Chapter 381

Ignoring the countless gazes directed toward him, Haruto picked up a porcelain bowl and dipped a ladle into the stockpot.

As he lifted it, the soup flowed slowly from the ladle in a delicate, crystal-clear stream before collecting in the bowl below.

The liquid was remarkably transparent, so clear that the decorative pattern at the bottom of the porcelain bowl remained perfectly visible through it.

Of course, it was still a considerable distance from the legendary Century Soup.

The genuine Century Soup was so extraordinarily transparent that it resembled air itself. When poured into a bowl, the liquid was almost impossible to see, and only the faintest refraction of light when the bowl was moved revealed its presence.

Haruto’s creation hadn’t reached that level.

But considering that he had used nothing more than ordinary ingredients, the result was already more than satisfactory.

He raised the ladle once more, took a small amount of soup, and brought it to his mouth.

The instant the liquid touched his tongue, an extraordinary combination of flavors seemed to burst to life.

The first to emerge was the deep, savory richness of the Iberian ham.

After smoking and slow simmering, the ham had released its essence into the broth, forming a rich, mellow foundation. Its cured-meat fragrance unfolded slowly across his tongue, carrying a delicate hint of applewood smoke that lingered pleasantly beneath the saltiness.

Then came the refreshing sweetness of apples.

Their gentle fruitiness balanced the richness of the meat with remarkable precision, almost like the first rays of morning sunlight breaking through the darkness. The apples brightened the ham’s deep, savory character without weakening it, introducing a sweetness that was neither cloying nor insipid.

The two flavors complemented each other beautifully, creating a balance that felt entirely natural.

Next came the distinctive umami of matsutake mushrooms, their unique earthy fragrance gradually revealing itself as the soup spread through his mouth.

And following the mushrooms was an extraordinary succession of seafood flavors.

The mellow sweetness of abalone slowly unfolded across his tongue, followed by the intense umami of Matsuba crab, which swept across his taste buds like a wave rolling in from the sea.

Then came the rich depth of beef marrow, the delicate savoriness of pheasant, the gentle sweetness of carrots, and the soft, mellow flavor of onions.

The concentrated fragrance of shiitake mushrooms added another dimension, while the freshness of celery and the faint acidity of tomatoes introduced lighter notes that prevented the richer ingredients from becoming overwhelming.

One flavor followed another, with each new sensation revealing something different.

Dozens of ingredients seemed to come alive upon his tongue, their flavors moving together like individual instruments performing a magnificent symphony.

Yet despite the extraordinary complexity, there was no confusion or discord.

Every flavor remained distinct enough to recognize, but none existed in isolation. Instead, they supported and complemented one another, gradually combining into a harmonious whole.

With a single mouthful, Haruto could almost taste the mountains and rivers, the oceans and forests, and the endless plains stretching beneath the sky.

It was as though the changing seasons themselves had been condensed into this small spoonful of soup.

As the liquid slid down his throat, a comforting warmth spread from his stomach throughout his body, enveloping him in a sensation almost like being held in a warm embrace.

Even his Gourmet Cells became noticeably more active.

That was particularly impressive.

Given Haruto’s current level of strength, ordinary food rarely stimulated his Gourmet Cells anymore. The fact that a soup made entirely from ingredients available in this world could produce even a slight response was a remarkable achievement.

"Not bad at all."

Haruto nodded in satisfaction.

Naturally, he knew the difference between his creation and the genuine Century Soup.

Whether in terms of flavor complexity, richness, or the almost soul-shaking impact of the original, his soup was nowhere near Komatsu’s masterpiece.

Nevertheless, within the limitations imposed by these ingredients, he had successfully brought together dozens of fundamentally different flavors without allowing them to clash or become muddled.

That alone was enough to make this an outstanding dish.

And passing the final examination certainly wouldn’t be a problem.

Satisfied with the result, Haruto began serving the soup.

He brought over several porcelain bowls and carefully ladled the clear liquid into each one, filling them to precisely seventy percent of their capacity.

Not a drop more or less.

Under the bright lights of the examination hall, the transparent soup possessed a soft, almost luminous sheen.

Haruto arranged the bowls on a serving tray and walked toward the judges’ platform.

Every gaze in the hall followed his movements.

The students who had been whispering among themselves gradually fell silent until the entire venue was so quiet that even the faintest sound seemed unusually clear.

Haruto placed the bowls before the judges.

"Please enjoy."

He paused briefly, considering what to call the dish.

Then a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Actually, I think I’ll call it Four Seasons Soup."

It might not contain the accumulated flavors of an entire century like the legendary Century Soup, but it could evoke the changing cycle of the four seasons.

For that reason, Haruto thought the name suited it perfectly.

"Four Seasons Soup, huh?"

Gin Dojima looked down at the remarkably clear liquid in front of him.

He leaned forward slightly, inhaling the intoxicating fragrance that continued rising from the bowl, then slowly nodded.

Picking up his spoon, Dojima scooped up a small amount of soup.

He brought it to his lips, blew gently to cool it, and finally tasted it.

The next instant, his eyes widened dramatically.

BOOM!

It felt as though a tremendous clap of thunder had exploded inside his mind.

For a moment, Dojima completely lost awareness of his surroundings.

The examination hall, the judges’ platform, and the countless students watching him seemed to vanish.

In their place stretched an endless golden ocean.

Countless ingredients swirled through the air around him as though they had suddenly been granted lives of their own.

Slices of Iberian ham fluttered past like golden butterflies, their wings releasing delicate trails of fragrant applewood smoke.

Beef marrow rose from the golden sea in the form of towering mountains, radiating a deep, mellow richness that seemed to fill the entire world.

Apples appeared like the rising morning sun, bathing everything in a gentle light that carried their refreshing sweetness.

Abalone, sea cucumbers, Matsuba crabs, and countless other ingredients joined the spectacle, surrounding him in an extraordinary celebration of flavor.

The sight was so enchanting that Dojima could only surrender to the experience.

Then, as though guided by some invisible force, the ingredients dissolved into their purest flavors and surged toward his senses like an incoming tide.

The mellow savoriness of the ham intertwined with the crisp sweetness of apples. Matsutake contributed its distinctive earthy fragrance, while abalone brought a rich, concentrated seafood sweetness.

The profound flavor of beef marrow provided a powerful foundation, supported by the delicate freshness of pheasant and the extraordinary umami of crab.

Behind them came the deep, complex aromas of mushrooms and countless other ingredients, each revealing its own unique character.

Dozens of flavors swept across Dojima’s tongue with the force of an advancing army, unfolding and merging in a seemingly endless succession.

He could recognize each one with astonishing clarity, yet none overwhelmed the others.

There was no confusion, no disorder, and not the slightest trace of clashing flavors.

Instead, everything existed in perfect harmony, the individual ingredients joining together to create something far greater than their separate contributions.

It was like listening to a magnificent epic performed by an orchestra in which every instrument had found its ideal place.

Dojima’s body began trembling involuntarily.

One moment, he felt as though he were floating among the clouds. The next, it was as if he had plunged into the profound depths of the ocean.

Every nerve in his body seemed to respond to the extraordinary experience, while the sheer intensity of the flavor almost made him forget to breathe.

He had never tasted a soup like this before.

No, that wasn’t quite right.

Until this moment, he had never even imagined that someone could take dozens of completely different ingredients and transform them into a soup possessing such extraordinary harmony.

The result went beyond conventional culinary technique.

It was almost like magic, a miracle that could only have been created by a chef who understood the characteristics of every ingredient to an astonishing degree.

As the soup flowed down his throat, a gentle warmth gradually spread through Dojima’s entire body.

He felt impossibly light, as though he might float away from his chair at any moment.

And within that dreamlike sensation, another scene began unfolding before him.

He saw flowers blooming beneath the warm sunlight of spring, their delicate fragrance drifting through the air.

The scenery then shifted to summer, where cicadas sang beneath lush green trees and the world seemed filled with life and vitality.

Next came autumn, bringing golden fields, abundant harvests, and the rich aromas of ripened produce.

Finally, winter arrived, blanketing the landscape in pure white snow and bringing a peaceful stillness to the world.

The endless cycle of the seasons and the countless gifts of nature seemed to exist together within this one bowl of soup.

The name Four Seasons Soup suddenly made perfect sense.

Dojima took another spoonful.

Then another.

Before long, he had completely forgotten that he was supposed to be judging an examination.

He simply continued drinking, immersed in the extraordinary flavors unfolding with every mouthful.

The other judges were experiencing much the same thing.

Expressions of pure bliss spread across their faces as they tasted the soup, their gazes becoming unfocused while their bodies trembled slightly.

Some unconsciously smiled, while others closed their eyes, seemingly afraid that the slightest distraction might interrupt the experience.

An unusual silence settled over the entire judges’ platform.

There were no discussions, no criticisms, and no attempts to evaluate the dish aloud.

Every judge was too absorbed in the soup to say anything.

Throughout the hall, the watching students held their breath.

They hadn’t tasted Haruto’s Four Seasons Soup themselves, but the judges’ reactions made its quality abundantly clear.

Whatever Haruto had created, it was something extraordinary.

"Man, Haruto really is amazing."

Soma Yukihira watched Haruto standing before the judges, a fierce competitive light burning in his eyes.

"Looks like I’ve still got a lot more work to do."

Rather than discouraging him, Haruto’s performance had only strengthened Soma’s determination to improve his own cooking.

Nearby, Ryoko Sakaki finally smiled in relief.

"Thank goodness."

She had been worried when she first saw Haruto assembling that enormous collection of ingredients, but deep down, she’d known he would find a way to make it work.

And he had done far more than simply make it work.

...

Only after the final spoonful of soup disappeared down his throat did Dojima slowly return to his senses.

He placed his spoon on the table and sat quietly for some time, savoring the lingering flavors.

Then he leaned back in his chair and drew a deep breath.

When he finally looked toward Haruto, his expression was remarkably complicated.

There was astonishment, admiration, and even a lingering trace of disbelief.

"I’ve tasted countless soups throughout my career," Dojima began slowly. "But this is the first time I’ve ever encountered one quite this delicious."

His gaze drifted toward the empty bowl resting on the table.

For a moment, he could almost imagine the dozens of ingredients still swirling within it, each contributing its own unique flavor to the extraordinary whole.

"Dozens of ingredients, each with its own distinct characteristics. Every individual flavor remains clearly recognizable, yet all of them have been brought together in perfect harmony."

"There’s no single ingredient dominating the others, and none are reduced to mere background flavors. Each one has found its ideal place within the finished soup, contributing something essential to the overall experience."

Dojima looked directly at Haruto.

"What you’ve accomplished goes beyond simply creating an innovative dish."

"You’ve demonstrated an entirely new approach to the construction and balance of flavors."

His expression grew increasingly serious.

Looking at the young chef standing before him, Dojima almost felt as though he were witnessing the emergence of someone who might one day transform the culinary world itself.

After a brief pause, he straightened his back.

Then, raising his voice so that the entire hall could hear, Gin Dojima delivered his verdict.

"Your Four Seasons Soup is, without question, a PASS!"

The other judges immediately nodded in agreement.

Not a single person raised an objection.

After all, if a dish of this caliber couldn’t pass an examination, what dish possibly could?

Haruto merely nodded, entirely unsurprised by the result.

Then he turned toward the students gathered throughout the examination hall.

"There’s still plenty of soup left in the pot. If anyone wants to try it, feel free to help yourselves."

He had deliberately selected an enormous stockpot to accommodate the dozens of ingredients required for his recipe.

As a result, there was still a considerable amount of finished soup remaining.

Haruto had no intention of taking it all away with him, and besides, he believed that good food was meant to be shared.

For a moment, the students seemed unable to believe what they had just heard.

"Wait, seriously? We can have some?!"

"That’s awesome!"

"I’ve been wanting to try it ever since I smelled it!"

"Come on, let’s go!"

The entire examination hall erupted into excitement.

After watching the judges lose themselves in the soup’s extraordinary flavor, the students had already been struggling to contain their curiosity and appetite.

Now that Haruto had given them permission, they immediately surged toward his cooking station.

Bowls and spoons appeared in their hands as they crowded around the enormous stockpot, every face filled with eager anticipation.