Supreme Magus novel Chapter 3678

In her Crone form, Baba Yaga resembled a hunched old woman with grey hair and stone-cold black eyes. Her nose and ears were long, her face full of wrinkles. Age spots covered her skin, making her look weak.

Her clothes were black, and she wore a long shawl around her hair to keep it from whipping her face on a windy day.

That, and the walking cane, made her resemble Lady Nerea of Lutia, the old Healer and midwife that everyone had called "Nana" since they were babies.

"No, you are not Nana." Vexal’s relaxed expression hardened, feeling as if the stranger was mocking the woman who had delivered him and his daughter safely.

The stranger’s voice was strong and confident like the real Nana’s, but the Crone lacked the aura of bitterness and lingering rage that Nerea wore like an armor every day of her life.

"Yes, I am." The Crone replied. "I had lots of children and even more grandchildren. I’ve been called Mama and Nana more times than I should remember, but I’ve forgotten none. I’ve earned my title, and if you disrespect my little ones, I’ll teach you a lesson with my cane!"

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you." Vexal couldn’t help but chuckle.

The old woman wasn’t Nana, but the attitude and mannerism were on point. They stirred so many memories of the late Healer that Vexal felt like the Crone was an old friend.

"And my granddaughter." Baba Yaga corrected him.

"And your granddaughter." Vexal nodded. "To make this up to you, I’ll serve you personally. Here’s a cup of hot tea for the wait. It’s on the house."

At a wave of his hand, one of the clerks brought an extra chair for the old woman.

"Thanks." The Crone accepted the tea and seat. "We’ll wait. We don’t want to cut the line. We can use this time to chat a bit."

"Excellent idea." Vexal handed Kelia a cup of tea and walked away.

The old Lutians misunderstood Baba Yaga’s words and started to ask her a lot of questions about where she was from, if it was her first time in Lutia, and if she was a Healer.

The Crone replied curtly and with as few words as she could, but it only made things worse. The crankier she acted, the more she reminded everyone of Nana, and the barrage of questions never ended.

At least until the door opened with such strength that the chime signaling new clients was ripped off its cord.

"I’ll take all the jam bread you have and a dozen of your best cakes." A finely dressed man who could only be a noble said. "I’m holding a party, and buying something that Supreme Magus Verhen likes is the best way to celebrate his first son."

Before Vexal could say anything, a bunch of burly men in livery pushed the clients aside, making a beeline for the counter for their master.

"Be warned, baker, if I find out what you’ve written on your insignia is a lie or you sell me garbage, I’ll have your license revoked and your shops closed. All of them."