The explosion in the western district sent shockwaves through the entire kingdom. Rumors rippled in every tavern market stall and temple. Some citizens blamed the guilds. Some blamed nobles. Many feared that perhaps the reforms had somehow triggered magical instability. Uncertainty spread like fire eating away at the confidence built over weeks

Ethan understood the stakes. If the nobles succeeded in linking the explosion to his reforms the entire movement could collapse. He returned to the Bureau with Lira Finn and the newly defected noble Lord Calven who had insisted on assisting. The hall filled with analysts studying magical residue brought from the site

Lira placed a fragment of mana stone on the table. Professor the structure is unnatural. Someone channeled unstable dark mana into it then sealed it temporarily. It was designed to explode hours later

Calven frowned. I have seen this technique before. Some nobles use it in large scale hunting traps. It is outlawed except for war

Ethan looked at Calven. And which nobles know this method

Calven hesitated. Varenden’s house. And Helvek’s. They developed it generations ago

Ethan nodded. As expected

Finn held up a parchment. We interviewed workers near the warehouse. Several saw cloaked figures enter last night using noble emblems to pass through patrols. And we found traces of teleportation magic used only by noble escorts

The head mage entered reading through the reports quickly. This is strong evidence professor. If confirmed the nobles not only sabotaged their own property but endangered citizens to manipulate opinion

Ethan said. Then we confirm it. Completely. We do not accuse we demonstrate. We show undeniable proof

Lira asked. How professor

Ethan unrolled a new parchment. With a reconstruction. We will map the mana flows from the blast. Every unstable pattern. Every manipulation. We will display them publicly. Even non mages can understand clear visual proof

The head mage nodded. I will assign three senior mages to assist. They can read mana signatures exactly down to their origin

Calven stepped forward. And I will gather testimony from noble estate workers. Many of them are tired of Varenden’s cruelty. They will speak if given protection

Ethan placed a hand on Calven’s shoulder. Your courage will help shift the rest of the noble class

Within hours the Bureau began assembling the reconstruction. Senior mages traced the blast’s magical fingerprint onto a giant floating sigil above the city square. Its glowing lines showed the path mana took before the explosion. The patterns were unmistakable

Layered mana infusion
Double compression spell
Artificial overload seal
Noble crest imprint

A rare technique
A forbidden technique
A technique the Bureau had never used
But one certain noble houses possessed

By afternoon crowds filled the square. Lira stood beside Ethan ready to help reveal the findings. The head mage amplified his voice with a simple enhancement spell

Citizens of the kingdom we present the mana reconstruction of the western district explosion

The glowing sigil displayed above the square twisted and spun. Each line of magic pulsed with color illustrating the process used in the sabotage. The reconstruction was so clear even children could follow it. Whispers rippled through the square as the truth became undeniable

Ethan stepped forward. This was no accident. This was engineered. Designed. Executed with precision known only to noble houses skilled in high level mana trap techniques. The Bureau identified the signature crest embedded in the magic

The sigil zoomed into a small glowing crest.
A noble emblem
Varenden’s house

The crowd erupted in shock. Shouts rose from all sides. Some cursed Varenden. Others cried out in disbelief. Fear turned into anger then into understanding

Lord Helvek and several nobles rushed into the square pushing through the crowd. Their faces pale with panic

Helvek shouted. Lies. This reconstruction is forged
Varenden added. The Bureau manipulates magic. They intend to frame us

Ethan answered calmly. Then explain the crest embedded in the mana pattern. Explain the testimonies from three of your own servants. Explain the teleportation traces used only by noble patrols. Explain why your guards shut down the street hours before the explosion

The nobles froze
Cornered
Exposed
Unmasked

The resonance magic of the square flickered gently verifying Ethan’s words

Lord Calven spoke loudly. This was an attempt to fool the kingdom. A deliberate attack designed to blame the reforms. Nobles who destroy their own property for power cannot claim leadership

Citizens shouted. Arrest them. Exile them. Strip their titles

Varenden’s face twisted with rage. His mana aura flared dangerously. This is not over outsider. You think you can break centuries of order. You think the kingdom will trust numbers and charts over magic and lineage

Ethan stepped closer. I think the kingdom will trust truth. Because truth protects them more than privilege ever did

Varenden raised his staff
But ten mages moved instantly
Shields flared
Varenden’s attack was neutralized before it formed

The head mage lifted his hand. Duke Varenden you are hereby placed under magical investigation for treason sabotage and endangerment of the kingdom

Gasps echoed again. Varenden’s guards hesitated unsure whether to defend him. Citizens shouted and surged forward. For the first time noble authority cracked publicly

Varenden tried to push through the crowd but mages surrounded him forming a shimmering barrier. Helvek attempted to flee but was quickly restrained. Their influence had finally faltered under the weight of undeniable evidence

As the nobles were escorted away Lira whispered. Professor you did it again. You turned fear into proof

Ethan responded quietly. We did it. Structure always wins against chaos. It just takes time

The crowd erupted into cheers. Some called Ethan’s name. Others shouted for reforms. Children waved scraps of scrolls from the transparency documents. Hope grew stronger than the fear nobles tried so hard to cultivate

Ethan looked across the plaza at the glowing sigil still rotating slowly above the city.
This was not just a victory
This was a turning point

The old order had been wounded
And the people finally saw it bleed