Ethan woke before sunrise with a strange mix of clarity and urgency. The kind of feeling he used to get on the mornings before big finance club competitions back in college. A calm kind of adrenaline. As if his brain already knew today mattered.

He stepped outside the inn and felt the cool air brush across his face. Mana drifted through the air like faint sparks of dust and he wondered for a moment how many invisible resources the people of this world took for granted. He walked toward the auction hall where Lyra was already waiting with two mugs of tea.

You look like someone who solved a puzzle in his sleep she said
Ethan took a sip. Maybe I did
Lyra lifted her notebook. Tell me the puzzle
Ethan grinned. Mana insurance

Lyra blinked. Insurance for mana That sounds like a spell not a trade practice
Ethan shook his head. Not a spell A product A contract A promise
Lyra stared. Start from the beginning

Ethan placed his mug down. Mana is a resource. When a mage fights they lose mana. When they cast spells they burn mana. When they travel they consume mana for protection enchantments and healing reserves. But no one talks about it because they think losing mana is normal
Lyra frowned. It is normal
Ethan raised a finger. Normal does not mean unavoidable. If mana decreases we can predict the rate. If we can predict the rate we can evaluate risk. If we can evaluate risk we can sell protection
Lyra slowly repeated. Sell protection
Yes Ethan said. If a mage loses too much mana from a dangerous mission insurance pays the cost of restoring it through potions stones or healing rituals. Adventurers want this. Mercenaries want this. Armies definitely want this. Even nobles want to protect their bloodline mana so they will pay for stability

Lyra’s eyes widened. This could change everything
Ethan nodded. It could stabilize entire groups. It could create reliable income for underfunded guilds. And it could create the first financial security system in a world built on unstable magic
Lyra whispered. You are building a new form of safety

Ethan walked toward the marketplace where miners prepared for another day. He approached a group of adventurers sharpening their weapons. A tall woman with braided hair eyed him with suspicion. Do you need something outsider
Ethan held up his parchment. I want to offer something new Something that protects you on missions
The woman raised an eyebrow. Protect us How
Ethan drew a simple diagram. Mana in Mana out The difference is risk. If your mana drops during a mission you pay a small amount now for security later
The adventurers exchanged confused looks. A man holding a spear spoke. Outsider If we lose mana we drink a potion That is all
Ethan pointed at the potion in his hand. How much did that cost
Five copper
And how many do you need for a full mission
Two maybe three
Ethan nodded. So about fifteen copper. But what if you could pay only two copper each week and get unlimited replacement when needed
The group froze
Lyra whispered. Ethan that sounds too generous
Ethan whispered back. Early incentives build markets

The adventurers looked interested. One of them asked. And what if we do not use anything for weeks
Then you lose nothing
The woman frowned. And you profit
If everyone stays safe yes Ethan admitted. But the point is you will not fear running out of mana again
The group huddled. Whispered. Debated. Finally the woman nodded. We will try your system outsider If it works we tell every guild in Ardrel
Ethan smiled. That is the goal

After they left Lyra smacked his shoulder lightly. You just invented risk pooling for magic
Ethan nodded. And the moment a guild buys in this becomes unstoppable

They walked back toward the village center where the elder waited on the steps of his hall. He had heard rumors already. Insurance he murmured That is a bold idea Ethan
Ethan sat beside him. The world is already full of risk. I am offering a way to manage it
The elder studied him. You speak like someone who sees storms before they arrive
Ethan shrugged. In markets storms always arrive

He expected the elder to laugh but instead the old man gave him a long serious look. Ethan There is something you must know. The capital will not like this. Nobles profit from uncertainty. If your idea brings stability they lose control

Ethan nodded. I am aware
Lyra placed a hand on his arm. Ethan be careful
He smiled softly. Careful markets do not grow. Brave markets do

Then he stood up. The insurance system was only step two in his plan. Step three was even larger.

He whispered the words to himself
Element futures

Lyra heard him and her eyes widened. Ethan no That sounds like something that could start a war
He smiled. Only if done wrong But done right it will change everything
Lyra exhaled. You are terrifying
Ethan shrugged. Efficient maybe

The day ended with Ethan drafting the first mana insurance contracts. Simple language clear obligations fixed weekly rates and guaranteed replacement of basic mana recovery materials. Lyra watched him write and shook her head.

You are not building a business she whispered
You are building an empire
Ethan smiled. I am building structure

And in a world without structure that made all the difference.