

"This repeating wave of flavors is exhilarating!"

Leonora's eyes sparkled with joy.

The black and white tofu, garnished with minced beef and green garlic sprouts, glistened with shiny red oil, making it visually alluring.

Compared to the previous magical Mapo tofu, this dish offered a new dimension: sweetness!

The black tofu was elastic, tender, and carried a refreshing sweetness that amazed Leonora.

A simple piece of tofu had conveyed profound flavors and emotions.

The previous magical Mapo tofu had done so, and now the Giant Panda Magical Mapo Tofu did the same.

"Huh?"

"Where did this sudden spiciness come from?"

Just as Leonora savored the dish, a burst of intense heat spread through her mouth, eyes wide in surprise.

"Incredible! The spicy sensation on my tongue is amazing."

"The fiery heat, combined with the numbing Sichuan pepper and the tofu's sweet taste—all combine to elevate the Mapo tofu."

"Could this be the true essence of the Giant Panda Magical Mapo Tofu?"

Leonora closed her eyes, entering a blissful state beyond words.

When she opened her eyes, a bead of sweat traced down her cheek and dripped onto the table.

Taking a deep breath, she astonished everyone by picking up the entire plate and devouring every tofu cube—leaving no sauce behind.