The next morning Astravar woke under a silver tinted sky a sign that the Council Tower had strengthened its mana wards Hearing day The entire city felt heavier Ethan dressed in simple but clean robes not flashy not submissive but confident He stepped outside to find the founders already lined up waiting Lorian held the fire sprite inside a protective orb Mira had two smoke hounds in disciplined stance Aria carried a case of glowing mana crystals and conduit diagrams Ten held data tablets made of enchanted parchment The rest of the Founders Guild followed behind forming a long silent procession Ethan nodded Good formation We walk strong not loud They marched together through the central district Citizens stepped aside whispering expressions ranging from admiration to fear Some bowed Some scowled Others watched with unreadable curiosity When the Council Tower came into view its massive spiral structure radiated with mana Apple green lights pulsed along its length Today it looked less like a building and more like an ancient judge Ethan whispered to the team We stay calm We speak truth We show value They nodded The Council chamber doors opened with a deep hum AMAX entered The room was already crowded courier guild members seated in the left stands merchants on the right nobles along the balcony and dozens of apprentices watching from the upper tier The six Councilors sat in the crescent formation Their robes glowed faintly with active runes Ethan could sense their power but he also sensed caution The eldest Councilor raised his hand Let the hearing begin Bring forth representatives of AMAX Ethan stepped forward followed by Lorian Mira and Aria The room stiffened The courier guild captain glared openly Mira glared back Ethan bowed respectfully Councilors thank you for granting this hearing We are prepared to present our work The eldest Councilor nodded Begin Ethan signaled Lorian Lorian stepped forward holding the fire sprite The sprite floated with calm precision not a single spark loose Lorian began his voice steady FireCourier provides safe rapid delivery reducing spell burnout by forty percent and saving merchants significant time and cost He summoned a delivery loop The sprite followed it perfectly landing on the target stone The room murmured The Councilors observed quietly Ethan gestured to Mira Mira stepped up and summoned a small smoke hound It obeyed instantly This creature is trained under structured anchors and cannot act outside its path Logistics efficiency increased by sixty percent after the anchors were introduced Merchants along the right nodded Several held up written contracts One merchant shouted That hound saved my business Ethan stepped forward again Now for stability Aria walked to the center placing three crystals on the ground The crystals lifted aligned and released a gently expanding stabilizing wave The air grew calm even serene Even the Council looked impressed Aria spoke quietly Mana stabilization prevents chaos It enhances safety not risk The eldest Councilor nodded thoughtfully Then turned to the courier guild Captain Varos present your claim The captain stepped forward face tense AMAX violates guild tradition They endanger citizens They disrupt balance We demand termination of their activities The Councilor asked Present evidence Varos froze He had nothing but anger Ethan sensed the shift The Councilors leaned toward AMAX more open than before Ethan stepped forward with confidence Councilors AMAX follows strict structure We reduce instability We increase efficiency We save lives and businesses We provide a framework for safe magical entrepreneurship He pointed to the merchants They support us He pointed to the nobles They have witnessed our work He pointed to the founders We guide magic through discipline The eldest Councilor spoke All claims have been heard The chamber will recess We will deliberate one hour Ethan stepped back The room erupted with whispers The courier guild looked nervous Mira smirked Lorian exhaled Aria closed her eyes sensing the mana patterns shifting with political energy Ethan gathered the founders in a small circle We wait but do not fear We have shown truth After a long tense hour the chimes sounded The founders returned to the center The Councilors stood The eldest spoke AMAX is permitted to continue all operations under increased supervision Monthly reports required But the Council recognizes the merit of structured magical commerce And thus AMAX and the Founders Guild are granted provisional legitimacy The room gasped Merchants cheered Nobles nodded Even some apprentices clapped The courier guild captain shouted in anger but guards held him back Ethan felt a wave of relief A victory A real one The eldest Councilor added One warning Grow with order not chaos Your influence expands quickly We will watch Ethan bowed respectfully We accept responsibility The chamber dismissed them Outside the tower founders celebrated But Ethan stood quiet thoughtful Aria approached The mana of the city shifted again Ethan nodded Yes It shifts in our favor But this is only the beginning Mira grinned The courier guild lost Lorian hugged his sprite We won Ten jumped We are official Ethan looked at the horizon toward the mana charged sky and whispered softly Now begins the true scale phase AMAX had not only survived the hearing It had stepped into legitimacy Power Influence Future The next chapters of Astravar would be written by founders

如果你要 Chapter 21 + Chapter 22