Ethan woke the next day with a clear objective. Insurance had opened a door but futures would break the entire wall. He walked to the market with a determined expression and Lyra hurried to keep up. Ethan what are futures
He exhaled. A future is a promise. A contract to buy or sell something at a later time for a price we agree on now
Lyra tapped her chin. Why would anyone do that
Ethan smirked. Because the world is unpredictable and people hate unpredictability more than anything

They stopped near a miner unloading carts of raw elemental stones. The miner groaned as he lifted a crate. Production was low this week The mines are unstable again
Lyra whispered. See This is what you mean by unpredictability
Ethan nodded. Exactly

He approached the miner. How much do you expect to mine next week
The miner shrugged. Hard to say Five crates maybe Six if the caves stay safe
Ethan wrote that down. And how much do you usually sell each crate for
Five silver
Ethan nodded again. What if someone bought next week’s stones today for four silver
The miner blinked. Why would I accept less
Because Ethan said calmly you secure income now. No risk. No unstable caves. No market fluctuations
The miner hesitated. But what if production is high
Then you lose a little Ethan admitted. But if production crashes you gain
The miner thought about it. That is tempting Actually very tempting
Lyra whispered. You are offering stability
Ethan nodded. Yes. Now watch the other side

He walked to a merchant polishing glowing stones. Merchant How much will stones cost next week
The merchant sighed. Prices keep rising If production drops again they will cost seven silver maybe more
Ethan nodded. Then what if I sell you next week’s stones now for six
The merchant stared at him. Six That would save me money
Exactly Ethan said. But if prices drop
The merchant shrugged. Then I lose a little But prices never drop

Lyra whispered. So both sides win
Ethan smiled. Exactly. And I stand between them
Lyra blinked. So you profit
Ethan shrugged. For managing risk yes
Lyra groaned. You are unstoppable

He brought the miner and merchant together. At first they eyed each other suspiciously. Ethan placed parchment between them. This is a futures contract The miner promises to deliver a crate of stones next week. The merchant promises to pay six silver now
The miner frowned. What if a cave collapses
Ethan pointed. You already received payment You lose nothing
The merchant frowned. What if production is high next week
Ethan shrugged. Then you pay slightly more than market price but you secured supply
They stared at each other. Then slowly they nodded.

The first futures contract was signed in less than five minutes.

Lyra exhaled. Ethan you just created stability
Ethan smirked. And now we create opportunity

He was right. Within hours word spread. Miners wanted secure income. Merchants wanted stable prices. Even adventurers wanted to lock in the cost of potions and mana stones. Ethan spent the entire day writing contracts until his wrist ached. Lyra handled registration. The elder watched everything with awe.

Then the nobles arrived.

A tall noble in dark blue robes stepped forward with two guards. So you are the outsider creating chaos with paper
Ethan kept his tone calm. Not chaos Structure
The noble scoffed. Futures Contracts Insurance Ridiculous All these things shift power away from the noble houses
Ethan nodded. Yes Because monopolies are weak structures
The noble’s eyes blazed with insult. You dare
Ethan stepped closer without fear. You fear a world where knowledge is shared. Where prices are open. Where your control dissolves
The noble hissed. Outsider You think you are clever
Ethan stared back. I know I am
The noble trembled with rage. You will regret this
Ethan replied softly. Only if my math is wrong
The noble left with his guards but the threat hung like iron in the air.

Lyra whispered Ethan they will try to stop you
He nodded. They can try. But they cannot stop a system that benefits everyone else
Lyra swallowed. You sound very certain
Ethan looked around the bustling market where contracts exchanged hands. I am certain Because economics always wins
Lyra stared at him. You scare me sometimes
Ethan smiled. That is the nicest thing you have said all week

But something else happened that night. Something Ethan had predicted since his first day in this world.

A merchant rushed to him with panic in his eyes. Ethan The price of fire stones jumped to eight silver in the next village
Ethan inhaled slowly. Good
Lyra blinked. Good Why is that good
Ethan held up a futures contract. Because we bought sixteen crates yesterday at six
Lyra’s eyes widened. That means
Profit Ethan finished. Clean profit

She whispered. This is the first arbitrage in magic history
Ethan smiled with quiet satisfaction. No This is the beginning

He looked at the smoky horizon as torches lit the village. The world was shifting. Markets were waking up. And nobles were starting to realize their old power was slipping.

Ethan Mercer was not just surviving anymore
He was reshaping a kingdom

And tomorrow he would take the next step.

The Magic Exchange.