Lavier soon arrived at the pigsty, where Gottaya was already hard at work. She cast him only a single glance before returning to her chores.

  Unbothered, Lavier eagerly went to fetch the great stag. Perhaps recognizing the young noble’s scent, the creature offered little resistance and began grazing quietly once led out.

  The boy strained to pull the carriage frame into place—it was far heavier than he’d imagined. He had often seen Glann do this with apparent ease, never realizing how much strength it truly required. Still, after several clumsy attempts, he managed to secure the harness and assemble the carriage just as he had seen it done.

  When he finally snapped the reins and the cart began to roll forward, a thrill of exhilaration spread across his face.

  Meanwhile, back at home, Glann had already instructed Nighthowl to follow in secret, ensuring the young noble’s safety to and from town. With the hound’s current strength, few ordinary men could ever detect its presence. The town itself was guarded by patrols, and beyond the outskirts, Nighthowl’s protection would suffice.

  Glann had already read a third of the book and gleaned much from it—some knowledge straightforward, others obscure. Certain puzzles he had reasoned through on his own, yet many more defied understanding.

  At last, when he felt the weight of unanswered questions pressing on his mind, he closed the book.

  “Time to visit the old man,” he murmured. “Though I doubt he’ll be willing…” A wry smile touched his lips. “But willing or not, he’ll have to be.”

  With the book under his arm, he went downstairs, exchanged a few words with Tia, and stepped outside.

  No sooner had he crossed the courtyard than a figure rounded the corner from another street—a towering, obese man with a belly straining against his clothes.

  The moment the man saw Glann, his face darkened, and a surge of malice rushed outward like a tangible wave.

  Glann, sensing the hostility, merely smirked. He stepped forward, his arm transforming with lupine ferocity, and brought it down upon the man without hesitation.

  The brute did not even attempt to dodge, confident in his own strength.

  Another arrogant fool, Glann thought. His enhanced arm carried the might of a fifth-tier being—this one, at best, barely reached the fourth. Foolish indeed.

  A thunderous crash split the air. The fat man was hurled into the cobblestones, blood gushing from his mouth like a burst spring.

  Glann loomed over him, one clawed hand tightening around his throat, his voice edged with death.

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  “You were one of those who told me to get out of town the other night, weren’t you? I spared you then, yet you still dare provoke me?”

  The man gripped at Glann’s wrist, rasping, “You’re too loud! We hate noisy pests like you! You should move away!”

  “Too loud?” Glann blinked, then let out a low laugh. “I know making noise is uncivilized—but it wasn’t even me who—ah, forget it. Explaining to you is a waste of breath.”

  He drove his fist into the man’s gut. More blood spattered the ground as the man convulsed in agony.

  Glann flung him aside like refuse. “Consider this your warning. For the sake of being neighbors, I’ll let you live. But next time—”

  A voice, slow and mechanical, interrupted him. “If you’re holding back out of fear the mayor might be displeased, you needn’t bother.”

  Glann turned. The speaker was a wooden puppet in a blue vest—Parindes—who had appeared without a sound.

  “What do you mean?” Glann asked.

  Emotionless, the puppet replied, “The town isn’t as peaceful as it looks. From time to time, townsfolk clash—and yes, sometimes people die. As long as the balance of the town remains undisturbed, no one interferes.”

  Glann understood immediately. The puppet had seen his hesitation—his reluctance to kill lest he disturb that delicate balance.

  “Besides,” Parindes added, glancing coldly at the groaning man, “that one’s no innocent. His hands are stained with the blood of the defenseless.”

  Glann nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I’m not one to kill for sport. I truly meant to spare him. But after hearing that… I suppose mercy would be misplaced.”

  With that, his claws thrust forward like lightning. The man’s eyes bulged wide as his chest was pierced clean through. Whatever power he had tried to muster for defense flickered and died.

  “You’re an anomaly,” said the puppet evenly. “Most who gain power beyond others begin to see killing the weak as their right.”

  “Principles matter,” Glann replied, glancing back. “That’s something my father taught me long ago.” Silently, he added in his heart: my father from the previous life.

  Parindes stood still for a moment, saying nothing.

  Then Glann suddenly asked, “Where’s your sister?”

  Instantly, the puppet’s tone turned sharp. “Why do you ask?”

  “Just curious.” Glann shrugged casually.

  Parindes stared hard into his eyes, searching for hidden intent—but found only calm indifference. Finally, he relented. “She’s asleep.”

  “Then please thank her for me,” Glann said softly. “For what she did the other night.”

  “She acted without my consent!” the puppet snapped.

  “I know.” Glann turned away toward the old man’s house. “That’s why I’m asking you to pass the message.”

  As the strange werewolf’s figure receded down the street, Parindes watched in silence. His gaze shifted to the corpse on the ground before he, too, disappeared into the shadows.

  Glann yawned and knocked lightly on the old scholar’s door.

  It opened moments later. The old man frowned. “What is it now?”

  Glann lifted the book with a smug grin. “Old man, I’ve begun learning magic.”

  The scholar’s eyes widened slightly. “You’ve awakened elemental perception already? Which mage helped you?”

  “I’m not sure my teacher would want me to name them, so…” Glann spread his hands innocently.

  The old man nodded slowly. “Then what brings you here? Surely not just to boast.”

  “Of course not,” Glann replied. “I’m here to learn—from you, the esteemed scholar of magical theory.”

  The old man sighed, catching on at once. “I don’t have time—”

  “Old man,” Glann interrupted, “last time you asked for my help, I agreed without hesitation. Sure, you paid me, but don’t pretend you didn’t come out ahead. I didn’t make a fuss because we’re neighbors. So, tell me—you can’t spare a little time to help me now?”

  The scholar fell silent. After a long pause, he finally stepped aside.

  “…Come in.”