After finishing his daily cleaning, Ivan returned to his room. Ancestor Master jumped up and gave Ivan an electric shock massage, making his hair fly up. Since classes hadn't officially started yet, Ivan had been punished with cleaning the Trophy Room, so he had left Ancestor Master in the dormitory first. Ancestor Master was also someone who couldn't stand loneliness; in this world, there was no television to watch, so he could only fly around the room, scaring the owl half to death. The owl was named Maka, which Ivan Efferi had previously bought in Diagon Alley.
The side effects of the soul transmigration slowly began to manifest. On Ivan's first night in the dormitory, Ancestor Master began to scold him in his dreams, demanding that Ivan restart his cultivation of the Kongshan Daoist Temple's Body Tempering Cultivation Technique. It was unclear whether it was because the Spiritual Qi in this world was abundant or because Ivan Halls' body had clear Meridians, but in just one night, Ivan had already returned to the Realm of an eight-year-old. True Qi flowed through his Meridians without obstruction, and he could already use most Daoist techniques.
Ancestor Master gave another electric shock, demanding that Ivan take him out for a night tour of Hogwarts.
The fifth-floor corridor of Hogwarts at night. The corridor was silent, with only the torches on the walls emitting a faint glow. The figures in the portraits moved quietly between the frames, or let out soft snores and sleep-talk. Ivan watched in amazement.
"Ancestor Master, do you think these paintings are all obsessions?" Ivan was a studious child; if there was something he didn't understand, he would ask Ancestor Master immediately. Ancestor Master hit him in his mind, "This is not an obsession. There are strange patterns on the picture frames; this should fall under the category of something like our magical artifacts. Look, the one ahead is an obsession." Ancestor Master's ring flashed, signaling Ivan. He saw a ghost wearing purple-red robes and a long hat emerge from the wall and pass through another wall. Ivan watched with great interest; it was the first time he had seen an obsession other than Ancestor Master.
Ivan followed stealthily behind the ghost, his footsteps so light they were almost inaudible. The ghost didn't seem to notice him, continuing its half-floating, half-walking posture, occasionally humming a few out-of-tune melodies. Ivan carefully maintained his distance, afraid of making any sound that might startle this spiritual entity.
They passed through several corridors when the ghost suddenly stopped in front of a classroom door. Seeing this, Ivan immediately hid behind a stone pillar and poked his head out to observe. Through the crack in the door, he could vaguely see several older students gathered together, their expressions tense and focused. Their hands held a thick book that emitted an eerie green glow, which reflected on their faces, making them look particularly strange.
One student was reaching his hand into a basin glowing with green light. Wisps of white smoke rose from the basin, mixed with a pungent smell, like some kind of decaying substance. As the smoke rose, the student suddenly let out a miserable scream, and his body began to swell uncontrollably, as if he were about to burst from some force.
Just as Ivan was about to go in and take a look, a series of hurried footsteps came from the end of the corridor, accompanied by the sharp cry of Madam Norris. Filch's voice also rang out: "Who's there! I heard a sound!"
Ivan's heart tightened, and he quickly chanted the Invisibility Charm. Because he hadn't practiced for so long and was a bit nervous, he mispronounced the incantation several times. Fortunately, he finally succeeded in turning invisible before Filch arrived.
Filch rushed into the classroom in a rage, the lantern in his hand flickering in the darkness, illuminating his angry face. He looked around at the mess on the floor, and his face instantly became even more distorted: "Who did this! Who's making trouble here!"
Madam Norris paced back and forth at his feet, letting out a low hiss, clearly sensing something unusual. Her eyes shimmered with a ghostly light in the dark, as if trying to find the hidden person.
Madam Norris began to sniff around, clearly having detected Ivan's scent. The Invisibility Charm could only hide his form, but it could not hide his body odor. Her footsteps drew closer and closer, and Ivan's heart rate quickened accordingly. He moved his steps quietly, trying to leave the classroom without making any sound.
Filch's footsteps echoed in the classroom; he seemed to have lost his patience and began searching every corner. Ivan's throat tightened slightly, feeling as if time had been stretched, every second becoming an ordeal.
Just as Madam Norris was about to reach his feet, Ivan suddenly turned and quickly darted out through the back door of the classroom. His movements were light and agile, like a cat, making almost no sound.
Filch heard the noise at the back door and immediately rushed over, but by the time he arrived, Ivan had already disappeared at the end of the corridor. Madam Norris followed closely behind, letting out a sharp cry, clearly dissatisfied with Ivan's escape.
Ivan ran all the way. He reached a corner, stopped abruptly, leaned against the wall, and panted heavily. Only after confirming that no one was chasing him did he breathe a sigh of relief, a triumphant smile appearing on his face.
"That Night Watchman is really something. Instead of chasing those students, why is he staring at me?" Ivan muttered. He looked around, confirmed his direction, and walked quickly toward his dormitory. His steps were light, and his mood gradually calmed down.
At the end of the corridor, the candlelight flickered, casting his silhouette. As he walked, he hummed a tune softly, as if nothing had happened.