The moonlight flowed like a silver river, gentle and tranquil.
Unlike the blazing radiance of the sun, it exuded a quiet, soft glow, complementing the warm yellow lights that cast a romantic ambiance inside the tavern. The mellow notes of a saxophone drifted through the air, like an invisible mist that gradually enveloped the hearts of the diners.
The celebration banquet was in full swing.
Each dish was personally crafted by the tavern's enigmatic owner, Zane.
Megumi, Yuuki, Ryoko, Zenji, and Satoshi sat together, indulging in the exquisite flavors, sipping floral tea, and sharing laughter. Their voices intertwined, creating a vibrant yet cozy atmosphere.
Zane, however, remained a detached observer, silently watching this interesting group as they exchanged stories about their backgrounds and aspirations.
As the hours passed, the gathering slowly wound down.
Less than two hours remained until closing time, and the once lively atmosphere began to settle into a comfortable calm.
"Did everyone have a good time?" Zane asked with a faint smile, collecting the payment slips from the table.
"Owner, to be honest, your place is amazing!" Yuuki said without hesitation.
Most student gatherings were simple affairs, often held at budget-friendly taverns where the portions were small, and the focus was more on drinking than eating. A typical banquet package could cost over ten thousand yen per person, yet the food would be limited—just a piece of fried chicken, a slice of sashimi, a few bites of noodles, and the rest of the time spent nursing a glass of alcohol.
Zane's tavern, however, was different.
Every dish was generous in portion and exceptional in taste, leaving the students completely satisfied. More surprising was the affordability of the meals, making them appreciate the place even more.
Food brought true happiness—not in the way alcohol dulled sorrow, but in how it filled one with warmth and contentment. And the success of a tavern was determined, above all else, by the quality of its cuisine.
Despite being relatively new, Zane's tavern had already begun to cultivate a sense of belonging among its patrons.
"Owner, this is a tavern that serves both food and alcohol, yet I don't see a menu anywhere," Yuuki commented, now full and content, her curiosity piqued.
"We use fresh ingredients daily, so there's no fixed menu," Zane replied. "As long as I have the ingredients and it's something I can prepare, you're free to order it."
"Huh, that's actually a pretty good system!" Yuuki mused.
Most modern taverns followed a standardized approach, offering a variety of Japanese dishes—sushi, tempura, soba—and an extensive selection of sake, green tea, and specialty drinks. Some even incorporated digital ordering systems with multilingual menus.
But Zane's tavern defied conventions.
His casual, open-ended ordering method catered directly to the preferences of his guests, allowing them a rare freedom in dining.
"Okay, Yuuki, it's getting late. We should head back," Megumi gently reminded her.
"Alright, alright," Yuuki sighed, reluctant to leave. "Owner, we'll be back!" She waved before following Megumi out the door.
"Take care," Zane replied with a nod.
With that, the residents of Polaris Dorm departed, their laughter lingering in the air.
As the night deepened, the tavern grew quieter.
A few regulars still lingered, savoring their meals, but the boisterous energy from earlier had faded into a peaceful hum.
Zane glanced toward the entrance.
Normally, at this hour, Rindō, the Elite Ten's second seat, would have already shown up. Ever since the tavern had opened over a month ago, she had been a near-daily visitor. But tonight, for the first time, she hadn't come.
Strangely enough, he found himself missing her presence.
Just as he was contemplating this, the sound of tires rolling to a stop outside drew his attention.
Two black luxury cars pulled up in front of the tavern.
From the lead vehicle, two young women stepped out.
One of them, with long, flowing blonde hair and an air of undeniable elegance, turned toward the second car. The rear door opened, and an elderly man with stark white hair emerged.
"Grandfather, this is the place," Erina Nakiri whispered.
The old man glanced toward the adjacent building and furrowed his brows.
"This restaurant next door… I remember it," he murmured, his tone carrying a hint of nostalgia.
After a pause, he nodded in realization.
"Ah, yes… This is Shunkatei, owned by Sonoka. She was a graduate from the Class of '89, wasn't she?"
"Yes, that's Sonoka-senpai," Hisako Arato confirmed.
"For a tavern to be operating right next to Shunkatei… that means its owner is no ordinary cook."
With that, the man stepped forward and entered the tavern, a look of measured anticipation on his face.
Erina and Hisako exchanged glances before quickly following after him.
The Demon King of Cuisine.
The highest authority at Tōtsuki Academy.
A man whose influence extended far beyond the school and into the very fabric of the culinary world itself.
Though he rarely appeared before students, his philosophy of "survival of the fittest" had shaped generations of elite chefs.
And tonight, this legendary figure had stepped into Zane's humble establishment.
Despite the weight of this presence, Zane seemed utterly unfazed.
His gaze, however, bypassed the director entirely and landed on Erina.
"Erina, you're back again?" he asked, his voice light and teasing.
"I… Can't I come here every day?" Erina shot back, momentarily flustered before regaining her composure. "Besides, this time, it's my grandfather who wanted to visit. You should feel honored! If it weren't for me, do you think such a small tavern would be worth a visit from Tōtsuki's director?"
"Heh, if you want to eat my cooking, just say so," Zane smirked. "You don't need to come up with such terrible excuses every time."
"Who… Who's making excuses?!" Erina's face turned red. "This time, it's really my grandfather who wanted to come!"
Zane chuckled.
"Alright, alright. So, what do you want to eat?"
"Reincarnated Spring Rolls, with a larger portion! Otherwise, it won't be enough!"
"You sure answered that fast," Zane said, amused. "And you even specified a bigger portion. You're clearly craving my cooking."
"You—!" Erina's blush deepened.
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore," Zane said, holding back a grin. "So, the real reason for your visit? What does the director want to try?"
Erina huffed but eventually answered, "Zane, I told you. I want Reincarnated Spring Rolls."
"Unfortunately," Zane said with a shrug, "I don't have red snapper tonight, so I can't make them."
"What?" Erina froze.
No Reincarnated Spring Rolls?
She had just spent the past hour talking up Zane's cooking to her grandfather, and now, at this critical moment, he refused to make the dish?
"Are you doing this on purpose?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
"I'm not lying," Zane said calmly.
Technically, he did have red snapper. The system had rewarded him with ten high-quality ones not long ago. But tonight, he had a different plan.
The Ascending Dragon Dumplings.
A brand-new dish he had developed.
And what better way to test its power than on someone with the God Tongue?
"I don't have red snapper, but I've created a new dish," Zane said. "And I guarantee it's just as good—if not better—than the Reincarnated Spring Rolls."
Erina's eyes widened.
"You… You developed a new dish again?"
Even for the most gifted chefs, crafting a brand-new dish often took years of refinement. Yet every time she came here, Zane casually claimed he had created something new.
"What is it?" she finally asked, both skeptical and intrigued.
Zane smirked.
"It's called Ascending Dragon Dumplings."