Chapter 41: The Character of Being Alive

Dali looked at the splendid hall before him, curiously scanning everything here.

Four long tables extended from the entrance side to the front table of the hall, dividing all students into four areas; obviously this is Hogwarts' four houses.

Above the tables, thousands of candles floated, illuminating the entire hall brightly.

And the ceiling above was exactly like the sky outside; even stars could be seen twinkling faintly.

On the front table of the hall, behind the long tables stood one teacher after another; the middle-aged old man with half-moon glasses and white hair was exactly the Hogwarts professor they had seen before, Professor Dengbulido.

"Now, line up in a single file and follow me."

Professor McGonagall's voice interrupted the students' astonished gazes; she stepped forward first.

Behind them, the first-year newcomers followed closely; Harry walked ahead of Dali, it was evident his legs felt as if filled with lead, his steps somewhat awkward.

"Magic has been cast here; the ceiling looks exactly like the outside sky. I read about it in 'A History of Hogwarts'."

Behind Dali, Hermione whispered.

"Indeed, it's hard to imagine this is a ceiling, not open air."

Dali echoed in agreement.

Everyone arrived at the center of the hall.

On the front table, Professor McGonagall placed a stool before everyone, then put a dirty-looking hat on it.

"Could they be wanting us to turn that hat into a rabbit, or something else?"

Harry said nervously.

"Probably not; few people here can do that." Dali said.

"Such a transfiguration spell is not something first-year newcomers can accomplish, especially since they haven't undergone systematic magic training."

"But that hat..."

Dali looked at the dirty hat, feeling it wasn't simple.

He blinked slightly, activating Spiritual Sight.

Spiritual power entered his eyes, causing the hat in his vision to undergo some changes.

A faint halo spread out; the hat's shape in Dali's eyes gradually became distorted; he could vaguely see a figure deep within the hat.

Light tangled together; Dali wanted to examine closely, but found he couldn't see through the hat.

Spiritual Sight isn't omnipotent; there are things Dali cannot judge.

"Oh, another year of newcomers arriving."

Suddenly, the hat's creases twitched slightly, splitting open a gap like a mouth, and began to speak.

"The characteristic of being alive!!"

Dali's gaze slightly narrowed.

This hat actually possesses the characteristic of being alive; you know, in that bizarre world, only extremely powerful Sealed Objects have that characteristic.

For example, the Trensost Brass Book, but this Sealed Object currently has low activity; once it awakens, it will bring terrible disaster.

But this hat before us seems not to have any danger.

In Dali and others' astonished gaze, the dirty hat began to sing.

The general content tells some history of Hogwarts Magic School, and the origins of the four houses, etc.; quite interesting.

After the hat finished singing, warm applause rang in the hall; the hat, like a gentleman, gave a slight bow to the four house tables, then fell still.

"I get it, we just need to wear this hat; Fred and them lied to me, saying we had to form a team to fight the Giant Monster, making me nervous for a long time." Luoen turned his head, saying to Harry and Dali.

"Just wearing the hat? That's much simpler." Harry said, relieved.

"This hat is quite interesting." Dali commented.

Possessing the characteristic of being alive yet not dangerous, this is the first time he has seen something like this.

"I will call names; whoever I call comes up to wear the Sorting Hat, sits on the chair awaiting sorting."

Professor McGonagall said from the stage.

"Hannah Abbott."

Professor McGonagall called the first name; a rosy-cheeked little girl with two golden braids walked out, stumbled to the front, picked up the Sorting Hat and sat on the chair.

"Hufflepuff."

The Sorting Hat paused a few seconds, then loudly said.

The right-side table immediately burst into warm applause; needless to say, this is Hufflepuff.

"What is it based on for sorting?"

Dali saw this, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Could this hat possibly read minds?"

If so, Dali must be very careful.

What he has in his mind must absolutely not be known by others; this would not only bring him danger, but also danger to others.

Some things, even if understood, would bring contamination.

Professor McGonagall called out name after name, and the line of newcomers dwindled.

Most newcomers had nothing to hesitate over with the Sorting Hat; within seconds they could decide; for some, like Ma Er Fu, even as the hat just touched their head, the Sorting Hat unhesitatingly shouted Slytherin.

"Dali De Si Li!"

Professor McGonagall's voice came.

"Come on."

Harry said to Dali.

"Hmm."

Dali nodded and walked forward.

Everyone's gaze converged on Dali, especially Ma Er Fu, whose fierce stare seemed as if it would devour him whole.

But Dali paid no heed; he glanced at the Podium.

Professor Dengbulido and the others' gazes turned toward him, and Dali even saw Dengbulido wink at him.

Dali went to the stool, picked up the Sorting Hat, and slowly placed it on his head, but he did not immediately lower his hand.

He was ready to take the hat off at once if he sensed anything amiss.

"Ah, let me see, which house shall I sort you into?"

The Sorting Hat's voice made an Appearance beside Dali's ear.

"Your talent is truly impressive, you are also very ambitious, lack no courage, and possess wisdom far beyond ordinary people."

The Sorting Hat continued to murmur to itself.

"Can you discern my traits?"

Dali thought to himself.

"Yes, I can perceive both your strengths and your flaws," the Sorting Hat said immediately.

Dali's complexion tightened slightly.

This hat is truly reading minds!

"No, no, no, it's not mind‑reading. It only senses your surface thoughts. If I could directly read a person's mind, I wouldn't just be sorting here, would I?" the Sorting Hat said.

"Fine," Dali relaxed slightly.

"Wait, look what I've discovered—this astonishing Magic talent!"

"How did I not notice it earlier?"

The Sorting Hat exclaimed.