Hogwarts: This holy light is righteously evil

Marcos, completely bewildered, approached the boat and stared wide-eyed into the dark lake.

But apart from the swaying moonlight and the occasional fleeting shadow of a fish, nothing could be seen.

"Besides fish, could there be anyone in this black lake? It can't be a giant squid from the bottom of the lake, can it?"

Katie also quietly moved closer to the side of the boat, pursed her lips and glanced quickly into the water before immediately looking away, still somewhat apprehensive about the bottomless black lake.

Qiu Zhang also blinked and looked at Puni.

"Are you kidding us?"

Puni raised an eyebrow but didn't reply. He simply withdrew his fingertips, looked up at the lake surface that had just been stirred, and parted his lips to utter a string of peculiar syllables.

The voice was sharp and clear, carrying the unique damp and cold rhythm of the water, completely different from his usual calm and composed tone.

Cho Chang, Marcos, and Katie looked at each other in bewilderment.

What is this saying?

I can't understand it at all!

Puni's voice echoed far across the lake.

The once calm lake surface suddenly rippled with distinct waves, and the dark lake water parted to both sides.

Immediately afterwards, three heads covered in silver-gray scales emerged from underwater.

They had human upper bodies, strong muscles, and rugged features. Their long, dark green, seaweed-like hair clung to their shoulders, and their deep brown eyes looked at the people on the boat. They were mermaids who lived in the Black Lake.

"Mermaid?!" Marcos's eyes widened instantly, and he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

His loud voice immediately attracted the attention of the new students on the surrounding ships.

For a moment, the entire lake was filled with gasps and exclamations.

Many freshmen clung to the ship's railing, looking in this direction with expressions of disbelief.

Puni nodded slightly to the mermaids underwater, then asked them in fluent mermaid language about the legend of Ravenclaw and the warthog, asking if they knew about this past event.

Upon hearing this, the leading mermaid turned his head slightly and responded with a few words in the same sharp and low tone. Then he exchanged a glance with his two companions and shook his head in unison.

Puni nodded and raised his hand to express his gratitude to them.

Seeing this, the mermaids waved their webbed hands at him and then waved their fish tails in response.

With a flick of its body, its silvery-gray tail traced an arc on the water's surface before silently diving back into the deep, dark lake.

"They don't know whether the legend is true or not," Puni shrugged.

"After all, the founders lived so long ago, it's normal that they don't know," Katie said softly.

Qiu Zhang leaned forward, his eyes shining like the starlight of the entire night sky: "Puni, what you just said... was that the language of those creatures? You can actually speak that?"

"I only know a little bit."

Puni stroked his chin. "Actually, mermaid language isn't that hard to learn. As long as you figure out the logic of underwater vocalization, you can get the hang of it quickly."

"If we're really talking about difficulties, Parsleyan and Eagle Language are harder to master, and then there's Dragon Language—almost every dragon has its own accent. Sometimes, two dragons from the same mountain range can speak completely different languages. Trying to understand what they're saying is much more troublesome than deciphering Runes."

Upon hearing this, Cho Chang, Marcos, and Katie fell silent instantly.

Marcos gave a thumbs-up: "Amazing!"

Cho Chang and Katie nodded repeatedly.

Puni met Qiu Zhang's bright eyes and turned her head away with a smile.

—His left profile is more handsome!

In the brief moment between lowering his gaze, Puni caught a glimpse of the diary in his mind turning another page.

The fog that had been shrouding the Hogwarts map had thinned out a bit more because of his conversation with the mermaid, and the outline of the Black Lake had become clearer.

Meanwhile, the diary was continuously absorbing the water elements around the Black Lake and the ancient magic emanating from the castle, and the magic flowing within his body became smoother and smoother.

"Oh?"

Puni was even happier.

The small boat continued to glide, and the lights of Hogwarts Castle on the opposite shore grew closer, with the Gothic corner towers casting long shadows on the surface of the Black Lake.

"This is the world of magic."

Puni withdrew his gaze and looked at the brightly lit castle on the opposite bank.

"In the process of learning magic, you can also explore the secrets of this academy."

Puni smiled.

He's really looking forward to the next seven years as a student.

"Everyone, bow your heads—!"

Hagrid, at the very front, shouted in a deep voice.

Ivy curtains hung down.

The first-year wizards all lowered their heads.

The small boat glided quietly through it.

Until we entered the waterway beneath the castle.

"Where is this? Are we going into the underground of Hogwarts?" Cho Chang looked around.

"Yes, we're going to the auditorium for the freshman banquet," Puni said.

"I don't know what the Sorting Ceremony is like; my family never tells me," Marcos said excitedly.

Ahead, the ship has reached the shore.

The place shows signs of excavation and is clearly man-made.

The young wizards disembarked and continued along the mountain path, which was covered with pebbles, making their feet ache.

The tunnel was very dark, especially since Hagrid was at the very front and didn't put his lantern back. His enormous body blocked out all the light, leaving only a faint glow to guide the young wizards.

Puni twirled his wand again.

The tunnel suddenly became bright.

Puni and his companions climbed a long stone staircase, crossed a wide courtyard, and gathered in front of the castle's massive oak gate.

The brisk walk left the eleven-year-olds breathless, but no one bothered to rest. They huddled together in twos and threes, chattering incessantly at the towering gate.

"DuangDuangDuang!"

Hagrid raised his massive fist and slammed it three times against the oak door.

The door opened almost immediately.

Behind the door stood a tall witch dressed in an emerald green wizard's robe.

She had her hair neatly styled in a bun at the back of her head, her expression serious and her gaze sharp.

With just one glance, the group of freshmen shut their mouths and obediently stood in neat rows.

"Professor McGonagall, everyone is here, no one is missing," Hagrid said in a gruff voice, a simple, honest smile on his face.

"Thank you for your hard work." Professor McGonagall nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the new students before her once more. Her voice was clear and bright. "Now, everyone, follow me."

Professor McGonagall turned around, and the group stepped into the main hall.

Puni's gaze shifted to the marble staircase standing in front of him.

Following Professor McGonagall upstairs, we passed through a corridor lined with portraits of wizards from different eras, and were eventually led into an empty room with a burning fireplace.

The fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, its orange-red flames dancing and dispelling the lakeside chill that had settled on everyone.

At the far end of the room was a tightly closed wooden door, through which the bustling sounds of people could be heard from the auditorium.

Professor McGonagall turned and stood in front of the door.

Welcome to Hogwarts.