#867 The Saint’s Evolution

I’ve been dragged into the Supreme Tea Ceremony Tournament!

I never wanted this, not even a little bit!

Why must someone like me, who’s practically a walking cliché of a light novel protagonist, get wrapped up in such things?!

“It’ll be fine, Lord Saint! Your participation will bring unparalleled excitement! It’s for advancing the tea ceremony arts, won’t you lend a hand?”

No way!

I didn’t even want to take responsibility in the President Fight, let alone draw more attention here!!!

“One sacrifice and tomorrow’s tea consumption will double. Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Did you just say sacrifice?!”

“Well, since you revived the art of tea, isn’t it only fair that you help out a bit?”

Uh-oh. I’m getting pushed into a corner here.

Aileron always had a forceful way about her in pottery, and it seems her enthusiasm is just as fierce when it comes to tea ceremony.

And there’s me, always getting swept along, unable to resist the torrent created by Aileron’s artistic temperament.

“Damn it, fine! I’ll do itttttttttttttt!!!”

“Yessssssssssssss!!!”

And that’s how my lightning-fast entry was decided.

I’m seeded in the second round. I guess this competition does adopt a tournament style, after all.

“I just need to hold onto this tea bowl with all my might, right?”

“That’s right, Lord Saint! Spill it or drink it all – the first to empty their cup loses! But while drinking is one thing, spilling it is a disgrace for a tea master! Spill even a drop, and consider yourself dead!!!”

You’ve got to be kidding me!!!

These otherworldly tea masters are way more intense than I thought.

Maybe I should just drink it all as soon as the match starts?

While I’m thinking this...

Crash!

“Shoot, the match has started already?!”

And they used a gong to signal the start?!

Before me stands a formidable tea master, clutching his tea vessel just like me.

“Kukuku...! So, you’re the one Master Aileron has taken under her wing... I shall assess your worth...!”

This guy’s aura screams ‘strong opponentttt’...!

A honed physique, slender yet muscular..., and those piercing eyes, so sharp they make you shiver just being looked at.

Such a sight of a martial artist holding a tea bowl is so oddly out of place.

“I am Sen’nori, head of the Human Tea Ceremony School. I aim to defeat Master Aileron and stand at the pinnacle of all tea masters. But first, I must crush you! Here I come!”

Yikesssssss!

He’s coming at me like a raging bull!

I need to brace myself for this confrontation!

I’m strong! I have the Hand of Supremacy gift from the gods!!!

An awe-inspiring ability to draw out more than the maximum potential of anything I touch!

Its performance outperforms any skill, so it’s called a Gift!

I’ve escaped danger countless times before with this power!

Whether it’s in direct, rough situations like this or otherwise!

This time, the Hand of Supremacy should help me handle this crisis, too...

...Hm?

Wait, hold on...

In my hand, I’m already holding a tea bowl.

If the Hand of Supremacy activates, does it affect this tea bowl?

Will the tea become incredibly delicious?

But that has nothing to do with this fight!

And with the rule that I can’t let go of the bowl until the match ends, I can’t use my hands in this fight.

The Hand of Supremacy has always helped me, but... 

Is this where I find its limitation?

While my hands are occupied with the utensil, I’m gradually cornered.

Without my gift, I’m just an ordinary person with no particular distinction!

Is this where I finally meet my defeat?!

“Guoooooooh!”

“This movement... He’s not an amateur! But I’ve got you now!!!”

I narrowly dodge the jump kick my opponent unleashes!

Even as I take a back step to create some distance, he keeps up the momentum, aggressively closing in!

I twist and turn, desperately evading!

But he’s still closing in!

“You little...! Is running away all you’re good at?!”

But what else can I do but run?!

Dodge the flying kick!

Dodge the roundhouse kick!

Dodge the flurry of kicks!

Just keep dodging, dodging, and dodging!!!

...Hmm.

I’m dodging quite well, aren’t I?

Isn’t this kinda unnatural?

I mean, for someone who’s clearly an amateur in combat, I’m avoiding every single attack from a well-trained martial artist.

And continuously at that.

It feels like these aren’t even my own movements anymore.

...Could it be?

Is this the Hand of Supremacy at work?

But it has nothing to do with my hands.

“You’re tough! No wonder you’re a fighter recommended by Master Aileron...!”

I don’t really think that’s it, you know?!

Here I am, forever a novice in combat, yet I’m dodging expert attacks with what seems like professional finesse.

It’s obvious, without a doubt, that the Hand of Supremacy is dwelling within me, giving my body explosive power beyond its physical limits and replicating the moves of a martial arts master.

But how?

The activation condition for the Hand of Supremacy, which is ‘to touch with the hands,’ should be blocked since I’m holding a tea bowl.

Yet, why is the Hand of Supremacy showing its power throughout my entire body...?

Wait, my entire body?

I see now...!

I was just recently recognized as a saint by the Three Realm Deities, Hades, Poseidon, and Apollo.

This is no self-proclaimed or others-proclaimed title but one acknowledged by the gods themselves.

It elevated me to a new level, enhancing even the gift I possess.

Now, the Hand of Supremacy doesn’t just work through my hands but affects my entire body.

Anything touched by my feet or shoulders or even bitten by my mouth can now exert power beyond its limits.

That’s why I’ve been able to move like a master all this time.

Of course, the power in my hands is still intact!

I’ll draw out every last bit of ability from this tea bowl and tea in my hands!

“Uooooooh!!!”

“What?! What’s with that tea-whisking motion?!”

High-speed rotation!

My hands are now like electric mixers!

Whipping at super-speed, I create a creamy matcha without a single lump!!!

Moreover, the Hand of Supremacy also enhances the tea itself, amplifying the awakening effects of caffeine, the antibacterial and anti-aging properties of catechins, and the benefits of various vitamins to a level beyond the norm, turning it into almost a panacea!

Chugging it down in one go, a green aura bursts out from my entire bodyyyyyy!!!

“Wh-What is this...?!”

“This is it—the ultimate tea aura every practitioner aspires to achieve, known as Hyoki! To think he’d reach this level in his first match... As expected of Lord Saint!!!”

Someone’s spouting nonsense nearby. Must be Aileron.

But now, it’s time to focus on finishing this match! My tea intake has surged in power within me, ready to unleash a super finishing move!

“Spinning Matcha Kick!!!”

“Guooooaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

Unable to defend against the tornado of my rapidly spinning kick, my opponent is beaten up and sent flying.

Right before that, I make sure to gulp down my own tea.

“Victory!!!”

I dedicate this win to my wife and sons!!!

I finish off the last of my tea in one go!

“Amazing, Lord Saint! With your help, tea ceremony can spread across the world in no time! Join us and aim for the pinnacle of tea ceremony!!!”

“...”

Aileron comes pressing in, eyes shining.

I turn my back to her and dash off at full speed.

“Ahh!!!”

“My stomach hurts, so I’m forfeiting the next match! Bye-onara!!!”

I sprint away from the venue with all my might.

I escaped the President Fight with all my strength, so why am I getting wrapped up in another battle here?

That’s enough observation for this place. Time to move on to the next point.

There’s also another place I need to check out before the founding of the Human Republic.

This is my last area to confirm.

...The adventurers’ expedition into the Demon Kingdom.

Let’s see how far that project has progressed.