After passing many carriages, on one corner of a wide road in the city square, we come across a small sweet and confectionary shop that stands out from the rest of the shops on the street. The exterior of the shop is made of old, rustic wood, which gives it a charming and traditional feel. The shop's signboard, which reads "Sweet Treats", hangs above the entrance, painted in a bright shade of pink.
As we step inside, the familiar smell of freshly baked treats fills the air, and we're immediately greeted by a warm and cozy atmosphere. The shop is well-lit, with several large windows allowing natural light to stream in, and colorful candies and sweets displayed in glass jars all around the shop.
"Welcome to Sweet Treats! How may I help you?" a girl of around 17 years old stands behind the counter, her long two-sided braid swaying gently as she greets us with a sweet voice and friendly smile. She is dressed in a full, orange medieval frock and something like a baker's dress, adding to the whimsical feel of the shop. You can sense a friendly big sister vibe from her.
"Huh, is Miss Gia not here?" my father wondered.
"Oh my, so you are guests of the boss. She is baking some cookies inside. Please sit here for a minute. I will go bring her," she said cheerfully and went inside to call the old hag.
"You ask me why I call Grandma Gia as old hag? It's because it's always been like that since my childhood. She is really close to my mother. I don't know how they are related but I can tell she really cares about me and my mom. She comes to our house at least once a month. And every time she visits me, she never comes empty-handed. She always brings me tasty sweets and cookies. I almost became her taste tester, so no new confectionery of hers leaves for the market without me taste testing it."
"Oh, I wondered who it was! It's our little rascal after all," came the old lady, marking her presence in a bold voice.
"Hello OLD HAGGG," I returned her greeting with a mischievous smile.
"You rascal! How many times have I told you not to call me like that? You are 6 now. Learn some respect, young man."
"Hmm... You old hag! How many times have I told you not to call me little rascal? You are already over 60 now. Learn some respect, old woman."
"This boy...?" She gave me a furious look that she couldn't maintain so well, and soon both of us ended up in laughter. My dad kept chuckling by my side while the teen girl had her mouth wide open the whole time during our conversation.
"Miss Gia, how are you? Seems like you found yourself an assistant," asked my dad, looking at the two braided teen.
"Nice and young as always, Theo," said Gia with a proud look on her face. "Oh, and this beauty is Lydia. She is in training under me."
"Hello," said Lydia, blushing at being mentioned as a beauty.
"I have been planning to pay a visit to Barn this week. Never thought you would bring Bowen to the town."
"Well, he is all grown up but his tantrum remains the same," said my father helplessly.
"It's fine. He must see the big world for himself to grow," the brave old lady nodded.
"True. Oh, I forgot to mention. He will be taking his magic attribute test tomorrow."
"I see, so you have planned for Bowen to visit Allar (neighborhood village)," said Gia, giving me an understanding look.
"Yes. It's rare for seekers to visit a rural village like Barn. It's every parent's wish to see their kids in flying colors," my father replied.
"Well, boy, what do you think? Are you nervous?" the old hag asked me.
"Nope," I said without hesitation. "Confident, are we? Okay, fine. If you prove to have a good attribute, I will give you a reward of your choice," Gia said.
"Really?" I asked.
"What do you think about me, huh? I never make promises that I can't fulfill," Gia replied.
"It's a deal then, old hag. Don't forget your promise," I challenged.
"Of course, little rascal. It's a deal," she said.
[Well, after all, I am reincarnated. This body of mine can't be worse, not having a single attribute, right?... Umm... Well... I can't completely be confident, having a deceiving employer and a system that tries to make my life harder in every way... But it can't be worse, right? System, am I right? I have some attribute, right? At least one?]
System: (silent)
"Hey now, don't act dumb... hey...!"
System: (silent)
[S**t. Should I have not challenged the old hag? I now regret being confident in front of the old lady. Well, it doesn't matter. It's just a childish deal.]
And if you guys are wondering what an aptitude test is, let me explain... Oh! In the next chapter, that is. See ya, bye.