The next week marked a turning point. Instead of slowing down after the sabotage Ethan accelerated progress. He reorganized the work schedule expanded the inspection routines and built a strict security plan with the royal guards. Every worker understood their role and every stage of construction became more efficient. If he had been back on Earth his supervisors would have praised the project for running ahead of schedule. Here in a world without industrial structure it felt like a miracle

Ethan started each morning by standing on a wooden platform overlooking the site. From there he gave clear instructions using hand signals and structured calls. Workers repeated his signals like a well trained team. Earth mages shaped ground supports while stone shapers prepared tunnels. Forgers hammered rails into place with blazing hands. Every piece of the project moved like a machine built from magic instead of steel

But the most important element remained Emberclaw. Each day Ethan and the drake rehearsed timing sequences. The whistle patterns grew more complex. Emberclaw learned them with surprising consistency. Ethan tracked every fire pulse cycle on parchment sheets marking average heat intensity inhale duration and cooldown intervals. The workers watching nearby were amazed that a dragon could behave with the precision of a mechanical system. Trust and rhythm became the core of the partnership

One afternoon Ethan introduced the next stage of development. He wanted to add mana conduits beneath the rails to synchronize with Emberclaw’s fire bursts. The idea was simple but groundbreaking. When Emberclaw fired a burst the mana conduits would capture part of the heat and distribute it along the track producing a glowing flame tunnel effect. It would create the first immersive experience in the future theme park

The workers reacted with awe. Some called it insane. Others said it was genius. Ethan smiled telling them that great attractions always sounded impossible at first. They followed his diagrams carefully carving shallow channels beneath the rails. Mana channelers infused the conduits with stabilized energy while earth mages locked them in place. Ethan supervised each step making adjustments when the glow pattern flickered too much. Bit by bit the flame tunnel took shape

Aradine visited again along with several Conclave scholars. They watched Ethan demonstrate the conduit system using small fire bursts from a trained fire mage. When the rails glowed with a bright orange pulse their eyes widened. Aradine said she had never seen magic guided so precisely. Ethan told her that structure did not destroy magic. It revealed its hidden strengths. Aradine walked the length of the prototype tunnel with a thoughtful expression. She asked if Ethan planned to use similar channels for other attractions. Ethan said yes and that he wanted to build illusions theaters flying circuits and more. Aradine murmured that he was building an entirely new school of magical application

After their inspection Aradine pulled Ethan aside. She warned him again that the Ember Priests would not accept these ideas. They believed dragons were wild flames meant to spread chaos not controlled fire meant for structured experience. Ethan answered that chaos without control was dangerous and control without respect was cruel. But partnership built from trust was something entirely different. Aradine looked at him for a long moment then nodded slowly. She seemed to finally understand his philosophy

The next big test came at sunset when they attempted the first full flame tunnel cycle. Emberclaw stood at the start eyes glowing bright. Ethan signaled the workers to their safety zones. He gave the whistle pattern. Emberclaw inhaled. The air heat shifted. The first burst fired

The conduits lit instantly glowing orange then red then a bright molten gold. The entire tunnel shimmered like the inside of a living volcano. Workers gasped. Ethan felt heat on his face but it was controlled heat focused through the conduits. Emberclaw delivered a second burst then a third each timed perfectly. The rails pulsed with matching light flowing like liquid fire. It was dangerous beautiful and safe all at once

This was not just engineering. It was art

Ethan stepped back staring at the glowing structure. For the first time in this world he saw something that felt like a true theme park attraction. Something that would pull crowds from across the kingdom and beyond. A miracle built from fire and planning

When the test ended the tunnel dimmed back to its normal color. Workers cheered. Emberclaw released a triumphant roar that echoed across the plains. Ethan felt his chest tighten with pride. He had created something impossible in this world and yet it stood before him glowing hot and real

But victory brought new tension. As the cheers died down a shadow moved near the distant ridge. Ethan recognized it instantly. The silhouette of a hooded figure. The same one from the night of sabotage. They watched for a moment then disappeared into the tall grass. Emberclaw growled deep and low sensing the threat

Ethan whispered that he was ready. The saboteurs would try again. But now the project had momentum. Now the workers believed. Now Aradine saw the truth. And now Emberclaw was not just a dragon but a partner

He looked at the glowing rails and knew that this attraction would soon become the heart of the future park. He whispered that no matter the danger the construction would continue. Because once magic and engineering met nothing in this world could stop what they were building