Chapter 5

Chapter 5: A Comfortable Moment.
“Got it. I’ll make one for everyone. Though the necessary performance will probably vary depending on room size, so I’d like to hear a bit more from everyone before deciding whether to go smaller or just adjust the temperature settings.”
“Before that, let’s have our meal.”
At Mother’s words, everyone in the room exchanged glances.
“Right, of course. I completely got carried away there.”
Father chuckled wryly, and my brothers followed suit with amused smiles.
“I’d nearly forgotten I was hungry too.”
At my brother’s remark, I gave a wry smile of my own and took my seat.
Truly befitting a marquis’s household.
The food here is always delicious.
Only the finest ingredients are used. And occasionally, vegetables the head chef grows as a personal hobby make their way onto the table.
The head chef apparently comes from a farming family originally, so he’s got a wealth of knowledge about growing vegetables too.
Ever since regaining memories of my past life, I’ve come to truly appreciate just how fortunate the Marquis household’s meals really are.
For someone who once lived in modern-day Japan, meals were a genuine matter of survival, after all.
…Well, I do end up getting scolded fairly often for skipping meals, but—
Still, the meals the Marquis household’s head chef prepares are one of my daily pleasures.
“Master Finn, please eat before it gets cold.”
At Noah’s voice, I hurriedly reached for my food.
“Still, Finn’s magic tools never cease to amaze me. If I set one up in the knight order’s office, my subordinates would probably be green with envy.”
“Indeed. I can already picture everyone flocking to the captain’s office chasing after some relief from the heat. If I put one in my dormitory room, it’ll probably become quite the gathering spot for the other knights.”
At my brother’s words, Father let out a hearty, amused laugh.
Father and my brother continued chatting excitedly about the magic tool.
Beside them, Mother and Tiana had struck up a conversation about the food.
As always, a calm, peaceful atmosphere flowed through the Marquis household’s dining hall.
“Today’s soup is delicious too.”
“Sounds like the head chef used vegetables picked fresh this morning.”
“That would explain it. It does feel like the vegetables from the head chef’s garden have been showing up on the table more often lately.”
“Apparently he’s experimenting with new varieties too. He mentioned wanting to make something Brother Finn would enjoy.”
“That boy really does get absorbed enough to forget meals entirely sometimes…”
…I really wish she’d stop glancing my way while saying that.
I know. Noah’s already reminded me about it more times than I can count.
Before anyone could say anything more, I quietly focused on finishing my meal.
Once dinner was over, I headed back to my room ahead of everyone else.
I’d been cooped up in the workshop since morning today, so I figured I’d take it easy for the evening.
But my prototype was still sitting in the dining hall. Which meant my own room remained just as hot as ever.
…Guess there’s no helping it. Might as well build one just for myself first.
In the end, I went back to the workshop and built one for my own personal use.
I made the main unit about one size smaller than prototype one, and dialed the cooling performance down by roughly 20%.
I also added a temperature-responsive gauge, so the setting would be visible at a glance.
“…This one’s coming out more like an actual air conditioner.”
I pressed the switch, and it lit up faintly, springing to life.
“Yeah, dialing it down by 20% was the right call. If this level of comfort works fine for the workshop, it should be about right for Mother’s and Tiana’s rooms too. …Actually, maybe 30% would suit them better. I’ll have them try it out tomorrow and see.”
While I was savoring the cool air, I heard a knock at the workshop door.
“…Come in.”
At my answer, Noah opened the door and stepped inside.
“Master Finn, your bath is ready.”
Perfect timing — I could try the device again once I’m fresh out of the bath.
“I noticed it in the dining hall too, but the workshop is nice and cool as well. I’d be delighted if you eventually set up magic tools throughout the entire mansion.”
“Well, that’s fair, honestly. In that case, maybe I should build a large-scale unit and install one on each floor… if I use a bigger magic core, output shouldn’t be an issue, but… actually, considering magical energy consumption, installing several mid-sized units per floor might be more efficient—”
“Master Finn, your bath comes first.”
“…Right. Guess I should.”
Leaving the magic tool set up in my room, I headed off to the bath.
—
“…Cool.”
Spending time in a cool room, fresh out of the bath.
—This is it.
This is exactly what I wanted…
…Truly wonderful.