The Dean’s Chosen

A prodigy mage must clear his name when a priceless magical artifact is stolen.

Quentin Holloway could barely contain his grin as he clutched the golden parchment in his hands. The gilded seal shimmered, marking him as a Gold-tier mage; the highest-ranking wizard his family had ever produced. His parents, both respected Silver-tier instructors at The Arcano School of Magical Beginnings, had hugged him so tightly he’d nearly lost breath. Gold meant more than prestige, it meant influence, opportunities, and a future filled with limitless magical pathways.

The honor came with another surprise: he had been chosen as apprentice to Julian Hargrove, the school’s elusive Dean. Hargrove almost never took apprentices, but his eyes had lit with intrigue when Quentin’s results were announced.

Their training began with intense lessons in elemental weaving, ancient runic crafting, and energy shaping. Quentin’s magic thrived under Hargrove’s tutelage, and rumors quickly spread of his raw, untamed potential.

But one morning, the school was in chaos. A priceless artifact, the Crystal of Eversight, had vanished from the Dean’s private vault. Whispers followed Quentin everywhere in the halls, pointing fingers at the ambitious Gold-tier student who suddenly had access to places others did not.

Hargrove summoned him to his office, the room heavy with silence.

“Quentin,” the Dean said, his deep voice unreadable, “the wards were bypassed with precision...magic matching your signature.”

Quentin’s heart thudded in his chest. His mouth went dry. “I didn’t do it,” he said firmly, forcing himself to meet the Dean’s piercing gaze.

Hargrove studied him for a long moment, then leaned back. “I believe you,” he said quietly, “but that means someone wants to destroy your reputation.”

In that moment, Quentin realized that being Gold-tier was not just an honor, it was a target. And now, he would have to prove his innocence before the magical community he longed to rise in.


Word Count: 297
Prompt: Write a story that includes the line: “I didn’t do it.”
Written for: "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"