5 - The Sweet Taste of Cinnamon Rolls

The carriage rattled down the dirt road, bumping over rocks and grooves in the earth, jostling Rook as he sat inside. But he was hardly bothered. His eyes were fixed on the breathtaking landscape that swept by his window. Rolling hills, forests that stretched as far as the eye could see, and pastures dotted with grazing animals, all of it was alive and pulsating with a natural energy that made Rook's heart race.

He took a deep breath, inhaling the clean, crisp air of the countryside. The aroma of wet earth mingled with the scent of freshly bloomed wildflowers, and Rook reveled in the way it filled his senses.

As they continued their journey, he couldn't help but reflect on his creation, the Systems he had crafted in his novel. He thought about the many elements he had left unexplored, and wondered what potential lay untapped.

Lost in thought, Rook was jolted back to the present as the carriage hit a particularly rough patch of road. He glanced out the window to see the driver flicking the reins, urging the horses on to move faster.

"We're almost there, aren't we?" Rook asked, leaning forward to peer out the window.

The driver, a gruff, weathered man, nodded in response.

"We'll be at the System Academy in the capital by sundown," he replied.

Rook leaned back into his seat and pulled out his Thread System HUD, eager to study and perfect his System abilities at the Academy. His finger traced the glowing words on the screen, conjuring images of the immense power he would wield. Chuckling like a mad man, as he created complex tread patterns to increase his experience.

Suddenly, a tantalizing aroma wafted into the carriage, and Rook's mouth watered. The scent of fresh-baked bread filled his nostrils, and he knew he had to investigate. He looked out the window and saw a small bakery on the side of the road, its door propped open to let in the afternoon breeze.

"Can we stop there for a moment?" Rook asked the driver, pointing excitedly to the bakery.

The driver grunted in agreement, and soon the carriage pulled up to the bakery. Rook hopped out and rushed inside, eager to sample the baked goods.

The moment he stepped inside, he was enveloped by the delicious smell of warm bread. The bakery was small and cozy, with shelves filled with loaves of bread, pastries, and other sweet treats. Rook's eyes roamed over the displays, trying to decide what to get.

"Can I help you with something?" a voice asked.

Rook turned to see a woman standing behind the counter, her apron dusted with flour. Her warm smile put him at ease, and he felt as if he had stepped into his grandmother's kitchen.

"I'll take a loaf of bread and a cinnamon roll, please," Rook said, his stomach grumbling with anticipation.

The woman nodded and quickly packed his order into a brown paper bag. Rook handed her a few Stars, the currency used in most parts of the world, and she smiled in thanks.

He stepped outside into the warm sun and took a bite of the cinnamon roll. It was warm and gooey, with just the right amount of cinnamon and sugar. The flavor was decadent and satisfying, and Rook savored it as he continued to explore.

As he walked, he noticed a small stream nearby and decided to explore further. Following the sound of the trickling water, he came to a clearing where a group of children were playing in the stream, splashing and laughing as if they had not a care in the world.

Rook watched them for a while, feeling a sense of nostalgia wash over him. He remembered his own childhood

The woman nodded and quickly packed his order into a brown paper bag. Rook handed her a few Stars, and she smiled in thanks.

In the world of Rook's novel, the currency used by most people is known as the "Star." It is a small, circular metal coin with five points engraved on its surface, reminiscent of a star. The Star is the official currency of the Kingdom of Arathia and is widely accepted in most parts of the world. He remembered a passage from his failed novel.

[The value of the Star varies depending on the region, as well as the current economic and political situation. In the capital city of Arathia, for example, the Star is the most valuable currency, and one can buy more with it than in the rural regions. The value of the Star is also affected by the availability of goods and services in the area. In times of scarcity, the Star's value increases, while in times of abundance, it may decrease.

Merchants and traders commonly use scales to weigh coins, ensuring that the correct amount is exchanged during transactions. In addition to the Star, there are also other currencies used in specific regions of the world. These include the "Sea Shell" in coastal regions, the "Mountain Coin" in mountainous areas, and the "Desert Scarab" in the arid regions.

The government of Arathia mints and regulates the distribution of the Star, ensuring that it is not counterfeited or devalued. In addition to the physical coins, there are also electronic forms of currency, which are used primarily for larger transactions or by businesses. These electronic currencies are stored on special cards, which can be swiped at designated terminals to transfer funds. ]

He stepped outside, the warm sun on his face, and took a bite of the cinnamon roll. It was warm and gooey, with just the right amount of cinnamon and sugar. He savored the taste, feeling content.

As he chewed, Rook's eyes drifted back to the carriage. He saw the driver leaning against a tree, smoking a pipe. The horses were grazing on the grass, seemingly enjoying the break.

Rook took another bite of the cinnamon roll and walked down the path. He noticed a small stream nearby and decided to explore. He followed the sound of the trickling water until he came to a clearing. There, he saw a group of children playing in the water, their laughter echoing through the trees.

Rook watched them for a while, feeling a sense of nostalgia wash over him. He remembered his own childhood, the summers spent playing outside with his friends. He missed those carefree days, before the weight of responsibility had settled on his shoulders.

As the golden sun began to set, Rook realized it was time to go. He finished the last bite of his cinnamon roll and made his way back to the carriage. The driver had finished his pipe and was sitting on the seat, reins in hand.

"Ready to go?" the driver asked, giving Rook a knowing smile.

The driver cracked the reins and the horses started moving again, their hooves pounding against the dirt road. Rook leaned back in his seat, watching as the scenery blurred past him. He felt a mix of apprehension and anticipation, wondering what lay ahead at the System Academy.

After several hours of traveling, the carriage came to a stop outside a grand building. Rook's heart pounded in his chest as he stepped out, taking in the sight of the towering structure before him. He could see other carriages arriving, each one filled with hopeful students eager to begin their training.

Rook made his way inside, his eyes widening at the sight of the grand entrance hall. The walls were lined with portraits of famous graduates, their accomplishments and accolades inscribed beneath them. He could hear the sound of hundreds of voices echoing through the halls, as students and teachers alike bustled about.

As Rook made his way to the registration desk, he couldn't help but be feel the concoction of excitement and nervousness bubbling up inside him.