Ethan arrived at the plaza early the next morning with renewed energy. The fountain’s soft splashing echoed through the quiet air. Mana lights along the walkway glowed faintly from the night’s power cycle. Merchants had started setting small crates near their designated storefronts even before construction officially finished. A potion crafter arranged ingredients on the ground. A weaponsmith leaned swords against a tree. A fabric seller unrolled enchanted cloth as bright as morning sunlight.

Ethan took it all in. This wasn’t just construction anymore. This was the beginning of an economy forming around his ideas.

Workers gathered near the fountain waiting for instructions. Ethan explained the plan for the day. They would complete the remaining storefront walls, add interior counters, install shelves, carve storage compartments, and activate mana conduits for lighting. Then they would finish the fountain tiles, expand the walkway, and install the first seating benches for plaza visitors.

They began with the sixth storefront on the western side. This one had been reserved by the dwarf weaponsmith. Weapons needed space, so Ethan designed a wide front entrance and longer side walls. Workers installed support beams and reinforced them with rune plates. The mage carved protective runes to prevent accidental explosion from magical mishaps. When activated the runes glowed red at the edges. The weaponsmith nodded approvingly and said he had never seen a stall built with actual safety in mind.

Next came the enchanted fabric shop. The half elf owner stood watching nervously as workers lifted wall panels. Ethan explained that the lighting would use soft green mana to bring out color detail in the cloth without damaging it. The owner smiled excitedly. She had sold at the city market for years but never had a dedicated stall with controlled lighting. Ethan measured the wall spacing then guided the workers to install angle shelves for cloth display. The mage carved a glow rune in the ceiling beam and activated it. The color of the fabrics glittered beautifully.

Meanwhile the potion shop took shape quickly. Workers built stable shelves along the back wall. Ethan checked the spacing ensuring bottles would not wobble. The mage carved a ventilation rune to keep strong potion fumes from filling the entire plaza. When activated the air inside the shop moved smoothly, carrying scents upward and outward. The potion crafter walked inside grinning as he sniffed approvingly.

By midmorning the plaza looked like a real market district. Workers hammered final beams into place while merchants stood by observing their future shops. Adventurers set up a temporary bench near the fountain eating breakfast and chatting. The plaza buzzed with life even before opening. Ethan felt a deep sense of momentum. This world had needed a space like this and now it stood ready to grow.

He guided workers along the walkway placing more stone tiles. He wanted the plaza to feel smooth and easy to navigate. He explained to the workers that a clean walkway kept customers longer in the area. The workers nodded though some said they still didn’t understand how tiles affected business. Ethan laughed and said that organized spaces created trust. People spent more money when they felt safe and comfortable.

After finishing the walkway they turned attention to the seating. Ethan designed benches with wide wooden frames stabilized with rune plates. The mage carved subtle glow runes along the edges. When activated each bench glowed faint gold, soft and inviting. Workers placed benches near the fountain and along storefront edges. Adventurers immediately tested them sitting with wide smiles.

Next Ethan designed small lamp posts along the plaza border. Each post had a carved stone base and a mana crystal sealed in a protective dome. The mage activated the lights slowly until they glowed with soft, warm brightness. The lamp posts gave the plaza structure even in daylight. They framed the area making it feel safe even at night.

As workers completed the finishing touches the merchants approached Ethan asking when they could set up fully. Ethan led them through each shop explaining power flow, storage layout, and safety wards. The merchants listened like students. They had never received building instructions before. Usually they rented cramped stalls in chaotic markets with no structure at all.

By afternoon merchants began carrying goods inside their stalls. The weaponsmith polished blades while arranging them on reinforced hooks. The fabric seller folded cloth and stacked them neatly. The potion crafter filled shelves with colorful bottles. Even unpolished, the shops looked alive.

While merchants worked, adventurers gathered near the fountain. They used the mana water to clean armor and relax while waiting for the plaza to open. A few villagers began wandering through examining signs and greeting merchants. Ethan watched, feeling a strong surge of pride.

The mage approached him quietly. He said that with the plaza active the mana pocket had stabilized even more. The combined mana channels from the storefronts and fountain created a balance that made the entire area unusually peaceful. Ethan nodded. That stability meant the district would last long term.

As sunset neared Ethan decided it was time. He stepped onto the fountain edge and raised his voice. Merchants gathered. Adventurers turned. Villagers stopped walking.

The Enchanted Shopping Plaza is open for business.

Cheers erupted across the plaza. Merchants lifted signs. Adventurers rushed into shops. Children ran around the fountain. The plaza came alive fully for the first time.

Ethan walked slowly along the walkway watching everything unfold. The shops glowed. The fountain sparkled. Voices filled the space with life. This was more than a marketplace. This was the beginning of a district that would reshape the city.

He whispered softly as the lights flickered on for the night Tomorrow we expand. Tomorrow we prepare the Adventurer Residential Zone. And someday the underground theme park. This world has no idea how big we will build.