Diva Conquest

Few days later, the morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and the faint hum of mana that lingered across the royal district. The carriage that was to take them to the Mage Academy stood ready by the eastern gates, sleek and warded with runic protection. Piper was already outside waiting, arms folded as she watched Ian step out of the mansion in his new robes. Chloe stood beside her, holding a small wooden box that contained vials of dye and brushes.

Ian ran his fingers through his long hair, suspicion flickering in his eyes as he noticed the items in Chloe's hands. "I really hope that's not what I think it is," he muttered, raising an eyebrow.

Chloe tried not to laugh. "It is exactly what you think it is, my lord," she said cheerfully. "The Queen's orders. Your hair must be dyed brown before we arrive at the Academy."

Ian sighed heavily, glancing at Piper as if hoping she would say it was unnecessary. "I thought I made it clear that I'm not cutting or changing my hair. What's wrong with the way it is?"

Piper's gaze was firm, though not unkind. "Your hair gives you away, my lord. That red hue is not something anyone outside the royal line possesses. If anyone at the Academy saw it, it would raise questions we cannot afford to answer. You may not care for appearances, but this is for your safety. You must blend in."

He rolled his eyes but sat down on a nearby bench, letting Chloe begin the process. As she carefully brushed the dye into his hair, Ian glanced toward the carriage. "So this Academy," he said slowly, "what's it really like? I hope it's not just endless lessons and people showing off their spells."

Chloe smiled as she worked, her tone light but informative. "There's much more to it than that. The Academy is divided into seven towers, each dedicated to a branch of study. The Tower of Elements teaches manipulation of the core forces of nature...fire, water, air, and earth. The Tower of Mind focuses on psychic mana and illusions. There's also the Tower of Runecraft, where students learn the ancient language of spells and enchantments."

Ian tilted his head, intrigued despite himself. "So it's a whole city for magic users."

"In a way," Piper replied, her voice steady as always. "The Academy is larger than some kingdoms. Within its walls, knowledge, power, and hierarchy intertwine. Rank determines privilege. The higher your rank, the better your quarters, your resources, and your influence. Even though the Academy is meant to be neutral ground, politics exist there just as much as anywhere else."

Ian gave a quiet, humorless laugh. "Figures. Even in a place of learning, there's still politics."

"Of course," Piper said without a hint of amusement. "Ambition and envy thrive among the powerful. You will have to be careful. The instructors are not the only ones to watch for...students themselves can be more dangerous than the teachers. Rivalries are common, and duels are allowed under strict supervision. It is both a place of knowledge and a battlefield of pride."

Chloe nodded as she finished with his hair, stepping back to inspect her work. "You'll do fine, my lord. Just remember to reapply the dye once a week. And if anyone asks, tell them you're from the western border provinces. People from there often have slightly strange mana signatures, so no one will question it."

Ian stood and shook his head lightly, testing the weight of his new color. "It feels strange," he muttered. "I look like a completely different person."

Piper regarded him for a moment before speaking. "That is the point. From this moment on, you are not the heir to an empire. You are Ian Grey, a newly enrolled mage seeking to understand the mysteries of mana. Nothing more."

Ian nodded slowly, a hint of reluctance in his voice. "Ian Grey. Just a regular mage in training. Got it."

Chloe smiled softly. "It suits you, my lord. And don't worry, once you prove your strength, no one will care what your hair looks like."

He chuckled under his breath. "Let's hope you're right."

The three of them entered the carriage, and the driver snapped the reins. The wheels began to turn, and the hum of enchantments echoed softly beneath them as they departed for the Academy. The road stretched ahead like a ribbon of light cutting through mist-covered hills, and the towering spires of the Academy shimmered faintly on the horizon.

Piper broke the silence first. "Before we arrive, there are a few more things you must know. The Academy has strict codes of conduct. No fighting outside approved dueling grounds. No use of mana against another student unless challenged formally. And never, under any circumstance, reveal your true abilities. The less attention you draw, the better."

Ian looked out the window at the approaching skyline. "You're telling me to hide again," he said quietly.

Piper nodded. "Until the time is right. Power attracts eyes, my lord...eyes that watch, question, and plot. You must not let them see the full scope of who you are until you understand it yourself."

Chloe leaned forward, her tone gentler. "Besides, the Academy isn't all rules and danger. There are libraries that stretch for miles, gardens filled with rare creatures, and classrooms that float in midair. You might actually enjoy it once you settle in."

Ian smiled faintly. "You sound like you're trying to sell me the place."

"I'm trying to help you survive it," she replied playfully.

Piper gave a small sigh, though a trace of amusement flickered in her eyes. "She isn't wrong. The Academy is both a sanctuary and a storm. It will test you in every way possible. Remember who you are...but for now, keep it hidden."

Ian looked ahead, watching as the grand walls of the Imperial Mage Academy came into view. Towers spiraled high into the clouds, each one glowing faintly with different hues of mana. Students walked along bridges suspended by magic, their robes fluttering in the wind. The air was alive with energy and anticipation.

He exhaled softly, his brown-dyed hair catching the morning light. "So this is it," he murmured. "The place where everything changes."

Piper nodded once, her voice calm but resolute. "Yes, my lord. The beginning of your path."

And as the carriage rolled through the grand gates, the world that awaited him beyond them was one that would challenge not just his strength..

..but the very essence of who he was.

When they arrived at the gates of the Mage Academy, Ian took a deep breath and stared at the towering spires ahead of him. The academy was unlike any academy he had seen before...an enormous structure of silverstone and crystal, its towers swirling upward as if reaching for the clouds themselves. Mana flowed visibly through channels in the walls, glowing faintly in rhythmic pulses, breathing life into the entire fortress-like campus. The banners of the Academy...bearing the symbol of a phoenix encircled by runes...fluttered proudly in the breeze.

Piper walked slightly ahead, speaking with a tone that was both protective and firm. "My lord, this will be your new beginning. The Academy is divided into four divisions. The Initiate Hall, where beginners train; the Novice Pavilion for those who have broken through; the Adept Court, where discipline is honed; and the High Chambers for the elite. You will be starting in the Initiate Hall, even though your true potential exceeds that level."

Ian smirked faintly. "So, I'm back in school again, but this time with a fancy title and glowing walls. How comforting."

Chloe shook her head with a small laugh. "You'll learn to appreciate it soon enough. Every mage in this Empire has passed through these halls. It is not just a school...it is where legacies are born."

"I prefer to make my legacy without having to sit through lessons and lectures," Ian muttered.

Piper gave him a sideways glance. "You may not like the structure, but you'll need it, my lord. The academy is where you'll find challenge and control. It's not only about spells and elements...it's about discipline, refinement, and understanding your connection to the mana world. Without that foundation, even your power will eventually turn against you."

Ian ran his fingers through his hair, which had been dyed a rich, chestnut brown earlier that morning. He grimaced slightly. "It feels wrong to hide it, but I suppose I understand."

"You must dye it regularly," Chloe reminded him as they crossed the courtyard, where groups of young mages were practicing spells. Streams of water danced in the air, fireballs burst in harmless flashes, and winds twisted through the training fields. "The mana here reacts strongly to appearances. Your real hair color would draw energy to you, and people will notice that."

"I'll keep that in mind," Ian replied. His voice softened as his gaze wandered across the grounds. "It's strange. For all its beauty, this place feels… heavy. As if there's more going on beneath the surface."

"You're not wrong," Piper said quietly. "The Academy has its own politics, rivalries, and hidden agendas. Some come here to learn. Others come to gain power or status. You'll have to tread carefully, my lord."

Ian gave her a small, knowing look. "You sound like someone who's had experience with that."

"I was once a student here," Piper admitted, her voice tinged with old memories. "And I learned quickly that brilliance can be as dangerous as ignorance. You'll find people who want to challenge you simply because you seem different. Others will want to be close to you for what they can gain. But you cannot afford to lose focus."

Chloe nodded in agreement. "There are instructors who push their students beyond their limits, and others who test them in… unconventional ways. Be respectful, but never let anyone think they can control you. That's one of the first lessons you must remember."

They reached the large marble steps leading to the registration hall. The doors, carved with ancient runes, opened automatically as they approached. Ian looked between them, straightening his tunic and brushing invisible dust off his sleeves.

"Well," he said quietly, his tone losing its usual hint of humor, "let's get this over with. The sooner I'm inside, the sooner I can start proving myself."

Piper and Chloe exchanged a brief glance, both noticing the rare seriousness in his expression. Piper inclined her head respectfully. "As you wish, my lord. But remember...this is not just training. This is where you begin to shape how the world will see you."

Ian nodded, his eyes set ahead. "Then let's make sure they see the right version of me."