Grandma Holly was sitting in the same corner seat just like yesterday. It was as if it was a scene in a painting and nothing had changed from the day before. She was still wearing the black gown and the ancient black hat. The broom was still resting on the wall in the exact same place as well.

When she saw the young server boy, she smiled at him. It was a standard smile that had been practiced over decades. When you become a witch of Grandma Holly’s age, you amass an arsenal of different smiles that convey many different meanings. Without having to speak a single word, a smile could communicate exactly what she wanted to say.

For instance, the kind smile on her face right now was communicating to Richard that he should stop being so nervous and hurry up with the soup before she lost her patience. Richard, who had stiffened up at the sight of Grandma Holly understood the smile and hurried along to the table with the soup.

“Thank you, dear. How are you? You seem to be in quite a bit of pain from yesterday’s work.” Grandma Holly asked kindly while she stirred the hot soup with a spoon.

Richard didn’t know what or how to answer to not offend the old woman but gave up thinking since taking too much time to answer would be equally offensive. “Yes, I’m good. It was my first time working hard so it is a bit difficult but I will get used to it soon. Thank you for caring.”

Perhaps pleased by the polite answer, Grandma Holly nodded and patted Richard’s head with her bony, wrinkly hands. Although his instincts were telling him to avoid the hand, his body was frozen in place, and accepted the pats. “Working hard is good but you should take care of your health as well.”

She rummaged through the pouch hanging by her waist and took out a glass vial. There was a bluish-purple liquid inside the finger-sized vial. She shook the vial a little and looked at it in the sunlight. After uncorking it and sniffing a little, she nodded to herself and handed it to Richard.

“Here, take this. Put a drop of this in a glass of water and drink it every morning. It should ease your pain and relax your muscles. This should last you until your body gets used to it.”

Although Richard had reflexively taken the vial when Grandma Holly handed it to him, he stood there in confusion with his hand still outstretched. He didn’t know whether he should take it or not. He had only met the old woman twice so he couldn’t even be sure if it was something harmful.

And what if she asks me to pay an exorbitant amount after I take it? Does this world still have slavery?

Grandma Holly seemed to have some idea of what was going on in Richard’s mind as she clarified, “Just take it. It is a cheap potion to relieve your pain. You don’t have to pay for it, I’m giving it to you because I like you.”

Although he didn’t know what to think about the old witch saying that she liked him, he decided to take the potion for the time being and put it in his pocket. He then reflexively asked the question that came to mind when he heard the word potion. “Is this a magic potion?”

Grandma Holly looked at Richard as if she were looking at an idiot and answered, “Why would you need a magic potion for pain relief? It is just willow and lavender extract.”

Then why did you have to be so mysterious about it? Also, anyone would think that a brightly colored potion is a magic potion if an old witch hands it to you.

Although Richard had many thoughts, he didn’t share them for his own safety. He just bowed his head a little and said, “Thank you for your consideration. Please enjoy your soup.”

When Richard turned back toward the kitchen, Grandma Holly asked him a question, “You said you wanted to learn magic, right? Work hard and earn a lot of money, those stingy wizards charge a hefty admissions fee for their schools.”

Richard turned and thanked Grandma Holly for her advice. On his way back to the kitchen, Grandma Holly’s words kept ringing in his mind. He didn’t even know the units of currency and their purchasing power but he had to think about saving up if he wanted to study magic.

There is no end to obstacles. But at least making money is something I can probably do if I learn enough about this world.

How do you earn money? Richard’s idea was simple. He was a man from the 21st century and this world or at least the region he was in was in a medieval period from what he had seen. So, if he improved on the existing inventions or created something new that didn’t exist in this world, he should earn quite a lot of money.

Don’t most characters in fiction begin amassing wealth by creating soap, paper, and all kinds of daily necessities? Or he could start a fast food business with food from his past world. There were many ideas in his head but to realize them, he needed to understand this world first.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

……..

Although he was skeptical about the potion, he took a drop of it as prescribed by Grandma Holly at the strong insistence of Willum that it was safe. Apparently, witches in this world took up the role of a village doctor and prescribed medicines for all kinds of ailments.

The potion that turned a deep shade of pink when mixed with water was very effective. After taking it, Richard was able to continue working until his break. He gulped down the delicious bear stew and headed out to the town for the break.

“Get back within two hours. If you are late, I’ll dock your pay.” Willum warned as Richard walked out of the inn.

Even just moving to a new city brings about all kinds of emotions and excitement, but Richard was in an entirely new world in a different era so the excitement for exploration was very high. He began aimlessly wandering down the street.

Sherry Town wasn’t very big. Although it was called a town, it was just a very fancy village. The other villages around the Dingie Hills called the people from Sherry town as pompous and pretentious. The only reason Sherry town had managed to elevate itself to the status of a town amidst all the villages around it was because it stood right at the entrance to the Dingie hills.

Due to the town being in the proximity of the main road and most of the travelers choosing the town as the place to rest in their journey, the town had developed quickly. Although there was nothing to see in the town, just its geographical advantage had made it somewhat of a tourist town. Although the tourists in the town never really stayed there for more than a couple days at a time.

Reflecting the town’s economy, Richard saw a lot of inns and restaurants on his walk down the street. Even the stores were mainly catering to the people passing through the town. Dry goods stores, carriage repair shops, stables, and such were all over the place.

There were also other stores for things like daily necessities, and clothes but they were not as noticeable. The streets were filled with people moving about in a hurry or dodging the horses, carriages, and carts moving up and down the street.

Richard also saw a few banks on the way which he hadn’t expected to see in the medieval town. There were two banks across each other with one that had the image of a goblin on its signboard over the door and the other with the image of a gnome on the signboard.

As if waiting for Richard to ponder about the imagery, a couple of yellow-gold goblins wearing three-piece suits and a lot of gold rings and chains came out of the bank with the goblin image. And from the other bank with the gnome image came out three gnomes with white beards, tall conical hats, and simple sweaters and pants.

The timing for the two parties exiting the bank was almost exactly the same and they happened to meet each other right in front of Richard. Both the groups were about the same height as the 9 to 10-year-old Richard so they were at eye level with him.

“Tsk, the day is ruined now, the sight of those miserly faces is sure to bring bad luck.” The leading goblin spat out while glaring at the gnomes. His companions seemed hostile to the gnomes too. If a stare could kill, then the gnomes would all be stabbed into Swiss cheese with those glares.

“Oh! What a surprise to see the great branch manager Auric Longpockets in the early morning. No wonder I heard the sound of metal clanking. Where are you headed branch manager?” The leader of the gnomes with the largest belly spoke with a smile. His eyes on the other hand were very cold. The gnomes behind him all had hardened expressions as well.

The goblin called Auric Longpockets snorted, “It is none of your business Pennypincher. You just stay out of my way.” The goblin turned away from the gnomes.

Before the goblins walked away the gnome called Pennypincher spoke, “Why are you so cold Manager Auric? Aren’t you going to the auction at the mayor’s house? Why don’t we go together, there are some things I am interested in buying too.”

The goblins stopped momentarily and Auric replied without turning back, “You have to have money to participate in auctions. Misers like you shouldn’t bother to attend auctions.”

Richard stood in place and watched the entire altercation with interest until both groups walked past him. It was an amusing scene where he got to witness the dynamics between the goblins and the gnomes. There seemed to be a rivalry going on between the two banks.

Continuing his walk, Richard came across a building with a large board with the image of a man in a running pose. While he was trying to guess what it was for, someone tapped his shoulders from behind.

“Hey Richie, what are you doing here? Did you run away from Old Man Willum’s place?” Billy asked with concern.

Runners had their own honor and Billy had introduced Richard to the Bear & Beer Inn. If Richard whom he had referred just ran away on the first day, it would damage his reputation at the guild. Richie also had a history of borrowing money and bailing on payments.

Billy had only helped Richie because he seemed to have lost all his memory. So Billy Carrots was very concerned about why Richard was wandering the streets.

“It is my break right now. I will have to get back in about an hour.” Richard answered. He didn’t have a watch so he was only guesstimating the time.

“Are you here to place a job at the Runners Guild then? Why are you posting the job there when you know me personally? Just tell me what job you have.” Billy Carrots fired a rapid-fire barrage of questions at Richard.

So this is the runners guild? It should be somewhat like the mix of a post office and odd jobs center from what I can guess from Billy’s description.

“What kind of jobs do you runners usually take?” Richard ignored Billy’s questions and asked curiously.

“Almost anything as long as it doesn’t overlap with the other guilds. If you have to send a message or a courier, run an errand, or do some odd jobs you can contact the Runners Guild. Why? What kind of job do you have?” Billy asked. He didn’t want to lose a customer who he was acquainted with.

Richard thought for a moment and answered, “Nothing much. I just want to know the latest gossip and news in the town. I’ll pay you with a bowl of bear stew and bread back at Bear & Beer.”

Billy’s eyes lit up at the mention of the stew. “Okay. Let me think.”

“I have to head back to the inn now so tell me on the way.” Richard walked back to the inn leading Billy.