Hot springs completed

The next day, Michael set to work on his hot springs idea. It didn't need to be extremely complicated; he just needed a large pool with a compartment at the bottom for the firewood, where the flames would heat the water to a comfortable temperature.

It was unfortunate that his mansion wasn't anywhere close to a volcano, which would have made it easier to get water for the hot springs. Still, a man-made hot spring would do just fine.

He asked ChatJK1 to find an appropriate spot near the house to install the hot springs, and his AI assistant directed him to a flat area by the river.

For the design, Michael decided to take inspiration from the Romans, who used hot air and smoke to heat the flooring and water of their caldaria, their bathhouses.

He started by laying a foundation at the bottom, creating a base filled with tiny pillars where the smoke and fire would spread. Above those pillars, he would place the actual flooring of the bathhouse.

Using the 2-star spell, [Boulder Carve], Michael transformed large chunks of rock on the ground into the needed pillars and flooring for the bathhouse.

[Boulder Carve]

— ★★

— Earth element

— This magic allows the user to chip and carve out pieces of stone from a large boulder.

He used this spell with the combination of a very useful 1-star spell [Stone Mend], which allowed him to seamlessly connect the stones without the need for cement.

[Stone Mend]

— ★

— Earth element

— This magic allows the user to combine similar earth materials into one piece as if they were connected from the start.

Since it was such a massive project, Michael could no longer keep his magic powers a secret.

The maids stood in awe as they witnessed while reality started to shift and bend, beginning from Michael's hands and slowly manifesting into a glowing green aura around his body.

They gasped, unable to believe that a five-year-old boy was effortlessly able to lift a boulder larger than a bear by only using his magic.

"The young master… he's casting magic!"

"I shouldn't be surprised, but he's really using Earth magic! And that's no easy spell either—it's a 2-star difficulty magic!"

Some of the less knowledgeable maids tilted their heads. "Is it really surprising for the young master to be good at magic? Most geniuses learn magic at the age of five as well…"

The more knowledgeable butlers looked at the young maid and grimaced. "Yes, in terms of geniuses, it isn't that surprising… but the young master's different."

"How?" she asked.

"Have you ever seen a magic tutor come to this mansion? Or have you ever seen Madame teaching the young master Earth magic?"

Once the elderly butler pointed it out, and only then did a lot of the younger maids finally realized just how much of a monstrously genius their Young Master was.

All the spells he was casting right now were self-learned! Nobody taught him anything. This meant that Michael had picked up those spells either through his observation or intuition, both of which were a feat only the talented and monstrous prodigies in history were capable of accomplishing.

"Also… how long have we been watching him cast those spells? Almost an hour? Yet, he's barely broken a sweat! How big is his mana capacity?!"

"Sir and Madam got really lucky with their only son… Not only is he a genius craftsman in the making, but he also has the potential to become a powerful wizard!"

"Madam will be overjoyed once she learns about this. Her son is a natural genius at Earth Magic!"

Of course, they wouldn't know for some time that Michael wasn't only proficient with Earth magic but in all four main elemental mana.

But that's a story for another time.

_____

After a couple more days of hard work, the open bathhouse was finally complete.

Compared to the bathhouses of his past life, it was quite big. But in terms of his current mansion, it was nothing more than a small puddle.

He had divided the pool into two sections: one for men and one for women.

At the end of the workday, Michael gathered all the maids and butlers at the entrance of his newly built hot springs. 

Even when they stood outside, they could feel the warmth radiating from its entrance.

"Young master, what have you created this time?" Beretta asked, curiosity laced in her voice.

Michael grabbed a bundle of firewood and tossed it towards the opening of the bathhouse's underground chamber, fueling the fire further.

"This is a hot spring," he explained. "After working hard all day, you can come here to relax and immerse yourself in hot water. Trust me, it's incredibly invigorating."

The idea of bathing in hot water after working all day long seemed like the perfect idea to relax.

"This looks amazing! I can't wait!"

"You've truly outdone yourself this time, young master!"

"I swear, the steam alone is making my face feel younger!"

Everyone walked into the bathhouse, their faces filled with curiosity and excitement. Michael directed the butlers to the right side while the maids were led to the left.

"You take off your clothes here, then grab a towel and rinse yourselves…"

As soon as they got the instructions of what they had to do, the maids and butlers immediately rushed toward the hot springs.

And just as Michael was about to go to the men's bath, a few maids pulled him back.

"Young master, where are you going?"

"Uhh… going to take a bath?"

The young maid shook her head. "With those burly men? No, young master. You'll come with us."

Michael blinked at the smiling young maids, feeling his cheeks heat up.

Oh, right. He was five years old now, which meant that people were treating him as nothing more than a precious, innocent little child.

"Come bath with us! We'll wash your back!"

Michael instinctively started to back away. "Uhh… no thanks…"

Most of the maids were young and only about twenty years old. Compared to his age when he died in his previous world, they were the ones to be considered as babies.

"Oh please, young master. We used to bathe you when you were just a wee little child before. Don't be shy!"

Before he could protest, the group of clueless maids dragged Michael to the women's bath.

It's fine… this is fine, right? I'm only five years old… If I don't look, it's okay, right, ChatJK1?

[....]