Chapter 352: Welcome to Ilvermorny

The stone house burned with a hearth fire that had miraculously been alight since Wizard Sean’s arrival, and Wizard Sean had never seen any wood inside it.

In other words, this was a magical flame, its source seemingly the runic symbols carved into the wall.

“Dear Mr. Hermes, Professor Tera, please follow me.”

Headmistress Erela waved her hand; Professor Tera’s focused expression faltered, as if in regret, then turned toward Erela.

Wizard Sean also turned his gaze toward the distance.

Mist rose up.

A colossal structure suddenly appeared before Wizard Sean.

At this moment, it was embraced and swallowed by the gray-white evening mist rising from Mount Grelok.

Its outline was deep and shadowed, like a vast phantom yet to emerge, or a mysterious island floating in the sea of clouds.

The thick walls were dark, between cold gray and indigo, saturated with mist, appearing damp and solemn. The narrow, stained-glass windows along the walls were now only faint, dim smudges of color, like the closed eyelids of a sleeping giant.

“Then, welcome to Ilvermorny!”

Headmistress Erela declared in an uplifting, passionate voice.

She finally took Wizard Sean’s hand.

The young wizard regarded her with slightly puzzled eyes, then looked back at his teacher.

“Go on, my student. Erela will take you directly into Ilvermorny’s hall.”

Professor Tera chuckled softly.

“As for me, clearly there’s no need for sorting anymore—but I’ll be watching you from the circular balcony.”

Professor Tera’s words were both an explanation and a warning.

“We will be Apparating, dear Mr. Hermes. I hear you’ve prepared something?”

Headmistress Erela had always been warm in demeanor.

“Yes, Headmistress Erela.”

Wizard Sean pulled out a vial of potion.

In fact, he had Apparated many times before, but had never felt dizzy.

When traveling, Professor Tera had always preferred the Floo Network, even if it meant taking a longer route.

Headmistress Erela snapped her fingers; the scene before Wizard Sean abruptly shifted—they stood now in a grand entrance hall.

The hall was as vast as Gringotts, with torches blazing along the stone walls. The ceiling soared so high it was nearly invisible. Directly ahead rose a luxurious marble staircase leading upward.

“The hearth fire in the stone house has been lit for you, Mr. Green. Allow me to address you thus.

A small gift—you have plenty of time to uncover its secrets.”

Headmistress Erela laughed freely, glancing at Wizard Sean, then at the distant marble staircase—her meaning was clear.

“All four statues are still awake… A small question: which house were you in at Hogwarts?”

She seemed eager for the answer, the wrinkles around her eyes softening with anticipation.

“Ravenclaw.”

Wizard Sean replied.

“Lady Isolt most loved blue, for as a child she had dreamed of becoming a student at Hogwarts’ Ravenclaw house.”

Headmistress Erela smiled slowly. Wizard Sean now understood the meaning behind the cranberry-red and blue of her robes.

“Proceed to the Sorting Hall—Ilvermorny—democracy and equality lie ahead—”

With Headmistress Erela’s soaring voice, a chill wind brushed Wizard Sean’s ears as he traveled to the Sorting Hall.

It was a circular hall, its floor marked with the pattern of the Gordian Knot. Around the walls stood magical creature carvings representing the four houses.

“Horned Serpent: chosen by founder Isolt, representing the wizard’s mind, favoring scholars.

Pukwudgie: chosen by Webster, representing the wizard’s body, favoring warriors.

Thunderbird: chosen by Chadwick, representing the wizard’s soul, favoring adventurers.

Wampus: chosen by James Stewart, representing the wizard’s heart, favoring healers…”

A voice was explaining to Wizard Sean; he looked up and saw beside him a younger witch.

From her robe badge, Wizard Sean learned her name—Agilbert Fontana, Transfiguration professor.

Also, later, headmistress.

Wizard Sean thought.

But… why did Transfiguration professors always become headmistresses?

Behind Professor Agilbert Fontana stood Professor Tera and Headmistress Erela…

And a circle of excited young wizards, all dressed in blue and cranberry-red uniforms, chattering loudly.

“A transfer student! Good heavens, I didn’t even know Ilvermorny accepted transfer students.”

“His eyes are so beautiful…”

“Lila, you’re ridiculous—but you’re right. Still, I heard the statues aren’t pleased… like they’ve been woken from sleep…”

Wizard Sean heard the murmurs, surprised—he had assumed it was late, and there would be few spectators.

But in truth, hundreds stood on the circular balcony.

Amid the clamor, the young witch spoke:

“When I call your name, step forward and await sorting.”

She said.

Wizard Sean paused slightly.

Are there others here…?

And this opening line felt oddly familiar—like Professor McGonagall’s at the Sorting Ceremony.

It seemed Lady Isolt of Ilvermorny had loved Hogwarts far too much.

“Wizard Sean Green!”

She called.

The crowd fell silent.

Wizard Sean stepped forward; the moment he took one step, the crystal embedded in the Horned Serpent’s forehead blazed brightly.

Simultaneously, the young witch and Headmistress Erela’s eyes lit up.

Behind them, wizards wearing Horned Serpent badges erupted in cheers.

“Welcome to the Horned Serpent! The Horned Serpent represents the wisdom of witches and wizards—we welcome the wise!”

A composed senior witch’s voice drowned out the others.

As prefect of the Horned Serpent, she naturally knew some inside information.

This was… the legendary Mr. Hermes—the greatest wizard Headmistress Erela had long awaited.

“Erela, though you’re a Horned Serpent yourself, you’re celebrating too soon.”

Only Professor Tera smiled faintly.

At that moment, as if to confirm her words, the Pukwudgie statue roared.

The young wizards wearing Pukwudgie badges also cheered.

“Brilliant! Welcome to the Pukwudgie House—we are the destiny of warriors!”

The burly Pukwudgie prefect swung his fist.

“I wonder what choice Mr. Green will make?”

Headmistress Erela asked Professor Tera with a hint of anticipation, smiling.

“Make a choice… now?”

Professor Tera snorted lightly.

At that very instant, the Thunderbird statue spread its wings and landed directly before Wizard Sean; the Wampus statue raised its bow high in defiance.