For the next few days, the mood at Polar Star was in something of a holding pattern, until the school broadcast concerning the announcement of the first-year advancement exams. Speaking in his usual and somewhat unsure manner, Eishi explained that the basic format would be the same as in years past – with the exam being held in multiple sites on the island of Hokkaido. However, the pressure cooker of the exams of years past where the classes were usually whittled down to less than 100 people were no longer in play thanks to Azami's new system of teaching everybody the same thing. All people had to do to pass was to remember what they had learned from Central. Eishi then got a certain look on his face as he said that those who disagreed with Central would be dealt with swiftly and harshly. Based on the look on his face, everyone in the dorm knew that last message was meant for them – the so-called rebels who were out in front resisting the new regime.

At the conclusion of the broadcast, there was a bit of panic at the dorm – almost like the lead up to the training camp from hell all over again, with everyone worried to one degree or another about passing the exams. They also started reminiscing again, not only about the good times, but also about their experiences at said training camp, feeling that this would be mirroring that experience – only more so. Megumi was freaking out the most, getting so worried that she felt compelled to write a pre-emptive letter to her mother explaining why she would soon have to be returning home for good.

As everyone began to talk amongst themselves, they didn't notice Erina, in contemplation about something, make her way upstairs and knock on Soma's door. A little while after she stepped into his room for a serious, if awkward, conversation, Hisako showed up looking for Erina. When she didn't see her either in the main dining room or in her usual room right away, she began to panic, fearing the worst – that Azami had somehow managed to come back without anyone noticing and had taken Erina away.

As Daniel was calming her down (or at least attempting to), saying that he was sure Erina was still in the building somewhere, Megumi got everyone's attention, indicating that she could hear Erina and Soma talking to each other through the dorm's pipe system. As everyone gathered around to listen in on their conversation, they heard Erina explaining how she actually idolized Soma's father – that he was the one who inspired her to want to cook in the first place. 'Wow – it really is a small world,' Daniel thought.

Everyone then overheard Soma offer to make something for Erina – a bit of Yukihira-style cooking that would supposedly remind her of why she enjoyed cooking in the first place. They also heard Soma chuckling evilly, which led several people to think he was going to serve one of his 'experiments.' Daniel, however, said, "Actually, I think he wants to prove a point on this one, so I don't think he's going to serve something inedible." Megumi agreed, adding, "I think Soma want to convey something specific with this dish."

While Hisako remained a bit worried for Erina, everyone still listened in as Soma revealed exactly what he planned to make – an Egg Tempura Bowl. Nobody, including Erina, had even heard of such a dish and were curious as to how it would turn out as Soma was preparing it. Everyone, including Daniel, was a bit confused as to how this dish would even work, with a few suggestions being dismissed as impossible – like cracking the egg over the oil, or battering the egg with the shell still intact. Once Soma was ready and served Erina his dish, Ryoko suddenly remembered that Soma had bought a bunch of bargain eggs from the market the other day, and that he was probably using one of those for his dish. This caused Hisako to panic again, as she explained that Erina had never had an egg that was below premium quality.

Erina then began to dig into the egg, which still maintained its shape with the tempura batter on the outside. As she dug in, she saw that the egg whites were perfectly cooked, but the yolk was still nice and runny. Curious as to how this was possible, she took a bite and immediately recognized it as a bargain egg and not one of the premium brands. Yet, despite this, she suddenly couldn't stop herself from continuing to eat it. As she questioned Soma on how this was possible, he revealed that he had frozen the eggs, which hardened the whites, allowing him to remove the shell, batter the egg, and fry it while allowing it to maintain its shape.

Soma then revealed that he had intentionally used bargain eggs for this recipe, as the flavor of the egg's yolk gets stronger during the freezing process. If he had used a premium egg, he explained, it would overwhelm the rest of the dish, including the sauce topping the egg, which mixed with the yolk to create a balanced, savory flavor that kept you coming back for more. Everyone downstairs was astonished that Soma had thought it through this much, and even Daniel thought to himself, 'Well I'll be damned! He had a plan for this moment all this time.' As Erina finished the bowl, Soma grinned and asked whether or not she thought it was delicious, thinking for sure that he had made a dish that would force her to finally say it.

However, Erina surprised everyone as she didn't comment on the dish at all. In fact, she seemed to change the subject altogether, as she said with a tone of determination, that she had made up her mind as to what to do, and that Soma should make sure to gather everyone outside the dorm the next morning (not knowing everyone else already heard the message, as they were still listening in). She also added that Megumi could tear up her letter to her family, as she would not be needing it. Although everyone was unsure what she was going to do or say, they all agreed to meet her at the time and place she instructed.

The next morning was a cold one, and as everyone gathered outside by the main doorway shivering and wondering exactly what Erina wanted, she came out of the dorm holding a bullhorn with Hisako also at her side. She started out by telling everyone how pathetic they were acting and looking at that moment – that they looked like a group that had already given up before they had even tried tackling the challenge ahead of them. This caused several dorm members, most vocally Yuki, Daigo, and Shoji, to protest, saying that she was being too harsh and pointing out that Central had it in for them.

Erina then began to describe her brief, but interesting experience with the people at the dorm. Specifically, she began to describe the countless dishes that they had made and subjected her taste buds to. "Most of them were chaotic and made no sense whatsoever. Very few of you took any of my advice when I gave it to you!" As the dorm residents began to look despondent, Erina started to get to her point. "However," she said, "I can say for certain that all of your dishes tasted of freedom. I can see that is what you are fighting for here at this dorm, as all chefs deserve to have the freedom to create as you do." Erina then finished with a flourish. "If you all are truly honorable chefs, then follow me, and I will lead you through the challenges ahead – challenges I know you can get through if you make the effort!"

This got the rest of the Polar Star residents fired up – partially because they had nothing to lose by following Erina's lead at this point, but also because her words had given them hope that they could all pass and become second years. Besides that, they now had the God's Tongue on their side and that had to count for something! Hisako looked on with tears of joy in her eyes as Erina seemed to have finally come out of her fearful state, while Daniel nodded and said, "Well, alrighty then!" Soma, meanwhile, grinned, and commented, "Looks like you're finally understanding what I've been trying to tell you." Erina tried to deny it, stating that she simply didn't want to see such talented chefs be unfairly kicked out.

With only a little more than a week before the advancement exams, they would have to get to work immediately and buckle down. The next week would consist of Erina (with Hisako's assistance) providing a brutal crash course on all aspects of Hokkaido cuisine to everyone. This included everything from famous dishes to the more than 100 varieties of potato that were grown in the region. Not only were all of the Polar Star residents taking these lessons, but Ikumi and the Aldini brothers as well, with Erina pointing out that they also opposed Central. As she was giving the lessons and some people were getting tired and groaning, Erina said harshly, "I will not hear any complaining from my lessons! You all want to pass the advancement exam, correct? If so, then you will all sit through my lessons until you know almost as much as I do." Daniel, having been through the rigors of advanced high school academics at a junior high age, knew it would be tough, but doable, as he looked Erina in the eye and said, "Bring it!"

Over the days and nights leading up to their departure for Hokkaido, there was little joy, or even sleep, to be had at Polar Star Dorm. Lesson after lesson on individual ingredients and countless dishes was hammered (literally and figuratively) into the heads of the assembled group of rebel students in the crash course from hell. In fact, if you looked in on the dorm by the end of the week, it looked more like a house of torture, with the first years all strewn out on the floor, either unconscious or crying out in pain, with a couple even writing out messages in their blood, sweat, and tears. The only one who was still standing was Daniel (though barely), as his experience with a rigorous academic regimen kept his mind and body afloat enough to keep going. Hisako was grinning proudly at her boyfriend's efforts, and even Erina took note as she commented, "I'll give you this much – you don't give up easily. That's good. You'll need that determination to pass the exams."

One evening, several nights before they all left Totsuki for the advancement exams in Hokkaido, Daniel decided to put a plan of his own into action – one that would be executed alongside the one everyone else was now involved in while also (hopefully) providing some extra insurance against the shenanigans he suspected would be likely to come from the personnel of Central. Once he had shut the door to his room and ensured his privacy, he called up a number on his cell phone and waited as the phone on the other end was ringing. When the person on the other end finally answered, Daniel immediately said hello and asked how the person was doing – like a friendly conversation – before getting down to business. "Listen," he said, "I know it's a bit late, but is there somewhere we can meet up for a private face-to-face conversation? It's important."

By the end of the week, the Polar Star residents all felt as though they had been beaten and bloodied by the tutelage Erina and Hisako had provided. However, they also felt tougher than they had ever felt before – and seemingly ready for anything they could conceive of Central throwing their way during the advancement exams. While they were all exhausted, they were also more confident than ever in their ability to overcome whatever obstacles awaited them.

So, what exactly is Daniel's plan? Who is he calling? And for what purpose? All of these questions will be answered…later in the story. In the meantime, please be kind and review.