Any Way the Wind Blows Chapter 57 Summary
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Chapter 57 opens at Smith's rally, where he announces he will heal six people at Watford's White Chapel the following night. Daphne, Baz's stepmum, cries with joy and embraces Simon. Smith invites everyone—including doubters—to witness what he calls equality in magic. After the crowd disperses, Smith pulls Simon aside and asks him for a private drink at a pub.
At the pub, Smith presses Simon about his experience as the former greatest mage. Simon admits he misses his magic intensely, describing it as missing a hand. Smith grins and reveals that he has been saving his healing spell specifically for Simon. He offers to restore Simon's magic, claiming he can make Simon a magician again. Simon is stunned and reminds Smith that he gave up his magic to make things right. Smith counters that Simon made the ultimate sacrifice and now deserves to be healed.
Key Events
- Smith announces a mass healing event for six people at Watford's White Chapel the next day.
- Daphne cries on Simon's shoulder after Baz runs off.
- Smith invites everyone, including skeptics, to the event to show that magic belongs to all.
- After the rally, Smith asks Simon to go for a drink.
- At the pub, Simon confesses he misses his magic every day.
- Smith reveals he has been saving his healing spell for Simon and offers to restore his magic.
- Simon hesitates, recalling that he gave up magic to make things right.
Character Development
- Simon: Shows vulnerability by admitting how much he misses his magic. He resists being called the Chosen One and struggles with the moral weight of his earlier sacrifice. His honesty about the loss deepens his character.
- Smith: Demonstrates ambition and a personal agenda. He saves the spell for Simon, indicating he sees Simon as a symbol. His charm and persistence hint at manipulation.
- Daphne: Her emotional reaction reflects her hope for healing, but also Baz's fear that she won't want to return home.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Loss and longing: Simon's confession that he misses magic every second underscores the theme of loss. His metaphor of missing a third hand illustrates how integral magic was to his identity.
- Sacrifice vs. healing: The chapter poses a moral question: can Simon accept healing without betraying the sacrifice he made to stop the Old Families' war?
- Manipulation through empathy: Smith uses Simon's pain to persuade him, mirroring how others once used Simon's power.
- Watford as a symbol: The White Chapel, where Simon killed the Mage, becomes a site of potential restoration, linking past violence to future healing.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter sets up the central conflict of Simon's arc: whether to reclaim his magic. It forces Simon to confront his deepest desire and the cost of achieving it. Smith's offer tests Simon's growth and commitment to his new, magicless life. The chapter also deepens the mystery of Smith's spell—is it truly healing, or a bargain with unknown consequences? By revealing Smith's personal investment in Simon, the chapter raises stakes for the upcoming Watford event.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Simon initially refuse Smith's offer? Simon says he gave up magic to make things right. He believes his sacrifice was necessary for the World of Mages to heal, and accepting the spell would undermine that choice.
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What does Smith's offer reveal about his understanding of Simon? Smith sees Simon primarily as a symbol—the former greatest mage—rather than as a person who has found peace. He assumes Simon's identity is tied entirely to his power and fails to respect Simon's growth.
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How does the chapter explore the theme of identity tied to magic? Simon admits he feels incomplete without magic ("like I'm missing a hand"), yet he also resists being defined by it. The chapter shows how magic shaped his past but also asks whether he can exist happily without it.