"Got it. I'll make some for everyone, too. But the size of the room changes what it needs to do, so I'd like to hear more from everyone about whether to make it smaller or adjust the temperature settings," I explained.
"Before that, let's eat," Mom announced smoothly.
When Mom said that, everyone in the room looked at each other.
"Right. I got completely absorbed in it," Dad admitted, smiling wryly as my brothers smiled alongside him.
"I forgot I was hungry, too," my brother added with a laugh.
At my brother's words, I smiled wryly and sat down at the table.
As expected of a Marquis house, the food served here is always amazing. Only the finest ingredients are used, and sometimes the chef's hobby-grown vegetables show up on the table. The chef apparently comes from a farming family, so he knows a lot about growing vegetables.
Ever since I remembered my past life, I've realized just how blessed the Marquis house's meals are. For someone who lived in modern Japan, food was a life-or-death matter. Well, I do get scolded a lot for skipping meals, though-even so, the food made by the Marquis house's chef is one of my daily joys.
"Lord Finn, pray eat your meal before it gets cold," Noah urged gently.
At Noah's voice, I hurriedly reached for my food.
"Still, Finn's Magic tools never stop surprising me. If you put one in the Knight Order's office, your subordinates would be jealous," Dad remarked proudly.
"Right. I can definitely see everyone gathering in the Knight Order captain's room looking for cool air. If I put one in my dorm room, too, it'd probably become a hangout for the knights," my brother chimed in.
At my brother's words, Dad laughed happily as well. Dad and my brother were still excitedly talking about the Magic tools, while next to them, Mom and Tiana started talking about the food. In the Marquis house's Dining Hall, the same peaceful time flowed as always.
"This soup is delicious today, too," Mom noted warmly.
"It looks like the chef used vegetables picked this morning," Dad agreed.
"No wonder it's good. Lately, I feel like the chef's garden vegetables show up on the table more often," Mom replied.
"He's trying new varieties as well. He said he wants to make dishes that Big Brother Finn will properly rate," Tiana added with a cheerful smile.
"That boy gets so lost in things he forgets to eat…" Mom murmured softly.
Please stop glancing at me while saying that. I know. Noah has warned me about it many times already.
Before anyone could say anything else, I quietly kept eating. And when the meal was over, I went back to my room before everyone else. I'd been holed up in the Workshop since morning, so I figured I'd take it easy at night. But I left the prototype in the Dining Hall, and thanks to that, my room is still hot.
I guess it can't be helped, so for now, maybe I'll just make my own first.
In the end, I went back to the Workshop and made one for myself. Compared to prototype number one, I made the body a bit smaller and cut the cooling power by about twenty percent. On top of that, I added a temperature-reactive gauge so you can see the temperature control at a glance.
"It's way more like an air conditioner now," I muttered to myself.
When I pressed the switch, it glowed faintly and started running smoothly.
"Yeah, cutting it by twenty percent was the right call. If it's this comfortable in the Workshop, it's just right for Mom and Tiana's rooms. No, for those two, maybe thirty percent less would be fine. I'll have them check tomorrow," I murmured softly.
While I was enjoying the cool air, I heard a knock on the Workshop door.
"Come in," I called out.
When I answered, Noah opened the door and stepped inside.
"Lord Finn, your bath is prepared," Noah announced dutifully.
Being able to test the Magic tool after a bath is perfect.
"I felt the chill in the Dining Hall as well, Lord Finn, but the Workshop is cool too. I hope that one day you'll put Magic tools throughout the whole Mansion," Noah remarked.
"Well, I suppose so. In that case, it'd be better to make large Magic tools and put them on each floor. If I use a big Magic core, output wouldn't be a problem, but... no, thinking about Mana consumption, placing several medium ones around would be more efficient-" I started explaining.
"Lord Finn, bath comes first," Noah interrupted politely.
"Ah. Right," I conceded.
I set the Magic tool up in my room and headed straight to the bath.
"Cool..," I sighed in relief.
Spending time in a cool room after a bath-this is it, this is exactly what I wanted, and it's seriously great.
Trivia:
- Finn's habit of forgetting to eat is a running gag that shows how his past-life memories affect his present behavior. In his previous life in modern Japan, food was a constant concern, but now he takes it for granted because the Marquis household is so wealthy.
- The chef's background as a farmer and his hobby of growing vegetables is a small detail that hints at the household's appreciation for fresh, quality ingredients. Tiana mentions he specifically wants to make dishes Finn will like, showing the staff's affection for the young master.
- The cooling Magic tool Finn creates is essentially an air conditioner. His comparison of making it smaller and weaker for different rooms mirrors how real-world AC units are sized for different spaces, grounding the fantasy invention in familiar logic.
Notes:
• Finn - Third son of a marquis family and a magical tool maker. Graduated from an academy and became a full magical tool maker after apprenticing. Currently staying at the family estate during summer. Working on a prototype magical tool that can cool the air, using a fan blower's magical circuit as a base. Has a tendency to forget meals when absorbed in work, though this has improved. Finds the dining room and hallways uncomfortably hot. Wears his shirt with two buttons undone at home. Knows Noah well since childhood. Third son of a marquis family living in the royal capital. Aspiring magical tool maker who retains memories of a past life. Currently working on creating a cooling magical device to deal with an unusually hot summer. Gets absorbed in work and loses track of time.
• Noah - Finn's personal attendant. Has been by Finn's side since childhood. Knows Finn well.
• Tiana - Younger sister who returns from the academy. Complains about the cold Workshop and worries about their mother. Curious about her brother's inventions.