The next morning began with a tension so sharp it sliced through the Creator Academy’s excitement. Before the first group of apprentices arrived a squad of Royal Arcanum knights stood at the courtyard entrance fully armored and expressionless. Their blue cloaks flickered with embedded runes like frozen lightning.

Archon Veylan was not among them but his presence was felt in the rigid posture of every knight. Their leader a tall woman with a silver insignia stepped forward.

By order of the Arcanum we will observe all Magenet activity to ensure compliance with safety regulations

Evan kept his tone steady Observation is allowed but please do not interfere unless there is danger
The knight leader nodded perhaps more politely than expected

But the courtyard grew quiet as creators arrived. Nervous whispers filled the air. Some feared recording illusions in front of knights. Others seemed confused wondering whether they were being treated as criminals.

The craftsman muttered under his breath They send watchers not helpers This is intimidation
Evan whispered back We must show them we are responsible If we panic they will think we are hiding something

He stepped forward addressing both creators and knights
The Creator Academy continues today as agreed with the Council All safety rules will be followed Each relay test will be monitored

His steady voice helped calm the crowd though worry still flickered in their eyes.

The lessons began focusing on low intensity pulses. The witch demonstrated potion color shifts while the mages guided apprentices through rune alignment. Knights watched silently arms folded but eyes sharp. Their presence made the mana in the courtyard feel colder.

During a demonstration of pulse chaining the relay crystals flickered slightly from high mana surge. A knight stepped forward gripping her staff
Overload detected Halt immediately

Evan raised his hands I see the instability It is under control
He adjusted the runes and the pulse stabilized.
The knight stepped back
Approved

Creators sighed with relief
A few muttered bitterness
They act like we are casting curses
We are learning not doing harm

Evan felt the resentment but kept the lesson moving.

As the session progressed more creators arrived along with curious bystanders. Some knights quietly took notes. Others whispered into communication crystals. Even Sera Valen returned her expression unreadable.

After several hours Evan gathered the creators for a new lesson
Signature Ethics

He could feel the shift in the crowd
They knew this would be controversial

He explained calmly
Each illusion carries a magical fingerprint Your aura signature This helps prevent blame shifting and protects you from false accusations
A merchant objected What if the Arcanum uses our signatures to punish creators they dislike
Evan answered It is safer than anonymity An anonymous dangerous illusion could shut down the entire network

A knight stepped forward unexpectedly
The Arcanum supports signature ethics It maintains order
The crowd tensed
Evan interjected firmly
Signatures are not for control They are for safety We creators decide how we use them

The knight studied him for a moment then stepped back
An unspoken truce

But tension rose again when the hooded sorcerer returned
Not physically
But through a message carved into the courtyard wall overnight
Magic is not meant to be cataloged
Creation is not meant to be labeled
Break the chains

Creators whispered about it all morning
Some agreed
Some grew afraid

Evan stared at the message wondering how someone carved it without triggering ward alarms. The craftsman examined it closely
This was not a simple illusion This carving is physical and done with precision This sorcerer knows how to hide

Before Evan could process this a knight approached
Archon Veylan summons you this evening Be prepared

Evan felt cold
A second hearing
So soon

He finished the Academy session and left the courtyard with the mages and craftsman. Sera caught up to him walking in stride.
The Chronicle will cover your training work but rumors say the Council is uneasy Your Academy is growing faster than they expected

Evan nodded grimly Growth was good for creators but dangerous for politics

As they walked toward the tower Evan felt Insight Vision flare unexpectedly showing flickering lines of influence stretching between the Academy students the merchants the adventurers and the Arcanum. The lines pulsed rapidly unstable like a system under heavy strain.

He whispered
Magenet is growing
Too fast
And they know it

The craftsman put a hand on his shoulder
Whatever the Council demands stay steady You hold the future They hold the past
The mages added
And you are building something the world cannot unsee

As they reached the tower steps Evan stared up at the looming structure.
He knew the hooded sorcerer would strike again
He knew the Arcanum would tighten their grip
He knew creators were watching him for leadership

Magenet’s next era had arrived
Not of growth but of conflict
And the decisions he made tonight
Would shape everything that followed