Ethan knew he needed allies. Not mages. Not nobles. Regular people. Anyone who felt the burden of unstable magic and the fatigue of a world stuck in the dark. He needed proof bigger than a marketplace demonstration. He needed a contract.

He walked through the city until he reached the industrial district. Here smoke rose from chimneys and the ground trembled from heavy hammers. Workshops lined the streets wooden walls stained with years of heat and soot. The air was hot even without magic. Apprentices rushed carrying bundles of metal. Masters stood over furnaces shouting orders.

Ethan spotted a large workshop with a cracked sign. Ironworks Varnel. He saw a man inside struggling to keep a furnace hot. A mage stood beside him sweating from repeated bursts of fire magic. The mage’s face was pale. His hands trembled.

Ethan approached. The workshop master glared at him. If you came to order something wait your turn. We are behind schedule.

Ethan nodded toward the mage. He looks exhausted.

Master Varnel sighed. Because he is. Fire mages burn their strength fast. And if he collapses production stops. Again.

Ethan stepped inside. What if I could keep your furnace running without exhausting him

The mage gave a weak laugh. Impossible.

Varnel crossed his arms. Show me.

Ethan placed the stabilizer on a table. Workers gathered around whispering. He activated it. The blue glow filled the workshop with a hum. He guided the mana toward the furnace through improvised copper channels. The furnace brightened steadily without any burst.

The mage stared wide eyed. It is stable. How is it so stable

Varnel knelt to inspect the flow. The heat was even. No surges. No drops. He smacked his knee in disbelief. If this is real my workshop could operate all day. No interruptions. No collapse. No paying for a mage every hour.

Ethan met his eyes. I can build a conversion unit for you. It will take in raw mana and deliver stable heat or light. You will not need a mage to power your tools except for special tasks.

The mage looked relieved and terrified at the same time. Varnel looked like he had just seen a future only he wanted to touch.

What do you want in return Varnel asked

A contract Ethan said. Not money. Not yet. I need recognition. I need a workshop willing to be the first to adopt regulated mana. If your ironworks becomes the first stable energy site in the city others will follow.

Varnel grinned. You give me energy I give you reputation.

Deal.

They shook hands. It was simple. No ceremony. No guild. No laws. Just two men who understood opportunity.

But the moment they shook a voice shouted from outside.

Stop

Three guild enforcers stepped into the workshop. Blue robes. Silver lines. The same colors as Halwen. Their expressions were severe.

One pointed at Ethan. You are forbidden from using that device. You are under guild restriction.

Varnel stepped in front of Ethan. This is my workshop. My tools. My future. If he gives me something that works better than a fragile tired mage I will take it.

The enforcer glared. The guild decides what is safe for the people.

Varnel spat on the floor. The guild decides what is safe for your pockets.

Ethan felt tension rise. Workers stepped close. The mage who had powered the furnace swallowed nervously. He looked torn between fear and relief.

The enforcer stepped toward the stabilizer. Turn it off. Now.

Ethan held his ground. No.

The enforcer raised a hand charged with mana. A threat but not yet an attack.

Before he could speak someone else entered. Lira. Her breathing was fast as if she had run far.

Stop she shouted.

The enforcers turned. Lira continued. He is not harming anything. I felt the mana flow across the city district. It is stable. No disruption. No imbalance.

The lead enforcer glared. Lira you are out of line.

Maybe Ethan said but she is right. This device stabilizes mana. It does not drain it. It does not corrupt it.

The enforcer looked ready to argue again but Varnel stepped forward. This is my workshop. You say you protect people yet you let industries suffer. You let workers break their backs. If this device helps us then you can either help or get out.

The enforcers hesitated. Lira stood beside Ethan. Workers stood beside Varnel. The enforcers saw the resistance and slowly lowered their hands.

This is not over the leader said. The guild will decide.

They left.

Ethan exhaled. Lira whispered to him. You have made enemies today. But you have also made allies.

Varnel patted Ethan on the back. Come tomorrow. We start building the first conversion unit.

Ethan looked around the workshop. Workers smiling. The mage sitting in relief. The furnace glowing with steady light.

History had shifted again.

He whispered to himself. This is how the first grid begins.