Chapter 44: Venerable Name

Hahaha, just joking.

Dali said with a smile.

He himself also found this matter absurd, but in that strange world he had encountered things even more absurd, so this speculation was not unreasonable.

After all, in a world where a man can become a woman, and an extremely beautiful woman at that, anything could happen.

Amid laughter and chatter, the Sorting Ceremony finally ended, and the pudding on the table disappeared.

Professor Dengbulido stood up, and the entire hall instantly fell silent.

"Now that everyone has eaten and drunk their fill, I want to say a few more words."

"At the start of the new term, I want to bring up several points of attention."

"First-year newcomers, note that the forest on the school grounds is off-limits to any student. Some of our older classmates also need to remember this."

Dengbulido's gaze involuntarily swept over the Weislei twins.

"Also, caretaker Feierqi Xiansheng wants me to remind everyone not to use magic in the hallways between classes."

"Finally, I must tell everyone who does not wish to encounter accidents and suffer a painful death: please do not enter the corridor on the right side of the fourth floor."

After Dengbulido's words fell, the hall was filled with some whispers.

Everyone knows the Forbidden Forest is off-limits because it's full of ferocious beasts, but what's the situation with the corridor on the right side of the fourth floor? Nobody ever heard it was forbidden before.

"I think he should at least tell our grade leader the specifics," Percy said.

"Maybe there's some secret," Dali said.

Generally, places that forbid people tend to arouse some people's curiosity.

"Hogwarts has many school rules, and they're strict. Usually no special reminder is needed, but Professor Dengbulido specifically brought this up, which shows it could threaten our lives, so we'd better obey," Percy explained.

Although it's unclear why an extra corridor on the right side of the fourth floor is forbidden, Percy firmly kept this prohibition in mind.

"Rules are meant to be broken, right, Harry?"

Dali smiled and looked at Harry.

"What are you up to?" Harry asked sharply.

"Nothing much, just chatting. Besides, Harry, I think you're not really someone who likes to follow rules," Dali said.

"Is that so? It's because you don't understand me enough, my foolish brother," Harry said.

Dali smiled and said nothing more.

Dengbulido had already organized everyone to start singing the school song; although the lyrics were the same, each person used a different melody, causing the whole hall to become somewhat chaotic.

Dali's thoughts drifted a bit.

"Speaking of which, the Black Emperor and Judgment paths emphasize rules and order, twisted rules, the utilization of order, and even the creation of rules and laws..."

Thinking of this, Dali's mind suddenly saw a Venerable Name.

"You are the supreme Emperor."

"You are the embodiment of order, the personification of chaos, the source of all rules."

"You are order, and also disorder."

Buzz.

Dali's mind felt as if struck heavily; the surrounding hall instantly faded away, and he seemed to have come to another world, a space filled with darkness and twisted light.

Everything around seemed insubstantial; here there is no concept of distance, nor any concrete sense of time, everything is void yet feels extraordinarily real.

"This is... where?"

Dali's face showed shock.

That Venerable Name suddenly appeared in his mind, giving him no time to react before he read it aloud.

These words were as if engraved deep in his memory, triggered at that moment, and then he was brought to this strange place.

"I am not substantial; I am a spiritual body."

Dali looked at his own body.

The surrounding light and shadow kept changing, flickering uncertainly.

"Wait, this is..."

Dali's gaze focused, locking onto his chest.

There was a Brass Book there, emitting a faint light, mercury-like characters flowing from it and seeping into the surrounding dark space.

The surrounding world gradually brightened, shifting from illusion to substance, as if in a void, constructing a stable order and law.

Dali took a breath and looked around.

In his mind, a similar space gradually appeared.

Suddenly, the light and shadow around began to change rapidly, as if guided by a direction, swiftly sketching out a huge palace.

After an unknown amount of time, everything around finally took shape.

"It's very like that Tarot Society space, only some parts my memory can't fill in, and the rules here fill those missing parts."

Dali said while looking at this place.

A bronze long table, gray mist, the Tarot Society from memory, recreated here.

But those familiar figures are gone, and also gone is the Deity who called himself the Fool.

Just as Dali was about to look around, his head suddenly spun with dizziness.

He knew this was the sign of excessive spiritual power consumption, and he could not stay any longer.

His gaze followed his inner guidance downward.

The original ground vanished, and Dali saw an ancient castle perched on a cliff; his gaze pierced through layers of obstruction, looking down at the great hall below.

He saw Harry, and also saw his own.

Buzz.

His spirit returned to his body; everything happened in an instant and ended in an instant.

Huh~

Dali drew a deep breath, his head throbbing with pain.

He had consumed too much spiritual power, leaving him feeling very uncomfortable right now.

He reached out and touched his chest; the Trensost Brass Book was there. This sealed object, which he always carried close to his body to prevent it from suddenly activating and causing an uncontrollable disaster.

The Hogwarts school song finally stopped at this moment.

All right, it's time for bed now, Grade Leaders—take the new students to the dormitories.

Dengbulido waved his hand, and the feast formally ended.

Everyone rose, preparing to leave.

Dali tried to stand up, but his body was somewhat out of control.

What's wrong?

Harry, quick-eyed and quick-handed, immediately steadied Dali.

Nothing, just a bit tired.

Dali said simply.

Your complexion looks terrible; you were fine before—what happened…? Harry looked at Dali's pale face, somewhat at a loss.

It's fine; just go back and get some sleep. Dali said.

All he wanted now was to lie down and sleep.

Luoen, come over and help.

Harry called Luoen over; the two of them supported Dali and followed the other new students out of the hall.