The academy grounds were alive with movement. The recruits, though exhausted from the recent battle, were fueled by a new sense of purpose. The Crimson Sovereign Clan had underestimated them once—Zhang Ye would make sure they never did again.
Linna stood at the center of the training grounds, instructing a group of recruits in knife techniques. "Speed, precision, control! A blade is an extension of your body, just as a chef's knife is an extension of their will."
Kai, on the other side, was pushing recruits through rigorous combat drills. "A chef fights in two battlegrounds—the kitchen and the battlefield. If you can't take a hit, you won't last in either."
Elira observed from a distance, noting the strengths and weaknesses of each student. "Some have natural combat instincts. Others excel in ingredient fusion and potion crafting. We'll need to divide them into specialized roles."
Zhang Ye listened but remained focused on his own task. The system had granted him a new quest, and he intended to complete it.
[Objective: Establish the first generation of elite combat chefs.]
He needed to push the academy to the next level, and that meant introducing something new.
Stepping into the center of the training ground, he clapped his hands. "Enough for now."
The recruits stopped their training, turning their attention to him.
Zhang Ye's voice carried authority. "You've all proven you have the potential to wield food as a weapon. But skill alone isn't enough. Today, we move beyond simple combat."
He waved his hand, and several large cauldrons appeared, each brimming with different types of energy-infused ingredients. "From this day forward, you will learn the true essence of food cultivation—the ability to extract energy from ingredients and enhance your strength in real time."
A murmur spread through the recruits. The concept of food strengthening warriors wasn't new, but no one had ever mastered it the way Zhang Ye had.
Kai crossed his arms. "You mean—eating in battle?"
Zhang Ye smirked. "Not just eating. Cooking under extreme conditions. Adapting on the battlefield. Utilizing food to its fullest potential."
Linna's eyes lit up. "You're saying we're not just fighters—we're alchemists of combat."
"Exactly." Zhang Ye stepped forward. "The first trial is simple: The One-Bite Enhancement Test."
The recruits tensed.
Zhang Ye grabbed a handful of rare spices, tossing them into the cauldron. A deep aroma filled the air as energy surged within the mixture. "This broth is infused with raw power. Each of you will take a single bite."
One of the recruits hesitated. "And… what happens after that?"
Zhang Ye smiled. "You'll find out."
One by one, the recruits stepped forward. The moment the broth touched their lips, a surge of energy coursed through their bodies. Some stumbled back, overwhelmed. Others roared as their strength momentarily spiked.
Elira's eyes widened. "This… This is a fusion of battle cuisine and body refinement."
Zhang Ye nodded. "From now on, we train not just our bodies, but our souls through food."
The recruits, now panting from the surge of energy, looked at Zhang Ye with newfound awe.
This was no ordinary training.
This was the path of the Divine Academy.
And they had just taken their first step.