Code name: Fox

Chapter 34: Code Name: Fox

Sherlock clearly didn't recognize Iver.

But seeing Iver staring at him, he chuckled and said with interest, "I guess you've recognized me.

"That getup... I'd say you're a student from the Royal Academy of Law Theology School, right?"

"How did you know I was from Avalon?"

Iver countered, "Sherlock Holmes, sir?"

Of course, there was no need for him to hide. Or rather, this identity didn't need to be hidden. But at the same time, there was no need to actively expose it.

"There are many details that give it away, but saying them would seem pretentious. The real reason is—we only just arrived, and the ritual hasn't started searching for people further away yet. So you must be on Glass Island, and most likely in the Red White Queen District. So, with that getup, you're either a student at the Theology School or a Priest who's already graduated.

"But a Priest who's already graduated wouldn't be this weak. So, I'd say you're a sophomore, preparing for your first advancement."

Before Iver could answer, Sherlock slowly added, "I think you two are probably newbies. Just in case... people's hearts are hard to fathom. My advice is, don't reveal your real-world identities."

As he said this, a petite girl in a white dress suddenly appeared on the chair next to Iver. She leaned back in a panic, as if suddenly awakened, and only calmed down slightly when she realized she was leaning against the back of the chair.

Iver also couldn't see her face clearly. But he could tell she was dignified and beautiful just from her figure and silhouette.

He easily guessed that she was probably a young lady from a wealthy family. The ritual was still searching within Glass Island.

Sherlock paused and continued, "...In the Dream Realm, we can't see each other's faces, can't remember each other's appearances, and the voices we hear are different from reality. But the ritual will expose the type and depth of your Path, as well as each person's unique tricks. If this information is leaked into the real world, it could cause some trouble.

"For example, illegal transcendents..."

At this point, Sherlock glanced at the Knight helmet guy next to him: "Could be caught by the Bureau of Supervision because of it."

"...Uh."

The young man wearing the helmet smiled awkwardly, "I haven't joined the Bureau of Supervision yet, Mr. Sherlock—I've read your newspaper! You're my idol!"

"Ninety-nine out of a hundred students at the Royal Academy of Law would say that, but they usually admire me not for my Wisdom and analytical skills, but for the fact that I often show off in the newspaper."

Sherlock chuckled, his tone without any inflection, "You'll know next time you advance—in the Dream Realm, you don't need to wear your helmet. Because no one can remember your face. On the contrary, your naive and reckless personality might get you recognized."

"...Thank you, Mr. Sherlock."

The Knight student, who had been harshly criticized, didn't object at all. He just nodded sincerely in agreement.

"Then, how should we address each other?"

Iver asked at the right time.

While turning the topic back, he also gave Sherlock a little boost.

"—Code names."

Just then, the old man spoke up for the first time, "You can give yourself a code name and use it forever. Your code name and deeds will also spread in the transcendent world... When there's nothing to talk about, two transcendents usually talk about their experiences in the Dream Realm when they meet.

"But if you have multiple Paths to walk, remember not to use the same code name."

"Not necessarily..."

Sherlock explained, habitually reaching for his cigar case, only to realize that this was the Dream Realm.

In the Dream Realm, clothes are merely decorations—they don't even have pockets to hold anything. Only extraordinary items crafted with the mystical arts of one's corresponding Path can be brought in. For example, Iver, having advanced through the Dedication Path, cannot use the Phantom Demon Cards he creates.

"...As for me, my code name is 'Detective'."

Sherlock replied, "Because on Glass Island, everyone knows who I am. So I don't bother hiding. Playing my own one-man show like a clown is too ridiculous in the eyes of those who know.

"Of course, you newcomers should still remember to take a code name. Don't let it slip in reality.

"...Also, the old man left out one thing."

The young man tapped the armrest, emphasizing, "You can talk about what you see and hear in the Dream Realm, but don't go into too much detail. Otherwise, if someone hears a different version of the story from someone else, comparing it to your version will reveal who you probably are. It might even directly pinpoint your location."

"There's no need to remind them of that, Sherlock."

The old man said faintly, pausing to tap his cane, "Some lessons are best learned firsthand to be truly memorable."

Sherlock's gaze suddenly focused on the old man's cane, staring at it in silence for a moment.

But he didn't mention it, nor did he object to the old man's words.

He simply looked at the Knight helmet guy and Iver, barely glancing at the young lady, "Everyone, state the Path you're about to advance to, and the code name you've chosen. This is the basis of our cooperation... If you're willing, you can also state your extraordinary profession. But you don't have to tell the truth, and you don't have to believe everything others say.

"I'll start—I'm 'Detective,' and my Path is 'Wisdom'."

"I'm... uh, call me 'Knight,' I guess."

The Knight helmet guy helplessly touched the helmet on his head, "I'm already wearing it, so not calling me that would seem like I care too much about it. My profession is 'Light Cavalry' of the Path of Authority, and I'm preparing to advance to 'Sky Knight'."

"Obviously, I am a Priest. Walking the Path of Dedication, thanks to the grace of the Light Bearer."

Iver followed, saying with a smile, "You can call me 'Fox'."

Soon it was the girl's turn.

She was a little nervous, and cleared her throat.

"Hello, everyone. I'm an 'All-rounder' of the Path of Beauty, and my code name is 'Lulu'... Is that okay?"

She said, feeling a little guilty. She wasn't sure if her code name would be accepted.

The others didn't respond at all, only Iver nodded at her gently.

"Hello, Lulu."

"...Hello, Mr. Fox."

"Lulu" said softly.

So that's it, the code name comes from Lulu's Magic Flute...

Iver thought to himself.

"All-rounder"...

That's a rare profession on the Path of Beauty. You need to demonstrate at least five artistic talents to qualify.

This girl doesn't realize that a large part of her real identity has already been exposed. If you just double-check who likes the opera Lulu's Magic Flute, you've basically doxxed her.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

As they introduced themselves, the other four also appeared one after another.

Iver enthusiastically repeated Sherlock's pointers to them, and reiterated the codenames and Paths from "Detective" to "Lulu".

Then the remaining four also introduced themselves:

"I'm Luo Le, of the Path of Adaptation." This was a middle-aged woman who looked a little older, about thirty years old.

"I'm Cheese of the Path of Love! Because I like to eat cheese!"

The speaker was a little girl who looked only eight or nine years old.

She was clearly not from Avalon, because in the Avalon Kingdom, people of this age are not allowed to become transcendents.

"I am 'King' of the Equilibrium Path, a 'Botanist'."

A somewhat downcast middle-aged man quickly replied, "If you need alchemical incense or essential oils, you can buy them from me. I'll give my brothers and sisters a 10% discount on the market price! Delivery is available within 20 kilometers around Mainz! Custom potions are also available... as long as I can make them, they will be delivered within 20 days of receiving the deposit!"

Iver narrowed his eyes slightly.

He remembered that Mainz was a city in the Stibium Kingdom... which was normal, as Stibium was founded on alchemy. Their country's name came from alchemy.

"I'm from the Path of Transcendence, but I'm not a Demon Scholar."

A young woman in her early twenties with a gentle voice said, "You can call me 'Ke Ke'."

Similarly, she did not state her profession.

At this moment, everyone turned their attention to the old man.

"Isn't it obvious?"

The old man paused with his cane calmly, "There's only the Path of Twilight left."

"You can call me 'Bone Carver'... it's my hobby."

Hearing this, Lulu seemed to want to say something.

But at this moment, the stone hourglass suddenly regained its color, emitting a brilliant golden glow, and a beautiful rainbow like a star ring radiated out.

[Sorry everyone, I'm late]

A female voice with full reverb suddenly sounded in the empty dark space.

[Have you finished introducing yourselves? Then it's my turn]

[I am hosting this ritual, I am the apostle of Lord Hourglass... you can call me Erlini]

The pitch-black world suddenly became bright.

Update complete! Asking for follow-up reading, rewards, and monthly tickets for the new week~ Then there's a chapter recommendation for another cat:

Reincarnated as a Banshee, Saving the World with a Reborn Heiress

I left the bustling alchemical capital of the modern era to go to a place with beautiful scenery but where the only daily entertainment was baring my teeth at Wyverns.

All because of a letter sent by my senior.

"Hello, transmigrator, I'm reborn."