The day after the Bureau was announced the capital woke under a tense sky. Clouds hung low as if the weather itself sensed the coming conflict. The nobles had not been idle. They gathered overnight in their private estates discussing the threat of Ethan’s reforms with growing anger. By morning their decision was made. They would challenge him publicly

Ethan entered the council courtyard with Lira by his side. She looked uneasy but determined. The high mages walked with him offering silent support. As they approached the council hall they found a crowd waiting. Nobles stood in formal rows wearing the colors of their houses. Their expressions were cold calculated and proud. Behind them stood servants carrying scrolls sealed with family crests

Ethan understood immediately. This was a coordinated attack

A tall noble stepped forward. His robe was lined with enchanted gold thread and his mana aura crackled faintly like distant lightning. He was Duke Varenden a man known throughout the kingdom not for wisdom but for his ruthless control of the northern estates

He spoke in a voice that filled the entire courtyard. Professor Ethan Ward you are an outsider with no title no mana and no right to dictate the structure of our kingdom. We nobles have maintained order for generations. Your Bureau your currency and your tax ideas threaten our rightful authority

The nobles murmured in agreement. Ethan remained calm

Duke Varenden continued. You tell us our system is failing but it is not the system that fails. It is the commoners who lack discipline. It is the merchants who seek profit over duty. We nobles guide them because they cannot guide themselves

Ethan answered in a steady voice. The kingdom does not need guidance through fear. It needs structure through fairness. Your taxes change without warning. Your currency manipulation harms trade. Your privilege makes planning impossible for ordinary people

Varenden stepped closer glaring down at Ethan. And you intend to replace noble tradition with your floating mana coin. Your Bureau. Your rules. Your foreign logic

Ethan met his gaze without flinching. I intend to give the kingdom a stable foundation so it can survive

Varenden motioned for his servants. Bring the petitions

One by one servants carried forward stacks of scrolls. Each scroll held signatures from noble houses demanding the rejection of Ethan’s reforms. They formed a mountain at Varenden’s feet symbolic of old power resisting new ideas

We nobles reject your floating currency Varenden declared. We reject your so called Regulatory Bureau. We reject your tax reforms. We will not allow an outsider to strip centuries of authority

The nobles cheered proudly

Ethan remained silent for a moment. Lira whispered nervously. Professor this is the entire aristocracy. They are united against us

Ethan took one step forward. The courtyard fell quiet

He spoke clearly. Authority does not come from tradition. It comes from trust. You say you guide the kingdom but your system has left citizens uncertain merchants desperate farmers terrified of taxes they do not understand

Varenden scoffed. They should fear their nobles. Fear keeps order

Ethan replied. Fear destroys prosperity. Fear undermines growth. Fear weakens the kingdom

Varenden’s aura flared. You dare claim that we weaken the kingdom

Ethan nodded. Yes because any system that cannot be questioned is already collapsing

A ripple went through the crowd. Some nobles looked offended others shaken. Ethan continued

If you wish to oppose reforms then answer me these questions. Why does every region use a different currency. Why do farmers hide from tax collectors. Why do merchants flee your cities. Why does trade collapse every season. Why does every number in your ledgers contradict every other number. Where is the order you claim to protect

Silence

Ethan’s voice softened but remained firm. A kingdom cannot be built on unpredictable power. It must be built on rules that apply to everyone equally even nobles

Varenden pointed at Ethan with fury. You speak of equality as if we are commoners

Ethan replied. In a functioning system everyone is subject to the same structure. That is how stability is born

Varenden turned to the crowd. He went too far. This outsider insults the noble houses. He threatens our ancient rights. We will not stand for this

The nobles roared in agreement

But then something unexpected happened. A young noblewoman stepped forward. Her robe was elegant but simpler than others. Her mana aura was faint but steady. She bowed to the high mages then faced Ethan

Her voice was calm. Duke Varenden you claim to protect tradition but tradition means nothing without prosperity. My family has seen our lands suffer because taxes shift unpredictably. Farmers leave because they cannot survive. Merchants avoid us because our currency is not trusted. If Professor Ethan Ward can fix this then I support him

The nobles gasped. Varenden glared. Lady Selene do not speak out of turn

She continued ignoring him. The kingdom is not stable. We all know this. Pretending otherwise will not save us

Several nobles shifted uncomfortably. Her words planted doubt

Varenden stepped toward her threateningly but Ethan moved between them his posture calm and strong

The duke’s mana aura flared but Ethan showed no fear. His lack of mana made him immune to Varenden’s intimidation. The duke could not bully him the way he bullied others

Varenden hissed. You are a danger professor. And dangers must be removed

Ethan replied. Systems fail when they silence those who speak truth

The tension nearly erupted into conflict until the head mage raised his staff

Enough. The reforms will proceed. The kingdom needs stability

Varenden stared at Ethan with hatred. This is not over outsider

He stormed away with many nobles following behind but not all. Some paused looking uncertain. The unity of the noble class was beginning to crack

Ethan took a breath but did not relax. The battle had moved from debate to politics. Danger now walked openly

Lira whispered. They fear you professor

Ethan replied. They fear losing a system they control. But fear will not stop progress

He looked toward the horizon. The storm had only begun