#786 Ultimate vs. Supreme

“You know, now that you mention it... Junior really does seem to have a divine gift.”

Sensei looks closer, cementing this astounding revelation.

Wait, when did this happen?!

I thought we refused all the gifts the gods tried to give him!

“No, this wasn’t given directly to Junior.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s likely a gift from you, his father, passed down through genetics, Lord Saint. Much like how souls split and multiply, it was probably copied in the process.”

Copied?!

Did the gods’ gifts have this sort of function?!

“It’s rare for skills to be inherited, but your gift is the masterpiece of the god of crafting, Hephaestus. It wouldn’t be strange for it to surpass expectations.”

Oh gods!

They’ve bestowed such an outrageous power upon my child!

I had a hunch something was odd! 

He’s too intelligent for a three-year-old and uses words and expressions I never taught him! 

And then there are all those unexplainable phenomena!

So all that was the gods playing their tricks!

Oh, for crying out loud!

“Junior’s gift is very similar to the one you have, Lord Saint. Well, they do come from the same source.”

Sensei carefully observes Junior’s little hand as he speaks. 

During this time, Junior, held by Platy, wasn’t just motionless and seemingly bored; he was remarkably well-behaved.

Such a quiet demeanor isn’t very childlike, is it...?!

“This gift not only... amplifies the potential of whatever he touches but also...”

“Also?!”

“...allows him to glimpse and learn from the history and lessons embedded within. It enhances both the touched and the toucher. Truly, this might be called the Hand of Ultimacy.’“

The Hand of Ultimacy?!

Isn’t that even more powerful than my Hand of Supremacy?! 

To think my own child was born with such a terrifying ability! 

My Hand of Supremacy can already upset the world’s balance if misused...!

...Ah.

For those who might’ve forgotten, let me recap my power.

Visitors from another world usually receive skills from the gods.

However, as luck would have it, the deity assigned to me was Hephaestus. He’s unparalleled when it comes to craftsmanship and is truly an exceptional figure. When such a master creator bestows something, it transcends mere skills – becoming a divine gift... a gift that boasts an extraordinary level of performance.

That’s my Hand of Supremacy.

It draws out the potential of whatever I touch to its extreme.

With this ability, I can become an unparalleled swordsman the moment I grip a sword. Should I hold a hoe, I can till an entire field in a single swing.

When I touch the earth, crops can grow even without seeds being sown.

I’ve even managed to restore a sacred sword that had been shattered in the forge.

Such an insanely overpowered ability, a ludicrous cheat like the Hand of Supremacy — and you’re telling me my son possesses a gift that rivals, if not surpasses, this?!

At such a young age, no less!

“Wow, Junior, you really hit the jackpot. Typical of a child born to me and your dad.”

“Platy?!”

In the face of such alarming news, my wife remains nonchalant!

“Ah, could it be that this ability to ‘learn quickly’ comes from my genes? I’ve always been told I have a good memory. You know, like ‘give me an inch, and I’ll take a mile’ kind of thing?”

I know about Platy’s genius tendencies! I’ve been reminded of them more than enough times!!!

But that’s not the point right now!

“Our Junior is truly a prodigy! I just know he’ll rule the world one day!!!”

“Don’t fill his head with such ambitions!”

Oh, no. Veil, Junior’s biggest fan, is getting wild ideas!

Ever since Junior was born, this dragon has been utterly devoted to him. Whether Junior wishes it or not, Veil might just topple the current regime to establish a kingdom in his name.

“This is bad... Really bad!”

In my case, it’s, you know, acceptable.

Even with my overpowered abilities, I got them at an age where I could handle them responsibly.

Otherwise, I might’ve been consumed by them and turned evil.

But my son is still such a small child.

It’s doubtful he even knows the phrase, “Pride comes before a fall.”

If he continues to arrogantly believe his gifted abilities are solely his own doing, there’s a real risk he might end up being a nuisance to others in the world!

It’s my job as his parent to prevent such a disastrous future.

I need to educate him here and now.

To teach him that the world doesn’t run on power alone!!!

***

“Alright, Junior! Overcome this challenge set by your father!!!”

Before us, a group of boars with prominent tusks has gathered.

The mission is to pick the tastiest-looking boar from the bunch.

But the catch is, the ‘right’ boar isn’t among them.

It’s an exercise in experiencing the harshness of the world, where the correct choice isn’t always among the given options.

Predictably, complaints arose not from Junior but from Platy and Veil, who absolutely dote on the child.

“What are you thinking, Dear?! Why are you pulling this stunt on such a celebratory day!?”

“Exactly! We were planning to have cake and celebrate Junior’s big day once we returned from the shrine visit!!!”

Their criticism is valid.

I didn’t want to create an awkward event on Junior’s special day, either.

But to ensure Junior doesn’t go astray, I need to teach him about the foolishness of arrogance, even for a moment. 

I’m prepared to be the bad guy if that’s what it takes!

I’ll endure the heartache!!!

“I’ll do my best on Daddy’s testttt.”

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Such a brave response from Junior!

With a careful gaze, he surveys the gathered boars...

“I choose this oneeee.”

I see you’ve made up your mind!

Then, with all the build-up, let’s drop the most ridiculously defiant line that goes, “I definitely won’t choose from these options!”

Even if Junior ends up disliking me for this, I’ll bear the pain for my child’s sake!

“I definitely won’t choose from... Huh? What’s that, Junior?”

“Boar boneee.”

Why would he pick that?

Where did he even find it?

To summarize the still-inarticulate Junior’s patient explanation:

“If someone’s going out of their way to pick out the bones of a dead boar, imagine how much they’d want a live one! Given that, I bet boars would just naturally come around. That way, you could easily get some tasty boar without much effort.”

...Like that.

...

“Uwaaaaaaaaaaah!!!”

That wasn’t the intended lesson at all!

But it’s just so like Juniorrrrrrrrrrr!

I’ve realized that my son is so clever!!!

Such a brilliant child will surely never go astray, no matter how much power they’re given!!!

“You’re amazing, Juniorrrrrrrrrrr! You’re the best! The best son eveeeeeeeeeeer!!!”

“Squeal, squeallllll!”

Even the surrounding boars seemed to tear up, gathering around us.

After that confusing exchange, I almost lost track... What were we doing again? Oh, right, we were in the middle of the Shichi-Go-San celebration.

There was an unexpected twist midway, with my immaturity causing a brief moment of panic. But there’s genuinely nothing to worry about.

If I, his father, have the utmost trust in Junior, there’s no problem at all!

Ultimate vs. Supreme?

Who cares which is better!!!