Sherlock clearly did not recognize Iver.
But when he saw Iver staring at him, he chuckled softly and said with interest, "I'm guessing you've already recognized me.
"Judging by the way you're dressed... I'd say you're a student at the Royal Academy of Law Theology School, right?"
"How did you know I'm from Avalon?"
Iver countered, "Mr. Sherlock Hermes?"
Of course, there was no need for him to hide it. Or rather, this identity did not need to be hidden. But there was no need to reveal it proactively, either.
"If we're talking about the details, there are many things that can give you away, but listing them would sound pretentious. The real reason is that we only arrived recently, and the ritual hasn't begun searching for people farther away yet. So you must be on Glass Island, and most likely in the Red White Queen District. Given the way you're dressed, you're either a student of the theology school or a priest who graduated from it.
"But a priest who has already graduated wouldn't be this weak. So I'm guessing you're a second-year student, preparing for your first advancement."
Without waiting for Iver to answer, Sherlock leisurely added, "I think both of you are newcomers. Just in case... you know how unpredictable people can be. My advice is not to reveal your identities in the real world."
As he said this, a petite girl in a white dress suddenly appeared out of thin air in the chair beside Iver. As if she had just woken from a sudden fright, she leaned back in panic. Only after realizing that her back was against the chair did she calm down slightly.
Iver could not see her face clearly, either. But from her bearing and silhouette alone, he could tell that she was dignified and beautiful.
He easily judged that she was probably a young lady from a wealthy family. The ritual was still searching within Glass Island.
Meanwhile, Sherlock paused before continuing, "...In the Dream Realm, we can't see one another's faces, remember one another's appearances, or hear voices that sound the same as they do in reality. But the ritual reveals our Path categories and depths, as well as each person's unique tricks. If this information leaks into the real world, it could cause some trouble.
"For example, illegal extraordinary practitioners..."
As he said this, Sherlock glanced at the young man with the knight's helmet beside him. "...could be caught by the people from the Bureau of Supervision because of it."
"...Uh."
The helmeted young man gave an awkward laugh. "I haven't joined the Bureau of Supervision yet, Mr. Sherlock—I've read your newspaper! You're my idol!"
"Among the students of the Royal Academy of Law, ninety-nine out of a hundred would say that. But what they usually admire isn't my wisdom or analytical ability. It's the fact that I often make headlines in the newspapers."
Sherlock let out a soft scoff, his tone utterly flat. "You'll understand after your next advancement—in the Dream Realm, there's no need to deliberately wear your helmet. 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 just been sharply criticized, showed no dissatisfaction. He merely nodded sincerely in agreement.
"May I ask how we should address one another?"
Iver spoke at the right moment.
As he steered the topic back, he also gave Sherlock a little support.
"Code names."
At that moment, the old man in first place suddenly spoke. "You can choose a code name for yourself and keep using it. Your code name and exploits will spread throughout the extraordinary world... When there's nothing else to talk about, two extraordinary practitioners who meet will usually discuss what they've experienced in the Dream Realm.
"But if you plan to walk multiple Paths, remember not to use the same code name."
"Not necessarily..."
As Sherlock explained, he habitually reached toward his chest for his cigar case, only to remember that this was the Dream Realm.
In the Dream Realm, clothes were merely decorations—even their pockets could not hold anything. Only extraordinary items created with the mystical techniques of one's corresponding Path could bring things in. Since Iver had advanced through the Path of Dedication, he could not use the Phantom Demon Cards he had made himself.
"...In my case, my code name is 'Detective.'"
Sherlock answered, "Because everyone on Glass Island knows who I am, I can't be bothered to hide it. Performing a one-man show like a clown is simply too ridiculous in the eyes of those in the know.
"Of course, you newcomers should still remember to choose code names. Don't let them slip in the real world.
"...Also, this old man left out one thing."
The young man tapped the armrest for emphasis. "You can tell others about what you experienced in the Dream Realm, but don't describe it in too much detail. Otherwise, if someone hears a different version of the story from someone else and compares it with yours, they'll be able to figure out who you probably are. They might even pinpoint your location directly."
"You don't need to remind them of that, Sherlock."
The old man spoke calmly and paused as he tapped his cane. "Some lessons have to be learned the hard way to leave a deep impression."
Sherlock's gaze suddenly focused on the old man's cane. He stared at it in silence for a while.
But he did not mention it, nor did he object to what the old man had said.
He merely looked toward the knight with the helmet and Iver, barely sparing a glance for the young lady. "All of you, report the Path you're going to advance on and the code names you've chosen. This is also the foundation of our cooperation... If you're willing, you can also report your extraordinary professions. But you don't have to tell the truth, and you shouldn't necessarily believe everything others say.
"I'll start—I'm 'Detective,' and my Path is 'Wisdom.'"
"I'm... Uh, call me 'Knight.'"
The knight with the helmet helplessly rubbed the helmet on his head. "I'm already wearing it. If I don't call myself that, it'll make me seem too concerned about it. My profession is Light Cavalry of the Path of Authority, and I'm preparing to advance into a Sky Knight."
"Obviously, I'm a priest. By the grace of the Candle Holder, I walk the Path of Dedication."
Iver followed with a beaming smile. "You can call me 'Fox.'"
Soon, it was the girl's turn.
She was somewhat nervous and cleared her throat.
"Greetings, seniors. I'm an 'All-rounder' of the Path of Beauty, and my code name is 'Lu Lu'... Is that all right?"
She sounded a little unsure, uncertain whether her code name would be accepted.
The others did not respond at all. Only Iver nodded at her gently.
"Hello, Lu Lu."
"...Hello, Mr. Fox."
Lu Lu spoke softly.
So that's how it is. Her code name comes from Lulu's Magic Flute...
Iver pondered inwardly.
"An All-rounder..."
That was a rare profession of the Path of Beauty. One had to display at least five artistic talents to take up the profession.
The girl had no idea that more than half of her identity in the real world had already been exposed. If they cross-checked who liked the opera Lulu's Magic Flute, they would basically have everything figured out.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
As they introduced themselves, the other four also appeared one after another.
Iver enthusiastically repeated Sherlock's advice to them, as well as the code names and Paths from "Detective" to "Lu Lu."
The remaining four then introduced themselves in turn:
"I'm Luo Le, of the Path of Adaptation." She was a middle-aged woman who looked slightly older, around thirty-something.
"I'm Cheese of the Path of Love! Because I love eating cheese!"
The speaker was a little girl who looked only eight or nine years old.
She was clearly not from Avalon Kingdom, because children of that age were not allowed to become extraordinary practitioners in Avalon Kingdom.
"I'm 'King' of the Path of Equilibrium, a 'Botanist.'"
A somewhat down-and-out middle-aged man hurriedly answered, "If you need alchemical incense or essential oils, you can buy them from me. I'll give my brothers and sisters a ten percent discount off the market price! I can deliver anywhere within twenty kilometers of Mainz! I can also make custom potions... As long as it's something I can do, I'll deliver it within twenty days of receiving the deposit!"
Iver narrowed his eyes slightly.
He remembered that Mainz was a city in the Stibium Kingdom... That was only natural. Stibium had been founded on alchemy, after all. Even its name came from alchemy.
"I'm from the Path of Transcendence, but I'm not a Demon Scholar."
The voice of a young woman who looked to be in her early twenties was gentle. "You can call me 'Ke Ke.'"
She likewise did not reveal her profession.
At this moment, everyone turned their eyes toward the old man.
"Isn't it obvious?"
The old man calmly tapped his cane. "Only the Path of Twilight remains.
"You can call me 'Bone Carver'... It's a hobby of mine."
At that, Lu Lu seemed to have something to say.
But just then, the stone hourglass suddenly regained its color. It radiated a brilliant golden glow, and a beautiful rainbow light resembling a ring of stars spread outward.
"Sorry, everyone. I'm late."
A female voice with a powerful echo suddenly rang out in the empty darkness.
"Have you finished introducing yourselves? Then it's my turn.
"I'm hosting this ritual. I'm Lord Hourglass's apostle... You can call me Erlini."
The next moment, the pitch-black world suddenly became bright.
Update complete! It's a new week, so please support me with subscriptions, tips, and monthly votes~ And now, a chapter recommendation for another cat:
"Reincarnated Banshee, Saving the World with a Reborn Heiress"
I left the prosperous, modernized alchemical capital and went to a beautiful but isolated place where the only daily entertainment was baring one's teeth at wyverns.
All because of a letter my upperclasswoman sent me.
"Hello, transmigrator. I'm reborn."
Before you continue