Multiverse Gourmet Hunter

Russell Archer picked up his knife and fork, cut off a small piece of perfectly seared foie gras, and slowly placed it in his mouth.

His pupils widened at once.

The corners of his lips lifted before he could stop them, and genuine amazement flashed through his eyes.

The rich, buttery flavor of the foie gras blended seamlessly with the deep sweetness of the sauce, while the crisp apple cut through the richness with a refreshing burst of fruit.

Every ingredient had been brought to its full potential without overpowering the others. The flavors remained distinct, yet came together in remarkable harmony.

Archer chewed slowly, then swallowed with obvious reluctance, still savoring the lingering taste.

When he finally looked up at Haruto and Ryoko, approval filled his expression.

"The foie gras has been cooked perfectly. Not a second too long or too short. You preserved all of its moisture and richness."

"The sauce is equally well balanced. The acidity and sweetness complement the foie gras beautifully."

"Suzuki Haruto, Sakaki Ryoko—this dish earns an A."

Ryoko released a long breath of relief.

Haruto, however, was not particularly surprised.

Pan-seared foie gras was not an especially complicated dish. With his control over heat, earning an A was only natural.

In fact, given a few more attempts and the chance to handle the entire dish himself, Haruto was confident he could produce something even better.

There was simply no reason to do so here.

With their dish graded, they were free until the next class began.

Haruto and Ryoko returned to their station to taste the results of their work.

Haruto drew one of the plates closer and cut off a small piece of foie gras.

Before it even reached his mouth, a rich aroma rose to meet him.

The creamy fragrance of browned butter mingled with the foie gras’s deep, luxurious richness, making his appetite stir immediately.

The foie gras practically melted on his tongue. There was no unpleasant gaminess or heaviness, only the perfect amount of savory seasoning, followed by a faint peppery warmth that lingered at the end.

When paired with the crisp apple, the dish became even more balanced.

Its fresh sweetness and light acidity cut through the richness of the foie gras and brightened the entire bite.

The fried carrot and potato added yet another layer, with crisp exteriors and soft, fluffy centers creating a satisfying contrast in texture.

Haruto thought the dish would have been even better with a glass of red wine.

Unfortunately, while his real age was old enough to drink, the identity he currently possessed most certainly was not.

...

Haruto and Ryoko quickly finished everything on their plates.

Then, without warning, an overwhelmingly foul smell spread through the classroom!

Haruto’s expression changed immediately, and his brows drew together.

Ryoko, on the other hand, remained remarkably calm.

Following the stench, Haruto turned and saw Sadatsuka Nao approaching the judging table with a plate of something completely black.

Every student in her path covered their nose and mouth, their faces turning pale as they hurried to move aside.

Nao placed the mysterious black dish in front of Archer and spoke in her low, raspy voice.

"Please taste my Extra-Stinky Pan-Seared Foie Gras."

Archer did not react to the smell at all.

He calmly picked up his utensils, cut off a piece of the blackened dish, and placed it in his mouth, chewing with the same composed elegance as before.

Haruto could not help admiring him.

He truly was worthy of teaching at Totsuki!

Haruto had no problem eating fermented tofu, but even he would have struggled to put something like that in his mouth.

"You’ve used the powerful odor to completely neutralize the foie gras’s natural gaminess, while blending it with the richness of the fat to create a flavor entirely your own..."

Archer set down his utensils and looked at Nao with clear satisfaction.

"Sadatsuka Nao, you receive an A."

"Hehehe..."

Nao let out a strange, delighted laugh, obviously pleased with the result.

She turned and left the classroom.

It was time to write her thirteenth letter of the day to Nakiri Erina!

...

After Archer’s class ended, the students moved on to a course combining culinary theory with practical application.

At noon, Haruto ate a reasonably good lunch in the academy cafeteria and completed the paperwork for campus housing.

His house was far too distant from Totsuki for a daily commute to be practical. Haruto had no intention of wasting hours traveling back and forth every day.

As for the Jewel Meat and the World Gate stored inside his home, no one could enter without his permission.

There was no risk of theft.

Living on campus was clearly the more convenient choice.

What surprised him was the dormitory he had been assigned to.

Whether it had been arranged by Nakiri Senzaemon or not, Haruto had been placed in the Polar Star Dormitory.

He was more than happy with the result.

The dorm’s relaxed, welcoming atmosphere suited him perfectly.

Once the housing arrangements were complete, it was time for the afternoon classes.

Every one of them was theoretical, covering everything from the origins and properties of ingredients to culinary history, nutrition, and menu planning.

Haruto listened with complete concentration.

If he wanted to go further as a chef, these seemingly dry subjects would provide the foundation he could not afford to neglect.

...

The hours passed quickly, and before long, the day’s classes were over.

The sun hung low in the sky, staining the clouds a warm orange-red.

Its fading light washed over Totsuki’s buildings and traced their edges in soft gold.

Haruto gathered his belongings and prepared to head to the Polar Star Dormitory to move in.

He had barely walked a few steps when he spotted Sakaki Ryoko waiting beside the road.

"You’re heading to Polar Star to check in, right?"

Ryoko tilted her chin toward the bicycle beside her and speaking with a light tone.

"I rode here. Want to go together?"

They had also shared the same afternoon theory class, and during one of the breaks, Haruto had casually mentioned that he would be moving into Polar Star.

Totsuki’s campus was enormous, practically the size of a small town.

Walking from the classroom buildings to the dormitory would take well over half an hour.

Ryoko had assumed that Haruto, being new to the academy, would not have thought to arrange transportation, so she had deliberately waited for him.

Haruto paused, then smiled and nodded.

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

He really had forgotten about that.

Without Ryoko’s help, he might not have reached the dormitory until after dark.

Of course, even though he was accepting a ride, Haruto had no intention of making Ryoko pedal while carrying him.

He took hold of the handlebars and gestured for her to sit on the rear rack.

Ryoko accepted without protest.

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