Yeah that's what happened. You were one level short and while you were away the practice caught you up, so the bait tin hooked the Lamplighter on its first cast. So not a bug, just good timing for once.
Some kind of prestige after the ending is on the list. Still working out what shape it takes, so ideas like yours help.
A lot of your notes are already in 0.18. Casting practice works now, hired hands actually earn, stars have plain names and errands have their own tab. Thanks for taking the time, it helped a lot!