The day after the Veylar deal the entire political structure of Astravar felt different Subtle but unmistakable A slow shifting of mana currents through the city Aria sensed it immediately This city is changing She whispered Mana flows altered slightly directionally not randomly Ethan knew external investment always created ripples Veylar’s entry into their ecosystem would not go unnoticed Not by merchants Not by nobles And definitely not by the Council News traveled quickly by rumor scry spell and enchanted mirror Soon all guilds would hear about AMAX’s new capital alignment Ethan called an early meeting Founders gathered inside the main hall The space was crowded now almost overflowing with apprentices handlers rune engineers potioners and new innovators Ethan stood on the center platform We have new allies and new enemies Veylar has invested in us Their presence gives us power but also paints a target on our backs Mira nodded The courier guild will panic Lorian said Other guilds will demand explanations Aria added The Council will tighten observation Ethan said Exactly Which means we move to phase three Defensive expansion Ten raised a hand confused Defensive what Ethan replied Defensive expansion means we grow so fast that no one can contain us We expand not outward but upward deepening our foundation building stronger networks adding more services creating more dependency around us If we are valuable enough no guild will dare harm us The founders murmured with understanding Mages nodded Ethan continued Today we establish new core units He wrote on the slate ManaOps Expansion Division Founder Support Division Defensive Runes Wing Mira tilted her head Defensive runes Aria stepped forward I will lead that We need barriers that deflect suppression spells and detection fields Lorian looked impressed You know how to do that Aria answered calmly I can learn quickly Mira smiled Then I will help Aria nodded Ethan added Mira you will also expand SummonLogistics into a multi route service Lorian you will create a sprite fleet Ten you will coordinate cross district scheduling The room filled with excitement founders whispering strategies But then the hall suddenly dimmed A wave of mana passed overhead It felt heavy cold disciplined Ethan and Aria looked up simultaneously Council magic Aria said It is a high ranking scan Ethan whispered scanning for what Ten asked nervously What are they looking for Lorian swallowed They think we are hiding something Mira said Or preparing something Ethan stood firm They want information They fear unknown growth We give them nothing Soon the wave of mana passed leaving a faint hum behind Ethan told everyone Return to work Stay calm Keep building The founders resumed their tasks but tension hung in the air By midday a messenger arrived with a sealed Council decree Ethan opened it calmly reading aloud The Council of Astravar will convene a formal hearing regarding AMAX and its influence on magical commerce Attendance mandatory one week Ethan folded the decree silently The room went still Mira whispered quietly A hearing That is serious Aria said This is escalation Ten asked Are they trying to shut us down Ethan replied Not yet A hearing means they seek leverage not termination Lorian asked What do we do Ethan answered We prepare with overwhelming evidence success data and support He walked forward placing his hand on the table We show them AMAX is not danger but necessity We show them we bring order not chaos We show them we create value not instability Mira nodded steadily Aria placed a glowing crystal on the table Veylar’s support will help Ethan shook his head It helps but we must rely on ourselves not our allies Then something unexpected happened An envoy from the merchant council arrived He carried a silver ribbon marked with Astravar’s trade crest He bowed slightly and said The merchants of Astravar stand behind AMAX As long as your services continue we will testify on your behalf Ethan looked surprised but grateful Thank you The envoy nodded and left This was huge Merchants held political influence especially when united Lorian whispered They support us Mira said That will challenge the courier guild Aria nodded Merchants care about efficiency they have tasted our service and will not return to old methods Ethan felt the balance shift again AMAX was becoming too valuable to remove That meant the hearing would not be a trial It would be a negotiation And Ethan knew how to negotiate because negotiation was simply a form of controlled vision He looked at his team and said Next week decides everything And we will not show weakness We will show future The team dispersed returning to their tasks more motivated than ever Ethan stood at the entrance of the hall watching the mana currents shifting above the city He knew the world was changing and AMAX was shaping the direction The courier guild the Council the nobles the merchants even distant kingdoms They all felt the pull of the new era And the next steps would determine whether AMAX became a historical event or a suppressed dream Ethan whispered to himself The world is choosing sides And we must be ready when the hearing begins