Ground Floor

"I'm low on mana. Let's start Lifebreath," Jessica said in a tired tone.

"Okay," Ranav agreed, sitting cross-legged on his bed as he initiated his breathing technique to gather mana. The room was quiet except for the rhythm of his steady breaths. After half an hour, Jessica's voice broke the silence.

"That's enough for now," she said. "We can continue working on the blueprint."

Ranav opened his eyes, feeling refreshed, and turned his attention to the table where several sheets of paper were spread out, each representing a part of their future home.

"This is the ground floor plan," Jessica began, pointing at the sketches. "This page is for the kitchen, this one is the drawing room, here's the staircase, the water tank, and these are the bedrooms."

She paused and gestured to the drawing room sketch. "The drawing room is 22 feet wide and 18 feet deep, providing enough space for comfortable seating arrangements like sofas, chairs, and maybe a small tea table. The main door opens directly beside this room, and there's a large front-facing window to bring in natural light and ensure proper cross-ventilation. This window will keep the room airy and fresh. There's no door separating the drawing room from the rest of the house, ensuring a seamless connection to the common areas."

Ranav inspected the sketch and said, "We have enough space. Wouldn't it be better to make the drawing room larger?"

Jessica shook her head. "I considered that, but since we're planning for four bedrooms on this floor, enlarging the drawing room would make the other rooms smaller. While we could expand the entire floor, that would be unnecessary and expensive. The current size accommodates a 12-person seating arrangement, which is more than sufficient. Your house doesn't host many guests, and even considering future needs, this size is practical."

Ranav nodded. "Alright. I'll trust your judgment."

Jessica picked up another sketch. "Next is the dining room, located just beside the drawing room. This space is designed for family meals and gatherings. It's conveniently placed next to the kitchen for easy access when serving food. The dining room measures 20 feet by 18 feet, providing enough room for a ten-seater dining table with ample space to move around comfortably."

Ranav listened intently, offering no objections, so Jessica moved on.

"This is the kitchen," she said, holding up another sheet. "It's larger than average, measuring 15 feet by 18 feet. The kitchen will feature two dedicated platforms—one for a coal stove and another for a wood stove. Above each stove, we'll install chimneys to effectively vent smoke and maintain a healthy environment. Two large windows—one on the back wall and another on the side—will ensure proper ventilation and natural light throughout the day. There's also plenty of space for cabinets and shelves to store utensils and ingredients, keeping the kitchen organized and functional."

Ranav examined the plan closely. "I see one door connecting the kitchen to the common space. Would it be possible to add another door leading directly to the dining room?"

Jessica nodded thoughtfully. "It's doable, but we should keep the door closed while cooking to contain smoke and odors." With that, she adjusted the drawing slightly to incorporate the additional door.

"Now, let's talk about the bedrooms," Jessica continued. "There will be three bedrooms—one for you and two others—all measuring 10 feet by 12 feet. Each room will include space for a single bed, a study table, a bookshelf, a vanity, and a wardrobe. Large windows in each room will provide natural light and ventilation. Each bedroom will also have an attached bathroom, measuring 4 feet by 10 feet."

Ranav interjected, "Ensure the bathrooms are spacious enough for a commode, a shower, and a bathtub."

Jessica smiled. "Don't worry. I've already accounted for your preferences. Everything will fit perfectly."

She moved on to the next design. "Your parents' bedroom is larger, measuring 18 feet by 12 feet. It can accommodate a king-size bed, a large wardrobe, a work desk, a bookshelf, and a vanity. The attached bathroom is 18 feet by 4 feet—slightly bigger than the others for added comfort. A large window will keep the room bright and ventilated."

Picking up another set of sketches, Jessica said, "These are for the staircase and future expansions. The staircase starts at the end of the corridor, just past your parents' room, and connects the ground floor to the first floor, then to the second floor, and finally to the roof. It's designed within a 9 by 12 feet space and enclosed by four strong pillars that also support the overhead water tank. This layout ensures the staircase is safe and integrated into the house's structure."

Ranav asked, "What about the roof? If we don't build the first floor right away, how will the design accommodate this?"

"The roof will be the first floor for now," Jessica explained. "It will be made of reinforced concrete for durability and safety, with a 3 feet parapet wall around the edges. The staircase will provide easy access. The roof spans 2,745 square feet… 45 feet wide and 61 feet long. When you're ready to expand upwards, this will serve as the base for the first floor."

Ranav leaned back, absorbing the information. "I think I can explain these designs to the masons, but I'm worried about the cost. We only have 200 gold coins. I hope that's enough."

Jessica reassured him. "Don't worry. If the budget runs tight, we can adjust some features for now. I've considered several cost-saving strategies, and we'll adapt as needed."

Ranav stored the designs in his storage space and stretched. "It's already evening. I should go out and check on everyone. They'll start worrying if I stay locked in here any longer."

"Your timing is perfect," Jessica said. "The carpenter finished adjusting Vivita's bed, and the girls returned from the market not long ago. Your dad went out with the carpenter earlier but hasn't come back yet. Do you want to know anything else?"

Ranav laughed. "Even while engrossed in the designs, you noticed everything. Sometimes I envy your efficiency."

Jessica chuckled. "I'm the best, after all."

Ranav performed Regenesis to recover from fatigue before leaving the room. In the dining area, he found his mother, Vivita, and Camilla enjoying evening snacks. The aroma of freshly made food hit him, and his stomach growled audibly.

Vivita spotted him first. "Lil' bro, come here! We brought snacks from the market."

Ranav joined them, taking a seat beside his mother. "When did you get back, Mom?"

"Not long ago," Naveena replied, handing him a plate. "Come, have some with us."

Ranav's eyes lit up as he saw the assortment of snacks. "Oh! Singori and Momos! Thanks for bringing my favorites."

Vivita pouted dramatically. "Mom's biased! She bought all your favorites but didn't get any chole kulche for me!"

Everyone laughed at her antics, the warmth of family filling the room.