Chapter 662_ End of Day 1

Jin explained how inefficient it would be to manipulate water with wind attribute magic.

“…… In other words, the size of the ‘molecules’ we target is different. Water molecules are several times larger than air molecules, roughly like the difference between sand and gravel.”

Here, Jin’s use of the term “water molecules” lacks accuracy. The size of one water molecule (H₂O) is not significantly different from oxygen or nitrogen molecules. If anything, it’s relatively light.

Materials with waterproof and moisture-permeable properties allow water vapor to pass but not liquid water. In the case of liquid water, water molecules are not in individual H₂O units but rather clustered together, forming the so-called cluster state. This functional difference is due to the apparent larger size of these clusters.

In essence, individual gaseous water molecules can pass through small holes, but water molecules in liquid form, which are clustered, cannot.

Water attribute magic works on these clusters, but wind attribute magic works on each water molecule individually. In other words, it is highly inefficient.

Even working on each molecule individually doesn’t increase the power. It’s simply a waste.

Leaving aside these technical details, Jin managed to convince those who lacked basic knowledge of atoms and molecules by using metaphors and examples.

“… Well, Lord Jin, thank you for the explanation. Honestly, there were parts I didn’t quite understand, but I think I grasped the essential points: that the Wind Thruster can function even when covered with water, and in that case, the consumption of mana, the magical energy, increases.”

Christoph expressed his gratitude. The others, looking somewhat tired, also nodded.

The discussion was concluded as it was about time to wrap up the first day.

“I apologize for the rearrangement of the itinerary, but accommodations have been prepared here.”

Guided by Christoph, or rather, everyone walked in the same direction. They headed to a hotel by the lakeside, a quaint and pleasant establishment.

“We’ve reserved the entire hotel for your stay until the project is completed.”

From the on-site director Christoph to the escort soldiers, everyone was supposed to stay at this hotel.

Each person had a private room. The rooms were on the second floor, arranged in the order of Reinhardt, Jin, and Elsa.

All rooms faced Lake Wass, providing a beautiful view.

“Hmm, two rooms, a living room and a bedroom.”

Jin placed his belongings in the room and looked around. Reiko was checking the interior.

“Father, there’s also a bathroom and a shower room.”

Perhaps due to the abundant water from the lakeside location, the facilities seemed quite good. However, Jin preferred the communal bath.

Therefore, carrying spare underwear, he decided to go to the bath. Then, in the hallway, he ran into Reinhardt and Elsa.

“Hey, Jin, are you going to the bath too?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Me too. Shall we go together? Elsa, you can join us until the entrance.”

“Mm.”

Since the baths were separated by gender, Elsa could accompany them to the first floor, where the baths were located.

“Oh, quite spacious, isn’t it?”

“The Southern part of the Shouro Empire has a bathing culture. It’s not like hot springs, but it’s relaxing.”

With no one else present, Jin and Reinhardt were in a private setting. The two stretched their limbs and leisurely soaked in the bath.

“Hey, Rodrigo… What do you think?”

Taking advantage of the private setting, Jin spoke to Reinhardt.

“Well, seems like a good person.”

“Not about that, though.”

“… About Miss Marsha’s situation?”

Marsha was Jin’s partner during the Golem Boat Race held in Potrok in the past.

“… I suspect she might be the father who went missing when she disappeared.”

“I think so too.”

Reinhardt was also aware of Marsha’s circumstances.

“… What should we do?”

“It depends on what she thinks.”

“Let’s observe a little longer.”

“… Yeah, that might be a good idea.”

At that moment, the sound of someone entering the changing room was heard, so they ended the conversation there.

On the other hand, there was a prior visitor in the women’s bath.

“Oh.”

“Oh, Elsa-san, right?”

It was Clea Altman.

“Good work today, Elsa-san.”

“Haha, indeed. I’m tired on the first day.”

Clea laughed while washing herself. Elsa glanced at her from the side while rinsing her body.

Despite Clea’s petite height, only reaching Elsa’s nose, she had a reasonably-sized chest that elicited a sense of unfairness.

Once in the hot water, Clea, who finished washing, also entered.

“Ah, spacious baths are really nice.”

In response to the casually muttered words, Elsa replied with a simple “Yeah.”

“Are you knowledgeable about ships, Elsa-san?”

“Huh? Yeah… I participated in the Golem Boat Race in Potrok.”

Surprised, Clea responded, “Wow! That’s amazing. I’ve heard rumors. One of the top engineers in the Elias Kingdom gathers there, right?”

“Yeah, maybe. I teamed up with my cousin Rein… well, my cousin Reinhardt, so.”

“Huh? … Oh, I see. If you share the Randol surname, then you’re cousins. So, what about you and Mr. Jin?”

“…Jin-nii is…”

Elsa momentarily stumbled over her words. Just the other day, she felt that her feelings had been conveyed to Jin—’just’ her feelings. Right after that, in a moment of crisis, Jin had embraced her, and she even received a ring.

However, she hadn’t heard Jin’s feelings, the crucial part.

“…He’s my master, a sort of brother… a sister by relation.”

At the moment, she lacked the confidence for anything beyond that.

“Wow, the top disciple! A MagiCraft Meister in magical engineering!”

Clea immediately seized on the aspect of being the top disciple.

“You were amazing today! The speed and precision of that ‘Transformation Forming’! And your knowledge is incredible. Truly, you’re the only MagiCraft Meister in the world!”

Clea showered Jin with praise, more as a display of admiration. While listening to her statements, Elsa felt a mix of happiness and frustration.

“I need to wash my hair.”

Trying to change the mood, Elsa got out of the bath. Clea followed suit.

“Oh, if it’s your hair, I can wash it for you. Let’s wash each other’s hair!”

“Huh?”

Though Clea had a somewhat familiar and forward personality for someone she just met, Elsa wasn’t particularly fond of her. But she couldn’t say that directly.

“…Fine. I’ll wash it myself.”

Elsa said only that, but…

“Oh, no need to hold back. The hair shampoo here is pretty good. Let me do it.”

Without waiting for a response, Clea moved behind Elsa, scooped hot water into a basin, and poured it over Elsa’s head.

“Make sure to keep your eyes closed.”

Saying that, she poured shampoo on Elsa’s head with surprisingly gentle and careful movements.

“Any itchy spots?”

“…Mm.”

Helpless, Elsa let herself go with the flow.

“You have beautiful blonde hair. It’s straight and translucent. I’m so envious. My hair is all frizzy red, so jealous!”

While saying this, she continued washing Elsa’s hair more gently and meticulously than Elsa had anticipated.

“Any itchy spots now?”

“…Mm.”

At this point, Elsa had no choice but to go with the flow.

“Your hair is done. Now, let me rinse it with hot water. Don’t open your eyes yet.”

Saying so, Clea rinsed Elsa’s hair with hot water from the basin.

“I can envy your smooth blonde hair, right? Mine is so wild and unruly.”

Saying such things, Clea finished washing Elsa’s hair. Elsa, who had it done by her lady-in-waiting and foster mother, Meine, had no choice but to admit, “Surprisingly not bad,” to Clea’s assistance.

“S-So, now it’s my turn.”

“Oh, thank you.”

With unaccustomed movements but reasonably skilled hands, Elsa washed Clea’s head just as she had done.

Clea did have somewhat coarse hair, but it was well-maintained, not dirty.

“Ah, feels refreshing! Thanks!”

After expressing her gratitude to Elsa, Clea headed back to the bath. Elsa then washed herself and returned to the bath once again.

It seemed Clea liked to soak in the hot water, as she was still in the bath.

“…Hey, do you think guys prefer girls with blonde hair?”

“…Huh?”

Elsa was faced with quite a challenging question.

“I mean, with my red hair, seeing a girl with blonde hair makes me jealous.”

“…I know a woman with red hair who became a countess.”

Thinking of a friend in the Egelea Kingdom, Elsa shared that information.

“Eh? Really? … Hmm, is it the chest after all? Or maybe the face?”

“…Not much different from me.”

Saying that, Elsa inexplicably felt a bit sad.

“Hmm… Maybe it’s the face after all…”

Completely unaware of Elsa’s inner thoughts, Clea innocently pondered the matter.