The next morning Ethan gathered the mage council again but this time he brought a plan rather than observations. The mages seated around the long table watched him with curiosity and anxiety. Word of Ethan’s ideas had spread quickly through the capital. Some merchants hoped he could stabilize prices. Guild leaders whispered warnings about him trying to dismantle their power. Nobles began preparing arguments to defend their privileges. But Ethan ignored all of it. He focused only on building the foundation the kingdom desperately needed

He unrolled a large parchment covered with diagrams. The mages leaned closer. Unlike most scholars of this world Ethan did not speak in vague theories. He presented structure rules and frameworks that made the magical economy feel measurable for the first time in its history

This is the draft for your new currency he said. I call it the Arcane Float

The mages murmured at the name. Ethan pointed to a simple symbol drawn in the center of the parchment. A circle representing stability and inside it a wave line showing controlled flexibility. The design was not magical but symbolic and that made it powerful

Ethan explained. The Arcane Float will be the first unified currency used throughout the kingdom. It will not be tied to any guild noble or region. It will be backed by the average mana output of the kingdom a resource that is relatively stable and measurable if you track it correctly

One mage raised a hand. But mana flux is unpredictable in some regions

Ethan nodded. Locally yes but not nationally. When you average mana production across the entire kingdom you get a stable baseline. We will anchor the Arcane Float to that average allowing the currency to move naturally with long term mana shifts but not with daily guild manipulations

The idea stunned the council. They had never imagined a currency based on the entire kingdom’s mana output rather than individual guilds

Ethan continued. Because the currency floats based on overall mana conditions it cannot be controlled by a single group. This prevents guilds from manipulating prices by restricting mana flow. It also protects the economy from noble interference

Another mage leaned forward. So the currency will rise and fall in value but in a predictable way tied to real magical productivity

Exactly Ethan said. A floating currency does not mean chaos. It means transparency. People will know why it changes and trust that it is not the whim of a guild or noble

He then revealed a second parchment showing the basic structure of the new monetary authority. This will be the Mana Stability Board. Its job will be to measure mana production collect data across regions and publish regular reports. This gives the public information they need to understand how the currency is doing

A mage whispered in awe. Reports that the public can read. We have never done that

Ethan smiled. Knowledge builds trust. When people understand the rules they support the system

He then moved to the next part. The physical form of the currency. He proposed creating coins infused with a small stable mana signature not enough for spells but enough for authentication. Each coin would maintain a faint glow that matched the mana baseline. If it did not glow the coin was fake or damaged

The mages were impressed. This would make counterfeiting nearly impossible. Ethan described how the coins could be minted centrally and distributed through new regional exchanges. These exchanges would convert old currencies into the Arcane Float during a transition period

One mage asked nervously. The guilds will lose control over pricing if we do this. They will resist

Ethan nodded. They will but they cannot fight stability forever. When merchants see predictable prices they will demand the new system. When citizens see fair trade they will support the change. The guilds may push back but incentives will shift against them

He then addressed the nobles. They benefit from unpredictable taxes and currency manipulation. But with the new money system we can track flows and show evidence of unfair practices. The nobles will still have influence but not enough to break the economy

The council exchanged glances. Ethan could see their fear turning into cautious hope

Lira stepped forward from the side of the room. She had been listening quietly but now she spoke with more confidence than before. If this works professor the entire kingdom will change. People will finally have something they can trust

Ethan nodded. That is the goal. A stable foundation that allows prosperity to grow

He rolled up the parchments. The room was silent for a moment as the weight of the proposal settled in their minds. They were witnessing the birth of a new system one that could rewrite centuries of broken practice

Finally the head mage stood. Professor Ethan Ward we will bring your proposal to the council of nobles and the guild leaders. Prepare yourself. This will not be a debate. It will be a battle

Ethan met his gaze steadily. I have faced policy battles before. This will be no different. Systems resist change but change comes anyway

Lira smiled faintly. You speak as if you already know the outcome

Ethan replied calmly. When a system is failing stability becomes more powerful than tradition. People will choose the path that gives them hope

That evening Ethan looked out across the capital once more. Lanterns glowed softly and the markets were closing. Merchants counted inconsistent coins. Customers haggled out of fear not confidence. But soon the Arcane Float would exist. Soon the Mana Stability Board would publish reports. And soon people would see a future not shaped by chaos but by structure

Ethan breathed deeply. Reform had begun. The currency was only the first step. The kingdom did not yet realize it but their entire world was about to transform