The next morning the sky looked clear and bright. The wind carried the faint scent of pine from forests beyond the hills. Ethan stood at the edge of the field staring up at the building. It towered over the grass now glowing with mana in every beam. Today would be another milestone. Roof construction. Once the roof stood firmly in place the building would look complete. Ethan felt both excitement and pressure because roofs had to be perfect. Any mistake could cause leaks or long term structural damage.

Workers arrived early carrying bundles of wooden planks stone tiles tools and rune plates. The mage walked toward Ethan with a serious expression. Roof runes are tricky he said. They need to resist weather heat moisture and occasional monster attacks. Ethan nodded. Back home roofing had strict rules and here it would require both magic and engineering. He told workers to prepare for a long precise day.

They began by reinforcing the upper beams. Ethan climbed a ladder and inspected each cross beam tapping them with a small metal rod. Solid beams stayed quiet while weak ones made faint echoes. He marked two beams that needed replacement and the workers swapped them out quickly. The mage carved fresh mana lines through the new beams merging them with the rest of the structure. The building hummed with approval.

Once the beams were ready Ethan outlined the roof’s slope using ropes tied from one side of the building to the other. The workers watched carefully memorizing the angle. A gentle slope would let rain flow down safely while still allowing the building to retain heat in colder seasons. Ethan explained this in simple terms. Water must leave the roof easily. Heat must stay. Comfort starts with a good roof. The workers nodded understanding the importance.

Next they installed the roof base. Wooden planks were laid carefully across the beams forming a firm foundation. The mage followed behind carving rune clusters that improved water resistance. When activated the planks shimmered with a faint sheen like thin frost. Ethan tapped the surface feeling the stability. It felt perfect.

With the foundation complete they brought out the stone roof tiles. Each tile had shallow carved lines ready for mana channels. Workers passed them along a line carrying them to the roof platform. Once in place Ethan arranged the tiles with careful spacing to prevent cracks. The mage carved mana channels between the tiles linking them into a network. When he activated them the entire roof glowed faintly blue like a star filled sky.

By mid morning the roof was halfway done. Ethan climbed to the peak and scanned the horizon. The city walls looked smaller from up here and the open fields stretched endlessly into the distance. He could almost visualize future buildings rising beside this one. A plaza here. A row of townhomes there. Maybe even the entrance to the future enchanted theme park far beyond the valley. The idea made his heart race.

As they worked higher, a burst of wind shook the rope lines. Workers steadied themselves. One nearly slipped but Ethan caught him by the arm. The worker steadied himself and thanked Ethan quietly. Safety mattered on every level. Ethan ordered temporary barriers installed along the roof edges. The workers were surprised. No one in the kingdom had ever used safety barriers on construction sites. But Ethan insisted. A single injury could halt progress. And progress mattered.

Near noon the knights returned again but this time without suspicion. Only curiosity. The lead knight asked how Ethan intended to defend residents from monsters. Ethan explained that once the roof was complete they would install four corner runes creating a protective shield. The knight nodded impressed. He admitted that the city’s inner housing lacked similar defenses. Ethan realized that nobles might eventually take interest in his methods. That could bring opportunity or trouble. But he would deal with that later.

After lunch they began installing ventilation runes along the roof. These runes would guide hot air upward and cool air downward creating a natural flow. The mage taught workers how to align small crystal fragments with mana channels. When activated the air shifted gently through the roof like soft breaths. Ethan felt it on his arm. He smiled. Good airflow meant happier tenants.

In the afternoon Ethan turned attention to the rooftop balcony. He wanted a small roof deck where residents could relax or watch the landscape. Workers installed railings while the mage carved light channels into them. When the sun set the railing would glow faint gold. A perfect touch for relaxation.

As the roof neared completion a sudden vibration shook the building. Workers froze again. Ethan felt the ground shift slightly. The mage closed his eyes sensing the disturbance. A flock of wyverns passed overhead casting shadows across the roof. Their wings spread wide blocking the sun. Workers ducked but the wyverns flew past without noticing the building. Ethan exhaled. Even creatures of the sky were beginning to take interest in this area. Another reminder that this world was unpredictable. Protection spells would be essential.

By late afternoon the last tile locked into place. The mage carved the final runes and pressed his hand against the peak. Mana pulsed through the roof glowing bright blue before settling into a steady calm hue. The workers stepped back looking up with awe. The roof looked strong wide and enchanted like something out of a story rather than a construction project.

As shadows stretched across the field Ethan gathered the workers in the central hallway. He thanked them sincerely. They had built something legendary. The building now looked complete from the outside. Tomorrow they would add furniture finishing, interior polishing and prepare final safety wards. After that the Magic Apartments would be ready to open.

Workers cheered. The mage placed a hand on Ethan’s shoulder and said You have changed how buildings are made in this world. Ethan felt a rush of emotion. He did not expect praise but it meant something coming from someone who understood magic.

When the workers left Ethan climbed to the roof deck and sat against the railing. The breeze brushed past him. The city lights glowed in the distance. The building beneath him hummed softly with mana like a living creature breathing in harmony with the world.

He whispered into the wind Tomorrow this place becomes a home. And then the real empire begins.