Hearing him ask this, everyone also realized that Liu Ming seemed to have said 'Meat but not Meat', not 'Noodle but not Noodle'.
"You didn't mishear. I said 'Meat but not Meat'. This is all thanks to student Alice's reminder; originally, I also intended to use the 'Noodle but not Noodle' topic."
"But she said that what happened here yesterday has already spread among the students, and that you are already mentally prepared."
"Sigh, I have no choice. To be fair to everyone, I can only change the theme."
"Actually, you should also be happy, as those people yesterday spent a lot of time on understanding the topic, and with your experience, you should be able to go out and find ingredients directly."
Upon hearing Liu Ming's words, Alice was instantly dumbfounded. Looking at the hostile gazes from all around, even as much as she liked to stir up trouble, she felt a little scared.
After all, she was still just a teenage girl.
Liu Ming didn't care what they thought; as long as he was here, he wasn't afraid of anything happening.
He paused and continued, "Since you've inquired about me, you should also know that I like to find a student to serve as a co-examiner."
"Today's co-examiner will be Erina. She is a current Elite Ten member, and I imagine you will accept her judgment."
Upon hearing this, the students present turned even paler.
Erina was not Tadokoro Megumi; she was famously strict.
This round of assessment was full of twists and turns, and the difficulty kept increasing.
"Alright, that's about all for the assessment. You may now begin."
After hearing this, although still somewhat unwilling, everyone had no other choice. They all scattered, quickly disappearing.
Only five people remained in the entire hall.
"What you're doing is too much. How can you let a student be an examiner?" Erina came up to Liu Ming, saying with a displeased tone.
"If you don't want to, you don't have to." Liu Ming said calmly, then looked towards Alice on the other side.
"Alice, are you interested in being a co-examiner?"
"Eh! Me? Can I?" Alice pointed to herself in surprise, forgetting the words she was about to use to scold him.
Liu Ming had just pushed her out; he was truly detestable.
Liu Ming nodded, then said in an enticing tone, "Think about how those people looked at you just now. Didn't it feel bad? Don't you want to teach them a good lesson?"
Alice couldn't help but nod; she had genuinely been startled just now.
"If you become the examiner, they will have no choice but to respectfully present their dishes to you and ask for your evaluation."
"That feeling of them being annoyed with you but having to treat you respectfully, doesn't that feel great?"
Alice was clearly tempted, her expression showing her eagerness.
Erina's expression changed repeatedly.
If these two were allowed to mess around like this, this assessment would probably become a joke, and she absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen.
She quickly stood between the two, displeased with Liu Ming, "I agree, I agree to your terms, alright?"
"Not forced?" Liu Ming asked with an insufferable expression.
"Not forced!" Erina said through gritted teeth.
"Erina, you big idiot!" Seeing Erina snatch her 'toy', Alice immediately became angry.
"This concerns Totsuki Academy's reputation, Alice, don't mess around." Erina retorted, turning back to glare at Alice.
"Idiot, idiot, Erina, you big idiot! I want to compete with you!" Alice became even angrier when Erina spoke to her like that.
She quickly looked at Liu Ming, "I remember yesterday, someone also had a cooking battle here, right? I want to do the same; I want to compete with Erina."
Liu Ming rubbed his chin. He looked at the displeased Alice, then at the helpless Erina.
This was quite interesting. He nodded and agreed.
Erina became even more annoyed internally, seeing the two of them decide this matter on their own without even asking for her opinion.
"Hmph, Erina, this time, I will definitely be the winner. Ryo, let's go." Alice let out a heavy hmph at Erina, then took Ryo Kurokiba to find ingredients.
"Look what you've done." Erina took her anger out on Liu Ming, glaring fiercely at him.
Liu Ming glanced at her, then slowly extended his right hand, forming a hand-knife shape.
Erina's expression changed, and by reflex, she covered her head with both hands, retreating repeatedly.
What had happened last night resurfaced in her mind.
Hisako, though also a little scared, still firmly stood in front of Erina.
"Hehe." Liu Ming smiled calmly, retracting his hand.
"Hmph~" Seeing that Liu Ming dared to tease her, Erina let out a cold hmph, but now she didn't dare to utter any harsh words.
With no other choice, she took Hisako and left.
Soon, the entire hall was once again left with only Liu Ming.
Bored, Liu Ming continued to pet Iko.
A moment later, the phone suddenly rang.
Liu Ming took out his phone and saw that it was from Tohru. After answering, Tohru's familiar voice came through.
"Xiao Ming?"
"Mm, it's me. Is there something you called me for?" Liu Ming asked curiously. He had only been gone for less than two days; had something gone wrong at home so quickly?
"No, I just missed you a little." Tohru said sweetly.
Liu Ming paused, then scratched his head in confusion. What did Tohru mean by that? When did she learn to say such mushy things?
He asked strangely, "Have you been watching too much TV? Why are you suddenly like this?"
"Xiao Ming, you're too much! Can't I miss you?" Tohru said huffily.
"No, it's just that it feels strange. Are you really okay when you call me?" Liu Ming couldn't help but confirm again.
"I almost forgot about the main thing, my friend is here." Tohru then brought up the actual topic.
"Your friend?" Liu Ming asked.
"Didn't you say the shop was short-staffed last time? So I called my friend, Lucoa. She just arrived today." Tohru explained.
"Just one?" Liu Ming also remembered; there had been such a thing.
"Yes, the other one is a bit unfriendly towards humans, so I didn't ask him to come." Tohru's tone suddenly became dejected, seemingly because she hadn't completely fulfilled the task Liu Ming had given her.
"You've already done very well, thank you so much. Please help me look after her first; I'll make arrangements when I get back." Liu Ming said in a gentle voice, comforting Tohru.
Since he was free now, Liu Ming chatted leisurely with Tohru.
On the other side.
Lucoa curiously watched the blissful Tohru.
She was growing more and more curious about Liu Ming, this human. Not only had he changed Tohru so much, but even Elma, a dragon from a different faction, was living harmoniously here.