The grand council chamber was a circular hall carved from ancient stone. Mana veins glowed faintly along the walls casting soft light across the long tables arranged in three rings. One ring for nobles one for guild leaders and one for high mages. Ethan stood in the center on a raised platform usually reserved for heroes and war strategists. Today it was reserved for him the outsider who came not with spells but with reforms

The nobles arrived first dressed in embroidered robes heavy with gold thread. They looked confident in the way only people with unquestioned privilege could be. A few glanced at Ethan with curiosity others with suspicion but most simply ignored him as if he were an anomaly unworthy of attention. After all he had no mana aura no ancient lineage no guild certification. He was an ordinary man among people who believed themselves extraordinary

Then the guild leaders entered. They wore insignias of their trades glowing hammers for blacksmiths sparkling threads for tailors and shifting sigils for merchants. Their expressions were sharper more calculating. They had heard rumors about Ethan’s Arcane Float and understood immediately that it threatened their control over pricing. They whispered among themselves forming small clusters of resentment

Finally the high mages took their seats. They were the reason Ethan stood there. Without their support this meeting would never have been called. Ethan was grateful but he also knew their influence alone would not push the reforms forward. What happened in this chamber would determine the fate of the entire kingdom

The head mage gestured to Ethan. Professor the floor is yours

Ethan stepped forward holding only a few parchments. He did not need more. His ideas were already clear in his mind. He began with calm steady words

Your kingdom is failing not because mana is weak but because your institutions are broken. You have no unified currency no predictable tax system and no rules to ensure fairness. Without structure even strong magic cannot prevent economic collapse

Several nobles scoffed loudly. A middle aged duke raised his hand in mock politeness

And who are you to speak of collapse he said. Our kingdom has endured for centuries

Ethan answered without hesitation. Institutions can last for centuries until the day they break. History is full of systems that fell because leaders ignored warning signs

The duke glared but Ethan continued. I have spent the last week analyzing your markets. Prices change daily without reason. Taxes shift whenever nobles choose. Guilds block trade to protect their own interests. People cannot plan for the future. They live in fear of the next decree or shortage

A guild leader slammed his hand on the table. Trade is our domain outsider. Not yours

Ethan nodded calmly. Trade is your domain but stability is the responsibility of the kingdom. When guild monopolies restrict goods they do not protect their trade they weaken the entire system

Another guild leader shouted. We have built this kingdom with our hands. You think words on parchment can replace that

Ethan responded. Structure does not replace effort. It protects it. Without fair rules honest labor becomes meaningless

The room stirred. Even some nobles seemed unsettled by how directly he spoke. But Ethan was not there to comfort them. He was there to break illusions

He unrolled the parchment showing the symbol of the Arcane Float. This is the new unified currency. It will be backed by the average mana output of the kingdom. It cannot be manipulated by guilds or individual nobles. It will provide stability for prices taxes and trade

A noblewoman leaned forward narrowing her eyes. And who will control this new money. You

Ethan shook his head. The Mana Stability Board. Independent from nobles and guilds. Their duty will be to provide regular public reports about mana production and currency valuation

A wave of alarm swept across the room. The idea of transparency frightened them more than the idea of losing control. Ethan saw it immediately

A blacksmith guild leader stood. You want to strip power from those who earned it with generations of work

Ethan answered firmly. I want to prevent power from being used to harm the kingdom. Monopolies protect themselves not the people

A noble rose with anger in his voice. Taxes are our right. Our ancestors shaped these lands. We choose what is fair

Ethan met his glare. Then why does every citizen fear tax season. Why do farmers hide part of their harvest. Why do merchants flee to other regions. Because fairness is not what they experience

The noble clenched his fist but said nothing

Ethan continued. A transparent tax system means people will know what they owe before they pay it. Predictable taxes create trust. Trust creates growth

For a long moment the chamber was silent. Even those who disagreed could not deny the logic. Ethan pressed forward

If you want your kingdom to survive you must build a system that supports prosperity not privilege. The Arcane Float is the first step. The transparent tax code is the second. The Magic Market Regulatory Bureau is the third

The words hung in the air like a spell of truth. Ethan had not raised his voice not once yet the chamber felt shaken

But then the resistance erupted

A merchant guild master shouted. Your reforms will destroy our pricing authority

A noble yelled. Predictable taxes weaken our flexibility

Another bellowed. A floating currency is madness

Ethan stood still letting the storm rage. Lira stood behind him watching with worry but Ethan’s expression remained calm. When the shouting reached its peak Ethan raised one hand. The chamber slowly quieted driven not by magic but by the weight of his confidence

Ethan spoke softly. You fear losing power but what you should fear is losing your kingdom. If you do nothing the economy will collapse. Trade will seize. Mana production will fall. Shortages will spread. Revolts will follow

The nobles fell silent. They knew revolts were not impossible. Several regions had already shown unrest

Ethan continued. I am not here to destroy your roles. I am here to make them meaningful. A stable kingdom benefits everyone noble guild mage and citizen

The head mage stepped forward. Professor Ethan Ward will not be dismissed. His reforms will be considered seriously. The kingdom cannot survive without change

The meeting ended with tension thick in the air. Some nobles left furious. Some guild leaders whispered in panic. But others walked away thoughtful and uncertain a sign the seeds of change were already growing

Outside the hall Lira approached Ethan. That was dangerous she said. They will not forgive your bluntness

Ethan smiled gently. They are afraid because they see the truth. Fear is the first step toward change

Lira looked at him with admiration. You speak without magic yet you shake them more than a spell ever could

Ethan replied. Ideas can reshape worlds more deeply than any spell

He walked toward the balcony watching the city lights flicker. The battle had begun. He would not retreat