The next morning Ethan walked toward the Enchanted Shopping Plaza site with a focused stride. The air carried a cool breeze that brushed across the field and made the mana lines under the soil pulse brighter than usual. Overnight the Magic Apartments glowed warmly in the distance like a lighthouse watching over the land. Now it was time for the plaza to grow into something that matched that energy. Merchants and adventurers were already waiting nearby eager to see progress or secure shop space. Some carried crates of goods ready to move in the moment construction allowed it.

Ethan gathered his workers near the fountain centerpiece. He explained the plan for the day. They needed to raise full storefront walls shape the walkway with stone tiles install basic mana lighting and begin carving the decorative arches for each shop’s entrance. Every storefront needed to feel welcoming and consistent so the plaza could form a clear identity. People liked order even in a magical world.

They began with the first shop on the left side of the plaza. Workers lifted wooden beams shaped the day before and fit them into foundation sockets. Each beam had shallow carvings etched by the mage to prepare for mana flow. Ethan checked the spacing of each one making sure customers would have enough room to walk inside without squeezing through. He measured the entrance width then nodded for workers to continue.

One by one wall panels rose forming the first solid structure. The mage carved a glowing pattern across the top that resembled flowing vines. When activated the vines lit up with soft green light. Villagers gasped as they passed, pointing at the glowing patterns. The first shop already looked like a fantasy boutique from a storybook.

Ethan moved to the next shop. This one would be rented by a potion crafter who had requested space earlier. Potion makers needed clean airflow and stable shelves. Ethan instructed workers to carve ventilation channels along the back wall and to build the front counter on a reinforced platform. The mage carved small glow lines along the counter edges to highlight ingredients without adding heat. When activated the glow resembled gentle morning dew.

By midmorning two storefronts stood complete in structure and looked ready for merchandise. A group of adventurers tested the walkway spacing. They walked in heavy gear with weapons strapped to their backs. Ethan watched carefully checking for crowding. They walked through comfortably even in a group. That meant the walkway width was perfect.

Next came the stone tiles for the plaza floor. Workers carried flat slate stones and placed them in steady patterns while Ethan guided their alignment. He explained that tile paths made walking easier and created a sense of professionalism. Crowds tended to move in smoother lines when walkways were clean. The workers laughed at how seriously he took path planning but followed every instruction because they trusted Ethan’s vision.

As the tile path grew across the plaza the space transformed. It no longer resembled a patch of grass. It resembled a true commercial district. With every stone placed, Ethan pictured future crowds walking across the tiles stopping at shops sharing food sitting near the fountain and trading goods from across the kingdom.

Around noon the mage tested the mana channels beneath the plaza. He placed his hand on the ground and whispered a short incantation. The tiles glowed faintly as mana pulsed through the trunk line and spread to each storefront. The pulse stabilized, rhythmic and smooth. The underground mana pocket reacted like a calm heartbeat. Ethan nodded. Stable mana meant smooth operations.

A few merchants approached with questions about storage rooms. Ethan guided them to small side compartments behind the shops. He designed these spaces specifically to handle extra crates, equipment, or magical items. Some merchants were relieved because city marketplace stalls had almost no storage. Ethan told them that organized inventory kept customers happy and reduced theft. The merchants nodded firmly agreeing with his logic.

In the afternoon Ethan and the mage began shaping the decorative arches for the storefront entrances. The arches were carved from lightweight stone infused with faint mana traces. Workers placed each arch above the shop entrances while the mage carved a symbol representing prosperity and safety. When activated the arches glowed with soft gold light. It created an elegant, welcoming feel without being overly bright.

As they worked Ethan noticed adventurers forming a line near the plaza border. They were already waiting for the plaza to open. One asked how long until they could buy armor repairs and enchanted supplies. Ethan told them the plaza would open as soon as the first set of shops finished their interiors. The adventurers nodded eagerly and set up a temporary rest area nearby.

While the workers polished the arches Ethan focused on the central fountain. He carved a circular outline for the basin while the mage prepared the water runes. Ethan guided the workers to line the basin with smooth stones and reinforce the edges. The mage etched a complex rune circle along the rim and sprinkled mana dust across the basin. When he placed a crystal at the center the rune circle pulsed brightly.

A moment later water burst upward from the center. Not chaotic. Not aggressive. A smooth arc of clear water rose and fell gracefully into the basin. The crowd watching the plaza let out cheers. Children ran toward the fountain laughing and splashing their hands in the cool water. The gentle sound filled the plaza with peaceful ambiance.

By sunset five storefronts had complete walls and arches. The walkway tiles glowed gently as the first mana lights activated. The fountain shimmered and danced with soft blue reflections. The plaza looked alive. It looked inviting. It looked like the center of a new district.

Ethan stood near the fountain watching the colors glow in the fading light. He whispered quietly to himself This place will become the heart of everything we build. And when the plaza thrives the city will begin to shift around it.