Rowan did not return to his quarters. He ran straight into the Planning Hall, Aldren close behind. The sun had not yet reached peak height, but the hall bustled as if the city sensed urgency in the air. Guild members whispered anxiously. Ward engineers hunched over maps. Apprentice mages sketched towers trembling with uneven resonance readings.

Rowan stepped into the center of the hall, unrolled the citywide map across the great table, and began drawing lines.

“Aldren,” Rowan said without looking up, “summon the ward engineers’ senior council. And fetch the Beast Handler Guild chief. I need them both.”

Aldren nodded and sprinted off.

Rowan dragged quills, rods, and parchment across the table. He felt the city vibrating beneath the floor. Not physically—but magically. The rogue mage’s final words echoed in his mind:

When the next alignment shifts.

Rowan opened a ledger containing centuries of pulse cycle data. Many cycles were missing or inaccurate. But the remaining patterns revealed something terrifying if interpreted through Rowan’s new leyline map.

The next major pulse was due soon. Very soon.

If the rogue faction triggered disturbances during that pulse, they could break the grid.

Rowan began drafting urgently.

He titled the new parchment:

Mana Grid Stabilization Protocol v1
The city’s first comprehensive method to reinforce the entire leyline network.

The first section he wrote outlined Pulse Prediction—using tuning rods across the city to detect fluctuations before they spiked. The second section mapped Emergency Containment Zones, areas where mages should gather if turbulence gathered around convergence points.

He wrote quickly but precisely, aware every word mattered.

Guild leaders began arriving. Ward engineers crowded around the map. Beast handlers stood quietly but attentive. Merchants trickled in out of curiosity. Even a handful of nobles entered reluctantly, including Lady Arlinne who had quietly supported the plan earlier.

Aldren returned just as Rowan finished drawing the first complete layer of the protocol.

“What is this?” asked Master Rennin, leader of the Ward Engineers.

Rowan replied, “If the rogue faction intends to attack during the next pulse cycle, we have only two ways to stop them. Reinforce the grid—or let it collapse. So we reinforce.”

He pointed to the convergence points.

“These six nodes are the backbone of the city’s mana grid. If just one fails, the pressure redistribution will bend the whole network. If two fail… the towers will implode.”

Shock rippled through the room.

Rowan continued, “We will establish a three tiered defense.”

He wrote as he spoke.

Tier One: Grid Anchors
Teams would reinforce convergence points using grounding runes.

Tier Two: Drift Stabilizers
Guild members would monitor drift zones and redirect mana flows manually using channel rods.

Tier Three: Tower Synchronization
Mages would synchronize tower resonance during the pulse, maintaining consistent flow.

A ward engineer whispered, “This… this is the work of ten years.”

Rowan shook his head. “We don’t have ten years. We might not have ten days.”

Silence fell.

Then Lady Arlinne stepped forward. “What do you need from the noble houses?”

Rowan turned to her. She did not hold the arrogance of Cadrien. Her gaze was steady. Responsible.

“Access to your estate basements,” Rowan answered. “We must anchor the ridge. If the pulse hits before we reinforce it, the ridge will crack.”

She nodded without hesitation. “You will have it.”

Her decisiveness caused murmurs. A few nobles exchanged thoughtful looks. The tide was shifting.

Aldren motioned Rowan to the side. “Do you want the adventurers involved?”

Rowan paused. “Yes. But not on offensive tasks.”

Aldren smiled faintly. “Good. They’re eager to swing swords at shadows.”

Rowan spread a new parchment. He drew assignments.

“Adventurers will escort engineers. Protect corridors. Keep rogue mages from reaching the channels.”

Aldren nodded.

Rowan added the final section:

Pulse Convergence Directive
During the pulse, Rowan himself would direct the grid from the Planning Hall, linking team readings in real time.

Master Rennin asked quietly, “Why you? Why not a team?”

Rowan answered simply. “Because I’m the only one who sees the whole pattern.”

The hall grew silent.

The Beast Handler Guild chief stepped forward. “And the animals?”

Rowan circled areas on the map. “Move them into stable zones. The pulse might frighten them. If they panic near drift channels, they could break containment.”

The chief nodded.

Within minutes the hall filled with frantic yet coordinated movement. Word spread quickly. Crews formed. Runes were packed. Charms prepared. Carriages readied.

Aldren leaned close to Rowan. “This could work.”

Rowan stared at the glowing leyline map.

“It has to.”

Before the teams dispersed, Rowan lifted his voice.

“We are not fighting chaos. We are stabilizing life. The city is alive. And it deserves to survive.”

Heads lifted.

The room shifted from fear to resolve.

As the teams rushed into the city Rowan felt a faint vibration move through the floor.

A pulse echo.

Weak.

But close.

He whispered, “It’s starting.”

Aldren placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

“Then let’s meet it.”