The sun had barely risen when Evan walked toward the Merchant Guild Hall The city streets felt heavier than usual not because of crowds but because of expectation The meeting with Chairwoman Elphira was more than a political conversation It was a decision point The result could direct the entire future of Arcane Flavor

Mila walked beside him carrying a small rune board in case magical demonstration was needed Rinna followed quietly wearing her tool belt Loras stayed behind to run the stall but promised he would keep watch for League activity Everyone moved with quiet purpose

The Guild Hall guards recognized them immediately and escorted them inside The chamber they entered was different from the presentation room Smaller quieter no floating runes no circle of representatives It felt like a courtroom mixed with an ancient library

At the far end stood Chairwoman Elphira Her posture tall her eyes sharp but not unkind She wore a robe lined with silver representing her authority over all magical commerce regulation

She gestured for Evan to step forward alone Mila and Rinna remained by the door tense but silent

Evan stood before her waiting

Elphira began without ceremony
Arcane Flavor has introduced stabilized flame systems supply chain runes teleport delivery contracts and franchising all within a single season That pace of change is unprecedented

Evan kept his breathing steady
Our goal is to create consistent safe food systems Not to undermine the Guild

Elphira watched him carefully
Intentions matter But results matter more The Guild must consider not what you want but what your innovation does to the economy You shorten cooking times reduce ingredient volatility and shift consumer behavior within weeks That is power The kind of power that can reshape kingdoms

Evan answered honestly
Consistency improves life for ordinary people They deserve reliable meals and fair prices

Elphira folded her hands
The Free Traders League approached you

Evan did not flinch
Yes They offered alliance and expansion in exchange for political alignment I refused

Elphira gave a faint nod
Good The League desires chaos disguised as freedom They want a world where anyone can disrupt commerce without oversight They believe Guild structure is oppression But without structure trade collapses

She stepped closer lowering her voice
The League will approach you again They will try money then influence then manipulation They will say the Guild holds you back They will promise fast growth The danger is that their promises are often true but their end results destroy stability

Evan listened feeling both pressure and clarity

Then the chairwoman said something unexpected
I do not want Arcane Flavor to serve the Guild I want it to cooperate with the Guild

Evan blinked unsure what she meant

She continued
Innovation does not need a leash It needs a corridor A path where freedom and regulation coexist If you grow recklessly you will crash If the Guild restricts you too tightly your ideas will suffocate We need balance

Evan slowly nodded
We want the same thing Growth with responsibility

Elphira finally asked the core question
What is your true vision Evan Hayes Not for the next month but for the next decade

The room felt impossibly silent Evan took a breath His voice steady
A reliable food system available in every city A supply chain that keeps prices fair A cooking method that eliminates waste A training system that gives people stable work And a brand that can grow without destroying the world around it

Elphira’s eyes softened slightly
That is not the vision of a greedy merchant That is the vision of a builder

She stepped back and lifted a parchment glowing with gold runes
This is a provisional partnership charter between the Guild and Arcane Flavor Not ownership Not control Cooperation Shared standards Shared inspections and transparent reporting

Evan read a few lines The deal gave them regulated freedom The Guild would not interfere with their growth plans as long as Arcane Flavor met safety stability and supply guidelines In return the Guild would provide trade route access permit fast track and protection against illegal sabotage

It was balanced Fair A middle path

But then Elphira added the warning
Sign this and the Guild treats you as a protected enterprise But the League will consider you an enemy Their attention will intensify You must be prepared for conflict

Evan hesitated only a moment
Arcane Flavor will grow through order not chaos We accept the partnership

He signed the charter The runes glowed gold sealing the agreement

Elphira nodded once
Then the future begins today But do not underestimate the League Evan Hayes They will not strike openly Their methods are subtle They prefer corruption intimidation and sabotage disguised as opportunity

Mila and Rinna approached as the meeting ended Mila asked nervously
How did it go

Evan exhaled
We gained protection but also gained enemies

Rinna nodded
That is usually how progress works

As they exited the Guild Hall Evan felt both relieved and uneasy Because for the first time he realized Arcane Flavor was no longer simply a business It had become a player in a larger struggle

But he also felt something else determination not fear

Tomorrow they would return to growing the brand
But tonight he knew the League would make its next move