Chapter 285: Hot Spring (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 285: Hot Spring (1)
Dorothy, having returned to the dorms, was busy changing into casual clothes.
Her room had originally been assigned to the faculty responsible for supervising the participants' dormitory. Since she was acting as a supervisor, she had been granted the space for herself.
The facilities were slightly better than the student quarters, but there wasn't a world of difference.
[We’re at a resort. The other contestants are tucked away in distant dorms, so there are zero distractions. And yet, my master managed to snag a date with Isaac... You’re certainly seizing the moment, aren't you, Dorothy?]
Perched on the bed, Ella, the white cat familiar, was meticulously inspecting her well-groomed claws. She blinked her long lashes repeatedly, her gaze fixed on her master.
Standing before the mirror, Dorothy buttoned her shirt and replied, "It’s not really an 'opportunity.' I’m just thinking of helping Isaac get some rest today. According to the plan, the real fighting starts tomorrow."
When Dorothy had met Isaac earlier, she could clearly feel his mood brighten. It was the same as always.
The fact that she could be a source of strength for him brought her immense comfort.
Especially today, since Isaac was planning to rest. On days like this, she wanted to be by his side no matter what.
[Unbutton it.]
Ella’s fierce rebuke struck like a sudden ambush.
Dorothy flinched, her fingers freezing on the buttons.
Ella let out a long sigh and looked Dorothy dead in the eye.
[Dorothy, don’t you think it would be better if you showed a bit of cleavage? Why are you trying to hide your best assets?]
"You little... This shirt looks much prettier fully buttoned, don't you think? See? It makes me look pure and elegant—exactly like I am."
Caught off-guard by the sheer audacity, Ella let out a burst of laughter.
[Heh. You haven’t forgotten that Isaac is still a red-blooded male driven by instinct, have you? With no rivals around, you should be making a move. You’re being far too relaxed.]
"La la la, I can’t hear you~! I’m off! Watch the room for me!"
[Dorothy!]
Dorothy giggled and dashed out of the room as if she were escaping a crime scene.
Ella clicked her tongue and flopped back onto the bed.
[She’s just embarrassed... She really lacks guts.]
As a familiar, she could sense her master’s emotions directly. Ella was utterly frustrated. That tomboy was still feeling flustered and burdened by the idea of showing her body to Isaac.
*
I arrived at the participants' dormitory and entered my assigned room.
I recognized the layout from ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, so I already knew what to expect, but the facilities were actually quite decent.
[Master, is there anything I can help with?]
[Kyuu!]
Hilde, currently in her human form, was sitting on the bed with my small golem familiar, Eden, by her side.
Having just transformed, Hilde was confidently flaunting her fair, naked skin.
"Put some clothes on first."
[Oh.]
She had the appearance of a young woman in her early twenties.
Since she possessed a fully developed figure, I deliberately averted my gaze. I quickly pulled some clothes out of my backpack and tossed them to her.
It was the set Dorothy had picked out last time—women’s underwear, dark casual clothes, and a white coat.
[Right, I keep forgetting. I will put them on immediately.]
Hilde swiftly dressed herself.
To her, clothes were merely ornaments for decoration. she felt no shame in exposing her body. As a result, I often found myself hurrying her to get dressed.
"Eden, put this over there."
[Got it!]
After handing Eden the small backpack containing my daily necessities, I changed into casual clothes. Eden tucked the bag into the corner of the room.
If you put items into a container enchanted with a storage spell, like a magic pouch, they tended to bounce around inside, causing absolute chaos. Unless you packed them perfectly tight, there was no guarantee they’d stay intact, so I kept my fragile items in a standard backpack.
[Master, what can I do to assist you?]
"It’s fine. I’m heading out soon."
[What do you plan to do? Well... you will most likely be training again.]
"I’m going to rest."
[Yes, rest...]
Hilde stopped mid-sentence.
She tilted her head and tapped her ear as if her hearing had suddenly failed her.
Eden looked up at me and let out a puzzled [Kyuu?].
"I’m resting. No training today."
[Ah... What?]
Once the words finally sank in, Hilde’s eyes went wide with shock.
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy.
Hilde and Eden scrambled toward me, leaning in close. Breaking out in a cold sweat, Hilde asked desperately:
[W-what’s happening? This is the first time I have ever heard you say you are going to rest...!]
[Kyuu!]
[They say humans change right before they die...! Is that it?! Is that the reason?! Has something terrible happened? Answer me, Master!]
[Kyuu!]
"Why are you two making such a fuss...?"
It seems the very concept of me resting is incomprehensible to them.
"It’s just better to rest today. You’ll understand when we get there."
[Where exactly? Where are we going, Master?]
I pushed past my familiars and stepped out of the room. They trailed after me like confused puppies following their owner.
When I opened the door, Dorothy was there, dressed beautifully. Her bright smile was dazzling.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, let's go."
"Hilde, Eden! Hello!"
Dorothy waved at the two standing behind me.
Hilde greeted her with a polite [Good to see you, Dorothy,] while Eden raised an arm high and responded with a cheerful [Kyuu!].
We left the dormitory together.
"Heh heh, where in the world are we going that our resident training maniac is actually passing up a workout?"
"Senior Dorothy."
"Yes?"
"Do you like hot springs?"
Dorothy flinched, her shoulders giving a slight, visible shake.
What was that about?
"...Hot springs?"
Does she dislike them?
"I’m planning to go to one. If you don't like them, well, there’s nothing I can do."
If Dorothy isn't a fan, she’ll just have to wait outside. I absolutely have to visit the hot springs today.
Aldreque was famous for its springs because the natural mana from Hassen Volcano—the source of the water—was incredibly beneficial for the body. Since we were already here, it was far more productive to take a day off for recovery than to force another training session.
Dorothy was sweating nervously. I couldn't read her mind, so I wasn't sure why she was acting so strange.
"H-hate them? Who, me? Not at all!"
Dorothy forced a smile and placed a hand over her heart.
"Did you forget, President? Big Sis has a duty to stick by your side today to manage and watch over you. So, it’s only right that I follow you into the hot spring."
"Well then, no problem."
She called me President... she’s definitely flustered.
If she had scars she didn't want to show or something she needed to hide, I would have turned her down. Fortunately, it didn't seem to be anything that grim.
Well, it should be fine.
Entering a hot spring with Dorothy...
Just the thought made me genuinely happy.
In these hot springs, complete nudity wasn't allowed; visitors had to wear the provided robes. Even so, the thought of seeing Dorothy in a bathrobe was a feast for the eyes. Spending time healing in the water with her was bound to be the highlight of the trip.
If I were to be dramatic, I’d say there was a risk of dying from sheer bliss.
"Hey, you punk, aren't you looking a little too happy? You’re having weird thoughts about Big Sis, aren't you?"
Dorothy leaned back, hugging herself protectively, then smirked slyly as she teased me.
She was clearly trying to get a rise out of me.
"..."
"Hey, why aren't you answering...?"
I had forgotten she could read emotions.
*
[Is this the hot spring...?]
The place I arrived at with Eden, Hilde, and Dorothy was an open-air hot spring. We had to walk for nearly an hour from the dormitory area to reach it.
Amidst the thick, rising steam, we were all clad in thin robes—except for Eden, of course. The cool night breeze and the warm vapor hit our skin simultaneously.
"There aren't many people here compared to the other spots. Why did we come all the way here?"
"This place seemed the best. It’s good for fatigue recovery, detoxifying the body, relieving muscle pain, stabilizing mana circuits, and improving skin. There are plenty of benefits to be had."
"Oh, right. You really are a training maniac... so knowledgeable about these things..."
It was a mixed-gender bath, with several guests of both sexes present. This wasn't unique to this specific spring; most hot springs in this world were mixed-gender, as the focus was on health benefits rather than just washing. It was similar to ancient European bath culture.
As I mentioned, the natural mana from Hassen Volcano greatly enhanced the spring's effects. The water here was particularly well-saturated with that mana.
Ordinary people wouldn't be able to tell the difference, though.
In other words, this place was a hidden gem.
[I do not understand. Why do you find soaking in hot water so wonderful that you develop entire facilities for it...?]
Hilde grumbled as she watched people soaking in the pools.
"Your previous master didn't take you to places like this?"
[Back then, such things did not exist. Or if they did... I wouldn't know.]
I didn't know exactly what the era was like when Veronica Aslius, the Primordial Ice Sovereign, was alive. However, considering hot springs had a long history in my previous life, they likely existed in her time too.
Then again, if it were her, I doubt she would have cared about Hilde’s leisure...
The Primordial Ice Sovereign was a bit of a loner, after all. Even if she had gone to a bathhouse, she probably would have just unsummoned Hilde.
"Well, you'll understand once you get in. But, Senior Dorothy, what’s wrong? You’ve been acting strange."
"What? Me? Why? Is there a problem?"
"No, not exactly..."
She had a clumsy smile and flushed cheeks. Dorothy had wrapped her robe so tightly it was clearly an attempt to hide her figure. Ironically, the tight fabric only emphasized her curves, providing a different kind of visual feast.
Is she just embarrassed?
I realized then that the trope of someone getting a nosebleed from excitement wasn't just a cartoonish exaggeration. Though, thankfully, I didn't actually bleed.
"Big Sis is going in first, okay?"
"Ah, yeah..."
In a rush, Dorothy quickly rinsed off at the makeshift shower before slipping into the vacant pool.
She let out a long, deep sigh, slumping into the water. "Ahh... I feel like I’m alive again..."
After washing up with Eden, I held him in my arms and sank into the water near Dorothy.
Eden closed his eyes and let out a content [Kyuuuu...], clearly enjoying the sensation of the heat soaking into his rocky body.
[Wait, Master...!]
For some reason, Hilde looked horrified, as if I had just stepped into a pool of molten lava.
"Yes?"
[W-what? Is it not hot? How can you be so reckless...?! Eden, why did you go quiet? Isn't this dangerous?!]
Is she like this because she was raised in a frozen wasteland?
As an ice magic beast accustomed to sub-zero temperatures, she seemed instinctively terrified of the hot water. The surrounding guests began to stare at Hilde, who was drawing quite a bit of attention. Some of the men were gawking, unable to take their eyes off her.
"Stop making a scene and just get in."
[...Ugh.]
A familiar had to obey its master. With no other choice, Hilde steeled herself, her face scrunched in displeasure.
Squinting in caution, she repeatedly dipped her toes into the steaming water. A faint trace of cold mana leaked from her feet. Perhaps because she was currently without her horns, the amount of mana she could manifest was minimal.
This is taking too long...
"Hilde. Hand. Now."
[Huh?]
I grabbed the hand she instinctively extended and pulled her toward me.
[Whoa!]
She let out a short yelp as she splashed into the spring. Water sprayed everywhere.
[M-Master...! It’s too hot! I’m melting! I’m being devoured...!]
Hilde clung tightly to my arm, her eyes squeezed shut in pure terror. Eventually, when nothing bad happened, she cautiously opened one eye.
[...Huh?]
Flustered, Hilde backed away from me. She stared at me intently while Dorothy chuckled softly at the display.
[Master, what is this sensation...?]
"It feels good, doesn't it?"
Since Hilde was my familiar, her sensations were partially transmitted to me. I could feel the pleasant warmth of the spring spreading through her body.
Five minutes later...
[Master... this is really nice... really, really nice...]
[Kyuu...]
Hilde, sitting beside me, had her mouth slightly agape and her eyes closed, looking as if she were melting away like ice cream. Eden was in the same state.
In this moment, Hilde was no different from a regular human. That was why I was confident she could enjoy the spring. Eden’s senses were likely duller than ours, but he was utterly enthralled by his first-ever bath.
"Hoo..."
"Ahhh..."
I closed my eyes, savoring the comforting warmth enveloping my body. I hadn't had a single day of peace since this whole ordeal started. This kind of rest felt like an absolute luxury.
Not to mention, my favorite character was right beside me. I wondered if it was even allowed for someone to be this happy.
It was at that moment...
"You certainly knew how to find the best spot."
Suddenly, a deep, resonant male voice cut through the steam. I opened my eyes and looked ahead.
Two young men had entered the spring on the opposite side. Their thin robes did little to hide their heavily muscled physiques. Both appeared to be around my age.
Their hair colors were different—one blue, one red—but their faces were identical. They were twins.
"So, which academy are you from?"
The red-haired twin asked with a smug, confident grin.
I knew exactly who they were.
The McGregor twins?
These third-year brothers were Raizel Academy’s trump cards for the Academy Clash. Their levels were 161 and 162, respectively.
The McGregor brothers were undeniable prodigies, especially for students their age.