Brrrrrrr!

It’s so cold now!

Thankfully ‘Grand Archive’ is helping me fight it by increasing my metabolism. I also seem to be in a sort of growth spurt.

The end result is that I’m eating absurd amounts of food!

Thankfully, due to the increase in profits everyone in The Bakery is eating well.

…well Gertrude should maybe consider eating a bit less well.

I may not know accurately what the life expectancy of this world….but ‘Grand Archive’ indicates that she seems to be

racing to the finish line.

Aaahhh, now I’m inside the Ale Shack. We’ve taken to calling it that since this is where I’m brewing beers now.

It’s warm in here, earlier today I had lit the fire under the pot to prepare my next brewing endeavor.

It’s been a little over four weeks now. Which is enough time to brew two batches of beer.

……Needless to say the first iteration was barely drinkable.

The second batch…..much better. It was drinkable and Clyde said it was about on the level of the Ales he’s had in Taverns about town.

Now with this batch I was about to brew something that defied this world’s logic.

I was going to use a liquor barrel to age the beer.

Aging a beer in a barrel wasn’t all that new, but re-using a liquor barrel seemed the height of folly.

Why?

Despite the lack of scientific progress in most areas of this world, they at least recognized that used barrels may make people sick unless used properly.

So me using a used liquor barrel seemed foolish. Even Clyde thought I was being ridiculous to not even coat the inside with pitch to protect the beer from the flavors of the barrel. It had taken an hour to explain fully what was happening.

In the end he had approved, now that we were approaching a year since we had been ‘business partners’ he was starting to realize that despite his misgivings I was constantly providing him with unique delicacies that hadn’t appeared before.

“Alright Claura could you finish collecting the water? I want to be sure we have enough.”

“Alright big brother!”

My ears twitched in slight annoyance. While I may not currently have a name per se in this world, there are still other forms of address other than ‘big brother’ and I really wish she’d start using them!

She placed her delicate hand near the copper pot, currently it was too hot to touch and began collecting the moisture from the air that had been building up since the water inside was already boiling.

The temperature noticeably decreased as the humidity in the shack once again plummeted.

While she was doing that, I hauled up the usual suspects.

Unfortunately there wasn’t much variety in terms of grains and hops and yeasts to choose from so I was kind of stuck with what I had. But this time was different!

I brought along new friends for the three.

Brewing standards! Meet roasted coffee beans and chocolate!

Yes, it was time to unleash upon this world the godly combination of a cask aged beer with flavors of chocolate and roast coffee!

Yes, it was truly the dawning of a new empire!

And its ruler would be……THE IMPERIAL STOUT!!!!!

Well, a pale shadow of an imperial stout.

Thanks to ‘Grand Archive’ I can remember when my friend’s mom listed off the ingredients she was using to put together a batch of Russian Imperial Stout. But getting ahold of those ingredients in winter is too difficult. Plus a lot of the would probably have to come in through Vihk, the merchant who now constantly supplied us with cocoa powder.

He was a really swell guy, he constantly gave us good prices and now Clyde buys most of his ingredients through him almost exclusively.

Why?

His ingredients were top quality and were given for a fair price.

Why would Vihk not try to make more on us?

Because of me his business was saved and was now booming. He had been the merchant from the southern country that had travelled north to sell his country’s special spices and other ingredients. However business wasn’t going so well since people were naturally suspicious.

But after brownies took off… well he became very popular with the people attempting to copy my recipe.

Anyways, I’ll have to ask Clyde to order the ingredients I’ll need for a true Imperial Stout from Vihk whenever he’s back up this way again.

For now, this will have to do. With its high alcohol content and hopefully satisfactory flavor along with it not inconsiderable ‘weight’ as a beer it should wow the rich of this capital.

…Maybe it’ll even find its way towards the castle.

If Clyde gets noticed by the castle that would be good; he’d be able to gain an immense profit and quite possibly a stable contract with it to supply our ‘special’ baked goods to them. If he got that, him accepting my ultimate price should be more likely.

I’ll have gifted his family with something far beyond what they could imagine and at the same time demonstrate that I no longer have any more things to give.

It may sound naïve. But, I have confidence I’ll be able to convince him when the time comes.

I breathe in deeply, appreciating the fragrant coffee or dark chocolate scents wafting out of the large cauldron now.

“Why did you put in those weird beans? Big brother?”

I could feel my ears flattening in annoyance at her constant use of that word.

“Becaaaauusse, they will make the ale taste good.”

Not that you’ll be able to drink it.

Honestly, why the hell does she keep calling me that? Technically she’s the older one! I’m coming up on six and she

already turned eight!

“Doesn’t it already taste good? That’s what Papa says, I think it tastes yucky though….”

Of course you would, good job Clyde! Give her a taste when she’s young so she won’t want it till later!

“Yeah it does taste pretty yucky. Your dad thinks so too, that’s why he’s looking forward to this.”

“Really!? Your awesome big brother!”

I can only grit my teeth.

“Well, thanks for your help……aren’t you supposed to be in the kitchen right now?”

“EEP!”

With a heart pounding at break neck speed, Claura scurried out of the shack. Around this time she would normally go to the kitchen to help a bit and top off the charge on the magic oven.

She’d obviously forgotten until I reminded her.

What a hopeless child.

I chuckled slightly as I turned back to stirring the cauldron.

Geez what am I? A witch in the woods!?

………………………………………………………………..

“Your coat’s going get rinkled.”

“Shut it ya little shit.”

I could feel my ears flick to the side, halfway between annoyance and mirth. I re-folded my hands and rested my chin on them again.

Clyde and I were in the back room behind the shop front.

While I was sitting at the table, he was fiddling with his new coat for the hundr-…..eh no, thirty-first time…. ‘Grand Archive’ makes hyperbole impossible.

“So….today is the day for the interview then?”

“Not entirely, this is just a meeting to talk about terms and such….plus about the formal interview.”

“……….So it’s a meeting about scheduling a meeting?”

“…y-yes….”

“Ah.”

There was silence again as he now began to readjust his new shirt. His blood pressure and heartbeat were above normal.

I guess that’s to be expected, he’s about to meet with someone that could supposedly turn him to ashes in as many words it takes to describe that.

Why would he talk to such a dangerous man? A wizard?!

Simple, it’s for Claura’s apprenticeship.

Her parents had decided this recently. Her consistent use of mana to charge the magic oven was already increasing her capacity, but then apparently my interference had exacerbated the situation.

The ‘heating’ and ‘cooling’ abilities that I had her develop seemed to have increased the mana at an exponential rate to the point where her parents could clearly feel it.

It seem magic wasn’t a gift everyone had in this world. Sure they all had mana, but not everyone had the necessary capacity to influence their environment with it. Even Clyde was like this, apparently Gertrude had slightly higher than normal levels

…….Seems she was good for something.

So when they finally were able to detect her comparatively large mana capacity with their own they were ecstatic.

Wizards naturally held a relatively high position in society, they were better than the basic magicians which witch-doctors and alchemists were classified under, but then again they weren’t as important as mages or even sorcerers were.

This class system had been enthusiastically explained to me by Clyde when he had found out about his daughter’s ‘genius’.

Wizards occupied a sweet spot, many people wanted them but they weren’t so powerful that governments were the only one that would employ them. Which meant his daughter would be able to live a very good life free from monetary concerns and political concerns.

He seemed so happy I didn’t have the heart to tell him, that politics always found its way into bed with power.

But that brings us to the present with Clyde constantly fiddling with his new clothes that he bought expressly for this occasion.

“Oh Dear! You look so dashing! It’s such a pity though.”

“Hmm? What is?”

Clyde smiled as he turned around to face his wife. My ears, on the other hand, flattened.

“Well you see, I too am all ready to go out. So I thought I’d just go meet Mr. Darney myself. Besides wouldn’t it be better

for the wife to discuss such things about their daughter? Hmmm?”

“But w-wait, h-honey!”

“Also, shouldn’t you be enjoying that Ale? I saw that Kitling drinking tasting it! Well, anyways I’ll be off now…..toodles!”

With a loud bang, the front door shut as Gertrude hurried, if it could be called that, off.

Also, did she just say ‘toodles’!?

Who uses that!? Even in this world that seems ridiculous!

Furthermore something seemed off, there was something wrong with her eyes when she looked over here apart from their usual beady-eyedness . There had been something definitely off when they fell on me….

Well whatever she hates me anyways.

Turning back I see a Clyde that could only be described as ….’put out’.

That was until the last bit of what she said registered and he turned to look at me.

He eyebrows look like storm clouds…..I don’t like where this is going!

“Kitlinggg, what did she mean by you ‘tasting’ the ale?”

“Ehhh-hehehe……well you see, Clyde, I kept a small bottle of the current batch separate so I could taste test.”

He suddenly approached me up until his hip nearly smashed into my face. This obviously forced me to look up.

Damn this five year old body!

“Where is it.”

“Excuse me?”

“Where. Is. IT!”

“Aaaah, well, ummmmm. I ……uh…..drank the whole bottle?”

I could see his arm twitch like he wanted to smack me as his heartrate quickened. However, he relaxed it and his heartrate went down again.

Must’ve remembered our deal.

“So? What did it taste like?”

“It’s just about there.”

…..wait, why is he grinning?

‘Grand Archive’ is telling me that he’s entering a euphoric state, almost like he’s having flashbacks to times when he was drunk.

….uh oh…

THERE HE GOES!

“No! Wait! Don’t open one now! It’s not entirely ready! Clyde!”

Darnit! He’s already out the door!

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

“An-and then…..I says to the wench, ‘Well I supposes you need to go fishin’ then!’”

“BAHAHAHAAH!”

“…..”

“Damn, drunks!”

“Hush Kitling! Don’t speak of Master and his friends that way!”

“But-!”

“No Buts!”

“Ow!”

I wrinkled my nose after my mother had flicked it.

Right now, both of us were tucking in for the night. However……….

Clyde and that damn merchant friend of his are getting plastered!

Kkkuuuuu!

The beer isn’t even ready yet!

I’m definitely not angry because I wanted to get drunk too! Definitely not!

….Haaaaa, not like I could anyways. This body is too young; I’d prefer it to remain healthy for as long as possible.

The healthcare system here is no existent after all.

“Now, let’s go to sleep Kitling.”

“Yes mom.”

I couldn’t help but smile a bit. Despite the fact that I already had a mom on earth, that part of me that is still a five year old, can’t help but feel happiness from this.

The fact that right now, in this world. I’m able to live in peace with my mother.

It’s kinda like that warm and fuzzy feeling you get when your family gets together after a long time apart.

It’s nice…………….

“Goodnight mom, love you.”

“I love you too….Kitling.”

………………………………………………………………..

“Hmmm-hmmm-hm-hm-hm! Hm, hmmmmmmm”

I could feel my ears twitch with the tune I was humming. Furthermore there was a skip in my step.

The reason?

I turned six!

It’s always nice aging when you’re young, each year it means you get a little bit taller, a little bit stronger, and a little bit wiser.

Especially now that I get to go through it again after already experiencing the beginning of the downward trend that occurs when you get older.

I certainly appreciated it more.

“Big brother! What are you so happy about?”

I paused in my humming to look over at Claura.

Right now it was one of those rare times when Clyde or Gertrude weren’t in the kitchen. I had walked in to say good morning to my mother. But I guess she was in here as well.

“hummm? Just ‘cause. Nothin special.”

Wait……..did my mom just raise an eyebrow? Her tail is twitching in an odd manner too! I didn’t know she had that kind of personality!

“Ok! Let’s play!”

“Ahh, uh-errr. I can’t, I need to go chop more wood for the ovens.”

“Boooo, let’s play let’s play!”

No you little brat! While playing may sound t-tempting……I’m an adult! Adults don’t play!

“I think it’s fine if you play for a while Kitling. Just stay in the backyard you two.”

“Oookkaayy~! C’mon big brother!”

“F-fine, I guess for a little while…………..”

“What?”

“I said fine!”

I could feel myself getting a little embarrassed! This is definitely that darn fiv – I mean six year old part of me at work.

……well whatever……..I guess since it is our birthday I’ll cede control to him.

We are almost perfectly fused, but his will still somewhat remains. You could almost say he’s like an outcropping of original soul. Eventually he will be entirely absorbed in.

For today though, I guess I’ll just let him play.

…………………………………………………………………………

Phew! For a girl that normally doesn’t do a lot of physical activity, Claura sure does have energy!

We ended up getting carried away and went out into the city.

We managed to keep some semblance of appearances as owner and slave.

Ugh, knowing I have to do that still makes my skin crawl. Thankfully, Claura’s cute smile made up for it just a bit.

….just a little bit…..I swear!

*CHOP!*

However, because of that I didn’t get to chopping wood until it was quite late in the day.

The sky was already darkening and the temperature had dropped enough that I could see my breath coming out in great white puffs.

Thankfully chopping didn’t take too long anymore. ‘Grand Archive’ made it so each strike hit the perfect weak point on the log.

“Kiitttllinnnggg! Time to come innnnn!”

Huh? That’s weird mom rarely calls me in like that!

“Okkaayy!”

I give a reply half on reflex from when I was a kid on earth.

I set the axe against the wood pile and ran inside.

As I entered the back room something seemed off.

It was well past the time when Clyde and his family had their dinner. His family and mine had separate dinner times, after all we were their slaves………..

Yet Clyde and Claura were still seated at the table.

Furthermore, I could smell…. No there it was!

The holy item!

A full glass of the most recent beer I had made! The taste was close to replicating the imperial stouts that were back on earth! The rich and full flavor of coffee and chocolate blended wondrously with the bite of the alcohol!

And was that!? It was!

A STEAK!

It wasn’t that large but it was a much more significant hunk of meat than what I had ever seen before!

I slowly stepped towards the table. While this feast was spread out right where the only empty seat left was…….it didn’t hurt to be cautious.

“What is all of this?”

Clyde raised an eyebrow as if to say ‘you know damn well’.

“Hurry and eat it before it’s cold.”

I could feel my eyes going round as a massive grin plastered on my face.

The little six year old in me couldn’t help but rush over in delight!

I could hear my mother laughing contentedly as Claura started giggling.

I didn’t look up until I went for the mug then paused.

I understood what this was for, but I didn’t really understand why.

Why would Clyde do something like this?

His motive was suspect, but I knew I should probably say some form of thanks beyond what was considered as polite.

I raised the small mug that contained the glorious beer I had brewed and tried to seem much more casual and relaxed than was possible in this body. Especially with its high pitched voice.

“Thanks, and to good business!”

“heh.”

Clyde breathed out a small left as his eyes squinted. He shook his head a little before replying.

“Happy birthday.”

Clyde really has come around from that man that looked down on me with a mixture of disdain and fear.

The lifestyle now is quite nice, my mother and I have a warm place to sleep and I’m making a good business with Clyde.

He now looks at me with warmth akin to friendship.

Things really have improved, freedom is almost in my grasp!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Next

Hi guys! Yes I'm late! I'm so very late! I really am sorry. For the past few weeks I've been hit with the lazy's, the writer blockers, and lots of RL work stuff! But I was finally able to churn out this chapter. Also I'm sure some are getting tired of this happy everyday life of a slave in another world. So I'll tell you now, the fun is about to begin.

P.S. I re-read some of what I've written so far and realize I haven't been super descriptive of the environments in the world. So.........should I be more descriptive or do you think leaving a framework for your imagination is better?