Published: July 4, 2025
Due to hydrogen bonding, Ryo, who had achieved victory over something unclear, now aimed for a higher goal: 'hot water.'
However, this should be simple.
Ryo had confidence in his chances.
He had created ice by stopping the vibrations of water molecules Hâ‚‚O; now, he just needed to perform the opposite process.
In other words, he needed to increase the vibrations of the water molecules.
Ryo had done this before during a summer vacation research project. Of course, he hadn't used magic for it...
He filled a magic bottle with water, sealed it, and shook it vigorously!
After shaking it about two thousand times, the temperature of the water had increased slightly.
By forcibly increasing the vibrations of the water molecules, he could raise the temperature.
This was already a process that had been promised success.
First, he would use a hand bucket, which was frequently used. Let's give it a try.
([Water Supply])
He cast the spell incantationless. He needed to practice both incantation and incantationless to be proficient in either.
Just like when he created the Ice Lens, he prepared a depth of about ten centimeters of water.
Then, he held both hands over it and visualized the Hâ‚‚O molecules themselves in his mind.
And then, vibrate them!
...
"Huh?"
There was no change in the water of the bucket. It didn't feel like it had turned into hot water or even steamed.
Even when he put his hand in the water, he couldn't feel any change in temperature.
"Why?"
Was his image of Hâ‚‚O not sufficient?
He needed to visualize it more clearly before… vibrating!
"Still not warm."
He should be able to perform the exact opposite process of making ice.
"What else did I do back then...?"
He recalled his actions.
"...Ah, before stopping the vibrations of the water molecules, I had them bond together. I need to reverse that too."
He held both hands over the water in the bucket again and visualized.
He imagined breaking the hydrogen bonds between the water molecules, allowing them to move freely.
And he envisioned each individual molecule vibrating as well.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, it was as if a geyser erupted from the bucket, hot water spouting upwards.
"Hottttt!"
Ryo barely managed to avoid the falling geyser.
Getting burned would be a disaster because water magic has no healing properties...
That said, it seemed he had succeeded in creating 'hot water.'
However, there was a practical problem: it was scary to suddenly try this unstable 'hot water boiling technique' (as defined by Ryo) in the bathtub.
If the stone bathtub cracked, it would be a big deal.
So, what to do?
In times like this, there was a standard response.
"Practice is all I can do!"
He would increase his proficiency.
He would experience success and failure multiple times.
Little by little, the number of successes would increase.
Experiencing success repeatedly would lead to confidence.
For lunch, he munched on the non-frozen dried meat that had strangely remained unfrozen in the storage room... Among the items in the freezer, for some reason, the dried meat alone was not frozen... while continuously repeating the generation of water and boiling hot water.
The sun seemed to be tilting, probably around three o'clock by Earth's time.
Ryo suddenly felt dizzy and could no longer stand.
"My consciousness is fading..."
This was his first mana depletion.
He took a sip of the freshly generated water from the bucket, somehow made his way to the bedroom, and collapsed, losing consciousness.
It was the third day since he had come to 'Fai.'
"Reflecting on yesterday, I should use up my magical power after taking a bath."
Speaking out loud, Ryo reflected on his thoughts.
He felt uneasy about having slept without taking a bath.
As expected of a former Japanese person.
He then realized something.
"I only have the clothes I'm currently wearing."
Indeed, in the house that Michael (alias) had prepared for him, there were no spare clothes.
"By the way, what was Michael (alias) wearing?"
Something like a toga of ancient Roman nobility...?
Well, no matter what, first of all, this house lacks a large piece of cloth.