The little maid looked visibly troubled after hearing Glenn’s request.

  “Is there a problem?” Glenn asked.

  “Mr. Glenn, I… I don’t know how to weave,” Tia admitted, her cheeks flushing crimson.

  Isn’t weaving supposed to be part of a maid’s training? It must be… but no one ever taught me. What should I do? Her heart raced in panic.

  Glenn merely chuckled and waved a hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you.”

  “You… know how to weave, Mr. Glenn?” Tia asked in astonishment.

  “No,” Glenn said flatly.

  Tia froze, her face stiffening. “Then… then…”

  “Relax. It doesn’t require any great skill—just something to hold things in. All we need to do is interlace the strands together. How hard could that be?” Glenn said with utter confidence.

  Tia remained unconvinced, but she had no better option.

  Thus, when Laville returned home, he found the floor strewn with wolf fur and two people drenched in sweat, busy tinkering with something.

  “Mr. Glenn, your wolf fur is too coarse—it’s so hard to braid!”

  “Use more strength—you can do it,” Glenn encouraged.

  Curious, Laville stepped closer.

  Tia lifted a rather unsightly piece of fur cloth and beamed. “Finished!”

  Glenn took the fur mat, wrapped it swiftly around his clenched right hand, then pulled it free, sealing the opening.

  Something inside the bundle squirmed and pressed against the fabric, brimming with restless vitality.

  Laville stared blankly, pointing at the moving bundle. “What… what are you two doing?”

  Glenn wiped the sweat from his brow and replied casually, “Just securing a rather valuable little worm.”

  A worm? One that energetic? Laville’s curiosity burned, yet he dared not pry further.

  After instructing Tia to tidy the room, Glenn turned to him. “So? Did you find anyone today?”

  The young noble straightened with pride. “Two recruits—they’re waiting to meet you tomorrow.”

  “Two…” Glenn nodded in satisfaction, then gestured for Laville to rest while he went to prepare dinner.

  By the time the elven lady returned, the food was ready—plates of stir-fried meat and vegetables, served with bread, as everyone had grown accustomed to.

  Halfway through the meal, Laville suddenly recalled something. “Oh—Mr. Glenn, a bearded officer came by today. He said he was looking for you.”

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  That must be Captain Douglas… Glenn swallowed his mouthful and asked, “What did he say?”

  “He only told me to let you know that he’d like you to visit when you have time. Nothing else.”

  Glenn’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. So it’s about those officials he mentioned before… probably wants to discuss how to handle them.

  “That bearded officer knows you, right? Are you sure he didn’t say anything else? And you—you didn’t say anything to him?” Glenn asked with a faint, knowing smile.

  Laville’s neck shrank as he stammered, “N-not really… I didn’t think it was important…”

  Tia and Gotaya both turned curious gazes toward them, while the elf watched with amused detachment.

  Glenn chuckled softly. “I don’t even need you to admit it—I already know. He must’ve asked about you, and you couldn’t resist embellishing a few of my… deeds, could you?”

  Laville fell silent, trembling.

  How does he know? He knows everything! Panic clawed at his chest.

  Seeing that reaction, Glenn smiled faintly. “My dear young master, do try using that brain of yours. If those officers truly had the means to deal with me, do you think I’d have left you alive in this town? Aren’t you afraid that if I ever lose my temper, I might wipe out your whole family?”

  Tia and Gotaya both turned pale—such words were chilling.

  Laville shook violently, terror-stricken. The thought alone nearly unhinged him, for he knew Glenn was perfectly capable of doing it. “I’m sorry! I’ll never do it again!”

  Satisfied with the effect, Glenn nodded and let the matter drop.

  No one except Glenn had much appetite after that.

  When the dishes were cleared away and Glenn was about to head upstairs to study, Tia stopped him. Her anxious, conflicted look revealed everything.

  “Don’t worry, Tia,” Glenn said gently. “I was only frightening Laville.”

  At that, the little maid visibly relaxed. She smiled, curtsied gracefully, and returned to her chores.

  Gotaya, preparing for bed nearby, asked softly, “You were really just scaring that little noble?”

  Glenn continued up the stairs. “Depends on the situation.”

  Gotaya didn’t quite understand but didn’t press further.

  Another night passed by the light of kerosene lamps.

  In the corner lay the fur pouch containing the Fireborne Worm, twitching every now and then.

  Glenn was deeply engrossed in his studies, feeling only faint drowsiness.

  Though his body was strong, even he had to rest eventually; sometime past midnight, he closed his book and dozed for a short while.

  Much of what he read required hands-on practice, but lacking the means, all he could do was read and absorb the theory.

  He was already considering cleaning out the basement—turning it into his own private laboratory.

  Once he could test the knowledge in those tomes, he would be ready to seek Daoff and learn the next stage of magic.

  …

  At dawn, in the police office of Dud Town, Captain Douglas arrived as usual, pushing open the heavy doors.

  Aside from the few who lived on-site, most officers had yet to arrive. Those present greeted him respectfully, and he responded with a genial smile.

  From his locker, he retrieved a cup and brewed himself a steaming mug of kokoqi—a stimulating tea, his favorite morning indulgence.

  Taking a sip, he pushed open the door to his office—only to freeze.

  Someone unfamiliar stood inside, back turned to him.

  Douglas nearly spat out his drink. Swallowing with effort, he barked, “Who are you? How did you get into my office without permission?!”

  The man turned slowly toward him.

  He was tall and gaunt, his face furrowed with deep lines, a high receding hairline gleaming under the light.

  Yet despite his unremarkable appearance, the aura he exuded sent an immediate chill through the captain’s heart—a presence saturated with restrained menace.

  “Captain Douglas,” the stranger said with a faint, polite smile, “I’ve long heard of your name. I am Hamoine, Chief Director of the Kingdom’s Special Enforcement Division, Batsey District. A pleasure to finally meet you.”

  Douglas’s pupils trembled violently.

  Chief Director? Someone of that rank? Has this matter truly reached such heights? Just what kind of creature was that insect?

  Though his thoughts raced, he quickly composed himself and bowed. “So it is the esteemed Lord Hamoine. Please forgive my earlier discourtesy.”

  He hurried to pull up a chair for the visitor, his tone nothing but reverent.