If the nobles fought Ethan openly the guilds fought him from the shadows where their influence was strongest. While nobles relied on inherited authority guilds relied on economic control. They set prices controlled distribution and enforced rules that ensured their dominance. Ethan’s reforms threatened them even more than the nobles

The morning after the confrontation Ethan discovered the first sign of guild retaliation. The lumber market which supported half the city’s builders was closed without warning. Carpenters gathered in frustration shouting at the locked gates. Ethan moved through the crowd with Lira observing everything. Guild enforcers stood at the entrance blocking anyone from entering or trading

Ethan approached a carpenter. What happened

The man wiped sweat from his brow. The guild raised fees again. We cannot afford them. They shut down the market until we agree to their terms

Ethan frowned. Seasonal price shifts are one thing. Daily guild manipulation is another. This is deliberate sabotage

Lira whispered. They want citizens to blame you for the instability

Ethan nodded. A classic tactic. Create chaos then shift the blame to the reformer

He walked toward the enforcers. Move aside

The enforcers laughed. By order of the Lumber Guild no outsider may interfere

Ethan answered simply. I am not interfering. I am observing

He stepped closer forcing the enforcers to retreat slightly as the crowd watched. His confidence created its own force even without mana. One enforcer muttered that his presence alone threatened their control

Ethan turned to the crowd. Why do you let the guild control your lives. Why must carpenters obey a council that does not build. Why must merchants pay fees that have no explanation

Someone shouted. Because they have mana enforcers

Someone else yelled. If we resist they crush us

Ethan’s voice rose. That is why we need the Bureau. A guild cannot hold your livelihood hostage if there are rules

The crowd murmured. Some nodded. The seeds of change were sprouting

Lira tugged on his sleeve. Professor you must be careful. If guilds feel cornered they may strike harder

Ethan sighed. They already will. That is why we must move quickly

He and Lira hurried to the Bureau’s temporary headquarters an unused hall the mages had granted them. Ethan gathered his newly appointed analysts a group of young mages and scholars who believed in reform. They were inexperienced but eager and Ethan knew that mattered more than lineage

He spoke firmly. The guilds are testing us. We must respond with structure not force. We will investigate the Lumber Guild’s actions publicly. Record the price shifts the fees the closures. Publish it all. Let citizens see the truth

One analyst raised a hand. Publish. But nobles never allow open reports

Ethan replied. That is why we must do it. Transparency is our greatest weapon

Lira stepped forward. I will gather mana flow data for the district. If the guild claims a mana shortage we will prove it false

Ethan nodded approvingly. Good. Data protects reforms

The analysts scattered to begin their tasks. Ethan worked all day gathering testimonies recording inconsistencies mapping price patterns. The more he documented the more he saw just how deeply the guilds manipulated the system. Fees changed without logic. Mana allocation was inconsistent. Records were incomplete or falsified. Every sign pointed to monopoly abuse

By evening Ethan had compiled a full report. It was the first economic investigation in the history of the kingdom. Lira read it with wide eyes

Professor this will shake the entire capital

Ethan answered. That is the point

They posted the report at the city square using enchanted parchment that glowed softly so citizens could read even at night. A crowd gathered quickly. Word spread faster than the guilds expected

Carpenters gasped at the numbers. Merchants whispered angrily about hidden fees. Citizens felt indignation rising like heat from sun baked stone

One old man shouted. They drained us dry for years

Another yelled. Why did no one tell us this before

Lira answered softly. Because there was no institution to protect you. Until now

The crowd’s mood shifted from confusion to anger but not the kind of wild anger guilds could redirect. This was informed anger calm focused and powerful

That night Ethan met with the mages again. The head mage looked impressed. Citizens never had access to this level of information. The reaction is overwhelming

Ethan nodded. Knowledge changes incentives. When people understand the system they will demand fairness

But as the head mage spoke he glanced toward the doorway. Be careful professor. Guilds do not lose quietly. They are planning something

Ethan knew. Reform always created danger

He walked out into the dark streets of the capital. Mana lanterns flickered in the distance. He felt eyes watching from the alleys shadows moving between buildings. The guilds were not finished

Lira walked beside him. Professor do you think the kingdom can survive this battle

Ethan looked ahead with steady resolve. A kingdom built on fear cannot survive. But a kingdom rebuilt on trust can withstand anything

The wind blew through the night carrying whispers of conflict. Ethan understood the path ahead. The nobles fought openly. The guilds fought from the shadows. Both would strike harder soon

But change had already begun. The Bureau existed. Citizens had tasted transparency. And once people saw the truth they could never unsee it

Ethan whispered to himself. Step by step the old world will give way