Hogwarts' Great Hall was filled with Halloween's distinctive atmosphere—swarms of bats fluttered across the walls and ceiling, while clusters of low, dark clouds conjured by Weather Charms circled above the dining tables, as though rain and lightning were truly brewing within them.
Enormous pumpkins filled the Great Hall, the largest of them reaching more than half a story high. Bright candles had been placed inside their hollowed-out bellies, their flames flickering with the drifting clouds overhead.
A skeleton band performed on the platform in the Great Hall, every skeleton wearing the same style of wide-brimmed Mexican sombrero. The musicians played guitars and vihuelas, trumpets and flutes, while the two lead singers sang a beautiful ballad.
"Please remember me, though I have to say goodbye..."
The folk song's excellent, ever-shifting melody carried emotions both joyful and sorrowful. The young wizards nearby listened in rapture, all feeling unusually lighthearted.
Yet Xiwen heard an overwhelming sadness in it. It was not only the exhaustion from overusing his mind, but also because the song reminded him of his former life, of those teachers and friends at Kamar-Taj who had been separated from him by two worlds...
In his already somewhat blurred memories, he thought of his teacher. Master Yao had long said that he had lived too long and grown too weary of living, that he wanted to find a successor to take his place in protecting this world. Yet Xiwen had failed his expectations and embraced this world instead. Who could his teacher possibly find to succeed him now...?
Yet music always came to an end. When the song finally drew to a close, Xiwen pulled his thoughts back from its lingering melody.
Without realizing it, tears were already streaming down his face.
Warm applause erupted throughout the hall. Abraxas, seated beside Xiwen,