The failed moonlit strike became the turning point Ethan had anticipated since the day he arrived in the kingdom. When nobles dared to seize him under darkness and failed publicly their power cracked again. Citizens spoke of the incident with disbelief and anger. Some said nobles acted like thieves. Others said the mage council’s protection proved the old order was collapsing. What mattered most was that ordinary people now understood how far nobles were willing to go to preserve their privilege

The next morning the capital roared with conversation. Market stalls buzzed. Taverns overflowed with debate. Even apprentices on their way to magic academies whispered about the confrontation under the moon. Ethan walked through the city with Lira and Finn hearing fragments of conversations from all directions

The nobles tried to take him
Why hide if they are innocent
The mages saved him again
He must be doing something right
Maybe this is the beginning of change

Every word mattered. The capital had never experienced such shared consciousness. Ethan noted something important in the voices he heard. Citizens were no longer afraid to speak openly. They were beginning to believe in their own participation

Lira leaned toward Ethan. Professor do you hear it. People are no longer whispering. They speak your name without fear

Ethan replied. They are not speaking my name. They are speaking the idea of reform. That is the real shift

Finn handed Ethan a scroll. Professor you should see this. Delegates from twelve villages have arrived in the capital. They want to meet with you

Ethan raised an eyebrow. Delegates

Finn nodded. They formed councils exactly like you predicted. Now they want a unified voice. They say the kingdom should hear from citizens not only nobles or guilds

Ethan considered this. In his own world this was the beginning of institutional democracy. Not elections yet. Not representative government in the modern sense. But the early stirrings of a public assembly. A structured voice for the people

Let them gather Ethan said. But not at the Bureau. At the old amphitheater. A place large enough. A place symbolic enough

The amphitheater was an ancient circular arena carved into the hillside on the eastern edge of the capital. It had once hosted magical exhibitions and duels but had fallen into disuse for decades. Its stone seats were cracked but still sturdy. Its open sky view made it perfect for gatherings

As the sun rose higher citizens poured into the arena. Villagers from distant fields. Miners covered in dust. Merchants carrying ledgers. Young mages. Elderly craftspeople. The amphitheater filled with more than five thousand people before Ethan even arrived

When Ethan stepped into the center the cheers were overwhelming but he raised a hand for calm. He did not want celebration. He wanted structure

Ethan spoke clearly. You came not for me but for your future. You came because the kingdom finally listens. Today we begin something new. Not a rebellion. Not a revolt. A public assembly

The crowd murmured. No one had ever heard such a concept. Ethan continued

This assembly is a place for citizens to express needs concerns and ideas. It is not ruled by nobles. Not restricted by guilds. Not controlled by mages. It belongs to the people of the kingdom

A farmer raised his hand. Professor how can we speak freely when nobles punish those who oppose them

Ethan answered. That is why the mage council protects these gatherings. And why the transparency laws will apply here as well. No one can be punished for speaking truth in this assembly

The crowd stirred with hope

A young mage stood up. Will this assembly create laws

Ethan shook his head. Not yet. For now it collects voices. It presents them to the council. It becomes the kingdom’s conscience

Lira stepped forward. Citizens you will elect delegates among yourselves to represent your region. Each region chooses its own voice. Each voice carried equally

A merchant asked. Even small regions

Ethan nodded. Especially small regions

The amphitheater erupted again. This was the first time in the kingdom’s long history that citizens heard a vision where they mattered as equals

Finn distributed parchment sheets enchanted so each region could write its concerns visibly. As people recorded their ideas Ethan walked between the rows listening. He heard requests for fair harvest levies consistent guild standards safety for traders transparent laws and better mana regulations for rural areas

These were not demands of rebellion. These were the rational needs of a functioning society

After hours of dialogue Ethan spoke again. This assembly will meet weekly. Its role is advisory for now. But in time it will become an institution of its own. And once an institution is born it cannot be undone

The crowd cheered so loudly that mana lanterns trembled

But at the amphitheater entrance a cloaked figure watched silently. Another noble spy. He slipped away before anyone noticed. Ethan saw him only from the corner of his eye

When the assembly ended Ethan walked toward the exit. Lira asked softly. Professor do you think the nobles will strike again

Ethan answered. The old order survives only by silence. Today silence ended. So yes they will strike harder than before

He looked back at the arena filled with citizens writing their thoughts on parchment

But now the kingdom has a voice
And a voice is much harder to silence than a single person