The next morning Ethan changed his approach. Until now he had relied purely on skilled laborers from the kingdom and the Conclave. But if he wanted to build an entire theme park he needed something this world did not yet have. A dedicated operations team trained in his methods. People who understood safety timing logistics crowd flow and the principles that made attractions function. He had built teams like this on Earth. Now he needed to build one in a world with no concept of organized entertainment

He gathered workers near the loading platform and explained his new goal. He said that construction alone was not enough. To operate the ride safely they needed trained staff. Workers who could monitor Emberclaw who could manage guests and who could run emergency procedures. The workers exchanged confused glances. Some asked why so many rules were needed. Ethan told them that excitement required trust and trust required structure

He announced that anyone who wanted to join the operations team would receive training and a new role in the project. Several workers stepped forward immediately. Some liked the idea of leadership. Others wanted to work closer with Emberclaw. A few simply felt pride in being part of something historic. By noon Ethan had chosen fifteen workers for the first operations group

He spent the next days teaching them concepts no one in this world had heard before. He taught queue management flow rate crowd control hand signals emergency stops and load unload timing. He showed them how to coordinate using whistles and flags. He explained why safety zones existed and how to mark invisible hazard lines. Many struggled at first but their progress grew quickly. Several workers asked smart questions showing they understood the deeper logic. Ethan felt a growing sense of hope. He could build a team from scratch

He introduced the concept of guest service even though the park had no guests yet. He explained how staff should speak to visitors how to guide them and how to maintain calm during chaos. Workers found this fascinating. They had never imagined treating guests as part of a structured experience. Ethan told them that guests came for joy not confusion. A park needed more than magic. It needed hospitality

Training extended to Emberclaw as well. Ethan taught the operations team how to approach the drake safely how to read its breathing rhythm and how to stay calm when heat waves surged around it. At first they were terrified but under Ethan’s guidance they learned quickly. Emberclaw responded surprisingly well to multiple handlers. It recognized Ethan’s team and allowed them to stand closer than normal. Trust slowly spread across species

During one training session Ethan asked a worker to stand at the loading platform and signal Emberclaw. The worker hesitated. Emberclaw breathed softly and lowered its head for the signal. The worker raised the flag and Emberclaw responded with the correct positioning movement. The worker froze in amazement then burst into laughter. The entire team cheered. It became clear that Emberclaw enjoyed the training almost as much as they did

As the team improved Ethan began planning the next major stage. The true coaster train. The prototype carriage was too small and simple for real guests. They needed a full train with several rows a locking bar system and mana reinforced wheels. He sketched designs showing a sleek frame with dragon scale patterns and flame resistant panels. Metal forgers studied the sketches with wide eyes. They had never built anything like it

The Conclave observed the training with growing interest. Aradine noted that Ethan’s discipline created a stable magical environment something she had believed impossible. She began assigning mage apprentices to learn his methods. Ethan was surprised but encouraged. If mages could adopt structured thinking then even more advanced attractions could become possible

Despite the successes Ethan felt tension in the air. Workers whispered about seeing cloaked figures near the fields at night. The guards reported strange scorch marks on distant stones. Emberclaw often raised its head as if sensing something beyond the reach of human senses. The cult was still out there watching waiting

One evening while reviewing the new coaster train plans Ethan felt someone approaching. It was Aradine. She asked why he continued pushing forward despite the danger. Ethan told her that building parks was never easy even on Earth. Every project faced setbacks but joy was worth fighting for. Aradine looked at him with an odd mixture of confusion and respect. She said people in this world rarely fought for joy. They fought for power or survival. Ethan replied that joy was a kind of power too. One that connected people instead of dividing them

Aradine nodded slowly then surprised him by saying she would personally help refine the mana conduits for the next stage. She said the kingdom needed something that brought people together and maybe this park could do that

By nightfall Ethan stood near the track watching lantern light flicker across the metal rails. Emberclaw lay nearby breathing in steady waves. The operations team practiced signals in the background their voices rising in rhythm. Ethan felt a sense of pride unlike anything he had known. He was not just building a ride. He was building a culture a team a foundation for a new industry

But as he prepared to rest he noticed a faint glow near the distant ridge. A small ember floating like a firefly. Then another. And another. A line of glowing red sparks moving slowly across the horizon

The Ember Priests were gathering

Ethan tightened his grip on the parchment in his hand. The next stages would be harder. But he would not back down. Not after coming this far. Not after building a team worth fighting for