As promised in the previous postscript, I failed to schedule the post correctly.
I sincerely apologize, and I will ensure this does not happen again in the future.
After lunch, I decided to do one more task before heading home early. This time, to avoid getting too overconfident, I entrusted Castor’s reins to Mika, and we proceeded together. Placing my hand on his waist made me slightly nervous, recalling the earlier trip, though there was none of that typical “Are you actually a girl!?” kind of twist.
The difference in waist shape and the curvature of the hip bones were far from what I had felt when touching Margit. If the person were female, there would be no mistaking these areas, even if they were more boyish. It’s similar to how my best efforts at cross-dressing would be immediately exposed by the shape of my neck, knees, or wrists.
“By the way, Erich, do you plan to let your hair grow out?”
As we discussed the inconvenience of sweating in the summer with some relief, he brought up my hair, which had grown longer than intended. I started growing it out to appease the fairies, and although it’s been bothersome, I’ve continued to endure. Whether it’s due to something the fairies are doing or my own doing, the growth rate has been surprisingly fast. What began as short collar-length hair when I left the manor has now reached my back.
…I’ve heard that the more perverted someone is, the faster their hair grows, but I’d rather think otherwise. I’ve never engaged in any suggestive text sessions, so that’s not the case. I’m not lying.
“Well, hair does have some significance in magic, doesn’t it?”
“That’s right. It’s not only useful as a catalyst but also serves as an excellent magical energy storage organ, second only to the magical crystals of magical species. Men’s hair doesn’t seem to have much effect, but the reason most women have long hair is because of this.”
I see. Now that he mentions it, all the crazy mages I know have long hair. Lady Agrippina’s hair is so troublesome to maintain it probably requires magic, and Lord Raizenitz, though a lich, has waist-length beautiful brunette hair that reflects his former self.
Then, do I need to grow my hair that long too? That sounds pretty tedious. I might manage to braid it using my ‘hands,’ but it’s going to get messy in the bath. Simply soaking it in water won’t do, and tying it up would likely feel too heavy on my head.
“How long are you planning to grow your hair?”
“Um, up to about halfway down my back, I think.”
“That’s good. Your hair looks beautiful. It’ll look stunning on you. You looked rather elegant today, even with the sweat.”
…Unnecessary meddling, perhaps, but I’m starting to worry about this kid’s future. What do you aim to achieve by complimenting me like that? And using a phrase that made me do a double-take like that. At this rate, if I were a girl, I’d be straight on the heroine route. That’s scary…
That’s why handsome guys are cunning. Really.
“Your hair looks pretty great too, though. Such lustrous black hair is rarely seen. What kind of maintenance do you do?”
“Just normal bath washing. Hair oils are expensive so I don’t use them, but I stretch a bit to use a bit of soap. How about you?”
“Eh? Just wash it at the public baths and let it air dry naturally.”
“…Absolutely don’t say that in front of ladies.”
I was struck by his earnest tone and suddenly remembered that I’ve never gone to the public baths with him.
The capital has no less than seven public baths! Two of them are free and generously funded by the emperor’s grace, making them a very helpful amenity. Additionally, there are baths that cost five asses for a cozy soak and extravagant ones costing twenty asses with a variety of unique bath tubs that are perfect for bath enthusiasts.
The remaining three are for the wealthy. Two of them resemble exclusive spas rather than public baths, requiring silver coins just to enter—a definite future goal if I succeed. The last one is a bit unusual, but it would be a lie to say I’m not at all curious.
“Hey, Mika, want to go to the bath when we get back? We’ve been sweating, and cleaning up with only magic would be too boring, right?”
“Eh? Uh, sorry, but I’m not really good at going to the baths with others.”
Thinking it was a good opportunity, I invited him to share a “naked bond,” but unfortunately, the answer was no. He claims he prefers to soak in peace without interference, meditating with stretched-out legs. Just as there are uncles who enjoy eating alone, there should be no surprise in having a handsome youth relishing the baths all by themselves.
Hmm, sounds relaxing in its own way, and one shouldn’t interfere with personal preferences. Going together but entering separately, not exchanging a single word, and then leaving would make it feel like we didn’t even go at all.
It’s pointless to press the issue, so we left that conversation behind and decided to exercise Castor by galloping as a practice of speed walking. Chasing the sun as it dipped lower in the sky, we trotted through the paved city streets under its waning light.
Satisfied from galloping to his heart’s content, we returned Castor to the stable and headed to the reception with our items. There, the auditorium was bustling with students who, like us, had completed their assignments.
“Ah, lively as ever. Now, how will our results be of use?”
“That’s right; we’d like our efforts to contribute to deepening our magical knowledge—not merely for discovering something new.”
We joked as we approached the counter, where our request slip and items were warmly received. Each of us was given a candy made with honey. It was a gesture of kindness probably meant to soothe the staff’s throats.
The sweet taste of honey seeped into my tired body from sweating.
Now, once requests are accepted at the reception, they are evaluated, and payment is processed through the very same reception. This is to prevent the senior students from using the newer ones merely as errand boys in the Magic Academy. Back in the day, there was a major incident which escalated into near-duel between faction leaders, eventually involving the emperor himself. From children’s squabbles to adults trying to assassinate each other—were they samurai from Kamakura or something?
Ultimately, humans are savage, but let’s set that anecdote aside. Our judgment and payment will be handled from tomorrow onward, so we each received a token, chewed on our candies, thanked the reception staff, and left.
“Well then, I’ll head to the baths before my evening duties.”
“Alright. I’ll head to the library to consolidate what I learned today. See you later.”
And so, I went to the baths while Mika went to the library, parting ways at the front of the Magic Academy. Though summer’s long days made it hard to perceive, it was already evening. Getting cleaned up before evening duties was essential—not just a matter of etiquette, but basic human decency.
And after two weeks here, I started to understand what Lady Agrippina meant when she called this “the city of vanity in a castle of vanity.” That didn’t make me foolish enough to not recognize the importance and necessity of aligning with this city’s ethos, nor did I think myself overly cynical.
Heading to the emperor’s free baths with towels, buckets, and body scrubbers from home made the purpose of this city’s construction strikingly evident.
This place was immaculate.
Certainly, the smaller cities I had visited were clean too. The Threefold Empire has laws enforcing proper maintenance of sewage and water infrastructure, and each city is equipped with public bathrooms managed by municipal waste collectors. It’s far from the dark medieval European setting I might have imagined.
However, even compared to those cities, the capital was several levels ahead. Unlike other places where public drinking fountains or wells weren’t abundant, and even free emperor-funded baths became available only in cities with over 20,000 residents—often leading to some residents who skimp on bath expenses and carry unpleasant odors—this wasn’t the case in the capital.
Not in the capital. This city employs specific mages for street cleaning, and the presence of two emperor-funded baths creates a culture where citizens who don’t bathe aren’t considered proper residents of the capital. This was entirely due to vanity.
Lady Agrippina had indeed called it a city built for diplomacy. If so, then flaunting this vanity as a diplomatic weapon was only natural. Having the luxury to flaunt extravagance was the best display of national power.
The public bath located close to the labor quarter near the mage district was relatively empty because it was still before the working hours ended. It would soon fill up to capacity, so it was a good time to visit. Immersing oneself in the crowded public pool-like baths in the summer might not feel refreshing at all.
At the entrance, I showed my citizen’s token—one of the many crowding my pockets, an unfortunate downside of this city—and received a locker key. Since the bath is free, the expectation is that visitors manage their valuables themselves.
The flimsy locker key seemed like it might break easily upon inspection. Looking at the locker, it seemed less about securing one’s belongings and more about counting the number of bathers for regulatory purposes.
Well, even if someone were to break into the locker, all they’d find would be a few copper coins, hardly worth the iron-chain punishment—a penalty that restricts one’s movements with chains as a form of public shaming.
Beneath the narrow entrance to the bath, lay a steamy and dimly lit space.
The emperor’s free bath is surprisingly spacious but modestly built. The tall ceiling featured several skylights, letting in the remaining summer sunlight, diffusing its beams through the rising steam. Below the skylights were the baths, filled with people enjoying the water in their own ways, as if dissolving their fatigue and worries within it.
The three baths—cold, warm, and hot—were luxuries I rarely experienced back at the manor. After washing off slightly at the shower area, I first entered the hot bath to loosen up, softening any grime on my skin.
“Ah… Ohhhh…”
Vanity aside, it was an excellent bath. For the commoners, being able to partake in such indulgence makes the underlying reality less important.
Moreover, there was something I wanted to reflect on quietly since the afternoon.
As I let the warmth envelop me lazily, my body floated. I looked up at the steamy ceiling while confirming the day’s accomplishments by calling up my status.
“Truly, it’s accumulated…”
Three months ago, that first “life-or-death” battle awarded me an unexpected level of proficiency. If genuine practice yields valuable experience, the efficiency of a desperate fight-to-the-last-drop battle was self-evident.
Currently, my stockpiled proficiency is enough to elevate my already high <Skillful> to <Favored>, or even to take my <Mature> <Battle Swordsmanship> to <Master> with a little more.
I was initially shocked. The requirement values that previously felt like grinding in social games were now met, making me nearly tumble out of bed. Probably due to the fact that it was my first battle, as well as the bonus for risking my life, compounded by the Prodigy’s usual excessive bonuses, my gains were considerable.
Previously, I would have been torn between two choices—but now fortunately, I have more options.
The first is to keep enhancing my current strengths.
The second is to address my weaknesses.
The third is to try my hand at something entirely new.
The latter two will be available tomorrow. The letter I obtained afterward kept distracting me, making it impossible to focus entirely on working with Mika.
I might be called an unsociable friend, but such criticism should only come from those who’ve never turned down an invitation for a scheduled game.
Anyone who’s seen a data farmer accumulate massive experience points knows they’re too excited to abandon that thrill.
As my blood circulation improved with the bath’s warmth, I could feel my brain activity heightening.
Well then, while I have time, let’s submerge myself in these delightful thoughts…
And then I intended to leap, but I apologize, due to its awkward length, I had to cut it here.
Moreover, the failure of the scheduled post would have been grounds for seppuku had this been Neo-Saitama.
Therefore, in the next installment, I’ll address my current status as well as discuss the direction for my second growth plan.
The next release is scheduled for around 19:00 on February 19, 2019.
