As the days of October were counted down, Halloween finally arrived. Even before sunrise, Willowgate was buzzing with the chaotic energy of excited students. Every Chamber was filled with noise, but in the first-year boys' dorm, Kai's booming voice drowned out everything else.
"No way! This cannot be happening!"
Simon, Finn, and Toad, who were in the middle of changing, jumped in fright. Toad balled up his sock and hurled it at Kai, who was screaming at the top of his lungs.
"Why are you shouting like that?! Did a centipede bite you or something?"
"It's worse than a centipede bite! Look at this!" Kai held up his costume. The three of them leaned in to inspect it—it was a long, grey robe.
"What's wrong with it?" Simon asked, looking between the robe and Kai.
"What's wrong?! I asked my dad for an Aragorn costume, but he sent me a Gandalf outfit instead! And look at this ridiculous note!" Kai ripped the note from the bag and read it aloud:
"Since you're studying magic now, you're a wizard, my son! So, you should be a mini Gandalf! YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"
After reading it, Kai looked at his three friends with a devastated expression.
"Is this fair?! I was supposed to be a hero like Aragorn! I'm Chosen that selected by the gods! Not a wizard!"
Kai continued his loud, dramatic tantrum, leaving the others to stare in amused disbelief.
"Well, maybe they just couldn't find an Aragorn costume, so they sent Gandalf instead," Simon offered kindly. Finn and Toad nodded in agreement.
"Simon! If you keep being so optimistic, I'm going to smother you with a pillow!" Kai wailed. "This is about my reputation! I can't show up in front of the Old-Bloods looking like an old man with a fake beard! My dignity is officially gone..."
Toad just wrinkled his nose at Kai's dramatic outburst. Having spent more time with Kai, he was beginning to understand exactly why Jack found him so irritating. He really couldn't blame Jack at all. Right then, the bathroom door swung open, and Jack stepped out. He was already fully dressed in a sharp, impeccably tailored Sherlock Holmes costume. He adjusted his deerstalker hat and straightened his glasses with cool precision.
Kai stared at Jack's sharp costume and shrieked, "Jackieee!" so loudly that Jack jumped in genuine shock.
"What!?" Jack snapped back.
"Let's swap! Let's swap costumes!"
"Are you insane?" Jack retorted, his voice dripping with annoyance. He rolled his eyes at Kai and stormed out of the dorm without a second glance.
"Jackieee! Are you really going to betray me like this?" Kai wailed, left behind in his grey robe, continuing his dramatic performance.
Finn and Toad completely ignored Kai, calmly continuing to change into their own costumes. Kai, meanwhile, kept staring at his robe with a tragic expression. Seeing this, Simon looked down at his own pumpkin outfit and offered, "Kai, if you really don't like that one, we can swap. You can have my pumpkin costume."
Kai looked at Simon, then at the pumpkin costume. After a brief pause, he shook his head firmly. "No... I'll just be Gandalf."
With that, he finally put on his grey robe. Simon smiled to himself, watching Kai choose the wizard over the pumpkin, and then proceeded to put on his own pumpkin costume with a heart full of excitement.
The four friends walked toward Mother Hall in their respective costumes, turning heads everywhere they went. Simon's costume was large and round, a vibrant orange with a carved jack-o'-lantern face on the front—triangle eyes and a wide, smiling mouth. A small green stem sat on top of his head. His face peeked through a circular opening in the center, while his arms stuck out from the sides. He wore black underneath to make the pumpkin pop, though without proper leggings, he'd opted for a pair of soft, worn-in jeans.
Beside him, Kai looked like a miniature Gandalf. Beyond the fake beard, he was even holding a wizard's staff! Finn was dressed in a grey mouse jumpsuit, while Toad marched along in a dinosaur costume. They looked absolutely ridiculous especially the sight of Simon and Kai together. Students passing by couldn't help but turn their heads and chuckle at the sight of the pumpkin and the wizard walking side-by-side.
Mother Hall had been transformed. The sunken, bowl-like seating from their first day was gone, replaced by circular tables overflowing with candies and sweets. The entire hall breathed a spooky, festive Halloween atmosphere—a testament to the seniors' hard work. While many students were costumed, few were as outstanding as Simon and Kai. The moment Simon's round, bright orange pumpkin suit and Kai's incredibly detailed Gandalf hit the entrance, every eye in the room followed them.
Oliver, who was busy networking with other Old-Bloods, stood with his mouth agape. He was dressed elegantly as a Victorian prince, the picture of refined grace.
"I can't believe I share a room with these people. They have no shame," he muttered under his breath. Not far away, Jack caught sight of Kai. He didn't mock him; instead, a faint, genuine smile played on his lips. Kai's commitment to the character was simply too comical to ignore.
Simon remained captivated by Henry. While he couldn't quite put a name to the feeling, he knew it was pure admiration—the kind of awe one feels when looking at someone who seems so much more polished and complete than themselves.
In that moment, Dean spotted them and strolled over with a mischievous grin. "Simon! You're looking seriously cool in that pumpkin suit, man! Oh, and what do we have here? A wizard?"
As Dean turned his attention to Kai, Kai immediately shifted into full Gandalf mode. Even if he hadn't initially wanted to be the wizard, he figured if he was wearing the robe, he might as well play the part perfectly. He raised his staff and commanded with dramatic flair:
"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"
Dean and the nearby students burst into laughter, and even Simon let out a soft chuckle. His attention had shifted back to his friends' antics, so he was no longer looking at Henry. Yet, at that exact moment, Henry's eyes were fixed on him.
Beside him, Logan watched Kai's wizard act and Simon's pumpkin suit with a look of disdain, muttering, "How ridiculous." But when he caught the sound of a soft, genuine laugh from Henry, he whipped his head around in surprise. A small, subtle smile played on Henry's lips as he gazed toward Simon. For someone as cold and stingy with smiles as Henry, seeing this expression was mesmerizing for Logan. It wasn't a smirk of mockery; it was a look of genuine endearment.
"Henry, do you actually like that?" Logan asked, knitting his brows as he leaned in and glared toward Simon's group. His irritation toward Simon spiked. Why would Henry smile at such a dorky look? Logan had dressed to impress as a vampire, yet Henry had only offered a stoic "Cool" before looking away. He had never looked at Logan the way he was looking at Simon right now. Logan hated it—he absolutely detested this side of his friend.
Henry gave a nonchalant shrug, his voice calm and steady. "It's cool. Isn't that what Halloween is supposed to be about?"
He seemed entirely unfazed by Logan's irritation. Keeping his eyes on the group, Henry watched the way the pumpkin suit bobbed as Simon laughed with his friends. A small, lingering smile remained on his face as he added in a soft whisper, "It's... funny."
In Henry's cold, structured world, Simon's dorky pumpkin costume was a breath of fresh air—a touch of genuine, unpretentious fun that he clearly appreciated far more than the polished, high-effort costumes surrounding them.
On one side of the hall, Simon and Kai were huddled around a table, indulging in an endless supply of candies, chocolates, and jellies. Kai, with his fake beard bobbing as he chewed, declared between mouthfuls that these were the best sweets he had ever tasted in his life. Simon nodded in fervent agreement. Having only tasted meager rations of candy at the orphanage, this vast assortment of treats felt like a miraculous new world.
While munching on his sweets, Simon's gaze drifted upward toward the grand, ornate chandelier hanging in the center of the hall. It was a casual glance, but his eyes narrowed as he noticed something wrong: the mount holding that massive structure was visibly loose. The chandelier was tilting slowly, inch by inch, as if warning that the hook was about to give way.
Simon looked directly below the danger zone. Two girls were standing there, chatting away, completely unaware that a heavy disaster was about to fall on their heads. Simon's heart hammered against his ribs. He looked from the chandelier to the girls, and back again. Before his mind could even process the danger, his feet moved on their own. Without a hint of hesitation or doubt, he lunged forward, determined to reach them before the weight of the chandelier did.
Simon sprinted, his bulky pumpkin suit colliding with anyone in his path, but he didn't stop to apologize. The chandelier was already falling. The crowd screamed in terror as they witnessed the impending crash. The two girls hadn't even had time to react before Simon lunged at them. He didn't know where he found the strength, but he threw himself into the motion, pushing the girls away with all his might. They tumbled together onto the floor just as the massive chandelier smashed into the spot where they had been standing seconds before.
But the danger wasn't over. A stray spark from the wreckage landed directly onto the fabric of Simon's pumpkin costume, and in an instant, the bright orange material caught fire.
"Ah.." Simon let out a sharp gasp, frantically trying to pat down the flames spreading across his costume. Terror rippled through the hall. Masters from the upper tiers were already racing down the stairs to intervene. Henry, too, stood frozen for a split second, his expression one of pure shock and concern.
"Simon! Oh my god!" Kai shouted, rushing over with his beard and staff flying. Seeing Simon rolling on the floor to smother the fire, Kai didn't hesitate. He ripped off his heavy grey wizard robe and began beating at the flames on Simon's body. Stripped down to nothing but his undershorts, Kai focused entirely on saving his friend. Just then, another student stepped forward, conjuring a stream of magic water that finally doused the remaining sparks.
The flames on Simon's costume were finally extinguished thanks to the student's intervention. Simon lay flat on his back on the floor, his appearance in a horrible state. His pumpkin costume was ruined, scorched and tattered by the fire, and the flames had even singed the sleeve of the long-sleeved shirt he wore underneath. On his right forearm, a painful burn had already begun to form.
"Impressive," Master Valandor praised the student who had used the water magic before turning his attention toward Simon, walking over and kneeling down beside him.
"Can you stand up, child?" the Master asked gently. Simon nodded and pushed himself to his feet, with Kai lending a steady hand. It was then that a sharp, stinging pain shot through his right forearm. He looked down to see a raw, angry redness; in the chaos of putting out the fire, he hadn't realized that the flames had scorched right through his sleeve and into his skin.
"Madam Celavan, take Blackburn to the infirmary," the Headmistress commanded. The Madam nodded and began to lead Simon away. Kai, still shirtless and sporting his stubborn fake beard, followed closely to keep his friend company. Every eye in the hall was fixed on Simon as he exited. Meanwhile, Master Kit stayed behind to comfort the two shaken girls Simon had saved, while the rest of the students whispered feverishly among themselves.
"Everyone! The Halloween party ends here. All of you, return to your dorms immediately!"
The students obeyed the Headmistress's firm order. Jack, however, didn't head for the dorms; instead, he followed the path toward the infirmary to check on Simon. Henry lingered for a moment, staring intensely at the spot where the chandelier had shattered, before Logan's call finally pulled him away. Within minutes, Mother Hall stood empty, and the Headmistress tasked the caretaker, Mr. Beckett, with clearing away the wreckage.
Inside the infirmary, the sharp scent of medicine mixed with Madam Celavan's constant grumbling as she prepared a remedy.
"You're so obsessed with playing the hero that you can't even look after yourself! This is only your first year, and you've already landed in this infirmary twice! At this rate, I'm starting to wonder if this place will become your second dorm!"
Though her words were sharp, her voice was thick with genuine concern. Kai sat on a stool by the bed, still shirtless, while Finn and Toad sat across from him, looking worried. Lucas, the Chamber leader, had come to check on Simon, and Dean was there too, unable to hide his anxiety. The small room was crowded with faces.
Simon stayed silent, listening to the Madam's scolding, but his eyes were fixed on the charred, ruined remains of his pumpkin costume nearby. In his gaze, there was a deep sense of regret and a flicker of sadness—after all, it was the very first Halloween costume he had ever owned, and now it was gone.
Madam Celavan held the medicine cup, lightly dipping her fingertips into the liquid. Instantly, magical energy flowed from her fingers into the concoction, turning it a brilliant, pale glowing blue. She sat down on the edge of the bed and gently took hold of Simon's reddened forearm.
"It might sting a little, but you'll feel better right away," she said softly, tenderly applying the glowing liquid to the burn. As the medicine soaked into his skin, a soothing, cool sensation washed over Simon's arm, causing the sharp, searing heat of the wound to gradually fade away. Bit by bit, she continued to heal the injury with expert care.
Jack stood at the threshold of the infirmary, silently watching as Simon's treatment concluded. After applying the final layer of medicine, the Madam spoke up.
"You'll feel much better by morning, though a small scar will likely remain. For now, head back to your dorm and get some rest."
Simon nodded and hopped down from the bed.
"I'm just glad it wasn't any worse than this," Dean remarked, earning an appreciative nod from Lucas.
"In that case, we should head back to the Hall and help the caretaker clean up. Dean, I could use a hand," Lucas said. Dean nodded in agreement, but before leaving, he reached out and patted Simon's shoulder.
"Get some good rest. You were the hero tonight," he said with a warm smile before following Lucas out of the room.
After Lucas and the others left, Kai draped an arm around Simon's shoulders, letting out a long breath. "I seriously thought you were a goner..."
"Don't say such unlucky things," Finn snapped from the side.
"It's true, though! But look at our friend here..he's like a Phoenix rising from the flames!"
Simon couldn't help but smile at Kai's dramatic comparison. "More like a soggy phoenix," he joked, pointing to his hair, which was still damp from the water magic used to douse the fire. Kai burst into laughter at Simon's quick comeback, while Finn and Toad shared a light chuckle.
Just then, they noticed Jack at the doorway. He walked inside, carrying Kai's grey robe, which looked a bit scorched and soot-stained. "Here's your robe. You left it behind in Mother Hall."
"Aww, Jackiee! You're such a sweetheart of a friend," Kai teased. Jack merely rolled his eyes, staying silent as usual. However, he turned his gaze toward Simon's forearm and asked simply,
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah... the Madam's medicine is really effective," Simon replied with a gentle smile.
After speaking, Simon turned his gaze toward the ruined pumpkin costume. He walked over and picked it up, prompting Toad to ask, "What are you doing, Simon?"
"I'm going to keep it..."
"But it's completely ruined," Finn chimed in, but Simon remained silent for a moment. He looked down at the charred fabric in his hands and repeated, "I know... but I still want to keep it."
Seeing the look in his eyes, his friends didn't press him further. Simon stared at the tattered costume, letting out a soft sigh and a faint, bittersweet smile. To him, this wasn't just burnt cloth; it was a physical piece of his first real Halloween—a memory he wasn't ready to throw away.
The day after the Halloween party, life at Willowgate had returned to its usual rhythm. However, the incident of the falling chandelier was still the talk of the school. Some students cast lingering glances toward Simon as they whispered among themselves.
Simon tried his best to ignore it. Even when he did notice, he simply felt awkward and decided to play dumb. As he ate his breakfast, he sat quietly listening to Kai and Toad get into a heated debate about which Spider-Man was the best.
"No way, Tobey Maguire is the real Spider-Man! He brings out the emotions so much better!" Kai argued, gesticulating wildly as if he were still holding his wizard staff.
Toad shook his head. "Come on! Andrew's Spider-Man is more authentic and way cooler. He's exactly like the Peter Parker from the comics."
"He's only cool as Peter Parker, but he still doesn't top Tobey!"
"Tom Holland's Spider-Man is great too, though. He feels the most relatable to us," Finn chimed in, talking through a mouthful of food.
Just then, the two girls Simon had saved the night before walked over to his table. They were third-year students. Their arrival caused the entire table to fall silent, and several gazes from across the room shifted toward them. Simon stared up at the two girls with wide, stunned eyes.
The girl with dark hair smiled at him and said, "Thank you. We should have thanked you last night, but we were just so shaken up that we couldn't find the words."
"Yes," the other added, "you saved our lives. You are our lifesaver."
As the words settled, Simon felt a strange, overwhelming mix of emotions. He hadn't expected this at all. He hadn't jumped to save them for any reward; his body had simply reacted on instinct. Being called their "lifesaver" in front of everyone made his heart race, and he sat there, cheeks slightly flushed, completely at a loss for words.
Simon glanced around the room, his eyes shy and uncertain. But instead of the usual fear or loathing he was used to seeing, he encountered looks of genuine recognition. Even those who had once looked at him with disgust, simply because of who his father was—now stared with a newfound respect. Simon felt a profound sense of relief; he had finally proven something. Even if people still saw him as his father's son, some would now also see him as the brave first-year who had saved two lives.
Overwhelmed, Simon's eyes grew misty, but he quickly masked his emotion with a bright, humble smile. He looked at the two girls and said softly, "It's okay. I'm just glad that you're both safe."
The girls were momentarily stunned by his sincerity, then broke into warm smiles. Kai beamed with pride for his friend, while Toad and Finn looked equally delighted. Even Jack couldn't help but let a faint smile touch his lips.
From a nearby table, Logan watched the scene with a look of pure disdain. He turned to Oscar and Damien, his voice laced with a hint of bitterness.
"One little rescue and he acts like some grand hero. He's still the blood of a criminal... that filth doesn't just change."
There was an undeniable edge of jealousy in his tone. Oscar and Damien nodded in quick agreement, fueling the fire. Henry, however, remained silent, offering no comment to their remarks. He kept his eyes on Simon for a lingering moment before calmly looking away and returning to his breakfast as if nothing had happened.