Starting with Proficiency Panel-Chapter 757: See the Clearly (New Book Content)

"Li Qing, want to go see a movie this weekend? I found a really good horror film called 'Zhenzi vs. Gourd Kids.' It's been getting rave reviews lately! I really want to see it, but I'm scared to go alone. Will you go with me, please?"

"Sorry, I have to play Luke this weekend, so I can't go."

Li Qing looked somberly at the female marked with a red heart on his phone sending him a 'smile' emoji.

He couldn't figure out what he said wrong for her to send him a deadly 'smile' emoji when he was clearly dealing with serious matters, earning money to save for a down payment.

He actually really liked this woman, even though she's three years older than him... But as the saying goes, 'A woman three years older is like holding gold bricks,' right?

"Sigh!"

He sighed deeply, then quietly opened his phone browser, skillfully opened a certain website, and picked up a tissue from nearby...

To wipe the grease from the corner of his mouth.

He watched fuel-blood video clips on his phone from a small broken site, silently sighing again with a long Qi.

Today was his thirtieth birthday; people say thirty is the age to stand one's ground, but as far as he's concerned today, it's just thirty.

In his somewhat messy rental apartment, the table beside him was littered with leftover takeout, old posters adorned the walls, and clothes were casually strewn about. The computer monitor still glowed with the live stream from a certain platform.

This was the most typical bachelor man's home—chaotic, yet organized in its chaos, with items Li Qing knew like the back of his hand.

He glanced back at the live stream on the computer and touched his face.

"I don't look that bad, so why can't I find a girlfriend by now? It's..."

Truly a bitter reality, since as far back as he could remember, Li Qing had exuded only two words.

Mediocrity!

Even though he had a fair, gentle appearance that looked scholarly, a plus point, his friends introduced many to him, and at first glance, mutual affection blossomed. But when it came to conversation, this vague feeling vanished into thin air.

Not even a trace remained.

Li Qing found this troubling. He consulted with many female friends, sought advice, even simulated scenarios.

In the end, the unanimous conclusion was that Li Qing's way of speaking was wrong—in other words, he was harder than steel, comparable to the latest ultra-hard alloy.

His speech killed invisibly, with a lethality towards women already at max.

It got to the point where enthusiastic female friends, after simulating dialogue scenarios with Li Qing, didn't talk to him for three days.

Reflecting on this, Li Qing was frustrated; he wanted to do something meaningful, but it was a complete mess when he did, full of absurd hiccups.

As he thought of this, just as he got up to manage two more bites of takeout, his phone suddenly vibrated.

Li Qing paused, looking at the display of an unusual incoming call with some confusion. Someone calling this late, could it be someone remembering his birthday?

No, no, definitely not. His parents went missing when he was fourteen, and he hadn't heard from them since; he'd been living alone ever since. To make life in this mega-city more comfortable, he moved out of his house to rent it out and rented a studio apartment himself.

Beyond that, no one would know today was his thirtieth birthday.

Maybe it's work-related.

He answered with a hint of helplessness.

"Hello?"

"Zzzzz..."

Listening to the static on the phone, Li Qing frowned slightly and was about to hang up when a male voice suddenly came through.

"Hello, hello, is this Mr. Li Qing?"

Listening to the somewhat excitable voice filled with significant laughter, Li Qing had a sense of what was going on.

Probably someone's prank.

Li Qing replied blandly, "Yes, who is this?"

"Oh, congratulations, you know you're the luckiest person in the world... Oh, oh, let me first wish you a happy thirtieth birthday, and congratulations on your thirty-year singles anniversary, hahaha..."

Upon hearing this, the male voice seemingly couldn't help but laugh, a bit losing composure.

This made Li Qing quite displeased: "Is my thirty-year single status really worth laughing at?"

"No, no, I was just thinking of something happy."

"What's so happy?"

"My wife gave birth..."

Li Qing cut in irritatedly, "You seem to think I haven't watched movies, can you please stop using these old jokes to mess around? Don't be too excessive, I advise you to hold back!"

About to hang up the call, the voice hurriedly continued, "Wait... I haven't finished, this is a conversation that might change your life, don't you want to take the time to listen?"

Li Qing hesitated a moment, ultimately suppressing his temper and said, "Go on."

The voice cleared his throat and introduced himself, "My name is Zhuang Xu, recruitment mentor at Gray Magic Academy. Congratulations on qualifying and being successfully admitted to our school... Well, believe the admission letter will soon be mailed to your address..."

"...What? Magic Academy?"

Li Qing felt baffled; if you're going to lie, say something reasonable, right? What utter nonsense.

At this point, Li Qing was more intrigued, as it was his first time receiving such a scam call.

"Just tell me, why exactly did I qualify to enter this Magic School?"

Zhuang Xu's voice suddenly turned serious: "Have you heard such a legend? If a man maintains purity until thirty, he can become a mage and use magic."

Li Qing was stunned: "Wh...what?"

"It's true; if a man reaches thirty and is still single, he can convert into a mage and learn various magic. Trust me—this is your life's turning point, don't..."

Click!

Li Qing hung up the phone expressionlessly; this lunatic who got his number specially called today to tease him.

Tap tap tap!

Li Qing was slightly dazed, turned his head towards the window, and was suddenly shocked to see a dark silhouette perched on the window ledge, a pair of glowing green eyes staring intently at him.

Its head bobbed as it made 'tap tap tap' sounds.

A strange and horrifying aura suddenly surfaced, making his skin crawl, legs weak and almost unable to stand.

Gulp!

Li Qing swallowed hard, standing frozen for about thirty seconds. Seeing that it didn't move, he forced himself to muster spirit and step closer, slowly.

Upon closer inspection, Li Qing finally relaxed and cursed, "Scared the hell out of me!"

It was an owl, though this one had completely black feathers, not a speck of different color, and its human-like eyes were like two black gemstones, gazing at him with a disdainful look straight on.