The moment Glenn returned to the shop, he led Cliff upstairs to the second-floor storage room where the furniture was kept.

  The instant Cliff laid eyes on the pieces that had haunted his dreams, he grew visibly ecstatic—like an overjoyed child, touching one, examining another.

  “This is it—this is it! Good heavens, how in the world did you make these?!”

  Glenn only smiled in silence, offering no explanation.

  Judging from the man’s reaction, the woodworking craft of this world was far from refined. Otherwise, they wouldn’t fail to replicate even the simple structures he had made.

  “Can these all be moved today?” Glenn asked.

  Cliff gave a rough estimation. The room looked sparsely furnished, yet moving everything would take more than one trip.

  “At least two runs back and forth… and my town is quite a distance from here. No, it can’t be done today,” he admitted honestly.

  “All right. Go hire a wagon team, then.” Glenn began descending the stairs.

  He had barely reached the first floor when little Ricky bounded over and wrapped himself around Glenn’s leg. “Uncle, play with me!”

  “All right, I’ll play with you in a little while,” Glenn said, gently ruffling his hair.

  Ricky ran happily back into his mother’s arms.

  “Stop distracting your uncle,” Danni chided softly.

  Glenn merely nodded, then stepped outside with Cliff.

  “Your nephew is adorably sweet,” Cliff said earnestly.

  “Thank you. Children are always charming—as long as they behave,” Glenn replied with a smile.

  Just as they were about to part, two middle-aged men approached from the distance.

  Cliff turned, apparently recognizing them. “Charles? Hobert? What are you two doing here?”

  The pair ignored him entirely and addressed Glenn directly. “You must be Mr. Glenn?”

  Glenn nodded, though his expression was strange.

  They introduced themselves with great solemnity—both carpenters, it turned out—and finally asked:

  “We heard that you possess a unique and unparalleled craft. We’ve traveled a great distance to learn from you. Would you be willing to teach us?”

  Before Glenn could answer, Cliff snapped, “Don’t even think about it! Mr. Glenn doesn’t teach outsiders!”

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  The two still ignored him.

  “As Cliff says, I do not pass my craft on to others,” Glenn replied.

  “Sir, if you teach us, your art will flourish and be known by many more. Isn’t that a worthy cause?” Charles insisted, gesticulating passionately.

  “Yes! We came sincerely—please don’t let our journey be for nothing!” Hobert chimed in.

  Their words made it sound as though Glenn owed them his teachings, yet they conveniently neglected to mention any benefit to him.

  “That’s enough. My answer is no. There’s nothing to discuss,” Glenn said firmly.

  Letting his craft “spread” was meaningless to him.

  The two exchanged a look, as though silently agreeing on something.

  Hobert stepped forward. “Mr. Glenn, we can pay a tuition fee… though not a very high one…”

  “What?!” Glenn stared at him, incredulous. “So you weren’t planning to pay anything in the first place?!”

  Startled by Glenn’s raised voice, Hobert immediately wilted, shrinking back.

  “No, no! That’s not what I meant…”

  Perhaps embarrassed by his companion’s incompetence, Charles pulled Hobert back and gave Glenn an ingratiating smile.

  “Hobert misspoke. Of course we’ll pay. In fact, if you’re willing to teach us, we can offer more.”

  Glenn studied the two men for a moment and understood exactly what kind of scoundrels they were.

  They wanted the reward without paying the price. Na?ve fools.

  He let out a soft, disdainful laugh. “There’s no need to continue. I won’t teach you.”

  “We’ve already begged you—how can you be so heartless?!”

  “That’s right! It’s just a skill—why be so selfish?!”

  Their anger was obvious, but it didn’t matter what they said. Glenn had already begun shoving them away.

  “Go on, get out of here! With character like yours, I wouldn’t teach you if you were the last craftsmen alive.”

  Glenn’s strength was immense; the two burly men nearly toppled over several times.

  Cliff, meanwhile, could barely contain his laughter, delighting in their misfortune.

  Shoved into a rage, Hobert attempted to push Glenn back, cursing, “You damned bastard!”

  But his strength couldn’t budge Glenn at all. Instead, he bounced back and fell flat on the ground.

  A passing knight snickered but didn’t bother intervening—petty squabbles like this were beneath their concern unless they escalated.

  Charles rushed to help Hobert up.

  Hobert’s face flushed crimson. Pointing at Glenn, he growled, “I have many brothers and sisters at home. You’re finished! Step outside these walls, and I’ll have them deal with you!”

  With that threat, the pair stormed off.

  Glenn didn’t take their words to heart. Such threats were nothing to him.

  Cliff hurried over. “Hobert is a notorious bully in our town. His family has over ten strong brothers. You’d better be careful going out.”

  “Thank you for the warning. I understand,” Glenn replied calmly.

  He had no intention of explaining further.

  Cliff left to hire a wagon team.

  Danni pushed open the door and stood there watching Glenn, worry shining in her eyes.

  The commotion had naturally drawn everyone’s attention.

  Glenn stepped toward her. “Don’t worry about me. I’m a mage—remember? Even hired mercenaries aren’t my match, let alone men like them.”

  Hearing this, Danni relaxed a little. She reached up to straighten his collar.

  “Becoming a mage truly puts our hearts at ease. We no longer have to fear for your safety.”

  “Indeed,” Glenn agreed.

  But then Danni lowered her hand, hesitated, and asked, “I’ve always wanted to ask—why does everyone call you Glenn? That isn’t your real name.”

  At last… she asked. Glenn sighed inwardly.

  When he had brought Luther and the Carter brothers back, they had called him “Glenn” several times. Dannie had looked puzzled but hadn’t asked then.

  It was natural she would now.

  “When I first arrived, someone must have misheard my name. They called me the wrong thing, and I didn’t bother correcting them… so it just stuck.”

  Glenn spoke with a calm, natural tone.

  Danni didn’t doubt him. Instead, she scolded gently, “You can’t even keep track of your own name? That’s a terrible habit!”

  Glenn could only offer a helpless smile.

  “All right,” Danni said suddenly. “Tomorrow we’ll pack up and leave for Boult’s place. We won’t trouble you any longer.”

  Boult—her eldest brother.