By the fourth day rumors about AMAX drifted through Astravar like sparks carried by wind No one understood exactly what the accelerator was but everyone agreed on one thing Something strange was happening in the abandoned guild hall Some people said foreign mages were creating creatures that carried secret letters Others insisted that a mad summoner was building an army of smoke hounds A few believed nobles were backing a new guild that specialized in dangerous experiments Whatever the rumors the curiosity spread fast Ethan saw the ripple effect as apprentices from other guilds passed the hall more often peeking through the doorway as if expecting explosions Lorian stood in the training area adjusting a runestone pattern while the fire sprite zipped through the air with more control than ever Mira was drawing new summoning circles on the far side of the hall each one symmetrical precise and filled with carefully placed anchors Ethan walked between them holding a wooden board covered in notes traction estimates upgrade paths and a rough early stage timeline He felt the same energy he used to feel in Silicon Valley when a startup gained its first dozen users the sense that something small was igniting into something unstoppable That morning a group of merchants arrived requesting demonstrations They had heard about the test runs from the previous day One merchant brought a basket of herbs another brought a stack of purchase orders another simply wanted to see if the creatures were real Ethan welcomed them directing Lorian to run a FireCourier demo The sprite delivered a wrapped herb pouch across the hall following the runes with smooth confidence The merchants nodded impressed It is faster than my best runner one said Another merchant held up a wrapped order Can your summoner transport this Mira stepped forward nervous but determined She summoned a small smoke courier a creature shaped like a lean dark fox The fox approached took the pouch gently in its mouth then ran across the hall delivering it safely The merchants exchanged glances Ethan saw the moment trust began forming in their eyes small trust but growing Backed by real results one merchant said quietly If you can guarantee this speed I will hire your services weekly Ethan did not smile outwardly but inside he marked the moment as a victory AMAX now had repeat customers The merchants left then a few wandering adventurers arrived Next came a courier guild apprentice who claimed he was just curious Ethan knew better This was how competitors investigated early threats The apprentice observed the creatures tested their reaction time and even timed a few loops with his fingers Ethan approached him calmly Do you like what you see The apprentice swallowed nervously I heard rumors about a new delivery guild Ethan said Not a guild A business A guild follows tradition A business breaks it The apprentice left quickly Ethan knew news would travel to his guild masters by evening This world was waking up to a new form of competition Later that afternoon a pair of young mages entered shy and cautious one carrying a stone tablet that floated above his hands We heard you help mages build ideas the older one said Ethan nodded What do you have The younger mage blurted out We have a crystal that keeps cool air inside Maybe useful for food storage The older mage whispered We think But no guild will take us Ethan felt the familiar pull of founder instinct Ideas pressed at the edge of viability but with great potential He said Leave your contact runes We will review later Lorian whispered after they left Are we ready for more founders Ethan replied Not yet But interest means our signal is reaching the city That is good Sometimes too good because late in the day several guild examiners arrived wearing official robes Their presence shifted the atmosphere Mira straightened herself Lorian hid the training notes and the sprite hovered carefully above Ethan The lead examiner spoke calmly We received reports about unconventional magic being practiced here We wish to observe Ethan stepped aside politely You are welcome This is AMAX the first mana accelerator We help mages develop practical services The examiner raised an eyebrow Practical as in commercial Ethan nodded Yes We create value using magic The examiner studied the training floor the creatures the runes the rough worktables He did not look impressed or dismissive simply cautious Then he said Be careful Innovation draws attention but also enemies Ethan did not react but the words stayed in his mind Long after the examiners left Lorian asked softly Do you think we are in danger Ethan answered Only if we succeed Mira looked at him with a half smile Then we should prepare for danger They ended the day with more training more refinement and more planning When night fell Ethan stood alone in the hall staring at the glowing runes and the faint trails of mana drifting through the air He felt the weight of building something no one had ever seen a magic based startup ecosystem He whispered to himself The world sees us now We cannot slow down The accelerator was growing interest was rising and the next step was clear They needed to hire their first team members They needed the first generation of mana employees