Food Wars: Taste Reversal

The banquet of accommodation and training once again made Shiraki ecstatic with a large wave of points.

Each dish was SS-grade or higher, and there were even SSS-grade dishes. For every dish tasted, Shiraki's points increased by 200–300.

Unfortunately, there were no Ex level dishes... though he did manage to see one SSS+ dish.

In short, before returning to Tōtsuki Academy, Shiraki racked up another 3,000 points, bringing his total to 23,300.

As the buses smoothly drove into Tōtsuki, the accommodation training ended perfectly.

Shiraki returned to his dormitory and began counting his spoils from the trip.

"There are three random lottery chances, one A, B, and C-level cooking card, one S-level cooking experience card, and 23,300 points…"

Shiraki looked at his inventory and said directly to the system, "Let's draw the three random lotteries first."

[Ding! The random lottery is starting…]

[The random draw has been successfully launched, and the roulette wheel will begin spinning shortly.]

As with the previous two times, Shiraki casually glanced at the wheel's rewards but didn't focus too much, waiting for the system to announce the results instead.

[Ding! Congratulations on getting 'Thank You for Your Patronage'!]

[Congratulations on earning the S-Rank Cooking Card: American Salad.]

[Ding! Congratulations on getting a Special Cuisine Extraction Coupon x1.]

The results of the three draws came out quickly. Aside from the first "Thank You for Your Patronage," the other two were wins. The Special Cuisine Extraction Coupon, in particular, caught Shiraki's eye. Curious, he opened the item introduction to check its details.

[Special Cuisine Extraction Coupon: Can be exchanged for a Dish in the 'Special Cuisine' shop.]

"System, open the 'Special Cuisine Shop,'" Shiraki commanded inwardly.

[Ding! Special Cuisine Mall opened for you!]

As the system's notification chimed, a transparent panel unfolded before Shiraki. What he saw left him stunned.

[S-Level Special Cuisine: Fuling Juice]

Food Introduction: A drink that condenses a small amount of aura in the human body, effectively relieving physical pain, improving fitness, and slightly prolonging life.

Required Extraction Coupons: 1 ticket.

[SS-Level Special Cuisine: Charcoal-Grilled Fire Lizard]

Food Introduction: A dish using demonic creatures as ingredients. After eating, flame resistance increases, body temperature control improves, and there's a small chance of awakening fire-controlling abilities.

Required Extraction Coupons: 3 tickets.

[SSS-Level Special Cuisine: Abyss-Level Painted Pot]

Food Introduction: After eating, awakens the SSS-level gourmet cell 'Abyss Master.'

Required Extraction Coupons: 10 tickets.

The further Shiraki browsed, the more surreal the dishes became. There were mythological creations, chakra fruits, and gourmet cells from the Toriko world. It felt like a multi-world cuisine mall.

Realizing this, Shiraki eagerly checked how to acquire more Special Cuisine Extraction Coupons. However, the system quickly dashed his hopes.

[Special Cuisine Coupons are rare items obtainable only through Premium Draws, random draws (low probability), or other limited events. They cannot be purchased.]

In other words, luck dictated his chances.

Looking at the single coupon in his hand, Shiraki hesitated. Should he use it now or save up for an SSS-level dish?

After careful thought, he reasoned that SSS-level dishes weren't practical for his current situation. Collecting 10 coupons could take forever, and he wouldn't benefit much from overpowered abilities in his relatively mundane environment. S-level dishes, requiring only one coupon, seemed far more attainable.

"System, filter the S-level special dishes suitable for me," Shiraki instructed.

[Ding! Filtering complete!]

The transparent panel narrowed down to a dozen special dishes. Some improved physical fitness or immunity, others enhanced taste bud sensitivity. One even promised to increase charm value!

Shiraki carefully compared the options, torn between a dish to improve physical fitness and another to boost charm value. Ultimately, he chose the latter.

[S-Level Special Cuisine: Mysterious Water]

Food Introduction: Imbues the body with magical energy, increasing the user's charm without altering physical appearance.

Required Extraction Coupons: 1 ticket.

"Exchange for 'Mysterious Water,'" Shiraki decided.

[Ding! Exchange successful! Deducted 1 'Special Cuisine Extraction Coupon.']

A soda-like bottle materialized on Shiraki's bed. Without hesitation, he opened it and drank it. Then, he ran to his mirror to check the results.

To his surprise, there were no visible changes—his appearance and temperament seemed the same.

"System, please explain?"

[Special Cuisine effects have been applied. Specific changes are for the host to explore.]

All he got was this curt response.