The next morning the founders arrived earlier than usual even before the sun fully rose Ethan noticed their determination but he also sensed something else whispers tension a shift in the air When he stepped outside he saw why A group of merchants stood near the warehouse entrance holding ledgers and folded arms Their faces stern their posture defensive Ethan recognized the pattern instantly Market resistance had arrived

The merchants claimed ArcSpark was disrupting the local economy They said fire mages were undercutting blacksmith heating fees summoners stealing messaging businesses healers offering stabilizing pulses that reduced potion sales rune workers fixing lantern crystals too cheaply and even Corren’s stone lizard interfering with traditional runner boys They said change was dangerous Ethan listened patiently not interrupting

When they finished Ethan asked how much revenue they lost They paused realizing they had not measured it Ethan gently explained he respected the market’s concerns but innovation always caused temporary turbulence He said new industries created more opportunities and that ArcSpark sought collaboration not conflict He asked them whether they wanted more stable lighting better delivery predictable communication and safer healing The merchants looked at each other reluctantly realizing they benefited from some of the innovations

Still tension remained Ethan promised to organize a discussion after Demo Day to build cooperative agreements The merchants accepted but left muttering that magic should not be mixed with business Ethan noted their discomfort but saw also their curiosity If ArcSpark succeeded they would return with open minds

Inside the founders looked anxious Ethan explained the situation calmly reminding them that resistance indicated progress They nodded with renewed focus but the encounter reminded them that changing a world always meant challenging its habits

Training resumed with intensity Toren refined heat precision until he could melt metal in perfect arcs Lira achieved two parallel summoning loops with only minor fluctuations Velra produced a batch of twelve stable potions in record time Corren’s stone lizard mastered route branching and item sorting Mira stabilized mana flow in under four seconds The rune engraver crafted new seals for mass application The crystal tuner adjusted mana frequency grids like a musician tuning strings The necromancer refined undead motion into smooth predictable movement

By midday Ethan organized user simulation drills He brought small groups of adventurers blacksmiths shopkeepers and guards into the warehouse Each founder needed to demonstrate their value to a real potential customer without overexplaining or relying on magical drama

Toren’s heat pulse impressed the blacksmith who said he would hire Toren weekly Lira’s messaging loop impressed the adventurers who took immediate interest Velra’s potion cooling amazed cookware merchants Corren’s lizard charmed everyone and even delivered a pouch of coins flawlessly Mira’s healing stabilized a guard so effectively he nearly fell asleep in comfort The rune and crystal pair brightened lanterns with breathtaking steadiness The necromancer delivered messages with his skeletal squirrel earning cautious applause

Ethan noted every reaction He analyzed market signals mentally mapping early adopters customer types and potential segments The founders glowed with pride but Ethan reminded them that consistency mattered not single demonstrations They nodded absorbing the truth

Late afternoon brought a new challenge A group of rival mages arrived claiming ArcSpark’s methods insulted traditional spellwork They demonstrated wild flashy spells in front of the warehouse hoping to intimidate the founders Toren instinctively prepared a fireball but Ethan stopped him calmly saying ArcSpark proved worth through clarity and value not spectacle The rival mages shouted that structured innovation was unnatural Ethan responded politely that progress often felt unnatural at first

The rivals left frustrated but their visit shook several founders Ethan gathered them and reminded them that fear came from misunderstanding and that ArcSpark represented possibility not threat He taught them a new line Speak with purpose create with meaning deliver with integrity They repeated it softly grounding their resolve again

As daylight faded Ethan walked along the river thinking about tomorrow He sensed growing forces around them merchants guilds rivals all watching But he also felt a momentum that no resistance could halt The founders believed in their work The customers began to see value And the world even if reluctant was shifting

He whispered Four days remain
And ArcSpark is already changing the kingdom