The week leading to the Council hearing began with heavy tension in the air a tension that pulsed through Astravar like a warning drumbeat Ethan felt it each morning when he stepped outside the guild hall Citizens whispered his name founders rushed between halls merchants delivered requests faster than before and even the mana currents above the district seemed restless The city felt as if it stood on the edge of something enormous a shift that could redefine its future For AMAX this week meant one thing preparation Ethan gathered the founders inside Hall One the original accelerator room which now felt small compared to the expanded campus Across the space dozens of young innovators practised rune work adjusted prototypes or rehearsed their pitches Ethan looked at his growing ecosystem with pride but today he needed focus Everyone gather near the pitch table The hall quieted Lorian Mira Aria Ten and the new founders stood ready Ethan wrote on the slate Council Hearing Preparation Then he stepped back Phase Four Narrative Control Mira blinked Narrative Ethan nodded Yes The hearing is not about truth It is about story The story they believe determines our survival Lorian looked uneasy What story must we tell Ethan answered calmly That AMAX is not a threat but a stabilizing force Aria added And a source of regulated structured magic Ethan nodded Exactly Mira asked How do we prove that Ethan said We show our results We demonstrate our safety protocols our mana stability our customer success stories We bring testimonials from merchants and nobles Ten said And we show data Ethan smiled That is right We show data Aria raised a hand I can project mana stability logs from our conduits Ethan nodded Good And Mira can present the success rate of SummonLogistics Lorian can present FireCourier fleet metrics Mira tapped her chin thoughtfully We need case studies Ethan said Yes Three strong examples One merchant one noble and one adventurer Lorian whispered I know a merchant who cried with joy when the sprite delivered medicine to his sick child Ethan nodded Write his testimony Mira said I handled a long distance fabric delivery faster than any runner That can be our second Ethan turned to Aria And for the noble Aria simply said I stabilized a failing enchantment in the Riverside District saving a workshop Ethan’s eyes lit up That is perfect The team quickly split tasks Aria writing rune diagrams and stability charts Mira organizing summoning metrics Lorian teaching sprite handlers how to present their work Ten creating flow charts of delivery routes Ethan walked from group to group coaching them on clarity simplicity and confidence He felt like he was preparing not only for a hearing but for a public offering He had been through many board presentations in his past world but this hearing felt far more important because here the stakes were not money but existence At noon a group of merchants visited carrying baskets of papers each containing statements of support They placed them on the table one after another We rely on AMAX We trust their magic AMAX saved my business AMAX boosted our trade Ethan thanked them sincerely Their support could shift the hearing Later that day two nobles arrived in elegant robes one of whom Ethan recognized from Demo Day They bowed slightly Ethan of AMAX We will testify on your behalf Magic is progress not threat We support your guild Ethan felt a wave of relief Support from nobles was rare and powerful After they left Aria approached Ethan quietly Their mana signatures were sincere They are not lying Ethan nodded Good That will strengthen our narrative But in the afternoon the courier guild struck back delivering a hostile declaration directly to AMAX The scroll read The courier guild accuses AMAX of destabilizing magical balance causing economic disorder and violating guild sovereignty They planned to present this at the hearing Ethan read it calmly but Lorian’s voice shook They want to bury us Mira growled Let them try Aria touched the scroll and felt the mana imprint They are angry not strategic They fear Their fear weakens them Ethan smiled That is correct Their fear exposes them Tomorrow we counter Ethan drafted his own declaration AMAX protects citizens increases safety reduces mana burden stabilizes markets and promotes structured magical innovation He placed both scrolls on the pitch table AMAX would enter the hearing with evidence and unity The courier guild would enter with fear The final night before the hearing Ethan walked the halls silently The apprentices slept on tables scrolls scattered The founders worked late their eyes glowing with determination Aria barely moved except to adjust conduits Mira practiced her speech Lorian rehearsed his loops Ethan felt a mixture of pride and worry He whispered softly We have built something worth defending He looked at the glowing runes overhead Tomorrow everything changes again He exhaled closed his eyes and prepared for the next day AMAX was ready The Council would not break them