Evan’s room was flooded with warm morning light when he awoke but his mind was already racing His meeting with the king loomed over him like a storm cloud But instead of fear he felt something sharper more urgent The fourth rule had finally taken shape in his mind last night and he needed to test it.

Serin and Myra met him in the courtyard both looking more focused than usual.

“You barely slept again” Myra said

“I will sleep when I am no longer rewriting your entire magical tradition” Evan replied “We need to test the fourth rule today before the capital trip”

Serin raised a brow “You really think this new rule is bigger than the others”

“Yes This one affects spell stability magic flow and spell shape at the same time If I am right every major spell in the academy should be restructured”

They headed toward the South Hall where Arilon and a new group of senior mages waited each ready for more demonstrations. The hall buzzed with tension even before Evan stepped inside.

Arilon greeted him “You have a new insight Evan”

“Yes The fourth rule Body resonance shapes mana capacity”

The mages stared
Blank
Confused
Skeptical
Exactly as Evan expected

Evan continued “Your magic does not just follow breath or rhythm It follows resonance the vibrations your body naturally produces when you speak If your resonance is weak your spell is weak If your resonance is strong your spell grows”

A mage scoffed “Magic is not singing outsider”

Evan smirked “Everything you do is singing you just do not realize it Your voice resonates through your bones your chest your throat even your skull and those vibrations guide how mana fills your spell If your resonance is locked the spell collapses If it is open it expands”

Another mage objected “We have never considered vibrations a part of spell structure”

“And that is why so many of your spells explode randomly” Evan said calmly “Now let me prove it”

He gestured for a volunteer.

Master Thyren stepped forward still carrying the pride and shock from yesterday. “I will demonstrate”

Evan nodded “Good First cast your Gale Slash normally No adjustments”

She inhaled and spoke “Sar vel tharan”

A sharp wind blade sliced through a dummy clean but not dramatic.

“Now” Evan said “I want you to place your hand against your chest Feel your own resonance When you speak I want your voice to drop lower resonate through your ribs Let the sound vibrate your sternum”

Thyren frowned “That seems pointless”

“Try it” Evan said “Pretend you are humming but without humming Feel the vibration”

Thyren inhaled again placed her hand on her chest and spoke “Sar vel thaa ran”

The wind blade that shot forward roared like a hurricane smashing through three targets before ripping a crater into the far wall of the hall.

The mages leapt back
Serin shielded her face
Myra gasped
Arilon whispered a word Evan did not know but understood instantly
Shock

Evan nodded calmly “Your resonance was weak before so mana capacity was low When you opened your chest resonance the spell expanded”

Master Thyren stared at her hand “I have never felt power like that”

Another mage stepped forward urgently “Teach me”

Evan raised a finger “Fine but listen carefully If you force resonance you will damage your voice Your body must relax into it not push into it If you push too hard your mana will overflow and that can be lethal”

Silence
Even the torches dimmed

Arilon’s voice was quiet but full of weight “Evan this rule changes everything If resonance increases mana capacity then some spells once considered forbidden may become accessible again”

Myra whispered “Even ancient spells the ones recorded as too unstable to use They could return”

Evan held his breath then spoke “Yes And that is why we must be careful Reckless resonance could destroy someone We must teach it slowly rationally and with structure”

But Arilon stepped closer “Evan we cannot hide this rule from the king He will want to know everything When you meet him you must present all four rules”

Evan looked at the hall the shattered stone the amazed faces the terrified expressions the absolute shift happening before his eyes.

He whispered “This is moving too fast I cannot control it anymore”

Serin stepped in front of him “You do not need to control it You only need to guide it The world is changing because of your voice Evan It was already broken You are making it whole again”

Myra nodded “And you are not alone You have us and the academy Let us help you build this system”

Evan closed his eyes inhaling slow steady breathing for clarity The same breath he taught the students
When he opened them he felt anchored again
His voice was steady

“Then tomorrow I write the official structure of spell articulation The four rules will become law in the academy And when I meet the king I will present everything clearly”

Arilon bowed “The kingdom will remember this day Evan Hartley”

Serin smiled faintly “Let them remember your voice too”

Myra added “Because your voice is rewriting magic itself”

Evan looked at his hands the same hands he once used to guide nervous children through simple sounds Now guiding an entire world.

He whispered
“Then let the world hear me”