By sunrise the capital felt as if the world had shifted. Mana mist drifted along the streets the way dust settles after a storm. People walked quietly avoiding broken lanterns burned banners and shattered guild emblems. The night of chaos left scars but it also left questions. Why had the guilds attacked. Why had they shut down markets. Why had they used force instead of reason

Ethan knew the kingdom needed answers before fear turned into confusion and confusion turned into anger without direction. He also knew the guilds wanted the public to believe he was responsible for the unrest. They wanted him framed as a dangerous influence a foreign threat who disrupted the delicate balance of magical society. But the truth was now visible to anyone who had witnessed the guild strike. Their intimidation revealed everything Ethan had been claiming

Still truth needed structure. And that was the Bureau’s duty

By mid morning Ethan and Lira prepared the largest public report the kingdom had ever seen. Analysts worked tirelessly copying the data onto enchanted parchments that glowed bright enough for crowds to read. Ethan checked every line ensuring clarity. There were no symbols no vague explanations no hidden clauses. Only facts presented in simple direct language

Lira whispered. Professor the people will see all of it. Every fee every manipulation every closure

Ethan nodded. That is the point. When corruption hides in shadows transparency is the strongest weapon

The head mage arrived with several council members. They studied the parchments with grave expressions. Finally the head mage said It is time

They led Ethan to the grand plaza the widest open space in the capital. Mana lanterns floated high overhead brightening the area despite the cloudy morning. Citizens had already begun to gather pulled by rumors that the Bureau had something to announce. The crowd grew quickly. Farmers from outskirts merchants from market lanes scholars from mage towers even soldiers on break leaned against walls listening carefully

Ethan stepped onto the raised platform. Lira positioned herself beside him her presence steady and calm. The head mage stood at the edge ready to support him against any guild interference

Ethan spoke with measured clarity. Citizens of the kingdom you witnessed the chaos last night. Streets closed. Markets blocked. Enforcers marching through the capital. You deserve to know the truth

He raised the first glowing parchment. This city’s lumber market was not closed due to shortages. It was closed because the guild raised fees by seventy percent overnight. No warning no reason. This was a deliberate power move

Whispers spread through the crowd like ripples across water

Ethan presented another parchment. Bread prices rose not because of mana disruption but because guilds forced bakers to purchase enchanted seals they never needed. The fees doubled within a week crushing small shops

He lifted a third. The guilds claimed nightly mana surges to justify higher fees. Our data shows there were no surges. The readings were stable. Their justification was false

Gasps filled the air. Citizens turned to each other speaking in disbelief

Lira stepped forward displaying a massive chart created with shimmering mana ink. Professor Ethan and the Bureau gathered data across every district. These are the guild fee changes over the past month. They do not reflect supply or demand or mana shifts. They reflect pure manipulation

The chart glowed bright enough for the entire plaza to see. The spikes in prices were obvious even to those with no formal education. There were no natural patterns only sudden leaps created by guild greed

Ethan continued. The guilds want you to believe that without them the kingdom collapses. But it is their manipulation that created shortages instability and fear. Last night was not a warning. It was a confession

A wave of shock rippled through the crowd followed by rising anger. Citizens who had remained silent for years finally felt a direction for their frustration. They understood clearly who had caused their suffering

Ethan held up a final parchment. And here is the first draft of the Arcane Tax Code. It will bring fairness predictability and transparency. Taxes will be written not invented. They will be public not hidden. They will be stable not shifting like shadows

A murmur of hope rose through the plaza. People leaned in unable to hide their excitement

One older farmer stepped forward. Professor Ward is this truly for all of us. Even common folk like me

Ethan nodded. Especially for you. No farmer should fear harvest season because of tax changes. No tradesman should hide earnings to protect his family. No merchant should flee to another region because guilds control prices

A young tailor shouted. And what about nobles. Will they finally pay the same way we do

Ethan answered without hesitation. Under the Arcane Tax Code nobles will contribute as well. Fairness means everyone follows the rules

The crowd erupted with cheers so loud even distant soldiers turned their heads

Lira watched Ethan with admiration. She whispered. They trust you professor. They truly believe

Ethan felt a calm resolve. Trust was not a luxury. It was the foundation he needed to rebuild the kingdom. And today that foundation strengthened

But then a new sound cut through the cheering. Heavy footsteps. Mana armor clanking. Several enforcers appeared at the far end of the plaza. They pushed through the crowd forming a line as guild leaders stepped forward their expressions dark with anger

The Merchant Guild master shouted. You dare spread lies to weaken us

Ethan did not step back. These reports are not lies. They are data. If you disagree you may show your own records publicly

The guild master froze. He had no records. None of the guilds kept transparent logs. That silence was as loud as any confession

Citizens observed the moment of exposed weakness and their confidence only grew. The guilds looked smaller now not sacred institutions but frightened organizations losing control

The head mage raised his staff. Enough. The Bureau’s findings stand. Interfering today will be treason

The enforcers hesitated. They were not prepared to fight the entire public and the mage council in daylight

Slowly they retreated disappearing into narrow alleys. Their intimidation failed for the first time in years

As the sun rose higher citizens continued reading the glowing parchments. Some copied them onto scraps of cloth. Others memorized the numbers. The kingdom was awakening to its own truth

Lira whispered. Professor today marks the beginning of the end for the old system

Ethan nodded. Today we revealed the truth. Tomorrow we rebuild on it

He looked at the crowd all of them united by something the kingdom had never experienced
A shared understanding
A shared frustration
A shared hope

The reforms now had the people behind them
And once the people awaken no force can silence them