The morning after the founding of the Founders Guild Astravar woke to a new disturbance not excitement not curiosity but warning bells echoing across the eastern districts Ethan rushed outside with Lorian Mira Aria and several founders The street was filled with courier guild banners hung from rooftops navy blue fabric marked with the silver winged emblem Their presence was not ceremonial It was declaration Mira narrowed her eyes They moved fast Lorian clutched his sprite What do they want Ethan kept his voice calm Control They want to reclaim what they think is theirs A courier guild captain the same scarred man from the earlier marketplace revolt stepped forward flanked by twenty armed escorts He held a scroll marked with the seal of the courier guild He raised his voice by authority of the courier guild and sanctioned by the Guild Alliance we claim exclusive rights to all magical and non magical delivery services within Astravar AMAX must cease all delivery operations Ethan walked forward stern but composed You do not have the power to outlaw innovation The captain smirked The Guild Alliance does Ethan said quietly Then show the Alliance seal The captain hesitated The escorts shifted nervously The crowd murmured Ethan pressed Show the seal Captain If you truly speak for the Alliance The captain’s jaw tightened He unrolled the scroll further The bottom was blank No seal No signature Nothing but threats Ethan said loudly so the entire street could hear False authority is not authority The crowd gasped Some apprentices whispered nervously Mira stepped beside Ethan AMAX serves citizens not guild comfort Lorian said Our deliveries help merchants our creatures harm no one Aria said Stability belongs to those who build not those who cling to the past The captain growled enough His escorts stepped forward raising staves glowing faintly with mana authority badges This was no negotiation they had come to intimidate And possibly more Ethan recognized the tactic He stepped in front of his team No violence He said But the captain snarled You are not in charge here The courier guild escorts began forming a spell circle a suppression field meant to disable creature based magic Lorian tightened his grip the sprite chirping with fear Mira prepared a counter circle Aria placed her hand on the ground sensing the incoming mana Ethan raised his voice loud firm and clear Last warning If you deploy that circle you violate Council decree The crowd went silent The escorts hesitated Even the captain froze Ethan continued We are under Council review They ordered transparency not termination If you attack us you attack the Council And the Council does not forgive rebellion The captain lowered his hand a fraction uncertain His escorts looked shaken Aria whispered The mana pattern is unstable They are scared Ethan sensed the shift The guild wanted to strike but feared the political backlash Mira stepped forward voice sharp We are offering partnership not war If your guild wants to collaborate we can discuss shared routes shared fees and magical integration But if you want control You will lose Ethan added calmly Innovation always wins Captain Your guild can fight progress or join it The captain shook with rage but could not move He knew Ethan was right They were not allowed to strike openly The Council would punish unauthorized conflict Finally the captain spat on the ground snarling This is not over You will regret challenging tradition Ethan replied Tradition is not a cage It is a foundation to build upon The captain turned leaving with his escorts The banners fluttered in the wind like wounded pride When they were out of sight the Founders Guild members erupted in whispers and cheers But Ethan raised a hand Silence He said We did not win We delayed conflict The courier guild will not stop They will shift tactics They will try politics sabotage pressure Maybe worse Lorian whispered Then what do we do Ethan faced his growing team eyes steady We build faster We build stronger We build bigger Mira nodded jaw set Aria said We reinforce defenses Ten shouted We protect AMAX Ethan pointed at the map on the wall Today we launch full scale expansion Five new routes Two new divisions A scouting network A partnership program And we prepare for when the Council calls for formal arbitration Mira said Arbitration is dangerous Ethan said Yes but it gives us a voice And power grows through voice not fear The team breathed deeply determination rising AMAX was no longer a small accelerator It was now a challenger to an ancient guild And challenges brought reaction Ethan looked at the halls the runes the founders the creatures the future taking shape Day by day spell by spell idea by idea He whispered The courier guild wants a war But we will give them something else A future they cannot stop Because AMAX is not just competing We are redefining the entire domain of magic commerce And nothing could stop the rise of an idea whose time had come