The next day began with a crisp wind blowing across the field. The building stood tall enough now that it cast long shadows stretching toward the city gates. Ethan walked around the perimeter observing how the early light made every mana line glow bright silver. He imagined future mornings where residents stepped out of their rooms greeted by warm mana lights and clean air flowing through enchanted vents. It felt real now. Tangible. Close.

Workers arrived soon after bringing tools ropes beams and new sets of carved panels. The mage looked energized carrying fresh rune chalk and a handful of glowing dust for enchantments. Ethan gathered them and pointed upward. Today we build the second floor rooms and the communal space. The workers nodded with eager confidence. They had never built something so organized but they felt proud to be part of something historic.

Ethan led them to the unfinished stair frame and explained how the stairs would connect evenly to the second floor platform. He showed them a simple trick using a weighted stone to measure consistent rise and depth for each step. The workers practiced until they could repeat the measurement without hesitation. Together they installed the staircase forming a clean safe ascent to the upper level.

Once the stairs were complete they moved to the second floor platform. The beams were already in place from earlier work but they needed reinforcement. Using a mix of wooden braces stone wedges and mana lines the workers stabilized the entire level. When they stepped across the platform it hardly creaked. Ethan smiled. Safety and stability came first. He wanted residents to trust every step of the building.

Next came the second floor hallway. Ethan marked straight lines across the floor using long ropes coated with charcoal. The hallway would mirror the one below but include openings for balconies. Workers placed vertical supports while the mage carved mana lines into each beam. The glowing lines crawled upward like vines weaving through the structure. Watching magic and structure blend so cleanly gave Ethan chills.

As the first balcony was installed Ethan checked the angle and weight distribution. The balcony jutted out slightly giving a perfect view of the open field. Workers stepped onto it carefully their tails and gear swaying in the wind. One beastfolk worker laughed loudly saying residents would fight to rent rooms with such views. Ethan made a note to price balcony rooms slightly higher. Even in a magical world scenic value still mattered.

The morning passed quickly as they built room frames. The workers hammered wooden beams into place while Ethan checked each connection. The mage applied noise dampening runes to the upper door frames just like the lower ones. When the runes activated each doorway pulsed faintly. Ethan wanted every resident to have privacy regardless of race species or lifestyle. Peace inside the home mattered.

Around midday Ethan gathered the workers to explain the communal space idea. On the second floor near the central hallway he wanted to build a shared lounge where adventurers could rest share stories repair gear and eat simple meals. It would be a place where families and adventurers intersected safely. The workers were excited. No building in the kingdom had such a concept. Most inns were cramped and noisy but this communal zone would be stable safe and well lit.

They began shaping the communal room. The space was wide and open with large support beams crossing overhead. Workers installed wooden panels to soften the walls while the mage created mana lights that slowly changed color based on time of day. The effect created a warm mood shifting from bright blue in the morning to softer green in the evening. When the workers saw it activate they let out amazed murmurs. Ethan felt the same wonder. Even a simple lounge could feel magical.

Later in the afternoon a group of adventurers approached the site. They had seen the construction for days but now they came closer. One asked if Ethan planned to open rentals soon. Ethan said the first rooms could be ready once the second floor structure was finished. The adventurers looked thrilled. One dwarf asked if weapons and gear had storage options. Ethan assured him that reinforced storage lockers could be added near the communal area. Another elf asked if mana showers were real. Ethan smiled confidently. He would build enchanted water channels that heated water using stable mana conversion. Comfort mattered.

As the adventurers left Ethan felt energized. Real customers were already lining up. Demand existed. This project was not just a gamble. It was a foundation for an entire district.

By late afternoon they completed all the second floor room frames. Fifteen rooms total plus the central communal zone. When the workers stepped back the structure looked massive glowing with blue and green lines across its beams and walls. It no longer resembled anything in the kingdom. It looked like a modern magical residence something that would define a new chapter of architecture.

Evening light settled across the site as Ethan and the mage inspected the completed runes. The structure hummed with gentle energy. Workers walked slowly across the second floor observing the rooms and balconies they had created. A few smiled quietly proud of their work. Ethan felt the same. This building was becoming a landmark.

As everyone left Ethan sat on a wooden beam and looked across the field. He imagined future buildings rising apartments plazas shops and entire districts shaped by mana and modern logic. He imagined underground dungeons repurposed into theme parks filled with enchanted rides and glowing tunnels.

He whispered softly to himself This is only the beginning. When this building opens people will understand what real development means.