Grizzle

Alvin approached Auntie Rui's stall, his eyes widening in surprise as he took in the peculiar sight. Instead of the familiar shelves filled with books, there were rectangular boxes fixed onto the walls. Names were attached to each box. Alvin also saw some peculiar artifacts and trinkets displayed at the front of the store.

He squinted, attempting to read the names, but quickly realized his inability. With a shrug, he let go of the idea, acknowledging the fact that if he wanted to read, he first need to learn how to.

"Auntie Rui only sold books in my previous world. It seems like she also sells other things in this world," Alvin muttered to himself. This was the third difference Alvin found between his original world and this parallel world.

Ever since he came to this parallel world, the first difference he found out was that his mother was making copies of magic manuals instead of cooking manuals like in his previous world, and the second one was that his sister has magic talent. Unlike in his previous world where magic was only a folk tale.

Alvin thought that he might see people flying through the air or people casually using magic in the streets when he goes to the market, but there was no change at all; the market was the same as one in his previous world.

He was also a bit confused about all this at first, but through the conversation between the people in the market, he found out that since it is an area where commoners lived, there are only a few people who are able to use magic.

"If there are no bookshelves in the store, is she not selling books anymore?" Alvin thought to himself. "That's not right. If she is not selling books anymore, she would not have been buying copied books from mom,".

"Auntie Rui, where are the books?" Alvin blurted out before he could stop himself.

'Damn my mouth! Can't I just keep my bloody mouth shut? What if Auntie Rui suspects me?' . Alvin was truly amazed by his own stupidity.

'Just now I had remembered myself to try to find a way to understand this world more so that I won't stand out much. Yet here I am asking a question that will straight tell others that I don't know anything about this world.' Alvin looked at Rui nervously, waiting for her response.

Auntie Rui, a plump woman with short hair and a kind smile, looked at him with a strange expression.

She pointed at the boxes embedded in the wall. "Oh, Alvin, why are you asking strange questions? Can't you see the storage artifacts attached to the wall? You are acting as if you are coming here for the first time," she said, shaking her head.

Alvin felt a wave of relief wash over him. Auntie Rui hadn't seemed suspicious. He glanced around, noticing the display of weapons and potions behind her.

"Alvin, take out the books Sister Elena copied; her books are always in demand. If you hadn't come today, I would have come to your house to look for her," Auntie Rui said with a smile on her face.

As she turned her attention back to him, Alvin pulled out the three books from the cloth bag. One was the original manual, and the other two were copies his mother had made.

Rui eagerly took the books, inspecting them closely. Alvin watched her intently; he was also curious where she will place these books since he didn't see any shelves containing books in the stall.

After inspecting the books, Rui nodded her head in approval. Then, to Alvin's absolute shock, Auntie Rui walked over to one of the small book-sized boxes on the wall and brought the book near the box. Alvin's jaw dropped as the book vanished into thin air.

"What...what just happened?" Alvin exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Rui smiled at him. "What happened, kid? You are behaving as though it's your first time seeing a storage artifact."

Alvin could only scratch his head foolishly. He wanted to ask Rui more about storage artifacts, but he decided not to do so. If he asked any more questions, he was sure that this woman would either think he lost his memory or he had gone crazy.

After placing the books in the corresponding boxes placed in the walls, Rui took out 20 copper coins and gave them to Alvin.

She also took out another old-looking book and gave it to Alvin. "Ask your mother to make 5 copies of this book; I have some urgent clients who want to buy them," she said with a smile.

"Then I shall leave, goodbye Auntie," Alvin took the money and was about to leave when Rui stopped him.

With a warm smile, she called out, "Hey, kid, are you interested in a job?" Alvin's ears perked up at the mention of employment; he didn't hesitate and nodded eagerly.

Rui's smile widened at his quick response. "Great! Tomorrow morning, meet me here. We're heading to the forging division. The old forger there needs someone to clean his forge, and he'll pay you 15 coins every day. Not bad, huh?"

Alvin's eyes lit up with joy. The prospect of earning 15 coins daily, without the need for backbreaking labor, was a welcomed surprise. He could already imagine the relief it would bring in terms of purchasing medicine and food for his family. Overwhelmed, he quickly expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you, Auntie Rui! I'll be here first thing in the morning!" Alvin exclaimed, gratitude brimming in his voice.

Rui waved him off with a grin. "No need to thank me, kid. Just don't be late tomorrow!"

Thrilled about his newfound job, Alvin made his way to the apothecary to buy medicine for his mother. Afterward, he also bought some sweet buns and hurriedly ran back home.

After having dinner, Alvin told his mother about his new job. "Mom, Auntie Rui arranged a new job for me. I'll be a little late from tomorrow onwards. Have dinner with little Mia; no need to wait for me."

Elena looked at her son silently, and after some time, she slowly said, "Don't overwork yourself."

Alvin grinned at her. "Don't worry, Mom, I won't do anything I can't."

The next morning, Alvin arrived at Auntie Rui's stall, anticipation written across his face. Rui greeted him with a cheerful grin, "Ready for your first day on the job?"

Alvin, still adjusting to the idea of having employment, replied, "Absolutely! I'm excited."

As they made their way to the forging division, Rui decided to lighten the mood. "You know, cleaning a forge might sound simple, but you'll have to deal with a grumpy old forger named Grizzle. He's been hammering away at the anvil longer than I can remember."

Alvin chuckled nervously, "Grizzle, huh? Sounds like a character."

"Oh, he's a character, alright. Just don't mind his grumbling; it's his way of being friendly," Rui added with a wink.

Upon reaching the forging division, they found Grizzle engrossed in his work, sparks flying as he meticulously crafted a sword. Rui nudged Alvin, "Go on, introduce yourself. Grizzle might seem tough, but he's got a heart of gold."

Alvin hesitated for a moment, then approached Grizzle tentatively. "Um, hi there! Auntie Rui said you might need some help cleaning the forge?"

Grizzle looked up, his face initially stern, but he broke into a toothy grin. "Aha! So you're the new recruit, eh? Well, about time! The forge won't clean itself!"

Grizzle pointed at the broom placed in the corner.