Ethan woke up before sunrise again and stretched his stiff shoulders as the first warm light of morning spread across the field. The skeletal building frame glowed faintly from the mana lines carved into each beam and the sight alone felt like a promise. Today would be the day when the Magic Apartments started to look like a real structure with walls rising and spaces forming. He brushed dust off his shirt and moved toward the site as the workers arrived one by one carrying tools rope rune plates and bundles of carved stone.

The beastfolk workers looked energized after seeing the progress from yesterday. Their steps were quicker and they stood with a sense of pride because they understood that this was not a temporary structure or a half planned idea. This building would become part of history. Ethan gathered them in a small circle and explained the plan for the day. They would erect the outer walls starting from the east side then reinforce them with strengthening runes. After that they would begin installing the first set of mana lights along the walkway so workers could keep things visible at night. The mage nodded approvingly and began preparing chalk and crystal powder for the warding lines.

With a tight schedule in mind Ethan climbed onto the wooden platform they had built the day before. From here he could oversee the entire site. He signaled the workers to bring the first batch of wall panels. The stone panels were carefully carved the previous afternoon and each one had shallow channels ready for mana flow. The beastfolk pushed the heavy panels across the ground using logs as rollers. Ethan checked each measurement guiding them into position while calling instructions about spacing and angle. The workers followed his words like a coordinated team.

One by one the panels lifted and locked into the vertical beams. The sound of stone meeting wood echoed across the open field. Each placement made the structure feel more solid. Ethan kept adjusting small details making sure everything aligned to his blueprint. He stepped back several times to recheck the symmetry. Every corner and every wall had to be right because once the building stood tall it would serve hundreds of future tenants. The air around them hummed as the mage activated the runes on the outer panels causing faint green light to travel through the stone edges.

Villagers walking near the city gates stopped to watch. Some whispered that only madmen would build outside the walls. Others said it might become the safest place in the region if the runes were strong enough. A few adventurers placed bets on whether the building would survive the first monster attack. Ethan ignored the noise because he had learned long ago that every major project attracted doubters. He reminded himself to stay focused. Results were the only answer that mattered.

By late morning they had completed half of the eastern wall. The sun rose higher filling the site with bright warm light. Ethan checked the stability by pushing against the panels and checking the mana hum with his hand. The structure felt steady and safe. The beastfolk workers took short breaks sipping water while watching the mage carve another layer of runes to strengthen the bonding between the walls and beams.

When the noon hour arrived Ethan decided it was time to test the first mana lights. They installed them along the inner walkway where future residents would pass daily. The mage placed a crystal inside each containment ring while Ethan held the mounting frame steady. The moment the mage whispered the activation words each crystal burst into a steady blue glow. The workers stepped back amazed. It was not overly bright but clean and stable a kind of lighting that locals rarely saw outside high level mage towers.

Ethan imagined what nights would look like when the building stood tall with lights shining along every hallway. That image gave him a quiet rush of satisfaction. He explained to the workers that lighting was important because people felt safer when they could see clearly. Predictability and visibility were two of the strongest comforts any living space could offer. The beastfolk nodded even if they did not fully grasp the modern logic behind his words.

After a short break they resumed building. The western wall went up faster because everyone had grown more efficient. Ethan moved constantly checking angles guiding placements and ensuring that every wall panel connected to the mana flow correctly. He corrected one slight misalignment by tapping the beam and adjusting its brace. Small corrections like these would keep the building durable for decades.

Later in the afternoon they reached a problem. One wall panel refused to lock into place. The grooves did not match the support beam because the measurement was off by a few inches. Ethan climbed up and examined it. The workers looked anxious but Ethan stayed calm. Problems were part of building. He asked the mage and two workers to shave down the beam slightly while he modified the edge of the panel. Working together they adjusted each piece until the two parts connected smoothly with a satisfying click. The workers cheered softly and the mage chuckled saying Ethan had the mind of an architect even without magic.

With the sun lowering toward the horizon they finished placing the final wall for the day. The structure now had a full east and west face plus a large part of the north side. The building no longer looked like a skeleton. It looked like a rising fortress. Even the passing adventurers stopped to admire it. One dwarf even asked how much rent would be once the building was finished. Ethan laughed and told him details would come later.

As night approached Ethan climbed down from the scaffolding and stood beside the glowing mana lights. The structure pulsed with energy almost like a living creature breathing softly in the twilight. Workers gathered around exhausted but proud. Ethan thanked them for their dedication and gave them instructions for tomorrow. They would finish the outer walls start on the inner divisions and prepare the first balcony supports. The workers nodded eagerly.

After everyone left Ethan sat on a pile of stones with his notes. He reviewed the floor plan again making minor adjustments to the room layout. He designed the hallways wide enough for beastfolk tails and dwarf gear packs. He planned bathrooms that used mana water channels instead of buckets. He wrote ideas for future maintenance teams and magical cleaning runes. Every detail mattered because this building was not just shelter. It was a new lifestyle for this world.

When he finally looked up at the glowing walls he felt a strange warmth in his chest. This was more than construction. This was creation. And tomorrow the Magic Apartments would rise even higher.