"Is that so? You don't even think about who I'm facing. I'm facing Jirō. This competition is just a test. Otherwise, I'd be defeated in one encounter."
Zed chuckled at Mirajane's words. His strength was considerable in the human world, yet paled in comparison to Jirō, the apex of the food world's power.
"Although I know that this is true, it's still a bit hard to accept..." Erina murmured, Hisako nodding in agreement. Jirō's might was known, but witnessing Zed's utter defeat was still jarring.
"Since Jirō-chan is willing to teach you for three months, your other two partners should stay here and learn from me for a while!" Granny Setsuno declared. Her decision stemmed from Zed's crucial hint regarding the Century Soup, a significant favor. Furthermore, Zed's astonishing strength and rapid growth during the recent battle had deeply impressed her. Having witnessed numerous talented youngsters, none matched Zed's potential. This was an opportunity to foster a valuable connection.
"Thank Granny Setsuno, Erina, Hisako, thank her quickly!" Zed urged, surprised by the offer. While Nakaume Gourmet School and Chef Sumire offered excellent tutelage, Granny Setsuno was a culinary luminary, a national treasure, and the undisputed leading chef of the human world. Her direct guidance promised exponential growth in their cooking prowess. Chef Sumire, understanding the prestige of learning from Granny Setsuno, would undoubtedly approve.
Erina and Hisako, fully aware of Granny Setsuno's significance in the culinary world, expressed their gratitude promptly. Learning from her was a chef's ultimate aspiration.
"In that case, your other partner should also learn with us. I will teach her some basic acupoint pressing techniques." Observing Granny Setsuno's offer to Zed's chef companions, Jirō turned to Mirajane. With the others accounted for, leaving one out wouldn't do.
Thus, the two venerable figures orchestrated the learning arrangements for the quartet.
After a night in Food City, Jirō, Zed, and Mirajane departed early to a secluded island, the ideal environment for acupoint pressing training.
"Is this a Devil Serpent? Did you find it in the Beach Cave last time?" Jirō remarked, observing Tatsu with a bewildered expression. This was an unusual Devil Serpent indeed.
"Yes, Tatsu is a Devil Serpent, but according to my master, Tatsu has not only mutated but regressed, resulting in its unique appearance and strength," Zed explained. Facing Jirō, a connoisseur of beasts, concealing Tatsu was pointless.
"Mutation plus regression… just as Secchan said, your kid's Food Luck is truly potent." Jirō watched the swift movements of Tatsu, then guided them to their destination.
"This is it. This island lacks a specific name. Its inhabitants boast high Capture Levels and remarkable survival instincts," Jirō explained. The island teemed with either heavily armored or incredibly swift creatures, generally passive but exceptionally resilient – perfect for Knocking practice.
As he spoke, a colossal dung beetle-like insect, five meters long and two meters tall, lumbered from the beach. Its formidable shell indicated immense defensive capabilities.
"Beach beetles are common here, with a Capture Level of 56. They're inedible, their high level due to their defensive curling reflex and tough exoskeleton."
"Their shells are prized materials; many grinders use them for crafting kitchenware," Jirō added.
Capture Level didn't equate to combat prowess, as exemplified by the beach beetle. Its offensive capabilities were minimal, perhaps level 5, but its defense was formidable, hence the inflated Capture Level.
"Try to knocking this fellow now," Jirō instructed. Zed complied, materializing a chopstick and aiming it at the beetle.
The sluggish beach beetle reacted too late. However, upon impact, it unexpectedly recoiled into a tight ball.
"Something's off!" Zed realized instantly. His heightened senses gauged the shell's resilience, which his chopstick should have pierced, resulting in immobilization via Knocking. Yet, the beetle was still mobile.
"Your perception is keen. Indeed, this beetle possesses not only external armor but also a vastly intricate nervous system. Your strike breached the outer layer but failed to complete the Knocking," Jirō clarified.
"All creatures here share such traits. Gourmet hunters find no quarry here, and chefs find no edible ingredients."
"But for those skilled in Knocking, this is a treasure trove, the ultimate training ground for advanced techniques." Jirō's explanation clicked in Zed's mind.
"Jirō, are there defined levels for the Knocking techniques you teach?" Zed inquired, having encountered no such classifications in the human world.
"Level division? While the human world lacks formal levels for Knocking, I categorize it into three stages."
"The first, your current stage, is elementary Knocking. Most in the human world remain at this level."
"The second is advanced Knocking, Teppei's current mastery. When you can effortlessly Knocking any creature on this island, you'll reach this stage."
"The final stage, advanced Knocking – my current level – fundamentally alters the nature of Knocking. Reaching it is arduous."
"Few have ever attained this level," Jirō concluded, outlining his personal classification.
"This is your training ground; your partner's lies in the sea." Jirō gestured seaward. The island's creatures served the purpose of advanced acupoint practice. While Zed had introduced Mirajane to the basics, her training was recent. Shi Yi's assistance had been crucial for her initial grasp, but her wood-pressing skills were rudimentary.
The sea offered the ideal environment for Mirajane. Its inhabitants were less formidable than the island's, allowing her to practice effectively. Furthermore, the water's resistance would enhance her training. Jirō had clearly considered this in his instruction.
Under Jirō's tutelage, their training commenced. During this process, Zed unexpectedly discovered a new application of soul power.
Beyond reinforcing cellular barriers, soul power could enhance perception.
Previously, Zed relied on breath and his enhanced senses, the conventional methods of perception in this world. Few possessed the near-demonic senses of the Four Heavenly Kings. However, Zed found he could utilize soul power for perception, a far more potent method, offering greater range and detail.
Against the beach beetle, his senses identified the shell's strength, but not the intricate nervous system beneath. Jirō stressed that perception was paramount in Knocking, guiding the practitioner to the precise points.
In the final battle, Teppei's inability to pinpoint the crucial acupoints to stop the earth highlighted the importance of perception. Only Jirō's guidance rectified this.
Perception was the linchpin of acupoint mastery. A sudden inspiration led Zed to channel his soul power into perception, yielding remarkable results.
The beach beetle's anatomy became vividly clear under the scrutiny of his soul power.
With his formidable perception of 870, Zed's progress in acupoint pressing was astonishingly rapid, even shocking Jirō. Zed remained an enigma. Shi Yi's prior advancements were perplexing, and now his acupoint mastery was accelerating at an unprecedented rate.
Jirō had considered Teppei his likely successor, a prodigy in Knocking. Yet, comparing him to Zed now sparked a sense of interest. What can he do other than test Zed?
Driven by this, Jirō intensified his instruction, eager to ascertain Zed's limits.
Two weeks elapsed. One evening, during a meal, Jirō spoke with a hint of bewilderment.
"Sometimes I truly question whether age has made me obsolete."
"Your progress is simply too fast."
"A course I anticipated would take three months has been completed in half."
Jirō had expected Zed to grasp the fundamentals of advanced acupoint pressing within three months, at best. Yet, in a mere fortnight, Zed had not only reached the advanced level but had nearly matched Teppei's long-cultivated skill.
Zed's exceptional perception, fueled by his soul power, was the key. In this aspect, he surpassed everyone. Teppei's primary weakness lay in perception, while Zed excelled in all areas, his perceptual abilities far exceeding Teppei's. Consequently, his acupoint mastery had swiftly caught up.
Zed's rapid advancement made Jirō reflect on his own learning journey, which, while swift, hadn't been this meteoric. By the time he mastered basic acupoint, he was already navigating the gourmet industry with ease.
"What should we do next? Conclude the training early?" Zed inquired, astounded by the utility of gourmet cell power.
"No, a promise is a promise; three months of instruction it shall be." Jirō shook his head, amused. Letting go of such a prodigious talent in Knocking was unthinkable. He wished Zed's learning could proceed even faster.
The Gourmet Solar Eclipse loomed closer. Regardless of the older generation's fate, bolstering the strength of the new generation was important.