The morning fog clung to the warehouse roof as Ethan reviewed the preparation checklist for the upcoming Demo Day The founders were practicing in small groups focusing on clarity structure and the discipline he had drilled into them for days But Ethan felt another presence outside something heavier than the fog a pressure like an exam looming over every breath When he stepped out to investigate he saw a group of robed figures waiting quietly near the riverbank

The Mage Guild had returned but this time with more authority Their dark blue robes shimmered with protective enchantments and two senior guild magisters stood at the front Their eyes sharp their posture rigid Ethan recognized political scrutiny when he saw it He approached calmly his steps steady as if walking toward an investor meeting not a magical tribunal

The lead magister spoke with measured tone saying they had heard reports of unauthorized spell demonstrations in the market and new magical applications that bypassed traditional guild certifications Ethan replied courteously saying he had taught no spells only methods for improving value creation through structured thinking The magister frowned saying innovation must still obey magical law Ethan agreed politely but internally he noted they feared not danger but disruption

The magisters asked to observe a training session Ethan allowed them inside knowing the founders were prepared but unsure how the guild would react to structured pitchcraft With slow deliberate steps the magisters entered the warehouse Their eyes scanned the chalk diagrams the makeshift workstations the test route lines on the floor the faint mana residue from spell practice This was not a chaotic lab but a disciplined learning space and that alone unsettled them

Toren demonstrated his controlled fire pulse maintaining stable heat The magisters examined the metal slab touched its surface nodded with hesitation They questioned Toren’s training background He said Ethan taught him how to measure consistency not magic The magisters exchanged confused glances The idea that a non mage could teach improvement shook their assumptions

Lira presented her summoning loop The bird creature appeared with precise timing The magisters noted the repeatability asking how she achieved it She pointed to Ethan’s process of interval tracking The magisters seemed troubled by the idea that spell control could be improved without guild rituals Mira demonstrated her mana stabilizing pulse and even the magisters felt its pleasant steadying effect They whispered among themselves as if unsure whether such stable healing should be allowed outside Guild control

Velra demonstrated her potion cooling using calibrated mana density with help from the crystal tuner The magisters scrutinized every detail asking which guild approved the calibration method Velra answered proudly that ArcSpark established its own testing standard The magisters looked alarmed Corren then demonstrated his stone lizard delivery route which impressed one magister who admitted he had never seen such reliable movement in a beast tamer

Finally the necromancer stepped forward holding his skeletal squirrel The magisters recoiled instinctively but Ethan encouraged the demonstration The squirrel picked up a small gem carried it across the floor and placed it gently in a cup The magisters stared bewildered One of them muttered that harmless undead applications were almost unheard of Ethan calmly explained that structure and controlled purpose prevented instability The guild looked shaken not by the magic but by the idea that innovation made even necromancy safe and useful

After all demonstrations the magisters asked to speak privately with Ethan They stepped outside under the gray sky The lead magister said ArcSpark was creating new magical practices without oversight Ethan replied respectfully that he was creating new businesses not new spells The magister countered that businesses shape society sometimes more than spells Ethan acknowledged the truth of this calmly

They warned him that rapid change frightened the guild They said magic as an institution relied on stability Ethan assured them he sought collaboration not conflict He reminded them that innovation historically grew economies made trade safer and expanded opportunities The magisters listened cautiously Their resistance softened slightly but not enough to be considered support They warned that if ArcSpark caused instability the guild would intervene Ethan nodded knowing intervention meant shutdown

As they left the magisters whispered among themselves One said the founders seemed disciplined Another said the structure was unnatural Ethan heard both comments clearly They feared what they did not understand but they also respected competence He would use that thin opening

Inside the warehouse the founders looked anxious Ethan told them the truth The guild had concerns but also curiosity They had not shut ArcSpark down They had not banned Demo Day The founders sighed in relief and then grew more determined Ethan saw the shift in their eyes They wanted to prove themselves not only to customers but to the Guild that doubted them

That evening Ethan updated the Demo Day agenda adding preparation for guild observers The founders practiced deeper refining their pitches their value statements their spell demonstrations The pressure from the guild had transformed into fuel for progress

As the moon rose Ethan wrote a new phrase on the wall Innovation invites resistance but progress comes from courage
The founders repeated it softly letting the words sink into the bones of their journey

Demo Day approached
And now the whole realm would be watching