"You don't have to be that polite," Kael said with a small grin. "I only found out about your situation through Aoki and the others. Since I've got the ability to help, why wouldn't I? We're friends now, after all."
Even if they weren't exactly dating, he and Megumi Tadokoro had already become close. Helping a friend out was only natural.
"But don't celebrate too early," he added. "A big reputation doesn't just bring perks—it also attracts trouble."
Right now, the students' attitudes toward Megumi were friendly. Most of them would probably stay that way, too. But Kael knew better—popularity always came with complications.
After all, Soma Yukihira was the perfect example. His rising fame had drawn plenty of unwanted attention, including from people like Etsuya Eizan.
Megumi might run into something similar. It wasn't certain, but it was possible.
"Huh? Trouble? What kind of trouble?" Megumi asked, eyes wide. She didn't fully understand, but she trusted Kael completely now—enough that she didn't doubt his words for a second.
"I can't say exactly. Just... be prepared. If nothing happens, great. But if it does, at least you'll be ready for it."
Megumi thought about that, then nodded firmly. If Kael said to prepare, she would.
Under her guidance, Kael soon found the administrative office to finalize his dorm assignment—Polar Star Dormitory.
"Polar Star Dormitory? Wait, we still have that place?" The clerk blinked in confusion. He'd been working at Totsuki for nearly two years and had never even heard the name.
"You're new," said an older staff member sitting nearby. "It's normal you don't know about it. Polar Star used to be legendary."
"Legendary?" The younger one's curiosity immediately flared. "Come on, senpai, you've gotta tell me about it!"D
"It's no secret," the older man chuckled. "Back in the day, Polar Star Dormitory was where the Elite Ten of the Golden Age lived. Just imagine it—every single member of the Elite Ten gathered under one roof."
The rookie's jaw dropped. He knew exactly what the Elite Ten represented. Outside Totsuki, they were famous. Inside the academy, they were practically untouchable.
They had real authority, too. If more than half of them agreed, they could even replace the Headmaster himself. Sure, that rule was mostly symbolic, but it said plenty about how much power they held.
"Impressive, huh?" the senior went on. "Those Golden Age students even used Shokugekis to win full independence for the dorm. Polar Star became self-managed—the academy had no say over who lived there. Only the dorm mother could approve a resident."
"Unfortunately, that was also its downfall." He sighed. "Once those legends graduated, the dorm's standards stayed sky-high, but fewer and fewer students could meet them. Not every generation produces that kind of talent."
"So over time, its fame faded. Most people don't even know it exists now. Still, the current Polar Star's not weak—there's even one member of the Elite Ten living there now, plus several other exceptional chefs."
While the two staff members chatted, Kael and Megumi were already on their way to the dorm.
"Here we are," Megumi said brightly. "Welcome to Polar Star Dormitory, Kael!"
Kael's first impression, however, wasn't exactly great. From the outside, the building looked like something out of a horror movie—weathered, creaking, half-swallowed by ivy.
"Mrs. Daimido, I brought Kael!" Megumi called out as soon as they stepped inside. She knew that even with Kael's Three-Star Chef certification, he'd still need Fumio Daimido's personal approval to move in.
"Finally! Let this old lady get a good look at the boy you've all been talking up so much!"
A sharp yet warm voice came from down the hall, followed by the sound of slow, confident footsteps. Moments later, Fumio Daimido emerged, her sharp eyes glinting with curiosity.
For days now, everyone in Polar Star had been raving about Kael—calling him a "God's Nose," saying he could identify every flaw in a dish just from a photo and offer instant fixes.
If she hadn't known Megumi would never lie, Fumio might've thought they were all joking.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Daimido," Kael said politely, bowing slightly. "I'm Kael, the new transfer student."
"I'm Fumio Daimido," she replied with a smile. "You can call me Mrs. Daimido, or Aunt Fumio like Megumi does. I've heard plenty about your cooking, but rules are rules—if you want to live here, you'll have to pass the dorm entry test."
"I understand," Kael said, nodding. "I've already prepared the ingredients."
Unlike Soma Yukihira, Kael wasn't the type to show up unprepared. Everything he needed was ready to go.
"Good," Fumio said approvingly. "Then let's begin. Megumi, go round up the others. Weren't they all dying to meet this new guy?"
"Right!" Megumi nodded quickly and ran off to gather everyone.
The Polar Star residents were scattered all over—some tending the garden, some caring for the livestock, others relaxing in their rooms.
As she left, Kael unpacked his ingredients and began to cook, his movements steady and deliberate.
Fumio stayed nearby, arms crossed, quietly watching. She didn't need to observe his process—what mattered was the final dish.
Not long after, a lively female voice echoed from the doorway.
"He finally showed up? I've gotta see what this guy's like!"
The voice was cheerful, bold, and unmistakably familiar. Kael didn't even have to look to know—there was only one person in Polar Star who fit that energy.
Yuki Yoshino.