When the plot-skips players into the game world

Sherlock clearly did not recognize Aiwass.

But seeing Aiwass staring at him, he chuckled with interest and said, "I guess you have recognized me."

"Your outfit... I think you're a student from the Royal Legal Academy Theological Seminary, right?"

"How did you know I'm from Avalon?"

Aiwass retorted, "Mr. Sherlock Hermes?"

Of course, there was no need to hide his identity. Or rather, there was no need for this identity to be hidden. But at the same time, there was no need to actively expose it either.

"To speak of details, one could tell a lot, but saying these would seem pretentious. Because the real reason is—we have also just arrived not long ago, and the ritual has not yet begun to search for people farther away. So, you must be on Glass Island, and most likely in the Red-White Queen District. That outfit of yours indicates you're either a student from the Theological Seminary or a Priest after graduation.

"But a Priest after graduating would not have such a low level. So I think you are probably a sophomore preparing for your first advancement."

Without waiting for Aiwass's reply, Sherlock slowly added, "I think the two of you must be newcomers. Just in case... you know, human hearts are unpredictable. My advice is, don't reveal your real-world identity."

As he said this, a girl in a white dress suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the chair next to Aiwass. She seemed startled, leaning back in panic before realizing she was leaning on the chair back, which slightly settled her down.

Aiwass couldn't see her face either. But based solely on her build and outline, he could tell she was graceful and beautiful.

He easily deduced that she must be a young lady from a wealthy family. The ritual was still searching within Glass Island.

Meanwhile, Sherlock paused, and then continued,

"...in the Dream Realm, we cannot see each other's faces, remember each other's images, and the voices we hear are different from those in reality. However, the ritual will expose one's Path category and depth, as well as everyone's unique little tricks. If these pieces of information leak into the real world, they could cause some trouble.

"For example, illegal Transcendents..."

At this point, Sherlock glanced at the young man with the Knight helmet, "they could be caught by people from the Supervisory Bureau because of this."

"...Uh."

Upon hearing this, the helmeted young man smiled awkwardly, "I haven't joined the Supervisory Bureau yet, Mr. Sherlock—I've read your newspaper! You are my idol!"

"Students from the Royal Legal Academy, out of a hundred people, ninety-nine will say this, but what they usually admire about me is not my intelligence and analytical abilities, but more the fact that I often make headlines in the newspaper."

Sherlock scoffed, his tone flat, "The next time you advance, you'll know—in the Dream Realm, there's no need to wear your helmet on purpose. Because no one can remember your face. Instead, it's your naive and impulsive nature that might get recognized by others."

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

The Knight student who had been sharply critiqued did not show any defiance. He only nodded sincerely in agreement.

"Then, may I ask, how should we address each other?"

Aiwass interjected in a timely manner.

By steering the conversation back, he also gave a subtle cushion to Sherlock.

"—Code names."

Just then, the first elder suddenly spoke, "You can give yourself a code name and keep using it. Your code name and deeds will also circulate in the world of Transcendents... When there's nothing else to talk about, two Transcendents meeting will usually discuss their experiences in the Dream Realm.

"But if you have multiple Paths to follow, make sure not to use the same code name."

"It's not necessarily so..."

Sherlock explained, instinctively reaching for his cigar case in his chest pocket only to remember that this was the Dream Realm.

In the Dream Realm, clothes are just for show—even pockets do not serve the function of holding things. Only Extraordinary Items crafted with corresponding Mystical Skills can bring some things along. Like Aiwass, who was promoted through the Path of Devotion, he couldn't use his Phantom Cards.

"...Like me, my code name is 'Detective'."

Sherlock replied, "Because on Glass Island, everyone knows who I am. So I also disdain to hide. Just like a clown, playing my solo part, which seems too ridiculous to those in the know.

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

"...And, the old man missed out on something."

The young man tapped the armrest, emphasizing, "You can talk about your experiences from the Dream Realm, but don't go into too much detail. Otherwise, if someone hears a different version of the story from someone else, and compares it with your version, they'll know who you roughly are. They might even be able to pinpoint your location."

"You don't need to remind them of that, Sherlock."

The elder said indifferently, pausing with his cane, "It's the kind of mistake they'll only really remember after they've made it themselves once."

Sherlock's gaze suddenly focused on the elder's cane, and he was silent for a while.

But he did not mention it, nor did he contradict what the elder said.

He only looked toward the Knight helmet guy and Aiwass, and hardly glanced at the young lady, "Everyone report the Path you are advancing in and the code name you have chosen for yourselves. This is also the foundation for our cooperation... If you are willing, you can also mention your Extraordinary Profession. But you don't have to tell the truth, and you don't have to believe everything others say.

"Let's start with me—I'm the 'Detective,' and my Path is 'Wisdom'."

"I am... uh, just call me 'Knight'."

The young Knight sighed helplessly and touched his helmet, "I'm already wearing it, so not going by that name would just seem like I care too much about this matter. My profession is a 'Light Cavalry' of the Path of Authority, preparing to advance to 'Sky Cavalry'."

"Obviously, I am a Priest. Blessed by the grace of the Candle Master, I walk the Path of Devotion."

Aiwass, following suit, said with a smile, "You can call me 'Fox'."

Soon it was the girl's turn.

She was a bit nervous and cleared her throat.

"Hello, seniors. I am a 'Prodigy' of the Path of Beauty, with the codename 'Lulu'... is that okay?"

She said it somewhat tentatively, uncertain if her codename would be accepted.

The others showed no response, with only Aiwass nodding gently toward her.

"Hello, Lulu."

"...Hello, Mr. Fox,"

Lulu whispered.

So that's it, the codename comes from "Lulu's Magic Flute"...

Aiwass mused in his mind.

"Prodigy"...

That is a rare profession on the Path of Beauty. One must showcase at least five artistic talents to be appointed.

The girl had no idea that her real-world identity had already been revealed quite a bit. Just by cross-referencing who enjoyed the opera "Lulu's Magic Flute," the puzzle was practically solved.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

While they were introducing themselves, the other four individuals also emerged one after another.

Eagerly, Aiwass recapped Sherlock's pointers for them and repeated the codenames and paths from "Detective" to "Lulu."

Thus, the remaining four also proceeded to introduce themselves:

"I am Basil, of the Path of Adaptation." This was a middle-aged woman who looked to be in her thirties.

"I am Cheese of the Path of Love! Because I love to eat cheese!"

The speaker was a little girl who appeared to be only eight or nine years old.

She was obviously not from Avalon, as in the Kingdom of Avalon, it was not allowed for someone of her age to become a Transcendent.

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

A somewhat disheveled middle-aged man hurriedly replied, "If you need alchemical incense or essential oils, you can buy them from me, I'll give a 10% discount off market prices for brothers and sisters! I can deliver within a twenty-kilometer radius of Mainz! Custom potions are available too... as long as I can make it, you'll receive it within twenty days of paying a deposit!"

Aiwass narrowed his eyes slightly.

He remembered that Mainz was a city in the Kingdom of Star Antimony... which made sense, as Star Antimony was a nation founded on Alchemy. Even their country name stemmed from alchemical terms.

"I come from the Path of Transcendence, but I am not a Demon Scholar."

A gentle-voiced young woman in her twenties said, "You can call me 'Coco'."

Similarly, she did not disclose her profession.

At that moment, everyone turned their gaze to the old man.

"Isn't it obvious?"

The elder paused, leaning on his cane, "There's only the Path of Dusk left.

"You can call me 'Bone Sculptor'... it's sort of a hobby of mine."

Upon hearing this, Lulu seemed to have something she wanted to say.

But just then, the stone hourglass suddenly regained its color. Emitting a brilliant golden glow, a ring of beautiful rainbow light burst forth like a halo.

[Sorry, everyone, I'm late.]

A resonant female voice suddenly filled the vast dark space.

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

[I will be overseeing the ritual, I am an envoy of Lord Hourglass... you may call me Erinys.]

In the next moment, the dark world turned bright.